Devotionals

Intro: When we face problems and challenges in life, it can be helpful to talk things over with a trusted friend. Sometimes these conversations can put things into perspective for us. Our faith may need affirming and our feelings more than likely need guidance. In our passage today, David is struggling, so he decides he is going to talk things over with his Friend—the Lord Yahweh. Our passage is his prayer.

David has so many questions that need answers, yet he must remain patient because God is silent. By all appearances, evil has gained the upper hand and David wonders when God is going to stop the advancement of evil. As a result of God’s silence, David suffers with depression and despair; in his soul he feels abandoned. However, while his spirit waits for God to respond, David grows in his character and he draws closer to the destiny God has prepared for him. God uses even silence for the good of his beloved. May God continue to strengthen the souls of his children.

Psalm 13:3-6 (TPT) Prayer Turns Depression into Delight
1
I’m hurting, Lord—will you forget me forever?
    How much longer, Lord?
    Will you look the other way when I’m in need?
2 
How much longer must I cling to this constant grief?
    I’ve endured this shaking of my soul.
    So how much longer will my enemy have the upper hand?
3
Take a good look at me, Yahweh, my God, and answer me!
    Breathe your life into my spirit.
    Bring light to my eyes in this pitch-black darkness
    or I will sleep the sleep of death.
4 
Don’t let my enemy proclaim, “I’ve prevailed over him.”
    For all my adversaries will celebrate when I fall.
5 
I have always trusted in your kindness, so answer me.
    I will spin in a circle of joy
    when your salvation lifts me up.
6 
I will sing my song of joy to you, Yahweh,
    for in all of this you have strengthened my soul.
    My enemies say that I have no Savior,
    but I know that I have one in you!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this encouragement from David’s prayer, today. Breathe life into my spirit and help me to patiently trust your plan. I know you are leading me into good things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: The writer of Hebrews spends many chapters speaking to Christ’s followers about the superiority of Christ over everything else in life. Basically, there is nothing better to experience in life than sharing oneself with Christ; life in Christ is the BEST! The writer then moves to the superiority of the Christian’s faith over religious expressions and traditions; faith is more powerful in its practice—it moves spiritual mountains. Faith is what connects us in Christ throughout each day. We live by faith not by site; therefore, we never really know when we might need endurance and extra strength, but Jesus has promised to provide for our present needs, as well as our future needs. Our faith must mature and it will as we follow Christ even during momentary times of suffering.

In our passage today, the Hebrew Christians are trying to cope with the pressures of life. They are receiving religious and social persecution from the Jews, as well as physical persecution from the Romans. Life is difficult for them, yet they suffer with patience. Some times we, too, have to suffer in life. With patience, we hold on to the hem of Christ’s garment until things change or until God changes us. Certainly, suffering causes us to look at life differently. If you are going through a hard time, please stay focused on the maturing of your faith and never stop living righteously for the King and his eternal Kingdom. This sinful world will one day pass away, but God’s Kingdom is eternal.

Hebrews 10:32-39
32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
37 
“For in just a little while,
    the Coming One will come and not delay.
38 
And my righteous ones will live by faith.
    But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your promise that better things lay ahead for all your children. Therefore, I place my confidence in you; I trust your plans, purpose, and provision for my life and the lives of my loved ones. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

November 15, 2021

Today, we are looking at 5 verses from Hebrews 10 that are an EXTREME WARNING. There seems to be two common interpretations of these verses: 1. many believe it is a warning for saved Christians about the consequences of their sin, and 2. many believe it is a warning for those who reject salvation in Christ for the world of sin.

Jesus, Himself, declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6); and so, it seems that these 5 verses are a dire warning for ALL.

We, as Christians, know that apart from Christ “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved,” (Acts 4:12). This means that the Blood of Christ took the place of the old covenant sacrifice after sacrifice to atone for sin. We are beyond blessed by this One sacrifice, and through our salvation in Christ we need to become quicker to turn from our sin, we need to be repenting each day, we need to be in prayer multiple times each day asking Jesus to take our sinful nature away from us, and we need to be focusing our time, words, thoughts, actions, etc. on eternity with Christ. Friends, when the time comes for you and I to meet Jesus face-to-face, don’t you want Him to intimately know you because you worked diligently, here, to grow closer and closer to Him?

In contract to Christians, there are those who have heard about Christ, or may have been a part of a religion that has included Him, but they do not choose salvation in Him, rather they choose the world’s ways. They reject the Truth of God’s atoning sacrifice by Christ.

Here is the warning in Hebrews (note: verse 30 quotes Deuteronomy 32:35-36):

Hebrews 10:26-30 NLT

26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28 For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. 30 For we know the one who said,

“I will take revenge.
I will pay them back.”

He also said,

“The Lord will judge his own people.”

Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for being the truth, the way, and the life to the Father. I ask for You to continue to guide my days. Help me, Jesus, to be more like You. Forgive me for when I cling closer to the world, than I do to You. Help me to put You in front of my ways, my words, my thoughts, and all that I do. I look forward to Your return and I want to be ready. Please continue to grow me in Your Truth and in Your likeness. I ask all of this in Your Precious and Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

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

Intro: It is easy for us as believers to shout on Sunday mornings “Jesus is Lord,” but it takes the power of God operating in us to actually follow our Lord’s leadership the rest of the week. Our obedience to follow him causes us to be separated from the world, so we can be rooted and established in his strength. In the midst of a culture that seems to be bedazzled by the deception of darkness, aren’t you glad you know the person who lived the Truth as God intended when he created humanity. Jesus is the only way for you to know who you were created to be for eternity.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reiterates the essential need for us to connect to Christ and to other believers. In fact, Paul’s letters to the church at Colosse are all about making righteous connections. Deception, division, and false deities will always permeate this world seeking to rob people of Christ’s rightful place as Lord and Ruler of every heart. We must be connected to the Righteous and Anointed One, so we never follow the lies. Worldly teachings and opinions are empty; so, it is fruitless to try to blend sinful human ideas into Christianity and call it Truth. A Christian is a person whose heart and behaviors reflect Christ and his righteousness, as well as work to increase and further his Kingdom rule. Live the new life in Christ and find completeness in his love.

Colossians 2:6-10 (TPT) New Life in Christ
6 In the same way you received Jesus our Lord and Messiah by faith, continue your journey of faith, progressing further into your union with him! 7 Your spiritual roots go deeply into his life as you are continually infused with strength, encouraged in every way. For you are established in the faith you have absorbed and enriched by your devotion to him!

8 Beware that no one distracts you or intimidates you [takes you captive] in their attempt to lead you away from Christ’s fullness by pretending to be full of wisdom when they’re filled with endless arguments of human logic. For they operate with humanistic and clouded judgments based on the mindset of this world system, and not the anointed truths of the Anointed One.

9 For he is the complete fullness of deity living in human form. 10 And our own completeness is now found in him. We are completely filled with God as Christ’s fullness overflows within us. He is the Head [Source] of every kingdom and authority in the universe!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this new life you have called me to live. Each day I grow in my devotion to your authority and need for your strength. Some days I feel weary as I listen to the arguments of arrogant human flesh, but I realize it is important to understand how different your Kingdom is from this present world. Thank you for making a place for me in your Kingdom! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Most every day, as we listen to the news reports we will hear about cases of injustice. A common definition of injustice is “unfairness or inequity.” Injustice is actually something human sin has created, because many have chosen to live outside the righteousness of God. When God uses the term “justice” he means “to make right” or righteous before him.

Today, we celebrate Veteran’s Day; a time to honor our military veteran’s and appreciate their service to our country. Justice according to God’s written word is a relational term meaning people living in right relationship with God, in right relationship with one another, and in right relationship with creation. We are called to reflect our Creator’s love and exercise his justice while we live, move, and have our being. So, may we pray for the pursuit of justice or righteousness, today, for the honor and glory of God.

Psalm 94:20-23 (NLT)

20 
Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side—
    leaders whose decrees permit injustice?
21 
They gang up against the righteous
    and condemn the innocent to death.
22 
But the Lord is my fortress;
    my God is the mighty rock where I hide.
23 
God will turn the sins of evil people back on them.
    He will destroy them for their sins.
    The Lord our God will destroy them.

Prayer: Father, today I want to thank you for every veteran who has served this amazing country of America—One Nation Under God. Bless every military veteran, Lord, who has served in the armed forces. May they receive the honor they are due for the freedoms they have protected on behalf of our citizens, as well as the injustice they have fought against for the sake of every human life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: In our passage today, the psalmist reminds us evil cannot stand against Yahweh’s righteous outflow of grace. His grace is so powerful—like a righteous River—we can only hold one day’s supply. But never fear, because when tomorrow arrives, so does more of the Lord’s grace. Even though we may pass through times when it looks like the wicked are not being punished and justice feels diminished, remember God has promised to use what the enemy meant for harm and make it work for the good of his children.

Rejoice my friends because Lord Yahweh is our Protector. He sends his Word and calls us to obey in the power of the Spirit. Our flesh has the opportunity to reveal the Truth of God’s righteous love and provision. So focus on the “bigness” of our Lord, today, and believe he is all you need because he can impart inspiration to your thoughts, he will release strength through his Spirit to support you, and he will lead you into victory even though sometimes you feel yourself slipping. Praise God, his grace has got you!

Psalm 94:16-19 (NLT)

16 
Who will protect me from the wicked?
    Who will stand up for me against evildoers?
17 
Unless the Lord had helped me,
    I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave.
18 
I cried out, “I am slipping!”
    but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
19 
When doubts filled my mind,
    your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for supporting me and helping me to stand in your righteousness. All praise belongs to you! Please continue to be my Protector against evil and use everything the enemy has meant for harm in my life to reveal Christ in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

November 9, 2021
Intro: God is still in the ministry of teaching people right from wrong, because it is his desire to save every human being from wrath or judgment. I know it may not look like God’s discipline is working in the world as a whole, but the success of God’s teaching has to do with the pliability of individual hearts. If people are rebelliously bent on embracing and living what God declares is wrong, he is probably not going to stop them. Instead, he will give them time even though he knows they will dig a painful pit for themselves. The good news is God is still responding to the cries of those who need pit rescues; yet, this is learning the authority of God the hard way and I don’t recommend it. One day the pit rescues will cease; judgment will be all that remains.

Judgment is very different than discipline. According to Scripture, God disciplines those whom he loves. Who does he love? The answer is God loves the world (Jo 3:16). However, true discipline in God’s economy is about righteousness or justice. If people choose to reject God’s righteousness, they will face his judgment rather than his discipline. I will take the discipline, because God is always right and I, unfortunately, am not (but, don’t tell my husband). Therefore, I will find joy in God’s discipline in order to make more righteousness available to me.

Psalm 94:12-15 (NLT)
Joyful are those you discipline, Lord,
    those you teach with your instructions.
13 
You give them relief from troubled times
    until a pit is dug to capture the wicked.
14 
The Lord will not reject his people;
    he will not abandon his special possession.
15 
Judgment will again be founded on justice,
    and those with virtuous hearts will pursue it.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping me find joy even in the midst of your correction. I choose discipline, because I choose you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In the first chapter of the Book of Ruth, Naomi loses her husband, her two sons, and she decides to move back to her home in Judah. Naomi encourages both of her daughters-in-law to go back to their family homes. One daughter-in-law chose to return home, and here is the other daughter-in-law’s response:

Ruth 1:16-17 (NLT)

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”

It is amazing that the heart of a young Gentile woman from the Old Testament, is directly connected to our relationship with Christ. You and I can only pray that we are as surrendered, committed, and faithful to Christ, as Ruth was to Him through her actions towards her mother-in-law. Let’s look at some verses within the New Testament that connect to Ruth from the Old Testament:

Surrender: When Ruth says, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back.” It is a reminder of what Jesus says to His disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Commitment: “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16) Ruth gave up her human life to experience the Glory of God by going and living with Naomi and by accepting her people and God as her own.

Faith: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” (2 Timothy 4:7) Ruth asked for the Lord’s punishment if she allowed anything to separate her and Naomi.

Without knowing in her human mind, Ruth’s spirit understood that her surrender, commitment, and faith to the Lord was absolutely everything. Ruth would become King David’s great-grandmother, and we know that Jesus is part of that blood line. We must allow Ruth to serve as an example for our own lives. We cannot wait to surrender, to commit, and to have faith. We must do it now, and remain stable in Christ all of the time.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your Word. Help us to always be surrendered to You, to remain fully committed, and to never lose our faith. I ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

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

Intro: Before we begin our passage from the gospel of Mark, we need to bring the events into context. Jesus has been in Bethany [meaning House of Afflicted] and is making his triumphant entry through the Mount of Olives [symbolic of entering the holy of holies] and into the holy city of Jerusalem or Mount Zion—the City of Peace/Wholeness. Jerusalem is the appointed holy place where God promises to meet with his human family to heal them and make them whole/complete. Jesus is God’s prophesied and ultimate plan and gift for bringing that wholeness. Jesus walks into the Temple [which is to represent heavenly realities on earth], looks around and then returns to Bethany.

The next morning Jesus decides to go back to the Temple, but he plans to teach the disciples some important spiritual truth along the way. Lesson #1: Jesus is afflicted by hunger and he sees a fig tree nearby, so he draws near to inspect it. He anticipates fruit, but all he finds are leaves. Lesson #2: Jesus curses the fruitless fig tree and it withers from the roots up. Lesson #3: Jesus heads to the Temple and notices the money changers and the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices and he judges the Temple, “My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations, but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” (11:17).

The faith we are instructed to have must be undivided. In Christ, we believe our prayers connect heaven and earth to make sin afflicted people whole. Believers are to connect hungry or seeking people to the Savior—the Tree of Life. Like the fig tree, the Temple had the appearance of caring for the souls of people, but it was barren of righteousness fruit, so it robbed them of the salvation God actually intended. Lastly, Jesus wants faith-driven prayer to be the avenue for wholeness, because he is the Healer and his sacrifice is enough for the world.

Mark 11:20-24 (TPT)
Lessons of Faith
20 In the morning, they passed by the fig tree that Jesus spoke to and it was completely withered from the roots up. 21 Peter remembered and said to him, “Teacher, look! That’s the fig tree you cursed. It’s now all shriveled up and dead.”

22 Jesus replied, “Let the faith of God be in you! 23 Listen to the truth I speak to you: Whoever says to this mountain with great faith and does not doubt, ‘Mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the midst of the sea,’ and believes that what he says will happen, it will be done. 24 This is the reason I urge you to boldly believe for whatever you ask for in prayer—be convinced that you have received it and it will be yours.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for your wholeness and faith to rest in me. May I be a holy instrument that brings wholeness to the souls of your people by connecting them to the Savior. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Intro: It is fascinating to me just how “real and living” the Word of God is for believers. The Word offers revelations that are endless and the scope of opportunities and applications it presents are vast. Consider how beautiful the gift of the Word is in its “bigness,” because it can reach every heart in practical ways no matter how diverse the people. God’s Word contains personal stories of how the Anointed One has revealed His Love throughout history to touch the world. Every unique human being has the invitation to receive and to demonstrate God’s Love in word and action; there are no limits for how it is done in God’s Anointed One.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul wants us to know the human state before Christ comes to set up his Kingdom in our hearts. We are helpless, weak, and powerless to save ourselves! Wow, let that soak in for just a minute. In spite of how messed up we can be as a human creation, Christ died for us so he could exchange that mess for a Kingdom ministry. That ministry is birthed from the inside out; our hearts become the womb of Love. If we will die to our selfish fleshly demands we can live the resurrection life in Christ’s Anointed Love. If you have invited Jesus into your heart to be the Lord of your life, you are set up for victory so let that JOY fill you. Look for someone who needs Christ’s love and share him, today.

Romans 5:6-11
6 For when the time was right, the Anointed One came and died to demonstrate his love for sinners who were entirely helpless, weak, and powerless to save themselves.

7 Now, would anyone dare to die for the sake of a wicked person? We can all understand if someone was willing to die for a truly noble person. 8 But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly!

9 And there is still much more to say of his unfailing love for us! For through the blood of Jesus we have heard the powerful declaration, “You are now righteous in my sight.” And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you will never experience the wrath of God. 10 So if while we were still enemies, God fully reconciled [exchanged] us to himself through the death of his Son, then something greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, and because we share in his resurrection life, how much more we will be rescued from sin’s dominion!

11 And even more than that, we overflow with triumphant joy [boasting] in our new relationship of living reconciled to God—all because of Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Lord, there are just so many ways you share the gospel every day with your children. Thank you for the reminder today of the great exchange you offer every human heart. May more people in your world, choose you and accept your offer today! In Jesus’ name. Amen.