Tag: Guided By Grace

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THE SERPENT / GENESIS 3:1

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Genesis 3:1

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

The First Ray of Hope: Victory Over Darkness

In the shadows of humanity’s earliest rebellion, where shame and fear first entered the human heart, God did not abandon His creation. Instead, into the brokenness of Genesis, He spoke a revolutionary promise that would echo through eternity.

Genesis 3:15 stands as the Protoevangelium—the very first announcement of the Gospel. God declared to the serpent: “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

A Divine Blueprint for Rescue

This profound verse lays out the ultimate spiritual conflict between the ultimate offspring of the woman, Jesus Christ, and the forces of evil. It serves as a prophetic roadmap for the restoration of humanity:

  • The Miraculous Offspring: God promised a Savior born of a woman, a prophecy later clarified by Isaiah’s foretelling of the virgin birth.
  • The Struck Heel: On the cross, Jesus suffered an unjust death. Satan believed he had won, but this agonizing wound was only temporary.
  • The Crushed Head: Through His triumphant resurrection, Jesus delivered a fatal blow to the enemy. He completely disarmed sin, death, and the devil.

What looked like a tragic defeat at Calvary was actually the execution of God’s master plan. The cross fractured the power of darkness, and the empty tomb sealed its absolute destruction.

Living in the Victory

Today, we do not fight for victory; we fight from victory. While spiritual warfare still rages around us, the final outcome has already been decided. Christ has broken the chains of sin and death to restore our relationship with the Father. When you face trials, temptation, or despair, remember that the enemy you face is already defeated. Your Savior holds the ultimate triumph.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your boundless mercy and for never giving up on us. Even in the Garden of Eden, You already had a perfect plan to rescue and restore Your children. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ to break the power of sin, death, and the enemy on our behalf.

When the world feels dark and the spiritual battles grow fierce, remind our hearts of the cross and the empty tomb. Help us to walk boldly in the absolute victory that Christ secured for us. We praise You that the enemy’s head is crushed and our future is forever secure in Your love.

In Jesus’ mighty and victorious name, we pray, Amen.

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Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

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A THIRD OF THE STARS / REVELATION 12:4

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Revelation 12:4
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

A THIRD OF THE STARS / REVELATION 12:4

This action and symbolism is like that of the small horn (the Syrian ruler, Antiochus Epiphanes) in Daniel 8:9-10. Some believe that this is a description of the angel Lucifer’s (Satan’s) original rebellion against God and fall from heaven along with the angels who followed him (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6). Others simply view this as a sign of Satan’s ruthless and destructive power over those who oppose him. Satan is unsuccessful in his attempt to destroy Jesus as an infant (Revelation 12:5; Matthew 2:16-18).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. FALSE PROPHET … THE MIRACULOUS / REVELATION 19:20
  2. THE LAMB OPENED / REVELATION 6:1
  3. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion.

BLESSINGS,

Margarita & Stace

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KING OF TYRE / EZEKIEL 28:12

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Ezekiel 28:12

Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

KING OF TYRE / EZEKIEL 28:12

There is a suggestion in this portion of Ezekiel’s prophecy that Satan himself, working his evil through this leader, is the true ruler of Tyre and the god of this world (1 John 5:19), The king is described as having been a visitor to the Garden of Eden (Ezekiel 28:13), a “guardian cherub,” or angel (Ezekiel 28:14), and a blameless creature in all his ways. This was true until wickedness was found in him (Ezekiel 28:17), he was driven out from the mount of God and thrown down to earth (Ezekiel 28:16-17; Isaiah 14:13-15).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion.

BLESSINGS,

Margarita & Stace

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GAVE HIMSELF FOR US / TITUS 2:14

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

GAVE HIMSELF FOR US / TITUS 2:14

Jesus willingly gave His own perfect life in our place to pay the complete penalty for our sins and offenses against God (1 Peter 1:18-19). He did this in order

  1. To redeem (save, rescue, restore) us from all wickedness and from our own selfish desire to defy God’s law and standards (1 John 3:4).
  2. To make us a holy people – spiritually purified, separated from evil and reserved as God’s very own special possession. When facing struggles with our own sinful desires and Satan’s power, we must realize that if Jesus died to restore us to a personal relationship with God, how much more will He now give us enough help and strength necessary to live victoriously over the power of sin and evil (Romans 5:9-11) and “to do what is good” (Titus 2:11; 3:8).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion.

Blessings,

Margarita & Stace

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DO NOT CONFORM … BUT BE TRANSFORMED / ROMANS 12:2

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Romans 12:2  
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

DO NOT CONFORM … BUT BE TRANSFORMED / ROMANS 12:2

Paul brings out several things in this verse:

  1. There is a very real pressure to conform “to the pattern” of this world and be squeezed into its likeness on many different levels. Christians must firmly resist the temptation to accept and imitate the world’s ways of thinking and behaving.
  2. The reason we must resist adopting the world’s way is because it is evil (Acts 2:40; Galatians 1:4), it is under Satan’s rule (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19), it is hostile to God and His people (John 7:7; 15:18-21; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17) and it is built on human wisdom and values (1 Corinthians 1:17-25). The world holds a worldview that Christians cannot accept because it rejects God and His standards (Romans 1:18-32; Colossians 2:8).
  3. Christ’s kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). This world’s kingdom is full of spiritual darkness, deception, and seduction (Matthew 5:14-16; John 3:19; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 12:9). Christ’s followers are called to be a light in the midst of this darkness (Matthew 5:14-16; Ephesians 5:8-11). Our lives should reflect a positive difference that those in the world cannot help but notice. This includes resisting the temptation to conform to the varied types of worldliness common in society, including greed, selfishness, humanistic thinking, a desire for power, envy, hate, revenge, filthy language, sexual lust and impurity, ungodly entertainment, fashions that are immodest and seductive, substance abuse, relationships that do not honor God and other such things that defy the standards of God’s Word (Ephesians 5:3-16; 1 John 2:15-17).

Instead of conforming to the world’s values and lifestyles, our minds must continually be renewed and transformed (changed) to God’s way of thinking (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5). This can only happen as we spend time reading and meditating on His Word (pondering over and over what it means and how it applies to our lives; Psalms 119:11, 148; John 8:31-32; 15:7). This will allow our visions, values, behaviors and plans to be directed by God’s eternal truth, rather than by the world’s temporary and deceptive pattern.

GOD’S WILL

By having a spiritually renewed mind and a transformed life through a growing relationship with Christ, we are able to discern and follow God’s will – His desires, plans and intentions based on His character and purposes. This is His highest and best way of life for us (though not necessarily the easiest). Some mistakenly regard the references to “good, pleasing and perfect” as three levels of God’s will, but this is really a single description of God’s ultimate purpose. God’s will is “good because it leads to a Christian’s spiritual and moral growth. It is “pleasing” to God because it serves His purposes, even though we may not always understand it. It is “perfect” because we cannot improve on God’s will; it is absolutely what is best for us in our relation to fulfilling His purposes.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. THE SPIRIT HIMSELF TESTIFIES / ROMANS 8:16
  2. THE SPIRIT HELPS US / ROMANS 8:26
  3. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion.
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace
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SPOKE WITH A MAN’S VOICE / 2 PETER 2:16

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) 2 Peter 2:16
But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

SPOKE WITH A MAN’S VOICE / 2 PETER 2:16

Peter clearly believes in the miracles recorded in the Old Testament. Today, self-appointed critics (whom we sometimes find within the church) speak with mocking disrespect and unbelief and reject the reality of the miracles recorded in God’s Word; they also reject those who believe in miracles, believing they are unenlightened or naïve. But true believers take God at His Word and accept all the Bible’s miracles, and THE MIRACLES OF THE APOSTLES. They also believe and know that God performs miracles today in response to the prayers and faith of His people (John 6:2).

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog post! May the words inspire and uplift all who read them. Your support and interest mean the world to me, and I’m grateful for every moment you spend here. Stay tuned for more, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

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MONEY / MATTHEW 6:24

START YOUR DAY RIGHT WITH DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

MONEY / MATTHEW 6:24

  1. To serve money is to place such a high value on it that we
  2. Allow a desire for it to be a main factor in our life decisions and priorities
  3. Place our trust and faith in it
  4. Depend on it for our ultimate security and happiness
  5. Expect it to guarantee our future
  6. Desire it more than we desire God’s plans and purposes.
  7. Greed and the accumulation of wealth soon dominate one’s mind and life so that honoring God is no longer the main priority in a person’s life.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. GO … MAKE DISCIPLES … BAPTIZING / MATTHEW 28:19
  2. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
  3. YOU ARE WORTH MORE / MATTHEW 10:31
  4. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

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THE SPIRIT HIMSELF TESTIFIES / ROMANS 8:16

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Romans 8:16
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

THE SPIRIT HIMSELF TESTIFIES / ROMANS 8:16

As we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and remain in right relationship with Jesus, the Spirit gives us the confidence that we are God’s children (Romans 8:15). He makes us aware that Jesus continues to love us and that He is our constant mediator in heaven (Hebrews 7:25). The Spirit also shows us that God the Father loves us as His adopted children no less than He loves His one and only Son, Jesus (John 14:21, 23; 17:23); and He reminds us of the reward Jesus will share with us in heaven. Finally, the Spirit creates in us the love and confidence by which we cry to Him, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15) – which is an expression of a deeply personal relationship with and access to God.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion.
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace
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YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER / ACTS 1:8

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Acts 1:8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Charged with Heaven’s Power: Understanding Acts 1:8

In His final moments on earth, Jesus didn’t leave His followers with a checklist of rules or a strategic marketing plan for the Gospel. Instead, He left them with a promise that would completely alter human history: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

This is the foundational key verse of the entire book of Acts. It shifts our understanding of Christian living from human effort to divine empowerment. If you have ever felt inadequate to share your faith or ill-equipped to live out God’s purposes, Acts 1:8 is the antidote.

Dunamis: Power in Action

When Jesus promises “power,” the original Greek word used is dunamis. This isn’t just passive strength or inherent ability. It refers to a dynamic force at work—energy in action.

Throughout the Gospels and Acts, writer Luke emphasizes that this specific spiritual empowerment carries distinct markers. It includes the authority to break spiritual chains, drive out evil, and bring physical healing to the sick. These miraculous signs were never meant to be a spectacle. They served as the essential credentials accompanying the bold proclamation of God’s kingdom.

A Gift for the Equipped Believer

An important distinction in Luke’s writing is that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not the same as the initial experience of salvation. Instead, it is a subsequent clothing of God’s power upon those who are already followers of Christ.

Salvation brings us into right relationship with God, but the baptism in the Spirit saturates us with the power to effectively communicate that reality to the world. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate communicator. He works within us to convince the world of sin, righteousness, and the truth of Christ’s resurrection.

Becoming True Witnesses

Jesus stated the exact outcome of this empowerment: “You will be my witnesses.”

The filling of the Holy Spirit fundamentally deepens our intimacy with the Father and the Son. It makes the presence of Jesus vibrantly real to our hearts. Out of that deep, internal relationship, our witness becomes natural and highly effective.

A true witness doesn’t just speak the truth; they live it. When we are immersed in the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of holiness—our lives become saturated with His purity and character. The traits of Christ’s love, truth, and right behavior naturally overflow into our daily actions.

Receiving this power requires a heart of true repentance and a life submitted to Jesus’ leadership. If we desire to see our communities transformed, we must move past our own limited strength and step into the dunamis power of God.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible promise of Acts 1:8. Forgive us for the times we have tried to fulfill Your purposes in our own strength and limited wisdom. We ask right now for a fresh outpouring and baptism of Your Holy Spirit in our lives.

Saturate us with Your holy character, and clothe us with the divine power needed to be effective witnesses for Jesus. Give us holy boldness to speak Your truth, and let our lives reflect Your love, purity, and power to a world in desperate need. May everything we do bring glory and honor to the name of Jesus. Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. SUFFER FOR MY NAME / ACTS 9:16
  2. THEY BELIEVED … THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST / ACTS 8:12
  3. WHEN THEY HEARD THIS / ACTS 11:18
  4. THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME ON THEM / ACTS 19:6
  5. SPEAKING IN TONGUES / ACTS 10:46
  6. GOD DOES NOT SHOW FAVORITISM / ACTS 10:34
  7. THEY RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 8:17
  8. HAD NOT YET COME UPON ANY OF THEM / ACTS 8:15-16
  9. THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 4:31
  10. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 2:4
  11. THEY WERE BAPTIZED / ACTS 19:15
  12. THIS CORRUPT GENERATION / ACTS 2:40
  13. REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED / ACTS 2:38
  14. FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN AND FOR ALL / ACTS 2:39
  15. WORSHIPING … AND FASTING / ACTS 13:2
  16. KEPT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM PREACHING / ACTS 16:6
  17. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog post! May the words inspire and uplift all who read them. Your support and interest mean the world to me, and I’m grateful for every moment you spend here. Stay tuned for more, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

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TRIALS / JAMES 1:2

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) James 1:2
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Finding Joy in the Hard Places: Understanding Trials Through James 1:2

We all face seasons where life feels overwhelming. Unexpected hardships, intense pressures, and external difficulties can arrive without warning, leaving us feeling shaken. During these moments, the words of James 1:2 can feel incredibly challenging: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”

How can we find joy when everything around us feels like it is falling apart?

To understand this command, we must look closer at what trials actually are, why God allows them, and how they transform our hearts.

Understanding the Nature of Trials

The word “trials” comes from the Greek word peirasmoi, which refers to external persecutions, great pressures, or difficulties that break into our lives. These are distinct from the internal moral temptations to sin described later in James 1:13-15, which stem from our own selfish desires.

Trials are the outside pressures—sometimes from the world, sometimes from spiritual opposition—that are completely beyond our immediate control.

When these difficulties strike, it is easy to assume that trouble is a sign of God’s disapproval or abandonment. However, Scripture teaches the exact opposite. Difficulties are not an automatic sign that God is disappointed with us. Instead, look at the story of Job. Troubles can indicate that God recognizes the sincerity of our faith and has confidence in our commitment to Him.

The Purpose Behind the Pressure

God never wastes our pain. He uses the heavy pressures of life as a testing of our faith to produce beautiful, lasting spiritual growth.

  • Developing Perseverance: Your faith can only grow stronger when it is tested by difficulties and opposition. Just as muscles require resistance to build strength, our faith requires trials to develop endurance.
  • Cultivating Godly Character: Trials are the ultimate tools for spiritual maturity. They serve as the divine means by which we become “mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4).
  • Proving Our Faith: Difficulties allow God to test, prove, and purify the sincerity of our devotion to Him.

Shifting Our Perspective to Joy

We are called to face our trials with joy—not because the pain itself feels good, but because of the certain benefits and positive results the trial will produce if we hold fast to our faith. As we see echoed in Matthew 5:11-12, Romans 5:3; 1 Peter 1:6, our joy is anchored in the future hope and transforming work that God is accomplishing inside of us.

When you view each trial not as a punishment, but as an opportunity to respond to the transforming work of God, your entire perspective changes. You can face the storm with confidence, knowing that the pressure you feel today is shaping you into a stronger, more faithful reflection of Christ tomorrow.

A Closing Prayer for the Season of Trials

Heavenly Father,

Thank You that You are sovereign over every storm and that You never leave my side during seasons of intense pressure. Lord, when external trials and difficulties catch me off guard, help me to anchor my heart in Your truth. Forgive me for the times I mistake hardship for Your disapproval, and remind me that You use these very challenges to test, purify, and prove my faith.

Grant me the grace to count it all joy when I face trials of many kinds. I pray that You would shift my focus away from the weight of the pressure and onto the beautiful work of transformation You are doing within me. Build up my perseverance, strengthen my character, and bring me to a place of spiritual maturity where I am complete and lacking nothing. I hold fast to my faith and my hope in You today.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. TO THE TWELVE TRIBES / JAMES 1:1
  2. CONFESS … PRAY … BE HEALDED / JAMES 5:16
  3. Guided By Grace About
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