Devotionals

One thing that I have found out real quick is that there are those who are not going to like the word of God being spoken before them.  In other words, persecution is a real thing.  According to Dictionary.com, the definition of persecution states “A program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate people based on their membership in a religious, ethnic, social, or racial group.”  The more biblical definition states this according to study.com: “mistreatment or ridicule of a person or group based on their religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs.”  Persecution is out there and it is real.  All we need to do is to turn on the television and see all the chaos and madness this world is producing.  Because of it, it is slowly impacting the church.  Not only is there persecution, but there are those who claim that they are a prophet from God but would use that for negative reasons.  This is one of the reasons why cults start and form.  

In today’s passage from Acts 8:9-25, we read about a sorcerer named Simon who people claimed that he was “The Great One-the Power of God” (Acts 8:10).  When Philip came and started telling those in Samaria about the gospel message of Jesus Christ, Simon believed in it so much that he was soon baptized and started to follow Philip wherever he went (Acts 8:13).  Later on in this passage, we see that Simon wanted to be equipped with the Holy Spirit and wanted to perform the same miracles that Philip was performing.  Peter, who basically speaks his mind on more than a few occasions, told Simon that he could not have any part in this whatsoever because his heart was not right with God.  How many times have we been like Simon and wanting to be part of something for the Kingdom and our hearts not being right?  If we, as brothers and sisters in Christ want to be part of Kingdom work, then we have to go under self-examination and see how our hearts are.  If our hearts are not where it should be, then nothing is going to get done.  I challenge  you to not only read Acts 8:9-25, but also go under self-examination to see how your heart is with God.  Make sure that your heart is for Him.  

Dear Heavenly Father, 

I pray for Your family.  You know that we struggle with a lot of different things in our lives.  I pray that we would continue to press forward towards You and not the things of this world.  Help us to grow with You and be more in tuned and engaged with You.  When things begin to surface, help us to not be distracted nor be consumed by the things of this world.  Help us grow each and every day in Your word and in Your wisdom.  

In Jesus name, 

Amen

One thing that I look forward to is coming to church on Sunday.  Not only is it the first day of the week, but it is also a great time to fellowship with our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ but also to surrender our frustrations, our burdens, our struggles, and everything else of that nature up to God.  It’s one thing to do this as an individual but it’s another thing to do this collectively.  Collective worship brings power and a sense of unity to the body.  Where there is unity within the church, the stronger the body will be.  

In today’s passage, the writer David is acknowledging this idea of collective worship in Psalm 22:25-31.  In verse 25, it says “I will praise you in the great assembly.  I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.”  David is talking about how he will praise God in the great assembly, meaning fellowshipping and collective worship.  In verse 28, it says “For royal power belongs to the Lord.  He rules all the nations.”  This verse gives an absolute statement saying that God has all authority and rules all nations.  Similarly, Jesus says in Matthew 28:18 that all authority has been given to Him in heaven and on earth.  Clearly, we know who we should worship.  

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Help us to understand Your authority.  Continue to remind us that You are the one who is in charge and in control of everything that goes on.  While man would try to discourage us and making us go in a different direction, help us to stay on track by following Your grace and mercy.  In Jesus name, amen.  

There are going to be times where we are going to have to learn about patience.  Patience is one of the most difficult things that we can learn.  When we are in a situation where patience is presented, it is difficult for us to be patient.  For instance, we need to be patient with other people.  Sometimes, there are going to be people who are going to drive us crazy.  So the question becomes “How can we be patient with them?”  One way we can be patient is to let the Spirit wash over before we have a conversation with them.  It is so important that we are taking the time to learn patience.  

While we need to be patient with others, we also need to be patient with God’s timing.  His timing is far greater than our own timing.  In Micah 7:9, it speaks about how the prophet Micah will be patient as God punishes him for sinning.  How many times has He been patient with us?  In Romans 5:8, it talks about how we God still loves us even while we are still sinners.  So because we are sinners, God shows great patience towards us because He still loves us.  He does not give up on us because we have made a mistake.  In other words, He is very patient with us.  If God is very patent with us, then we need to be patient with others.  Not only patient with others, but also being patient in different seasons throughout our lives.  Things happen for a reason within a season and we need to recognize His plan for us.  

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank You for making us unique in Your eyes.  I pray that as we face different things throughout our lives, help us to be patient.  Not only patient with other people, but also being patient with Your plans for us.  We recognize Your goodness and Your love.  Help us to practice being patient and letting Your love wash over us every single day.  In His name I pray, amen.  

One thing about me is that I can sing. I have enjoyed singing for a while. Whether it was singing in church to participating in musicals and plays, I have enjoyed the concept of singing. Singing is something that brings fulfillment and joy when I feel down. I would sing whenever I had the chance. Whether it was in the car, in the shower, when I’m working at home, at the Music Ministry event on Monday nights, or anything else of that nature, I enjoy singing.

The Bible reminds about this idea of singing, particularly in the book of Psalms. Today, we will look at Psalm 95 in its entirety. In this psalm, the writer is acknowledging the fact that we should sing praises to the Lord. I recognize that when we are facing or in the midst of different seasons in our lives, we usually want to do something different rather than praising God. Here’s the truth that we need to understand: no matter what season we are facing, we need to praise God regardless. It’s easier said than done, however, this is something that we need to do because the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). In Psalm 95:2, it says that we need to come to him with thanksgiving. In different seasons, we may not want to feel thankful because of what we are experiencing. The truth of the matter is that we need to be thankful because the testing of our faith will produce patience (James 1:2). When we sing to the Lord, we are giving thanks to Him for what He has done for us and what He will continue to do for us. It is important that we do sing to the Lord. You may not hit the notes exactly, but we are called to make a joyful noise unto Him (Psalm 100:1-2). When we sing, it fills us up. When we sing, it makes us feel a sense of relief. When we sing, it brings a sense of joy. Remember to sing praises to Him. He loves you and is for you.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for all that You have done in my life. I know that there were some moments and seasons that were challenging, but I thank You for getting me through it. Help me to sing praises to You throughout the duration of my day. I know that I will experience different storms and seasons of hardships, but I know that You are not only the anchor for my soul (Hebrews 6:19), I know that You are the song when I sing. Thank You Jesus for being for me and with me through it all. In His name I pray, amen.

In today’s passage, we see a portion of Peter’s letter to the Church. This letter is written with a great deal of care and love for his brothers and sister in Christ as he seeks to be an encourager of their faith. He knows that they are suffering, and he does not want that suffering to endanger their faith walk, their love for one another, their growing relationship with Jesus, or the Church as a whole. Peter wants his brothers and sister to have confident hope that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose for them (Romans 8:28). He wants them to use their suffering to live obediently to God, to submit their earthly fears and ways of living, and to keep growing closer in relationship, faith, and trust with Jesus.

Having walked with Jesus, Peter understands that every person within the Church must clothe themselves with humility towards one another. All Family members must follow the example that Jesus set for us. Jesus is THE Great Shepherd, and His humble posture towards His Church is the purest example of humility, we too should serve one another. Remember, Jesus went as far as to wash the disciple’s feet. Would you serve your fellow brethren to that level? We need to be sheep that do not go against our Great Shepherd, that honor the earthly shepherds that Jesus placed within our lives and be thankful for His grace because it is given to His humble servants.

1 Peter 5:1-5 (NLT)

Advice for Elders and Young Men

1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for

“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Peter’s heart to write to Your Church as an encourager for You. Help us to be more humble, to see our brothers and sisters how You see them, and to selflessly love them. We ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

All believers are called to do God’s work, but often as the Lord’s disciples and servants we just need some physical, emotional, and spiritual rest and refreshment. This is in addition to gathering to honor our Sabbath Rest—Jesus! Ministry is both challenging and rewarding; there are always needs to be met and messages of hope bathed in God’s love to be shared. We pour ourselves out as an offering of worship to the Lord.

For this reason, we need the Good Shepherd to lead us to a place of rest [nuakh—meaning to settle in], so we can receive and enjoy the restoration of our souls in the refreshing waters of the Spirit. We purposely pause to enjoy moments to be renewed as ordered by the Lord. We receive from our King and enjoy the tasty blessings from his Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Matthew 11:28-30). From this place of receiving we will start again. Our Shepherd always knows what we need when we need it; therefore, the Lord leads us into his blessings, so we will continue his work. Jesus came so that we might settle into him and enjoy the blessings of life found only under his rule! (John 10:10).

Yesterday, we reflected on Psalm 23 from the Old Testament about placing our confident trust in the Shepherd’s rule. Today, in our New Testament passage, we see the work of the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. He knows how to keep his sheep together and guard them from wandering from God. He teaches about nuakh, because he knows how to help each one in his care to enjoy the refreshment of the soul. So, settle in and enjoy life as you follow the Shepherd who loves and nourishes the whole you!

Mark 6:30-34 NLT Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
30 The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. 31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

32 So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. 33 But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. 34 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for leading us to quiet places to enjoy the refreshing waters of Kingdom life. We require the rest you offer and all we need to do is follow you to the pastures you have ordered for refreshment and settle in. You truly are the Rewarder of those who diligently seek you. Thank you, Lord! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

You and I may receive many invitations during our lifetimes to things that seem important, but no invitation is more essential and life-changing than the invitation God sends asking us to come and feast at his table of righteousness. According to Scripture, Truth is a person—Jesus— and he has been made divine Wisdom for us. So, when we want the Truth that leads to Wisdom, it means we listen to the Spirit of God and allow him to teach us how to follow righteousness. To walk in Wisdom is to accept the Word of God as revealed and modeled by Jesus—the Righteous Branch.

Our passage today reminds me of a parable Jesus used to teach his disciples about an invitation to a banquet—the wedding supper of the Lamb (Luke 14:15-24; Rev. 19:6-9).

Wisdom is a precious gift from God; it is the food for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. The Kingdom of heaven comes with an invitation to join the King for a feast of wisdom. God offers it to those who want a greater understanding of life as it was designed by God for humanity.

Most invitations come with a request to R.S.V.P.—to respond if we are attending or not attending the event. Right now all of humanity is being invited to God’s banquet, it is our turn to R.S.V.P. The humble will leave foolishness and fleshly living behind; to come to the table of righteous and gain wisdom. In other words, to come to the Truth and be saved by his love and Wisdom. Have you R.S.V.P.’d?

Proverbs 9:1-6 AMP Wisdom’s Invitation
1 
Wisdom has built her [spacious and sufficient] house;
She has hewn out and set up her seven pillars.
2 

She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine;
She has also set her table.
3 

She has sent out her maidens, she calls
From the highest places of the city:
4 

“Whoever is naive or inexperienced, let him turn in here!”
As for him who lacks understanding, she says,
5 

“Come, eat my food
And drink the wine I have mixed [and accept my gifts].
6 

“Leave [behind] your foolishness [and the foolish] and live,
And walk in the way of insight and understanding.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for seeking to help us, through your Word, to understand godly living. We desire to sit at your table and feast on your righteous character. Please make us in your image. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

There are five main Books of Psalms [Heb. tehilim; Gk. psalmos]; these writings are actually sung prayers of praise and part of the Hebrew writings [Ketuvim]. David wrote at least 73 of these musical prayers and as we read them we can recognize the alignment they reflect with many of the things that transpired throughout Israel’s history with God documented in the Torah. Therefore, these writings become life lessons.

Woven throughout all five Books, the psalmist occasionally found himself offering a sacrifice of praise or lament, because life was just so difficult and challenging for God’s people. We, too, learn how to praise God for his strength and power even in the midst of our worst trials; thanking him for his forgiveness, living with a spirit of gratitude for his goodness in the past, and growing in our obedience by trusting in his love to lead us successfully into the future. These Books lead us to the revelation the Word of God is the Light of our salvation!

The first Book of psalms [Chs. 1-41] is focused on praising God for his justice [righteousness], because humanity is depraved, needs to be rescued (forgiven and delivered), and must learn obedience to the will and word of God. In Book II [Chs. 42-72], the psalmist is focused on praising God for rescuing Israel [and us] from the many ways we self-slaughter or get ourselves enslaved to the things of the world, because we have disobeyed God’s word. In Book III [Chs. 73-89], the psalmist sings prayers of praise about God’s holiness and our need to enthrone him by honoring his word above all other things, because only the Lord can deliver and make us spiritually mature. In Book IV [Chs. 90-106], the psalmist sings about Israel’s [and ours] relationship to the other nations of the world as we serve God’s Kingdom and keep our main focus on the word or commands of the Lord. And lastly, Book V [Chs.107-150], is focused on praising God with great thanksgiving by living a life of worship to the Lord. From beginning to end the Books of Psalms leads us into prayers of praise and worship.

So, the entirety of these prayerful writings help all of us remain devoted to God as we praise the Lord each day. Believers are people who are forgiven, redeemed, obedient, loving, and grateful! Being loved by God is the greatest blessing and knowing whatever we face in life the Lord has promised to be with us. We can find comfort in knowing God loves us and he is the One in control; he will bring his strength to deliver, protect, and sustain us according to his word. So, let every living thing sing praises to the Lord!

Psalm 150
1 
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heaven!
2 
Praise him for his mighty works;
    praise his unequaled greatness!
3 
Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
    praise him with the lyre and harp!
4 
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
    praise him with strings and flutes!
5 
Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
    praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
6 
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for always being there for us and helping us see our spiritual journey in this world can only be successfully lived as we connect to you. Life and death are placed before us all the time; help us to choose life so we can enjoy the blessings! We praise you today for being our Shepherd, Encourager, Comforter, and Friend. In Jesus’ name we pray and praise! Amen.

Friends, last week we spent 4 of our 5 devotional days together in the second chapter of 1 John. Today, the lectionary daily passage continues in 1 John, but we are moving into the third chapter. The topic, however, remains in alignment with the one I wrote on last week, which is our call to “Love One Another” as the Children of God, and as brothers and sisters of faith in Christ.

I was thinking about when John wrote his Gospel message, specifically when he outlines the time Jesus spent with the disciples before, during, and just after The Last Supper. If you recall, from John 13, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. In the first verse, of John 13, we are reminded that Jesus loved His disciples during His ministry on earth, and that He loved them to the very end of His physical existence. His love was so pure and deep that He washed their feet. He knew that within the same timeframe that the devil would prompt Judas to betray Him, leading to His capture, and death, yet He still washed Judas’s feet. Jesus told the disciples, “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (13:15) If we move two chapter ahead in the Gospel of John, and flip the last chapter and verse around, to 15:13, we see the purest and deepest love, the love of Jesus, as “There is no greater love than to lay down One’s life for One’s friends.”

If Jesus could wash Judas’ feet before he betrays Him to death, and then Jesus could sacrifice His life for you and me, you and I should be able to simply love one another. As you read today’s passage, remember the opposite of love is hate, and the opposite of life is death. So, when John tells us that when we do not love, we are hating and dead living, it is Truth. Don’t allow the devil to convince you that you would never hate someone and that you are not dead living, if in fact you are not loving all of your brothers and sister in Christ equally and in the likeness of Christ Himself. I believe this is a place we all need to grow in, and so it starts by being honest and asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, not being offended by the words, “hate” and “death”.

Friends, Jesus is our example so “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So, we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (v. 16) Jesus says, “I tell you the Truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message.” (13:16) So, it does not matter who the brother or sister are within His Family, Jesus says, “You didn’t choose Me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for using my Name. This is my command: Love each other.” (15:16-17). We are ALL commanded to love each other as God the Father, Himself, loves each one of us as His Children.

1 John 3:10-16 (NLT)

10 So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

Love One Another

11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. 13 So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

14 If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.

16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Prayer: Father, we ask for Your forgiveness because we do not always love one another the way that You love each of us. Thank You, for grafting us into Your Family. Holy Spirit, we need Your wisdom, guidance, and quick conviction so that we can have a heart that is more and more like Jesus. Jesus, Your love is the example for our lives, so please help us to be more like You. We ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

In our present culture, we seem to be fixated on words like inclusiveness, because we are afraid to exclude anyone for any reason or even keep a person accountable for a crime, a lack of skill, diligence, or motivation on a job. We are hesitant to temporarily hold children back in school even when they cannot yet demonstrate a proper level of learning, because we are more focused on their self-esteem and feelings than helping them cope with small failures and learning through hard work and sacrifice they are able to achieve more! Let’s remember, we [human beings] are made wonderfully complex; the workmanship of Almighty God (Ps 139:14).
Yesterday, I saw a report of how Mattel has designed a new version of Scrabble—a 75 y/o competitive spelling board game—that is more inclusive for Gen Z. The new name is called “Scrabble Together” and in the game everyone wins, because each player is offered helper cards, team advantage, and a simple scoring system. The release of this new game will begin tomorrow in Europe on April 13th to celebrate National Scrabble Day. No criticism from me, but really?

Every human being needs to find the “Pathway” to unity; however, we also need help to grow emotionally stronger through obstacles, spiritually wiser through temptation, and gain more knowledge through study each day. Of course, believers know Jesus is that Pathway, and although we are all invited to enter his Kingdom, each one of us must work out our salvation in the Spirit. It is, by the way, hard work that requires endurance and perseverance through failure. We need to be able to learn from the Spirit what is true and fight our flesh in order to follow righteousness. If all we do is cater to our flesh and think we will enjoy the fruits of heaven, we have believed a lie.

There is a term call “the gospel of universalism” which is the theology that all human souls will be saved and reconciled to God. But, Jesus referred to himself as the “Door” or “Gate” through whom people must enter salvation (John 10:9). So, God himself demonstrates spiritual exclusion for those who refuse to bow to Christ the Living Word of God to enter the Kingdom through the Great Door of salvation. Are we going to rewrite God’s Word to make it more inclusive?

This week in our lessons, the Apostle John has warned us about the lies of the Antichrist, as well as about false spiritual teachers who do not groom God’s family to live in the righteousness of Christ. False teachers pander to human weakness, rather than focus on God’s power to redeem. When John says we do not need anyone to teach us, he does not mean we do not need higher education, spiritual training, or position ourselves to learn from other believers. He means every believer has the indwelling Holy Spirit who bears witness when we hear the truth that is taught or shared by others. We don’t need to be led astray by lies, we can follow the Truth as long as we stay connected him!

1 John 2:26-28 NLT
26 I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. 27 But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship [connected] to Christ.

Living as Children of God
28 And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the lessons you have brought forward for us, today. We pray for our hearts to love and respect others. We pray for our minds to desire to learn and grow from you. We pray for healthy emotions and courage to learn from our mistakes and failures and grow in righteousness and endurance. We pray for the Holy Spirit to make us aware of lies and lead us into the Truth. We want to remain connected, Lord, so we reach out our hands to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.