Thank You, Holy Spirit

Do this at the beginning of each day to begin with the right mindset: thank God for what He’s done and what He is doing in your life. I know this may seem like simple or even generic advice, but there’s great power in framing your mind to be grateful. Far too many believers drag themselves into an ungodly mindset by obsessing over everything that’s going wrong, everything that’s delayed, everything that’s turning out differently than they had hoped. 

Of course, I’m not saying that we should be naive and pretend that life doesn’t have its challenges. Rather, I’m saying that by focusing instead on what you’re thankful for, you condition yourself to enjoy every season of life, even the challenging seasons. Every season has both good and bad. So it’s really your choice. You can live your life focused on the negative or thankful for the positive.

Now, you may be saying, “But I have nothing for which I can be thankful; everything in my life is falling apart.” But here’s what the Bible says:

“Be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’" - Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)

We can be satisfied with what we have, because no matter what, we always have the presence of the precious Holy Spirit. So from now on, as you begin your day, say “Thank you, Holy Spirit, for your presence.”

For more about this topic, watch “5 Prayers To Start Your Day With The Holy Spirit” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

What’s the Lie That Keeps You Bound?

Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle you can’t seem to break: fear, shame, confusion, lust, torment, or even anxiety? It may seem that no matter how hard you fight, the chains just tighten. That’s not God’s will for your life. The life of the believer is meant to be one of spiritual victory. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36). The truth is that the real battle isn’t just against your emotions or even your circumstances; the battle is against lies that have been planted in your mind.

A stronghold is more than just a passing thought; it’s a pattern of thinking, a lens through which you see the world. The enemy whispers a lie. And when you begin to believe it, that lie becomes deception. Deception then forms a mindset, and that mindset produces ways of thinking and feeling, which produce choices and actions, which become spiritual bondage. Fear, depression, lust, confusion, guilt, and shame all find their roots in lies. For example, fear springs from the lie that God intends to harm you. Shame grows out of the lie that your past isn’t forgiven. Lust thrives on the lie that sin will be worth it and the consequences will be light.

But God has given you weapons that are not carnal—they’re mighty through Him for the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). 

Here’s the key: for every lie you’ve believed, there’s a truth that can set you free. The Word of God is that truth. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105). When you saturate your life with the truth, the darkness cannot stay. Now, don’t get discouraged, because thinking according to the truth is a spiritual practice to be developed. Honestly, this battle may at times feel like a push and pull - you believe the truth, then a thought drags you back into old patterns - then you choose truth again, back and forth. But keep raising the shield of faith. Keep speaking the truth of God’s Word. Keep rejecting the lie. Don’t confuse the spiritual battle for spiritual bondage. You’re not a special case. Your situation is not too complex. What works for everyone will work for you. God’s truth is enough to break your chains, too.

Today is your day of freedom. Take every thought captive. Choose to believe the truth. Reject the lie. And walk in the liberty Christ purchased for you. If you want to get rid of darkness, simply turn on the light. If you want to break the power of a lie, simply believe the truth.

For more about this topic, watch “How You Can Break Demonic Strongholds Permanently” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

See Jesus, Be Transformed

Have you ever wondered why you can read the Bible faithfully and still feel stuck in the same old patterns? Why the truths you highlight don’t always become the truths you live? The answer is simple: information alone cannot change you. We’re changed from glory to glory by the Holy Spirit as we behold the Lord in the reading of the Scriptures.

Second Corinthians 3:17–18 (NLT) declares, “For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”

When you open your Bible, you are not just processing text. You are looking at Jesus with your spiritual eyes. Each passage offers you a glimpse of His glory. And the Holy Spirit, present as you read, takes that glimpse and begins to shape you into the very image you behold.

But here’s the key: you must yield. Revelation without surrender will only frustrate you. Many believers read the Word, feel conviction, and then quickly push it aside. We excuse our habits, justify our attitudes, or downplay our compromises. But the truth doesn’t change simply because we resist it or try to forget it. The Word continues to stand as the eternal standard of God’s will.

Transformation happens when you respond to conviction with surrender. When you read a verse and the Spirit pierces your heart, don’t ignore Him. Whisper, “Transform me, Holy Spirit. I yield this part of my life to You.” In that moment of surrender, chains break, the mind renews, and your nature changes.

You become like what you behold. If you obsess over worldly things, you take on their shape; restless, distracted, and unfulfilled. But if you obsess over the Word, gazing into the face of Jesus through every page, the Spirit molds you into His likeness. Your patience deepens. Your purity strengthens. Your love becomes genuine. Slowly but surely, you will look more like Christ.

This is the miracle of transformation. It doesn’t come from your own strength or discipline alone, but from the Spirit working within you as you yield again and again.

So the next time you sit down with your Bible, don’t stop at reading. Pray with humility: “Transform me, Holy Spirit. Don’t let me leave this moment unchanged. Shape me into the image of Jesus.” And He’ll change you, sometimes even in ways you cannot immediately see.

Because the goal of Scripture is not just that you know more; it’s that you become more… like Jesus.

For more about this topic, watch “The Absolute BEST Way to Read the Bible (And Most Don't Do It)” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

When The Bible Comes Alive

Have you ever read your Bible only to feel like you accomplished nothing? 

Maybe a fleeting inspiration, a nice quote to carry you through the day. But then, hours later, it’s gone. No transformation. No traction. Just another passage forgotten in the rush of life. If you've been there, you’re not alone. But that isn’t how it’s meant to be. God has more for you. You don’t need to settle.

The Bible is not a natural text; it’s supernatural.

Jesus said, “The very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” - John 6:63 (NLT)

If we approach Scripture as mere literature, we might glean a little encouragement, but we’ll miss the power - the very power that breaks habits, changes character, and ignites a holy fire within. That power comes only when the Word is received in the spirit, not just the intellect.

Matthew 13 tells us the parable of the sower. The seed, which represents the Word of God, only bears lasting fruit when it falls on “good soil.” Jesus explains that this “good soil” is the person who truly hears and understands the Word (Matthew 13:23, NLT). But many never get there. Why? Because they read the Bible without the help of the precious Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT) says, “But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them… For only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.”

Without the Holy Spirit, Scripture remains locked. But when you read with Him, He opens your eyes. You’re no longer reading about God. You’re fellowshipping with Him.

Then there’s the issue of depth. Some believers start strong but fall away when trials hit. Why? Shallow roots. And shallow roots grow from shallow study. A verse of the day is a great start, but it’s not the destination. You need consistency. Obsession. A love for the Word that drives you to take in much of it daily, not out of guilt, but out of hunger.

Finally, beware the thorns. Distraction will kill your devotion. Jesus said the Word is choked by the worries of life and the lure of wealth (Matthew 13:22). So slow down. Meditate. Read slowly, think deeply, and repeat the Word out loud. Absorb it.

This isn’t about checking a box. This is about transformation. It’s about reading until your heart burns, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32).

Don’t just study Scripture. Receive it. Cherish it. Meditate on it. And let it set your spirit ablaze.

For more about this topic, watch “You'll Never Read the Bible the Same Way After This,” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

God Resists the Proud

If pride has taken root in your heart, your prayers will hit a spiritual ceiling.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” - James 4:6 (NKJV)

Think about that. God resists the proud. Not ignores. Not delays. Resists. That reality should shake us out of complacency. That’s more than just a lack of spiritual momentum. That’s divine resistance. God resists.

Pride is subtle. It doesn’t always show up as arrogance. Sometimes it just looks like unhealthy independence. You stop asking God for help, not because you’re trying to be rebellious, but because you think, “I’ve got this all figured out.” That can be pride. And God loves us too much to not interfere when we’re operating in ungodly self-reliance.

Or maybe pride shows up as religious performance, constantly trying to “earn” what’s already yours by grace. You fast more, pray louder, serve harder, not because you love God, but maybe because deep down, you think your effort is what gives you access to God. That’s pride.

When you walk in humility, you walk under the authority of the Word. And authority is what gives your prayer weight. But pride misaligns you from God’s authority.

Look at Acts 19:15, when demons said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” The seven sons of Sceva tried to cast out demons using Jesus’ name like a magic spell. However, because they lacked genuine submission to God, they lacked power.

You may be praying all the right words, but if you’re living self-reliantly, you're missing the posture to which God responds.

Humility isn’t weakness. It’s alignment. It’s saying, “Lord, I know what I think, but I trust what You say. I know my plans, but I yield to Yours.” That’s the heart posture that causes Heaven to lean in. If you want to pray prayers that move Heaven and shake Hell, humble yourself before God.

For more about this topic, watch “9 Destructive Behaviors That Weaken Your Prayers (Without You Realizing It)” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

God Hid You On Purpose

Have you ever felt invisible, like no one sees your gift, your effort, your obedience? You know you carry something from God. You know you've been called. But the doors aren't opening. The opportunities seem few. The people who should support you don't. It feels like God is delaying the dream He gave you. But here's the truth you may not want to hear: God hid you on purpose.

Joseph was thrown into a pit by his jealous brothers. The only ones who knew he was there were the ones who wanted to keep him hidden. No applause. No audience. Just silence. And yet, this was the very first step toward his destiny. The dream wasn't dead; it was in motion.

God will hide you not to harm you but to protect you. Why? Because premature exposure will crush you. He's not just preparing the platform; He's preparing you. You want the dream, but the dream requires weight. It demands character. And character is formed in obscurity.

We think hiddenness is a delay, but it's in hiddenness that your motives are revealed. When no one is watching, when no one is clapping, when there's nothing to gain, will you still show up? Will you still serve? Will you still obey when there's no recognition, no confirmation, no response?

That's where the fire is hottest, and that's where your motives are purified. Because if you're in it for the praise, you won't last. If you're in it for the spotlight, you'll burn out. But if you're in it for God's glory, hiddenness becomes sacred ground.

Remember what Scripture says:

"Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph's character." - Psalm 105:19 (NLT)

So don't despise the season you're in. Don't try to force your way out of the pit. If God placed you there, then that pit is holy ground. The ones who overlooked you didn't disqualify you. They're just not the ones God will use to promote you. Heaven sees what man ignores.

You're not stuck. You're being shaped. Every hidden moment is producing something eternal. God hasn't forgotten about the dream. He's just more interested in developing you than delivering the blessing.

Stay faithful in the unseen. Because when God is ready to promote you, no one will be able to stop it.

For more about this topic, watch “If You’re Facing These Trials, Your Blessing is Within Reach,” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Hosting the Holy Spirit in Holiness

There is no greater privilege than hosting the presence of the Holy Spirit.

As believers, we know He dwells within us. But His indwelling presence isn’t something we should take lightly. We are His hosts. And as hosts, we must be careful not to grieve Him.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” - Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV)

That verse reveals something beautiful and profound: the Holy Spirit feels grief. He is not merely a force or power—He is a Person. And like any person, He can be hurt—not because He’s weak, but because He loves deeply.

Holiness, then, isn’t just about avoiding punishment—it’s about honoring a relationship. It’s saying, “Holy Spirit, I want You to be pleased with my life. Let my words, my choices, and even my daily habits say, ‘You are welcome here.’”

That’s what it means to be His temple.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” - 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)

Imagine that—your physical body is His dwelling place. So ask yourself:

• What am I doing with the Holy Spirit’s hands?

• What am I watching with His eyes?

• What am I saying with His mouth?

These aren’t questions of shame. They are questions of awareness. Because when you truly remember Who lives in you, everything changes.

The call to holiness isn’t just about what we stop doing. It’s about why we stop. We turn from sin not to earn God’s love, but to protect our connection with His presence.

“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart…” - Psalm 24:3-4 (NIV)

Holiness is not a cold religion.
It’s an intimate reverence.
It’s not legalism—it’s love.

Make Him feel welcome.
Make Him feel at home.

For more about this topic, watch “The Holy Spirit Lives in You, but Does He Feel Welcomed? (How to Tell),” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

You’re Already in a War

There’s a lot of talk about war right now. Headlines. Social media. Fear everywhere. But as believers, we should never panic, for God is in control. What we must be is aware. Because whether you know it or not, you’re already in a war—a spiritual war. And this war affects both this life and the next.

Every war is fought in battles, so here are five key battles you're engaged in every single day:

#1. The battle for your mind

The enemy attacks your peace, joy, and clarity.

“But don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT)

When you are grounded in the Word, your mind becomes steady. Even when life feels like it's spinning, clarity comes through communion with God. Win the battle for your mind by grounding yourself in the truth of God’s Word. In this spiritual discipline, do not give up any ground. The Word. Every day. No exceptions. No excuses.

#2. The battle for your purity

Temptation is not an event—it’s a process. In regard to purity, there are three major areas we battle daily:

We win the battle for sexual purity when we flee from temptation instead of debating with it.

“Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”  – 1 Corinthians 6:18–20 (NLT)

We win the battle for purity of speech by practicing wisdom and self-control.

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” – Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)

And we win the battle for pure motives when we remain aware of God’s watchful, knowing gaze.

“People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.”  – Proverbs 16:2 (NLT)

#3. The battle for your relationships

To win the battle in the area of your relationships, be aware of how others are influencing you.

“Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for ‘bad company corrupts good character.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NLT)

Yes, avoid ungodly influences, but also be sure to intentionally invest in godly relationships. Don’t be so reclusive and difficult to reach that you push people away. Don’t settle for shallow connections. Invest in godly friendships. Cut off ungodly influences.

#4. The battle for your attention

Respect yourself. Respect the time God has given you. Remain aware of your own mortality. Assess how much time you’re wasting. Rest? Of course. Waste? Never.

Where does your time go? Budget your time like you budget your money. Conserve your energy as a valuable resource, because it is. Spend your attention wisely, because the enemy is trying to get you to entertain your life away, sleep your life away, and waste your time.

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12 (NLT)

#5. The battle for your calling

This battle may be one of the most overlooked because it doesn’t always come with a loud temptation or emotional moment. It comes subtly through insecurity, hesitation, and doubt.

You may already know what God has placed in your heart to do. It could be something public like preaching or leading, or something more behind the scenes like writing, creating, starting a ministry, or simply stepping up in your community or church. But right when you're about to move forward, that internal voice starts speaking: “You’re not qualified. Someone else could do it better. Who do you think you are?”

The enemy fights your calling by making you focus on your flaws. He’ll replay every failure, every flaw, every reason why it shouldn’t be you. And what’s worse, we often mistake our own insecurity for humility. But real humility says, “I can’t do this without God”—not “I can’t do this at all.”

You might question whether you’re the one God could use. So did Moses.

“But Moses pleaded with the Lord, ‘O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though You have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.’ Then the Lord asked Moses, ‘Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.’”  – Exodus 4:10–12 (NLT)

So don’t wait until you feel confident. Don’t stall until all the pieces are in place. If God told you to do it, take the step. Speak when He says speak. Move when He says move. Your obedience will unlock the guidance you're asking for.

This is how you win the battle for your calling: not by waiting for perfect conditions, but by surrendering your fear and taking faithful steps forward. The enemy hopes you’ll sit on your assignment. Heaven is waiting for you to walk in it.

For more about this topic, watch “You're Already in a War (And You Don't Even Know It)” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

The Word Without the Spirit

The Word of God is perfect — but without the Holy Spirit, even the perfect Word can be misunderstood.

Scripture isn’t just meant to be studied intellectually; it must be received spiritually. It’s not just about memorizing verses — it’s about encountering the Person behind them.

When the Word is read without the Spirit, it can become cold, mechanical, even burdensome. But when the Holy Spirit breathes on the Word, it comes alive. It pierces the heart. It transforms the soul.

“But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.” - 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)

That’s why we don’t just need knowledge — we need revelation.

The same Bible that brings freedom to one person can feel like chains to another — the difference is the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let Him guide you into truth. Let Him teach you what the text truly means.

The Word and the Spirit always work together. Never separate the two.

For more about this topic watch, “6 Ways the Devil Uses the Bible to Deceive You” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Who You Are in Secret

It’s easy to act spiritual in front of people. Easy to quote verses, raise hands in worship, or speak eloquently about faith when others are watching. But who are you in secret?

In Hebrews 4:13, we’re reminded that “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes.” That means the version of you that no one else sees—the one behind closed doors—is the real you.

When the Holy Spirit begins transforming you, that transformation doesn’t just show up in how you behave at church or on your best days. It shows up in how you behave in the dark. It shows up in the decisions you make when there’s no applause, no accountability, no instant reward.

Do you still keep your word when it’s inconvenient and nobody would ever know you broke it? Do you shut down that browser tab—not because someone might walk in, but because your heart longs to please God? Do you treat strangers with kindness when there’s nothing to gain and no one to impress?

That’s the mark of true transformation. That’s the fruit of the Spirit working in you. Because when you’re not “on” for anyone, that’s the moment your true self steps forward.

And if you’re starting to notice a shift in those private moments—if you're pausing before sin, leaning into integrity, repenting faster, or pursuing righteousness out of a genuine love for God—that’s no small thing. That’s the Holy Spirit. And He’s doing deep work.

So don’t just evaluate your walk with God based on your public performance. Examine the private places too. Because God does. And those are often the clearest signs that He’s transforming you from the inside out.

Let your secret life be the strongest testimony of your spiritual progress because the most authentic version of you is the one who kneels when no one’s watching.

For more about this topic watch, “9 Signs the Holy Spirit is Transforming You Right Now (And You Don't Even Realize It)” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Don’t Feed the Flesh

It’s time to get serious. There is no neutral ground. Either the Spirit is winning, or the Flesh is winning. Either the Holy Spirit is gaining influence, or the sin nature is gaining influence. 

Every choice you make, large or small, is either contributing to the spiritual or the sinful.

“The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.” - Galatians 5:17 (NLT)

You can spend time in prayer, the Word, and worship. Or you can procrastinate by overindulging in entertainment and unedifying content.

You can invite the influence of the Holy Spirit in your relationships by speaking words of encouragement, showing kindness, and forgiving those who’ve wronged you. Or you can speak harshly, act rude and impatient, harbor resentment, and keep a record of wrongs.

In times of stress, you can rely on the spirit or cope with substances and distractions.

You can be generous or stingy. You can take care of your temple or neglect your health. You can live holy or practice sin. You can walk in faith or freeze in fear. 

Flesh or Spirit - it’s your choice. 

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “5 Destructive Habits That Distance You from The Holy Spirit,” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

The Spirit Speaks

If you're doubting your identity in Christ, the Holy Spirit has something to say.

“And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, ‘Abba, Father.’”  - Galatians 4:6 (NLT)

As a believer, you may experience some days when you feel a million miles away from God, even some days when you feel like an outright fake because of your shortcomings.

Your past speaks. Your mistakes speak. Your enemy speaks. Your circumstances speak. Through the noise, if you just stop and listen, you’ll hear the Holy Spirit speak too, prompting you to call God “Father.” 

Your identity in Christ isn’t a feeling; it’s a spiritual reality. You may at times, feel like you’ve lost your fire for God, but God hasn’t lost His fire for you. The Holy Spirit causes truth to be as a fire set deep in your bones, a truth that cannot be suppressed or ignored. 

When Satan accuses, the Spirit affirms. When your mistakes condemn, the Spirit convicts. When your feelings say “rejected,” the Spirit says “accepted.” When you forget who you are, the Holy Spirit reminds you of who God is to you - Father God.

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “7 Major Things That Happen When the Holy Spirit Enters You,” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Don’t Break the Holy Spirit’s Heart

Please, don’t break the Holy Spirit’s heart. The Holy Spirit has feelings and can be deeply grieved by our actions. Yes, it’s true. Paul the Apostle wrote:

“And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” - Ephesians 4:30 (NLT)

But think about this, too: if the Holy Spirit loves you enough to be grieved by your disobedience, then He loves you enough to be pleased by your obedience. So keep the Holy Spirit in mind. Let your love for His glorious presence be your motivation. Weigh every action, thought, and attitude with Him in mind. 

Those who live by the Spirit are often misunderstood and cast out. We’re disruptors. We’re different. So don’t worry about what people think of you. Instead, be concerned with what the Holy Spirit thinks. 

Those who live by the Spirit say no to sinful cravings. So don’t give in to what temptation demands of you. Instead, we are satisfied in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Those who live by the Spirit are given strength in trying times. So, don’t allow circumstances to control your attitudes and thoughts. Instead, be stabilized by the Spirit within you.

Live in a way that makes the Holy Spirit feel at home within you. Don’t grieve Him

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “5 Behaviors That Push The Holy Spirit Away (Without You Realizing It),” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Hiding From God?

With a simple command, God formed the earth. He created man and placed Him in the garden. Tempted by the serpent, Adam and Eve rebelled against God, eating from the forbidden fruit. Immediately, Adam and Eve felt the shame of their sin. When the presence of God approached, Adam and Eve hid themselves - they were afraid, they were ashamed.

This is the human reaction to God when we sin - we hide from God.

But as born-again believers, when we mess up, we aren’t to run away from God; we’re to run to Him. 

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” - Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)

Every believer should be confident when they approach God, because our access depends upon Christ’s perfection, not our performance.

So, if you’ve messed up, don’t hide from God. Don’t try to cover your sin. Turn to Him now. Be confident in the work of the cross. There, at the throne, you will find grace. God’s not going to shame you; He’s going to save you. He won’t reject you; He’ll restore you.

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “5 Reasons Why God's Chosen Secretly Struggle with Lust,” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Breaking Free From Bitterness

Bitterness is called a root because it grows and produces all kinds of unhealthy fruit.

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. - Hebrews 12:15 (NLT)

Bitterness is the root. Its fruit can be anger, cynicism, loss of joy, frustration, and a lack of patience. Do you carry an atmosphere of tension around you? Are you defensive, irritated, and moody? Do people feel as though they have to speak and act with extreme care around you?

Sometimes, the reason people project tension, moodiness, and anger is to protect themselves from being hurt or offended again. After all, if you can keep people at a distance, they can’t hurt you. Like the body naturally recoils or maneuvers to avoid contact with an injured part, so the soul develops a method of defense.

Why We’re Bitter

Perhaps you were legitimately hurt. It may very well be that you were truly wronged. Maybe something was done to you, maybe someone spoke something to you - it can also be that someone wasn’t there for you in the way they should have been. Your pain and anger may very well be justifiable. 

On the other hand, there are those who allow themselves to be offended by trivial things. I by no means am trying to belittle anyone’s pain. But you have to consider this angle too: perhaps you were just being too sensitive and emotional about something. Sometimes it’s not the experience but rather the way you perceive an experience that leads to bitterness and offense.

Only fools get angry quickly and hold a grudge. - Ecclesiastes 7:9 (CEV)

So there are some who have been truly wronged, and then there are some who only perceive themselves to have been wronged. But regardless of why you carry hurt, anger, and offense, it’s so important that you realize that there is freedom available to you. The answer is simple, but it is not easy.

The Answer

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. - Mark 11:25 (NLT)

Forgiveness is the key to freedom. Now, again, it’s not my goal to be insensitive, but it would be terribly unloving of me to withhold the truth from you. If you want to be free, you need to forgive. There’s really no way around it. To forgive is to let go.

You may still feel the emotion of the offense. You may still feel the anger of the offense. Thankfully, forgiveness is not an emotion, it’s a decision. 

Twisted Teachings 

Just let it go. People don’t like that phrase: “Just let it go.” That phrase seems so insensitive, so harsh, so simplistic. But that’s the key. “Just let it go” isn’t what people want to hear. I know what people want to hear. They want to hear what modern preaching tells them. Modern preaching says, “You can’t just tell people to let it go. You don’t know their story. You haven’t been in their shoes.” Now, they never really come out right and say it, but some preachers are essentially telling you that you have a right to un-forgiveness. The problem is that’s just not the truth. As people who have been crucified with Christ, we have no rights to un-forgiveness. By telling you such lies, cowardly preachers are actually contributing to your staying in bondage.

As people filled with the Holy Spirit, should we not have the grace to forgive? Should we not be the most humble, forgiving people on earth? Again, it’s simple. But it’s definitely not easy. But I’m telling you this because I want to see you go free.

No Need to Wait

You might be waiting for that perfect apology. You might be waiting for them to acknowledge their wrong, to humble themselves and present themselves broken before you. But that perfect scenario might never come. So we must be like Christ. While being crucified, before He ever received an apology, He cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

We must forgive faster than they can apologize. In fact, forgiveness doesn’t begin after we’ve been hurt; forgiveness is the state of your heart before the offense ever takes place.

Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. - Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

Make allowance. Carry the grace before the offense takes place. We must live prepared to forgive. Anticipating offenses, we must be ready to let go.

Search Your Heart

So search your heart. Is there any un-forgiveness in you?

Bitterness seeks revenge.

Forgiveness seeks reconciliation. 

Bitterness lives in the past.

Forgiveness frees you to dream about the future.

Bitterness says, “Because they owe me.”

Forgiveness says, Because I owe God.”

Bitterness pushes guilt.

Forgiveness lifts burdens. 

Bitterness seeks to prove a point. 

Forgiveness let’s it go.

Bitterness accuses.

Forgiveness covers.

Perhaps now there is a phone call you need to make - a text you need to send. Maybe there was an argument, an offense. Maybe you need to go back to that church. Be reconciled to your brothers and sisters. It’s time to let it go.

No, I don’t mean that you should allow people to repeatedly take advantage of you, but what’s done is done. It’s time to move forward into freedom.

For the sake of your spiritual well being, for the sake of your soul, for the sake of your joy and peace, it’s time to let it go. It’s simple, but it’s not easy. The Holy Spirit will help you to do it.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

How to Win in Spiritual Warfare

The enemy has been defeated. Christ reigns victoriously. So why then are we commanded in Scripture to be equipped for spiritual battles?

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.“ - Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT)

The truth of the matter is that the Devil is real, and so are demons. They are not biblical metaphors for evil. They are living, sentient beings that exist in an other-worldly dimension. They have been around for eons, understand human nature, and are highly trained spiritual assassins. 

Now, by no means should the believer live in a paranoid state or constantly worry about being overcome by demonic powers. But the Scripture clearly teaches that we are to be engaged in spiritual warfare.

But since Christ has already won the victory, how does spiritual warfare look for the believer? Mind you, demonic beings affect believers differently than they do unbelievers. 

So here is the simplest definition of spiritual warfare that I can give to you as it applies to the believer: the fight to believe God’s truths over the enemies’ lies. 

Think about what armor we are given - the shield of faith, the sword of the spirit, the belt of truth. By faith, we guard ourselves against lies. The sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, destroys deception. The belt of truth keeps us prepared to resist deception. 

At least for the believer, spiritual warfare is primarily about avoiding deception. By getting you to believe lies, the enemy can affect your thinking. By affecting your thinking, the enemy can affect your emotions. By affecting your emotions, the enemy can affect your actions.

In no way can the enemy own the believer, but the believer can embrace lies that limit faith. There’s much to know about spiritual warfare, but this is the primary way to win: know the Word of God (the sword of the Spirit) and believe that Word by faith (shield of faith).

For the believer, knowing and believing the truth is the way to win. For when you know the truth, you are free.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

How to Make Spirit-Led Decisions

Is it God or just your own thinking? How can you know if the decision you’re making is of God’s will? I’ve been there too. On one hand, you don’t want to be stuck or waste time. On the other hand, you don’t want to be presumptuous and move ahead with a decision that isn’t Spirit-led. So, what are you supposed to do if you don’t have an indication in either direction? 

Afraid to make a bad decision, many become spiritually stuck. So I want to give you a couple of truths that will help rewire the way you think so you can be decisive, while also being obedient to God.  While there are several keys to recognizing and responding to the voice of God, I want to focus on giving you two simple thoughts.

First, we, as believers, hear God primarily through His written Word. This isn’t to say that God doesn’t speak to us directly. Of course, He does. However, this does mean that if you’re not in the Word, you will more often find yourself stuck in indecision. To receive the Word is to develop wisdom, and wisdom is the foundation of decisiveness. Wisdom is divine reasoning. Wisdom is the problem-solving approach given to us by God. 

“The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” - Psalm 19:7 (NLT)

Second, don’t trust in your ability to hear God. Now, at first, this directive might seem unusual, especially for Christians. I don’t mean that we shouldn’t desire to hear God or that we shouldn’t be glad when we do. I simply mean that when your trust is placed in your ability to hear God, you add unnecessary tension to your walk with the Lord. You see, Christians who trust in their own ability to hear God live with the perceived burden of having to make God speak, which nobody can do. 

When you trust in your own ability to hear God, you leave yourself vulnerable to the fear that you might not be doing enough to hear Him and, therefore, might be missing His instructions. You become stressed about making sure you’re using all of the correct tactics to hear Him. Of course, we, as believers, ought to live in the stillness of readiness to hear the Lord. We must learn to quiet mind and emotion, so that we might not mistake our own thoughts for God’s voice. And, yes, we should seek the Lord and seek to hear His voice. Yet, ultimately, your faith cannot be in self or in your own faith. We trust not in our ability to hear the Holy Spirit but in His ability to speak to us. If God could get through to Pharaoh and Saul, He can get through to you.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” - Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

We can find relief, and then joy and peace, as we live ready and eager to hear Him while trusting that He’ll speak when He’s ready. 

To become decisive, ground yourself in the Word and then learn to trust that He knows how to get through to you.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Repentance: Change Your Mind

A street preacher was boldly proclaiming the gospel at a college campus. He was talking about sin, Heaven, Hell, and repentance. As he lovingly and passionately warned the college students about the eternal consequence of Hell, a college student began to raise his voice against the street preacher. “I’m a christian,” the college student announced, “And what this man is doing is unloving! Jesus accepts you and loves you. Am I’m sorry this man is giving Christians such a bad name.” Just then, another college student, an atheist, spoke up. The atheist asked the student, “Does the Bible teach that there’s a Hell?” The student paused for a moment and then answered with a stutter, “Yes, the Bible teaches there’s a Hell.” The atheist replied, “I’ve seen you on campus almost every week for the past year. You say you believe in Hell, yet not once have you ever warned me about it. I can only conclude one of two things: either you don’t really care about me, or you don’t really believe the Bible.”

We need to begin living and preaching repentance again.

We need to live in repentance, because God has called us to be holy.

14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14, NLT)

Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. (Matthew 3:8, NLT)

Repentance is the turning away from sin that comes about as the result of a changed mind. Far too many believers are stuck in sin because they imagine that repentance is simply feeling bad about wrongdoing. But to repent is to say, “God, I agree with you that this is wrong. I agree with you that it needs to be removed from my life, permanently, in every way. I will not return to it. I will not allow my flesh to try to keep it in small portions. I will cooperate with you in removing this from my life, for the rest of my life.”

To repent is to recognize that you’ll have to say “no” to what you desire.

To repent is to acknowledge that at no point in the future should you allow yourself even a taste of that which you sinfully desire.

To repent is to set aside whatever excuses you may have made for your wrongdoing. 

To repent is to walk in holiness by the grace of the Holy Spirit. 

And once we begin living it, we must preach it too, and boldly so.

When the Church is pure, the Church is powerful. When the Church is powerful, true and lasting transformation is brought about in the world.

I know it’s not popular to preach against sin. I know the trends of the day demand that we avoid the truths of the cross, the blood of Jesus, the evil of sin, and God’s ability to transform. But if we the Church don’t preach the gospel, nobody will. If we don’t warn the world about the consequences of its wickedness, nobody will. 

In the book of Acts, we see that Peter preached repentance as a part of the new testament message.

18 But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things. 19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. (Acts 3:18-19, NLT)

We see a similar message again in Acts 17:30.

God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. (Acts 17:30, NLT)

We’re so afraid of “turning people off” from the gospel that we try to modify the message, as if God didn’t get it right the first time. But understand this: it’s not our preaching of truth that turns people away from the gospel; it’s their desire for sin.

19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. (John 3:19-20, NLT)

Clearly, we are to both live and preach repentance. If you live repentance but don’t preach it, you’re being selfish. If you preach repentance but don’t live it, you’re being a hypocrite. If you both live and preach repentance, you’re being obedient to God.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Ministry Motives: Avoiding Jealousy and a Competitive Spirit

In Acts chapter 8, we see the story of Simon the Sorcerer. Simon was watching as Peter and John laid their hands on new believers. Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given as the apostles laid hands - and he desired that power. 

18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19“Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 8:18-19, NLT)

What Simon desired wasn’t an evil thing. Like many believers today, Simon desired to have the Holy Spirit. But even though Simon desired a good thing, his motives for wanting it were polluted. 

20But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.” (Acts 8:20-23, NLT)

Peter recognized that Simon the Sorcerer wanted the power of the Holy Spirit for selfish reasons. Peter could also discern that Simon was filled with jealousy. He was jealous of the power that Peter and John carried. He was jealous of how the people were affected by that power. He was jealous of how others looked to the apostles with such awe and honor. 

And so Simon offered to buy the power of God. He didn’t want to be used by God; He wanted to use God to make himself important. 

There’s danger in polluted motives. 

We who are in ministry must never allow ourselves to be overcome by jealous ambition. If you see the success of others as a threat, you need to purify your motives. If you secretly hope your fellow believer fails, you need to purify your motives. If you want to grow your ministry simply to up your status, you need to purify your motives. 

Remember, God has created you uniquely. God doesn’t have to take from you in order to give to others. The success of others in no way takes away from God’s favor upon your life. But do you know what does? Impure motives. So rest in who you are in Christ. Don’t compete with others, celebrate them. Keep your heart pure, and focus on the simple joy of pleasing the Lord.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

The Holiness Spirit

The Holy Spirit is not our reward for holiness; He’s our source for holiness. The Holy Spirit’s presence and work in you is what causes you to obey God.

God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. (1 Peter 1:2, NLT)

The Holy Spirit gives you the desire, but you must make the decision to respond to that desire. He provides the desire; you provide the discipline.

He has given you everything you need to live in holiness. Beyond just giving you the power to say “no” to temptation, the Holy Spirit changes your desires. The sins that once tempted you begin to disgust you, as the Holy Spirit does His work.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6, NLT)

So trust the Holy Spirit, for He is, indeed, the Spirit of holiness. There’s no amount of mistakes that you could make to cause Him to cease His work in you. Consider the children of Israel. After years of back-and-forth, after generations of idolatry and backsliding, God made a powerful promise to them. 

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

When the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in you, the most stubborn and problematic areas of your character become refined. He can change anyone. He can free you from anything, no matter how long you’ve been bound.

The Holy Spirit makes you holy.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.