Devotionals

Although it is sometimes very difficult to do, our faith must endure a time of waiting. Abraham was a perfect example of enduring faith. He waited twenty-five years for the fulfillment of the promise God gave to him—to provide a son. When God gives His word, it will come to pass. We don’t always know when, but we place our hope in the Truth that God cannot lie.

In our passage today, the writer of Hebrews reminds us not to get discouraged; we must put our hope in God. We have all experienced times in our lives that were intense and challenging for our faith. However, we must be willing to wait for God’s promise to manifest. In our wait, we gain spiritual maturity and that is God’s goal.

God has promised to make each of us like Jesus. He will accomplish it. It is always safe to place our hope in the Lord. He is unshakable and unchangeable even when we are fragile. Let hope be your anchor, today. Reach for the Holy One and know He loves you and is there to meet your needs.

Hebrews 6:13-20 NLT God’s Promises Bring Hope
13 For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:
14 
“I will certainly bless you,
    and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”
15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.

16 Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. 17 God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. 18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for always being true to Your promises. We can count on Your faithfulness, because You never waver. We may hesitate to bring things to you, Lord, but when we humble ourselves enough to know our hope must be in You alone, we find ourselves in the presence of Your love, comfort, and provision. You are there for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

With the exception of God and humanity, trees are mentioned more than any other living thing in Scripture. In the Bible, trees frequently symbolize or represent Life, immortality, nourishment, spiritual choices, healing, and judgment. From Genesis to Revelation, we note the existence and importance of certain trees and their root system or lack of in the Word of God. We can clearly see the presence and work of Jesus as we read in Genesis about the Tree of Life in the Garden [symbolic of Truth], as well as during End Times written about in Revelation. What is in-between Genesis and Revelation? How humanity will choose to live, of course.

Last night in our LIFE Lessons Bible Class, we started a new study based on Rick Joyner’s book, “There Were Two Trees in the Garden.” We looked at the two trees: The Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:9). If we do not hunger and thirst for righteousness and eat from the Tree of Life—the teachings of Jesus—our spiritual lives will suffer while our fallen flesh will thrive. Spiritually, we are what we eat.

Today, we will look at the Book of Hebrews and the writer’s warning to stay close to Jesus, who gave Himself as a sacrifice on a tree to pay for the sins of the world, so we could live in relationship with God. Jesus makes it possible for us to partake of the fruit of His righteous life. As we connect to Christ, we are given His authority and mission for redemption. Jesus wants everyone eating from the Tree of Life—the Truth—as we were created to do from the beginning.

Hebrews 2:1-9 NLT A Warning against Drifting Away
1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

Jesus, the Man
5 And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. 6 For in one place the Scriptures say,
“What are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    or a son of man that you should care for him?
7 
Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
8 
You gave them authority over all things.”
Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. 9 What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for taking on death in our place, so we may have and enjoy eternal Life in You. As You extend grace and authority to us, we must utilize it according to Your will. Help us to never neglect the truth, because it leads to revelation. We know how to live, because Jesus lived as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Help us continue to put on the attitude of Christ each day and be made in His image. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

There are so many blessings that come in our relationship with Jesus. He is our Tree of Life—physical life and spiritual life. Out of the ground came a Tree; God grew provision for us to be connected to Jesus who sustains life in God’s family and expands His Kingdom. Partaking of this Tree’s fruit provides salvation, the ability to obey God’s Word, and the healing of our souls. Connecting in our Family Tree gives believers eternal life, divine wisdom, and the ability to produce fruit and gather more people through the teachings of Jesus.

In our passage today, Jesus sits beside a lake and teaches the crowd standing nearby. He teaches in parables, because the eternal Kingdom is a mystery. The parables are more than a story with a moral. Later, the disciples ask Jesus why He teaches in parables and he reminds them as followers they are permitted to know the fulfillment of prophecy. The world that rejects Jesus is not allowed.

As disciples, we are privileged to know the Truth and understand the teachings of Jesus. As well, we must be seeking and listening in order to receive the ongoing healing of our souls from the Lord. Life does not get easier because of Jesus; however, we get stronger and overcome because of Him.

Matthew 13:10-17 NLT
10 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”

11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets [mysteries] of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 13 That is why I use these parables,

For they look, but they don’t really see.
    They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.
14 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,
‘When you hear what I say,
    you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
    you will not comprehend.
15 
For the hearts of these people are hardened,
    and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes—
    so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
    and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
    and let me heal them.’

16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.

Prayer: Lord, we pray to bring softened hearts to You, today. We are seeking and willing to listen in order to see and hear the Truth You proclaim. Please heal our souls and help us follow You today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Tonight, we begin our new Bible Study, There Were Two Trees in the Garden. If you have time, please read through the additional Scriptures below as I will likely be covering most of them as part of our lesson in Chapter 1. Blessings!

Genesis 2:8–17
Genesis 3:1–24
Proverbs 3:5–6
Jeremiah 17:5–8
John 15:1–8
Colossians 2:6–10
James 3:13–18

Everything the Spirit does is righteous, but not everything we do is of the Spirit. Between the Word of the Lord [Truth] and the Spirit of the Lord, is our fleshy nature and how we interpret things. Therefore, we can all too easily grieve the Spirit if we are not in agreement with the Word of God because our flesh has a fallen will of its own. We are called to be worshipers of God—putting Him first in our lives—and the Spirit helps us accomplish it.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reminds the early Christians that Jesus came to change lives. Conflict of the soul [fleshy mind/will/emotions] would be involved in this transforming change, because it is the Spirit’s job to renew thoughts and attitudes and make believers holy. Otherwise, we may have religious lip-service with no Truth in action to back it up. I believe this is why Jesus told the woman at the well, “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.” Remember, worship is a lifestyle.

Paul goes on to remind new believers about how anger creates an opening in our lives [a crack in our defenses] for the devil to enter, influence, and deliver deception. We must not allow anger to create this opening in our lives. Never forget, Satan is a defeated foe [through the cross, death, and resurrection of Jesus, Satan was disarmed], but evil still exists in the world and we do not want to allow Satan entrance.

Everyday, our duty to our Savior is to live in cooperation with the Spirit; otherwise, we grieve the Spirit and limit the power of God operating in our lives. Expect inner conflict, but see it as a way to grow in spiritual maturity. Let God’s Word fill you with Truth, today, and welcome the Spirit to help you live it out in God’s strength. Blessings!

Ephesians 4:17-5:2 NLT
21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you” [Psalm 4:4]. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, [put His seal on you] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Living in the Light
5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us [you] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for this reminder for our minds, wills, and emotions, today. We are sealed by the Spirit and we must agree with the Living Word of Truth and walk each day with Jesus. Please continue to protect us today as we seek to live in the Light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

It should be the goal of every believer to live in a way that pleases our Creator and God. Pleasing God calls for practical living; it isn’t just about belief. Our attitudes when annoyed, actions when criticized, responses to others, irritations, and disappointments, as well as our perspective regarding our sinful desires matter to God.

We need to take responsibility for our spiritual lives. Controlling the behavior of other adults or how they choose to use their bodies is not your responsibility. We will never answer for the choices of others.

Run from anything that stirs unrighteousness in you, lures you from your convictions, or weakens your resistance. By the way, we are never to lead others into immoral or unrighteous living; that has no place in our lives.

In our passage today, the apostle Paul is encouraging Christ’s followers to live in a way that pleases God. The apostle is not calling people to perfection that is unattainable. Instead, he is calling people to listen and follow the Holy Spirit by growing in holy living. This is how we truly please God.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 NLT Live to Please God
1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. 2 For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— 5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. 6 Never harm or cheat a fellow believer in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. 7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.

8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Prayer: Lord, help us to live in a righteous way each day, because it is how we please You. While we are growing and maturing, please cover us with Your beautiful grace and mercy. We press on to the high call of our holy Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

True peace—shalom—is always under attack in this fallen world. Of course, earth was never supposed to be a place of chaos and upheaval. Instead, God created the world to be a place of beauty—shalom on earth. In God’s shalom, everything is whole, righteous, and vibrantly flourishing.

Sometimes when I hear about the things presently going on in the world, I think it must terribly grieve the heart of our Creator. Yet, God’s view of things always includes the work of redemption. God has a plan for Peace to rule in the future and we hear about it in our passage, today.

Seeing the future was a gift God gave to the prophet Isaiah. He saw from God’s perspective what would happen beyond the chaos involving Judah, Jerusalem, and the world. Isaiah saw a place of worship—a gathering of nations in oneness before the Prince of Peace.
Under the LORD’s reign, weapons of war will cease to be necessary, because everyone who worships the Lord will obediently remain in the covenant of God’s Word. Revelation reminds us of the Millennial Reign,* the end of all suffering, and the abiding presence of God throughout the world! (20:4-6, 21:3, 4, 22). War will not be on the table, because fighting and conflict will bow to the Lord of lords and King of kings. So, when some folks on earth may be protesting and yelling, “No kings,” I am praying and proclaiming, “Come, King Jesus!

• Millennial Reign: The 1,000-year period of peace where Christ rules with believers on earth.
  
• Isaiah 2:1-4 NLT The LORD’s Future Reign
  1 This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
  2 
  In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
    will be the highest of all—
    the most important place on earth.
It will be raised above the other hills,
    and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
  3 
  People from many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the house of Jacob’s God.
There he will teach us his ways,
    and we will walk in his paths.”
For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
    his word will go out from Jerusalem.
  4 
  The Lord will mediate between nations
    and will settle international disputes.
They will hammer their swords into plowshares
    and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,
    nor train for war anymore.

Prayer: Lord, we have so much to look forward to in the future. Therefore, we take heart now and place our trust in You. Help us to live in Your peace and be good examples of passing Your peace onto others. As we live, move, and have our being in You, we are walking in Your teachings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is it hard for you to confess when you are wrong? For some folks, it is a very painful experience. It’s humiliating at best. Did you know your brain does not like to be wrong? In fact, it will cling to a wrong belief just to make one’s self more mentally comfortable. We all make mistakes in judgment and action. That’s why we are blessed to have Jesus who is never wrong as our Savior and Teacher. Jesus is eternally righteous.

In our passage today, the apostle Paul writes about how God is the perfect Judge who will evaluate us not by our knowledge, but by how we live. Do we love God wholeheartedly—revealing His love through our choices, words, and actions? Do we love others the way Jesus sacrificially loves us—revealing His willingness to deny self? Because we know right from wrong, we know when we have sinned against God, others, or self. The Spirit convicts us of sin and we must be willing to acknowledge when we are wrong.

The Jews thought because God gave them the Law, just knowing and hearing the Word was enough to avoid judgement. Paul essentially tells them, “Nope.” The Gentiles did not receive the Law from God, so will they be exempt from judgement? Paul essentially tells them, “Nope.” We all desperately need Jesus!

In Christ, God wrote His Law on human hearts so we would all know, listen, and live according to God’s standard. We have all failed to live without sin; therefore, we need mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Jesus lovingly provides all three. God will be searching the hidden places of the heart when He imparts judgment. May our hearts carry no secrets and may our lives reveal no self-righteous pride.

Romans 2:12-16 NLT
12 When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. 13 For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. 14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. 16 And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

Prayer: Lord, may we allow You into every area of our being to teach us to live righteously before You. We know there is nothing righteous about us apart from Jesus, so thank You for offering us salvation in Christ who delivers us from the penalty of sin and death. According to Your Word, there is no judgment for those who live in Christ and we are so grateful. We are being made holy by You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Although it should not, it would likely surprise us to know just how close God would like to be to us in our relationship with Him. Close! Really close! A picture is worth a thousand words, so God provides a pretty clear pictorial description.

In our lesson from the prophet Jeremiah, God provides an object lesson for Judah. God asks Jeremiah to buy a linen loincloth [priestly belt, something worn close to the waist]. He is told to wear it until further notice. No water allowed to touch it. This belt more than likely represents Judah [God’s people] and how God wants them to stay close to Him. Keep in mind, in scripture the waist represents covenant intimacy and moral integrity.

In their stubbornness, Judah [nor Israel] remains faithful to the covenant. They soil their garments with disobedience, spiritual adultery [worship other gods], and self-indulgence. So, God tells Jeremiah to take the loincloth and hide it in the cleft [hole] of the rock near the Euphrates River.

After many days, God sends Jeremiah back to retrieve the loincloth only to find it ruined, rotting, and unusable. This is more than likely symbolic of the Babylonian captivity Judah would endure; hidden by a pure God due to the filth of sin. Our righteous acts, when living disconnected from God’s presence, are like filthy rags before a holy God [Isaiah 64:6).

When God’s people do not stay true to His purpose, rotting of the soul takes place. It is not what God wants, but He will not force us to love and follow Him. Humanity was created to be a royal priesthood for the glory of God; dedicated to His service (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9). So, in our lesson, God conveys the truth that pride goes before destruction; it ruins our intimacy and direct access with God (Proverbs 16:18).

Jeremiah 13:1-11 NLT Jeremiah’s Linen Loincloth
1 This is what the Lord said to me: “Go and buy a linen loincloth and put it on, but do not wash it.” 2 So I bought the loincloth as the Lord directed me, and I put it on.
3 Then the Lord gave me another message: 4 “Take the linen loincloth you are wearing, and go to the Euphrates River.[a] Hide it there in a hole in the rocks.” 5 So I went and hid it by the Euphrates as the Lord had instructed me.

6 A long time afterward the Lord said to me, “Go back to the Euphrates and get the loincloth I told you to hide there.” 7 So I went to the Euphrates and dug it out of the hole where I had hidden it. But now it was rotting and falling apart. The loincloth was good for nothing.

8 Then I received this message from the Lord: 9 “This is what the Lord says: This shows how I will rot away the pride of Judah and Jerusalem. 10 These wicked people refuse to listen to me. They stubbornly follow their own desires and worship other gods. Therefore, they will become like this loincloth—good for nothing! 11 As a loincloth clings to a man’s waist, so I created Judah and Israel to cling to me, says the Lord. They were to be my people, my pride, my glory—an honor to my name. But they would not listen to me.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for washing our garments in the blood of Jesus, so we can draw near to You. Please help us to put down our pride, listen to Your Word, wear the belt of applied Truth, and live as Your royal priesthood. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Responsibilities are duties and assignments we must perform; things for which we are accountable. These functions are weighty, because we must own our actions. We have responsibilities as human beings on this spiritual journey in Christ. Let that soak in…

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul is teaching the early Christians in Rome [as well as us] to be sure not to take God’s grace for granted. Paul’s teaching is being criticized because the Jews do not really understand grace and the faithfulness of God nor the human tendency to rationalize sin. When it comes to sin, God will not overlook it. We will be held accountable, because we have a Savior who is seeking to deliver us from spiritual rebellion against God.

The Jews had certain advantages and privileges, but that only made it necessary for them to accept greater responsibility. Jews and Gentiles are sinners saved by grace through faith; that means we have a responsibility to honor God with our lives. Many people want the blessings of God, but those blessings come with responsibilities and we will give an account to God for our stewardship. We have no acceptable excuse, because of the goodness of our Christ who is faithful every day to deliver us from evil.

Paul writes so we remember the faithfulness of God to transform us into the image of the Son. We have lessons to learn; one of which is to acknowledge God is always right and Father knows best.

Romans 3:1-8 NLT God Remains Faithful
1 Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision? 2 Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.

3 True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? 4 Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him,
“You will be proved right in what you say,
    and you will win your case in court.”

5 “But,” some might say, “our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn’t it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” (This is merely a human point of view.) 6 Of course not! If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world? 7 “But,” someone might still argue, “how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” 8 And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, “The more we sin, the better it is!” Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for remaining faithful to us even when we are less than faithful to You. Your grace is enough and we must be good stewards of it. Please forgive us when we try to twist the blessing of grace and use it as an excuse for our sin. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When you think about God and His anger, please don’t compare it to human tempers. Our tempers are not holy. God’s anger is holy, because His anger is expressed to reveal and defend what is holy from what is not. Therefore, we should think about God’s anger as a way to protect us from the things that seek to destroy us.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul addresses God’s anger at sin, because it destroys the minds and hearts of people. If we allow sin to rule our lives, it does such damage we no longer can recognize the truth. And, the saddest part is when we no longer recognize the truth we have wandered off the path with Jesus. We can talk all we want about knowing God, but if we are not abiding with the Lord and walking in His ways, we have chosen to become our own god. Our flesh loves this victory, but God knows it leads to self-destruction. Because we have chosen to reject God, in His anger God allows us to have our own way of exchanging the truth for a lie.

People want to speak of God’s judgment with fear; to toss it out with condemnation against others who see things differently. We should fear the Lord, but let’s be honest in the Truth [Jesus]. God’s judgment involves allowing us to rebel against Him and then also allowing us to face the consequences of our choices. Our Father knows how to discipline us and turn us back to His will.

We reap what we sow; we spiritually grow what we eat [righteousness or unrighteousness]. So, if we demand our own unrighteous way and we do not desire to honor God more than our flesh, we will become confused, wandering, and living unrighteously…on the path of rebellious ingratitude.

Romans 1:18-25 NLT God’s Anger at Sin
18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

Prayer: Lord, it is with humility that we bow today before Your throne of grace. We ask for mercy and forgiveness, because we have all demanded our own way. The Truth is always before us and calling our names to follow, but the pull of this world is great and it stretches us to think we can have the blessings of eternity along with the pleasures of the world. We know it’s a lie. Holy Spirit, please help us to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Keep us eating the righteous fruit from Your Hand, so we can grow and remain clear in our thoughts and obedient in our choices. In Jesus’ name. Amen.