Devotionals

Psalm 100 (TPT) Praise God
A poetic song for thanksgiving
1 
Lift up a great shout of joy to the Lord!
Go ahead and do it—everyone, everywhere!
2 
As you serve him, be glad and worship him.
Sing your way into his presence with joy!
3 
And realize what this really means—
we have the privilege of worshiping the Lord our God.
For he is our Creator and we belong to him.
We are the people of his pleasure.[the sheep of his pasture]
4 
You can pass through his open gates with the password of praise.
Come right into his presence with thanksgiving.
Come bring your thank offering to him
and affectionately bless his beautiful name!
5 
For the Lord is always good and ready to receive you.
He’s so loving that it will amaze you—
so kind that it will astound you!
And he is famous for his faithfulness toward all.
Everyone knows our God can be trusted,
for he keeps his promises to every generation!

Yesterday, in our worship time, the Word of God made the Good Shepherd—who never abandons us—alive to us. In our devotional and prayer time today, let us begin to thank the Lord for being our Gate; he opens our spiritual eyes and understanding so we connect with the Father. We must let go of an earthbound perspective and reach for the Kingdom reality. Thank the Lord for being the Shepherd who goes ahead and leads us along righteous paths; he protects us in our coming and going. Thank the Lord for being the Pasture we long for—the life of meaning and fulfillment, because we were created to be loved by him. When we open ourselves up to God, he fills us with HIMSELF! Talk about Abundance!!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for opening eternal life up to me and guiding me by the Spirit each day. Continue to help me understand how my spiritual life and natural life cross in your grace and position me for your glory. I choose life in abundance; pressed down, shaken together, and running over. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Luke 15:4-7 (TPT) The Parable of the Lost Lamb

4–5 “There once was a shepherd with a hundred lambs, but one of his lambs wandered away and was lost. So the shepherd left the ninety-nine lambs out in the open field and searched in the wilderness for that one lost lamb. He didn’t stop until he finally found it. With exuberant joy he raised it up and placed it on his shoulders, carrying it back with cheerful delight! 6 Returning home, he called all his friends and neighbors together and said, ‘Let’s have a party! Come and celebrate with me the return of my lost lamb. It wandered away, but I found it and brought it home.’”

7 Jesus continued, “In the same way, there will be a glorious celebration in heaven over the rescue of one lost sinner who repents, comes back home, and returns to the fold—more so than for all the righteous people who never strayed away.”

I love reading the gospel parables; the imagery helps with learning the lessons. In our passage today, the Lord shares a parable about the Good Shepherd who reveals his devotion to every individual lamb. Each lamb represents great worth and value. When the Shepherd notices one lamb has wandered into the wilderness, he goes to rescue the lost lamb. When he finds the lamb, the Shepherd doesn’t scold or beat the lamb; he does punish it. Instead, the Shepherd tenderly carries the lamb back and invites his friends to celebrate with him. He restores the lamb into the fellowship of the flock.

Jesus came to seek and save lost human souls; each soul is valuable to the Lord. Therefore, acting as the Good Shepherd, he came to search for and rescue the repentant wanderer and welcome him or her back into his loving care and into fellowship with his spiritual flock. Christ in you will be searching for those who need to be rescued. Are you looking to be a part of the Lord’s rescue mission for lost souls?

Prayer: Lord, your Word reveals your heart for people all the time. Help me to reflect your heart for the lost and wandering souls and celebrate each one who repents and returns. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 Peter 2:9-10 The Passion Translation (TPT)
9 But you are God’s chosen treasure [you are his guarded wealth]—priests who are kings, [you are part of the King’s household] a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world. [you are to demonstrate your worship] 10 For at one time you were not God’s people, but now you are. At one time you knew nothing of God’s mercy, because you hadn’t received it yet, but now you are drenched with it! [you are showered with mercy]

Today, it is my greatest desire to join with the Apostle Peter and remind you, as a believer in Christ, just how blessed you are of the Lord! You are in a protected place with God, because of your great worth and importance as a carrier of Christ the Living Word. Mercy is the foundation of the love covenant God has made with humanity. So, because you have been showered with mercy, God claims you and protects you as if you were a precious jewel of extraordinary value.

The enemy wants you to devalue yourself, because he does not want you to embrace the Truth. In fact, Satan works at making all God’s children feel as if they are abandoned, vulnerable, and alone. You are none of those things and you must never allow those thoughts to enter your mind or those ideas to form words and exit your lips. You are of such value to God that he died in order to demonstrate his love for you. Please get the message! So, take a deep breath, lift your voice in praise to God, and say aloud, “I am a precious treasure in God’s hands and today I will demonstrate my devotion and worship of the Lord who loves and protects me!”

Prayer: Lord, I will not look at the world or my life situations to interpret your love for me. I refuse to listen to the lies of Satan—the father of this world. Instead, I will stand on your Word and proclaim the Truth! I will demonstrate my devotion to you. Thank you for choosing me and showering me with your mercy, because I need the love you alone can impart to my soul. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

John 21:1-14 (TPT) Jesus Appears at Lake Galilee
1 Later, Jesus appeared once again to a group of his disciples by Lake Galilee. 2 It happened one day while Peter, Thomas (the Twin), Nathanael (from Cana in Galilee), Jacob, John, and two other disciples were all together. 3 Peter told them, “I’m going fishing.” And they all replied, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and fished through the night, but caught nothing.

4 Then at dawn, Jesus was standing there on the shore, but the disciples didn’t realize that it was him! 5 He called out to them, saying, “Hey guys! Did you catch any fish?”
“Not a thing,” they replied.

6 Jesus shouted to them, “Throw your net over the starboard side, and you’ll catch some!” And so they did as he said, and they caught so many fish they couldn’t even pull in the net!

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Peter heard him say that, he quickly wrapped his outer garment around him, and because he was athletic, he dove right into the lake to go to Jesus!

In our lesson today, the resurrected Jesus initiates the third encounter with his disciples; this group has gone back to fishing for fish. Jesus calls out to several of his disciples, but only one makes the connection between the voice speaking to them from the shore and the abundance before them. John connects faith with past experience and proclaims, “It’s the Lord!” On the other hand, Peter may still have some inner turmoil going on, because he isn’t as quick to recognize the voice of the Savior. There is the lesson.

When you and I have inner turmoil, we cannot hear the voice of the Lord well, either. Jesus is going to speak into our lives and if we are expectantly waiting for him and willing to obey his word, then he will bring good out of what may even seem impossible. We serve the God—the Creator—of heaven and earth and he has promised to provide for us. Don’t be surprised by his love; be overwhelmed with gratitude as he begins to bring beauty from ashes in your life.

Prayer: Lord, for as long as I can remember, you have brought good things out of even the discouraging and difficult places in my life. You are always faithful and true to your love for me. I know your voice speaks into my spirit to give guidance and bring abundance. I want to be quick in my spirit to make the connection. So it is my responsibility to keep my soul in peace as I trust in your love. Like John, may I be quick to proclaim, “It’s the Lord!” In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Proverbs 8:32-9:6 TPT Wisdom Worth Waiting For
32 
“So listen, my sons and daughters, to everything I tell you,
for nothing will bring you more joy than following my ways.
33 
Listen to my counsel,
for my instruction will enlighten you.
You’ll be wise not to ignore it.
34 
If you wait at wisdom’s doorway,[enter into the Lord’s presence]
longing to hear a word for every day,
joy will break forth within you as you listen for what I’ll say.
35 
For the fountain of life pours into you every time that you find me,
and this is the secret of growing in the delight
and the favor of the Lord.
36 
But those who stumble and miss me will be sorry they did!
For ignoring what I have to say will bring harm to your own soul.
Those who hate me are simply flirting with death!”[depravity]

Wisdom is such an amazing gift from God for his people and we can all receive it. Christ has been made wisdom for us and as we grow in Christ—the Word—we grow in the favor of the Lord. Lingering and waiting in the presence of God for a higher perspective brings the power to guide our paths in the ways of God. Each day you can gain more direction; so, we need to ask God to help us receive it. I can tell you from experience, sometimes we resist the wisdom of God, because we do not want to take the action he has required. In fact, sometimes we are simply waiting on God to give us direction in the way we most desire to go rather than in the plan he has for us. We don’t have to guess or stumble aimlessly. Feast at the table of the Lord; partake of his Word and he will cause you to walk in wisdom. Jesus is the Way!

Prayer: Lord, please direct my paths during this challenging time in life. I will stay in the Word and linger in your presence. Help me receive the guidance you desire to bring. Then, please cause me to turn and be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 Peter 1:23-25 (TPT)
23 For through the eternal and living Word of God you have been born again. And this “seed” that he planted within you can never be destroyed but will live and grow inside of you forever. For:
24 
Human beings are frail and temporary, like grass,
    and the glory of man fleeting
    like blossoms of the field.
    The grass dries and withers and the flowers fall off,
25 
but the Word of the Lord endures forever!
And this is the Word [Good New of Jesus] that was announced to you!

Yesterday afternoon John and I planted some vegetables in pots outside on our screened-in porch. As I was watering them I was praying, “Lord help me to take care of these plants so they grow and produce a harvest.” Did you know God does that in our lives? The Word is the seed the Lord plants inside you and it can never die; rather, the Lord promises our lives will produce eternal righteousness. Our part is to invite the life of Christ into the core of our being and give the Word authority over our lives. Jesus—Immanuel—God with us is eternal and enduring through every season of life.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for planting righteous seeds within me and assuring they grow and produce. As my life bears fruit, you deserve all the glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 Peter 1:13-16 The Voice (VOICE)
13 So get yourselves ready, prepare your minds to act, control yourselves, and look forward in hope as you focus on the grace that comes when Jesus the Anointed returns and is completely revealed to you. (unveiling or revelation) 14 Be like obedient children as you put aside the desires you used to pursue when you didn’t know better. 15 Since the One who called you is holy, be holy in all you do. 16 For the Scripture says, “You are to be holy, for I am holy.”

Are you ready for Jesus’ return? In our passage today, Peter reminds us to be ready is to find ourselves completely devoted to God in everything we do. In this way, we demonstrate to the world who Christ is in us; he is our holiness. God is surrounded in the heavenlies by holiness; that is why he commissions us to grow in the Holy Spirit so we can enjoy more of his manifested presence. Grace has planted holy seeds within us, so let’s make the right choices that grow us in character and empower Christ to be revealed through our lives. Then, we will actually be living life in the “presence of God.”

Prayer: Lord, every day I am getting myself ready for your return. While I wait, let me be revealing your presence in me to the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 Peter 1:8-12 (TPT)
8 You love him passionately although you did not see him, but through believing in him you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory. 9 For you are reaping the harvest of your faith—the full salvation promised you—your souls’ victory!

Overcoming Grace
10 This salvation was the focus of the prophets who prophesied of this outpouring of grace that was destined for you. They made a careful search and investigation of the meaning of their God-given prophecies 11 as they probed into the mysteries of who would fulfill them and the time period when it would all take place. The Spirit of the Anointed One was in them [in the OT prophets] and was pointing prophetically to the sufferings that Christ was destined to suffer and the glories that would be released afterward. 12 God revealed to the prophets that their ministry was not for their own benefit, but for yours [all believers]. And now, you have heard these things from the evangelists [extenders of hope] who preached the gospel to you through the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—the gospel containing wonderful mysteries that even the angels long to get a glimpse of.

In our passage today, Scripture reveals even the angels watch the mysteries of how God is unveiled through those devoted to Him. It really is quite an amazing thing if we, too, are transparent enough to witness to the mysteries of God; if we are willing to see the unveiling of the Spirit’s work in human lives. God takes the hearts of rebels—those who spiritually oppose and rebel against His Love and authority—and makes them lovers of God who long for more of Him. The Lord draws us near to His heart and when he does we are saturated and transformed by His glory. Just being near the Lord spiritually opens us up to see more about His gracious heart for humanity. Each encounter with Him fills us with waves of His indescribable glory. Be an extender of this hope to someone, today.

Prayer: Lord, your love and grace is always on the move in my life. Thank you for overcoming my heart with your Love and working to make me into a lover conformed to your image. Let me be an extender of your redeeming hope to someone who needs to know you, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Matthew 12:38-42 (NLT) The Sign of Jonah
38 One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.”

39 But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

41 “The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent. 42 The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.

In our passage today, Jesus aligns those who will not listen to his word or welcome his authority over their lives (in this case he is talking to religious leaders and Jewish Pharisees) with being a part of an adulterous and evil generation. Adulterous—being unfaithful— and evil—opposing God’s will for them—yet they are certain they are in fellowship with God. How is this even possible that people could claim to know and have fellowship with God and not recognize Jesus—the Word? I believe the answer is because the Word calls for change; these people do not recognize the Word is Living as an example to follow. Humanity must repent and receive the Word; it is the only way to know and have fellowship with God.

Prayer: Lord you proved your authority over heaven and earth when you rose from the dead, so I don’t need more proof. However, I do need to use my faith in your authority and power in order to embrace the daily change necessary to move forward with your Spirit. Thank you for helping me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 Corinthians 15:19-28 (NLT)
19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.

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.

24 After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. 25 For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. 26 And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his authority.” (Of course, when it says “all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.) 28 Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.

It is the work of the Spirit to help believers begin to experience resurrection existence here and now. Believers have already been raised with Christ; therefore, we have been given resurrection life. I believe it means the Lord desires for us to keep our focus on things above—the heavenly goals of the Father—and the ongoing work of Christ to deliver humanity from sin and death. Believers can participate in that process now; to make Christ known. We can share the Good News of the Savior and Deliverer and how he works in our behalf and on behalf of the world. We are delivered by surrendering to the authority of the Lord—the Living Word. For those who have trouble with authority, they will struggle with this requirement from the Lord. But we cannot oppose Christ and still call him Savior. We cannot practice what God calls sin and still call him the Deliverer. It’s like playing tug of war with God which is never wise. The Lord always wins and unfortunately our pride causes us to be pulled through the dirt and mud of sin further!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for delivering me from evil and giving me resurrection life. I accept your authority over my life. Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever! In Jesus’ name Amen.