September 12, 2026

Shedding the World: The Authority of Jesus

The people who followed Jesus knew he spoke with strong authority. Jesus came and set the record straight; he challenged the religious authorities, clarified the law, and removed the unnecessary process those authorities burdened the people with. Unfortunately, those same authorities exist today, taking Jesus' authority out of his hands and placing it upon themselves. Even though Jesus taught about the change that would come after his resurrection, and his taking power back from zealous religious leaders and giving it to the people through the power of his Holy Spirit, churches today operate much like Rome and the Jewish powers from back in his day. God is spirit, so we must worship Him in spirit and truth; when Jesus walked with the people here on earth as God in the flesh, he taught us about true worship, and he has the final say on how we worship. 

Our bodies are now the temple of God's Holy Spirit. I attend church because I love the fellowship of other believers and appreciate our pastor's teaching, but I have a more powerful time of worship when I'm alone with Him, combing through the Scriptures and talking to Him as a friend. You aren't going to be free from the draw of worldly activity unless you spend some alone time with the One True God, getting to know Him for yourself, and worshipping Him in spirit and truth every single day! If you truly want to shed the world, you must replace your worldly thoughts with godliness and aim to please Him rather than people, and to do that, you must spend time with Him.

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matthew 7:28-29

September 11, 2026

Shedding the World: Build Your House on the Rock

Our family recently bought an old house built in 1920 that borders our property. It was rough around the edges and needed some tender, loving care to bring it back to life beyond its former glory. It's not one of those pristine, Victorian-style homes you see in magazines; it's what we lovingly call a Florida Cracker house, with character reminiscent of the past. To bring it up to our expectations, every inch needed portions to be either removed, restored, or coated with a lot of paint. Our daughter has painstakingly touched every inch of that home to ensure that her family is comfortable there when they move in. It's a work in progress. As old as this house is, it's hard to believe it's still standing after weathering many storms and hurricanes. It is sturdy and strong! 

This house describes the character of a person who builds their life like a house with Jesus as their foundation that withstands the test of time and lives in obedience to him. Following his guidance is imperative to standing strong in your faith and becoming unbothered by worldly trials because your hope is founded in him. Doing what he says and living for him is what he calls building our house on a rock rather than on the loose soil of the earth. Put all your hope in him; everything else is wasting time, and one day you will regret time spent on unnecessary things. Jesus is all that matters, and doing his will is what will draw you closer to him and help you shed your worldly aspirations.  

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Matthew 7:24-25

September 10, 2026

Shedding the World: I Never Knew You 

Those words seem harsh coming from Jesus, but we must remember that some people use his name without ever having a relationship with him. Remember Judas and the sons of Sceva? They did the works of Jesus, but never knew him. We see a lot of this type of “salvation” today, where people recite the words of a prayer, thinking it will save them from the fire, but they don’t pursue a relationship with the One who saves. How do we fix that situation? You get to know him through the scriptures, you draw close to him through prayer, you cherish him, and learn his ways. Your salvation is a big deal; treat it that way. The point is that you don’t have to try harder; you have to have a genuine relationship with him. It’s a friendship, and it comes naturally if you put a little time into it. 

I have a new friend, and even though we know that we were meant to be friends because we like the same things and have a connection, the time we spend together draws us closer. If we didn’t cultivate that relationship, it wouldn’t go anywhere; we would still be friendly, but time spent together increases the value of that friendship. If you value your relationship with Jesus, you will spend time with him so that you never hear him say to you, “I never knew you.”

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:22-23

September 9, 2026

Shedding the World: A Tree and Its Fruit 

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Matthew 7:15-16

A false prophet is a religious imposter. You've seen them, especially those in the entertainment industry and among athletes. When they win, they proclaim to thank God, our Father, and sometimes use the name of Jesus. However, when you look at their actions and how they live, it is obvious they don't know Him at all. They proclaim God and continue to live an indulgent lifestyle. We have to ask ourselves, who is the god they worship? Is it our God, the Almighty, or someone else? They say they love God and honor Him, but their fruit tells us something else. 

These people, if that's what they are, are the ones Jesus speaks of when he tells us that they will be cut down and cast into the fire. It's not just the stars and athletes; it's many evangelists and religious singers, which scares me most because they bring a seemingly good word in the name of Jesus but come from the same tree as those stars and athletes, and can easily lead many astray. Discernment is key. 

I call this series "Shedding the World" because I've found that much of what I think is good may have an evil beginning, and I'm drawn to it because it's attractive. It's made me question everything that I find fascinating. The enemy presents himself as an angel of light; question the light and examine the fruit. Discernment is imperative. Here's what Jesus says:

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:19-20

September 8, 2026

Shedding the World 

The Golden Rule 

I titled this series “Shedding the World” because, in this world, many issues are thrown in the face of a Christ-follower. We are tempted by shiny objects meant to distract us from our goal of separating ourselves from worldly influences. Things we think are good and well might be detrimental to our faith. That’s why, as much as we tread carefully in this world, trying to follow Jesus exclusively, we encounter people and things that distract us from him, even causing us to sin by accident. 

Important side note: ask forgiveness daily, even if you don’t think you did anything wrong. 

For example, as I was writing this devotional, I heard a knock on my window. It was a bird reminding me to give them some seeds. That little bird, as cute as it was, interfered with my study. If I hadn’t been able to use this distraction in the devotional, I would have blamed the enemy, and it may well have been, but since God can use anything for His good, I shouldn’t be too irritated.

It’s hard to stay on the narrow path as Jesus commanded; even so, we need to do our best to remain faithful to him and live out our faith with fear and trembling. 

In this portion of Scripture, it tells us to treat people the way we want to be treated and to stay on the narrow path. If you aren’t already trying to do that, have you truly changed your direction from evil to good after accepting Jesus as your Savior? The Holy Spirit should be convicting you of these things. Here is what Jesus said:

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:12-14

September 7, 2026

Shedding the World 

Ask, and It Will Be Given 

I can remember that as a child, I wanted certain things. God knew what would make me happy and draw me closer to Him. When I grew up, He answered some of those prayers by giving me a husband who could help make them happen. I've always loved the beach; it's my happy place. I take long walks, talk with God, look for shells, soak up the sun, and find overwhelming peace. Without a doubt, I know that it was God who set into motion a way to answer that prayer. 

When I say I hold conversations with Him, it's seriously a chat. I ask Him questions that He answers immediately, and sometimes before I get the question out of my mouth. How do you tell the difference? The answers are quick and decisive, not wishy-washy, and often come before you finish your thought, and they line up biblically. Intrusive thoughts and negative self-talk are not from God. 

The point is to ask God for your heart's desires, whether physical or spiritual, make them known to Him, and He will answer. If He doesn't give you the answer you desire, know that it would have become something harmful for you. Our Father only gives us good gifts. Knowing this, showing Him gratitude, gratefulness, and thankfulness goes straight to His heart and will encourage Him to keep giving you your heart's desire. Here's what Jesus says about it:

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. ——-If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:7-8 & 11

September 6, 2026

Shedding the World

Judging Others

One day, as Christ-followers, we will sit in judgment of the world with Jesus, but right now we are not in that position. Why do we care? Each of us has just one life to live, and other people may be doing things we wouldn't do, but they may also be battling demons we've never encountered. We have our own problems to deal with, so why be nosy, involve ourselves in others' problems, or judge them for how they handle them? We are accountable for our own actions, so tread carefully and focus on what you need to clean up in your life rather than concern yourself with other people's lives.

Jesus says it in two ways: get the log out of your own eye before you try to get the twig out of someone else's eye, and don't worry yourself about the dogs and the pigs because it will come back to bite you in the end.

What this all boils down to is that we should mind our own business. It's as simple as that. Other people have to work things out for themselves, and we have enough to deal with in our own lives. 

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Matthew 7:5-6