DATE POSTED: Monday, December 11, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Florida Hunting Adventures, Okeechobee, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Living Bible (TLB) IS FOUND IN Hebrews 3:12-14

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: Beware then of your own hearts, dear brothers, lest you find that they, too, are evil and unbelieving and are leading you away from the living God. Speak to each other about these things every day while there is still time so that none of you will become hardened against God, being blinded by the glamor of sin. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as we did when we first became Christians, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: I bet you never thought that you had any responsibility for the heart of others, right? I’ve heard people say that there is so much effort in minding their own heart, that there really isn’t time or energy to worry about someone else’s heart! But that’s not what today’s Scripture indicates. Unfortunately, we tend to think a lot like husbands, when it comes to being verbal in telling their wives how much they love them, for many may tend to think that since they believe in ‘once saved, always saved’, there is no need to petition God each day for forgiveness of our sin. Unfortunately, friends, as long as we live in this sinful world, we are subject to its evil, dirty, sinful effects rubbing off on us. Yes, at Calvary, Jesus died for our sin – past, present and future, and when we accept Him as Lord, He blesses us with His special cleansing of our sin. However, there are several things that we must be mindful of as we continue to live here on earth, while keeping our eyes fixed on eternity with Jesus. Ponder these things in your own heart today, but I will share a few things that I believe might stir your hearts, as they did mine:
– a – Is God convinced of your decision to follow Him? You see, many want to get the pastor off their back, and some just want the nagging to stop from their parents, or spouse, or Christian friends who’ve been evangelizing them, so they head to the altar hoping to achieve this. However, God knows the deepest thoughts of your heart. Is He convinced that you were serious in what you did?
– b – Has your lifestyle changed? The Bible teaches that we must be willing to repent – turn from the direction we once traveled and acted, to the new way taught and practiced by our new leader, Jesus Christ. If you haven’t changed, then Satan has one more reason to tantalize you, because He sees where you are not serious about Christianity.
– c – Speak to others about their life in Christ and encourage them in their stand to follow Christ, even while in a sinful world led by the chief of sinners – Satan. We need each other, dear friends. Satan may be hot on your case because of the weak moments that you find yourself in, but if you see Christ in me, you are encouraged in seeing God still at work among His people. While you may be going through your weakest day, I may be on a righteous high in my relationship with Christ, so with my encouragement you might be helped and encouraged to overcome the ill attempts of Satan. Remember, greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world!
– d – Blinded by the glamour of sin? I love the analogy of someone helping a blind person avoid a fall, or an accident, for in the same way we could be a shining light to a Christian Brother or Sister blinded by what appears to be the glamour of their old sinful self. May the strong always be willing to help the weak!
Friends, I believe the bottom line intended by Jesus in this Scripture today, is that although we are to ready our own hearts for heaven and live a life closely resembling our Master and Lord, we must also be concerned about our fellow man, for when they are strong, they may be the very ones to help us through our weakest moments. Together we can be a strong force against Satan and his attempts to pull God’s children down. Let’s determine in our own hearts to help each other be the best we can be for the Kingdom of God!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Thank You Lord, for saving my soul, thank You also for melting the hardened hearts of my family and friends, for they are my encouragement when I am tempted and tried by the evil one. Please help us Lord to gain Your strength and Your power to overcome evil every day and make us even stronger as we reach out to help one another achieve this goal. I believe the world is anxious to see Jesus alive in their believing friends. Oh, dear Lord, please afford us this privilege so that the lost will see, understand and believe the love and promise of our Father in heaven. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!