Daily Inspiration

Prayer Garden
Find rest and peace in the presence of the Lord. Discover daily prayers for life's journey.

Thanking God in Everything
On the Christian journey, we take comfort in knowing that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (See Romans 8:28)

Devotional Message: The Fruit of the Spirit
In the Christian life, as we walk in the Spirit, the sinful nature is put to death and the fruit of the Spirit is produced in our lives.

Morning Devotion: Obedience is Pleasing to the Lord

Happy Friday... Keep the charge of the Commander of our lives. "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22)

"At the command of the Lord the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the Lord they would camp; as long as the cloud stayed above the tabernacle they remained encamped. Even when the cloud continued long, many days above the tabernacle, the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord and did not journey. So it was, when the cloud was above the tabernacle a few days: according to the command of the Lord they would remain encamped, and according to the command of the Lord they would journey. So it was, when the cloud remained only from evening until morning: when the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they would journey; whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud was taken up, they would journey. Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey. At the command of the Lord they remained encamped, and at the command of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses." (Numbers 9:18-23)

Today's Devotional: An Enduring Love

Pondering the greatest and ultimate sacrifice, Christ made on behalf of the human race, one's finite mind cannot fathom the enormity of it all. It takes the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth, teaching us what we in ourselves are incapable of grasping. As we grow in the knowledge of him who gave us himself, we can then appreciate more and more the reality and relevance of his enduring love.

The dictionary defines love as “An intense affectionate concern for or passionate attraction to another person.” The Word of God says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) 

So fervent and intense was his love for lost souls, Christ did not regard the pain He would endure: The accusations, mocking, scourging, insults, taunts, betrayal, and denials. If he had considered these things, he would have done like his friends— He would have found the nearest exit and flee into obscurity, but His purpose was ordained, and He was intent on its fulfillment. Fulfilling the will of his Father was His mandate, and He was not to be stopped by detractors.

Such enduring love was demonstrated to the fullest extent. There are few who willingly give up their own lives without a fight. In His agony, you could hear Him in your heart whisper, “I love you.” You could feel it as He opened his mouth and said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

You saw it in His full surrender, as He gave them His hands and His feet. He did not clench His fist, but opened His palms to the thrust of the nails. He could have exercised His authority and divine powers in their midst. He could have disappeared to their utter amazement, but He didn’t...he endured!

He knew it was our sins that alienated us from true fellowship with our Maker; He knew we were prisoners of  His greatest adversary Lucifer and the fallen angels. Once the works of the devil were destroyed, and the sting was taken out of death, we could experience the healing of our own wounds.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Let us therefore thank God for His enduring love; He has shed his love abroad in our hearts. May we reciprocate and love the Lord our God, with all our heart, and mind and soul, and our neighbor as ourselves. Let us abide in His enduring love!


A Walk In The Garden Devotionals

Trust in God and Not the Arm of Flesh

There are many spirits gone out into the world. Likewise, there are many voices, but let us tune our ears to the voice of God.

As often is the case, many do gravitate to the sound of the tumult. We can become lost in the sea of opinions, debates and discussions.

Throughout the Bible, we see God sending his prophets to His people, bearing messages of hope, sometimes punishment for their rebellious ways. We also see in the scriptures, men who prefer to be in total control and their ultimate demise -- Evil imaginations, exaltation of self, denial of God's existence, backsliding... all these things are a prescription for disaster. We thank God who is merciful, loving and forgiving -- Who bears with His human creation time and time again. Wanting us to turn, turn again to Him and serve Him, rely on Him and not the arm of flesh. Heed His voice and not the voice of the crowds.

Let's look to the word of God - 2 Chronicles 18: The Defeat of Ahab

Jehoshaphat, king of of Judah visits his pal Ahab, king of Israel in the town of Samaria. Ahab rolls out the red carpet for him... (Killed sheep and oxen in abundance, not to mention everything else that goes into putting on a party like only kings can.) You know there's always going to be more at the table than what's being served when kings have their meetups.

Ahab wasted no time in petitioning Jehoshaphat to go with him to battle. And Ahab, king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people and we will be with thee in the war.

And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord today. Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men. Read the full chapter for the outcome. Discover how and why Micaiah, also a prophet (who was later called to their gathering) was assaulted for speaking the truth. Come away understanding that it is a vain thing to put trust in chariots and the arm of flesh, that the horse is prepared for battle, but the outcome is of the Lord. That God Almighty is King over all. His counsel stands forever. He is the Lord. 

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Sanctification and the Proper Order of Kingdom Living

There was great rejoicing on the day the ark of God finally came to the City of David, to the place David had prepared for it. It had remained in the house of Obed-Edom for three months following an initial attempt to bring it from the house of of Abinadab in Kirjath Jearim. Uzza and Ahio drove the cart containing the ark on that day, but God struck Uzza because he had put out his hand to hold the ark as they stumbled at Chidon's threshing floor. Being fearful, David would not move the ark with him into the City of David, but took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. (See 1 Chronicles 13)

We later learn that God had broken out against them because they the Levites had not sanctified themselves. "And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab. And he said to them, "You are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites, sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. For because you did not do it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order." (1 Chronicles 15:11-13.)

The manner in which the ark was transported also came into question--they had used a new cart instead of it being carried on poles by the Levites.

God is holy and He has called us to live a holy life not by our own might, but by His grace working in and through our lives. As members of His royal priesthood, a holy nation, we have been separated to God to be his instruments of grace on the earth, vessels of honor for him who purchased our souls' salvation with His own blood. Therefore, let us handle the word of the Lord and our Father's business with a clean heart, being sanctified by the Lord himself. How often we stumble and fail in our attempts to do even good, not realizing that it's often through our own disobedience and lack of attention and diligence to the proper order of kingdom living.

What started out as a day of great celebration, ended on a sad note. It's a reminder that what really impresses God is our willingness to inquire of him and heed his voice. In the multitude of counselors, there is wisdom, but when all is said and done, it's only what God has imparted to us according to His purpose and design that will endure.

The precious blood of Jesus Christ sanctifies us and makes clean. Do not mingle with the works of darkness, but rather expose them. Do not conform to this world, nor yield to the sin that easily besets us. Do not allow anything or anyone to make an adjustment to the order established by God the Creator of heaven and earth. His law has been written now upon our hearts; hearts that have been sanctified, lives that have been changed by His awesome grace and power. Let us walk humbly before Him, in all things seeking to please Him who has called us and given us His special treasure in earthen vessels.


God bless you!


- A Walk In The Garden Devotion

Rely on the Lord of Hosts: He is More Than Able

Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles Chapter 16

In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
  Then Asa brought silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the Lord and of the king's house, and sent to Ben-Hadad king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying, "Let there be a treaty between you and me, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold; come, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me."
  So Beh-Hadad heeded King Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel. They attacked Ljon, Dan, Abel Maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali.
  Now it happened, when Baasha heard it, that he stopped building Ramah and ceased his work. Then King Asa took all Judah, and they carried away the stones and timber of Ramah which Baasha had used for building, and with them he built Geba and Mizpah.
  And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: "Because you have relied on the king of Syria and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand.
  Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet beacuse you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand.
  For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars."
  Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him because of this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at that time.
  Note that the acts of Asa, first and last, are indeed written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet and his malady was severe, yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians.
  So Asa rested with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign. They buried him in his own tomb which he had made for himself in the City of David; and they laid him in the bed which was filled with spices and various ingredients prepared in a mixture of ointments. They made a very great burning for him.

Exhortation:

Let us trust and keep trusting in the Lord of Hosts. It is God who alone has all power to save and to deliver. There is nothing or no one who is hidden from His sight. Neither is there any force greater than God, for He has made all things. Asa thought he was now secure with the help of the King of Syria. He went ahead and built two cities with the materials he took from Ramah. He did not prosper at all, but became diseased in his feet and died.

May our total reliance be on the Lord! Let us love Him with all our hearts and depart not from His holy presence. Do not despise His correction. Walk humbly before the true and living God. He is more than able!

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stand upright.
Psalm 20:7

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Daily Thought: Jesus, Master Builder & Chief Architect

God desires that we worship Him not just with our lips, but from our hearts in spirit and in truth.

By His great power, He formed us from the dust of the earth and made us a living soul. He clothed us with flesh, fenced us with bones and sinews, and put His spirit within us. He fashioned all our members, and made us to multiply and fill the earth. Yet the “Master Builder” and “Chief Architect” of His universe has not left His “Blue Prints” in our hands. Man has tried to come up with his own designs, but have failed to produce an enduring work. Jesus is the foundation, and the chief cornerstone that holds it all together.  

As we watch Him and learn at His feet, we would be instructed as to how to go about His business. Our ultimate desire would be to bring glory to His name.

As we live our daily lives, we should be cognizant of His presence. Our hearts should rejoice as we bring Him the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Ignoring Him will result in misguided undertakings, that will not endure the test of His fire, when it is tried. We need not fear when He is leading, for He will direct our paths in righteousness, mercy and truth. Amen.

-A Walk in the Garden Devotionals

Morning Devotion: Do Not Be Afraid

It's a new day and we know not what this day will bring, but be encouraged — The Lord is ever present. He is the Lord God of all our yesterdays, todays and tomorrows. Truly, our lives and times are in His hands. He speaks peace to the billowy waves and they must obey. He grants us His power to overcome by faith in His name. He will never leave thee nor forsake thee.

Today's Scripture Readings:

Isaiah 43:2

When you walk through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for YAH, the Lord is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.

Psalm 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.