Stay Strong!

 Stay Strong!

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, as we embark into another week to experience God's greatest love and might in our lives, let us stay strong. 

Paul insisted to the church of God in Corinth , "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. - 1 Corinthians 16:13"

What it means to be strong? It actually means we know what it feels like to be weak, to feel we are tired of our life's struggles, to feel demotivated when we don't progress with the plan, to feel unloved when hurt, to feel shaken in our faith, to face fear and feel hopeless, to feel disturbed with what goes around us, etc..

The word of God reminds us today to be strong!

Isaiah 40:31 - But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Have a blessed day!😇

In Christ Alone

Justina Stephen

You matter to God!

 You matter to God!

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, There could be moments we could have felt that we don't matter to our own family, workplace, friends, business, church, ministry etc.

There are plenty of voices in this world that will try to tell you that you aren't good enough, you are a loser, you are slow, you are incapable, you are not worthy, you are not good for relationship, etc. It is very easy for us to get caught up in this crazy web but the voice of God always says that you are loved.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

I would like to bring you a reminder that you matter the most to God! Your life,life in abundance with love, joy and peace, your time, talent and treasure to build His Kingdom.

Rest assured in Him and His timings!

Have a blessed weekend!😇

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

Are we ready for Him?

Are we ready for Him?

                                                               Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend! How prepared are we to face today to meet our to-do list @office,home,academics,work,priority commitments etc? I assume there will definitely be a plan in place to  or at-least we will know what we are supposed to do this day. Isn't it?

Bare minimum we will be ready to face the earthly targets to be met. On the other hand, are we also getting ready to meet Him?

 We live in times where there are so much chaos, confusions, prophetic proclamations, unpredictable pandemic, injustice, sins, political gimmick, etc, etc. Looking at what's happening around us might give us a sense of realization that we are living towards the end times. 

In Matthew 24:14 Jesus says,And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

How it is going to be accomplished? God called us to be a kingdom builder. It is you and I ( the disciples of Christ) entrusted as a channel of testimony in the school we study, the place where we work, the family we are part of it, the church we are planted, the society we live in, etc. 

we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

What is our plan? Are we ready?

Have a blessed day!😇

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

God wants you to smile :)

God wants you to smile :)

                                                                             Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend,  Have you noticed that in today's era we see both men and women spend lots of amount on cosmetics, parlor, health, fitness etc. What is the reason? The reason is simple, everybody wants to look good & healthier.  Don't we feel as it gives us confidence when we look good? We do, right? 

I had read an article some years before that scientist discovered smiling is the secret to a healthy appearance. 

What brings smile on your face? Do you say that whenever you are happy? Are you always happy? In reality, we go through different emotions and this biological state is associated with the nervous system brings neurophysiological changes associated with thoughts, feeling, behavioral responses, and a degree of pleasure or displeasure.

Is there a way to control the neurophysiological changes. Yes, it is possible. We say only happiness brings cheerful look or smile on our face. The scripture says the other way round. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart.

Scripture says in Proverbs 15:30 “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”

Let us always put a smile on our face because it’s a very powerful weapon and its a secret to a healthy appearance. It is not about a cheesy fake one. Give God thanks and always smile, which shows strength and our trust in God. Our smile is rooted in Christ, not in external circumstances, and therefore cannot be easily displaced by external changes. Indeed, a believer can have deep and lasting joy in the midst of life’s most difficult seasons.

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Bless someone’s life today by just giving them a smile and that alone can indeed uplift them. The smallest, easiest least kindness you can do another is SMILE! 😊

Have a blessed day!😇

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

God will fight for you!

God will fight for you!

                                                                      Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, Are you feeling overwhelmed and are you tempted to battle with your own might and hands?

I would encourage and bring you as a reminder that it's time to be still and the battle is not yours and it is the Lord's.

Do not be anxious about anything. He sees us through and we don't have to live in fear. Whatever may be the storm or whatever the devil puts the scheme & torment your mind, remember in the midst of the storm we will prevail by the spirit of God!

Have a blessed day!😇

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

Bridge!

Bridge! 

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, It's a delight to meet you in this start of the week through this devotion. Today its a reminder for us about accomplishments.  We all have a list to accomplish. It could be in a day or in a week or in a year/few year or at a particular matter or things. The desire for fulfillment commences from a goal a person envision, plan and commit to achieve.

Do you wonder why the title was mentioned as bridge then?.  A bridge is a structure built over something (as water, a low place, or a railroad) so people can cross or something that joins or connects. I read this statement from Jim Rohn as the "Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments". How true!

Are we disciplined enough to meet the fulfillment of our goal? May be we have been yearning for a long time on our spiritual journey with God, to lose weight , stay strong & healthy, to become financially stable, emotionally stable etc. However, we fail to build (fail to remember the truth) the bridge which is discipline.

Howsoever we try we could not keep up with our disciplines. Are we tired of ourselves? Do we condemn ourselves that its not doable with me? Actually, it is not the case. We will see what the word of God tells us about ourselves.

Paul writes this as a reminder to Timothy and helping him to overcome stating that you are given with a gift of God and its your responsibility to fan into flame the gift of God.

2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Paul reminds Timothy to exhibit self-discipline which is a fruit of the Holy spirit. It is also a reminder for us of the fact on the gifts which has been given to us by God - no timidity but power, love and self-discipline.

Having knowing the truth, let's focus on the bridge that is self-discipline to accomplish greater things this year! Holy- Spirit will help us to build this bridge to fulfillment through our lives which will bring forth blessing to us and to others around us.

Have a blessed day!😇

In Christ Alone

Justina Stephen

God Says!

God Says!

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, thankful to God for another day in our life as He entrusted us to grow and bear the fruits  (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control. Galatians 5: 22,23) in our lives.

What is our stand today to grow? 

Are we perplexed & still contemplating on the feasibility of bearing the fruits of the spirit in our lives? Do we doubt with our inabilities of overcoming the obstacles in order to grow? Do you need help? 

May be we need Him every hour as our defense and righteousness. Let's see what God says!

In Luke 11 - Jesus says,

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 
12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 
13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

If we ask Him, He is ready to do give the Holy spirit. Are you ready to ask?

Have a blessed day!😇

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

You will live!

You will live! 

                                                                                                      Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, recent days we have been challenged to live a life. Is it not true? Life has become so uncertain and now the basic desire of every human being is just to live a life. 

Many a times, I used to wonder why God is inspiring more on pruning than about blessing. We are so habituated and get excited about the blessing and not the pruning. Is pruning important for a blessing?

For example, if we plant an apple, banana or any other fruit bearing tree, the ultimate desire for us is to see the fruit from it. Does it bear fruit immediately to us?  We water, manure, nurture, weed so that it will grow in strength and bear us the fruit.

Similar way, it is the God's heart for us. He wants us to live and bear fruit. In Luke 10 : 25 , an expert who wants to test Jesus, asked what i should do to inherit the eternal life? We will see how Jesus responded.

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

It is absolutely no doubt that we all love Jesus. Yesterday, we meditated about the importance of Obedience and how Jesus responded of loving Him. John 14:23,  "Jesus replied, 'Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching..."

So loving the lord goes along with obeying what He has taught us through Scriptures. The areas which need obedience according to God's word can just not be done with a saying 'yes i need to change' rather with all our heart, soul, strength and mind should make conscious effort to obey His teaching when we say we love Him.

As we desire even our apple or banana tree to bear fruit, Our heavenly Father desires us to live and bear the fruits of the spirit - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control. (Galatians 5: 22,23)

If we lack in bearing the above fruits, then we need to water (Seek Holy spirit help), manure (Feed with God's word) and weed (weed out the act of disobedience - change from pride, hatred, impatient, quarreling & fighting spirit, not being kind with others, unfaithfulness, etc..) in-order to bear the fruits in our lives.

Have a blessed day! 😇

In Christ Alone

Justina Stephen

Deliverance!

Deliverance!    

                                                                                Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, Hope you had a restful weekend since rest (Rest in God's presence) is mandatory for us to function. Today's meditation is not about that. 😊. It is about deliverance. What is deliverance?  Generally, deliverance often has religious connotations. Meaning of deliverance is to set free. The act of setting someone free. In many places and incidents in the scriptures, we see about God's deliverance.

Having grown up as a child of God, having Faith in God is not exemplary for us (believers). We are so tuned to hearing, reading God's word and so familiarized on the word of truth. 

Romans 10: 17 states , Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 

We love God so much and couldn't deny the fact that HE died on the cross for our sins and for us to live a victorious life. However, most of the times, the challenge we face is deliverance. 

Have you ever wondered, when you pray in faith for others, you would see God does miracles in no time. However, when you pray about your struggles and deliverance, it would be taking a longer duration than it should be. What is the reason?  Where are we lacking and not wise to receive deliverance? 

Disobedience?? 

What is that one thing ( Is it discipline? addiction?sinful nature?) God speaks to you continuously to change according to His words and to put into practice but you keep postponing? Think about it. When we say we love God, He expects us to obey His teaching. He desires for us not to lack any good thing and to be wise. When an earthly parents has the same desire for their Children (not to lack any good thing and to be wise) and how much more our Heavenly father will have towards His Children.

John 14:23,  "Jesus replied, 'Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."

Faith + Obedience = Deliverance

Matthew 7: 24 Jesus says , “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

So let us not merely listen to the word and deceive Ourselves. Faith & Obedience brings deliverance. Our Father is longing for us to come out of all bondage and ready to deliver us and bless us. The decision lies with us. 

James 1: 22-25 , 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Have a blessed day!😇

In Christ alone
Justina Stephen

God has a plan for you!

                                                     God has a plan for you!

                                                                                    Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, How have you been doing through this week? We are towards closing the week with a thankful note. Isn’t it? Yes, we need to be thankful. Gratitude shows that we trust Him & His plan for us. Whatever you might have experienced this week whether it is joy, peace, struggles, troubles, accomplishments, progress, doubts, fear, confusions, etc. you must remember God has a plan for you.

God has built into each one of us a desire to do something meaningful with our lives—to make a contribution to build the kingdom of God. He works out His plan for us in the midst of the challenges which we face in life.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

Have a blessed week end!😊

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

Movement!

                                                                Movement! 

                                                                                    Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, It is not surprising to know the fact that we have already moved a week since this year started. Isn't it? 😊I hope many of you are enjoying this New year and banging on about growing closer to God everyday. May be for some, you kind of still stuck with certain things since the old year/years! We will see how God designed us to handle it.

We have been dealing with the characteristics of living things for the last couple of days, Growth, Water and today we'll look at Movement. All living things move in some way. This may be obvious, such as animals that are able to walk, or less obvious, such as plants that have parts that move to track the movement of the sun. 

Movement is one another characteristics for the things which has breath. Yes, you got it right. We have to keep moving. We are not defined to get stagnated and have to keep moving forward.

Do you say it's not possible for me? Are you saying, I have tried my best but unable to digest the fact that had happened to me, can't face the reality of life without my loved one, i definitely cannot forgive that person who does injustice to me, can't be productive , struggling to use my time and talents to the fullest etc.?

You are not called to get stagnated forever. We have to take every conscious step to move forward.

We read in scriptures how God helped His people (Israelite's) to move from slavery(Egypt) to freedom(Canaan). We need to trust Him. Our God is an able God to do new things.

We can move soon if we don't delay. Israelite's took longer duration of 40 years to reach the promise land due to their unwillingness and disbelief. Are we willing to move forward soon and acquire the promises set for us? Then got to trust Him.

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18,19

We need not fear how i can do it on my own, See what He says,

Isaiah 43: 1-3  ¹ “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. ² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire,  you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.³ For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Have a blessed day!

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

Living Water!

                                                    Living Water!

                                                              Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, Isn't it amazing to know how God speaks directly to us & our situation? He is a living God and His presence is with us guiding us in all truths!

We were reminded in our yesterday's devotion on one of the characteristic of living thing is Growth and how we can grow by all means that makes us prosper (Click here). 

The other essential element for living things is Water.Water carries nutrients to all cells in our body and oxygen to our brain. Water allows the body to absorb and assimilate minerals, vitamins, amino acids, glucose and other substances. Most vitally, water flushes out toxins and waste which helps us to live. 

                                

Living water is a biblical term used in both old and New testament. In Jeremiah 2:13 and 17:13, the prophet describes God as "the spring of living water" John 4: 14 Jesus says "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life"

What kind of water Jesus was referring to? Why He said that water will help the woman to eternal life?

Jesus gives us the answer in John 7: 38-39 "38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Jesus used “water” as a symbol for the Holy Spirit!  Holy Spirit dwells in us when we accepted Him.He seal us and fill us. Rivers of living water are flowing out of believers (that is us). This living water (Holy Spirit) flushes out all the toxins from our life (sinful nature) and enable us to bear the fruits of the spirit and welling us up to eternal life. 

The reason for reiterating multiple times to meditate the scripture is we will know and experience Him more in our life leading us to eternal life, which the God desires for us. 

The Holy Spirit presence is with us always directing our every step according to the scripture, convicting/alerting us when we deviate from the plan He has set for us. The plan is to prosper us and not to harm us. 

Have a blessed day!

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

Growth!

                                                           Growth!

                                                                        Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, I thank God for keeping us alive today when many wasn't able to survive thro' to walk into this new year. Having said that, we have another chance to grow.

This year's faith declaration in our Church as per Holy Spirit inspiration to our Pastor is God wants us to Grow and Go into His plan. Link here for more powerful revelation of truth : Grow and Go

When you look at the world around you, the broadest groupings we see is living and non-living things. How do we differentiate them? Is it not by its characteristics? 

All living things grow. Hence, everyone of us aspire to grow by all means. Growing physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially, healthily etc. could be in our goal list of this year!

Does growth comes automatically? Plant needs to be watered in regular intervals, humans and animals need food to grow.Will the growth be stagnated? No, generally growth brings prosperity.

Then shouldn't we know the secret to prosper?

 

Psalm 1: 2,3 says "but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-- whatever they do prospers"

Secret is meditating the word of God daily :) The secrets of growing physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially, healthily etc is just from a table, book shelves away  - Bible. Let us use it wisely!

Have a blessed day!

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

Be on fire for God! Blessed 2021😇

               Be on fire for God! Blessed 2021😇

                                                 Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, It's a joy to meet you again through this devotion in a New Year!! Praise to our Lord as HE has made us glad and walked with us to enter into this New Year. Wishing you and family a blessed 2021😇

As we embark into this New Year, many of us would have set goals to accomplish.As a child of God, surely being intentional with God will be our first priority in the list. You committed that you were going to read & study the word of God (Bible), pray everyday and serve others and hunger for God more. It is feel of having our heart set on fire for God. Your heart will be full of love and joy that you couldn't contain it.However, it is necessary to keep it burning and not to put-off the flame inside your heart, we need to fuel continuously. Three simple ways mentioned below to keep ourselves on fire for God through out this year!

Talk to God everyday - It doesn't matter how much time you spend but talk to God. The reason being communication is a necessity in a relationship.  I guess you can relate how a couple starts dating and how in love they are with each other after 30 years of married life. Does the spark remains forever? If the spark has to remain there forever, it needs intentional timeout, love, communication with each other. Be intentional to talk to God. Get back to your first love daily and get excited to talk everything - your excitement, anxieties, doubts, plans.Literally everything!

Read God's word daily - We eat food daily to keep ourselves alive. It gives energy for our body to make us stay active. We are not only made up of body. We are made up of body, mind and soul. So feed not only your body, feed mind and soul with God's assuring words.
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’ (Matthew 4:4, NIV)

Serve Others - Don't we get joyful when we serve others? We do, isn't it? It gives us a feel of accomplishments. We get empowered and continuously fired up to reveal who Christ is to others.When you follow Christ’s example and serve other people, you will see God’s love in action and it will stir your heart closer to God’s.

Keep the flame inside of your heart for God. Let us grow closer and closer to God this year!

 Have a blessed day!😊 

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen