Grace and Truth Church International

07/25/2024

“For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and [future] glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."
- Psalm 84:11 (AMPC)

Devotional :�In this verse, we see two powerful images of God: a Sun and a Shield. The sun represents warmth, light, and life. Just as the sun is essential for physical life, God's presence brings spiritual life and joy. He illuminates our path, guiding us through life’s challenges.

The shield represents protection. God defends us from harm and surrounds us with His care. He not only provides for our present needs with grace and favor but also promises future glory and honor. This assurance means that God’s goodness is not temporary but everlasting.

Living a life of integrity and uprightness invites God's blessings. He promises that He will not withhold any good thing from those who follow His ways. Trusting in God means believing that His timing and provision are perfect.

Prayer:�Dear Lord, thank You for being my Sun and Shield. Thank You for the light You bring into my life and the protection You provide. Help me now, to walk uprightly and live in a way that pleases You. Thank You for Your Grace. I trust in Your perfect provision and timing. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pastor Jim

05/08/2023

Daily Devotional

Scripture: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Amid life's challenges and difficulties, it's easy to rely on our own understanding and strength to get through. We may try to solve problems on our own or seek the advice of others, but in doing so, we often forget to turn to the One who has all wisdom and power.

The Bible tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart, not just a portion of it. When we put our complete trust in God, we can lean on Him completely and know that He will guide us in the right direction.

We are also called to acknowledge God in all our ways. This means bringing every aspect of our lives before Him, whether our relationships, work, or daily tasks. When we make God a priority in everything we do, we open ourselves up to His guidance and blessings.

It's important to note that leaning on God doesn't mean we won't face trials or difficulties. However, when we trust in Him and acknowledge Him in all things, He promises to make our paths straight. He will guide us through the storm and bring us safely to the other side.

Pastor Jim

09/23/2021

Choose Life Today!
Daily Devotional

“Today, I have given you a choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life so that you and your descendants might live!
Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:19 NLT‬‬

Our Christian life is a result of the choices we make. God will never force Himself or His will upon us. He has given us a free will to choose life or death, blessings or curses.

Pastor Jim

07/29/2021

Praise is what I do.
Daily Devotional

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭63:1-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Just as daily exercise is essential to our physical body, daily personal praise and worship are important to our spirit and soul.

Throughout the book of Psalms, David illustrates what to do when trouble, uncertainty, and anxiety come into our lives. He praised God. Praise invites God into our presence, while at the same time, we are entering into His. Praise shifts our focus from the dilemma to the Problem Solver. If you want to eliminate an atmosphere of heaviness and despair, then begin to praise the Lord.

You see, nothing negative will remain when God's presence comes on the scene. Because along with His presence comes assurance, protection, and strength. It will bring peace to our spirit, soul, and body.

Pastor Jim

07/27/2021

Bless the Lord
Daily Devotional

“I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭34:1 KJV

There's no doubt that the Word teaches us to keep on praising the Lord - no matter what our conditions are like.

“The LORD will give strength unto his people; The LORD will bless his people with peace.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The truth is: God's blessings never stop. Every day and every moment of the day, He pours His grace on us. He helps us through our troubles if we are willing to receive that help. His love for us does not change regardless of our circumstances. Have faith in God today, and receive your victory.

Pastor Jim

07/21/2021

Mercy, grace in action.

Daily Devotional

“The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145:8-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much he made us alive with Christ, and God's gift of undeserved grace is what saves you.” Ephesians‬ ‭2:4-5‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Mercy is God's grace in action. Often times human mercy is usually given out of pity. But God gives us mercy out of His abundant love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Some of us have experienced how inconsistent the ordinary kind of love from others can be.
However, no one can love someone else the way God loves and continues to love us. Mercy is God reaching out to us, and believing in faith is us reaching out to God. Receive His mercy today, and let His love strengthen you.

Pastor Jim

07/16/2021

Who do you trust?
Daily Devotional

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

All the wisdom a person may acquire can never replace the need for complete trust in God's Word. When you trust in God with all your heart, it means that you leave no room for doubt. You believe what He says because you know He is always right and will never deceive you. God sees the bigger picture and therefore knows what lies ahead.

“But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.” Psalms‬ ‭52:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Our trust in God grows as we learn more and more about Him. The more we know God, the closer we draw to Him and the easier it becomes to commit our ways to Him. Begin to trust in God today. Start with trusting in His Word.

Have a blessed and safe weekend.

Pastor Jim

07/07/2021

Called to live Free
Daily Devotional

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians‬ ‭5:13‬ ‭NLT

As Christians, we should be living a worry-free life. A lifestyle without any fear or destructive behaviors that bring heartache. But our decisions or choices can keep us from living the freedom that God's grace has provided for us. We are reminded that we are called to freedom, but it doesn't mean we have the freedom to continue living a sinful lifestyle. Instead, we have the opportunity to live this life God's way. A life that's not self-centered, but a life that has God’s love at the center. Freedom is ours; today, choose to live and thrive in God's love in liberty and peace.

Pastor Jim

07/07/2021

Infused with God’s Spirit
Daily Devotional

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Galatians 5:22-25 NLT

Today, let the fruit of the Spirit transform your life. Our reborn spirits have been infused with God’s Spirit and DNA, releasing His character in us. But you and I have a choice in the matter. We can choose to live according to the old selfish nature or allow these manifestations of Love to fill our life. Notice the fruit not only benefits us but everyone that comes in contact with us.

Pastor Jim

06/25/2021

He Does It Every Day

Daily Devotional

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin each morning afresh.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:22-23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God is doing three things today that he plans to do every day for the rest of our lives. Provide us with: eternal love that is not motivated by behaviors or circumstances, mercy that never runs out when asking for His forgiveness, and His faithfulness appearing every day to let us know that we will never be alone. As you start your day, remember that God's promises are at work on your behalf, fresh and anew every day.

Have a blessed and safe weekend.

Pastor Jim

06/25/2021

06/24/2021

A Path to Follow
Daily Devotional

“This is what the Lord says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭48:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One of the hardest things about life is learning what path to follow. Often we are faced with decisions that, if not handled correctly, can and will lead to frustration and defeat. But God is here to teach us how to make the right decisions in life - leading us down the road of success as we pursue His Word. Remember, God wants you to succeed.

“I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm‬ ‭32:8‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

Pastor Jim