Walnut Grove Church of God

07/17/2024

No service live tonight. Join us on Sunday. God bless you!

04/10/2024

We will not be live tonight. Feel free to scroll and choose any of our previous devotions. God Bless you!

02/07/2024

We apologize for the downtime on our broadcast. We have some equipment failure and schedule conflicts. We will be back Sunday morning. God Bless you!

02/04/2024

Everyone please remember sister Betty and her son Michael in your prayers!

05/24/2023

We will not be going live this evening. Thank you for checking in. God Bless you !

05/01/2023

PLEASE SHARE!!! If it decides to rain, we will have it in the fellowship hall!

12/16/2022

National Prayer Project Day 15 Breastplate of Righteousness

Today’s action: Let’s read Proverbs 15 together, letting this chapter’s
words shine a light into our open, redeemed hearts so our prayers will be
pleasing to Him.
The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the
upright pleases Him. The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears
the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:8, 29

My Jesus, I Love Thee
My Jesus, I love Thee! My gracious Redeemer,
I know Thou are mine - My Savior art Thou;
For Thee all the follies – If ever I loved Thee,
Of sin I resign; My Jesus, ’tis now.

…with the breastplate of righteousness in place…Ephesians 6:14
After our belt of truth is secure, we can ask ourselves "What's our most
vulnerable place?" It's our heart. That's why the breastplate is our second
piece of armor we put on.
What is our “breastplate of righteousness”? Thankfully, it is not a
breastplate of our own righteousness, which Isaiah describes as filthy rags
(Isaiah 64:6). Through faith, our breastplate is made of the righteousness of
Jesus (II Corinthians 5:21).
The Roman soldier’s breastplate was made of bronze or chain mail and
had loops or buckles that attached it to the belt, both front and back. The
weight was then carried by the belt and not the soldier’s shoulders.ix Our
shoulders don't have to carry the weight of providing our righteousness.
We can rest in the perfect provision of His.
In Philippians 3:9, Paul said he wanted to "be found in Him, not having
a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is
through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by
faith.” An online writer for gotquestions.org put it this way: "The
breastplate of righteousness has Christ's name stamped on it, as though He
said, 'Your righteousness isn't sufficient to protect you. Wear mine.'
Let’s thank Jesus for providing us His breastplate of righteousness to
protect our hearts, and ask Him to expose anything in our lives that might
mar His perfect breastplate. Then let’s confess, repent and be cleansed so
that no sin tarnishes this costly, beautiful breastplate He has given us.

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12/16/2022

National Prayer Project Day 14 Belt of Truth

Today’s Action: Let’s read Proverbs 14 together, and ask Him to show
us any ways that may seem right to us, but actually are the devil’s deadly lies
and deceptions poisoning our hearts and minds. Then let’s commit to stand
firmly in the truth.
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to
death. Proverbs 14:12

Standing on the Promises
Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Standing, standing,
Thru eternal ages let His praises ring; Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
“Glory in the highest” I will shout and sing, Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God. I’m standing on the promises of God.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your
waist… Ephesians 6:14
The purpose of putting on God’s armor is so we can stand against the
schemes and deceptions of the enemy. Therefore, it’s most important to
start by arming ourselves with God’s truth. Only His truth can expose and
destroy the enemy’s deceptions.
In the Roman soldiers’ suit of armor, the first thing they put on was
their belt. Then they would tuck the end of their tunic up under their belt.
This immediately increased their mobility by freeing their legs from being
tripped up by their clothing.viii If attacked by the enemy before they could
get their hands on any other gear, the belt would at least allow them to run
to safety if necessary. That's one reason our belt is listed first in our armor.
But why a belt of truth? Have you heard the phrase "gird your loins"?
It means to prepare for action. If we gird our loins with His truth, it is easier
to identify the opposite - the lies with which Satan tries to trip us up.
To be girded with truth, we first need to know The Truth, our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Then, because God’s Word is truth
(John 17:17), we need to be firmly grounded in His Word, totally committed
to who He is, to what He has said, and to what He can do.
Let’s ask our God to help us securely buckle our belt of truth today.
Let’s remind Him and ourselves of some of that truth: that He alone is God
Almighty; He alone hears and answers prayer; He alone knows the
beginning from the end; He alone works all things together for the good of
those who love Him. These truths are a great way to set our minds to battle.

12/13/2022

National Prayer Project Day 13 Battle Ready

Today’s Action: Let’s read Proverbs 13 together, with a heart full of
faith and commitment to be wise by following our Father’s instructions to
get ready for battle.
Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a
command is rewarded. Proverbs 13:13

Soldiers of Christ, Arise
Soldiers of Christ, arise Strong in the Lord of Hosts
And put your armor on, And in His mighty pow'r
Strong in the strength which God supplies Who in the strength of Jesus trusts
Thru His eternal Son; Is more than conqueror

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand
against the devil’s schemes . Ephesians 6:11
Let’s be careful not to take this on too lightly. This is war! Our enemy is
deadly serious about this war for the hearts and souls of God’s people and
our nation. So should we.
We are joining together in a spiritual battle. We have declared war, so
we should expect opposition. It is beyond foolish to think Satan is just
going to walk away without a fight.
We have been given a suit of armor so we can stand firm in this fight.
Ephesians 6:12-13 says we fight “not against flesh and blood, but against
the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on
the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able
to stand your ground.”
We are told to put on the whole armor of God so we can stand against
the deceptions, tricks, and schemes of the devil. And we are wise to respect
and follow that instruction.
Over the next few days, we will examine each piece of our armor so we
can stand firm in our fight against the enemy and his forces of evil who
have been unleashed on and in our nation. Sound scary? Only if we were
going it alone and in our own strength. But we are fighting in the power of
His might, with the victory already assured because of Jesus!
Let’s come before His throne together today, thankful for all the many
truths He has given us in His Word that allow us to take a victorious stand
against the enemy and his evil forces.

12/12/2022

National Prayer Project Day 12 Empowered

Today’s Action: Let’s read Proverbs 12 together, asking Him to soften
our hearts to receive His wisdom so we bring healing with our prayers.
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the
wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18

Sweet Hour of Prayer
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, In seasons of distress and grief
That calls me from a world of care My soul has often found relief,
And bids me at my Father’s throne And oft escaped the tempter’s snare

…avails much. James 5:16 KJV
After confessing our sins, receiving a cleansed heart and renewed spirit,
and praying fervently, what results can we expect? What does it mean to
avail much?
In II Corinthians 10:4-5, Paul declares "For the weapons of our warfare
are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;
casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against
the knowledge of God."(KJV) What magnificent, powerful weaponry!
What are these weapons that are "not carnal, but mighty through
God"? Prayer and the Word are the mighty weapons we have been given.
Thankfully, their might is not dependent on the expert way in which we
wield them. They are only mighty through God Almighty!
Our prayers can pull down strongholds in His people and our nation,
as well as arguments that exalt themselves “against the knowledge of God.”
We may not know exactly what these strongholds and imaginations are, but
God Almighty knows. And these are precisely what our mighty weapons
were made to take on! Through God, we can expect them to accomplish
much!
We have been called to this specific action at this specific time because
our Good Shepherd is on the move, seeking out His sheep who have gone
astray. How exciting it is that He has given us the privilege of partnering
with Him through prayer to restore the hearts and lives of His people! If
we, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, pray fervently, we can enter this
battle knowing that our prayers will avail much. Let us joyfully come before
Him, rejoicing that He has invited us to partner with Him to revive His
people. May He use our tongues to bring His healing.

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12/12/2022

National Prayer Project Day 11 Only His Righteousness

Today’s Action: Let’s read Proverbs 11 together, letting these words
of wisdom fall on good ground and take root, bearing much fruit for Him.
The truly righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who wins souls is
wise. Proverbs 11:19, 30

Nothing But the Blood
What can wash away my sin? Oh, precious is the flow
Nothing but the blood of Jesus; That makes me white as snow;
What can make me whole again? No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Nothing but the blood of Jesus

…a righteous man… James 5:16 KJV
Yesterday, we looked at “fervent prayer”. The next phrase in James 5 says
that it is a righteous man’s fervent prayer that avails much. What is meant
by a “righteous” man? (Let’s first clarify that the word “man” is generic, as
in mankind, and includes both men and women.)
We can all be thankful James uses the word "righteous" and not perfect,
because there is no way we could ever qualify as perfect sons and daughters.
Isaiah graphically reminds us that even what we think of as our
"righteousnesses" are as filthy rags! (Isaiah 64:6 KJV) It is impossible to be
seen as righteous by God based on any goodness of our own. But since we
have accepted the gift of faith and salvation that Jesus purchased for us, we
can now be seen by God as righteous. When we approach God in prayer,
we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. What a reassuring image!
But Psalm 66:18 tells us that sin hinders our prayers. And I John 1:8-9
says “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is
not in us.” However, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and
will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Acknowledging that we do have sin, confessing it and receiving
forgiveness from Him are each necessary steps before we can move
forward with a cleansed heart and renewed spirit. So, like David, let’s ask
God to "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit
within me" (Psalm 51:10). Let’s come confidently before the Throne of
Grace (Hebrews 4:16) with thanksgiving to Jesus for purchasing our “robe
of righteousness”. Let’s ask Him to show us how we may be soiling that
white robe, and ask Him to enable us to walk blameless before Him.

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12/11/2022

National Prayer Project Day 10 Fervent

Today’s Action: Let’s read Proverbs 10 together, asking Him to direct
us in the way of the wise, keeping us from the way of the wicked and the
folly of the fool.
The wise in heart accepts commands, but a chattering fool comes
to ruin. Proverbs 10:8
Teach Me Thy Way
Teach me Thy Way, O Lord, Help me to walk aright,
Teach me Thy Way! More by faith, less by sight;
Thy guiding grace afford - Lead me with heav’nly light -
Teach me Thy Way! Teach me Thy Way!

The fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16 KJV
As we prepare to be effective intercessors, we certainly would want to
know how to pray prayers that avail much. This verse indicates that our
prayers need to be fervent. But what does it mean to pray fervently?
The word “fervent” has been defined as “passionate; heartfelt;
wholehearted”. Those descriptions help us realize that fervent prayer is not
a matter of the words, the style or the length. It’s a matter of the heart, a
whole heart. The many words of a “chattering fool” are powerless because
their goal is to impress, not to implore with a whole heart.
“Fervent” is the opposite of “half-hearted.” A half-hearted prayer, even
of a righteous man, does not avail much. We need to believe with all our
hearts that He alone has the power to convict; He alone has the power to
save; He alone has the power to restore.
James doesn’t give us any more detail defining or describing fervent
prayer. There isn’t a to-do list like “Set your alarm to go off every hour and
then pray, totally focused, for five minutes every hour for ten days.”
Wouldn’t we like a description like that? Then we could feel like we had
met the mark. We had achieved. We had accomplished. Given a specific 5-
step program, we would do the five steps and then be proud of our
accomplishment. We would lose sight of our need for a moment-bymoment
dependence on Him. We need Him every moment to guide us in
our prayers so we stay in line with His will and His kingdom purposes.
Let’s fervently seek His face so we can be on the same page as our
Commander, seeking His will and accepting His commands to turn from
our wicked ways so we can walk in wisdom and integrity.

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