A Truly Liberated and Fruitful Life Brings Glory to God

The one, true and living God, the everlasting King, made the heavens and the earth and everything in them, by His great wisdom and power. Not the gods that are a lie and shall perish. 

All God's works are done in truth; He is the truth. In Him, there is no falsehood or margins of error.

Being enticed by the devil, the first man and woman sinned and sin led to death, physically and spiritually. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, the second Adam from above, to reconcile us to God.

Jesus declares in John 14 verse 6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

To follow Christ, is to walk in truth and be set free. For whom the Son sets free is free indeed. (See John 8:31-59)

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:7 & 8)

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regards to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:20-23)

For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (The Third Epistle of John, Chapter 1:3 & 4)

A truly liberated and fruitful life, brings glory to God. Abide in Him and eat His words.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings: 

John 1:14 & 17; John 4:23 & 24; John 7:14-29; John 8:31-59; John 14:6 and John 14:15-17; John Chapter 15 in its entirety; John 16:12-15; John 17:3 & 17; John 18:37; First Epistle of  John in its entirety; 1 Corinthians 13:6; 1 Corinthians 5:8; Galatians Chapter 5; Ephesians 6:10-24; 1 Thessalonians Chapter 2; 1 Timothy Chapter 4; 1 Timothy 6:3-6; 2 Timothy 2:15-19; Hebrews 10:26 & 27; James 5:19 & 20; Second Epistle of Peter in its entirety; Epistle of Jude; Genesis Chapter 3; Psalm 25:4, 5, 10; Psalm 33:4; Psalm 43:3; Psalm 85:10-13; Psalm 86:11; Psalm 89:14-18; Proverbs 3:3 & 4; Proverbs 23:23; Isaiah 42:8; Isaiah Chapter 44; Isaiah Chapter 61; Jeremiah 10:1-16 

A Walk of Obedience

Any loving parent has great joy in seeing his or her children listen to, obey, and emulate that which is good and builds strong character. How much more, our heavenly Father, who made us in His image and according to His likeness, desires that we hearken to, obey His voice, and walk in His ways. When we walk contrary to His will and purpose, we find ourselves entangled with the cares and deceptions of life, and no godly fruit is produced. Only in the LORD, are our souls satisfied; only in the LORD, can we experience true peace, joy and contentment, as we grow in the grace and knowledge of Him, who is gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy, not to be provoked.   

Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (Genesis 2:15-17; read about the consequences of Adam and Eve disobeying God, in Genesis Chapter 3.)

"For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. But this is what I commanded them saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.' Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward." (Jeremiah 7:22-24) See also Deuteronomy Chapter 28 in its entirety.

"Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22)

Read about About Abraham obeying the voice of God, and God's promised blessings in Genesis Chapter 22.

"If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword." (Isaiah 1:19 & 20)

"Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea." (Isaiah 48:18)

Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his God. (Isaiah 50:10)

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27; see the entire chapter, and also Psalm 95, and Ezekiel Chapter 34.)

"If you love Me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." (John 14:15-21) 

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:7,8) See entire chapter.

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him." (Acts 5:27-32)

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." (2 Chronicles 16:9)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings: Genesis Chapters 2; Genesis Chapter 3; Exodus Chapters 19 and 20; Judges Chapter 2; 1 Samuel 12:14-15; Job 36:5-12; Hebrews Chapter 3; Hebrews Chapter 4; Jeremiah 6:16-20; Jeremiah 16:10-12; Jeremiah 17; Jeremiah 25; Jeremiah Chapters 42, 43, 44; Psalm 19:7-14; The Book of Jonah; The First Epistle of John Chapter 2; Romans Chapters 1 and 2; Romans 5:19-21; Romans Chapter 13; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; Acts Chapter 5; Acts 7:51; The Epistle of James Chapter 1; Philippians Chapter 2; Ephesians Chapter 2; Ephesians Chapter 5; The First & Second Epistles of Paul to the Thessalonians; The First and Second Epistles of Peter; Matthew 5:17-19; Matthew Chapter 15:8 & 9; Matthew 22:35-40

Related Devotions: 

Obedience is Pleasing to the Lord

Love and Rely on the LORD God Almighty

Living in the Will of God

Our Nineveh 

Children of God, Heirs of His Righteousness

Through faith in Christ Jesus, we become children of God—Born again, not of the sinful nature and its seed, but the incorruptible nature of God. Justified by faith and deemed righteous in His sight.

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

"He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." (John 1:11 and 12)

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:19-21)

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are the children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:1-3) 

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8, 9)

"Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." (1 Peter 1:23) See also 1 Peter 2:9 and 10.

"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:16,17)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings: Matthew 5:6; Matthew 6:33; John 3:1-21; Ephesians 2 in its entirety; Philippians 1:9; Hebrews 11 in its entirety; Romans Chapters 4 and 5 in their entirety; First Epistle of Peter Chapter 1:22-25

Christmas Greetings & Blessings

May your hearts overflow with hope, peace and joy, as you celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, today and forever. King of kings, and Lord of lords, Hallelujah!

Bible Reading: Luke 2:7-14

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country, shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger." 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" 

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Daily Walking in the Love and Light of God

Thanks be to God who is love, and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who came into the world in human flesh, to save us from our sins, and reconcile us to God. 

He who still abides with us, by His Spirit, shines His light on our pathway, and fills us with the same. Glory to His name!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) See also verses 17-21.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it may be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:18-23)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2) See also Matthew 4:13-17.

I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. (The Gospel According to John 12:46)

Related Bible Readings: Matthew 22:37-40; John 1:1-18; John 8:12; John 13:34-35; John 21:15-17; Ephesians 5:1-21; Romans Chapter 5:8; 1 Corinthians Chapter 13; The First Epistle of John in its entirety (5 Chapters); Psalm 119:105

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

 

Keeper and Preserver of Our Souls

The Keeper of our souls, the Lord Almighty, is He who loves and cares deeply for His "Vineyard." He causes it to blossom and bud, and fill the world with its fruit. He is zealous for its preservation. 

"I, the LORD, keep it, I water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day. Fury is not in Me. Who would set briers and thorns against Me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. Or let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me." (Isaiah 27:3-5)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

More Bible Readings:

Matthew 16:18
"I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."

John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 

John 17:11-12
"Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled." (Jesus also prayed to the Father for His disciples to be kept from the evil one. See verse 15 and the entire prayer in Chapter.)

1 Peter 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

Mark 8:34-38
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous, and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." 

Psalm 12:5-8
"For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he yearns." The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. You shall keep them, O LORD, You shall preserve them from this generation forever. The wicked prowl on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

Psalm 16:1
PRESERVE me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

Psalm 31:23-24
Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.   Selah 

Psalm 41:1-3
BLESSED is he who considers the poor; the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him on his bed of illness; you will sustain him on his sickbed.

Psalm 97:10-12

You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

Psalm 121:7-8
The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. 

See also David's prayer for deliverance from evil men in Psalm 140. 

Psalm 145:20-21
The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh shall bless His holy name forever and ever.

Proverbs 2:6-9
For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.

Proverbs 4:5-6

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you.

Proverbs 5:1-2
My son, pay attention to my wisdom; lend your ear to my understanding, that you may preserve discretion, and your lips may keep knowledge.

Isaiah 49:8-9
Thus says the LORD: "In an acceptable time I have heard You, and in the day of salvation I have helped You; I will preserve You and give You as a covenant to the people, to restore the earth, to cause them to inherit the desolate heritages; that You may say to the prisoners, 'Go forth,' to those who are in darkness, 'Show yourselves.' "

Jeremiah 31:10-14
"Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock.' For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the Lord—for wheat and new wine and oil, for the young of the flock and the herd; their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all. Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together; for I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow. I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord." 

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 

2 Timothy 1:12
"For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day." 

2 Timothy 1:13-14
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Jude 1:24-25
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.

Inspiration For Our Daily Christian Walk

God gives His people power in the valleys, to walk on the high places, to drink of His rivers and streams, to walk in the light of His Word, to walk in the Spirit. With Him is the fountain of life.

Praise His holy name!

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings: Psalm 23; Habakkuk 3:19; Psalm 18:30-36; Psalm 32:8; Psalm 36:5-9; Psalm 119:105; John 8:12; Romans Chapter 8 in its entirety.

Come and Drink, Live in the Fullness of God's Grace

Monday Blessings: The Presence of Our Faithful Lord

Having the knowledge and the assurance, that the Great God of heaven and earth, is with us wherever we go, we are encouraged to be strong and of good courage. Life's journey is not an easy road we travel, but with our faithful God leading and guiding the way, and our trusting in His Word, meditating in it day and night, we can possess His promises, and enter into His perfect rest. God who commands and controls the seasons, never fails. Follow on.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings: Joshua Chapter 1; Exodus 13:21 & 22; Exodus 33:12-17; Numbers 9:15-23; Deuteronomy 31:6; John 16:12-15; Hebrews 4:1-11; 1 Peter 5:10 & 11; 2 Peter 1:1-11

A Glorious Life in Christ

Heart to Heart: An Altar of Prayer and Worship

Fill our hearts with Your glory, Lord God!

Related Bible Readings: Exodus 33:18-23; Exodus 34:1-10; Exodus Chapter 40; 1 Kings 18:21-39; 2 Chronicles Chapter 7; Psalm 51; Ezekiel Chapter 43; John 4:23 & 24; Galatians 5:22-26; Hebrews 13:15 & 16

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Monday Blessings: Faith is the Victory

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (1 John 5:4)

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. (See Hebrews 11:6)

A Living Sacrifice, Holy and Acceptable to God

Praise and thanks be to God, for His marvelous grace which brought us salvation, through Jesus Christ. He offered up Himself for the sins of the world, by whom those who believe are justified and sanctified.  

Daily walking with the Lord, God's finished work transforms and perfects us, as we yield to the Holy Spirit. 

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18)

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:9-11)

Our humble gratitude is exemplified in praise and thanksgiving to God, and the way we conduct ourselves in a sinful world, from which we were called. On the altar of God, we present ourselves daily as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service. (See Romans 12:1 & 2)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings:

Romans Chapter 5; Romans Chapter 8; Titus Chapter 2; Ephesians Chapter 4; Philippians 2:1-18; 2 Timothy 3:1-17; Galatians 2:16-21; Hebrews 13:1-21; The Book of James