Devotionals

Proverb 15:9 Common English Bible (CEB)

“The LORD detests the path of the wicked,
but loves those who pursue righteousness.”

Please read over this powerful verse again, because it’s our scripture for this devotional:

“The LORD detests the path of the wicked,
but loves those who pursue righteousness.” – Proverb 15:9 (CEB)

You might be thinking, well, I’m not on a wicked path and I love God, so I am all good. Done with today’s devotional.

But, when was the last time you looked at your lifestyle, and how does God fit into it? Let’s put it this way, if Jesus looked over your daily choices, walked around with you 24/7 for one week, what would He say about your lifestyle? We need to remember, that every choice has a consequence, while a series of choices leads to a habit, and our habits aid in shaping our lifestyle. That means, if our habits aren’t spiritually healthy, then our lifestyle isn’t in complete alignment with what Jesus commands, and thus, if we aren’t aligned with Him, we are on a path that is aligned with wickedness.

Now, you might be saying, but I love Jesus and I ask Him all the time to forgive my poor choices and the parts of my lifestyle that aren’t so pretty. That’s great, so after you ask for forgiveness are you making every effort to turn away from the wickedness of your choices and/or lifestyle to “pursue righteousness”?

“Pursue” in this verse means to chase after or down righteousness! Think about Jesus, He was the most righteous human. He chased after righteousness the right way. He didn’t seek it by works, rather He was faith filled in everything He did and said. He is our perfect example!

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for being my perfect example of righteousness. Please guide me Lord to make spirit led choices. I want my lifestyle to always reflect You. Forgive the times I have stepped onto the path of wickedness. Help keep me away from it, and in a place of pursing You! I love you, and pray this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen!

Written by: Jen Auer

Matthew 21:28-32 The Message (MSG)

“One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” – Luke 16:10
Jesus chose to surround Himself with a “team” who was completely faithful. He didn’t care about their religious practices, how popular they were, how much money they made, their level of education, or their sins; rather, Jesus cared about His “team’s” hearts, and knew by their faith they would enrich the Kingdom of God.

When you feel doubtful about the sins you’ve committed, or you question your value for the Kingdom of God, go through this list of God’s broken soldiers. Remember, like these men and women, God seeks a faithful relationship with a repentant heart that is sold out for Him. He doesn’t want part-time lukewarm religious practices. We see the difference between these two in today’s scripture: The Story of Two Sons.

Abraham – Was Old
Elijah – Was Suicidal
Joseph – Was Abused
Job – Was Bankrupt
Moses – Had Speech Problems
Gideon – Was Fearful
Samson – Was a Womanizer
Rehab – Was a Prostitute
Samaritan Woman – Was Divorced
Noah – Was a Drunk
Jeremiah – Was Young
Jacob – Was a Cheater
David – Was a Murderer
Jonah – Ran from God
Naomi – Was a Widow
Peter – Denied Christ 3x
Martha – Was a Worrier
Zacchaeus – Was Money Hungry
Disciples – Fell Asleep Praying
Paul – Persecuted Christians

Matthew 21:28-32
The Story of Two Sons

28 “Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’

29 “The son answered, ‘I don’t want to.’ Later on he thought better of it and went.

30 “The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, ‘Sure, glad to.’ But he never went.

31-32 “Which of the two sons did what the father asked?”

They said, “The first.”

Jesus said, “Yes, and I tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you into God’s kingdom. John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn’t care enough to change and believe him

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your Word. Help me to remain faithful to it, and to grow in my relationship with You. Please guard me from placing any emphasis over You and onto religious practices. Guide my focus to remain on You. In Your Name, Jesus. Amen!

Written by: Jen Auer

1 Peter 5:1-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

Yesterday we looked at some verses from 1 Peter 4 and we were reminded that once our lives are committed to Jesus there’s a right way to suffer and that’s for Him and not for the sins of this world.
Today we are at the end of Peter’s first letter in chapter 5, and we hear him passionately speak about the Church, which is the Body of Christ, or simply put it’s you, me and the members of our spiritual family. Here, Peter teaches how we need to work together in unity to fight against the work of the great enemy, the devil. We must remember, the enemy comes dressed in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15) so we cannot be deceived. Instead, we must lean on the Word, humble ourselves before God, and work as One Body through Christ Jesus. Each generation seeking to help the next, all generations remembering to honor those before them, and the entire Body sharing in Christ’s kindness as God calls us to share the glory of Jesus Christ!

1 Peter 5:1-11
Advice for Elders and Young Men

1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for

“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”

6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for being the perfect Leader. I come humbly before You and ask that You please use me as You see fit for Your Body. My prayer is that You unite me, my brothers, and my sisters in You, and allow us together to spread the Good News. Shield us from the enemy, as he has no place amongst your family. I ask this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen!
Written by: Jen Auer

1 Peter 4:12-13 The Message (MSG)

“And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?” – Luke 14:27-28 (NLT)
“Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” – 1 John 2:6 (NLT)

“So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.” – 1 Peter 4:19 (NLT)

Charles Spurgeon said: “They who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls.” This quote is a great way to summarize the 4 verses we just read and to connect them to our passage today. By committing to follow Jesus, we are committing to live like He lived. His eternal love for us is happening now, but we need to hold firm to it because there are many earthly trials, tribulation, persecution, and crucifixion that want to take it from us. It’s during these times of suffering that God is refining us. Remember, it’s the best time to lean into our relationship with Christ. We need to ask for Him to strengthen our relationship with Him and to grow our faith. Here’s a great reminder that glory with Christ is around the corner:

12-13 Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. – 1 Peter 4:12-13 (MSG)

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for upholding me during difficult times and for never failing me. Lord, please fill me with Your strength, guide me with Your wisdom, surround me with Your peace, and allow me to feel Your love with every breath I take today. I ask all of this in your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen!

Written by: Jen Auer

2 Timothy 3:10-15 New Living Translation (NLT)

Every Christian who follows the commandments of God will experience persecution. Persecution has to do with oppression or affliction and can come in the form of physical, social, emotional, mental, or spiritual pressure. Evil never gives up the quest in trying to destroy our relationship with God by attacking our faith, trust, and devotion to Christ through persecution. It would be great if evil people would choose for themselves to reform and repent before Almighty God, but we cannot stop living for God if they do not change and do the right thing.

Please do not allow the world’s culture to taint your view of life. Do not be conformed to the world’s way of seeing and doing things (Rom 12:2). God is the Giver of Life and we were created to live for him (Job 33:4). Every Christian’s first concern should be to please God (1 Thes 4:1). So, live today in a way that pleases God and don’t worry about what the enemy is doing. Until God takes Satan down once and for all, we will have to stand by faith in Christ, endure, and overcome the persecution of evil. Remember, God is for you so who can really be against you? (Rom 8:31).

2 Timothy 3:10-15 Paul’s Charge to Timothy
10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. 12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.

14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, I know I can trust you to bring good things into my life even when I am experiencing times of persecution. I refuse to bow down to the things evil sends to attack my faith; I will not be overcome by evil. Lord, you are the Overcomer, so I offer myself to you and look for you to keep me strong. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Luke 22:39-46 The Passion Translation (TPT)

There is so much to learn from the life of Jesus and how he chose to relate to Father God. Jesus is the perfect role model to teach us how to present a life to God that is pleasing. For example, Jesus prayed from the posture of a trusting Child openly conversing with his loving Father. Jesus took time to get alone to pray each time life presented new challenges; he was fully present with the Father and very specific with his needs. He knew the necessity of getting alone with the Father, so he better understood his path. When we are alone with God we, too, can get very specific; very real and sincere.

In our passage today, Jesus asks his disciples to pray so they will not yield to the temptation to abandon their faith; a temptation they would soon be facing. He asks us to do the same, because we are also faced with the temptations of this world; the enemy puts pressure on us to cause us to step away from our faith and trust in God’s plan for our lives. Jesus prayed for the will of God to be done on earth; for God’s Kingdom to come. It is important for us to place our faith in the Lord, but we should also be willing to learn to model the faith of Jesus. Take some time today and focus on your conversation with Father God; be sincere and faith-filled as you trust him with your life and his plan for you in the Kingdom.

Luke 22:39-46 The Garden of Gethsemane
39 Jesus left the upper room with his disciples and, as was his habit, went to the Mount of Olives, his place of secret prayer. 40 There he told the apostles, “Keep praying for strength to be spared from the severe test of your faith that is about to come.”

41 Then he withdrew from them a short distance to be alone. Kneeling down, he prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup of agony away from me. But no matter what, your will must be mine.”d
43 Jesus called for an angel of glory to strengthen him, and the angel appeared. 44 He prayed even more passionately, like one being sacrificed, until he was in such intense agony of spirit that his sweat became drops of blood, dripping onto the ground.

45 When Jesus finished praying, he got up and went to his disciples and found them all asleep, for they were exhausted and overwhelmed with sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “You need to be alert and pray for the strength to endure the great temptation.”

Prayer: Lord, I know prayer is conversation with you and it is essential for me to make time to share and listen. Thank you for the times when I can get alone with you and share my heart. Thank you for affirming my life and planning a glorious future for me in your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

James 5:9-12 The Voice

Integrity is a big deal with God and we see an excellent example in our reading today from the Apostle James. The example is simple and practical, yet so many people struggle with honoring this discipline of truth. When we say “yes” and agree to a commitment, then do we stay the course or do we look for reasons to bail at the last minute? You know the scenario; your heart was not in it from the beginning, but you agreed to do it, anyway. Your commitment was heard by God, so don’t be surprised if the Lord watches and weighs your integrity as a test. Integrity is built on truth and your word means a great deal as a son or daughter of God who is Truth. Some times things come up last minute—emergencies—but God knows whether we actually have an emergency or we are just making excuses to get out of the commitment we should have never made in the first place.

James 5:9-12
9 Brothers and sisters, don’t waste your breath complaining about one another. If you judge others, you will be judged yourself. Be very careful! You will face the one true Judge who is right outside the door. 10 The prophets who declared the word of the Lord are your role models, my brothers and sisters, for what it means to live patiently in the face of suffering. 11 Look, we bless and honor the memory of those who persevered under hardship. Remember how Job endured and how the Lord orchestrated the triumph of his final circumstances as a grand display of His mercy and compassion.
12 It is even more important, my brothers and sisters, that you remember not to make a vow by the heavens or the earth or by anything. When you say “yes,” it should always mean “yes,” and “no” should always mean “no.” If you can keep your word, you will avoid judgment.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping me see integrity in practical ways. Help me to carefully choose and make my commitments, as well as keep them as a way to honor you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

The words justice and righteousness share some similarities; they describe the character of God. Justice and righteousness are to be revealed in our relationship with God and others. The fear or respect of the Lord is essential if we are going to experience both of these attributes. When we have a proper attitude about God and the gifts he pours within his children, then we realize we cannot take credit for any of it. So, if we are tempted to brag about our wisdom, strength, or wealth, then we need to share with others these things are imparted or gifted to us by the God we worship and adore.

In our passage today, the prophet Jeremiah shares what the Lord wants to see in his people. Since you are the equipment God desires to use to tell his story, how well do you reflect his kindness, justice, and mercy to those around you?

Jeremiah 9:23-24 What the Lord Likes Best
23 The Lord says:
Don’t brag about your wisdom
or strength or wealth.
24
If you feel you must brag,
then have enough sense
to brag about worshiping me,
the Lord.
What I like best
is showing kindness,
justice, and mercy
to everyone on earth.

Prayer: Lord, please continue to teach me about justice and how that is connected to my respect for you and the love I manifest for my neighbor. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 119:97-104 The Message (MSG)

In our passage today, the psalmist is praising God in song for giving him great wisdom that brought change into his life. Applying God’s Word has helped this child of Light take authority—gain an edge—over his enemies rather than his enemies taking dominion over him. As he applies and “absorbs” the Word, he finds himself insightful beyond human knowledge. In response to God’s direction, the psalmist uses obedience and self-control to avoid the traps of evil. Therefore, true life was laid before him and he could tell the difference when the lies of the enemy came calling. Spend time in the Word of God, because it will prepare you for life.

Psalm 119: 97-104
Oh, how I love all you’ve revealed;
I reverently ponder it all the day long.
Your commands give me an edge on my enemies;
they never become obsolete.
I’ve even become smarter than my teachers
since I’ve pondered and absorbed your counsel.
I’ve become wiser than the wise old sages
simply by doing what you tell me.
I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil
so I can spend all my time keeping your Word.
I never make detours from the route you laid out;
you gave me such good directions.
Your words are so choice, so tasty;
I prefer them to the best home cooking.
With your instruction, I understand life;
that’s why I hate false propaganda.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this beautiful psalm that helps me remember the value of allowing you to bring change into my life. As I obey, I feel the change in so many positive ways. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 17:22-34 The Message (MSG)

I love home-cooked food or to use a common idiom “stuff made from scratch.” Not that I don’t enjoy going out to dinner occasionally, but there is just something about planning, making something from basic ingredients, and eating food at home with loved ones. Mother used to say, “Mary, good smells coming from the kitchen make a house a home.” However, here is a thought to ponder: if we are going to make food completely from scratch, we are going to have to first create the heavens and the earth. I can’t do it, but feel free to give it a try.

Well, God made the heavens and earth and all things in it completely from scratch for the purpose of creating a home to inhabit. In the beginning, he made the earth hospitable for his human children to enjoy, provided food for eternal life, and looked forward to sharing it with each one of his loved ones. Where are all his human worshipers—his loved ones—who should be filled with gratitude at his amazing gesture of extravagant love? Some are ignorant, lost, and refuse to seek the Creator; the god they do not know and a home they do not believe exists. Many who know better still reject their Creator and worship worldly idols rather than obediently bowing to God and his design for life that promises one an eternal home. The wise are seeking his face, receiving his merciful salvation, and growing spiritually stronger by grace through faith waiting for the call to come home (2 Tim 2:1). Worship the God who created you and knows you; who made you from scratch or from the beginning. Be determined to find him, as well as know him and his heart for your life. It is the way to life eternal—home.

Acts 17:22-31
22-23 So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. “It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I’m here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you’re dealing with.

24-29 “The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn’t live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn’t take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don’t make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with us. He’s not remote; he’s near. We live and move in him, can’t get away from him! One of your poets said it well: ‘We’re the God-created.’ Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?

30-31 “God overlooks it as long as you don’t know any better—but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and he’s calling for a radical life-change. He has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right. And he has already appointed the judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for creating the human race and this amazingly beautiful world from scratch. I seek you, want to know you, and long for you to inhabit my heart as your home. In Jesus’ name. Amen.