Devotionals

Daily Reading: 9-7-16

Luke 18:18-30 Living Bible (TLB)

 

Sometimes Christ’s Word can make us feel very uncomfortable.  Jesus can ask for us to follow him by surrendering something that makes us feel secure or to which we base our identity.  What makes you feel secure or important?  What is it that makes you feel like you stand out from the crowd?  Chances are the thing that makes you feel the most important has the greatest chance of robbing you of receiving something even better.  God is Good and He desires to bring forth supernatural promises, but sometimes we have to let go of what is presently in our hands.

 

In today’s reading, Jesus encounters a man who gains his worth and value out of his money and possessions. These things give the man a sense of authority and power in his community.  Jesus asks the rich man to give it all away to the poor and follow him.  The lesson for this man will be to find his security and identity in Christ; not his money or his possessions.  God wants to take care of him.  Great blessings await the rich man and Jesus reminds him of that truth.  But, the request is just too much to ask and the man walks away humanly rich but spiritually robbed.  If we are going to follow Christ into Kingdom living, we must focus on what we have to gain; rather, than focus on what God has asked us to surrender.

Read more

Daily Reading: 9-6-16

1 Timothy 3:14-4:2 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

 

The truth of the gospel is that Jesus was both divine and human, so we could know salvation.  It’s a mystery that can cause people to doubt and stumble. However, because of Jesus, we can enjoy a divine relationship with God while our human nature is being made holy by the Spirit.  If you think about it, you will realize it is an indescribable gift.  Jesus lived in perfect harmony with Father God.  We can do the same, because Jesus is Truth and Christ lives in us.

 

Division is always trying to pop up in the faith community to send the teaching of God’s love off course. Satan lies to our human side; we have to forbid him access to our thoughts.  As well, we need to be able to identify when others are lying as instruments of Satan’s deception.   We must turn our spiritual ear toward the Truth (the Spirit bears witness) so we can keep growing in the unity of faith that is modeled by Christ. 

Read more

Daily Reading: 9-2-16

Psalm 1 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

 

If I were to ask you what makes you happy, how would you answer my question?  Many people think happiness is based on temporal pleasures; when everything in life is going well we can be happy.  Yet, Scripture teaches that happiness is actually simply knowing and following Truth (Jesus).  We were created to live in the Truth of God’s love through the Savior.  It is how God made us.  So, when we do not align our lives with the Truth, we may know fleeting pleasure but not biblical happiness.  If we are not discovering and following the Truth with our lives, who are we following?  The advice of the Liar.

 

The word blessed is translated “happy or to be envied.”  In our passage today, the Psalmist laid out the Way to Happiness or blessing; the way to success in everything we do.

Read more

Daily Reading: 9-1-16

Psalm 139:1-6 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

 

How does God know what’s going on inside us?  In our passage from the Psalter, we are reminded that God looks in our hearts; He knows our desires.  God knows our thoughts; he discovers them from heaven.  God knows what we are going to say before we even open our mouths.  Yikes!  That thought comforts me and startles me all at the same time.  God knows me.

Read more

Daily Reading: 8-31-16

Luke 14:15-24 Living Bible (TLB)

 

Like an excellent Host, God has extended two invitations for people to enter the Kingdom.  One invitation was through Moses and the prophets; this was really to announce an upcoming event.  Many religious people received this invitation.  The second invitation was when God sent his Son into the world to announce the guests should now come because everything is ready for relationship.  This second invitation has been met with all kinds of excuses through the years. 

Our present culture may use different excuses, but they are still excuses for not attending and feasting on spiritual provision that is found in a relationship with Christ.  By making excuses, people find themselves in spiritual starvation.  How sad when the feast is ready and waiting.

 

While Jesus was having dinner with friends and family, he was sharing with them about the invitation to enter the Kingdom.  A man listening to Jesus and witnessing his glory still did not understand how one could enter the Kingdom. So Jesus told the following parable.

Read more

Daily Reading:  8-29-16

Psalm 119:65-72 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

If I have calculated things correctly, today would have been Mother and Dad’s 68th wedding anniversary.  It is hard to believe but it has been six years since Dad went home to be with Jesus; I miss him.  In fact, I have thought a lot about Dad recently.  He was a strict parent, but a good one.  When Dad told us to do something; he meant it and wanted it done quickly.  More than once I dallied too long and found myself in the thick of a discipline moment.

 

It can be the same with our heavenly Father.  Sometimes we can be so slow to follow God’s commands for our lives we find ourselves being disciplined.  God is honored when we pay attention to His Word and quickly step out to follow.  In our passage today, the Psalmist reminds us what a blessing it is when we allow God to teach us.

 

Psalm 119:65-72

65 

You have done many good things for me, Lord,

    just as you promised.

66 

I believe in your commands;

    now teach me good judgment and knowledge.

67 

I used to wander off until you disciplined me;

    but now I closely follow your word.

68 

You are good and do only good;

    teach me your decrees.

69 

Arrogant people smear me with lies,

    but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.

70 

Their hearts are dull and stupid,

    but I delight in your instructions.

71 

My suffering was good for me,

    for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.

72 

Your instructions are more valuable to me

    than millions in gold and silver.

 

Prayer:  Father, please continue to teach and instruct me; I need you. I want to thank you for the times you have disciplined me, too.  I have learned many valuable insights even from my mistakes; I thank you for my ability to recognize the truth.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

Daily Reading:  8-26-16

Psalm 112 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Do you ever read the Word of God and then sit back and ponder the great blessings that are available to those who trust and obey Him?  In our passage today, we notice those who turn from doing evil and respect God’s ways are truly blessed.  A few spiritual blessings I notice from our reading:  joy, successful relationships, prosperity, live without fear, compassion, and generosity.  Some character blessings that are developed in those who love and trust God: fairness, kindness, mercy, dependability, and influence.  And let’s not forget our passage ends with the statement that God’s blessings are so great on His children, the wicked of the world can actually be jealous. 

Read more

Daily Reading:  8-25-16

1 Peter 3:8-12 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

In God’s Kingdom, taking revenge or insulting another person is an unacceptable behavior.  This is a very challenging expectation God has for His children, because it is our natural inclination to lash out and hurt people who hurt us.  Being tenderhearted and humble when someone else has pushed you beyond your ability to maintain peace requires God’s strength.  You cannot accomplish it alone.

 

All Christians are called to be peacemakers; sons and daughters of God who work toward peace. We work to bring people into a place of peace with God and one another.  To work toward peace with others, we must bring problems out into the open and deal with them before those problems begin to dominate our thoughts and steer us toward negativity.   Because when we allow negativity to take root, it isn’t long before our mouths are engaged in speaking evil.

Read more

Daily Reading:  8-24-16

Luke 6:6-11The Voice (VOICE)

 

God is always trying to bring us spiritual insight, but we must be open to it.  The Word brings instruction to our souls which need salvation, but many times that Word finds a hostile reception from our mind, will, and emotions.  We may be resistant to change, so we seek to dismiss or even discredit the Word of God. 

 

In our passage of Scripture today, Jesus wants to help people understand God’s heart to heal and restore them. A man with a crippled hand would be Christ’s example.  Jesus also wants the religious scholars and teachers who are witnesses to gain a glimpse of their malicious intent; he knows their thoughts.  They wanted to accuse Jesus of breaking the spirituals law of practicing medicine on the Sabbath, but instead the Word accused them by shining a light on the evil in their own hearts. 

Read more

Daily Reading:  8-23-16

Revelation 3:7-13 New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Have you ever been falsely accused?  In this world, we may find ourselves enduring accusatory comments, nasty rumors, and unkind or even cruel treatment.  This treatment can come from unbelievers, as well as professing believers.  Just because a person confesses to know Jesus does not mean that person has allowed the Holy Spirit to bring transforming love to his or her soul (mind/will/emotions).  When a Spirit-led Christ follower opens his or her mouth, the words are not accusatory.  Satan is actually the accuser of those who love Christ.

 

In his revelation to the Apostle John, we understand Jesus knows when his followers endure trials and remain obedient despite persecution.  God knows when our hearts are faithful.  That understanding encourages my heart!  Let’s read our passage for today; Christ’s message to the church in Philadelphia.

Read more