Category: Getting Away

 

Blinded by Spiritual Pride

Scripture: John 9:41 – “Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but because you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.”

 

The Pharisees thought they knew it all. Their “sight” blinded them to Jesus. He said, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but because you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.” Their pride kept them from the truth.

Application:

Think about your closest relationships. Marriage, parenting, even close friendships – these are often where spiritual pride can sneak in. Maybe you’re having a disagreement with your spouse. Are you so convinced you’re right that you’re not even listening to their perspective? Are you so focused on proving your point that you’re missing the heart of what they’re trying to say? Do you immediately shut them down, or are you willing to hear them out, even if you don’t ultimately agree? Sometimes, we’re so sure we know what’s best, so convinced of our own wisdom, that we become unwilling to hear the truth from those closest to us. This unwillingness to hear can damage our relationships and hinder our own spiritual growth. And sometimes, the truth is hard to hear. It might challenge our comfortable assumptions, or expose our own weaknesses. But true humility means being open to that truth, even when it makes us uncomfortable.

Prayer:

Lord, forgive my spiritual pride. Show me where I’m blind, especially in my closest relationships. Help me to truly listen, to be humble and teachable, and to always be open to your truth, regardless of how I feel about it. Help me to receive it with grace and a willingness to learn. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Trusting God Completely

“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” — John 8:29

 

Jesus shows us what it means to rely entirely on God. He knew His Father was always with Him because He focused on doing what pleased God. This close relationship gave Him confidence, even when facing challenges.

Application:

We can follow Jesus’ example by:

1. Spending Time with God Daily:

• Pray and Read the Bible: Start each day talking to God and reading His Word to understand His desires for us.

2. Aligning Our Actions with His Will:

• Seek His Guidance: Before making decisions, ask God what He wants and be willing to follow His lead.

3. Trusting His Presence:

• Remember His Promises: When life gets tough, recall that God is always with us, offering support and strength.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for always being with me. Help me to seek You daily, follow Your guidance, and trust in Your constant presence. May my life reflect my love for You in all I do.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

What Is This Living Water? 

John 7:38-39

38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.

39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Jesus stood up in the middle of a great feast and made this bold invitation:anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.He wasn’t talking about physical thirst, He was offering spiritual fulfillment.

We all have a deep need that nothing in this world can satisfy. Success, relationships, money, even good things like family and ministry, will never fully quench the thirst in our souls. Only Jesus can do that.

When we believe in Him, He fills us with the Holy Spirit, who becomes like a river of living water flowing from within us. This means we’re not just filled for ourselves, but meant to overflow, bringing life, encouragement, and the presence of God to those around us.

Application:
If you feel empty, tired, or spiritually dry, go to Jesus not temporary fixes.

Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you so that you’re not just surviving but overflowing with His presence.
Let your life be a source of encouragement and refreshment to others.

Prayer:

Jesus, I come to You today because I need You. Fill me with Your living water. Satisfy my soul and let my life overflow with Your Spirit. Use me to bring encouragement, hope, and truth to those around me. In Your name, Amen.

Obedience vs. Greed

 

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:13-14

“And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, ‘My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then when he says to you, “Wash, and be clean”?’ So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”

 

Naaman almost missed his miracle because of his pride. He wanted a big, dramatic healing, but God required something simple—obedience. Thankfully, his servants encouraged him to listen, and when he did, he was completely healed.

 

On the other hand, Gehazi saw an opportunity to profit from the miracle. Instead of honoring what God had done, he let greed take over, lied, and ended up cursed with leprosy. One obeyed and was blessed. The other was dishonest and faced consequences.

 

Application:

• Sometimes, God asks us to do something simple, but we hesitate because we want a bigger, more exciting answer. Obedience is key.

• Greed and dishonesty will always cost us more than we expect. We can’t hide anything from God.

• Surround yourself with people who encourage you to do what’s right, like Naaman’s servants did.

 

Prayer:

Lord, help me to obey You even when I don’t understand. Give me a humble heart that listens and follows Your ways. Keep me from greed, dishonesty, or trying to take shortcuts. Let my life reflect integrity and faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Love That Sets Us Apart

Scripture: John 13:35 

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Reflection:

Jesus said that love is the mark of His disciples. It’s not our knowledge, church attendance, or good works—it’s our love. But real love is sacrificial, forgiving, and unconditional. Loving when it’s easy is natural, but loving when it’s hard shows the power of God in us.

 

Application:

• Find a way to serve someone today—whether through encouragement, generosity, or simply listening.

• Ask yourself: Does my love reflect Jesus? If not, what needs to change?

• Pray for someone you struggle to love, asking God to help you see them through His eyes.

 

Prayer:

Jesus, help me love like You. Not just when it’s easy, but when it’s hard. Give me a heart that forgives quickly, serves joyfully, and loves unconditionally. Let my love be a testimony that points others to You. In Your name, Amen.

 

Walking in the Spirit

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

Reflection:

The fruits of the Spirit are not just personality traits—they are evidence of Christ in us. When we let the Holy Spirit lead, love becomes natural, joy is not dependent on circumstances, and self-control is possible even when we feel weak.

Application:

• Choose one fruit of the Spirit to focus on today. Need more peace? Surrender your worries to God. Need more self-control? Pause before reacting.

• Recognize that true love comes from the Holy Spirit, not our own strength.

• When faced with a challenge today, whisper a simple prayer: Holy Spirit, help me respond with Your fruit, not my flesh.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, I need You today. Fill me with Your love, joy, and peace. Help me be patient when I feel impatient, kind when it’s inconvenient, and gentle when I want to be harsh. Let my life reflect You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Love Is More Than A Feeling 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Reflection:

Love is more than a feeling—it’s an action, a choice we make daily. Paul describes love as patient and kind, not selfish or easily angered. This means love shows up in how we speak to our family, how we react when frustrated, and how we treat those who may not deserve it.

Application:

• Show patience today—take a deep breath before reacting to something frustrating.

• Choose kindness—offer an encouraging word or small act of service.

• If tempted to speak harshly, pause and ask, Is this love?

Prayer:

Lord, help me to love as You love. Give me patience when I want to rush, kindness when I’m tempted to be harsh, and humility when I feel prideful. Let my love reflect Yours today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Run to God, Not Away

Scripture:

“So she said, ‘It is well.’” —2 Kings 4:26

The Shunammite woman was a woman of faith. She made room for God’s presence in her home, and He blessed her with a son. But one day, that miracle died in her arms. Instead of giving in to fear or despair, she took action. She laid her son in Elisha’s room and ran straight to the man of God. When asked if everything was okay, she simply said, “It is well.”

What faith! She did not settle in grief—she sought God, trusting that He could restore what was lost. And He did.

We all face moments when something dear to us feels lost—a dream, a relationship, a hope. The enemy whispers, “It’s over.” But like the Shunammite woman, we must choose to run to God, not away. Lay it at His feet and trust that He is still the God of restoration.

 

Prayer:

Lord, help me to run to You, not away. Strengthen my faith to believe that You are working, even when I don’t see it yet. I trust You to restore what feels lost and to bring new life where there seems to be none. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God’s Kindness Changes Us

Romans 2:4  “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

God has been so patient with us—giving us chance after chance, not because He is weak, but because He’s merciful. His kindness isn’t approval of sin; it’s an invitation to turn back to Him.

And if He treats us with such grace, shouldn’t we do the same for others? Too often, we expect patience from God but are quick to judge those around us. True repentance isn’t just about receiving His mercy—it’s about reflecting it.

So today, let us not take God’s kindness for granted. Instead, let’s respond with a heart that turns toward Him and extends His love and patience to others.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your patience with me. Help me not to take Your mercy for granted but to truly turn my heart toward You. And as You have been patient with me, teach me to extend that same kindness and grace to others. Let my life reflect Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

A Heart of Obedience

 

John 6:38 – “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”

Jesus lived with a clear purpose—to do the will of His Father. He didn’t come to pursue His own plans, comfort, or desires, but to walk in complete obedience to God’s will. If the Son of God Himself chose surrender over self, how much more should we?

Obedience isn’t always easy. Sometimes, God’s will leads us into places that stretch us, challenge us, or require sacrifice. But the beauty of surrender is that it aligns us with His perfect plan. Even when we don’t understand, even when it’s uncomfortable, we can trust that God’s way is always best.

Maybe God is calling you to step out in faith, let go of something, or trust Him in a deeper way. Like Jesus, may we have the heart to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

Prayer:

Father, I come before You with a heart that longs to follow You. Help me to surrender my plans, my desires, and my will to Yours. I don’t want to live for myself—I want to walk in Your purpose for my life. Even when obedience feels hard, remind me that Your way is always best. Give me the courage to trust You fully and the strength to follow wherever You lead. May my life be a reflection of Your truth and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.