Propping Doors

The local establishment I visited this week is usually quite secure; no one gets in without a key or authorized fob. Yet, there was the front door–propped open with a pine board.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Romans 13:14 (NKJV)

I realized this week I’d done some door propping of my own, to the front door of my heart. This left me “wide open” to letting in the flesh.

A rather stressful past several days tempted me to click on an app I once used for mindfulness meditation. I originally started, when my anxiety peaked, back during the COVID-19 pandemic. After two panic attacks in as many weeks, I sought relief through mindfulness.

However, I eventually realized the way point for the practitioners I followed was not Jesus Christ. For the full story of my dabblings in Buddhism, please read, Just a Little Off Course.

Manette Kay, of MusingsofManetteKay, recently gifted me a wonderful devotional book called Pray a Word a Day. The selection for yesterday prompted me to remove the aforementioned app from my phone, once and for all.

Haplotes is a Greek word, often translated as “simplicity.” But a fuller definition gives us simplicity with the purpose of being devout: single-hearted focus on Christ.

Crystal Storms (Day 172)

Kind reader, I was reminded to re-seek God with my whole heart. Can you relate?

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.


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28 responses to “Propping Doors”

  1. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Your point is both well stated and well taken, DailyArmor. You are absolutely right! I have the following scripture on a notecard and refer to it often:

    “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Romans 13:14 (NKJV)

    This reminds me that anyone (including me) can fall where others have. Foolish pride tempts me to think I’ve not vulnerable, when I most certainly am. Karate kick the door shut, indeed!

    Thank you for stopping my little blog, and also for taking the time to comment. I will check your site out today!

    Blessings.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. DailyArmor Avatar

    I’m reminded often that even on our best days of following the LORD in obedience, sin is still lying in wait at the door of our heart.(Genesis 4:7)

    Not only do I need to resist the devil, but I need to toss him off the porch and karate kick the door closed.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Truth. 🙏May we stay close enough to God to recognize the devil’s schemes.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. jesusluvsall Avatar

    Being aware of what the source is important. We need to remember that Satan often appears as light when it is actually deception.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Indeed, it is. 🤗

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Beth Alisan Avatar

    Gary’s woodsman wisdom is always well placed.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I am honored by your kindness and encouragement, Beth, and I believe God is honored when I tell it like it was. I’m not proud of my wandering into Buddhist thinking and practice, but it happened.
    Gary Fultz commented how a cheap piece of pine can endanger the peace of God in our lives.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Beth Alisan Avatar

    A powerful visual David. Thank you for being so candid. We each have our pine board stick of choice that leaves the door of our heart vulnerable to enemy infiltration.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. musingsofmanettekay Avatar

    David, I love how your lesson has encouraged and challenged several of us.

    In the same way, mindful meditations lead to an incorrect source, mindless diversions can lead to similar pitfalls. I to often fall in the latter and needed the gentle reproof in this post. Thank you.

    To seek the LORD wholeheartedly, I must choose Christ over avoidance activities.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. God Still Speaks Avatar

    Best. Stats. EVER! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I’m glad it came at just the right time. I commented to our mutual friend The Devotional Guy (Rainer) today that I think in terms of one person, one post, and one difference made for Jesus. These are the best stats ever! I hope you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. God Still Speaks Avatar

    Whoa! What a timely message! I was clearing out some books off a shelf by the side of my bed, and found some Tao/Buddhist books that were very comforting before I returned to Jesus. I thought, “What’s the harm in just peaking inside?” Started to open one and felt a HUGE check in my spirit, to put the book down and slowly back away. I’m gonna stick with the Truth found in the Bible. Thanks brother! Taking the stick out of my open door and closing it tight!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Whole answers is right, BG. The world is good at giving us half-truth. Thanks for sharing. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. BG Avatar

    I like that you quoted Jer 29:13. Seek God with your whole heart if you desire whole answers!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I like your train of thought, as usual, Gary. The smallest things can nullify all the security in the 🌎 world. It’s a good thing Jesus Himself said, “I am the door.🚪”. This could be another post in itself. Thank you for stopping by! God Bless.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Gary Fultz Avatar

    I have spent a lot of time lately turning over and over in my mind the “whole heart” thing. It’s not like in sports playing with your whole heart. Giving it your all for four quarters and do it again the next game. Life doesn’t take breaks and is not lived in segments. Seasons flow into each other and overlap (just ask fall and winter).
    Like your door propped open, a piece of pine can nullify what thousands of dollar’s worth of equipment as well as all the rules of protocol…an app huh?
    What a great illustration/story

    Liked by 1 person

  17. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences, Priscilla. You’re right, it’s quite simple: prayer and Bible study and fellowship with other genuine Christians bring us closer to God than anything else. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Priscilla Bettis Avatar

    I tried meditation too many times. I’ve never felt more peace than when I simply draw close to God, pray, read my Bible. (It’s all so simple, but not always easy to humble myself to do.) I definitely don’t meditate anymore!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Don't Lose Hope Avatar

    Absolutely!!! I’m with you 100%!! God bless, too 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  20. davidsdailydose Avatar

    To clarify: there’s nothing inherently evil with practicing meditation techniques. I simply found the ones I was involved with were rooted in Buddhism. I still mediate, occasionally, but I make sure Jesus Christ is my navigator! Thanks for stopping by! God Bless.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Don't Lose Hope Avatar

    Yes, I can relate. Strategies like mindfulness can help but, ultimately, I have found that lasting security and peace are found in God. Thinking of you.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I’m glad you can relate, Bridget. So, I’m not the only one.😊
    The world may see neutral or dismissive, to the light of God, but there’s actually a spiritual war being waged every day. Thank you for reading and commenting. His best to you !

    Liked by 1 person

  23. The Devotional Guy™ Avatar

    Yes, please email me. I always enjoy reading your posts, David.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, my brother. Yes, the potentially unhealthy ways I sometimes deal with stress are like a buffet stocked with fried foods—tasty, but not so good for me. 😊
    All is well, brother. I worried about a loved one who is teetering in the edge of homelessness. I’ll email you with the story, if you like.
    Blessings! Thanks for stopping by.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Bridget A. Thomas Avatar

    Yes I can relate! Jeremiah 29:13 is one of my favorite verses. And it is something we all need to remember every day. So many things can distract us and pull our eyes away from our Savior. We need to take inventory on a regular basis of the things we allow in our lives. Thank you for sharing this with us and reminding us to stay vigilant to the enemy’s tactics.

    Liked by 2 people

  26. The Devotional Guy™ Avatar

    I appreciate your transparency, David. We really do have to be careful in what get ourselves into apart from seeking solace and support in Christ. I think stress has a way of getting us of course. I am currently reading a book by Ted Loder, who I learned about from another book I recently listened to. I pray all is well with you and yours brother. Blessings.

    Liked by 2 people

  27. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Alan. I will look for the book. God’s richest blessings to you, as well. Thank you for reading and sharing !

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Alan Kearns Avatar

    I can relate to your struggles brother. At present I am reading a good book on the Monergism ebook app called “The Christian Warrior” by Isaac Ambrose, which highlights the many ways Satan attacks us regularly and how to deal with him. God bless you today brother 🙏

    Liked by 2 people

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