A Heart for Christ

Monday, December 16, 2024

Discerning What Is and Isn’t of God

There are many churches and religions that claim to follow Jesus Christ and belong to him, but not all of them truly represent him. It is sad to say, but some are fake. They are counterfeits—false prophets and fake churches, and we must be very careful to discern them correctly.

Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:24 (NLT), “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.” Our Lord and Savior is warning us that there are prophets, preachers, and teachers that may look as if they are filled with the Holy Spirit, but they are not. They do not have a true relationship with God. They may appear to be doing amazing things, but they aren’t truly sent by our Heavenly Father. We must remember that just because someone seems to be doing great things doesn’t mean they are following Jesus the right way. Looks can be deceiving.

You might ask, “How can I tell if my church is really following God?” Well, when you accept Jesus into your life, God places His Holy Spirit within you, and the Spirit guides and shows us what’s true. 1 John 4:1 (NLT) says, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” Not every spirit is from God, so we need to be careful about what we hear and make sure it matches what the Bible says. The Holy Spirit helps us know the difference between what’s true and what’s not.

So, always listen to the Holy Spirit, and pray and ask God about everything. Ask the Lord to show you what is truly from and of Him. If something doesn’t sound right, check it with God’s Word. Trust that the Father will help you know the truth, because He loves you and wants you to be blessed by obeying His Word.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Pleasing God

Pleasing God can sometimes feel difficult, but it’s something we should always try to do. If you ever feel unsure about how to please God or don’t know where to start, remember this passage in Hebrews 13:15-16 (NLT):

“Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”

This verse reminds us of ways we can please God. It tells us to praise Him, do good things, and share with others. When we do these things, we are pleasing God. Knowing what God loves helps us want to please Him even more.

Another reason we should try to please God is that He promises to bless us when we do. God loves when we talk to Him, pray, and spend time with Him. Pleasing God isn’t just about following rules; it’s about building a relationship with Him.

If you're ever wondering how to please God, here are some things you can do:

Pray: Talk to God and share what’s on your heart.
Read the Bible: God speaks to us through His Word, and reading it helps us grow closer to Him.
Worship and praise: Praise God for who He is and all that He’s done.
Help others: God is pleased when we love and serve others.
Fast and seek Him: Sometimes taking time to focus on God without distractions helps us grow spiritually.

These are just a few ways you can please God, but there are many others. Remember, God loves you and is pleased when you choose to honor Him with your life. As Psalm 147:11 (NLT) tells us, “The Lord is pleased with those who fear him, with those who hope in his unfailing love.”

Monday, December 2, 2024

Never Be Afraid to Say You Follow Christ

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, it’s important to always stand strong in our faith and never be afraid to say we follow him. But what do we do if we’re in a situation where we might be tempted to deny him? Here’s an example: Imagine you’re hanging out with your friends, and someone starts talking about what they believe. Some of them might say they don’t believe in God, or they might even say something negative and offensive about following God’s way. If they ask you about your beliefs, even though you might feel pressure or a little afraid, it’s so important that you never deny that you follow Christ. They may criticize you for it, but that is okay. God is so happy when we choose to show our love for Him and stand firm in our faith.

In Matthew 10:33 (NLT), Jesus says, “But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” This is a serious warning to us. Jesus is saying that if we deny him, he will deny us before God. It’s a reminder that no matter what, we must be unmovable when it comes to standing for Christ.

What if you actually did deny Christ or spoke something negative about him in the past, before you accepted his love in your heart or knew about him? It doesn’t mean that you can’t go to heaven. In these cases, we can lean on God’s grace! You can always ask God for forgiveness, and He will forgive you. But it’s really important to remember that we should never do it again.

In John 15:18 (NLT), Jesus teaches us: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”Jesus went through a lot of challenges. He even faced rejection for the people he came to help, so we shouldn’t be surprised if we face the same things. It is not always going to be easy to follow Christ, and people might not always understand our commitment to our faith, but we can find comfort knowing that Jesus experienced the same things. He is always with us, and he makes us strong.

So, the next time you find yourself in a situation where people are questioning your faith or trying to make you feel uncomfortable for believing in Christ, always remember to stand strong. Never be afraid to say you follow Christ, no matter what others say.

Monday, November 25, 2024

Confused About the Bible?

Sometimes, when we read the Bible, we might feel confused or not fully understand what it means. Believe it or not, this happens to a lot of people, and sometimes, it leads them to stop trusting God or reading the Bible altogether. But the best thing to do when you're unsure is to turn to God. When it comes to understanding His Word, ask Him your questions. James 1:5 (NLT) says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you.” Our Heavenly Father will always answer when we really want to know more about Him. All we need to do is ask.

In Psalm 32:8 (NLT), God says, “I will guide you along the best path for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” This verse reminds us that God is always ready to guide us. Whether we’re struggling to understand something in the Bible or dealing with everyday problems, He is committed to help us grow in Jesus Christ, so we can become the person He wants us to be. So, whenever you're confused or need help, remember to pray and seek God for answers. Be patient and trust Him. He will always answer you and guide you in the right direction.

Monday, November 18, 2024

Whenever You Feel Lonely, Remember That God is Always There

When your friends are hanging out without you, or you really wanted to be a part of something, but you’re left out, you might feel lonely. You might feel like no one cares or that they don’t understand you. It can be tough feeling this way, but during these times, it is really important to remember that God never leaves you, and He is always with you. So, the truth is that you’re never truly alone.

In Isaiah 41:10 (NLT), God tells us: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross by giving his life as a sacrifice for our sins, we have the Spirit of God living on the inside of us. This verse is a reminder that God is in us, always protecting and helping us through tough times. Even when you feel left out or forgotten, you can trust that God is with you. He’s there to strengthen you and encourage you, and He will always hold you up when you feel weak.

So, the next time you feel lonely or like no one cares, remember that God is with you. Talk to Him and pray often. He hears you, and He will comfort your heart. Read verses like Isaiah 41:10. They remind you that you are loved and important, and that God is always there.

“Whenever You Feel Lonely, Remember That God Is Always There”, written for aheartforchristdevotions@blogspot.com by Kraiapril©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Monday, November 11, 2024

Fulfilling Your True Purpose

Have you ever wondered what your purpose is in life? It’s something a lot of people ask themselves. The Good News is that we all have a very special purpose that God wants us to live out. That purpose is to have a close relationship with Him and to share His love with others by telling them about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

In Mark 16:15, Jesus says, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” This is a clear command from Jesus to his disciples; that’s us! It shows us that part of our purpose is to share the message of God’s love and His salvation through Christ with as many people as we can. Telling others about Jesus is something we can all do, no matter how old we are.

When we do this, we not only help others discover our wonderful, powerful, and loving God, but we also grow closer to Him ourselves. As we share the Gospel, we learn more about God’s love and His plan for us. And when we follow Jesus’ words, he blesses us in ways that help us grow spiritually. So, remember, the two most important things you can do to fulfill your purpose are:

Spread the Good News—tell others about Jesus and His love.
Build a strong relationship with God—spend time praying, reading His Word, and learning how to follow Jesus every day.

As you do these things, you’ll be living out the purpose God has for you, and you’ll see how He works in your life!

Monday, November 4, 2024

Standing Strong in Tough Times

When tough times come our way, it’s easy to feel discouraged or let our faith in God waver. However, it’s really important not to let these challenges bring us down. Remember, if you ever feel like you’re struggling, a great verse to hold on to is 2 Corinthians 4:8 (NLT), which says, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.”

It’s important to remember that every Christian goes through tough times as part of our journey. When challenges come your way, don’t hesitate to turn to God in prayer. Talk to Him about what you’re feeling and ask for His help. He promises to be with you through every struggle and will always guide and support you. With faith in the Lord, you can find the strength to overcome anything and come out even stronger.

Remember, God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for our sins, and this shows just how much He cares for all of us. So, trust in God’s power and goodness, and keep your heart open to His love!