“If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying ‘Let us go and worship other gods’, do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him. You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. Stone him to death, because he tried to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of slavery.”. -Deuteronomy 13:6-10

I’ve come to truly appreciate and thoroughly enjoy my devo times. I feel as though my period of growth in my faith was based on the fellowship with my brothers and sisters in AACF. &although it’s been great and amazing, there have been times where certain situations make me question if what we’re doing is always right in His eyes. It’s so easy for us as humans to lose sight of what is truly just and righteous. Although my close friends don’t outright tell me to go practice another religion or worship another God, there have been times where we weren’t always glorifying Him and we would fall into the traps of the world by valuing earthly things. Through my devotions, I’m able to spend time with God and learn for myself what is right vs. wrong; Godly vs. earthly.

This verse in Deuteronomy really challenges me to constantly evaluate my actions and thoughts. Even the closest brothers and sisters in Christ can stray or lead me to stray in small ways that may seem insignificant, but in God’s eyes is truly unjust. I’m learning the importance of denying my own self and living out my life the way Christ lived. Being able to finally have a growing, stable relationship with God is really exciting and I feel as though pursuing my relationship with God alone is fully satisfying. Don’t get me wrong…I love spending time with my AACFers and fellowshipping, but I’m finding that fellowship is no longer my top priority. Working on my relationship with God and studying the Word is now important to me more than ever. :)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”. Matthew 5:6