Category: Devotion

Finding Your FIT

“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Live By Faith

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

Be Intentional

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27


Be Teachable

The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

Proverbs 12:15

To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.

Proverbs 12:1

Truth In Love

“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Four thoughts from Ephesians 4:15:

• Truth is not relative
• We are called to speak truth
• How we speak truth matters
• Jesus is our example

Jesus Is…

1 Authentic

He gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,

Philippians 2:7

2 Enjoyable

He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Mark 10:14

3 Accepting

While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark 2:15-17

4 Passionate

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

Matthew 7:28-29

5 Powerful

Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,

John 5:8-9

Not Easily Shaken

“And then our immaturity will end! And we will not be easily shaken by trouble, nor led astray by novel teachings or by the false doctrines of deceivers who teach clever lies.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Don’t live by feelings.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

2 Timothy 3:16

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

Isaiah 40:8

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105

Don’t follow the crowd.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 14:12

Delight in God’s Word

“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

Psalms 1:1-3 NLT

You Were Made For This

However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.” 9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Ephesians 4:7-13

Your Manner

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:5-6

Your Moment

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Ephesians 5:16-17

Your Message

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

1 Peter 3:15

5 Ways to Live Worthy of the Call

“So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation],

Ephesians‬ ‭4:1-6AMP‬‬

Be Intentional

with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness],

Ephesians‬ ‭4:1-6AMP‬‬

Be Humble

and gentleness [maintaining self-control],

Ephesians‬ ‭4:1-6AMP‬‬

Be Gentle

with patience, bearing with one another in [unselfish] love.

Ephesians‬ ‭4:1-6AMP‬‬

Be Patient

Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful].

Ephesians‬ ‭4:1-6AMP‬‬

Be a Unifier

There is one body [of believers] and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when called [to salvation]— “one Lord, one faith, one baptism,” one God and Father of us all who is [sovereign] over all and [working] through all and [living] in all.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:1-6AMP‬‬
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How To Pray With Confidence

According to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Ephesians 3:11-13 (NIV)

God is a CARING Father

“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!

Isaiah 49:15

God is a CONSISTENT Father

There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle.

James 1:17 MSG

God is a CLOSE Father

I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down or relax my hold on you. Assuredly not!

Hebrews 13:5 AMP

God is a COMPETENT Father

Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.

Ephesians 3:20

The Sound of Freedom

low angle photo of fireworks

At the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, South Carolinas there is a sign nearby the airport where the F16 fighter planes land. The sign says, “Pardon our noise. It’s the sound of freedom.”

“PARDON OUR NOISE, It’s the sound of freedom” is on a sign that sits outside the main gate of US Marine Corps (USMC) Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, South Carolina (SC).

As we thank God for freedom in our nation, let’s thank God for the freedom that he has given us. Let’s worship today with all that we have! Worship: It’s the sound of freedom!

Let me share two things about worship this Sunday morning:

Worship based on choice not feeling

Don’t let your mood determine your worship today. Don’t let external circumstances determine your worship.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 

Habakkuk 3:17-18

In every season God is good and worthy to be praised!

Worship expecting God to respond

As you worship today, expect God to respond in a powerful way! The book of James gives us insight about what happens when we draw near to God in worship!

Come close to God and God will come close to you. 

James 5:8 NLT

So whether you are in person or joining in live online for church, let’s worship at the top of our lungs and give God praise for the freedom that we have in Jesus. Let’s expect God to respond today in power! He is able! 

Lord, we give this day to you!  As we prepare to join together to worship, we do so with expectant hearts.  We believe that you are God and that you are able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or imagine.  We pray for our nation today and thank you for freedom.  In Jesus name. Amen.

Teach Us To Pray

(Luke 11:1) “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray…’”

Connect With God Relationally

“Our Father in heaven”

Matthew 6:9-13

Worship His Name.

“Hallowed be Your Name”

Matthew 6:9-13

Pray His Agenda First

“Your Kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”

Matthew 6:9-13

Depend on Him for Everything

“Give us this day our daily bread”

Matthew 6:9-13

Get Your Heart Right With God and People

“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”

Matthew 6:9-13

Engage in Spiritual Warfare.

“And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one”

Matthew 6:9-13

Express Faith in God’s ability

“For yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever.”

Matthew 6:9-13
Challenge today:  Pray First!  Let prayer be your first response today and not your last resort.

I can’t wait to see you this Sunday for SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER! This is the perfect opportunity to bring someone with you to church! Faith and film will collide for an unforgettable experience! Join us this Sunday at 8:30am / 10:00am / 11:30am in person and live online – www.cityhills.com

4 Habits of a Humble Leader

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

James 4:6

Recognize the Grace of God

I have been made a messenger of this wonderful news by the gift of grace that works through me.

Ephesians 3:7-8 TPT

Separate Your Position from Your Identity

I lead as an expression of who I am, yet I must always be more than the leadership role I play. People may see me in terms of the visible leadership role which God has entrusted to me, but God knows who I really am. My integrity as a person—and as a leader—depends on seeing myself and what I do as God sees them.

Richard Kriegbaum, Leadership Prayers

Don’t Make Everything About You

Even though I am the least significant of all his holy believers, this grace-gift was imparted when the manifestation of his power came upon me.

Ephesians 3:7-8 TPT

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

Grace alone empowers me so that I can boldly preach this wonderful message to non-Jewish people, sharing with them the unfading, inexhaustible riches of Christ, which are beyond comprehension.

Ephesians 3:7-8 TPT
Lord, help us to be leaders will humble hearts.  Forgive us of all pride and help us to live today in step with you Lord!  We choose today to trust you with everything we are walking through.  Make us into the leaders that you are calling us to be.  Let those that we lead see you today!  In Jesus Name! Amen.

I can’t wait to see you this Sunday for SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER! This is the perfect opportunity to bring someone with you to church! Faith and film will collide for an unforgettable experience! Join us this Sunday at 8:30am / 10:00am / 11:30am in person and live online – www.cityhills.com

Share the Secret

I take it that you’re familiar with the part I was given in God’s plan for including everybody. I got the inside story on this from God himself, as I just wrote you in brief.”

Ephesians 3:2

You Are Loved

“As you read over what I have written to you, you’ll be able to see for yourselves into the mystery of Christ. None of our ancestors understood this. Only in our time has it been made clear by God’s Spirit through his holy apostles and prophets of this new order. The mystery is that people who have never heard of God and those who have heard of him all their lives (what I’ve been calling outsiders and insiders) stand on the same ground before God.

Ephesians 3:3-4

There is Hope

They get the same offer, same help, same promises in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:5-6

You Are Invited

The Message is accessible and welcoming to everyone, across the board.”

Ephesians 3:5-6

Join us this Sunday at City Hills for “Summer Blockbuster” – Invite someone to join you this Sunday at 8:30am / 10:00am / 11:30am