Devotionals

Daily Reading 2-6-17

Romans 11:2-10 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Happy Monday to you all!  Thank you so much for a wonderful birthday brunch at the church today; it was a delight sharing my celebration with all of you.  You blessed me.

 

Over the years I have listened to people talk about whether or not God was done with the Jews.  Has the church replaced the Jews as God’s chosen people?  Let’s turn to Scripture to answer that question…

 

Romans 11:2-10

2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

4 And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”

 

5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

 

7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. 8 As the Scriptures say,

 

“God has put them into a deep sleep.

To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see,

    and closed their ears so they do not hear.”

 

Prayer:  Father, your Word teaches you have brought a spiritual blindness to the Jews until the full number of Gentiles (non-Jews) have responded to the gospel.  Thank you for loving the Jews and for loving the rest of us, too.  Glory be to you, O Lord!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Daily Reading 2-3-17

James 3:13-18New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Scripture teaches God has united us with Christ and for our benefit made Christ to be wisdom itself (1 Corinthians 1:30).  Wisdom is associated with righteous motives; it is pure, peace-loving, gentle, and merciful.  Simply put, wisdom is the spirit of Christ revealed in humble people through effective practice of God’s ways.  

 

Pride on the other hand stirs anger and contention, is puffed up, self-exalting, and demands its own way.  Simply put, pride is the spirit of fallen humanity operating in human understanding apart from God; it is foolishness and manifests in arrogant destructive competitiveness.  

 

James 3:13-18 True Wisdom Comes from God

13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

 

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

 

Prayer:  I pray for my heart to be right before you, Lord.  Bring to my understanding any prideful attitudes or motives that need sanctification and healing.  Help me to be a great citizen of this country by practicing wisdom in my own life.  I pray for peace and wisdom to rule in this country.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.  

Daily Reading 2-2-17

Malachi 3:1-4 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

I know very little about refining metals, but I do realize the Lord uses the word “refining” to refer to his work of holiness; taking our flesh and making it holy.  Malachi releases a prophecy the Messiah will bring the refining fire that will make a sinful people holy.  

 

We are purified by God when we are open to his purification process.  When things heat up inside, God is up to something good in our lives.  May we cooperate with the Lord’s process for his glory.  If you have been tasting the Refiner’s fire, pray for the Lord to make you strong.

 

Malachi 3:1-4  The Coming Day of Judgment

3 “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

 

2 “But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. 3 He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.

 

Prayer:  Lord, I realize there is still much work to be done in my flesh to reflect a greater measure of your image.  Thank you for working for my good.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Reading 2-1-17

Luke 6:17-26 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

When the Word of God is partnered with the anointing (influence of the Holy Spirit), the results is people begin to understand the work of Christ and His love for them.  In our passage, today, the crowds come to hear Jesus—the Word—and receive healing and peace from inner turmoil.  

 

Jesus has authority and power over sickness and disease, as well as evil.  While on earth, he overcame sin and death.  May we remember this truth and cry out to Jesus in order to receive from His amazing Grace. Some of us may need physical healing, emotional healing, and/or spiritual renewal.  If your soul is craving an impartation of peace, Jesus is the answer.  May God’s highest and best be released for you, today.

 

Luke 6:17-19  Crowds Follow Jesus

17 When they came down from the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil spirits were healed. 19 Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.

 

Prayer:  Lord, please impart your peace to my weary mind, will, and emotions.  I take authority in the name of Jesus over anything that would try to rob me of the blessing of your perfect peace. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Daily Reading 1-31-17

Psalm 37:8  New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Are you quick to lose your temper?  We have all experienced strong feelings when things took place that we did not expect.  Anger is a very strong emotion; sustained anger is a very destructive emotion and gives a foothold to evil.  God’s children are to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry because anger does not produce righteousness (James 1:19-20).  

 

Psalm 37:8  

8 

Stop being angry!

    Turn from your rage!

Do not lose your temper—

    it only leads to harm.

 

Prayer:  Lord, help me to put a watch over my emotions; to choose to love and believe the best of others.  I can see the enemy is trying to get people angry and bitter.  With patience I will gain greater understanding; so, I will remain focused on You with trust.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.  

Daily Reading 1-30-17

Psalm 37:3-5 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

When our son, Joe, was eighteen, he preached a sermon on Psalm 37.  I will never forget it. Every time I read Psalm 37, his sermon rises up in my heart.  The sermon involved three simple words:  Trust, Delight, and Commitment.   

 

Joe taught about the value of trusting the Lord; trust is the root that upholds and nourishes the tree of the Christian life.  He highlighted the word “delight” and encouraged everyone “to bend toward” or “be inclined toward” pleasing the Lord; submitting to His way and working for the salvation of others. When we set our hearts on pleasing the Lord, the Lord brings us blessings in return.  Joe shared a cute story about commitment that drove a deeper meaning of that word home, too.  I will share it with you now:

 

Once upon a time, a chicken and pig lived on a farm.  The farmer was very good to them and they both wanted to do something good for him.  One day the chicken approached the pig and said, “I have a great idea for something we can do for the farmer!  Would you like to help?”

 

The pig, quite intrigued by this said, “Of course.  What is it you propose?”

 

The chicken knew how much the farmer enjoyed a good healthy breakfast.  He also knew how little time the farmer had to make a good breakfast.  “I think the farmer would be very happy if we made him breakfast,” said the chicken.  

The pig replied, “I’d be happy to help you make breakfast for the farmer!  What do you suggest we make?”

 

The chicken understanding that he had little else to offer suggested, “I could provide some eggs.”

 

The pig knew the farmer might want more, “That’s a fine start.  What else should we make?”  

 

The chicken looked around, scratched his head, then said, “Ham?  The farmer loves ham and eggs!”

 

The pig, very mindful of what this implied said, “That’s fine, but while you’re making a contribution I’m making a real commitment!”

 

As you read our passage from Psalm, today.  Please examine your level of trust, delight, and commitment to the Lord.  Blessings for your day!

 

Psalm 37:3-5

3 

Trust in the Lord and do good.

    Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

4 

Take delight in the Lord,

    and he will give you your heart’s desires.

5 

Commit everything you do to the Lord.

    Trust him, and he will help you.

 

Prayer:  Lord, you are looking for me to trust you with my whole being.  May I delight or lean toward pleasing you moment by moment.  And Lord, help me to be sold out in my commitment to love you and my neighbor, because it is you mission in the world.  Spill your favor and love over me and everyone who reads this prayer.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Daily Reading 1-27-17

John 13:31-35New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Every Christ follower understands he or she is to love others.  Yet, not every follower understands the magnitude of Christ’s command.  Stated simply we are to love others the sacrificial way that Christ has loved us.   If we are honest in evaluating our love for others, more than likely we would not call it sacrificial love.   This kind of love is not convenient, can be emotionally painful because we are called to give when it hurts, is draining to our energy, and requires we think of the well-being of others not just ourselves.  It is this sacrificial kind of love that reveals us as Christ’s disciples or followers.  This love sets us apart from the shallow love of the world.  Jesus knew Peter would deny him, yet Christ sacrificially loved him.  Later, Peter would know just how much Christ loved him and he would spend his life sharing that same sacrificial love.  

 

John 13:31-35  Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man[a] to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. 32 And since God receives glory because of the Son,[b] he will give his own glory to the Son, and he will do so at once. 33 Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

 

Prayer:  Lord, it is time to grow up into the kind of love that reveals us as your followers.  Help me to lead, preach, and teach about this amazing love that is so valuable to your work of salvation.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Reading 1-26-17

Psalm 15 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Our words matter if we are interested in building up relationships as God’s children; we cannot just throw out comments that hurt people and still please God. We are called to be worshipers of the Most High and that means we live to please our Father.  It means we know when to shut our mouths if we are tempted to harm others with our words. 

 

In David’s song, he sings about the heart that may know a deep intimate place of worship with God.  In this song, how we use our words can either connect us with God or distance us from God.

 

Psalm 15  A psalm of David.

1 

Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?

    Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?

2 

Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,

    speaking the truth from sincere hearts.

3 

Those who refuse to gossip

    or harm their neighbors

    or speak evil of their friends.

4 

Those who despise flagrant sinners,

    and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,

    and keep their promises even when it hurts.

5 

Those who lend money without charging interest,

    and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.

Such people will stand firm forever.

 

Prayer:  Lord, in this world there seems to be a spiritual battle going on with words; conflict and deception are busy dividing.  Help me to guard my words carefully so I may not sin against you or my neighbor.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Daily Reading 1-24-17

Philippians 2:12-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Constant complaining seems to be a way of life for many people these days. Every time I turn on the news someone is complaining about something or someone.  It is sad because according to Scripture it is choosing to live with a dark attitude rather than a Light spirit.   Why are we expecting that other people must please us?

 

A sign of our salvation is desiring to please and trust God to bring things about for our good. Maybe we need to grow in the understanding that to actually trust God means we accept this natural world is not always going to give us what we want; so God will find a way to get a better blessing to us.  Life is not always fair, but God is Good!  Can you be joyful and peaceful even when things are not going the way you want them to go?  The Father loves us; we are his children who are to shine in the darkness.

 

Philippians 2:12-18 Shine Brightly for Christ

12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

 

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God,[a] just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

 

Prayer:  Father, please help me to watch my attitude and avoid a complaining spirit, today.  Help me to trust you with gratitude.  This world may disappoint me, but you never will.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Daily Reading 1-19-17

Galatians 1:11-24  New Living Translation (NLT)

 

It is interesting to me how the Lord can turn our passions and inclinations for thinking and living around.  I can certainly testify how the Lord has changed me by renewing my mind and thoughts and imparting His will.  I have faced many a turn around once the Lord imparted Truth. The Apostle Paul was driven to destroy the Christian movement until the Lord help him see the error of his reasoning, his wrong inclinations, and the lack of love in his heart.  

 

Galatians 1:11-24 Paul’s Message Comes from Christ

11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.[a]

 

13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.

 

15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me[b] so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.

 

When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being.[c] 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.

 

18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter,[d] and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.

 

21 After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And still the churches in Christ that are in Judea didn’t know me personally. 23 All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” 24 And they praised God because of me.

 

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for having a plan for my life that exists apart from my performance and understanding.  May you be glorified in what I am called to share by grace.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.