Devotionals

Daily Reading 11-18-16

Acts 24:10-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

Did you know that when you are faced with adversity it becomes an opportunity for you to witness for Christ?

The Apostle Paul was able to use every opportunity that came his way to witness for Christ.  Paul was falsely accused; the religious leaders hoped Felix would execute the apostle based on their testimony.  The Apostle Paul was accused by the religious leaders of being a troublemaker, leading an unrecognized religious cult, and trying to desecrate the temple.  Paul defended himself against these accusations by simply admitting that he followed the Way; presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Daily Reading 11-16-16

Ephesians 5:1-2 The Message (MSG)

Good morning!  I want to thank you for your prayers.  I am home from the hospital, but still need to rest.  I have missed these devotional times, so I am going to try to post them each morning.  I need my time with the Lord and so do you.

God calls his children to imitate him in how he loves.  The world’s love is shallow and selective, but not God’s love.  God may not love everything we do, but he always loves us and wants fellowship with us.  We may not love everything others do, but we are still called to love them.

Our passage this morning is based on a letter from the Apostle Paul to the church at Ephesus.  He reminds the family of God how to love.

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Daily Reading 11-7-16

2 Peter 1:16-21 New Life Version (NLV)

How do you view Scripture? Is it a historical document, a theological story, a good book of virtues, or is it the inspired Word and revelation of God to humanity about Himself and His will?   Your perception will likely determine the measure of authority the Bible is given over your life.   

Scripture is filled with times of human interaction with God.  In our passage, today, Peter shares the importance of Scripture.  Remember, he had the privilege of witnessing the glorification of Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration.  Nothing would ever be able to rob him of knowing the truth of that encounter with God or sharing it with others; Peter knows Christ is the enteral Son of God.  It is a documented story in the Bible.  Peter tells us to trust the Scriptures.

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Daily Reading 11-3-16

Psalm 145:1-5 New Living Translation (NLT)

Do you know what can turn a tough day around?  Praise.  It’s true.  When we lift up the name of Jesus and praise him for his amazing grace, it lifts our focus off from ourselves and onto the Savior.  Our spirits gain strength and our souls—mind, will, emotions—turn toward joy.  God inhabits the praise of his people, so we can experience more of God when we declare his goodness.  Try it!

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Daily Reading 11-2-16

Luke 19:11-27 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus tells his disciples he will be going back to the Father soon, but that he will one day return for them.  Until he returns, the disciples are to be busy going about the Father’s business of sharing the Good News.  They are to use their gifts for the benefit of the Kingdom.  

Jesus tells us the same thing through his Word, today.  How strongly does God feel about us remaining faithful to the work of the Kingdom while waiting for his Second Coming?  Jesus shared a parable to convey the importance.

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Daily Reading 11-1-16

Luke 6:20b, 31 New Living Translation (NLT)

I like simple or elementary ideas and tasks.  Do you like it when things are simple to understand or do?  You don’t have to spend a long time thinking about how to accomplish the task, because it is not complicated. When something is simple to understand and do, we should have no trouble doing it, right?

I have shortened our passage today to one verse in order to keep it simple, but as uncomplicated as the verse truly is to understand, every human being has difficulty consistently applying it to his or her life.  

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Daily Reading 10-31-16

Psalm 32:1-7 New Living Translation (NLT)

Have you ever wanted to do something for someone so badly, but you realized you needed to wait until that person allowed it?  Well, I believe that is how God feels sometimes about our sin.  He desperately wants to forgive us, but we have to confess our sin.  When we confess our sin, we are actually agreeing with God.  We are telling God he is right and we have been wrong.

In our passage today, David found joy when he finally confessed his sin to God; he got into agreement and the weight of sin fell away.

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Daily Reading 10-28-16

2 Peter 1:3-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

Through the years, people have made some great promises to me and have delivered them; a tremendous blessing in my life.  God makes promises to His children, too.  His promises are associated with giving us the ability to share in His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption.  Talk about some great promises!  Since we cannot turn on news broadcasts without hearing the word “corruption,” God’s promises sound like something we all need.  Amen?

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Daily Reading 10-27-16

2 Corinthians 1:3-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

Life is full of opportunities to share our stories with others.  We may share our life lessons of success or we may share our life lessons of loss and failure.  Every lesson is important.  But, did you know when we suffer or face troubles, God comes to comfort us?  Scripture tells us God comes to shower us with his comfort.  What a shower of blessing!  And here’s an important lesson to be gained about God’s comfort.  He brings it so we will turn and share our lessons of comfort with others.  People around us may be hurting; let’s share the comfort through Christ.

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Daily Reading 10-26-16

Matthew 21:28-32 New Living Translation (NLT)

Today’s passage is one of my favorite parables shared by Jesus.  It reminds me of how off track we can get with what God is really asking of us.  God desires that we might go into the world and share the Truth of His love with others; to share that when we repent of our sin Christ is faithful to forgive us.  As believers we vow, “I will go!”  But, do we?  We must believe AND follow.  Let’s remember to obey our Father.

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