Devotionals

Hebrews 11:1-7 The Message (MSG)

When I think of the word faith, I immediately think of believing God’s Promise to love us from the beginning of life until the end of life—oh, and trusting Him with every bit of the time in between. The foundation for our faith is the Love of God found in Jesus. In fact, Jesus makes it all possible, because we find our refuge in him. When I was a child, we used to sing a hymn in church, “How Firm a Foundation.” Below are three of the verses. Truly, the song speaks to the love and care God desires to extend to us; but we must believe in God’s goodness. If our faith is not built on the foundation and Cornerstone of Christ, we may know some things about God, but we have not tasted the true and thriving relationship God has for us. Throughout history, God has drawn a distinction between the believing world and the unbelieving world. Make sure your faith is in Christ’s righteousness; then you will please God. The enemy has no power to shake the Lord, so stay fixed on Jesus and he will hold you in His Hand, today.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord

Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word

What more can He say than to you He hath said

To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled

Fear not, I am with thee; oh be not dismayed

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand

Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose

I will not, I will not desert to its foes

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake

I’ll never, no never, no never forsake

Hebrews 11:1-7 Faith in What We Don’t See

11 1-2 The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

3 By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.

4 By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, not what he brought, that made the difference. That’s what God noticed and approved as righteous. After all these centuries, that belief continues to catch our notice.

5-6 By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. “They looked all over and couldn’t find him because God had taken him.” We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken “he pleased God.” It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

7 By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the faith you have placed within me. You have sustained me through this faith in the past, but I know my faith needs to continue to grow. Thank you for being my foundation, Jesus, and by faith keeping me unshakable, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Matthew 6:19-24 The Message (MSG)

Did you know wholehearted devotion to God provides us with spiritual vision? Spiritual eyes help us see what God wants us to do and to see the world from a righteous perspective. When we are less than devoted to God, our spiritual vision suffers and we struggle to understand life on God’s terms.

In our passage today, Jesus is sharing about worship. He encourages people to live for God by keeping heaven in mind. A true Christ follower has his or her eyes on heaven and makes behavioral decisions based on what effect it can influence for eternity. When we are generous, money is serving us; we are using money to love people and have heaven in mind. When all we care about is accumulating earthly treasures, we are serving money and loving self. Worship is oneness with God’s heart; it is living life in the Hand of God who loves through us.

Matthew 6:19-24 A Life of God-Worship

19-21 “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

22-23 “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!

24 “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.

Prayer: Lord, you are generous with me and I want to remain generous and influential for your Kingdom. Please keep my eyes focused on heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 33:12-15, 18 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Worshiping Creator God is an essential foundation upon which to build eternal blessings; worship places our lives in God’s Hands as our Maker. When we worship God we are bowing our lives in an act of respect to His sovereign rule of mercy, love, and kindness. We welcome God to shape our lives as we worship.

Scripture teaches, it is the heart of God that all nations would worship Him, so He could guide the world with His righteous, loving, and just Hand. One day He will have that place. Every day I pray for all people and all nations to worship God and give Him the honor He is due. In order for that to happen, people must embrace God’s love found in the saving work of Christ. Daily, do you pray diligently for our nation—all nations—to worship Almighty God?

Psalm 33:12-15, 18

12

The Lord blesses each nation

that worships only him.

He blesses his chosen ones.

13

The Lord looks at the world

14

from his throne in heaven,

and he watches us all.

15

The Lord gave us each a mind,

and nothing we do

can be hidden from him.

18

But the Lord watches over

all

who honor him

and trust his kindness.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for watching over your creation. May your love continue to call humanity to a posture of worship. May my life demonstrate the honor and trust I have in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Luke 12:22-31 New Living Translation

As God’s ambassadors in this world, we are expected to be responsible Image-bearers with work and rest. According to the Word of God, work has been designed by God for people and we are to work as if we are working for God; this is righteous because it reveals a love and respect for God’s plan. Rest is also a part of God’s plan for people; God never designed us to be workaholics. In his teaching Jesus says, “Come to me those of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28). When all we do is work and never rest, we are not trusting in God’s provision nor living dependent upon Christ. Actually, greed can motivate excessive work without rest.

In our passage today, the Lord has just finished teaching about the greedy fool (Luke 12:12-21). Now, the Lord turns to teach about how worry and anxiety can creep in and rob God’s people of trust. If we truly believe God is love and his unfailing love is directed toward us, then we must use our faith to believe God will provide the things we need. He may not provide all the things we want, but maybe the things we want sometimes is not going to be feeding good things in us. Things like greed. If we make Jesus the Lord of our lives, we have the perfect Source at the center of our beings. His focus is the eternal Kingdom and when we make our focus the Kingdom, he has promised to provide for us. So, I pray for you to put work and rest into a proper perspective as you look through the Kingdom lens of God’s love. He will always care for you.

Luke 12:22-31Teaching about Money and Possessions

22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

Prayer: Lord, both my work and rest need to bow to your Lordship. Continue to help me bring balance to my part and trust you for everything else. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Colossians 4:2-6 The Message

Yesterday, we shared about how seeking God everyday through prayer was essential if we are going to be effective for Kingdom work while on earth. God has a plan for our lives and He shapes us according to that plan. If we do not prayerfully place ourselves completely in His care, we will be headed off in a wrong direction missing ways to expand the Kingdom. Today, our passage is from a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the early church in Colosse encouraging them to pray diligently. The word diligently is translated steady, earnestly, and energetically. Does the word diligently describe your prayer life?

The purpose of diligent prayer is to make Christ obvious; clearly seen and understood in our lives. What will make us effective is to pray for opportunities to reveal Christ in us to others through our loving words and actions. You can reveal the heart of Christ to your family, your neighbors, people at work or leisure, at the grocery, etc. It is not about location nor perfect Christian dialogue; it is about our willingness to follow the Holy Spirit and step through open doors. The Apostle Paul is in jail (in chains and behind locked doors) as he diligently prays to be effective in order to reveal Christ to others around him. What would happen in your life, if daily you prayed for the Lord to open a door of opportunity, so you could make Christ in your life plain as day to someone who has yet to meet him?

Colossians 4:2-6 Pray for Open Doors

2-4 Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.

5-6 Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

Prayer: Lord, my life is yours, so please work through me. Today, please open a door of opportunity so I can make Christ plain as day to someone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 127 The Message (MSG)

Years ago, Stephen Covey wrote the book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” In his book, he asks the question, “What one thing could you do in your personal and professional life that, if you did on a regular basis, would make a tremendous positive difference in your life?” The word effective means the power to produce the right result. I’m not sure how you would answer that question, but for me personally I believe the only way I am going to produce the right result is to bow before Almighty God every day and learn to live being shaped by his righteous Hand. He wants to bring greater things into our lives than what we could ever accomplish on our own. Please don’t try to live self-sufficient apart form God, today. You need the Lord for everything; He is your very breath. Make that one thing you do on a regular basis prayer.

Psalm 127:1-2 A Pilgrim Song of Solomon

1-2 If God doesn’t build the house,

the builders only build shacks.

If God doesn’t guard the city,

the night watchman might as well nap.

It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late,

and work your worried fingers to the bone.

Don’t you know he enjoys

giving rest to those he loves?

Prayer: Lord, I place my life at your feet and ask you to make me an effective daughter for the work of your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Ephesians 4:17-24 The Message (MSG)

Yesterday, I was reading about Jesus healing a man with leprosy (Matt 8:1-4). Physical leprosy leaves people with no sense of touch; they suffer loss of feeling. They cannot feel pain; they cannot feel pleasure. Jesus restored touch, so this man could once again experience both pleasure and pain. As well, the man experienced cleansing that allowed him to return to the Temple and worship God, so this lesson has spiritual significance for believers. Spiritual leprosy leaves a person out of touch and alignment with Truth. God wants to bless his children with great pleasures. He is love and wants to fill our lives with joy and purpose. However, we must also be able to experience pain, because pain can be a love language God uses to guide our path in a righteous direction making us more like Christ.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul is not only writing to the early church at Ephesus, but to believers everywhere. He reminds the believers their lives should look very different than unbelievers; believer’s character and purpose for living must be reflective of God. Believers connect to Christ and begin to share in his experience and the pleasures of his benefits. The old life dies with Christ and the new life in the Truth begins; living by God’s design and power. The process of learning Christ—growing up—involves some pain so we will let go of the old ways of thinking and living in order to embrace a God-fashioned life.

Ephesians 4:17-24 The Old Way Has to Go
17-19 And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.

20-24 But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for allowing me to touch and experience great pleasures in Christ. Also, thank you for allowing me to touch and experience pain, so my spiritual thinking and character can grow. You are Good and always loving me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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.