Adeola Akinsemoyin @mantha

Devotional by YouVersion

There’s a battle happening all around us—a battle for your heart, your mind, and your soul. A battle that’s not only physical, but also spiritual. A battle with literal enemies who impact the seen and unseen world.

John wrote:

“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 ‭NLT‬‬

Yes, we are in a real battle. 
Yes, we have a real enemy.
Yes, the kingdom of darkness is constantly fighting against the kingdom of light.

But for those who are trusting in the finished work of Christ, greater is the One living inside of us than the one who is living in this world.

We have a real Savior.
This story isn’t close to over.
The kingdom of darkness will never prevail against the kingdom of light.

Our enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. To pervert, manipulate, and confuse, distract, divide, and disable. 

But God is greater than the doubts that clutter your mind, the enemies that frustrate your plans, the heart-wrenching and even soul-crushing situation that’s currently consuming your thoughts. 

You can fight from a place of victory because the battle has already been won. 

Jesus has already conquered death. And now, while we wait for others to come to salvation and for God to bring all things to completion under Christ’s authority, we can fight with a confident hope.

There’s a battle happening all around us—a battle for your heart, for your mind, for your soul. But greater is the One living inside of you than the one who is living in this world.

Devotional by YouVersion

In a world brimming with noise, demands, and competing voices, God calls His people to a different rhythm: 

"You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."
Leviticus 20:26 NIV

In the Old Testament, the word “consecrated” means that a person, object, or place has been set apart for a sacred and holy purpose. They are dedicated to God. The process of consecration involves purification, sanctification, and often anointing with oil, which is a symbol of this dedication.

But God's call to holiness, to live a life set apart, is not about seclusion or superiority. It's an invitation to a life connected to God's character and will. It's about being marked by God’s purity for the purpose of showing others God’s glory and power.

So, what does walking in holiness look like daily? It's more than just following rules or rituals. It’s a heart posture—a willingness to live in a way that reflects God's nature. It means we allow God’s Spirit to align our thoughts, actions, and desires with His Word.

Consider this today: How can you cultivate a heart posture that reflects God's holiness in your relationships and interactions?

God, in His holiness, doesn't just beckon us to be separate. He calls us to be set apart unto Him—the One who created us, redeemed us, and calls us by name.

Devotional by YouVersion

Making decisions is hard. 

When we attempt to make the perfect decision, we can often find ourselves stuck in indecision. And while we should always prayerfully discern our next steps according to God’s Word and His ways, sometimes we overcomplicate things.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul was addressing an issue about food, regarding what they should or shouldn’t eat. So Paul took some of the pressure off Christians by saying:

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” ‭‭
1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

While this passage was originally about food, the principle can be applied to any area of life. Whatever choice you make, do it to glorify God. In this way, you will keep your conscience clear.

Whether you’re preparing a meal or making a business deal. Whether you’re playing sports or building houses. Whether you’re leading a team or raising kids. Whether you’re crunching numbers or caring for the vulnerable.  

No matter what you do—the core desire should be to love God and love others, and every decision should exemplify that love. So today, ask yourself: Does this decision honor God? Is this choice full of integrity? Can others see His character shining through my life? Will my decisions draw people closer to God, or pull them away from Him?

No matter what situation we’re in, God has given us His Word, His Spirit, and His people to help us discern our next right thing. So when making decisions, let’s seek to honor God to the best of our ability, and then trust Him with our choices.