Devotionals

September 11, 2018

Hebrews 12:3-13 New Living Translation (NLT)

God has welcomed humanity to come to his heart of Love. But, when he receives us we must submit ourselves to his discipline.  His heart is holy and pure in Love and we have to learn what God declares holy and loving living by accepting His discipline when we try to support unholy mindsets, emotions, and actions. Learning God’s love can be a painful process especially if we have spent years acting in a purely human understanding of love.  When God disciplines us, he is actually loving us with a deep and abiding affection, because he is the Father of our spirits.  

The Apostle Paul reminds his readers the Christian life is about hard work.  We must be willing to step away from whatever hinders our relationship with God and press on to finish the faith race.  We must be willing to accept God’s correction gratefully, because God has already declared his love for us through Jesus Christ.  So, live with the victory of pleasing God’s heart and love in a way that helps others long for a relationship with Him, too.  

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September 10, 2018

Hebrews 11:29-40 The Message (MSG)

It is good to be back from vacation; I must admit I truly rested and enjoyed myself. I did miss connecting with you through God’s Word, so let’s talk a bit about faith, today.

I recently had a conversation with someone dear to me about the essential work of faith in every Christ follower’s life. To many people faith is simply a word Christians throw around to sound spiritual. Yet, the Bible teaches without faith it is impossible to please God and faith is actually the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen (or in other words things yet to be manifest). To walk by faith is a choice we make each day. We can either think our faith is superficial and isn’t really required to walk in victory each day or we can grow in our understanding of the “bigness of God” and realize every day God is looking to bring his power to our measure of faith.

Your faith and my faith is put together with the biblical heroes of the faith in order to make a whole. In our passage today, we will review the faith of some of these heroes. God has a plan for you and for me and we walk it out by faith. We are people of faith who believe in a merciful, loving and all-powerful God who delights in blessing his children by manifesting the work of faith. How will you walk by faith today? It really depends on your perspective of God. How big is your God? Some of these heroes in our lesson served a big God.  Is God big enough to make you victorious in the plan He has for your life? If so, live today with purpose and faith. I will be on the faith walk with you…

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August 31,2018

James 1:9-18 The Message (MSG)

Evil comes to rob, steal, and destroy the righteous life.  Scriptures tells the truth about evil from the beginning in the Book of Genesis until the end in the Book of Revelation.  High above all evil and deception stands Truth; his name is Jesus and he is the second person of the Godhead.  It is Christ who helps us to meet and conquer life’s challenges and spiritual attacks.  Jesus never brings evil to us; rather, he delivers us from the evil we carelessly bring into our own minds and hearts one thought at a time.    

In our passage today, the Apostle James reminds us to guard ourselves against the temptations of evil.  Evil begins as a thought and then if we dwell on it long enough it will become an action.  So, stay loyally in love with God.  Invite Jesus into every thing you do; his righteousness will keep you strong against evil.  Run to Christ so you can handle anything life brings your way.

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August 30, 2018

James 1:2-8

Scripture teaches to every person a measure of faith is given; so, we all have faith. But, how do we each use that faith?  Now, that is a deep question. The measure of faith God gives us is like a seed; our faith must grow and develop if it is going to keep us moving forward in God’s plan.  God uses the “troubles” the enemy sends our way to help us grow in endurance.  The biblical definition of endurance is “commitment in the face of difficulty.”  We are to hold onto our faith no matter what is thrown our way.  Through our endurance, we reveal our devotion to God and our faith in his love for us remains stable and unshakable.  Such stability releases JOY!

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August 29, 2018

John 15:16-25 New Living Translation (NLT)

I really enjoy eating fresh fruit; all different kinds of fruit.  Every week I look forward to checking out the produce section at the grocery store or market to decide what fruit looks good.  I pick a specific fruit by the appearance, but sadly a few days later it no longer looks the same nor smells the same. Disconnecting the fruit from the life-giving vine causes it to begin the spoilage process.  Wouldn’t it be nice if the fruit we pick, pay for, and take home stayed fresh?  

In our passage today, Jesus reminds the disciples that he chose them and appointed them to bear lasting fruit; fruit that stays fresh, ripe, and inspiring for eternity.  In fact, Jesus connects lasting fruit developed in us with receiving answered prayer.  That is a great lesson and one beautiful reason to remain connected to Christ—our True Vine. The lasting fruit Jesus is talking about in this passage is not bananas, apples, or berries; rather it is love.  Our love is not to spoil or diminish in power.  We are to hold onto our love in spite of how we are treated in the world.  Maybe you understand Jesus’ comment because others have hated you without a cause; they have rejected the fruit of your love.  Pray for those that persecute you; stay connected to the Life-Giving Vine and move on to learn with those who celebrate God’s love in you.

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August 28, 2018

Psalm 11 The Message (MSG)

In our Psalter reading for today, David reminds us God’s mission is to set things right—everything in a straight line under his authority.  Just think about that for a minute.  God is looking to set creation straight, set humanity straight, and set you and me straight; in a straight line to his heart as the righteous Ruler.  He is calling us to bow in obedience to his laws of love.

Are you going through a time of testing? Feeling a bit pressed and overwhelmed? Remember, everything believers seem to experience must first go through the cross of Christ (since we belong to him) and must work for our long-term good, because getting all things going in a righteous line is God’s mission.  Like David, we would be wise to run to the arms of God and cooperate with his work in us, because he is in charge of all things.

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August 23, 2018

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

If you are reading this devotion today, it is a reminder for you that you have been chosen by God to possess salvation in Jesus Christ.  You were chosen to connect to Christ and live in the Truth. Just think about it, God chose you to be the light of his love and heart for the world.  If you could pull back the skin from your body you would see his light pulsing as life in you. What started as a divine spark within us can become a roaring fire when Truth is lived out. He saved you so you could reveal his salvation to others; to demonstrate his loving care and provision for your life. You are a carrier of the divine fire! 

God is not angry with you, he loves you and delights in you. He did not choose you for anger or wrath.  He chose you to walk in his favor and grace.   All he asks from his children of light is to stay in the light and be an authentic witness for him.  We are to live with his love over our hearts.  We are to make our decisions with the helmet of his wisdom over our thoughts.  We are to stay ready for his return by living in his resurrection power, because we have the great privilege to be beacons of the Truth in a world that prefers the darkness.  Allow Jesus to shine through you, today!  

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August 22, 2018

Mark 8:14-21 Living Bible

The Word of God always puts things into perspective for me.  For example, today’s passage reminds me that the things I may find myself worrying about do not trouble the Lord.  The world and sin are like pinches of yeast that try to permeate our souls—mind, will, emotions—with worry, fear, and minutia that are meaningless when we consider the immense power of God to save and his plan for our lives.  The peace of God is given to keep our hearts and minds focused on Christ, so we can accomplish everything the Lord brings for us to do.  Why do we allow ourselves to be distracted by things that try to dominate our lives and cause us such unrest? 

The Apostle Paul exhorts us to guide our thoughts toward “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Phil. 4:8). The Word must be given the power to rule our lives.   Jesus is the Bread of Life—the Living Word of God—and upon him alone should we focus and feast.  We take his Word in and allow it to feed us with good things to think about and honorable ways to live before him. 

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August 21, 2018

Acts 7:9-15 New Living Translation (NLT)

I always enjoy when the New Testament and the Old Testament are merge in our reading; it brings a much fuller understanding of God’s heart and message.  Such is the case with our passage today.  God covered Joseph with favor and imparted wisdom to him; it manifest in dreams that were hard to understand.  Others around Joseph rejected him and his dreams; denied he was hearing from God. His brothers formed the opinion that he was arrogant and self-exalting. He was sold into slavery, falsely accused, spent time in prison, and waited for the righteousness of God to act in his behalf. 

Luke reminds us about the journey of Joseph and how he tried not to allow the inner stumble “skandalon” to hinder his walk into the promises of God.  He certainly had challenges that would trip anyone up;  he must have felt his family and God had forgotten him.  But, by faith, he stayed the course and finished his destiny in the wisdom of God.  What the enemy meant for harm, God used for good in order to bring about a way of salvation for many (Genesis 50:20).  Joseph realized his purpose included forgiving those who had wronged him; welcoming them back in order to provide for them.  Think about the people in your life. Think about your relationship with God.  Do you need to forgive someone? Has God used a “skandalon” in your life to bring about something good; salvation for more people?

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