Devotionals

January 24, 2019

Psalm 19:7-9 The Message

God is always sending messages to humanity in order to attract their wandering attention. We just have to be willing to receive his revelations. What do you think of when you hear the word “revelation?” According to biblical translations, the word “revelation” refers to God’s self-unveiling to humanity who cannot discover anything accurate about God or themselves without his help. We were made in his image, but what does that mean for individual human life?

When God gives us signs, connects our faith with the map of his plans, and guides our steps thereby causing us to walk in the right life direction, we are gaining glimpses of his holy character and his faithful love for us. For those who seek God’s heart and desire a relationship with him, their lives are truly pulled together in the joy of his salvation. If you have not experienced the joy the Lord has for you, then press in for more revelation. Ask God to reveal more to you about his love and plans for you. He will never reject your request if your heart is fixed on loving and knowing him. Please note there may be a huge chasm between your human plans and God’s holy plans; therefore, we need Jesus Christ to be our bridge and the Holy Spirit to be the power by which we shift in order to fulfill God’s plans. Remember, God is holy and his plans for us is to follow Jesus; so be willing to lay down your human life in order to pick up your new life in Christ.

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January 23, 2019

Luke 5:33-39 The Message (MSG)

For some odd reason our lesson today reminds me of pigs in a blanket (baked mini crescent hotdogs). lol! Go ahead and laugh; it certainly does not sound very spiritual, but it is a pretty good analogy of a spiritual condition called pride.  In our passage today, the religious leaders have basically wrapped themselves in self-righteous respectability; much like the hotdog being wrapped and covered by the crescent roll.

These religious leaders struggle against sin in their lives just like everyone else, but they prance around like they are spiritually flawless; wrapped in a form of godliness void of humble gratitude and love.  They need a Savior, too.  These leaders emphasize ridged religious rules and exercise judgment; they actually question the spiritual integrity of Jesus and his disciples.   In fact, these leaders abhor the fact that Jesus associates with sinners and attends celebrations with them. He never ever agrees with people’s sin, but he gathers with them in order to influence their understanding of how to please God through salvation.  Think about it; during Christ’s ministry the sinners enjoyed their time with the King of Glory and many of the religious leaders missed the party.  

We have to allow the Spirit of Christ to change our thinking and to renew how we see salvation and the work of redemption.  If you know Jesus, you are wrapped in his righteousness; it is a gift from God.  Please do not take credit for it, because it is all Christ’s doing.  He deserves the glory.  Our job is to cooperate and allow the Spirit to convict us and lead us away from all sin and unrighteous living, so our lives can bring glory to God.

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January 22, 2019

Psalm 145 The Message (MSG)

In our passage today, David shares his extravagant praise of God’s faithfulness.  David gives thanks and confesses the unfathomable greatness of God.  David’s praise is built on his appreciation for God’s kingdom and rule in his life.  God alone rules in righteousness and under His authority God’s people are safe in His care.  David sings about how God has always been there to help him through the difficult times with His healing grace.  Humanity was created to give God praise not because God needs it, but because praising God takes our eyes off from our humanity and places our hopes on Someone greater who sincerely and purely loves us. 

If you are going through a tough time, then bow in praise and thanksgiving to God.  Ask God to take care of you and everything involved in this trial.  Ask and you will find Him faithful.  Give fear no room in your thoughts or emotions.  God will always stick by you—He is faithful beyond human understanding—and He will provide for you in every way.  You have God’s Word or promise to be your Standby.  Let your faith in God be greater than your fears!  Praise Him because He alone is worthy to be praised!  I look forward to the day when everything on heaven and earth gives God praise and honor!

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January 21, 2019

Romans 12:9-21 The Message (MSG)

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse of how to love others authentically with the love of God. Our love is not to contain judgment; we have no right to judge another person.  Our greatest task and responsibility is actually to examine ourselves and judge our love walk as we encounter others. Christ calls us to model his love and use that love to honor others who may not realize they have been made in God’s image.  Chances are in their ignorance they will need forgiveness; we certainly needed God’s forgiveness.  By reflecting Christ, we are passing the healing grace of God on to those around us.  We have received from the mercy and grace of God, so let’s turn and be givers of healing grace.

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January 17, 2019

Psalm 36:5-10 New Living Translation (NLT)

As a continuation of our devotion from yesterday, Scripture teaches we need light in order to see.  In the beginning, our eyes were created to see God and to enjoy all that He created.  Sin brought dark or cloudy vision to human eyes; but God sent Jesus to roll the clouds away and bring sight to the spiritually blind—which is all humanity.  If we are living in the Light of God’s love and truth, we will be a people who are filled to overflowing with praise and joy.  In Christ is life and his life is the Light for humanity to see the glory of God in an otherwise dark world (1 John1:4).  

We are now able to see the goodness of God working in our lives and around us keeping us in his grace and care.  As well, we are able to see creation as his gift and to care for it and enjoy it.  If it has been awhile since you have taken time to enjoy a quiet time in God’s creation, then give yourself permission to go and watch a sunrise or sunset, listen to creation make joyful noises to the Creator, and allow creation to be a glorious gift to you from God’s goodness. 

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January 16, 2019

Luke 11:33-36 New Living Translation (NLT)

Everyday the sun shines is a great day for me. I truly enjoy waking up and seeing a glorious sunrise lighting up the darkness. Jesus is the Light of the world and he brings true light to our otherwise darkened souls. We have no spiritual eyes to see without Jesus. We need him to even understand a true spiritual connection with God.  

Do you have healthy eyes? If you see Jesus and if you recognize he is the glory of God, they your eyes can truly see. So, cast your gaze upon Jesus and make him your first love. Then, darkness cannot hide and evil must flee as the Light occupies you. Receive the Light of Truth from God’s Son—the Living Word—and be radiant for God’s glory. Ask the Lord to increase your spiritual vision, today. Scripture reminds us it is a prayer God delights in answering.  

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January 14, 2019

Ephesians 6:10-17 CEV

The devil is a liar; in fact, Jesus called him the father of lies.  He has all kinds of tricks to hinder Christ’s followers from laying hold of God’s promises.  It’s a battle evil wages in the heavenlies against Christ and believers.  Although the devil is evil and an enemy of our souls, Christians have three enemies:  the devil, the world, and our flesh. The devil uses the things of the world and our weak flesh to lure us away from our love and trust in Christ.  

So, you need a “fight” strategy, because otherwise the devil will slip that worldly evil monkey (symbolic) onto your back, pierce and wound your flesh, and make you want to quit. Have a plan.  Fear not, stay in step with the Spirit, remember you bear Christ’s righteousness, be determined to hang onto Truth, feed on the Word, walk in love, and partake in the promises of God.  No weapon formed against you shall prosper; at the end of the battle you will be victorious.

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January 11, 2019

John 15:5-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

This week in our LIFE lessons we have been studying the Fruit of the Spirit.  Our topic this week has been joy and we will continue to look at the fruit of joy, today. You and I can only bear the fruit of the Spirit as we stay connected to Jesus.  He is our Vine or Source of spiritual life.  It is the work of the Spirit to bring us ways to increase our fruit-bearing abilities. The Spirit causes us to exercise our faith in order to produce spiritual fruit that pleases our Father. The Spirit wants to cause us to bear so much fruit that it actually spills over into the lives of others around us.

So, what Scripture is telling us is we are to be so filled with the Spirit that no matter where we go, we are spilling into others the fruit of our salvation—love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, thoughtfulness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23) The antonym of joy is misery.  In our humanity, we cannot produce joy or lift ourselves out of misery.  But, the Spirit causes us to see beyond any misery and experience the goodness of God; that revelation causes joy to rise up within us.  We cannot remain in misery; there is no such thing as a miserable Christian!  That would be like saying God is not Good and his Grace to take care of us is insufficient.  Lies.  When you and I realize God is constantly trying to spill his love and goodness into us, around us, and through us, it fills us with joy. It is the Good News that we can receive and enjoy the perfect Love of God! Joy begins in you, so be a river of joy to others, today.

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January 10, 2019

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 The Message (MSG)

How important is the work of the Spirit through preaching and teaching to the lives of Christians?  According to the Apostle Paul it is the way to salvation; God uses anointed preaching to get people’s attention, so they will turn toward God and away from sin, self-destructive attitudes, and unrighteous behaviors.  The Word is powerful to bring change, because it draws us into the presence of God; the Word equals God reality.  Essentially, the anointed Word humbles us so we can recognize the love, might, and holiness of Almighty God and invite him to work in our lives.

I have no problem recognizing the power of the Word to bring transformation to human life, because the Word has and continues to change me.  The Word transforms my thinking to align with God’s love and heart; I need God’s wisdom in order to identify and resist the work of evil.  The Word quickens me to know good and wise decisions from poor ones; I am protected by the Word. The Word lifts my sometimes weary heart with joy and assures me of security and a future in God’s glorious plan; the Word brings my life vision and hope.  Jesus is the Living Word and he is the greatest miracle humanity has ever experienced. So, if you need to experience some transforming things in your life (change), the Word is where you should start.  I assure you it isn’t foolishness; it’s the love of God in action to redeem the world.

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January 8, 2019

Ephesians 4:25-32 The Message

Scripture teaches we are all connected in Christ. As each person connects to Christ, we increase in community, influence, and power.  Believers are connected in one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph. 4:5).  However, sometimes I get the idea by our words and actions in how we treat one another that we really don’t understand that truth.  We need greater revelation by the Spirit.

Christianity is about living the examined life.  So let’s honestly examine our hearts, today.  If within every believer you met, you could see the presence of Jesus dwelling within him or her looking back at you, how would you speak or act to that person carrying Jesus?  If we actually believed Jesus lives and moves and has his being through believers, we would use every once of self-control we could muster in the Spirit to guard our words and actions.  We would be quick to forgive, because each time we looked at another believer, we would be reminded by Jesus looking back at us of our own need for forgivess. 

Because we are connected, to hurt another believer brings hurt to self and to the Lord. These actions grieve the Holy Spirit who brings spiritual life.  For this and other reasons, Jesus gave the greatest commandments, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). We must grow in our understanding of this very message, so we stop hindering the work of the Kingdom and begin building it upon Truth for his Second Coming.

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