yokefellows

[yokefellows]

True Success

Today’s Saying

True success isn’t about reaching a destination; it’s about the transformation we undergo on the journey with God.

Today’s Scripture

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:6

Today’s Sermonette

In a world that often glorifies instant gratification and celebrity, the concept of “overnight success” has become a pervasive myth.

We see the polished end-product, the dazzling achievement, but rarely the countless hours of toil, the numerous failures, and the quiet perseverance that precedes it.

Consider James Dyson, who became a household name for his innovative vacuum cleaners. His reported net worth of approximately $5 billion today is a testament not to a sudden stroke of luck, but to an unwavering commitment through

5,127 failed prototypes before he found success with his first model.

His story is a powerful reminder that true innovation often springs from persistent effort and learning from setbacks.

Similarly, the beloved children’s author,

Theodor Geisel, known worldwide as

Dr. Seuss, faced significant rejection early in his career. His manuscripts were turned down by publishers a remarkable

27 times, with some even dismissing his work as “pure rubbish.”

Yet, he persisted, driven by an inner vision and a passion for storytelling. His eventual success illustrates that the path to achievement is rarely smooth; it often involves navigating criticism and overcoming discouragement.

The pursuit of “fame and fortune” as the ultimate markers of success can be a deceptive path. While they may offer fleeting moments of satisfaction, they often fail to deliver the profound peace and joy that human hearts truly yearn for.

These external achievements, when pursued in isolation, can leave us feeling empty.

Instead, the Bible points us to a different kind of success, one that is truly lasting and deeply fulfilling:

“godliness with contentment.” This isn’t an instant state but a cultivated one. It develops as we intentionally walk with God, seeking His presence, aligning our lives with His will, immersing ourselves in His Word, serving others, and offering Him praise.

This internal growth, fostered through a relationship with our Creator, brings a richness and stability that no earthly gain can replicate.

Let’s challenge the world’s definitions of “overnight,” “success,” “fame,” and “fortune.” These terms, too often given undue weight, can distract us from what truly matters.

Instead, let us recall a significant number:

66. Not only is it the number of books in the Bible, but it also points us directly to the location of a profound truth about genuine success:

1 Timothy 6:6: “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” This verse reveals that the greatest wealth is not found in accumulation, but in a heart that is devoted to God and satisfied in Him.

Today’s Supplication

Father, We pray for a shift in our perspective, that we may prioritize godliness with contentment above all earthly pursuits. Grant us the wisdom to understand that true gain is found in walking closely with You, learning Your ways, and serving Your purposes. Help us to persevere through challenges, just as James Dyson and Dr. Seuss did, knowing that our ultimate satisfaction comes from You alone. May our lives reflect Your glory, bringing peace and joy that the world cannot offer. Amen.

[yokefellows]

Heart and Habit

Today’s Saying

Self-control is the exercise of inner strength under the direction of sound judgment that enables us to do, think, and say the things that are pleasing to God. — Jerry Bridges

Today’s Scripture

Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You. — Psalm 119:38

Today’s Sermonette

Some things naturally go together—salt and pepper, bread and butter, pencil and paper, needle and thread.

When it comes to godliness, God has given us all we need. But we must diligently provide two parts to the equation—a devoted heart and disciplined habits.

Psalm 119:38 alludes to both. Our hearts must be devoted to fearing (reverencing) God, and we must form habits that establish us in the Word. Notice the two key words in this verse.

Devoted: Devotion is better than dedication, isn’t it? We can be dedicated to something without being devoted to it.

Some people are dedicated to preserving their marriage, but not lovingly devoted to their spouse. We must keep our hearts tender, receptive, and thirsty for the Lord.

Established: Being established in the Word requires continual reading, studying, pondering, applying, and sharing.

Little happens without steady habits, and habits are hard to sustain unless we work energetically to establish them.

Reaching goals requires commitment and consistency.

To live a godly life, we must diligently develop a heart of devotion and engage the habit of godliness.

Today’s Supplication

Father, give me a heart that is wholly devoted to You. Establish Your Word deep within me, that I may delight in it day by day. Shape my habits so they reflect my love for You, and strengthen me to live with consistency and self-control. Teach me to treasure Your presence, to walk in Your wisdom, and to honor You in all I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

[yokefellows]

Diligence

Today’s Saying

“Diligence smooths the path, lightens the load, and sweetens even the hardest task.” — Adapted from Richard Greenham

Today’s Scripture

“Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself.” — Deuteronomy 4:9

Today’s Sermonette

J. C. Ryle once observed, “I would just as soon expect a farmer to prosper who sowed his fields and never looked at them again until harvest, as to expect a believer to grow in holiness without being diligent in Bible reading, in prayer, and in the right use of the Lord’s Day.”

Diligence runs like a thread through the book of Deuteronomy. God’s people are called to:

• Diligently listen to His voice (Deuteronomy 28:1).

• Diligently teach His Word to their children (Deuteronomy 6:7).

• Diligently keep His commandments (Deuteronomy 6:17).

• Diligently remove sin and corruption from among them (Deuteronomy 13:13–15).

The question is personal: Am I diligent in hearing God’s voice, passing on His truth, walking in obedience, and pursuing a pure heart?

Peter reminds us, “Be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election” (2 Peter 1:10).

When we persistently walk with Christ, our assurance deepens and our confidence in His love grows.

Don’t be content to follow Jesus at a distance.

Cultivate your faith each day, the way a farmer tends his fields.

Holiness is not stumbled upon—it is cultivated by diligence.

Today’s Supplication

Father, give me a heart that is steadfast in devotion to You. Teach me to be diligent in prayer, faithful in Your Word, and persistent in obedience. Remove laziness and distraction from my spirit, and help me to walk daily in step with Your will. Strengthen me so that my life may bear fruit that brings You glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

[yokefellows]

Armed Against Impurity

Today’s Saying

Meditation is the best help to memory. — Matthew Henry

Today’s Scripture

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. — Psalm 119:11

Today’s Sermonette

Consider all the things you know by heart: your birth date, telephone number, social security number, home address, and more. How is it that we have memorized those items without really trying?

By repetition and by reciting them when we need to. We are protected from the dangers of confusion by being armed with this data.

Memorization is a powerful tool, a defensive tool.

We can think of memorizing Scripture in the same way—as a defense against impurity and sin.

The psalmist said that he hid God’s Word in his heart so that he might not sin (Psalm 119:11).

Think of how Jesus was protected against the temptation to sin in the wilderness when He quoted three verses from the book of Deuteronomy in response to the devil’s impure offers (Matthew 4:1-11).

There is no indication that Jesus had a scroll of Deuteronomy with Him; indications are that He had memorised the verses that He quoted.

Memorising Scripture is a sure defense against sin.

The easiest way to begin Bible memorisation is to start with a verse you are already familiar with.

Review it daily until you know it as well as your own phone number!

Today’s Supplication

Father, plant Your Word deep within my heart. Help me to remember it when temptation comes, and give me the strength to use it as a shield against impurity. Make my mind a dwelling place for truth, and my heart a sanctuary for Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

[yokefellows]

Highway of Holiness

Today’s Saying

“Holiness is not the way to Christ. Christ is the way to holiness.” — Adrian Rogers

Today’s Scripture

A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness…. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to [Jerusalem] with singing. Isaiah 35:8, 10

Today’s Sermonette

Flip Wilson was the first African American comedian to host a successful television variety show.

Many of his catchphrases became iconic in American culture—like, “The devil made me do it!”

But a day is coming when no one will be able to use that excuse.

During Christ’s Millennial Kingdom, the devil will be bound (Revelation 20:1–3). Who will be living on earth then?

Old Testament saints who followed God, Christians who died before the Rapture, those caught up at the Rapture, believers martyred for their faith during the Tribulation, and those who survive the Tribulation and remain faithful.

In other words, the earth will be filled with believers in Christ at the start of the Millennium.

The prophets described a “Highway of Holiness” leading to Jerusalem, where only those who belong to the Lord will walk.

That road is not only in the future—it calls us now.

Let us walk in holiness today, because the One who calls us is holy (1 Peter 1:15–16).

Today’s Supplication

Father, set my feet on the Highway of Holiness. Teach me to walk daily in purity, faith, and love, so that my life reflects the hope of Your coming Kingdom. Amen.

[yokefellows]

The Holiness Gap

Today’s Saying

"You can’t climb your way to God—He came down to carry you home."

Today’s Scripture

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” — 2 Corinthians 5:21

Today’s Sermonette

In a world full of noise and philosophies, Paul’s voice still echoes through Scripture: Beware the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4).

This "god" isn’t always obvious. Often, it hides in modern ideas dressed up as wisdom. Two common worldviews try to bridge the spiritual gap in all the wrong ways:

Self-Improvement spirituality (like Unitarianism) says Christ is merely the best version of ourselves—and that if we work hard enough, we can reach that level too.

Knowledge-based salvation (like Scientology) teaches that truth is power, and if we just learn enough, we can save ourselves.

At first glance, these sound empowering. But they share a deadly flaw: they place the burden of salvation on us.

The truth? There is a gap—a deep and impossible chasm—between our sinful nature and God's perfect holiness. But no amount of self-effort or intellect can cross it. Only Jesus can.

Read Ephesians 1:3–8 and let the good news sink in: God didn’t ask us to climb up to Him. He came down to us. He bridged the holiness gap by sending Jesus to spill His blood on our behalf—so we could be declared "holy and blameless" in His sight (Ephesians 1:4).

You can't earn holiness. You can't study your way into it. Holiness has to be given by the only One who is holy.

That’s what Jesus did:

He gave what we could never earn.

He became sin so that we could become righteous.

And He offers it freely—but it must be received.

When you meet someone striving to reach God through self, knowledge, or religion—listen with compassion. Then, as the Spirit leads, share this truth:

The gap has already been bridged. Jesus did it all.

All that’s left… is to turn to Him.

Today’s Supplication

Father, thank You for mending the holiness gap through Jesus. I could never reach You on my own—but You reached down in mercy and made a way. Help me to walk in that truth today and to share it with those still searching. Amen.

[yokefellows]

Thank you @fastleopard1521 and everyone who got me to 5 reblogs!

Smooth Is Slow…

am

Today’s Saying

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord; abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.

William D. Longstaff

Today’s Scripture

But Abraham still stood before the Lord.

Genesis 18:22

Today’s Sermonette

The Navy SEALs have a saying: “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.”

That’s a lesson worth remembering in our frantic world, especially when it comes to daily Bible reading.

Seasoned believers know it’s better to spend five unhurried minutes in Scripture than to rush through ten. Another writer once said, “Hurry is the death of prayer.”

We may not always have the time we wish for, though we should do our best to make room for it.

Some days are busier than others, but Psalm 46:10 doesn’t say, “Be rushed, and know that I am God.” It says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Even if all you have is a few minutes, slow down and enjoy them. Read the Word out loud. Jot down a verse or two. Turn them into prayers. Carry them in your heart through the day.

Better to have a few quiet moments with God than an hour of hurried distraction. Look for those still

moments today.

Today’s Supplication

Father, teach me to slow down before You. Quiet my heart when life pulls me in a thousand directions. Help me cherish every moment in Your presence, whether it is long or short. Give me grace to hear Your Word, to rest in it, and to walk with it through my day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

[yokefellows]

Wonderfully Woven

Today’s Saying

“Every thread has its place in the pattern.”

Today’s Scripture

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 (NIV)

Today’s Sermonette

The woven tapestry stretched wide across the loom, its colors bursting with vibrancy.

Some strands were bright and bold, others muted and subtle. Some stood out immediately, others seemed hidden in the background. But every thread contributed to the picture unfolding.

I leaned closer and noticed how carefully each strand was placed, interlaced with others to form a design too intricate to take in all at once.

It dawned on me: what looked like randomness was actually deliberate. What seemed insignificant up close was essential to the whole pattern.

A scripture surfaced in my mind: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13).

Suddenly, the tapestry became more than art. It became a living reminder that, like those threads, I was woven intentionally by God — not as an afterthought but as part of a greater story.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV).

The truth sank deeper: I am not random. Neither is anyone else. We are all part of God’s design.

Seeing people this way made me want to value their differences rather than dismiss them, to honor their role in the picture rather than compare it to mine.

Even the “hidden” threads mattered, just as unseen acts of love or quiet faithfulness matter in God’s eyes.

And when I stepped back, I could see the bigger truth: all of us together display the beauty and wisdom of the Master Weaver.

Today’s Supplication

Father, thank You for weaving me into Your story with care and purpose. Help me to remember that every person I encounter is also Your handiwork, designed and placed with intention. Teach me to value others, celebrate their differences, and trust that Your plan is unfolding beautifully. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

[yokefellows]

Smooth Is Slow…

am

Today’s Saying

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord; abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.

William D. Longstaff

Today’s Scripture

But Abraham still stood before the Lord.

Genesis 18:22

Today’s Sermonette

The Navy SEALs have a saying: “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.”

That’s a lesson worth remembering in our frantic world, especially when it comes to daily Bible reading.

Seasoned believers know it’s better to spend five unhurried minutes in Scripture than to rush through ten. Another writer once said, “Hurry is the death of prayer.”

We may not always have the time we wish for, though we should do our best to make room for it.

Some days are busier than others, but Psalm 46:10 doesn’t say, “Be rushed, and know that I am God.” It says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Even if all you have is a few minutes, slow down and enjoy them. Read the Word out loud. Jot down a verse or two. Turn them into prayers. Carry them in your heart through the day.

Better to have a few quiet moments with God than an hour of hurried distraction. Look for those still

moments today.

Today’s Supplication

Father, teach me to slow down before You. Quiet my heart when life pulls me in a thousand directions. Help me cherish every moment in Your presence, whether it is long or short. Give me grace to hear Your Word, to rest in it, and to walk with it through my day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

[yokefellows]

Watch the Choices You Make

Today’s Saying

Through faith in Christ, we are forgiven, cleansed in spirit, and welcomed as God’s own.

Today’s Scripture

“Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” — John 21:15

Today’s Sermonette

Easter draws our hearts back to the most sacred event in history. The holiest person ever to walk the earth was nailed to a Roman cross. Nothing compares to this moment.

Through that sacrifice, everyone who believes in Christ is made holy. By faith we are forgiven, washed clean, and declared right with God.

But walking in holiness day by day is another matter. Take Peter, for example. Out of fear, he denied three times that he even knew Jesus (Matthew 26:69–75).

Peter’s life still had deep cracks. After the resurrection, Jesus pressed into Peter’s heart with the question that every believer who struggles with divided love must face:

“Peter, where does your loyalty really lie? With your nets and your trade? With your companions? Or with me, the one who called you to fish for souls? I died to make you holy—how much do you desire to live in that holiness?”

Peter, humbled and uneasy, could only say, “Lord, you know that I love you.”

Holiness is both a gift and a pursuit. Jesus gives it freely, but we grow in it through the choices love demands.

So pay attention to the choices you make today. They reveal what—and who—you truly love.

Today’s Supplication

Father, help me to love you not only in words but in the way I live. Let my holiness be seen in my habits, my devotion, and my deeds. In Jesus’ name, Amen

[yokefellows]

Take Time to Be Holy

Today’s Saying

The Word of God is the means employed by the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ.

Alistair Begg

Today’s Scripture

“[Be] a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled.”

Titus 1:8

Today’s Sermonette

It’s hard to keep our words pure when foul language is everywhere. It’s hard to keep our thoughts pure when temptation is only a screen away.

And it’s hard to stay steady in a world that feels more divided and more unstable by the day. The truth is—it’s impossible without Christ.

When we trust Him as our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. Notice that word: holy.

The Spirit works from the inside out, cleansing our thoughts, reshaping our desires, and giving strength where we are weak. He breaks sin’s grip, frees us from destructive patterns, and finishes the work God has started in us (Psalm 138:8).

Yes, the world around us will always push us in one direction. But when we choose to live by God’s Word, He transforms us, and His blessing follows.

So today, ask the Spirit to take the Scriptures you read and use them to make you more like Christ.

As the old hymn reminds us:

“Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord; abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.”

Today’s Supplication

Father, make me a lover of what is good. Guard my mind, purify my heart, and strengthen my words so that they honor You. Fill me with Your Spirit and shape me into the likeness of Jesus. Teach me to delight in Your Word and walk in holiness day by day. Amen.

[yokefellows]

Walking in Holiness

Today’s Saying

“Holiness shapes both heart and community.”

Today’s Scripture

“Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.’”

—Leviticus 19:2-3

Today’s Sermonette

God’s call to holiness touches every corner of life.

In Leviticus 19, He ties holiness to reverence for parents and observance of the Sabbath, placing family and worship side by side. Both are essential for a healthy society.

Reverence goes beyond honor. It is respect shaped by awe, a deep awareness that life and authority come from God. When we learn reverence at home, we are equipped to live with humility and respect in the wider community.

The Sabbath commandment also builds up both individuals and society. By commanding six days of labor, God affirms the dignity of work and its role in strengthening families and communities.

By setting aside the seventh day, He provides space for renewal, worship, moral instruction, and fellowship. Together, these create a rhythm of life that keeps people grounded, nourished, and united.

God reminds us that holiness is not abstract. It shows itself in how we treat our parents, how we use our time, and how we live in community with others.

Today’s Supplication

Father, teach me to walk in holiness not only in private devotion but also in the way I honor my parents, work diligently, and worship faithfully. Help me see that true reverence for You is reflected in how I live with others. May my life encourage peace, order, and godliness in my home and community. Keep me steady in both labor and rest, and let my heart always find joy in Your presence. Amen.

[yokefellows]

Thank you to everyone who got me to 50 likes!

[yokefellows]

Walking in Holiness

Today’s Saying

“Holiness shapes both heart and community.”

Today’s Scripture

“Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.’”

—Leviticus 19:2-3

Today’s Sermonette

God’s call to holiness touches every corner of life.

In Leviticus 19, He ties holiness to reverence for parents and observance of the Sabbath, placing family and worship side by side. Both are essential for a healthy society.

Reverence goes beyond honor. It is respect shaped by awe, a deep awareness that life and authority come from God. When we learn reverence at home, we are equipped to live with humility and respect in the wider community.

The Sabbath commandment also builds up both individuals and society. By commanding six days of labor, God affirms the dignity of work and its role in strengthening families and communities.

By setting aside the seventh day, He provides space for renewal, worship, moral instruction, and fellowship. Together, these create a rhythm of life that keeps people grounded, nourished, and united.

God reminds us that holiness is not abstract. It shows itself in how we treat our parents, how we use our time, and how we live in community with others.

Today’s Supplication

Father, teach me to walk in holiness not only in private devotion but also in the way I honor my parents, work diligently, and worship faithfully. Help me see that true reverence for You is reflected in how I live with others. May my life encourage peace, order, and godliness in my home and community. Keep me steady in both labor and rest, and let my heart always find joy in Your presence. Amen.

[yokefellows]

We Have An Advocate and A Defender

Today’s Saying

I will glory…not because I am clear of sin, but because my sins are forgiven. — Ambrose

Today’s Scripture

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. — 1 John 2:1

Today’s Sermonette

When job hunters prepare a résumé to send to prospective employers, they often include this phrase: “References available upon request.”

Instead of “references,” we could just as easily use the word advocates. An advocate is someone who stands up and speaks on another person’s behalf.

The apostle John reminds us that if we sin, we have an Advocate with the Father: “Jesus Christ the righteous.”

The NIV1984 puts it this way: “We have one who speaks to the Father in our defense.” The NLT says: “We have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father.”

Why do we need such an Advocate? Because the enemy of our souls is quick to accuse, eager to remind us of our failures, and determined to convince us that we are unworthy of grace.

But Jesus stands before the Father and declares the truth: “He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 2:2). His defense is not based on our record, but on His finished work on the cross.

So, when you stumble, do not despair. Confess your sins, receive forgiveness, and remember—you have a Defender who pleads your case and secures your pardon (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:31-34).

Today’s Supplication

Father, thank You for giving me an Advocate in Jesus Christ. When the accuser points to my sin, remind me that my hope is not in my own record but in the righteousness of Your Son. Teach me to run quickly to confession, to rest in Your forgiveness, and to live in the freedom of being defended by Christ. Guard my heart from shame, and strengthen me to walk in the light of Your mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen

[yokefellows]

When Tough Times Come, Believe God

Today’s Saying

God’s promises shine brightest in dark places.

Today’s Scripture

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Today’s Sermonette

Life rarely goes the way we plan. Illness, job loss, or grief can leave us questioning where God is in it all.

Romans 8:28 reminds us that even the hardest circumstances are not wasted in His hands.

A friend of mine recently went to the hospital with a fever. While there, doctors discovered a severe heart blockage—one that could have taken her life if she hadn’t already been admitted.

What began as a frightening sickness became the very thing God used to save her life.

This is how God works. What feels unbearable may be the doorway to His mercy. We may not always see the full picture, but we can trust His heart and His Word.

So when tough times come, don’t give in to fear. Believe God. His promises are greater than your pain.

Today’s Supplication

Father, remind me in dark seasons that You are faithful. Help me trust that even what I don’t understand, You are working for my good. Fill me with peace that overcomes fear, and hope that looks beyond today. Amen.

[yokefellows]

When Tough Times Come, Believe God

Today’s Saying

Hard seasons test us, but they never cancel God’s promise.

Today’s Scripture

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Today’s Sermonette

It’s one thing to quote Romans 8:28; it’s another to hold onto it when life unravels. Illness, loss, disappointments, or setbacks rarely feel like they could be used for good. Yet God doesn’t ask us to understand���He asks us to trust.

Sometimes the very hardship we dread is what positions us for His protection and purpose.

A friend of mine entered the hospital for what seemed like a routine fever, only to discover a life-threatening heart condition. Because she was already under care, her life was spared. The fever wasn’t good, but God used it for good.

This is how God works: weaving even painful threads into a greater design. His plans, as Jeremiah 29:11 assures us, are for hope and a future.

And as Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4, though we are pressed and struck down, we are never abandoned.

So when tough times come, believe God. Not because the pain isn’t real, but because His promise is greater.

Today’s Supplication

Father, when troubles surround us, help us not to sink into fear or despair. Teach us to trust Your Word and believe that even what we cannot understand, You are working for our good. Strengthen our hearts to hold on to Your promises, and let Your peace guard our minds through Christ Jesus. Amen