Devotionals

November 12, 2018

1 Timothy 5:1-8 The Message (MSG)

Family relationships are very important in God’s eyes.  We are encouraged to lovingly care for one another in good times and in hard times.  Our passage today is a great reminder of how our faith should work to love others.  True faith expressed in love begins with our families; and if we don’t have families we should open our eyes to see how we can help others who are burdened as they take care of their families. Wisdom guides us to know the truth about where others may find themselves and stirs the servant’s heart within.

Read more

November 9, 2018

Psalm 119:1-8 The Message (MSG)

Faith is about approaching life with an expectation that God may at any moment place something amazing in your path; a blessing because God rewards those who diligently seek him and follow his directions of love. Our words need to align with our faith in order to prepare ourselves to receive. Christ, the Living Word, is our standard of love and he’s promised to never leave us. Each day the Lord makes a way to get his love to us; to reveal his heart and the things that are eternally valuable.  It may be smile that catches your eye when you need it most, a kind word of encouragement to lift your soul because life is hard, or soothing melodies when you need peace for your anxious mind.  We must look for the Lord each day and pursue his presence; if we seek we will find the joy of our salvation. 

Read more

November 8, 2018

Romans 5:6-11 The Passion Translation (TPT)

I live every day thanking God for his mercy over my life and the life of my family.  I am so grateful God does not return to me what I actually deserve; instead, he gives me mercy and grace to live another day in a better and more righteous way.  God extends passionate love, mercy, and forgiveness to me.  Because of the sacrificial agape of Jesus, these things are mine and I never have to worry about facing God’s anger. I have been reconciled to God through my connection to Christ.  My slate has been wiped clean and my life given new direction and motivation. This is my love story with God; I am eager to share this Good News with others and invite them to watch Christ work in my life.   If this is your story, too, then join me as we share the News of great joy!

Read more

November 7, 2018

John 13:31-35 New Living Translation (NLT)

From my earliest memories, my mother used to have a saying when she was skeptical about an opinion that someone was embracing as truth, “The proof is in the pudding.”  When I was young I really did not understand this idiom, but as I have gotten older I do. Mother’s version of the phrase was based on the modification of an old proverb which read, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”  Pudding can look really good on the outside and someone can tell you it is delicious, but actually taste lousy; so we should not believe it is true based on words or appearances alone.  When my mother said, “The proof is in the pudding” she meant when something is put to the test truth is revealed.

In our passage today, Jesus is preparing his disciples for his death and the reality of the fact they cannot go with him.  As he does so he gives the disciples a “new commandment.”  It is really not a new commandment, but it is a part of the new covenant.  The mark of faithfulness to the new covenant is agape (selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love) for those within the community of faith.  The focus is on loving action rather than simply loving feelings.  Jesus always translated agape into action that benefit others and he calls us to do the same.  It is agape that Jesus had for the Father and for his followers.  We may not always “feel” affection for others, but it is not impossible to be a help and source of support to them.  As far as our agape goes, the proof is in the pudding…the selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love and respect we extend to others will be tangible.

Read more

November 6, 2018

Mark 11:12-14; 20-24  Contemporary English Version (CEV)

There are some spiritual principles of faith that are true and work in the positive realm of God, as well as in the negative realm of Satan; a universal spiritual principle of sowing and reaping.  Therefore, we must choose our thoughts and words wisely.  Jesus teaches agreement brings power; what we believe in our hearts and speak with our mouths without doubting will come to pass.  It’s a connection of heart and mouth; a creative connection when our heart and mouth get into agreement.  

Satan looks for agreement, as well.  So, when Satan puts negative and unloving thoughts into our heads and we choose to be negative and spew negative words…then, we reap negative results that are contrary to what God has for us as his children.  It’s one of the traps Satan uses to rob us.  Meditate on the truth of God’s Word, so your thought life has direction and your mouths will follow.

Read more

November 5, 2018

Psalm 18:20-30 The Message (MSG)

I found the following quote today and it touch my heart.  “When something does not insist on being noticed, when we aren’t grabbed by the collar or struck on the skull by a presence or an event, we take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” ~~ Cynthia Ozick

In a world that takes God for granted, may we as his children never do so because he alone deserves our gratitude.  He is so good to us; so nurturing for our faith and lives to develop.  Just think about it, God desires for us to wear his glory. He lays his love out for us.  Personally, I want my heart to be an open book for God’s eyes. He sees what I cannot see and completes what I would, otherwise, leave unfinished. 

Read more

November 1, 2018

Psalm 24 New Living Translation (NLT)

During our LIFE Lesson study on Wednesday evening from the Book of Daniel, we talked about End Times and how the Lord will be the great victor in the final battle between good and evil.  The King of Glory is invincible in battle and he will fight for those who have a right relationship with him. In our passage today, we see King David knew the power of the Lord with him to fight battles and win.

Let’s face some truth here, the enemy of our freedom tries to ensnare us in spiritual battles each day; he tries to get us to wage war in our own strength so we will fail.  We must give the battle to the Lord who calls us to receive his blessings; he intercedes and brings divine might and strength to us. We are not to just give up the fight, we are to invite Jesus, the King of kings, to bring wisdom and guidance and power to our lives when we need it most.  It is how we bring glory to God; it’s worship.  So, open the gates of your heart and connect to the King of Glory, trust him with your life, and any battle you face is a battle he will overcome with you.  There is power in the name Jesus!

Psalm 24  A psalm of David.

1 

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.

    The world and all its people belong to him.

2 

For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas

    and built it on the ocean depths.

3 

Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?

    Who may stand in his holy place?

4 

Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,

    who do not worship idols

    and never tell lies.

5 

They will receive the Lord’s blessing

    and have a right relationship with God their savior.

6 

Such people may seek you

    and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.[a] Interlude

7 

Open up, ancient gates!

    Open up, ancient doors,

    and let the King of glory enter.

8 

Who is the King of glory?

    The Lord, strong and mighty;

    the Lord, invincible in battle.

9 

Open up, ancient gates!

    Open up, ancient doors,

    and let the King of glory enter.

10 

Who is the King of glory?

    The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—

    he is the King of glory. Interlude

Prayer:  Lord, if I did not give you my spiritual battles, I would become weary and worn out from the fight.  Thank you for the power outflowing your resurrection and the might and strength of your righteousness to overcome every snare the enemy sends my way.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

October 31, 2018

Psalm 146: 8-10

The other day I was working on a small window project at the church with my friend, Ray. I am usually quite coordinated on a ladder, but not this day.  As well, I am usually quite flexible to bend or squat when working close to the floor, but not this day.   On two occasions, Ray reached for me and stopped me from sprawling on the floor.  It was so great to have Ray there looking out for me.

In our passage today, the psalmist reminds us the Lord is like that for us spiritually.  He helps us see things in the Spirit, sets us free from the dominion of sin, lends a helping hand when we lose our balance due to careless living, and never steps away from his post as Ruler of all.  If you know Jesus, aren’t you glad you have him looking out for you?  If you don’t know Jesus, you need to call on his name…he is the Savior.

Read more

October 30, 2018

Psalm 146:1-6 CEV

Today, would have been my mother’s 89th earthly birthday, but she is enjoying her first heavenly birthday with Jesus.  Mom was a young and positive thinker.  One of her favorite quotes was by Satchel Paige, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?”  Well, Mom is eternal, so she is now forever young.

Mom taught me many profound and wonderful things, but her greatest gift to me was teaching me how to depend upon the Lord with all my heart.  She used to tell others, “Mary trust God!”  She knew it was true, because she taught me it was the only way to experience a deep spiritual life.

In our passage today, I am reminded that we are to depend upon the Lord above all else.  He is worthy of our praise, we can trust him, and he always keeps his word. Give him your heart and life and you will be shouting praise, too.

Read more

October 29, 2018

1 Peter 2:1-55 The Message (MSG)

We can acquire a taste for many things in this world that are just not good for us.  Things like foul language, jealousy, gossip, deceit, unforgiveness, and overall rude behavior. Those things hinder our walk with God; they pollute us on the inside causing strongholds in our minds, as well as affecting our physical health. If any of those things have become our “go to” when we are pressed by life or rejected in our relationships, then we have acquired a taste for the wrong things.  Let those things go and ask the Lord to give you a taste for the pure spiritual nutrition he makes available to believers.  

In our passage today, the Apostle Peter teaches us about enjoying a taste of the Lord’s kindness which leads into wholeness or the full experience of salvation.  Christ, the Source of Life, desires to build us up into a holy priesthood of believers who speak out for the love, goodness, and kindness of God and life with him.   Have you had a taste of the Lord’s kindness?  If so, share your experience with someone else today.

Read more