Ever had a moment where you were isolated, even if for good reason and the devil tried to use it to manipulate you? Has isolation ever caused you to believe or fall trap to the lies of the devil causing unnecessary or undue stress, worry, or anxiety? Have you ever wondered what you might be able to do to counteract it or reduce the opportunities?
Cultivate Community:
God’s Word in Genesis 2:18 and Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 underscores the significance of community, stating that it is not good for man to be alone and that two are better than one. The takeaway is that isolation can make us susceptible to the devil’s lies and stress. Applying this, actively seek and participate in a community of believers. Share your struggles, support one another, and build a network that strengthens your faith. Together, believers can help lift each other up in times of spiritual attack.
Prayer and Meditation:
1 Peter 5:8 warns us to be alert and of sober mind because the devil seeks to devour. The key takeaway is the importance of spiritual alertness. To apply this, engage in regular prayer and meditation on God’s Word. Through prayer, you can seek God’s guidance and protection, while meditation helps build spiritual resilience and discernment. By staying connected to God through these practices, you can find strength and clarity, countering the enemy’s attempts to create stress and spread lies.
Resist Negative Thoughts:
James 4:7 instructs believers to submit to God and resist the devil, promising that he will flee. The takeaway is that submission to God and resisting negative thoughts go hand in hand. Applying this, consciously resist feelings of isolation and negative thoughts. Replace them with affirmations based on biblical truths. Remind yourself of God’s promises and the power of His Word. Trust in His strength to overcome the lies of the devil and find peace in the midst of challenges.
Seek Professional Help:
While relying on God, it’s essential to recognize that seeking professional help aligns with God’s provision for healing. The Bible encourages submission to God in James 4:7, emphasizing that God’s strength enables us to resist the devil. The takeaway is that God works through various means, including professional assistance. Applying this, if stress becomes overwhelming, consider seeking counseling or therapy. God can provide healing through these channels, and doing so reflects a proactive approach to mental and emotional well-being.
A few things I try to do since my work is now all from home are:
- regular calls with brothers in Christ to connect throughout the week.
- hosting a bible study table mid week
- get involved with tech department and serving on weekends and when other opportunities arise
We were never meant to do this alone! God realize it wasn’t good for man to be alone and so created Eve. If God realized it and did something about it then we should do something about it too. We should look for ways to break free from isolation in order to build community.
Today’s Reading:
My Notes:
With the reality that God’s Word never returns void, it is important to take the concerns of your heart and give them up to God and then pause and listen to what God has to say in His Word and how it can meet you right where you are at today. Let’s allow God’s Word to speak into and over us so that we can hear from God and choose to live today to the full. As I make notes, I recommend you use the links above to read or hear from God and make your own notes too.
Acts 24
Ever been in a crowd and felt alone? Ever been alone and felt connected? We see how even though Paul was isolated (partially for his own protection), Felix kept Paul under guard but allowed him freedom and permitted his friends to take care of his needs.
- Paul’s Trial Before Felix
Acts 25
- Paul’s Trial Before Festus
- 9Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”
- 10Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. 11If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
- 12After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”
- Festus Consults King Agrippa
- Even leaders see counsel from other leaders to help when they don’t know the answer or how to respond.
- Paul Before Agrippa
- Context is important because without it confusion and chaos can arise.
Acts 26
We need to have hope in our lives. Living without hope opens the door to the devil. This allows him to manipulate us through fear, worry, and anxiety. It also causes us to believe things that aren’t true. This, in turn, can paralyze us from doing what God created, purposed, and is calling us to be and do.
- Paul’s Defense Before Agrippa
- Paul Tells of His Conversion
- 28Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
- 29Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
Acts 27
- Paul Sails for Rome
- The Storm
- God’s Will shall be done.
- 21After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”
- The Shipwreck
- Make sure to strengthen yourself so that you have the strength to accomplish God’s will in your life.
Acts 28
- Paul Ashore on Malta
- 7There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.
- Paul’s Arrival at Rome
- 14There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
- Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard
- 23They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
- 26“ ‘Go to this people and say,
- “You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
- you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
- 27For this people’s heart has become calloused;
- they hardly hear with their ears,
- and they have closed their eyes.
- Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
- hear with their ears,
- understand with their hearts
- and turn, and I would heal them.’
- 28“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
Let’s be and get ready right here and right now! Invite Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior. Invite the Holy Spirit to be your comforter and guide in the midst of this crazy world, listening to His wisdom and discernment to help you live a full and complete life. Be ready! Get prepared! Time is short!
Did you read or hear something today that felt like a new revelation? Would you be willing to leave a comment or question? Are you walking your life with God? Have you made the decision to invite Jesus into your life so that you can have the divide covered? Have you invited Jesus to be Your Lord and Savior, paying the ultimate price to cover the original sin for we have all missed the mark, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and we all need Jesus, our Lord and Savior to help us be forgiven and reconciled back to God! Could today be your day?
God's story through my life from 2005 to eternity... 