Devotionals

Psalm 51:7-11 (TPT)
David’s Cleansing
7 
Purify my conscience! Make this leper clean again! Wash me in your love until I am pure in heart.
8 
Satisfy me in your sweetness, and my song of joy will return. The places within me you have crushed will rejoice in your healing touch.
9 
Hide my sins from your face;
erase all my guilt by your saving grace.
10 
Create a new, clean heart within me.
Fill me with pure thoughts and holy desires, ready to please you.
11 
May you never reject me!
May you never take from me your sacred Spirit!

Lenten Reflection: God never created his children to live with guilty consciences. We were meant to live free in the pure love of God. Therefore, may God heal our brokenness and satisfy our sacred longings. May our desires please God and may we embrace a loyalty to him that cannot be diminished or robbed.

Prayer: Lord, cleans me from spiritual leprosy—selfishness and pride that tries to grow to destroy our relationship. I need you to bring an awareness—sensation—to when I try to live selfishly instead of in your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 51: 1-6 (TPT)
Pardon and Purity: David’s Confession
1–2 
God, give me mercy from your fountain of forgiveness! I know your abundant love is enough to wash away my guilt. Because your compassion is so great, take away this shameful guilt of sin. Forgive the full extent of my rebellious ways, and erase this deep stain on my conscience.
3–4 
For I’m so ashamed. I feel such pain and anguish within me. I can’t get away from the sting of my sin against you, Lord!
Everything I did, I did right in front of you, for you saw it all. Against you, and you above all, have I sinned. Everything you say to me is infallibly true and your judgment conquers me.
5 
Lord, I have been a sinner from birth,
from the moment my mother conceived me.
6 
I know that you delight to set your truth deep in my spirit. So come into the hidden places of my heart and teach me wisdom.

Lenten Reflection: If we want to experience spiritual renewal and restoration, we must call for grace—God’s favor—ask for mercy and invite the Light of Truth to reveal our inward needs. This is the work of wisdom—our Messiah.

Prayer: Lord, any sin in my life reveals my rebellion against you. Please forgive me and cleanse me. Bring me into wholeness as I surrender to your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Joel 2:12-13 (NLT)

A Call to Repentance

12 

That is why the Lord says,

    “Turn to me now, while there is time.

Give me your hearts.

    Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

13 

Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,

    but tear your hearts instead.”

Return to the Lord your God,

    for he is merciful and compassionate,

slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

    He is eager to relent and not punish.

Lenten Reflection:  If we humbly and honestly look at our lives, we know we are in desperate need of the mercy and compassion of God. So, if we are wise, we will constantly put our lives before God and confess our need for the work of transforming grace.   In Hebrew, the heart is the center of thought, faith, and will; the core of one’s being.  God is not just interested in our external signs of repentance; he is looking for a change in our attitudes, growth in our faith, and obedience to his will.

Prayer:  Lord, over the next 40 Days help me to read your Word, meditate on it, invite the Spirit to reveal Truth as it relates to my life, and draw me closer to you. Help me fast from the things that are hindering my walk with you. Your presence is worth the sacrifice of my will. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

2 Peter 1:16-19 (TPT)

On Sunday, we listened as the Word taught us more about the Transfiguration of Jesus. In our passage today, we see how Peter continues to witness to that powerful spiritual experience with God. Peter wouldn’t quickly forget that encounter because as he was speaking God overshadowed or subdued him with the powerful brightness of his glory and the authority of his Voice. Peter was talking and God interrupted him. What was Peter’s response? He fell down to the ground; Peter’s heart was subdued and he bowed.

From that moment on Peter had a story; he would tell what his eyes had seen, his ears had heard, and his soul had experienced. He would never look at Jesus the same way. Now, he understood the holiness of Messiah and the oneness of authority the Lord shared with the Father. Sometimes things in our lives may look dark, but when Jesus enters into the darkness everything is subdued by his holiness. He subdues the human heart and he will one day subdue the whole world. “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God’” (Rom. 14:11). Let his love captive and subdue you, today.

2 Peter 1:16-19 Jesus’ Transfiguration
16 We were not retelling some masterfully crafted legend when we informed you of the power and appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we saw his magnificence and splendor unveiled before our very eyes. 17 Yes, Father God lavished upon him radiant glory and honor when his distinct voice spoke out of the realm of majestic glory, endorsing him with these words: This is my cherished Son, marked by my love. All my delight is found in him! [Aramaic: in whom I am fufilled] 18 And we ourselves heard that voice resound from the heavens while we were with him on the holy mountain.

Prophecy
19 And so we have been given the prophetic word—the written message of the prophets, made more reliable and fully validated by the confirming voice of God on the Mount of Transfiguration. And you will continue to do well if you stay focused on it. For this prophetic message is like a piercing light shining in a gloomy place[world or human heart] until the dawning of a new day, when the Morning Star rises in your hearts.[subduing all our hearts]

Prayer: Lord, every day is a new day, because you are always teaching me and transforming me. Thank you for captivating and subduing my heart! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 7:30-34 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Earthy matters relentlessly try to capture our full attention; leaving little room for spiritual realities. That is why we need to fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12). Our flesh can try to hinder our hearts and minds from applying the Word to our lives. We may need to endure for a season, so we can receive the blessings God has in store for us. We are human beings and we need the work of the Spirit to clear the way for our spiritual maturity. Otherwise, we can find ourselves living by our flesh and in our own strength; rather, then rising in the glory of God.

In our passage today, Luke has us listening to a speech Stephen issues to the Sanhedrin—religious counsel—about the blessing of Messiah. Stephen shares about Israel’s strained relationship with God, but how God chose to remain faithful to love his people, anyway. Stephen retells the history of Moses and how God’s glory is seen in the burning bush; God mercifully hears the cries of his people and sets Moses aside to deliver them. God instructs Moses to take off his sandals; a symbol of removing earthly matters from his mind and heart in readiness to accept spiritual realities. As Moses removes his sandals, may we remove ours, as well. Prepare to receive the blessing in Messiah.

Acts 7:30-34
30 After forty years had passed, while he was in the desert near Mount Sinai, the Messenger of Yahweh appeared to him in the midst of a flaming thorn bush.

31 Moses was astonished and stunned by what he was seeing, so he drew closer to observe this marvel. Then the Lord Yahweh spoke to him out of the flames:

32 
‘I am the living God, the God of your ancestors.
    I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’
“Trembling in God’s presence and overwhelmed with awe, Moses didn’t even dare to look into the fire.

33 “Out of the flames the Lord Yahweh said to him:
‘Take the sandals off your feet,[sign of respect]
    for you are standing in the realm of holiness.

34 
I have watched and seen how my people
    have been mistreated [tormented] in Egypt.
    I have heard their painful groaning,
    and now I have come down to set them free.
    So come to me, Moses,
    for I am sending you to Egypt to represent me.’

Prayer: Lord, may I place earthly matters under your spiritual realities; may you receive the respect and honor you are due. Rise up and be glorified in my life. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Psalm 2:1-5 The Voice (VOICE)

Truth is revealed by the will and purpose of God. He uses many unusual unveiling methods in unlikely people to display his wisdom and the reality of his righteous Kingdom. ”God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful” (1 Cor. 1:27). God calls his children to assume a humble posture before his holy throne. He is Lord of all and we are wise to exalt him and bow to his rule of love.

In our passage today, the psalmist writes to national leaders who think they are wise. However, instead of walking in wisdom these leaders are going to find themselves at odds with God. Actually, it reminds me of our present political realities.

Psalm 2:1-5
1
You are wondering: What has provoked the nations to embrace anger and chaos?[rage]
Why are the people making plans to pursue their own vacant and empty greatness?
2
Leaders of nations stand united;
rulers put their heads together,
plotting against the Eternal One and His Anointed King, trying to figure out
3
How they can throw off the gentle reign of God’s love,
step out from under the restrictions of His claims to advance their own schemes.
4
At first, the Power of heaven laughs at their silliness.
The Eternal mocks their ignorant selfishness.
5
But His laughter turns to rage, and He rebukes them.
As God displays His righteous anger, they begin to know the meaning of fear.

Prayer: Lord, may I never diminish your rule and reign in my life by seeking to advance my own selfish agendas. I want you to be my first Love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hebrews 8:1-7 New Living Translation (NLT)

As believers, we are blessed beyond our ability to comprehend, because God, in Christ, cut a new covenant to fulfill the old covenant made with Israel—the people of God. It was God’s intention for earthly things to be an expression of heavenly realities, but the old covenant was only a shadow of the promise God was actually making to those who would turn to worship Him.

The sacrificial system performed by the high priest under the old covenant required a blood sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the people—the Day of Atonement. Under the new covenant, Christ offered himself for our sins once and for all. Think about it; Christ died to make atonement for our sins. He is our Anointed High Priest. Now, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we practice self-sacrifice revealing Christ as the Lord of our lives. This is the reality of heavenly worship. As we bow in this place of self-sacrifice, the riches of heaven are made available to us—we may apprehend limitless promises in Christ. As we soon approach our spiritual season of Lenten reflection, let us remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us and be willing to engage in self-sacrifice in order to enjoy a whole new level of his holiness. This is our call to worship.

Hebrews 8:1-7 Christ Is Our High Priest
1 Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. 2 There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle,[tent] the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.
3 And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. 4 If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law. 5 They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.”
6 But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.
7 If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for interceding for me and covering my sin each day. Please continue to provide me the power to practice self-sacrifice, so you may be lifted and exalted in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Proverbs 2:1-5 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Yesterday, I made a decision to really break-in my new bicycle—my birthday present from John. So, my house was the starting point and from there I traveled a total of fifteen strenuous miles. During my trip, I experienced frustrating road construction with disconnected cross walk signs, detours, and lots of traffic, but I also experienced the companionship of a great friend, the beauty of God’s creation, and the quietness of less travels roads as Laura and I peddled throughout Millennial Park. The entire experience in the park was a treasure and respite for my soul, but it was a challenge getting there.

In our passage today, we experience the wisdom writings of Solomon who reminds us to travel the pathway of wisdom. Keep in mind wisdom’s pathway is strenuous and littered with challenges. True wisdom is from God, so the Lord is our starting point as seen in his revealed Word. God has extended humanity an amazing gift; a relationship with a flawlessly faithful Friend who never leaves us or forsakes us. Because God’s wisdom is hidden from the foolish, we must be willing to press beyond the obvious things that try to drive our emotions. As we stay on wisdom’s path, we discover more about life with God. In time, we see beyond the frustration and the difficulties, because we are seeking God’s advice and willing to listen. We know he is guiding our path, because like a precious gem, God brings beautiful rewards for those who diligently seek him. We all need divine wisdom, so ask God to generously give you wisdom and then get on your spiritual bike and ride. God has good things in store for you.

Proverbs 2:1-5
2 My child, will you treasure my wisdom?
Then, and only then, will you acquire it.
And only if you accept my advice
and hide it within will you succeed.
2 
So train your heart to listen when I speak
and open your spirit wide to expand your discernment—
then pass it on to your sons and daughters.
3 
Yes, cry out for comprehension and intercede for insight.
4 
For if you keep seeking it like a man would seek for sterling silver,
searching in hidden places for cherished treasure,
5 
then you will discover the fear of the Lord
and find the true knowledge of God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing divine wisdom for me and for rewarding me as I remain faithful to your leadership over my life. I love you! You are Good! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Deuteronomy 23:21-23 New Living Translation (NLT)
What is your first reaction when someone voluntarily tells you he or she will do something and then does not fulfill it? Is your first reaction to get angry? Is it to ask questions as to why he or she did not fulfill the commitment? Or, do you just simply give it to God without prompting further discussion? We may utilize any one of these responses based on how significantly the commitment failure impacted us, right? As children of God and followers of Christ, our word is a big deal. God listens and holds us accountable. So, be careful with what you promise to do.

In our passage today from the OT, the Lord reminds his children of the integrity that should occupy our commitments; every promise involves the Lord. We are to be reflections to the world of God’s integrity. In the NT, Jesus reminds those listening to be careful before making a promise or commitment, “Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t’” (Matt 3:37). Be honest and live in the integrity of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 23:21-23
21 “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin. 22 However, it is not a sin to refrain from making a vow. 23 But once you have voluntarily made a vow, be careful to fulfill your promise to the Lord your God.

Prayer: Lord, I want to be a person of my word, so help me to weigh every commitment I make so I may honor your will with integrity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

James 1:2-8 The Voice (VOICE)

If I have a difficult task ahead of me I always find comfort when I don’t have to go it alone. The spiritual life is like that for me. I may face some difficulties in life, but I do not have to endure them alone; I have a spiritual family who is always there for me. In fact, I don’t have to rely on my own wisdom to navigate through the difficult times. God has offered to give me his wisdom and strength so I can make it to the finish line; spiritual maturity. I just need to ask God for help and remain single-minded in my commitment to him. Are you going through some hardships? This passage is for you!

James 1:2-8
2-4 Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. 5 If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking.

6 The key is that your request be anchored by your single-minded commitment to God. Those who depend only on their own judgment are like those lost on the seas, carried away by any wave or picked up by any wind. 7 Those adrift on their own wisdom shouldn’t assume the Lord will rescue them or bring them anything. 8 The splinter of divided loyalty shatters your compass and leaves you dizzy and confused.

Prayer: Lord, for everyone who is going through difficult times, may you use that pressure to make every person strong. Keep me patient as I ask for help with my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.