Here is another list of edevotional’s most popular posts – “How-to’s” and lists – for the past twelve months. Check it out!

1. How to Encounter God Ebook

The most popular page on the site. Don’t have a copy of my ebook? Get it, it’s free!

2. How to Have a Devotional Time with God

Many people know they should spend time with God, but don’t know-how.

3. How to Hear from God through Bible Devotions

Hearing the voice of God is a Christian’s birthright. Find out how

4. How to Live Life in Two Verses

Just two verses that will rock your world.

5. How to Change Your World

Enjoy this short video devotion!

Get started here!

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Edevotional.com exists to provide you bible-based thoughts that will bring you closer to God. As I look over the posts that I’ve shared with you, it has been humbling and so encouraging to see the journey of God amongst all the words.

Here are some of the best devotions we have shared here for you:

1. And Pray (Ephesians 6)

Completing the armour of God

2. Hated for Jesus (Matthew 10)

Not everyone will be excited that you love Jesus

3. Are we there yet? (Ephesians 4)

We haven’t arrived, but God is at work

4. The Call of Abram Part 1 (Genesis 12)

Three part devotional on this great man of faith

5. God’s Love Covers Us (Genesis 3)

Instead of shame, He covers us with His love

6. The Nature of God’s Power (Ephesians 3)

Five things the power of God does in you and I

7. Is God Personal

Guest post by Tyler Ellis, author of Question Everything

8. The Ripple Effect of Answered Prayer (Acts 12)

When you get your breakthrough, what ripple effect will it have on others

9. The Word of God Performs Its Work (1 Thessalonians 2)

How the Word of God works to align our lives with the Truth

10. Treasure in Heaven – A Different Economy (Matthew 6)

Heaven’s economy never suffers a downturn

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Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom from Pexels

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Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

How ought we live? We ought to live in such a way as to please God.

It is easy to live seeking to please yourself, or others, or your family, or your boss, or your flesh. But Jesus commands, first and foremost, I want you to live so that you please the Lord.

Living pleasing to the Lord is not a once off.

“But I made a decision to follow Jesus years ago!” some will say. “But I AM already born again” others will say.

Pleasing God is not an ongoing state of being. It is something we do (or don’t do) by how we live day by day. As long as we live, we must aim to live pleasing to Him. So how do we do that?

Some ways we can live pleasing to God:

• Live by faith – Hebrews 11:6 says without faith it is impossible to please God. When we choose the way of faith, we please Him.
• Resist temptation – Every time we say no to temptation, we choose the way of the Spirit and that is pleasing to God.
• Walking in Love – When we act out of love we are demonstrating God’s heart to others. We are choosing His way over ours and it pleases Him.
• Our Attitude – When we set our desire upon please Him, that in itself brings joy to His heart and is pleasing as we value Him first.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for showing me how to live. I ask that you would strengthen me so that I would live in such a way as to please you, day in and day out. Thank you Father, in Jesus name, Amen.

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…may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, ¹³ so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

These verses talk of God pouring out His love in our hearts that we may love others in increasing measure. I don’t know about you, but that is convicting to me!

Paul goes on to give us a reason for this exhortation. He says, it is so that “your hearts blameless in holiness before our God”. A heart abounding in love is going to be made holy before God! Wow.

But there is a greater context to this again. This holiness that comes from the outpouring of God’s love is being perfected in preparation for the second coming of Jesus!

I’ll put it this way. Why does God want our hearts full of love and so, blameless in holiness before Him? Because He is preparing us – His people – for the return of His Son, Jesus.

Jesus is coming for a pure and spotless bride. He is wanting to find a people with loving and holy hearts before their God. That is what is required of the the bride.

PRAYER: Father, pour out your love in my heart. Fill my heart Lord with your love. Let me know your love and hunger after your love more and more. Create in me a pure heart Lord, in Jesus name, Amen.

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But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

Even in times of conflict and when under attack, Paul, Silas and Timothy still acted with boldness in their God and in the gospel message.

When conflict comes and when difficulties arise, our first reaction is to shrink back. Our emotions tell us to pull back and take the safe option. But that is not what God in looking for.

The man or woman of God who remains bold in tough times is the person who is aware that God is at work.

• Instead of sensing danger, they sense opportunity
• Instead of being intimidated, they are invigorated by the battle
• Instead of seeing the enemy at work, they see God at work

Boldness comes from knowing our God. The more we know Him, the more we know He is good and able to overcome every difficulty and opposition.

The person who knows their God knows that suffering and hardship will be turned around for our good. And so they can step out in boldness.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for working in my situation. I thank you you have overcome the world. I ask and receive boldness today to keep on the assignment you have for me. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Acts 17:5 says:

But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.

Whenever there is forward progress or whenever ground is claimed in the heavenly battle (see verse 2-4), there is invariably a demonic backlash. 

Jesus won the victory over sin and death and the devil, but we are charged with enforcing it. This kicks the enemy out of where he is – in someone’s life, in someone’s house, in someone’s business – and the response is reprisals.

Now not every kind of opposition in demonic. Sometimes it is simply the consequences to your own actions. Don’t blame the devil for what is your own responsibility! It is important to discern the difference. But if you are making forward progress for God, then at some point opposition will come.

It is important to not see the enemy as people. We are called to love people as Jesus does. Opposition might come in the form of other people, but “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness.” (Ephesians 6:12). It is the spirit at work in people that we need to carefully discern and see.

When you face opposition don’t be disturbed. Jesus faced opposition, the disciples faced opposition and we face opposition today. Don’t fear, because Jesus has overcome the world and everything in it. You are being opposed because you are being used by God, you are anointed for His kingdom work, and you are His beloved. You are winning the battle, don’t give up.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the Victory. Thank you that you are with me and with you I will overcome. Thank you for your protection and your grace to persevere and overcome. In Jesus name, Amen

Related articles

• The Good News
• When God anointed Jesus …
• Jesus Christ learned obedience
• Our Enemy Is Not A Person

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Philippians 4, verse 5 – 7 says:

The Lord is at hand; ⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I love the truth that the Word of God presents to us. Such amazing insights into our Lord and how He works.

Consider these notes from the above passage.

1. “The Lord is at hand…” – the presence of God is here! God’s presence is with you, now. Therefore…
2. “…do not be anxious about anything…” – you don’t have any reason to worry or fear. Remember, God is with you! So instead…
3. “…by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving…” – pray and give thanks! When you recognise fear, worry, or anxiety creeping in, stop, arrest those thoughts and use it as an opportunity to thank and pray to God.
4. “… let your requests be made known to God…” – Pray for your needs, not because God doesn’t know them, but because He wants you to lay the burden of them down at His feet. Get those needs before Him! And then…
5. “…the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” – Wow, what a promise! Peace, the likes of which you can’t comprehend, will protect you from the effects of worry, anxiety and fear. The link to this is prayer; God active in our prayer.

WHAT NOW?

1. Meditate on this passage, allowing it’s truth to soak into your heart and mind.
2. In prayer, give each worry and fear to the Father whose presence is with you.
3. Receive the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding in Christ Jesus.

Related articles

• Living the Life (Philippians 1)
• What is Prayer?
• Pray, and let God Worry
• Peace

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Deuteronomy Chapter 7 verses 21-23 says:

²¹ You shall not be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God. ²² The Lord your God will clear away these nations before you little by little. You may not make an end of them at once, lest the wild beasts grow too numerous for you. ²³ But the Lord your God will give them over to you and throw them into great confusion, until they are destroyed.

God’ plan for you to take possession of the promised land He has given you is not to possess it over night or even in a day. Rather we possess it “little by little”.

Whilst we love the “suddenly”s of the Lord, the truth is victory and the promises of God are attained “little by little”.

• One aspect of character at a time
• One family member at a time
• One financial breakthrough at a time

One step at a time, little by little, we walk in the promises of God more and more. Contrary to our schedule, God is not in a hurry. He works according to His pace and plan and it is a wise Christian who comes to realise that.

Why does God give us the victory “little by little”?

1. It is as much the process as the outcome that counts – Like Enoch, God wants to walk with Him. And when we walk with Him we are changed to become more like Him. Little by little we walk with Him, need Him and allow Him to work for us.
2. There is always more to God for us to discover – We don’t ever “make it” or “arrive” this side of eternity. As long as we have breath we are all works in progress. Little by little also discover more of WHO God is.
3. We are being prepared for Eternity – Taking ground, taking authority, taking up who we are in Christ little by little is preparation for eternity where we will rule and reign with Him.

PRAYER: Father, I choose to walk with you and take ground for you little by little. I resolve to keep walking and stay faithful trusting you to fulfil your word to me. In Jesus name, Amen

Related articles

• The Spirit of Caleb (Numbers 14)
• Intro to Hebrews 4 – How do You Know You Share in Jesus Christ?
• The Power of Resurrection Life – Rick Joyner
• The Conquest of Canaan (Exodus 23)

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Numbers 33:51-53 says:

…pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, ⁵² then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their metal images and demolish all their high places. ⁵³ And you shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it.

God has a “promised land”, over the river Jordan, for each of His children. It is a place in the Spirit for us to live in where the promises of God for our lives, our callings and our ministries are made manifest.

The command to cross over and possess that land involves the following five steps according to this passage:

1. “Cross over the Jordan” – Passing over the Jordan is symbolic of the baptism of the Spirit. We need to first pass through the waters of the river Jordan, exchanging the ways of the flesh for being filled with the Holy Spirit.
2. “…drive out the inhabitants” – Who is possessing the arena of your inheritance? If it’s your family – what strongmen are present in your line? If it is business – what strongholds are at work? If it is an area of ministry – what spirit is opposing you? Discern it, ask God for His strategy and pray taking authority over it.
3. “Destroy…” – By taking ground you will encounter new temptations and new battles. Identify the idolatry and remove yourself far from them. Renounce any rights they have over you in all humility and the fear of the Lord.
4. “Take possession” – Once you have identified the land of promise and consecrated yourself to the Lord for it, claim it for the Lordship of Jesus. Not for yourself or your glory – but for His! Declare His Lordship over it!
5. “Settle in it” – Now you are ready to make the shift, from the old to the new. You no longer live in the old circumstance, you are living in the dimension of the promise of the Spirit. Settle in it by aligning your thoughts and words to this truth in God.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for my promised land inheritance in you. I thank you you are faithful and desire to lead me into it. I ask you for understanding and revelation for how I can possess it, in Jesus name, Amen

Photo by Herman. io from Pexels

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Deuteronomy 5:15 says:

You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

In the new covenant we often don’t give much place to sabbath and how it relates to us. We often associate the sabbath with the excesses of the Pharisees and their regime of rules that went with it.

But are there sabbath implications for the new covenant believer? Of course there is.

One of the purposes of the day of rest laid out in this passage is very relevant to us today. It is an opportunity to stop, remember and reflect on deliverance of the Lord that brought us out of Egypt.

Remember, each believer has been delivered from Egypt – spiritual Egypt where we were in bondage to sin in our old, pre-Christ life. Before Jesus, we lived under heavy bondage to sin, slaves to Pharaoh (satan) and on the path to destruction. But, “the Lord your God brought you out”!

Why do we need to stop, remember and reflect on this? There are many benefits for us to do this. Here’s three:

1. To Give God the Praise He is Due – we need to continue to marvel at the wonder of His amazing Grace
2. To Keep a Believing Heart Soft – Israel were condemned for their unbelief because they overlooked the deliverance of God
3. To Prepare us to the Promised Land – we all need regular “life” maintenance and readjustments to keep us on course for the purposes of God.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you and praise you for the gift of my salvation. My heart is moved and thankful for all you’ve done. I love you and worship you Lord. Amen.

Related articles

• A W Pink – The Law and the Saint (Part 1)
• Acts 13. Paul and Barnabas are sent to the Gentiles
• The “I Will” of God (Exodus 6)
• The Clash of the Spirit-led and the Carnal (Exodus 32)`

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