Devotionals
August 10, 2023 • Chad Spencer
"Then God said, 'Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.' So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." — Genesis 1:26-27
Everyone is created in God's image and made for greatness. Every limiting factor in your life can be overcome by submitting your life to the One who made you. Think of it like a broken Ferrari — when something goes wrong, you don't take it to just any mechanic. You bring it back to the manufacturer who designed it, who knows every detail of how it was built. In the same way, surrendering your life to God allows Him to restore you to your intended purpose. He is the one who crafted you, and He alone knows the fullness of what you were designed to become.
"So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace." — Romans 6:11-14
Sin's destructive power must be actively resisted. As evangelist Tiff Shuttlesworth once said, "Get rid of sin before sin gets rid of you." Christ provides the power to overcome sin through grace — not permission to continue sinning. Consider King David: he defeated the giant Goliath on the battlefield, yet he struggled mightily with personal battles like his affair with Bathsheba. This reminds us that our greatest struggles are often internal. The same grace that saves us also empowers us to put sin to death daily.
"In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall." — Psalm 18:29
Circumstances should be met with faith rather than fear. God equips those He calls. What we often see as limited resources, God sees as unlimited potential. The walls in front of you are not stop signs — they are opportunities for God to show up and show out. Difficulties are character-building moments rather than permanent obstacles. When you respond in faith, you position yourself to see God move in ways that defy natural explanation. Choose today to meet every challenge with the confidence that the God who called you is faithful to carry you through.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." — 2 Timothy 1:7
Fear is a spiritual force, and it does not come from God. When fear tries to grip your heart, remember what God has given you instead:
Power — the ability to overcome every trial and obstacle that comes your way. You are not weak; you carry the strength of the Almighty.
Love — as 1 John 4:18 tells us, "perfect love casts out fear." When you are rooted in the love of God, fear has no room to operate. His love displaces every anxious thought.
Self-control — the ability to maintain mental focus on God's Word rather than on the circumstances swirling around you. A disciplined mind anchored in Scripture is a mind that fear cannot overtake.
"But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world." — 1 John 4:4
There is no stronger team than you and God. You possess everything needed for successful, fulfilling living. The Spirit of God inside of you is greater than any force that stands against you. Maintain your focus on Jesus and use your God-given potential to impact your family and the world without delay. Don't wait for the perfect moment — now is the time. Step into the calling that God has placed on your life and watch Him do what only He can do through a willing vessel.