Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16 AMP

by Jon Walden | Oct 21, 2011 | Devotions

In the Old Testament Abraham journeyed south.  When he reached Gerar we read that he ‘said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.”  Then Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her’ (Genesis 20:2 NIV).Can you imagine how Sarah...

My cup runs over. Psalm 23:5 NKJV

by Jon Walden | Oct 20, 2011 | Devotions

Paul writes, ‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think’ (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV).  Our God is a God of abundance!  In Scripture, the overflowing cup is a powerful symbol.  As long as your cup was kept...

The lips of the godly speak helpful words. Proverbs 10:32 NLT

by Jon Walden | Oct 12, 2011 | Devotions

A World War II poster reads, ‘Careless words cost lives’.  So when you hear something negative about someone, ask yourself four questions.First, is it true?  ‘You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor’ (Exodus 20:16...

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

by Jon Walden | Oct 11, 2011 | Devotions

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule ‘braying’ – or – whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer...

The lips of the godly speak helpful words. Proverbs 10:32 NLT

by Jon Walden | Oct 7, 2011 | Devotions

Your tongue can be a source of great blessing because it can provide people with two things they need.First, it gives wisdom. ‘The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice.  The lips of the godly speak helpful words’ (vv. 31-32 NLT).  Paul...

These commandments, impress them on your children. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV

by Jon Walden | Oct 6, 2011 | Devotions

Teach your child the importance of standing up for what is right.  Our children gravitate towards whatever pleases the important people in their lives, right or wrong out of their need for acceptance.  If their peers are doing it, peer approval will be a...

Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors… Those who do these things shall never be moved. (Psalm 15:2-3,5 NRSV Bible)

by Jon Walden | Oct 5, 2011 | Devotions

How do we find the truth about God and Jesus Christ? How can we discern who is teaching the truth about the Christian faith and who is not?Remember, actions speak louder than words. Look at the example of Jesus. He valued people and little children and life itself....

Childlike Faith? by Darren Hewer

by Jon Walden | Oct 3, 2011 | Devotions

About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, â€œI tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like...

We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us. (Romans 12:6 NRSV Bible)

by Jon Walden | Sep 30, 2011 | Devotions

It is important for us to understand that each of us have different gifts, and it is important that we use well the gifts God has given to us. There are no superstars in God’s work. In God’s perfect plan for the world each of us has different talents,...

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

by Jon Walden | Sep 28, 2011 | Devotions

A young seminary graduate came to see me while he was investigating various possibilities of Christian service. In particular, he had come to discuss the ministry of Campus Crusade.“In what way do you expect God to reveal His place of service for you?” I...

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. Psalm 23:2

by Jon Walden | Sep 27, 2011 | Devotions

Are you like the man who said, ‘The devil never takes a vacation, so why should I?’  Since when did the devil become your role model?  The words ‘He maketh me to lie down in green pastures’ teach us that only the shepherd can choose...

Make allowance for each other’s faults. Colossians 3:13 NLT

by Jon Walden | Sep 26, 2011 | Devotions

C S Lewis said, ‘Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.’Author Mac Anderson writes, ‘A few times in my life I have been wronged.  My first reaction  was anger and resentment.  I felt my...

“Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49)

by Jon Walden | Sep 23, 2011 | Devotions

These are the words spoken by Jesus to His Mother, after she had anxiously been looking for Him. It was their custom to go to Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover every year.  At that time, Jesus was only twelve years old.  His parents, not knowing...

Having believed, you were marked with a seal. Ephesians 1:13 NIV

by Jon Walden | Sep 21, 2011 | Devotions

If you are having doubts about your salvation, understand this clearly: the moment you trusted in Christ as your Saviour, His blood cleansed you from all sin.  At that point ‘you were marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit guaranteeing [your]...

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”(Psalms 20:7)

by Jon Walden | Sep 20, 2011 | Devotions

Save Me from my SuccessesWritten by Bill StromA few weeks ago I was flipping through the New Year’s edition of a popular sports magazine and came across a list of famous athletes and coaches who died in 2010. Even if one isn’t a big sports fan, it would be...

“Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God’s Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them, and they seem to be nonsense, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 (TEV)

by Jon Walden | Sep 19, 2011 | Devotions

The Bible tells us that there is a God-shaped vacuum in our hearts. There is a hole in our hearts that only God can fill.  We were made to be connected to our Creator.  We were made to know Him and to be plugged into His power.Your heart is designed to...

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13

by Jon Walden | Sep 14, 2011 | Devotions

Many people have the misconception that being “called” by God is something only missionaries, pastors, nuns, and other church leaders experience. But the Bible says everyone is called to serve God by serving others. We are not saved by serving, but we are...

“Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for Me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?’” (Zechariah 7:5, 6)

by Jon Walden | Sep 9, 2011 | Devotions

Going Through the MotionsWritten by Suzanne BennerGod was challenging the people and the priests of that day. In essence, He was asking, “Are you really serving Me or are you just going through the motions?”  There are lots of religious things we do:...

“Lord, every morning you hear my voice. Every morning, I tell you what I need, and I wait for your answer.” Psalm 5:3 (NCV)

by Jon Walden | Sep 1, 2011 | Devotions

Any doctor will tell you the most important meal of the day is breakfast because the way you start your day influences the rest of your day. That’s true not just physically, but spiritually.That’s why the most important part of your day is your time...

“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” (Luke 8:15)

by Jon Walden | Aug 26, 2011 | Devotions

Jesus explained to His disciples that in the parable of the sower (Luke 8:4-15), the seed represented the word of God. In order for God’s word to do its work in our hearts, we must first hear it.We can hear God’s word each week by going to a...