Devotionals

May 6, 2019

Acts 9:20-31 Contemporary English Version

Has Jesus turned your whole life upside down with the Truth of God’s love?  No matter whose life is touched, anyone who has an encounter with Jesus is forever changed; never to see things quite the same again. In an instant we know the Truth about our hearts, our need for salvation, and the Truth about God’s gracious and forgiving love. We see that so clearly not only in our lives and the lives of other followers of Christ, but in all the biblical accounts of people meeting Messiah.  The Apostle Paul experienced a 180 degree shift in his life after meeting Jesus on the Road to Damascus.  He went from persecuting the disciples of Christ to preaching Jesus as the Messiah; God stopped him in his tracks and gave him a clearer vision of His heart.  In that moment, Saul experienced the Truth, but he also experienced the grace and forgiveness of God.  The Truth made Saul a new man with a fresh and accurate vision.

Because of this change in Saul, he finds himself being hated by his own peers. Have you had to leave some people behind to follow Christ?  Before meeting Christ, Saul had no problem hating and persecuting Christians, but now he has met the risen Messiah and finds himself compassionate for the disciples and passionate for the Gospel.  If you read the New Testament letters, you will discover the Lord never wasted Paul’s background or training.  Instead, the Lord turned it to benefit the Kingdom and the work of Christ in ministering the gospel to the Gentiles.  God will not waste your past successes nor failures; instead he will use it for the salvation of the world if you will allow it. Your life story can always lead others to Christ.  Give the Lord your whole life and see what the Spirit can do with it.

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May 3, 2019

Psalm 30 Contemporary English Version

God’s Word is always calling us away from sin and selfish living, but do we always listen? As believers, we experience the temptation of sin and we wrestle with faith.  In the midst, do we call out for God’s help?  Some times we know we are a mess in need of mercy and grace.  Other times, we just feel invincible; secure in our own ability to perform or fix ourselves.

God is the Author of our success; we are the author of our failures. The Lord certainly knows how to humble us when he gets angry with our choices; he hides his face and allows our faith to be tested.  If God did not humble us, we would allow all kinds of things to go to our heads and fill us with self-exalting pride.  The Good News we should always remember is that God delights in restoring us, so call on his name.  He will always be there to bring the precise help you need when you need it.  He will help you overcome sin and destructive behaviors and he will help you increase in your faith by showing himself faithful in every circumstance.

In our passage from the Psalter today, the psalmist David had allowed his success, wealth, and power to go to his head, so God disciplined him.  Then, God delivered him.  In David’s song, he praised God for delivering and healing him.  God used this weakness in David, to turn him toward the work of Grace.  Only the Grace of God can turn our failures into trophies for His glory.  

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May 2, 2019

Revelation 3:14-22 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Are you an active listener in your relationships?  We all face difficulties in communicating well.  Active listening requires the listener to fully concentrate on what is being shared, pause to comprehend, respond to do something with the information, and then remember what that person has said because it is important to him or her.  This type of listening is essential if we are going to successfully fulfill commitments.  Active listening is truly essential for personal growth; it requires an honest assessment of what this information means for one’s life and relationships.  

God’s Word requires active listening.  Scripture teaches, “What God has said isn’t only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His Word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts. Nothing is hidden from God! He sees through everything, and we will have to tell him the truth.” (Heb 4:12-13).  Throughout the Word of God we are commissioned to listen; actively listen. This is about your relationship in Christ—the Living Word.  When you come to read and listen to the Word are you taking time to fully concentrate, comprehend, respond, and remember what has been shared?

In our lesson today, Jesus is addressing the Church at Laodicea; they think they can see but they are blind to the Truth.  Will the people of God listen to the Voice of Truth?  In this reading, the Truth is getting ready to pass judgment on the Church.  Remember, the writings, from the Book of Revelation, are for the Church of all time.  Jesus shares the Word with the Apostle John because the Lord knows every heart and many hearts are far from him.  The Lord is grieved by the worldliness of his Church. Because Jesus loves us so much, he tells it like it is.  To change hearts all the people of God need to do is repent and practice active listening.

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May 1, 2019

Luke 12:4-7 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Have you noticed how many times we fear something that may never happen? Like a cloud of doom, fear wants to hang over us and diminish the joy of our salvation.  We are all tempted to fear the unknown, but have you thought much about fearing God?  Biblical faith is associated with the fear or respect of the Lord; to trust him, do his will, and join with him in service. When we give power to fear we are actually pulling our faith and trust away from God.  We have not been given a spirit of fear from the Lord; rather, love, power, and self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7).  When fear rises up in you, are you more afraid of the unknown than the Known?   

In our passage today, Jesus is talking to his disciples about the sin and hypocrisy they must resist; the religious leaders have been threatening Jesus and his disciples with the purpose of stopping their witness for God.  The disciples are fearing opposition from these leaders; it is hindering their faith and courage.  So, the Lord challenges his disciples to fear what is Known; that God determines humanity’s eternal destination.  We can face life without fear, because we belong to God and he loves and values us.  He values you!  Get that Truth into your heart today.

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April 30, 2019

Revelation 2:8-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

When life happens, do you ever need a word of assurance? The Word of God can always get assurance to us. We can all find ourselves going through times of intense pressure; we sense the pressure from the opposition that takes place in the spirit realm.  The world is subject to the power of sin and our faith in Christ the Deliverer will always face hostility until the Second Coming.  Satan’s goal is to hinder the work of faith in God’s people.  

The Apostle Peter assures and prepares us, “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 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 (5:6-9). Charles Spurgeon reminds us: “Faith is believing that Christ is what He is said to be, and that He will do what He has promised to do, and then to expect this of Him.”  As we place our trust in Christ, we know Satan will come to oppose our faithfulness to “believe.”  Therefore, we must resist the lies and attacks of Satan and always remember he is no match for our loving and all-powerful God. In the Spirit, slap that roaring lion yelling in your ear to the curb and keep following Christ’s guidance.  As Christ’s followers, our focus must be fixed on joyful obedience to the Word as we follow the Spirit, because we overcome the attacks of Satan by remaining true to the Word of God.

In our passage today, we read not just about a specific church called Smyrna or its congregation, but this message is for the church of all time. We all need to take this message from the Lord.  Satan is opposed to the Church—Christ followers—so we should not be surprised when we face hostility; the devil has followers, too.  Satan wants to put our faith in prison; but Jesus has already liberated us.  Every human being is an eternal being, but not every being will spend eternity with God; only the faithful.  We are given the ability to hear and know good and evil; so, we must choose to whom we will listen and obey.  Who will be your Lord for eternity?  The Apostle John tells us if we are faithful to listen and follow the Spirit until God calls us home, we will enjoy eternal life with him (the second death).  Fight the good fight of faith my family!

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April 29, 2019

Revelation 1:9-10, 12-19 New Living Translation (NLT)

Do you believe God is always speaking to His children even in the midst of this hostile world? Scripture teaches God delights in being in relationship with his children; he longs to commune and bring us eternal wisdom and direction or guidance for our lives.  All this is part of the gift of Grace and the eternal life Christ makes available. God desires to bring us peace, comfort, and reassurance when fear attacks; he longs to pour power into us when we are weak. Therefore, we need to conclude that God speaks to each one of us.  Do we recognize his voice in the midst of this hostile world?  

Sometimes the Lord speaks through our circumstances, people, nature, thoughts, visions, peace, even a whisper, and those are just a few of the ways. He always bears witness to the truth of his Word when we invest time in it.  According to the Word, Jesus teaches us the benefit of hearing his voice, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Mat 7:24). Listen for the voice of the Rock of Ages!

While he was exiled on the Island of Patmos, the Apostle John received a vision from the Lord.

John saw the Lord and he shared that vision with us in the Book of Revelation.  Jesus revealed himself as our wise, secure, and all-powerful Savior who always cares for us.  He desires to be our First and Last Love.  He is the Living One—the True One for our hearts—and he loves us enough to lead us into life eternal if we will draw near to him.  Nothing is impossible for the Lord and we are the focus of his love. So, is there any room for fear in your life?

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April 26, 2019

Luke 24:36-40 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Have you ever tried to use your intellectual sense of reasoning to discern spiritual realities? It seems reasonable that we should be able to make a bit of sense out of all things in life; God gave us these minds.  But, Scripture teaches God’s thoughts are not our thoughts and faith is essential to experience him, so why do we press in to the point of doubt in order to mentally process in our humanity the deep truths of the divine spiritual realm?  We want answers, but in our spiritual immaturity we neglect asking the Lord to bring the revelation and wisdom he alone can provide while we live in these human bodies. Until Christ returns, Kingdom realities are revealed as given Spirit (God) to spirits (humanity). 

In our passage today, the disciples are trying to figure out what has really happened with Jesus and what that means in their lives now.  The disciples talk among themselves in order to gain some shred of understanding.  While they are trying to wrap their minds around the trial, crucifixion, and the empty tomb, Jesus appears to reveal Kingdom realities.  He is alive, but different.  He shares the evidence of his human journey, and the revelation of spiritual realities.  How amazingly loving and good of God to interrupt our doubting minds with Truth, right?

Jesus truly understands our humanity.  So, in his love and mercy, Jesus reveals things Spirit to spirits in order to help us understand the powerful realities of the Kingdom.  The Kingdom of God is in you and around you.  We pray, “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.”  Live with that in mind each day. Jesus has made a way for us to communicate with God on a whole new level.  Pray for spiritual eyes to see and spiritual ears to hear; this prayer means you are offering yourself to be challenged and changed by the Truth.  God opens the eyes of the spiritually blind and the ears of the spiritually deaf as we draw near to him.  Jesus, the Light of the World, taught his disciples, “Things are hidden temporarily only as a means to revelation. For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is anything [temporarily] kept secret except in order that it may be made known (Mark 4:22). Jesus is the Revealer of Truth, so ask for revelation to confront any doubt or uncertainty you may have in the natural.

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April 25, 2019

Acts 5:17-26 New Life Version (NLV)

How would you describe the emotion of jealousy?  When it is used against you it feels like opposition and when it rises up in you it feels like rejection.  In the Bible, the word jealousy has both a positive and negative meaning.  God is described at times as a jealous God, but it is always positive and based on his concern for us because we belong to him. God’s jealousy causes him to be angry at sin and then turn to restore people to himself because he cannot bear to be separated like a Groom for his Bride. When the Word speaks of God’s jealousy it always has to do with his faithful protection for those whom he loves; the depths he will go to call his children back into his care.  

Human jealousy is a result of sin in the heart; it is negative and can bring destruction to relationships.  Jealousy is fear based and is awakened in humans by something that may exalt others over self or provide greater pleasures or advantages for which we desire for ourselves.  Think about the jealousy that rose up in Cain over Abel, brothers over Joseph, and Saul over David.   St. Augustine once said, “He that is jealous is not in love.”  The Apostle Paul teaches, “Love is not jealous…” (1 Cor 13:4).  In our passage today, Christ’s new missionaries are flowing in the anointed power of God to heal people and the Temple priests and religious leaders are jealous. Instead of acknowledging Christ and joining with the Spirit-led apostles, they try to fight them and diminish them.  But, when God is in something and he sends us, no weapon formed against us will prosper.  So although these leaders may initially look like they have the upper hand and they think they are representing God, the Lord reveals otherwise and the Truth continues to be preached.  Don’t allow jealousy to have dominion over you; stay connected to Christ because he can be trusted with your heart as you serve him.

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April 24, 2019

Acts 5:12-16 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Would you describe yourself as an honest person?  Scripture teaches we must be authentic and honest with God and others; the Word commands it.  This authenticity is referred to as integrity and it is associated with the root word of shalom or peace.  Integrity is the state of being whole or undivided.  At the cross, Christ made peace with God in our behalf.  As we allow God to make us whole, we begin to live in his integrity. He brings the proper shape to our character. Power is released to us as we mature spiritually.  We cannot bear false witness—lie—and still walk in God’s power.  Sometimes, we don’t have the power of God flowing through us because we are not operating in the integrity of Christ.  Have you associated God’s power with the integrity of your words or actions?  

During Jesus’ ministry, he performed many miracles and signs that pointed to God’s power living in him.  Now, the Apostles are experiencing that same kind of power; the power to heal and deliver people from the bondage of darkness.  Truthfully, people are somewhat afraid of meeting with the apostles, because they have heard about what happened to Ananias and Sapphira when they lied to Peter and God. Do you know what happened to this couple? They died as soon as the lie came across their lips (Acts 5:1-11).  

On the other hand, Peter understands the power of lies, because he lied about knowing the Lord.  He suffered greatly with his own verbal sin.  But, because of the blood of Messiah, Peter experienced the forgiveness of God and a new beginning in his integrity.  Peter is determined not to make the same mistakes and therefore he connects with the power of God to heal others.  Peter, the teachable spirit, walks in integrity and power! 

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April 23, 2019

Psalm 118:17-23

In the midst of an ever-changing world, how important is it to you to have a solid foundation for your life?  I want stability even in the midst of unsettling times; in fact, I crave it. Life will happen, but it does not need to cause me to throw up my hands and give up. I am not a victim; I am victorious in Christ (1 Cor 15:57).  We were created to enjoy life, so how is that possible when we really cannot control life?

The answer is found in acknowledging our life “Cornerstone.”  God has provided Jesus as our Cornerstone (Matt 21:42).  It is the work of Christ to bring a solid foundation, shape, and stability to our lives.  He helps us endure and overcome any storm or challenge life brings.  We were created to live. The life God has in store for us is prosperous and engaging; we are to live in the power outflowing Christ’s resurrection and experience the power that raised Christ from the dead even in the midst of suffering (Phi 3:10).  As we face life each day, our part is to stand on the foundation of God’s love found in Christ and “Whatever we do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:17). We must give thanks and live with a spirit of gratitude each day, because the Lord is our Savior. So, when life sends you a challenge, look at that challenge as a way to watch Christ work in your life.  In our passage, the psalmist calls God’s people to acknowledge the goodness and faithfulness of God to provide for his children. Alleluia—Praise ye Yah! (Praise the Lord!)

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