"Perseverance" - Tuesday July 14, 2026

“Perseverance”:

Developing a life of “Self-Discipline” requires work (see yesterday’s devotional). The Bible tells us, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23). We also know that “Self-control” is listed among the “Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). Willpower provides us the mental energy required to pursue our goals and dreams, but fulfilling them requires strong desire, effort, and sacrifice.

 

It’s never to late to dream big dreams. Your desire may be to do your best to repair a broken relationship, save money, complete your education, prepare yourself for a career, or any number of other things. Some of you may be struggling in your spiritual life and are being tempted to give in believing you can never become what God wants you to be. Just know, that’s the devil playing with your mind and he’s a liar!! God said, “You are more than a conqueror”  (Romans 8:37).

 

God is still God and if you have a relationship with Him, you are one of his children. He loves you with an everlasting love and the plans He has for your life are still in place. You may have gotten off track but today can be a new beginning. Ask for His help, seek his guidance, and get started again. Last week some powerful saints in the Bible were mentioned as “Imperfect.” They messed up, but God used them. We all mess up, but God is kind, patient, and like everyone else, gives us another chance to get our life back into His hands.

 

This can only happen IF you want it to happen. God is more than willing, but there comes a point when we must surrender our will for HIS WILL. Desire, determination, and effort will be necessary. Every devoted follower of Christ has had to make this commitment. You are either following Jesus or Satan. Every day you make a choice.

 

A decision has to be made, and no one can do it for you. Following Jesus is personal. It takes daily discipline and PERSEVERANCE! Perseverance is the continued steadfast effort to achieve a goal or to complete a task desoite facing difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. Perseverance is generating the strength to get up and continue after we’ve fallen or make a mistake. Satan is your enemy! Don’t let him deprive you of the joy and peace God has for you!

 

Pastor Carnes 

 

 

 

 

"Self-Discipline is Work" - Monday July 13, 2026

“Self-Discipline is Work”

Show up early to work – work hard – stay out of trouble – go on a diet – do the right thing – exercise – choose good friends and respect those in authority! Wow – that’s quite a list. Many other things could be added such as get over your anger, jealousy, and bad habits.

 

Here’s what I know, “Self-Discipline” requires work!! I once heard a statement a college football coach gave his team.  He told his players, “There are two things only you can control – desire and effort!” So, the question is how much do you want to do something and how hard are you willing to work for it?

 

Most of us have little patience. Discouragement comes when accomplishing something doesn’t come easily. Everyone has the ability to make themselves a disciplined person, but it’s a matter of desire and effort. Self-discipline in short is the ability to control your impulses, emotions, and behavior to achieve long-term goals. It’s consistently choosing to do what you should do, rather than what you feel like doing.

 

Willpower is the mental energy required to resist immediate temptations and distractions. Consistency is taking action on a regular basis, regardless of fleeting physical or emotional states. Long term focus is sacrificing short term gratification that pulls you away from your goals. Procrastination is a very common detour from accomplishments.

 

Why is “Self-discipline” so important? Because developing a disciplined life gets rid of the need to be motivated. Disciplining yourself teaches you how be accountable, responsible, and pushes you toward achieving your goal(s). The Bible addresses self-discipline and self-control directly, framing it as a fruit of the Holy Spirit and vital for growth. It requires actively setting boundaries, guarding your heart, and relying on God’s strength to live intentionally.

 

Is there an area of your life that’s out of control? You know the necessary steps needed to bring it under control. It’s a matter of true desire and genuine effort. Proverbs says, “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control” (25:28).

 

Pastor Carnes

"Imperfect Saints" Pt 5 of 5 - Friday July 10, 2026

“Imperfect Saints” Pt 5 of 5:

Every person has some flaws and shortcomings. Be careful how you label yours because often what we call bad habits; God calls them sin. Time was spent on Abraham’s lies this week … for two reasons. One, a  respected and admired man in the Old Testament was chosen by God to be a prophet. Chosen, but he wasn’t perfect. Like so many, Abraham was deceived by Satan thinking rationalizing his lying would protect him and his wife Sarah.

 

The second reason is to remind everyone, lying is a destructive sin told generally as a coverup for a previous sin. Lies hurt and divide families and other relationships. It creates mistrust and if not surrendered to God could and will destroy our character. In Genesis 20, God used a pagan king, Abimelech, to expose Abrahams’ sin.

 

Once Abraham confessed his sin, the king showed him grace and showered the prophet with gifts (20:14-18). God used Abimelech to show that He does not disown his children when they sin, just as loving parents do not disown their children when they do wrong. But it’s important to see, God did not ignore Abraham’s sin. Nor will He ours.

 

It’s comforting to know that Abraham’s failure did not change his standing before God. The Lord called him a “prophet,” which means spokesperson for God. Abraham is mentioned in Hebrews 11:8-19. This chapter is known as the “Hall of Faith.” A long list of people who honored and served God are listed in this chapter. As you read it, you’ll discover Abraham’s sin is not mentioned. There’s only praise for his many demonstrations of faith.

 

The chapter closes with Abraham praying for Abimelech and verses 17-18 illustrate God’s love and grace for both of these men. Abraham was forgiven of his sins and became a spiritual giant in the Old Testament. The Lord also healed Abimelech’s wife and daughters so they could have children because the Lord had closed the womb in Abimelech’s household because of Abraham’s wife, Sarah.

 

In closing, let’s remember God had a plan for Abraham life and didn’t give up on him even though he strayed. God has a plan for your life too. Maybe you aren’t as close to God as you should be. Many people lie about being a Christian. God’s love never fails and He’ll never give up on you. Like Abraham, Moses, David, Paul, Peter, and others who failed, He stands with His arms wide open ready to receive you back into the fold. He’ll never give up on you.

 

Pastor Carnes

"Imperfect Saints" Pt 4 of 5 - Thursday July 9, 2026

“Imperfect Saints” Pt 4 of 5:

Lots of attention has been placed upon Abraham’s lie to King Abimelech about Sarah being his sister, not his wife (Genesis 20). Lying is what people do to cover up a wrong they have committed or to make something look better than it actually is.

 

Abraham’s sin was caused by his lack of faith plus thinking he could get away with it. Isn’t that why people lie in the first place? They believe no one will ever find out, but in most cases, the truth always comes out. Not only is this embarrassing to the liar, but ,creates feelings of distrust with loved ones and close friends. A person truly puts themself in a very bad place when others can’t believe they are speaking the truth.

 

Abraham and Saran had made an agreement to lie about their relationship at the beginning of their journey (Gen. 12). Maybe we give them a pass on the first one as they were young in their faith, but 30 years had passed since then and now before the king, Abraham decides to compromise and do something he was wrong.

 

We may wonder, what was wrong with Abraham and why would he do such a horrible thing? Abraham’s problem was the same problem you and I have when we don’t fully repent of our sins – especially the sin we are most vulnerable to. It isn’t enough to be sorry for sin; we must confess it and repent. Repentance is forsaking it – asking God to help you never to do it again. Proverbs says, “He who conceals his sins will not prosper but whoever confesses will find mercy” (28:13).

 

It was mentioned earlier this week that this pagan king (Abimelech) illustrated greater integrity than Abraham, but God’s servant comes clean when confronted by the king. Abimelech returned Sarah to her husband and showed no hard feelings. He actually honored the prophet and showered Abraham with gifts (Gen. 20:14). Then said the king, “My land is before you, live wherever you wish.”

 

Abraham was “justified” in the eyes of the king. He was cleared of his wrong doing, meaning forgiveness had taken place. The gifts given by the king was evidence to everyone that a wrong had been righted. When a person truly repents of their sins, God goes to work restoring broken relationships, healing broken hearts, and creating a new way of life. When a person makes his wrongs – right – the blessings (gifts) of God begin to come.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"Imperfect Saints" Pt 3 of 5 - Wednesday July 8, 2026

“Imperfect Saints” Pt 3 of 5:

Reference was given to Hebrews 12:1 yesterday which states in part, “throw off everything that hinders (plural) and the sin (singular) that so easily entangles…”. I believe the verse is teaching us that a person committing a sin, is usually committing more than one. My take is the major follow up to a committed sin is lying about it. Liars tell lies to protect themselves, maybe as an excuse in an attempt not to hurt a loved one. But as mentioned, without repentance and stoppage of it, the sin (sins) will eventually be exposed (Numbers 32:23).

 

When sin is exposed, God will not shield us from the embarrassment of its exposure. As we read in Genesis 20, King Abimelech became irate and demanded an explanation as to why Abraham lied to him saying Sarah was his sister and not his wife. Abraham’s excuse is as embarrassing as his actions. He first said, “Because there’s no fear of God in this place and they will kill me in order to have my wife” (20:11).

 

What this prophet didn’t know was that he was making this statement to a king so over-whelmed with the fear of God that he could hardly sit on his throne. The king had an honorable sense of right and wrong and to make things worse, the pagan king illustrated a greater integrity than the man of God.

 

Let’s face it – lies are used as a coverup. The biggest lie is Satan convincing a person to claim innocence in order to survive a marriage, relationship, friendship, job, or crime. Remember, LYING IS ON GOD’S MOST HATED LIST (read Proverbs 6:16-19).

 

If you take the time to look up that passage, you’ll find another “hated” sin is pride. Proverbs 16:18 informs us, “Pride goes before destruction.” This explains what happens when we pridefully decide a sinful way is better than God’s way. As we continue our reading in Genesis 20, we find the second part of Abraham’s explanation of lying to the king is no more flattering than the first.  In verse 12 we read, “Besides – she really is my sister, the daughter of my father, but not my mother.”

 

Abraham heard Satan’s voice over God’s. In verse 13 we discover Sarah was convinced to go along with this lie. The point is, rarely (if ever) does anyone sin alone.

 

Pastor Carnes

"Imperfect Saints" Pt 2 of 5 - Tuesday July 7, 2026

“Imperfect Saints” Pt 2 of 5:

Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great crowd of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Note, “hinders” is plural indicating there could be many things that slow or weight us down from becoming the person God wants us to be. But the word “sin,” is singular indicating that for many people, there is a vulnerable sin and when Satan sets the trap we take the bait and fall prey.

 

Abraham wasn’t perfect by any means, but it appears his vulnerability was lying. It’s easy for us to side with his lies because he thought the king would kill him and take his wife (Gen. 12:12-13; 20:1-2). To protect himself, he said Sarah was his sister.  Abraham’s lack of faith in God’s protection is disappointing. Yet aren’t most lies given with the intent of protecting the person that says them (or someone else)?

 

The Bible is filled with Godly characters, both male and female. We read their stories and often wish our spiritual lives could be as strong as theirs. The thing is that they were flawed just like you and me. While flawed, we must grasp the fact that the Bible proclaims the holiness of the Lord, NOT the perfection of his followers. Faith DOES NOT make us perfect – it makes us obedient!  Faithful obedience to God and His Word builds Christian character.

 

King Abimelech did in fact take Sarah, but in a dream, God told him he was as good as dead because she was a married woman (Gen. 20:3-7). Abimelech was a man of integrity and when God spoke to him, he responded with reverence (v 4). He then proclaimed his innocence (v 5) and he was innocent. He had been drawn into this situation because of Abraham’s deceit.

 

God acknowledged the king’s innocence but gave him an order followed with a warning, “Return the man’s wife for he is a prophet and will pray for you. Do this and you’ll live – if not, you and yours will die” (vs 6-7). Can you imagine how embarrassed Abraham must have felt when his sin was publicly exposed (vs 8-9)? The Bible gives each of us this warning, “ Be sure, your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). If we continue to live a life of sin, it’s only a matter of time until those sins will be exposed. When that happens, loved ones and friends are always hurt by the fall out!

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"Imperfect Saints" Pt 1 of 5 - Monday July 6, 2026

“Imperfect Saints” Pt 1 of 5:

This week our focus will be on encouraging those desiring to be strong Christians but find themselves returning to bad habits and listening to Satan’s lies that they can never become the person God wants them to be. You’ve heard it said, “No one’s perfect!” Well, that’s almost true, but actually Adam and Eve were created perfect and were placed in a perfect environment. Their failure came when they paid more attention to Satan’s voice than God’s (Genesis 3). Since then, you’re right – no one is perfect, but God has called us to be holy (Leviticus 11:44, 19:2, 20:7, and I Peter 1:16).

 

However, there is one perfect individual, Jesus, and even He was tempted (Luke 4:1-13). Imperfection means flawed, incomplete, not entirely correct,  damaged, or failure. Have you ever felt that way? Me too! The thing about the Bible is it doesn’t hide the flaws or sins of its key characters. Abraham had a problem, Moses couldn’t control his anger, everyone knows about sins of David, and Peter denying Christ. Even Paul and Barnabas had issues.

 

There’s many imperfect biblical characters to choose from, but let’s follow Abraham for a few days. His life brings wonderful news for those times when we get down on ourselves because we are guilty of sin. Especially an “old” sin we thought we’d overcome. Here’s our first lesson of the week: “Conversion is instantaneous and is completed the moment we repent of our sins and trust Jesus for salvation!”

 

However, spiritual growth is gradual. Someone said, “It took one day for God to get Israel our of Egypt, but it took 40 years to get Egypt out of Israel.” If you get discouraged because you aren’t a perfect saint, this weeks’ lessons are for you. Abraham had a bad habit. In fact, his problem showed up even in his later years. You’ll find evidence of what I’m writing about in Genesis 12, 20 and 21.

 

After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18-19), Abraham moved to the South and stayed in a place called Shur. A powerful king (Abimelech) lived there, and Abraham feared for his life. Because Sarah was beautiful, he thought the king would kill him in order to take Sarah for himself. This situation caused Abraham to repeat the same sin he committed in Egypt (Gen. 12:12-13), by saying Sarah was his sister – not his wife. As with all sins, this created a domino effect.

 

Pastor Carnes