Devotionals

Intro: Power struggles are certainly common these days. We can witness them in every area of life. When people have strong opposing opinions, finding a compromise is very difficult. As human beings, we tend to dig in our heels in order to hold onto our positions for control. This causes us to become more polarized and unyielding.

These power struggles are not limited to the natural world or human relationships. If we are determined to hold onto our opinions and demand autonomy, we may find ourselves in the midst of a spiritual power struggle. The Holy Spirit is the power to live in the Word of God; apply God’s principles to our lives as we discover his guidelines. If we find our opinions contradict the Word of God, we may find ourselves in the midst of a power struggle with the Holy Spirit. If we find ourselves there, who’s going to win control?

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul encourages the Romans to understand life in the Spirit. He wants them to be real about the power of their fleshly desires that may contradict the work of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the power for every believer’s rebirth—the power to live for God. To let our sinful desires control us—things the Word of God tells us to avoid—opens the door for our minds to become hostile toward God. We simply cannot please two masters. When the Holy Spirit places righteousness on our hearts, may we be quick to obey.

Romans 8:1-8 Life in the Spirit
8 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you [me] from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature [our flesh]. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit to guide me away from sin and into righteous living. Thank you for my rebirth; for delivering me into a life of peace and wholeness. I am so glad I belong to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Last week, I shared a devotional about religious spirits—demonic influence that seeks to deceive and lead people away from the truth of God’s redeeming love for them, as well as his perfect work of grace to deliver them from evil. Jesus dealt with these wrong spirits all the time, because they masqueraded as the purity of God [pretending to be angels of light] in outward physical appearances, but Jesus knew on the inside their souls were a mess and their hearts were far from his love. In fact, Jesus’ greatest correction took place with the religious leaders [Pharisees] and religious scholars whom he left to shepherd and guide his people toward the Kingdom, so they could be healed by the truth. These leaders were so busy exalting themselves and accusing others of unrighteousness, Jesus declared judgment over them.

In our passage today, Jesus has an encounter with religious spirits; it takes place at a Pharisee’s dinner table. Jesus does not stop to do the usually ceremonial hand washing before eating; therefore, the hateful accusations directed at the true Light begin. Jesus is deliberately provoking these demonic spirits, so he can get the attention of these deceived hosts. Sometimes I marvel at the fearlessness of Jesus each time he confronts evil. He is always motivated by love [wanting their wholeness], so he never budges from speaking the whole truth.

God has compassion on his human creation, because he remembers we are made from the dust. May we have mercy, a heart for justice [help others rise to the righteousness of Christ], and love unconditionally without enabling the destructive habits of others. If all we do is focus on the failures and sinfulness of unbelievers or the spiritually immature, like the scholars and Pharisees, we have not passed through the Kingdom’s doorway ourselves. God is love—regenerating and compassionate—so start praying for God to move in miraculous ways to bring new life to those around you. Be the Light!

Luke 11:43-48, 52 (VOICE) Woe to you, Pharisees! Judgment will come on you! What you really love is having people fawn over you when you take the seat of honor in the synagogue or when you are greeted in the public market.44 Wake up! See what you’ve become! Woe to you; you’re like a field full of unmarked graves. People walk on the field and have no idea of the corruption that’s a few inches beneath their feet.

Scholar (sitting at Jesus’ table): 45 Rabbi, if You insult the Pharisees, then You insult us too.

Jesus: 46 Well, now that you mention it, watch out, all you religious scholars! Judgment will come on you too! You load other people down with unbearable burdens of rules and regulations, but you don’t lift a finger to help others. 47-48 Woe to you; you don’t fool anybody! You seem very religious—honoring the prophets by building them elaborate memorial tombs. Come to think of it, that’s very fitting, since you’re so much like the people who killed the prophets! They killed the prophets; you build their tombs—you’re all in the same family business!

52 So, religious scholars, judgment will come on you! You’re supposed to be teachers, unlocking the door of knowledge and guiding people through it. But the fact is, you’ve never even passed through the doorway yourselves. You’ve taken the key, left the door locked tight, and stood in the way of everyone who sought entry.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for making your children lights in the world. May we have the wisdom to stay the course in love, so we can help others enter into your Kingdom living. Help us to speak the truth with compassion and listen carefully as the Spirit guides our way each day. Cause us to be bold and fearless against evil, because greater is the One who lives in us than anything or anyone we encounter in the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: What we put into our minds makes a great deal of difference. What we watch on television, what we read, how we handle our conversations, actually develops and shapes our thoughts and attitudes. We are to deliberately think upon the things that are true like the Word of God, because our thoughts become words, actions, and habits that either reflect the righteousness of God or reflect the unrighteousness of the world. We cannot have the peace of Christ if we feed on the stinking thinking of this sinful world.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul teaches the church at Philippi about true peace which is confidently knowing that God is in control of all things. The peace of God can be found and experienced even when we face conflict and challenges, because true peace radiates from the indwelling Christ. God’s peace is not bound to this natural realm in which we live. To practice appropriating God’s peace we need to pray, express our needs to God, and thank him for the goodness he brings into our lives, every day. Then, we can breathe and know the peace of God is guarding our hearts and minds. God is with you, today. Enjoy Him!

Philippians 4:6-9
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the peace that passes all understanding. Thank you for guarding my heart and mind as I live making you Lord of my life each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

February 14, 2022

Intro: As many around the globe are celebrating Valentine’s Day, you and I know that we do not need one “man created” day out of the year to celebrate love. Rather, we get to celebrate love every day as we learn, meditate, pray, put in, grow with, lean on, live out, and share the best love story ever…it’s the Truth about the living and loving Word – Who is Jesus Christ our Savoir.

In today’s passage, Paul reminds us that Christ is the first of the great harvest through His resurrection. Paul then goes on to contrast Adam and Christ. Through Adam, and his disobedient and sinful actions against God, all have died. So, Adam led the whole human race into dead spiritual living and into physical death apart from Christ. By contrast, everyone who chooses to belong to Christ is given a new life. All who are united to Christ by faith, His resurrection secures our resurrection in our spiritual life today and in our bodily resurrection to come when Christ returns.

Friends, our greatest love story is the one that we have with Jesus. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit, that graciously moves through our salvation in Christ, that makes it possible for us to know true love. If you want to share love on this “day of love”, be sure to share the love of Christ with someone before it is too late.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 NLT

20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.

Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for removing the scales from my eyes so that I can see You. Thank You for allowing the Spirit to overshadow my soul so that the Truth about Your resurrection could be revealed to my heart and life. I look forward to Your return. Please continue to prepare me for that day, Lord. I want to be raised up with You, as I belong to You and only to You, Jesus. I pray all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Written by: Jennifer Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant

Intro: In our passage today, we must remember Peter knows how easy it is to fall into the temptation of denying Christ’s power—the Living Word—who makes us holy. Peter denied Christ three times while trying to save himself from death; he immediately suffered in his soul for doing so. However, once Peter experienced the resurrection of the Lord, he was no longer afraid to die. Peter was suddenly motivated to boldly live for Christ in the grace provided; eternal life became his new focus.

Peter writes to the Jews who were driven from their homes in Jerusalem; they were fleeing death. He encourages these early Christians to keep their hope firmly planted in Christ and the grace he offered at the cross. Peter wants these disciples to be prepared for the second coming of Christ by getting their minds ready for action: they are to be self-controlled, remain hopeful, and walk obedient to God. He tells them they must deny their flesh and its desires, so they can be holy in all they do. Notice Peter redirects these disciples; he encourages them to take their focus off from what they have lost and place it on what they have found that is so much greater in Messiah—a holy eternal connection. To be holy is to be totally devoted to God, set aside for his use, as well as set apart from sin.

You and I cannot make ourselves holy, but we can choose to invite the Holy Spirit to make us holy. We are becoming holy when God’s love empowers us to love one another—the family of faith—deeply. There is no room in our lives, gatherings, or relationships for deception, hypocrisy, jealousy, or unkindness. The world desires to feed on that garbage, but God calls us to a holy menu of fruit: “Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control “ (Gal 5:22-23). Call on God’s power today, to help you live as a devoted disciple of Christ. Have a wonderful weekend! Hope to see those of you living in the local area this Sunday; let’s worship the Giver of eternal life who raises us from dead living as we trust him.

1 Peter 1:17-2:1 (NLT)
17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.
21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart [a pure heart].

23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,
“People are like grass;
    their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 
    But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
2 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this amazing day and for the love you have poured into your children. Continue to love us into well-being and wholeness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Recently, I have been participating in a stretching class. It is my time to focus on this physical temple of God. Are you deliberately doing things that contribute to your wholeness? Seems like this body of mine needs some stretching in order to maintain a right posture and flexibility. I had been noticing I was physically slouching; not sitting up straight. The more I thought about it I was also aware I was mentally slouching; not focused on the joy of my salvation that keeps me thinking straight. And lastly, I was suddenly aware I had allowed my emotions to start slouching; my soul was wounded by the pride of mockers [spiritual know-it-alls; those who falsely judge other Christians]. Please remember this, Satan disguises himself as an angel of light in order to attack our faith and confidence in Christ (2 Cor 11:14).

I needed this passage today, my friends. God always knows what we need and sends his Word to the rescue, doesn’t he? As God’s children, we are blessed at every turn; we must spiritually look for the blessings of our salvation. That is why the enemy works so hard to get us bent, burdened and burned out. Certainly, as believers how we view things must be seen through the cross of Jesus Christ; God’s love given to us. We all need discernment these days, because Satan is certainly crafty. However, the Holy Spirit makes our spirits sit up straight, directs the focus of our souls upon the goodness of God for salvation, and helps us rest knowing we belong to him alone and He writes our life stories according to His plan. So, the next time you become aware Satan has caused you to do some slouching, call for the Holy Spirit to help you listen up to the Truth, stretch your faith muscles, and send that liar Satan back to hell where he belongs. God watches over you, today. Hugs!

Psalm 1
1 
Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.
2 
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.
3 
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do.
4 
But not the wicked!
    They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 
They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
    Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
    but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for life and for faithfully caring for me. Thank you for being my Rescuer each day; your love is always there catching me and guiding me into a deeper place in your love. Grant to me today a full measure of your loving grace, strength, and power as I delight in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Are you proud to be associated with Jesus and who he values? In our passage today, Jesus meets Levi, a tax collector. Levi leaves a very lucrative but perhaps unappreciated business to follow Jesus. Interestingly, the first thing Levi does after entering into a relationship with Jesus is invite all of his friends and fellow sinners to meet and dine with the Savior. Levi was so excited about his new Friend, he just wanted everyone to know Him. While Levi was sharing his joy, the Pharisees and religious leaders were complaining about the “scum.” What is that about?

The Pharisees and religious teachers demonstrate a religious spirit—just for the record this is not a good thing. A religious spirit is demonic; it comes from eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam and Eve chose to eat from it causing them to become self-focused and accusatory; rather than look to God for salvation and value. A religious spirit is a self-exalting spirit that always diminishes the love of God and the work of grace in His people.

Jesus called this religious spirit the leaven of the Pharisees and addressed it this way, “Hypocrites! Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Mat 23:28). In other words, a religious spirit inflates; it does not add to the life of God it attempts to smother it by feeding a human spirit of pride—which, of course, is what caused the first sin in the Garden of Eden. Believers are to be God-centered. If we are God-centered we will be quick to speak to others about God’s extravagant grace, the mercy and forgiveness found only in Jesus, and the need to grow in spiritual maturity through the Holy Spirit because this is the Truth that will set us all free. Faith works through love, so love must always motivate our thoughts, words, and actions if we are living in genuine faith.

Luke 5:27-32 Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew)
27 Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. 28 So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.
29 Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. 30 But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?”

31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this reminder today about guarding ourselves from feeding a religious spirit. We are all tempted to be self-inflating; pride comes all too natural. Please forgive us for exalting our thoughts and demanding others bow down to them as if they perfectly represented your genuine standard or opinion. May we put on love, extend mercy and understanding to others, and represent you well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: In our passage today, Isaiah has a vision and through this vision God calls him as a messenger to His people. Isaiah has a glimpse of the holiness of God. The clearer this vision of God becomes, the more Isaiah realizes the unholy state of his own heart; he is unclean before God. Instantly, he is aware he can never measure up to God’s standard. God’s people are unclean, too. Recognizing his human sinfulness is what helps Isaiah convey to God’s people the extravagant forgiveness God actually offers to those who will repent and turn from wickedness.

Isaiah endured a cleansing process that was painful yet necessary. It was the only way Isaiah could fulfill the spiritual tasks God had planned for him. Each one of us, as God’s son or daughter, must also go through a painful yet necessary cleansing process in order to fulfill the spiritual tasks God sets before us. We must learn that we represent God who is holy; therefore, we too must be holy. Allowing God to control our lives as we rest in the blood of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit is where we place our hope. God has promised to make us a holy people.

Isaiah’s Cleansing and Call
6 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
    The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”

8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”

I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

Prayer: Lord thank you for this perfect reminder from Isaiah about our need to submit to your will and way to make us holy. Even in the painful places, we know cleansing is necessary. You are faithful to love us the way we need in order to represent you well. Continue the work, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

February 7, 2022 Monday

Intro: Back in a December devotion we reviewed that Psalms 113 – 118 are known as the Egyptian Hallel. As a reminder, “Hallel” is a portion of a service for certain Jewish festivals. It’s often a special prayer said/sung on those holidays to give thanks and praise to God. You may recall that these Psalms are typically connected with the Passover meal and other Jewish festivals as a reflection of God’s redemption of His people, the Israelites, as the commemoration of their Exodus from slavery in Egypt.

Many believe that Jesus and His disciples sung these hymns on the night before His crucifixion, so just before He was betrayed and arrested. Isn’t it absolutely amazing to think that you and I get to read, meditate, and pray on Psalm 115 today, and Jesus and his disciples may have sung it? Before the Holy Spirit guides us through this Psalm, let’s break it out into a few sections:

Verses 1-8 – GLORY TO THE LORD – God should be exalted above all else. He is glorious, and He did, does, and will do wonderous things, and so all glory should be given to Him; but the “nations” worshipped and continue to worship many other “gods” and idols.

Verses 9-11 – TRUST IN THE LORD – If “Israel” could just have trusted to God, they would have understood that He was their helper and shield. Friends, we are “Israel” and how often do we neglect to seek Jesus as our helper and shield in circumstances, relationships, trials, decisions, etc.? We must realize that our trust can only be found in the Lord, and not in this world and/or in the things of the world.

Verses 12 -15 – BLESSINGS COME FROM THE LORD – In verses 12 -13 we read that the Lord remembers those of us who make Him our helper and shield, and as a result we are blessed. In verses 14-15 we read how the Lord blesses.

Verses 16-18 – ALL BLESSINGS & PRAISE TO THE LORD – All of heaven and earth need to bless and praise the Lord.

Psalm 115

1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
2 Why let the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens,
and he does as he wishes.
4 Their idols are merely things of silver and gold,
shaped by human hands.
5 They have mouths but cannot speak,
and eyes but cannot see.
6 They have ears but cannot hear,
and noses but cannot smell.
7 They have hands but cannot feel,
and feet but cannot walk,
and throats but cannot make a sound.
8 And those who make idols are just like them,
as are all who trust in them.

9 O Israel, trust the Lord!
He is your helper and your shield.
10 O priests, descendants of Aaron, trust the Lord!
He is your helper and your shield.
11 All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord!
He is your helper and your shield.

12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
He will bless the people of Israel
and bless the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the Lord,
both great and lowly.

14 May the Lord richly bless
both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens belong to the Lord,
but he has given the earth to all humanity.
17 The dead cannot sing praises to the Lord,
for they have gone into the silence of the grave.
18 But we can praise the Lord
both now and forever!

Praise the Lord!

Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for being my helper in all situations and for being my shield when I need to be protected from the evil one. I trust in You, and in You alone. I thank You for Your blessings. Help me, Lord, to bless You with all that I say and do. I praise Your Precious and Holy Name, Jesus, and ask all of this in Your Name. Amen.

Written by: Jennifer Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant

Intro: To continue on from our reading yesterday, Saul (later known as the Apostle Paul) is struggling to get beyond his reputation with the Christians. He is viewed as a persecution threat to Christ’s followers; certainly, he was guilty of that in the past. These Christians are hesitant to believe Saul is now a changed person. Therefore, to bring peace to his family, the Lord sends a Jewish convert named Barnabas to be Saul’s advocate; to serve the Lord by connecting Saul in positive ways with the apostles. Barnabas is a man of integrity and great character, so the Christians in Jerusalem soon begin to welcome Saul into their homes and ministries.

There are several things we should notice about Saul. First, his personality does not really change, but his purpose and focus definitely do. Instead of seeking to control and hinder the Word of the Lord by harming Christians, Saul remains bold but his message is about getting the life of the Lord to people. Saul boldly preaches about the death, resurrection, and the worship of Jesus Christ to bring eternal life. Second, Saul stirs up controversy everywhere he goes, because of this boldness to proclaim the Good News. He does not back down from a debate; he stays in the ring to proclaim Christ. As we read through much of the New Testament, these two things about Saul never change.

In Christ, like Saul, we do not lose our personalities; Saul became who God had actually intended him to be. God loves who he created us to be; the only things he desires to change are those things in our souls not consistent with his nature. Our new life in Christ is our truest self. When we embrace Christ and his work to sanctify—purify us from sin—we demonstrate our commitment to his lordship. Today, be your truest self knowing God loves you and he enjoys your unique personality. Blessings for your weekend. Hope to see you in church on Sunday as we dig into the Word and share Communion at the Lord’s table.

Acts 9:26-31 NLT
26 When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! 27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.

28 So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him. 30 When the believers [Greek] heard about this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus, his hometown.

31 The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for remaking me in your image through my relationship with Christ and the work of your Holy Spirit. Continue to mature me in the new life that causes me to be my truest self. In Jesus’ name. Amen.