Devotionals

May 14, 2018

Philippians 1:3-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

If you were allowed to give one message to people you truly cared about, what would that message be? What would you want to place in their thoughts that would last?  In our lesson today, the Apostle Paul wants to get a message to his spiritual family of what really matters in life: to overflow with the love and righteous character of Jesus Christ.  

Jesus is the Answer and Good News for every issue, because he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is the Way, because he brings new perspective to human thinking.  He is the Truth, because he is Wisdom incarnate.  He is the Life, because he is the Savior who leads us into eternal life in connection to the Father through the Spirit.  Take time today to truly give thanks to the Lord and pray for opportunities to share a message of hope to those in your sphere of influence.  God knows when someone needs to hear the Good News.

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May 11, 2018

Revelation 1:9-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Christ has set us free from the death penalty of sin by his death on the cross; his blood has atoned for our sin and set us free to live eternally.  We can now share the good news of God’s love with others.  Every person who believes in Christ’s work on the cross is called to administer the Father’s love; in Christ we have the anointing and the power to endure every trial that may come when we by faith choose to share the Word with others.

Our passage today is written by the Apostle John.  He is exiled to Patmos for preaching the Gospel, but God uses that time to bring great revelation to John.  As you read, enjoy his description of the Son of Man; the First and the Last…the Beginning and the End.  Glory to the Living Lord!

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May 10, 2018

Luke 24:44-53 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Yesterday, we went to the Gospel of Mark to read about Jesus’ last day on earth before his ascension to heaven.  He commissioned his disciples to teach repentance, baptism, forgiveness of sin, and new life in Christ by their witness.  Their experience with Christ was of great importance and they were to remember it.  In his Spirit-led humanity, he fulfilled everything mentioned in the Scriptures or Word of God: Torah, Prophets, Psalms.  But, the disciples needed one more thing before they began the work of Christ…the person and power of the Holy Spirit.

In our passage today, from the Gospel of Luke, after Jesus had commissioned his disciples, he told them to wait in Jerusalem until they had received power from on high. Fulfilling Christ’s mission to redeem the world was never anything to be done in human strength or power.  God’s redemption of humanity and the world would be accomplished by the fulfillment of another prophetic Old Testament Scripture, “I am the LORD all-Powerful.  So don’t depend on your own power or strength, but on my Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6 CEV). 

According to Scripture, Christ is coming back for his Body of believers.  Something God has impressed upon my heart has to do with the “building” or “grooming” of the Temple or the Body of Christ. Before the ascension or rapture of believers, the Spirit will be poured out over all flesh and true power from on high will be experienced in those who have made themselves ready. You can be made ready by repentance (turning to Christ), forgiveness of sin (asking to be covered by the blood of Christ), and allowing the work of the Spirit (cleansing us or reshaping our lives) to bring us into agreement with the Word—Jesus Christ—the Head of the Body.  Walking by faith and allowing the renewing of our thoughts is the grooming process. Allow the Spirit to use the Word to renew your mind or thinking.  Deception is the work of Satan and the way to protect ourselves against it is the renewing of our minds.  Christ the Head is returning and he will be looking for the Body of believers made in his image.

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May 9, 2018

Mark 16:19-20 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Our passage today follows the resurrection of Jesus and his multiple appearances to some of his followers.  After these appearances, there were still some of the eleven original disciples who did not believe the witness of others and their encounters with the risen Lord. Interestingly, for this reason Jesus rebukes his eleven disciples for their lack of faith.  Did they believe Jesus would only reveal himself to them?  Are they thinking Jesus is not interested in saving others? Perhaps they thought of themselves as more spiritual than others.  No matter the reason, their response caused Jesus to rebuke them in order to refocus them on their mission.  Isn’t it interesting how off-task we can be as Christ’s followers when we make faith and salvation about ourselves and not for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom? 

Following his rebuke, Jesus gives the disciples what we call the Great Commission.  “Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world. 16 Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned. 17 Everyone who believes me will be able to do wonderful things. By using my name they will force out demons, and they will speak new languages. 18 They will handle snakes and will drink poison and not be hurt. They will also heal sick people by placing their hands on them” (Mark 16:15-18).

By using the name of Jesus and calling people to believe, we, too, can walk in the Great Commission for the good news of Christ.  In fact, it is not an option.  It’s a required mission.

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May 8, 2018

1 Timothy 6:13-16 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Today’s passage is again a continuation of the Apostle Paul’s charge to his spiritual son, Timothy.  Paul asks Timothy to remain in integrity with God and his human connections even when he comes under fire.  Why would Paul ask Timothy to make such a promise?  Because when Christ’s followers compromise their integrity it dilutes the Gospel.  As well, it grieves the Spirit who desires to bring pure power for transformation.  It hinders our witness and sends the message the Spirit’s power is insufficient to change our lives.  We need the boldness the Spirit brings, so we can inspire others to embrace faith in Christ and live in the Light of His Love.

Live each day with an awareness of God’s presence with you.  If we stay focused on our understanding that God sees every action and is aware of every thought, it will be easier to stay in a place of integrity (unity of inner and outer life).  Don’t compromise your testimony; tells others about the saving grace of our sovereign King and Lord, Jesus Christ.   

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May 7, 2018

1 Timothy 6:11-12 New Life Version (NLV)

Our passage this morning is based on the Apostle Paul’s continued mentoring of his spiritual son, Timothy.  Earlier, in Chapter 6, Paul instructs Timothy to be content with his present life and what God is doing in it.  He is to take authority over selfish living and instead choose to live a life that pleases God.  

Paul reminds Timothy that one day riches will be gone, contentment will have to sustain him, he will need to guard his heart against greed, choose to love people more than money, be kind and commit to share what he has with others, and love God’s work even if he is not paid. According to Paul, if Timothy is willing to open his life up to the Lord’s work and live in these areas by faith, he will not be a slave to his human desires. He will be right with God by fighting the good fight of faith in love. Eternal living must be every Christ follower’s goal. 

We can all learn from Paul’s mentoring.  If God is asking you to wait for something in your life, take the Apostle Paul’s advice and live in contentment, walk in love, and use your faith to believe for growth and provision. 

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May 4, 2018

Psalm 98 The Message (MSG)

In our passage today, the psalmist encourages us to praise the Lord for the salvation he provides humanity by his death and resurrection; as well, he calls us to praise the Lord because Christ will return soon to set the world and humanity righteous before him. Praise the Lord! One day God will deal with sin once and for all.  Sometimes, if we are willing to be honest, we would like God to overlook sin, but he simply loves us way too much to do so.  

Do you realize it is love that causes the Lord to set righteous boundaries for his children?  The boundary of love protects and establishes us in the image of Christ; ”’You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. And your neighbor as yourself.”’ (Matt 22:37).  The Lord desires more for us than we desire for ourselves.  God will deal with evil when he returns the next time.  In the meantime, let’s choose to let him love us into right living, so we are ready for his return.  Blessings for your weekend.

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May 3, 2018

Acts 10:1-36 The Message (MSG)

Our passage today is quite long but a wonderful lesson for every person.  Clearly, God demonstrates no favoritism.  If people are sincerely seeking God, they will find him.  As they seek, God will send people to connect them to Christ.  Never rule out God’s love for every human being.  As long as we are seeking God and willing to live according to His Word, the door for relationship is open and the offer for eternal life in the love of God is available. God is Good!

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May 2, 2018

John 14:21-28 The Message (MSG)

Jesus left us with two commandment.  He said all the other commands of Father God could be summed up this way:  “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

We are to love the LORD—Christ who is the visible image of the invisible God—with all our hearts.  That means we love him and obey him; in other words we keep his commandments of love.  How blessed we are that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help and teach us to love the way God requires. You may feel that certain people are beyond your capability to love and that may be true.  But they are not beyond God’s capability to love through you.  We must allow God’s love to flow.  Stay strong and stay committed to love the LORD and allow him to have his way of love in and through your life. 

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May 1, 2018

James 3:17-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

Wisdom is revealed by the depth of a person’s Christ-like character.  If we are operating in true wisdom, we are sincere and our lives demonstrate integrity or wholeness; our actions accurately reflect what is on the inside.  If we have wisdom operating on the inside it will be confirmed by our actions; it will be a place of shalom or peace between our heart and our actions.  It will be a posture of sincerity.

A true apple tree produces apples; not oranges. The tree could believe and declare its identity as an apple tree all day long, but if the fruit it bears are oranges it is not an apple tree.  A tree of wisdom in a person’s life will produce the character of Christ who was led by the Spirit.  God has made Christ to be wisdom itself for our benefit. Therefore, the spiritual fruit we bear should be love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  

If we are bearing the fruit of anger, bitterness, worry, unforgiveness—essentially unbelief in God’s power to deliver us from such things in our actions—we are not representing Christ in integrity.  We are not operating in wisdom.   We can call ourselves Christians all day long, but the fruit will reveal the truth.  So, we must stay in the Word of God and allow the Spirit to help us bear good fruit, righteous fruit, and much of it.  May our Heavenly Father have mercy on us and the Holy Spirit help us to embrace Christ—Wisdom—for the glory of God.

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