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Learn how to mature as a disciple and move into God's purpose for you. Book and Devotional, available on Amazon.com and in Antigua at Cindy's book store (Townhouse Plaza) and Christian Literature Crusade (Lower Church Street).
Daily Devotions matures our relationship with God
Finding myself through knowing God
Today's Lesson
When Doubt Kicks In
Key Passage: Matthew 21:21
Another big challenge we face as Christians is doubt. There are times that despite our best efforts, doubt creeps into our walk with God. Doubt can come as self-doubt, doubt about who God says He is, doubt that God has our best interest at heart, doubt in our purpose in God or doubt that we are where we are supposed to be. For you, it may also come in other forms. No matter the cause or the experience of doubt, what is clear is the damage it does to the relationship we are building with God. When we doubt ourselves, or God, we give room for the devil to interfere, even more, in our lives. How has doubt sabotaged your walk with God? It is time to break the cycle. Jesus said in Matthew 21 "if you have faith and do not doubt..." the Greek word translated faith in this passage means confiding belief in the truth, veracity, reality of a thing, a moral conviction of the truthfulness of God. The Hebrew word for faith does not have a true English translation but presents the picture of a nail that is firmly embedded in a piece of wood that cannot be removed. The world translated doubt on the other hand, means to withdraw from, to separate thoroughly, to show partiality. Thus Jesus is telling us, in order to see the evidence of God in our lives, our moral conviction of the truthfulness of God cannot be overshadowed by withdrawal or thorough separation from him. In verse 22 Jesus continues to tell us that only when we believe will we receive. Now many will say well this just means having faith but the word believe here, though derived from the word faith in Greek, actually carries a slightly different understanding.. It means to entrust yourself to someone or something with the idea of hope and expectations. Thus when you look at it, only when you have the moral conviction of the truthfulness of God (faith), in other words, accept that God is, can you entrust yourself to him with the hope and expectation that he is who he says he is and will do what he says he will do. Thus when doubt kicks in, its time to check your conviction of who God is.
Question: Are you allowing doubt to stunt your growth in God?
Thought for Today: When doubt kicks in, faith (an acceptance of who God says he is) is the only antidote
Further Reading: Luke 24:37-38; Romans 14:23; James 1:6; John 20:29; Matthew 13:58; Romans 11:20; Proverbs 3:5-8
Additional Reading: Topic: Discipleship - Book Recommendations - It's Not About Me God, Its About You: Finding Purpose in God by Melesha Gunning-Banhan; The Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoeffer. Topic- Spiritual Disciplines - Book recommendation: re-Connect, Spiritual exercises to develop intimacy with God by David Sherbino; Theological Anthropology - Being Human in the context of God: Book recommendation - On Being Human, Essays in Theological Anthropology by Ray S Anderson.
Christianity is not something you do, But someone you become
Bible Study
Finding myself through knowing God
Last Week's Lesson
Overcoming Temptations
Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 10:13
In today's passage, Paul tells us there is nothing we have gone through that is not known by God or that is not possible for us to overcome. In fact, we are assured that God will make a way for us to escape the temptation so we do not give in to it. This is an interesting passage. We may think the way to overcome the temptation is based on God giving us an actual way out, providing some other opportunity for us to do something, or a myriad of other things. But when we look at the fact that this Greek word translated here as temptation, has also been translated in other passages as testing or test, for me, it simply means any temptation I may go through can also be seen a a test of my commitment to God. Temptations are based on the power my desires or priorities hold over me compared to the power the will of God has over me. Thus, seeing my situations or circumstances as tests to mature me to the place of fulfilling my purpose in God, means, each situation, challenge or encounter, now becomes a way to move closer to God (through passing a test) rather than moving away from him by giving into temptation. In my situations therefore, my temptations become tests of my will versus God's and my way out, becomes making God and his purpose my priority, instead of the temporary fulfilling of any pleasure that could come my way Do you see your temptations as training grounds?
Question: Are your choices governed by the pleasure they bring, or the purpose of God? Thought for Today: Seeing God as my priority means temptations become tests that mature me in GodFurther Reading: James 1:12; Matthew 26:41; Mark 7:20-23; James 1:13; James 1:3; Galatians 6:1
Additional Reading: Topic: Discipleship - Book Recommendations - It's Not About Me God, Its About You: Finding Purpose in God by Melesha Gunning-Banhan; The Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoeffer. Topic- Spiritual Disciplines - Book recommendation: re-Connect, Spiritual exercises to develop intimacy with God by David Sherbino; Theological Anthropology - Being Human in the context of God: Book recommendation - On Being Human, Essays in Theological Anthropology by Ray S Anderson.
Weekly bible study
Sometimes we can feel the pull of God on our lives, the desire to get to know him is strong, but the means to do so are not always apparent. We can help you with that. Join us for our weekly bible studies. Send us an email and we will add you to the mailing list. If you want to join our online sessions, send us an email and we will send you the link.
Standing in the gap
As women, sometimes it is challenging to balance life, home, ministry and marriage. There are times when we need a renewal, when God calls us to a time of restoration in him. This is the place and time. Join us on May 22nd - 24th, Toronto Canada for SITG Canada and/or July 3rd to 5th SITG Antigua to be renewed in your walk with God. UPDATE :Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic SITG Canada and Antigua were both postponed. We will update you with new dates as soon as we can.
2nd Chance stories
God is a God of second and many other chances. Hear from those who have benefited from his mercies and grace
Second Chances Magazine
Second Chances Magazine is our way of bringing to life what God is doing today in the lives of those around us. This is a quarterly magazine of hope, joy and lessons of grace from God. Coming soon
Youths on the Move
The world is full of things that drive our youths to take refuge in drugs, alcohol, sex and death. At Bethesda Pentecostal House of Prayer, we help your youths find a better way to deal with the challenges and stress they face