Devotionals

October 26, 2018

Psalm 126 New Living Translation (NLT)

Life does not always serve up the experiences we would choose, but abiding in the midst of those times is our greatest opportunity to experience the joy of a harvest. There is much about life we do not control; yet, we can choose how we will react in those times.  We do have the power of the Spirit available to help us control our souls—minds, will, and emotions. The Apostle Paul teaches us to sow to the Spirit as opposed to sowing to the flesh; we will reap a harvest if we don’t quit (Gal. 6:8-9). Sowing seed is about believing the Word of God is truth; the Word is the seed.  If we obey the Word, we are promised a harvest of righteousness. Do you realize you can sow to the Spirit even your disappointments, sorrows, and loss by placing them into the fertile ground of God’s love and trusting him? 

In our passage today, the Israelites had been captives for years until the Lord set them free and brought them back home.  They sowed those years of captivity in the fertile ground of God’s love and in time the Lord brought them back and restore them in every area of their lives. Sowing can be financial seeds and we need to obey God’s Word to give to the work of his kingdom, but sowing is much broader than that according to Scripture.   If you are experiencing disappointments and challenges in life, take time right now to sow them by giving them to God in prayer.  Leave them in his care and trust him, because sowing any seed into the kingdom can only produce good things in return.  When we sow in our lack, we harvest from God’s generosity.

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October 25, 2018

Psalm 34:1-8 The Message (MSG)

Recently, I have been spending quite a bit of time pondering what I really want people to know about the God I serve.  Do you ever set aside time to think about what you want the people around you to know as to why you follow Christ and live by the authority of his Word? Why you set aside a financial tithe and join with people of faith in praise and worship each week?  If you had one sentence to share with others knowing you might never see them again, what would that sentence be?  What would comprise your life testimony?  Would fear drive it or would love drive it?

King David spent years running in fear from the abuse and hatred of Saul; oddly, at one time he found himself trying to take refuge with the Philistines who hated him (remember David took down their champion Goliath). Our passage today, is the testimony of David and how the Lord was near him even during these times of running, hiding, and pretending.  David was learning how to worship the Lord with his every breath; to praise God first as an individual and then to grow that praise in the hearts of others so that it would become a corporate praise radiating from the earth and glorifying the Lord with one voice.  David testifies that when the Lord delivered him from each level of fear, he could take on a new appearance and shine with radiance for God. Our testimonies are powerful because they reveal the action of God in our lives.  

So, my one sentence testimony would be:  “All my life God has rescued me from fear and delivered me into new ways of experiencing his love, forgiveness, power, and blessings so I may help you and others connect to the Truth, cast down fear, trust his love, and praise him with me!”  May our lives be a living testimony as we worship the Lord.

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October 24, 2018

John 13:6-17

During his time on earth, Jesus sought to get the truth of God’s heart to his disciples. Repeatedly, Jesus would remind them “the Father and I are One.” Sometimes Jesus’ disciples were way off on discerning God’s character or how Jesus should act in a given situation. So, let’s get real here; it is interesting how many of us come to God with our own ideas of his heart only to be confronted and surprised when God does something in our lives or the lives of others around us that we never saw coming. 

In our Scripture today, Jesus will soon lay down his life to die for the sins of the world (kosmos), but before he does he gives the disciples an object lesson about what it means to be a disciple. He washes all of their feet; he washes the ones who will abandon him and he washes the one who will betray him. Notice, he does not berate them or publicly call them out to slap them for their immaturity. What does he do? He teaches them about the humble love of God who would not only clean them up on the inside, but would bend down to wash the feet of those who say one thing with their mouths and another with their lives. Unless Jesus washes us, we cannot love the way we are supposed to love. We will only love those who are like us. The very thing that proves we are Christ’s followers is unconditional love; without humble love we cannot be a part of what he is doing.

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October 23, 2018

Hebrews 6:13-20 New Living Translation (NLT)

When I was a young girl, we had a tetherball pole game in our yard and friends would come to the house to play. Three things made up the game: A tall pole secured in the ground, a rope, and a ball. The ball was connected to the rope and the rope was connected to the top of the pole.  To win the game a person had to hit the ball around the pole until it was tethered and had no way to move.  My friends were all much taller than me, so as long as they kept the ball encircling up toward the top of the pole, I had little hope to hit it and reverse the direction of the ball. lol. 

I am certainly glad my relationship with God is won at the heart level; I am tethered at the heart with the crucified Christ and securing the victory for my life is promised.  I cannot lose no matter how high the odds are stacked above me.  People play games above my head all the time, but it doesn’t matter because I am tethered to the Savior who has promised me the victory if I will simply hold onto hope and remain faithful.  God—the Rock of Ages—tethered himself to his Word and I am tethered to the Savior…the blessings of God are mine.  If you are tethered to the Savior; he is the anchor for your soul and the blessings are your’s, as well. Walk in obedience to the Word and move forward in the direction it teaches.  With every righteous decision you make, the Spirit will give you the strength to live in faithfulness.  One day you will look at the pole (cross) and realize God wrapped your life around himself, so you could enjoy a holy place in his presence filled with promises that have miraculously manifest.

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October 22, 2018

Psalm 34:1-8 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Christian maturity can only be achieved if we are willing to admit that we have broken souls (minds, will, emotions), lean toward wayward thinking and living, and need the power of the Spirit to call us back to the plumb line of God’s Word.  When we honor the Lord we are taking steps of obedience to follow His Word of wisdom and guidance with our lives.  With every step of obedience to His Word we are willing to take, it is like humbly asking for help and suddenly we find ourselves in the midst of God’s goodness and kindness; He saves us.  We experience more of God each time and we grow in our ability and willingness to trust Him with our whole being.  Jesus is the only one who can make us whole. Take a step today by standing on this Word.  Praise the Lord with all your heart, listen, and keep your eyes on the One who loves you more than you can imagine. 

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October 19, 2018

Luke 22:24-30 New Living Translation (NLT)

There are many different kinds of leadership styles in the world, but a leader, no matter which style is used, is to motivate people and help them find purpose in a job well done.  Too many times leaders claw their way to the top and beat down anyone who appears to be competition.  Leadership is very different in the Kingdom of God.  Among Christians, a leader is to be the one who serves people according to God’s standards.  It requires humility, a great commitment to love, and a desire to see others become devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.

In our passage today, the disciples are arguing about who will have the best position in the Kingdom of God.  Jesus sets out the truth; his life as an example.  You are valuable to the work of the Kingdom no matter what position you may have in this world.  So, put on a spirit of servanthood and get busy loving and serving others for the glory of God.

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October 18, 2018

Psalm 104:24 New Living Translation (NLT)

The longer I live the more aware I am that God, as Creator of life, has unique experiences with beauty and wisdom in mind for his creation.  I have always appreciated my life, but lately I have been taking time to really soak in my surroundings in order to observe a bigger picture of God’s goodness. My desire for paying closer attention is so I can express a greater measure of gratitude to the Lord each day. Right now, I am listening to the melodies of the birds; they are so happy.  I think they are expressing gratitude to their Creator with me.  As I spend time with people, I am amazed at how different we all are and how special we become as we choose to operate in wisdom by giving praise, glory, and honor to God in one accord. He deserves our words of appreciation; our praise of gratitude as we experience life. Not everything that tries to enter into a day is good, but God who dwells with me each day…is! He has all the wisdom I need to discern the difference.  Let all that I am praise the Lord!

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October 17, 2018

Psalm 91:9-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

What meaning do you think of when you hear the word “if”?  The Hebrew word translated “if” literally means “because.” As believers in Christ Jesus, we have a covenant with God based on the promise God made to Abraham.  We can enjoy everything God has promised, but those blessings are benefits based on obedience.   So, as we read our passage today, pay attention to the first verse and the first word, as everything that follows is “because” we choose to operate in the Lord’s wisdom.

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October 16, 2018

Job 28:12-29:20 The Message (MSG)

Many times people confuse wisdom with knowledge, but they are not the same. We can gain knowledge by our own efforts, but we cannot gain wisdom without divine help. Wisdom is given so we can make good use of knowledge and to determine what is right or wrong in our lives before God.  

In our wisdom passage from Job, we learn the ultimate interpretation for our lives must come from God—from the One who created us in his image.  Only God can reveal his plans for our lives. Our reverence and respect for God will establish a beginning in our quest for wisdom. In order to receive wisdom, we must trust the Lord who gives it generously to those who seek him and ask. So, ask God for wisdom and trust him to bring to your understanding what you need to be prosperous in every area of your life.  Father God wants to bless you with wisdom, so be listening carefully.

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October 15, 2018

Psalm 39 New Living Translation (NLT)

Do you find yourself tempted to complain about aspects of your life?  In our passage today, King David has decided to watch what he says, because he realizes being negative about his life may lead people to think God does not take care of him.  King David had reasons to be disappointed, but complaining was not going to change God’s timing or plans.  Our words need to reflect our commitment and devotion to God.  When you find yourself disappointed, take time to pray for God’s peace to still the turmoil, and hold your tongue.  It’s wisdom.

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