Devotionals

April 16, 2018

1 John 3:10-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Lord knows all things about those who belong to him.  He knows the sincerity of our hearts.  He knows the words we speak.  He knows our attitudes and actions toward other people.  He knows because as believers he lives in us.  That is why he convicts us when we are not acting in love toward one another.  He looks for agreement between the love we have received from him and the love we actually extend to others.  When there is a discrepancy; the Spirit convicts us of unrighteousness.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul tells us “we know.”  What do we know?  We know what real love is because real love has been extended to us in Christ.  We know when we are operating in that love and when we are not because the Holy Spirit corrects us.  We know when others are operating in that love and when they are not, because our hearts are grieved and wounded.  We know.  So, let’s stop pretending to love people and really love them even when it calls for a sacrifice.  Let’s love others the way Christ loves us. You belong to him…serve him, get into agreement with him, and make him Lord!  However, with that decision, be prepared for the world to hate you and Satan to make you a target for trials.  Satan wants you to stop loving like Christ, because the love of Christ changes and restores everything it touches. Christ’s love makes all things new. 

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April 13, 2018

Psalm 4:4-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

David reminds us we can trust the Lord to take care of us.  In the midst of life’s challenges, the Lord is the One who brings us into peace.  Peace comes with agreement; we must agree with God who is perfect Love.  So, we journey out of a state of disagreement (that which opposes God’s way) and into a state of agreement or peace.  

That means there is no room for us to hold onto things like anger, resentment, bitterness or disobedience.  God who is Love is not in those things.  If you lack peace, relinquish those emotions and actions that are peace-robbers and take you out of agreement with God.  Instead, trust yourself to the Lord’s care.  He will bring you into peace and he will protect you with His Love.  He is the perfect Lover of your Soul.

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April 12, 2018

1 John 2:18-25 New Living Translation (NLT)

In our passage today, the apostle John reminds us about the spirit of antichrist; the spirit that denies the Father and the Son.  The phrase “the last hour” describes the time between the first and second coming of Jesus Christ.  At one time or another, I am sure you have heard someone say, “I believe in God, but I do not believe Jesus is his Son.”  Well, according to Scripture, “Anyone who denies the Son, does not have the Father, either” (v.23).  

The Spirit of Christ has been given to those who believe in the work of the Son; the Spirit causes us to know the difference between the truth of God and the lies of Satan.  Therefore, the Spirit is an incredible Gift from the Father and the Son so we can know the truth and live it.  We recognize deception because of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus will always be God’s divine Son and his sacrifice for the sins of the world is permanent.  Jesus is the Truth and the Holy Spirit guides people to Jesus.  Anything that is preached or taught that contradicts these truths comes from the spirit of antichrist and are inspired by lies.  

If you have never done so, now is the time to believe, connect to Christ, and live in the Truth of God’s love.

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April 11, 2018

Mark 12:18-27 New Living Translation (NLT)

All things in Scripture point to eternal life; essentially all things point to Christ who is life.  What life will be like in eternity we can only imagine, but Christ said it would be amazing because the Father has prepared it for us.  Jesus also said we had to trust our future to him and the power outflowing his resurrection.  Jesus taught about the resurrection; he told his disciples and followers he would rise in three days.   Because of Christ, we must believe in our own resurrection.  

The Sadducees held to the Law of Moses and were unwilling to look deeper into the spiritual truth of which Christ spoke.  They did not believe in the resurrection; they were trying to force the Word of God to say what they wanted to believe. Jesus sidesteps their question by pointing to their ignorance.  Jesus was not implying people would not recognize their partners in eternity; rather, he was simply saying eternity is not merely an extension of this life.  It is a new life with a new King and new physical and natural rules. It’s a whole new realm called reality.

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April 10, 2018

1 John 2:12-17 New Living Translation (NLT)

Faith–hoping for the unseen things of God–is developed over time and through experiences.  On the other hand, worldliness–craving the things of this world–comes naturally/innate.  Worldliness is really an internal state of the heart.  We must pay attention to what our heart longs for the most; we can find answers to where we are in our faith journey by doing so.  

God values things like meekness, generosity, fruitfulness, and a spirit of self control.  We are not to be led by our feelings or cravings.  We are to be led by the Spirit of God who exalts the Lordship of Christ.  So, today, deliberately indulge yourself in those things God values; make the Lord smile.

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April 9, 2018

1 John 2:3-11 The Message (MSG)

Our lives are to match the life of Jesus; if we have accepted his invitation to salvation, we belong to him.  The power outflowing the resurrection is for the purpose of raising our level of love.  That means being raised by the Father into a mature love and vibrant faith.  Faith works through perfect love; perfect love can be found in the commandments of God.  Scripture teaches God is Love, so therefore his commandments are established on the foundation of his Love.  When we move toward continuing faith, we move forward into the Light of God’s Love and we become powerful witnesses of Christ’s presence—the Living Word of God—with us.

Invite God to work and move in your life; internalized and apply his commandments of love to your life.  Sure, the Lord will bring change, but it will be the best change you could ever experience.  The change the Lord brings prepares us for eternity.

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April 6, 2018

Acts 4:23-31 New Living Translation (NLT)

In our reading today, the Apostles are learning what it means to live out of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit.  They are boldly stepping out in faith and taking authority in Christ.  Through them the Lord has healed a crippled beggar.  Miracles are following the apostles; lives are being changed.  

The religious leaders do not like what the apostles are teaching and they command Peter and John to stop teaching in the name of Jesus.  Do they stop when they are threatened by the elders of the religious council?  On the contrary, they pray and ask God for more courage. What is God’s response?  He fills them with the Holy Spirit and with boldness.

When we go through difficult times and the enemy is trying to snuff out our faith, the Lord promises to be with us.  Whatever your faith is facing today, you are not alone and Christ desires to show himself strong and powerful in you.  Pray for the strength of faith and courage you need.  Jesus will provide.

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April 5, 2018

Psalm 133 Good News Translation (GNT)

This morning’s passage teaches about harmony; the place where the Lord has promised his blessing—life that never ends.  Harmony is not about conformity; quite the opposite.  Harmony requires a blend of diversity.  In music, harmony is a blend of different notes played at the same time coming together for a beautiful song.

When it comes to our spiritual lives in relationship with the Lord, our lives all sing differently but every life should sing to glorify the Lord.  Therefore, the greatest harmony is experienced when God’s family comes together, bows before his authority, and seeks to glorify His name.  We do not have to sing the same note, because God has provided plenty of diverse lives to blend for the song.  Be happy with who you are and what you bring to life, because you are a necessary part of the harmony.  Blessing comes when you use your life to sing praise to God.

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April 4, 2018

Psalm 118 Good News Translation (GNT)

Our Lord is gracious and wonderfully good.  He fights our sin; he takes it on as his own.  He is the Victor and we are his righteous receivers.  Every heart needs the Lord and the power outflowing his resurrection.  Salvation connects us in order to be raised by the Father.  Because we belong to the Lord, not only do we have life eternal, we can overcome anything that comes against us.  The battle belongs to the Lord and he is always victorious in love.

Surrender your concerns and challenges to the Lord.  He loves you; He will deliver you and bring you through. He is the Savior.

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April 3, 2018

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (NLT)

Our passage today is a continuation of the spiritual lesson from yesterday about the resurrected bodies that we will one day occupy; a future with immortality.  Because of our present human limitations, we look forward to a time when we no longer suffer from those physical, emotional, or mental challenges.  

In the meantime, God’s grace is sufficient to carry us through whatever we face while in these mortal bodies. It requires living in the power outflowing Christ’s resurrection; the firstborn of the resurrection.  We will explore more about resurrection living in the weeks to come.  We need each other as we love one another through our human limitations.  Remember, nothing we every do in the name of Christ to share mercy and offer help to one another or further the Kingdom is ever wasted.  God sees and knows. He is glorified in our lives when we press on to love him wholeheartedly and love one another.

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