Devotionals

Intro: This morning very early I decided to turn on the news so I could get caught up on the very latest things happening in our nation and the world. I spend very little time reading the news online or watching it on cable, but I do try to stay informed. Today, I saw more about: 1) the innocent hostages released by hamas, 2) the innocent Jewish teacher in NYC (Queens) who was harassed and threatened by pro-Palestinian high school student protesters, and lastly 3) the “crash and carry” robberies violating innocent business owners. I prayed, Lord, please bring an end to the evil aimed at the innocent in your world. Shortly thereafter I read Psalm 7 and God’s principle of retribution presented itself before me. How would you define “retribution?”

Sometimes we compare retribution with vengeance, but they are really not the same thing. Retribution is about seeking justice but it is not personal; it is about taking issue with unrighteousness or wrong doing. Retribution takes no pleasure in the suffering of others, its goal is simply to mete out justice and remove the danger from society by deterring other criminals. In the Old Testament Law, retribution was to be proportional to the crime committed. Think about the phrase “an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth” (Ex 21:23-25). Jesus taught, “Don’t resist one who is evil” (Mat5:38). So, how are we to view retribution, today?

I believe God made it very clear that the judicial system was established to take issue with evil actions against the innocent (Ro 13:1, 6). So, it is the duty of government and those in authority to protect the innocent by enacting retribution on those who perform acts of evil. Yet, more and more it becomes apparent that our system of protecting the innocent is failing miserably. In fact, I believe this apathy to take issue with evil actions/criminal and violent behavior is being orchestrated by Satan in order to lull wicked people into thinking they will face no retributive action for the injustice they perpetuate against innocent people. But, Satan is a liar! (John 8:44).

In our passage today, David reminds us about the law of divine retribution. In other words, how God will take issue with humans who choose to do evil and thinking they will get away with it. God maintains moral order in the world by meting out justice. When a person or group of people are determined to rob, steal, or destroy the innocent, they position themselves for their own destruction (Mat 26:52). This is called sowing and reaping.

Psalm 7:14-16 CEV
14
An evil person is like a woman
    about to give birth
to a hateful, deceitful,
    and rebellious child.
15 
Such people dig a deep hole,
    then fall in it themselves.
16 
The trouble they cause
    comes back on them,
and their heads are crushed
    by their own evil deeds.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing a greater understanding of retribution and the importance of godly justice. I pray for you to deliver people from evil; I pray for them to want to be saved from their own self-destruction. Thank you for loving us enough to discipline us, so we do not face this kind of reaping or harvest. We place our hope in Jesus who has promised to one day usher in a just world as the Spirit transforms the world into a place of righteousness and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In today’s passage, Paul was imprisoned for a second time in Rome, and he was writing to Timothy, his spiritual mentee, who was thousands of miles away sharing the Gospel message about Christ in Ephesus. Paul knew his death was coming soon, and he wanted to speak encouragement to Timothy who he considered his “true son in faith” (1 Tim 1:2). Think about Paul’s situation for a moment, he was imprisoned for sharing the Gospel message about Christ alongside of murderers, yet all he could think about was making sure that Timothy continued to share the Good News about Jesus long after he was gone. The best part is that the Romans believed that by putting Paul’s physical body in prison they could stop the spread of Jesus’s Message. But here we are, about 1,958 years later, learning from Paul and hopefully listening to his guidance about being “A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus” because every single one of us will one day physically die, but the Word of God can never be imprisoned, and it lives on (as our spiritual presences do) for all eternity with Christ.

Paul begins today’s letter with, “Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus (v.1).”

Read that again but this time insert your name and either son or daughter:” __________, my dear (son/daughter), be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus (v.1).”

Paul knew what it meant to “suffer” for his faith in Christ as he was chained like a criminal for it, but his message seeks for us to know that although we will suffer for our faith in Christ, we must never lay our faith in Christ down. We are to remain confident in our faith and hopeful in our trust that the Word can never be chained or imprisoned as He lives for all eternity.

How do we endure? Paul tells us in the beginning of his letter that we are to be loyal like a soldier (to Jesus), disciplined like an athlete (to His Word), and work hard like a farmer (for His Kingdom) (v.3-6). He goes on to remind us about Jesus’s path as a descendant of King David up until His resurrection. His path was paved for Him, and He was called to walk it out. The same is true for you and me, we are not called to carve our own path, God has our path carved out for us, and all we have to do is follow Jesus and walk it out because through our faith and salvation in Christ brings eternal life and glory with Him.

2 Timothy 2:8-13 (NLT)

8 Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. 9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. 10 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

11 This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him,
we will also live with him.

12 If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.

13 If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is.

Prayer: Jesus, I want to be a good soldier for You so You can use me to help further spread Your Gospel message and to keep growing Your Kingdom. Help me to endure suffering for You, to not be afraid, to not be embarrassed, but to stand tall and firmly rooted in You. I long to spend eternity with You, Jesus, and I want all of humanity to choose You. I ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: God has generously poured within us [grace] everything we will ever need as worshipers of the Most High. There is nothing we lack if we are focused on worshiping the Lord. In our passage today, the psalmist—worship leader—instructs us to serve and worship the Lord with gladness. Did you know gladness is the sign of a servant heart?

It is alway a blessing to worship with my spiritual family; I feel secure and joyful. Therefore, I exuberantly express my gratitude and joy when we sing praises and when we open the Word of God. I cannot contain the excitement and joy I feel in worship; it just spills out because I know I am His!

When we know we belong to God, that knowledge permeates how we think and marks our actions and words. We are not worshiping others around us; people do not deserve our worship. Instead, we are joyfully focused on exalting the Lord for his goodness and grace extended to us. Joy is a choice and worshipers should be joyful people.
Psalm 100 A psalm of thanksgiving
1 
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
2 
    Worship the Lord with gladness.
    Come before him, singing with joy.
3 
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
    He made us, and we are his.
    We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
    go into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 
For the Lord is good.
    His unfailing love continues forever,
    and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Prayer: Lord I will enter your presence with joy and thanksgiving, because I recognize your sovereign right to rule your world. You made me; I am yours. So, hear my praise and receive my love today in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Today we celebrate Thanksgiving; a time to give thanks to God for His many blessings. As the early settlers in America bowed to thank God for an abundant harvest that sustained them even during the hardest of times, we should take time today to bow and thank the Lord for sustaining us, as well. To be filled with thanksgiving is to recognize the goodness of God.

Generosity is a big deal with God, because He is the Master of pure generosity. Therefore, the believer’s life should be marked by a generous Spirit. When we are generous, we are sharing the unselfish kindness of the Savior extended to us. In this greedy and selfish culture, followers of Christ should be magnanimous!

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reminds us about the spiritual principle of sowing and reaping; an attitude that leads us into ever-increasing generosity. True thanksgiving exudes an attitude of contentment for what God has provided. When we have a thankful spirit, we will look for ways to be generous to others with our time, talent, or treasure.

So today, thank God for his goodness toward you. Put a watch over your mouth, so you do not complain about anything; it dishonors God. Finally, be content with what you have been given and resist the temptation to compare yourself or your life with others. Sow the seeds of kindness and goodness into the lives of those around you and look for the harvest only God can bring. Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving!

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 NLT
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
    Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity [righteousness] in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for your Spirit to make all of your children across the globe magnanimous in generosity. Thank you, Lord, for life and all you have provided to sustain us even during the hardest of times. Thank you for Jesus who came to save us and bring forgiveness of sin. Thank you for the work of your liberating Spirit who brings the truth to our souls and leads us in righteousness. Thank you for generously empowering us to be ministers of reconciliation, so others can experience the contentment in their souls only you can give. We give you thanks, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: There are times in life when we all need a vindicator; someone to represent our hearts and clear us of unjust criticism or condemnation. We were created to be accepted, affirmed, and adored by God, so criticism and condemnation works diligently to destroy us. Injustice is part of living in a fallen world, so until Jesus returns, we will face times of being falsely accused.

Criticism can be a traumatic and painful place that destroys trust and self-confidence. Being condemned without a vindicator leaves a person feeling abandoned and alone [think about Jesus on the cross]. Believers must remember we all have a spiritual enemy called Satan, the Accuser, who fights to gain control of our souls [mind/will/emotions]. Many people do not realize they can actually be a host for spiritual evil to pour condemnation and unjust criticism from their lips into the lives of others. The tongue can be very hard to tame (James 3:1-12). Sadly, we have all been a spewing host, as well as an innocent recipient of the Accuser’s handiwork. Thank you, Lord, for your merciful work of love and grace to change us!

In our passage today, David knew all about this unjust criticism and condemnation from the Accuser through other human beings. Yet, David knew God would uphold his just cause in time. God is not ignorant to the mistreatment of His children. The Lord took care of David and He will do the same for you and me. We are tenderly loved by the Giver of perfect Love; He does not miss a tear we shed (Ps 56:8).

When believers face injustice [falsely accused or misunderstood, unappreciated for the genuine love we offer, or working with integrity but criticized instead of rewarded] we must look Higher and focus on our Savior—Jesus the Christ—who will sit as Judge of the world. When we do not wait for Christ to vindicate us, we sit in hatred, self-pity, and make everyone around us pay for our pain. When we do wait for Christ to vindicate us, we rest in supernatural peace and are liberated from the false opinions and wrongful treatment of others. We must choose wisely and allow praise and thanksgiving to rise up to our Vindicator, because justice will come.

Psalm 9: 3-6 NLT
3 
When my enemies face you,
they run away and stumble
    and are destroyed.
4 
You take your seat as judge,
and your fair decisions prove
    that I was in the right.
5 
You warn the nations
    and destroy evil people;
you wipe out their names
    forever and ever.
6 
Our enemies are destroyed
    completely for all time.
Their cities are torn down,
and they will never
    be remembered again.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy, as well as being the Light of Truth for our lives. Please continue to liberate us from evil and transform us by Your love. Thank You for the promise that one day evil will be destroyed forever. We will wait for You to vindicate us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

NOTE: Please join us at 7PM tonight for our Thanksgiving Eve service at Connect2Christ Church 9398 Oakhurst Road in Seminole FL. We will be praising God and sharing our gratitude for all He has done and continues to do for us in Christ. Light refreshments will follow. Happy Thanksgiving!

Intro: “Thank you” are just two small words, but they pack a lot of power. Gratitude brings health benefits. In fact, research reveals being thankful reduces depression, lessens anxiety, supports heart health, relieves stress, and improves sleep. Who would have thought being thankful and expressing gratitude could be so beneficial?

In our passage today, David calls his whole being to a place of praise; nothing half-hearted about David’s praise. David makes a decision to expand his awareness of God as he proclaims, “I will praise!” He praises the goodness, character, and the wonderful nature of God.

When we praise God, we are expressing our gratitude to Him and acknowledging His worth. So, practice gladness and speak this sentence often, “Thank you, Lord!” Knock yourself out by saying “thank you” and you will actually be helping yourself!

Psalm 9:1-2 NLT
1 
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
2 
I will be filled with joy because of you.
    I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

Prayer: Lord, I will praise you with all my heart. Thank you for the amazing way you shower your goodness and redemptive love upon me and my loved ones. Fill me with joy, today! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This week I unexpectedly connected with a fellow believer whom I’ve known for years but I didn’t have the pleasure of truly knowing and loving this “sibling” like Jesus does. So, we shared pieces of our testimonies with one another and towards the end of our time together we both agreed that Jesus allowed us to see one another as He sees each of us, not as others see us, thus growing us closer as “siblings” within His Family.

If I am being fully transparent, each of us had heard things in the past about one another that made it, so we didn’t have a great desire to grow closer to one another, rather we were simply civil to each other. But being “simply civil” and loving some people more than other people is actually a sin. Jesus loves us all the same and He calls us to love like He loves. A few weeks ago, I wrote a devotion where James reminded us that we are to obey the royal law as found in Scripture, to “Love your neighbor as yourself,” but if we favor some people over others, then we are committing a sin (2:8-9).

Today, Paul helps us dig even deeper to reveal the Truth that we are not to judge others, or we will be judged, and how we treat others is how we will be treated (Matt 7:1). Paul begins his letter to the Romans, in chapter one, by thanking them for their faith. He wants them to know that “God’s Good News” about Christ is being revealed through them and talked about all over the world (1:8). He goes on within chapter one and into chapter two to talk about “God’s Anger at Sin”. He wants these faithful Christians to keep growing in their faith, and in order to do that they (and we) need to stay connected to Jesus and move further and further away from sin. “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.” (2:4)

Paul wants everyone to know that even if we can cross off every sin, he listed at the end of chapter one, we are all still guilty of sin, because we are all born with a sinful nature, and far too often every single one of us judges our fellow brothers and sisters. The only sinless One is Jesus, Who is also the only Judge. No one can avoid God’s judgment. All religious leaders, all non-religious leaders, all religious people, all non-religious people, all relational people, and all non-relational people will one day face Jesus for judgment, and as Paul reminds us that “day is coming when God, through Christ, will judge everyone’s secret life” (2:16) because only Jesus knows the true motives of our hearts.

Friends, we must stop doing what is evil, and we can start by stopping our judgement of one another in our minds, in our hearts, with our words, with our actions, and with our inactions. We need to be walking out our salvation every second of every day and asking Jesus to strengthen our roots in Him so our faith and relationship with Him can grow deeper and more intimate. We know there will be trouble for those who keep on doing what is evil, but we also know there will be glory, honor, and peace from God for all of those who do good (v.9-10). Good does not mean good works, Paul tells us that good is seeking after the glory, honor, and immortality that God offers (v. 7). This offer is to spend eternity with Jesus, and if we truly want it, we must allow Him to have His way in and through us, so we see others how He sees them, and they see Jesus in us and are drawn to His unending love and eternal kingdom.

Romans 2:1-11 (NLT)
God’s Judgment of Sin

1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. 9 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, reveal to me the areas of sin that I need to work with You to correct my life. I want to grow in my faith, and in my relationship with You, Jesus, and I know that sin will hold me back. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Help me to put a watch over my words, I want to speak more like You. Help my actions to be in alignment with Your actions. I want my heart to be in oneness with Your heart, and for people to see You in and through me. Please use me to grow Your Kingdom. I ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: Every day in our devotional time we have an opportunity to respond to Christ’s Kingdom message and Word. I say, “opportunity,” because the gospel is an invitation to enjoy Kingdom living through a relationship with Almighty God—to be filled with real life by welcoming God to live, move, and have His being in and through us—and rule over our lives (Acts 17:28). Yet, instead of responding to God’s invitation and promise to make us in His image by the work of His righteous Hand, we sometimes, by our own will and human strength, try to clean up our behaviors a bit and think that is enough to withstand evil or what God is wanting from us as a response to His Word. Is that attitude really the gospel Truth?

In our passage today, Jesus wants to stress the point that a human being cannot become a vessel that is clean or protected without the indwelling Christ. Religion cannot make us righteous; we cannot make ourselves righteous. Therefore, we are left vulnerable to evil without Christ.

Satan knows the difference between what we can do on the outside to clean ourselves up and what only God can do on the inside to overpower evil. So, evil has no place to enter when we accept Christ’s invitation to live in and rule over us unless, of course, we open the door to evil. The gospel is God’s perfect rescue plan for humanity from evil and eternal judgment! Jesus wants the religious leaders, disciples, and all of creation throughout time to wake up to the Truth about avoiding the works of evil through God’s plan of salvation.

Matthew 12:43-45 NLT
43 “When an evil [unclean] spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert [dry place], seeking rest but finding none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order [but vacant and unprepared with the Word]. 45 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.”

Prayer: Lord, I pray for our hearts to be prepared, pure, and protected from evil; therefore, we must accept your invitation to have your way in our souls. Rule and reign in us and bring the necessary cleanup to our fallen natures. We are to be new creations in Christ and that means we must reject evil’s temptation so we will not be mastered by it. We proclaim you as our Master, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: These past two weeks have been jammed-full of tasks for me. It is a busy time of the year for the church; many areas that need planning and organizing. I am surrounded by amazing servants, so I am greatly blessed of the Lord! But, honestly, every morning as I look at the calendar readout on my watch I think, “How can it be Thursday [whatever day] already? And, how can Thanksgiving be next week?” Time flies…

In our passage today, we come to the Psalter and a prayer of Moses. Moses helps us put time into perspective when thinking about God. Our Creator God not only knows all about matters of time, He dwells in eternity. We may try to contrast our human nature and time with God’s divine nature and eternity, but the best posture for us in which to think and serve, as finite beings in search of answers, is that of submission to the Greater One who is never bound by time. For example, we pray and expect answers in time, but God answers from eternity—and those answers may take awhile to arrive! So we patiently wait, right?

While we wait for answers, seeking wisdom should be our goal. Moses learned how to release his expectations of how God will answer. The exodus out of Egypt and the pilgrimage into the Promised Land should have taken less than two weeks…but, because God wanted the whole group of people to understand they were making a journey into his rule by submitting to his way of doing things, they ended up in the wilderness forty years. They struggled with submission. No big deal from the perspective of eternity because it goes on forever, but a BIG deal from the human measure of time.

Time is brief here on earth and we need to gather others to the heart of God—the Home of Followers—and be faithful to return and share his love. Right now, God is graciously giving humanity a time to repent and turn back to his rule. May we do our part to tell others so they can return to life with God.
Psalm 90:1-8, 12 A prayer of Moses, the man of God.
1 
Lord, through all the generations
    you have been our home!
2 
Before the mountains were born,
    before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
    from beginning to end, you are God.
3 
You turn people back to dust, saying,
    “Return to dust, you mortals!”
4 
For you, a thousand years are as a passing day,
    as brief as a few night hours.
5 
You sweep people away like dreams that disappear.
    They are like grass that springs up in the morning.
6 
In the morning it blooms and flourishes,
    but by evening it is dry and withered.
7 
We wither beneath your anger;
    we are overwhelmed by your fury.
8 
You spread out our sins before you—
    our secret sins—and you see them all.
12
Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
    so that we may grow in wisdom.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Moses’ prayer this morning and the reminder that you are our true Home. Life with you is the only way we will be able to navigate this life wisely. Continue to teach us and lead us in eternal realities in Jesus’ name.

Intro: When looking at objects in the night sky that are far away, a telescope is a pretty amazing instrument. It collects and gathers light, bends the light to focus, and magnifies to help us observe things in greater detail. Wouldn’t it be great if a telescope could help us see and understand heaven and heavenly things?

Our passage today is part of the Olivet Discourse. Jesus is sitting with his disciples on the Mount of Olives and they are firing questions at him. Sure, Jesus is with them in person, but he is talking to them about heavenly things and angelic missions that are distant and in the future. They don’t know how to make sense of it all. So, the disciples ask Jesus to identify the harbinger [precursor] that will signal future events and his return. They want a spiritual telescope and Jesus is making them and us use FAITH!

Jesus begins by warning the disciples about the deception that will come from false prophets who will preach what people want to hear vs. preaching faith in the Word of God (Mat 24:4). This deception will diminish godly love. When we allow ourselves to fixate on signs rather than focus on Christ and his commands, we can open ourselves up to deception that leads to a lukewarm love and a dying faith. Let us never forget faith is the assurance of things HOPED for and the evidence of things not yet seen (Heb 11:1).

Then, Jesus tells the disciples [all Christ’s followers] they will be persecuted, hated, and put to death all over the world because they loyally follow him (Mat 24:9-13). As well, Christ shares about the end time tribulation and how the heavenly sky will tell a part of the story. Endurance is essential to go the distance in Christ. We may be tempted by evil to reject Christ’s standard and teachings on loving God and our neighbors, but we must stand strong in the strength of God through the Spirit. We must keep in mind our commission to represent Christ and release his LOVE—hold on to Christ and his words. This is what it means to live in Christ. “But now faith, hope, and love remain; these three virtues must characterize our lives. The greatest of these is love (1 Cor 13:13).

The climax of the Discourse is the fact that Jesus’ return is unmistakable! All of heaven and earth will see it close up! No telescope necessary. Heaven and earth will pass away and the Word of God will be left standing magnified and in perfect focus, because all the LIGHT has been gathered.

Matthew 24:29-35 NLT
29 “Immediately after the anguish of those days,
the sun will be darkened,
    the moon will give no light,
the stars will fall from the sky,
    and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

30 And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.31 And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

32 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the Lamp of your Word that helps us better understanding how to manage our lives in these times in which we live. Continue to be the Light we need and help us hang on to our faith, hope, and love in Christ! In Jesus’ name. Amen.