Devotionals

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

The last three days have been filled with many phone calls. I have called members of my family, spiritual family, friends, repair personnel, bank representatives, reservation clerks, etc. Some of the calls were made to build and enjoy relationships, some were made to gain service advice, some were made to make payments, and some were made to confirm plans. My little fingers were busy dancing over the cell numbers!

Now, I am sitting quietly meditating on God’s Word and praying for God’s guidance today. I am reminded that with every call I made the last three days God was with me and already aware of what I needed and of what others needed. For example, God knows I love my relationships, so he connected me with people so love could be shared. God knows I need service work, so he connected me with people who could advise me and bring the necessary help. God knows I need to pay my debts, so he prompted and helped me fiscally love others. God knows I am looking forward to one more vacation this year, so he connected me with securing the right lodging. Everything within me shouts, “Thank you, Lord, for your rich love!”

The Apostle Paul reminded me this morning about the vastness of the riches of God. My friend, God’s love is rich toward you. He cares about everything that involves you, because you belong to him. Your life is sustained by God and his strength and wisdom is available for you. Pray and place everything before him, listen for his Voice of love, and follow his guidance; then, you will live for his glory.

Romans 11:33-36
33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
34
For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to give him advice?
35
And who has given him so much
that he needs to pay it back?
36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

Prayer: Lord, every day you bring my life abundant riches and grace. I am privileged, as your daughter, to know you help me each day with every need and develop me in all facets of my being. You are the Great Connector of Life and I love you! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Romans 10:4-10 The Message,

Did you know the written Law or Word of God was a revelation of humanity’s need for salvation? The written Law revealed God’s righteous standard, as well as humanity’s sinful nature and inability to obey the Word. It was helpful to reveal the character of God, but because we could not obey it, the Law could not save us from spiritual death. So, God sent His Son—the Living Word—as the final revelation for salvation. In Christ, sin and death is finished; salvation is complete. When we accept Christ’s work on the cross, the Word becomes written on our hearts. That Word goes to work in order to bring our souls into agreement with the righteousness of God. The Word sets things right in our lives, but we must trust the Lord to do it. Put yourself in the Hand of God.

Romans 10:4-10
The earlier revelation was intended simply to get us ready for the Messiah, who then puts everything right for those who trust him to do it. Moses wrote that anyone who insists on using the law code to live right before God soon discovers it’s not so easy—every detail of life regulated by fine print! But trusting God to shape the right living in us is a different story—no precarious climb up to heaven to recruit the Messiah, no dangerous descent into hell to rescue the Messiah. So what exactly was Moses saying?
The word that saves is right here,
as near as the tongue in your mouth,
as close as the heart in your chest.

It’s the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us. This is the core of our preaching. Say the welcoming word to God—“Jesus is my Master”—embracing, body and soul, God’s work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from the dead. That’s it. You’re not “doing” anything; you’re simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That’s salvation.

Prayer: Lord, I welcome you to work in my life to bring all things into right relationship with you. Fill my heart and mouth with your Word; then my life will overflow with your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Colossians 3:1-2

Look up! Last night, I pulled a load of laundry out of the dryer and walked away with my arms full of clothes leaving the top door on my stackable unit open. I folded the clothes and put them away; then, walked back to get something in the other room. I was looking down, not forward or up and I smacked my head on the open dryer door. I thought to myself, “That would have never happened if you would have been looking up, Mary.” Therein, lies our spiritual lesson.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul is writing to the new believers in Colosse; they are spiritually disoriented so he guides them back to the basics of Christ. Paul encourages them to aim for the Lordship of Christ; to seek how to live out heavenly practices each day. The people had been looking down—at a worldly level which was messing with their heads—so Paul calls them to look up in order to see things from Christ’s vantage point. The Holy Spirit is our Helper in expanding our Kingdom vision of the work of Christ.

Colossians 3:1-2 He Is Your Life
1-2 So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Prayer: Lord, you are my life and I know I need to live each day with the Kingdom in mind. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Luke 8:22-25 New Living Translation (NLT)

It seems like every day each of us face something that is directed at disturbing or overwhelming our faith or confident trust in God’s integrity. “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses] (Heb. 11:1 amplified). The enemy is busy all the time using tangible “storms” to assault our senses; he knows the weakness of our humanity. Fear causes us to doubt God’s love and decrease our confidence is his care for us. But, we are carriers of the Living Christ; he is in our LIFE vessel. Our response to every storm must be to call on the name of the Lord: 1) praise Christ for being with us, 2) confidently pray and exalt Christ to work in our behalf, 3) invite the Spirit to help us speak faith and exalt God’s integrity, and 4) trust and obey. With our words we either express faith or fear; we either empower Christ or the storm.

In our passage today, Jesus takes the disciples on a boat ride. While on the journey with Jesus, the disciples face a storm. The storm is real, the water is rising, their senses alert them to danger, and all of a sudden fear usurps their faith. They know Jesus is with them, but they cannot seem to get their eyes off the storm or the conditions they face. After all, Jesus is silent in this moment; he has allowed the storm as a way to teach them the power of faith.

Luke 8:22-25 Jesus Calms the Storm
22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. 23 As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.
24 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. 25 Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”
The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for understanding how fear works and for your Word to help me use my faith against it. You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of love, faith, and a sound mind. That means I must place my faith in your integrity and look beyond the storm to the good you intend to bring my life. Every storm I have face in life has actually gotten me closer to you. Be glorified! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Last year for Mother’s Day, my kids bought me an infusion pitcher for water. It motivates me to drink more water, because I can add any fruit, veggie, or herb to flavor it. This morning I went to my little herb garden and picked some fresh mint to infuse the water. I will spend the day drinking this pitcher of water, because my body needs the hydration to stay filled. The process of infusion reminds me of an important spiritual truth for me to remember. Infusion is more than just a steeping of herbs in liquid like I did this morning. Infusion is an inward flow that helps to fill something. An infusion of the Spirit is how God’s sons and daughters remain filled with strength and power.

In our passage today, David is singing a song of praise to God. He cannot praise enough. He is humble and grateful for God’s love and provision. There is nothing God cannot do; David sees it so clearly. Every time David calls out, the Lord answers and meets this worshiper’s need. In verse 3, David praises God for infusing his soul with strength. The Spirit of the Lord brings an inward flow of strength when David needs it most. My friends, God wants to bring an infusion of strength to your soul, as well. Find yourself in a posture of worship, and call out to be filled.

Psalm 138:1-3 A song of David.
1
To You, Lord, I give my whole heart, a heart filled with praise, for I am grateful;
before the gods, my heart sings praises to You and You alone.
2
I bow before You, looking to Your holy temple,
and praise Your name, for Your unfailing love and Your truth;
for You have placed Your name and Your word over all things and all times.
3
On the day I needed You, I called, and You responded
and infused my soul with strength.

Prayer: Lord, I worship you; I need you. Please hydrate me through your Spirit; infuse my soul with your River of Life. Cause me to be filled in the power of your strength. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you were told that doing one specific thing would give you a spiritual advantage over your enemies, make you wiser in decision-making, and cause you to understand and enjoy fullness of life, would you do that one thing?  Most of us would say, “Absolutely!”  It’s a no brainer!   Well, Scripture tells us over and over again that obeying the Word of God is the one thing that can provide favor, wisdom, and understanding for our lives.  Yet, weekly I chat with people who rarely open the Word God, read it, or seek to live it.  If we know God wants to provide for us and we never take what he offers for provision, we are simply rejecting his help.  Jesus said, “Everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven” (Mat. 10:33).  Please don’t ever forget that Jesus is the Word of God; the Truth made flesh.

In our passage today, the psalmist is reminding Israel of the benefits of following the Word of God; applying the Truth brings spiritual maturity.

Psalm 119:97-104

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:  Father, I take you at your Word and look to grow by obedience to your instruction.  Thank you for your provision and help.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Every week, in some practical way, I teach people how the Word of God emphasizes spiritual formation; growing up in the fullness of Christ. In order to receive, we must first understand the supremacy of Christ the Living Word in the provision and plan of God. The Word must become our teacher; we are the humble and eager students awaiting divine instruction. God not only helps us understand the divine plan and how we fit into it, the Lord remains with us to guide us with wisdom along the way. In our reading today, the psalmist reinforces the power of the Word to guide our faith and enrich our relationship with God.

Psalms 119:25-32

25

I lie in the dust;

revive me by your word.

26

I told you my plans, and you answered.

Now teach me your decrees.

27

Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,

and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.

28

I weep with sorrow;

encourage me by your word.

29

Keep me from lying to myself;

give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.

30

I have chosen to be faithful;

I have determined to live by your regulations.

31

I cling to your laws.

Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!

32

I will pursue your commands,

for you expand my understanding.

Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 7-22-19Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power of the Word to teach me the truth of your heart. Help me remain in your will and live by your boundaries. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

July 19, 2019

Ephesians 3:14-21 The Message (MSG)

 

In the divine plan, the children of God become a family.  As family, we are built together by our faith in Christ—the Head of the family. Life with God is all about Christ’s perspective; Christ is embodied Truth. So, Christ calls every follower out of the world and into the work of truth and grace to make us One.  “He calls us a chosen people, a royal priesthood; his very own possession” (1 Peter 2:9).

 

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul encourages his spiritual family in Ephesus to experience the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love; to be strengthened into One whole family by the Spirit.  Paul is not praying for the family to experience the same kind of love each follower has for Christ.  Instead, Paul is praying for the family to experience the same kind of love Christ has for each follower.  Big difference!  Christ’s love is devotedly pure, limitless in resources, and comes with a connection to supernatural power.  The word power used in our passage is from the Greek word, “dunamis” from which we derive the word dynamite.  So, Paul is praying for the family of God to experience the same measure of love and power that is equal to the fullness of love and power found in the incarnation of the glorious Christ.  Christ is the embodiment of the Godhead and he makes it possible for us to embody the Godhead, too. Is this how you see your identity?  If not, please exchange your wrong thoughts for Christ’s perspective of Truth. “The Lord has told you what is good and this is what he requires of you; to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

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