Devotionals

Intro: God values everyone; he desires for all of humanity to humbly enter into a personal relationship with him so he can express his healing love for them; all things are made whole in God’s presence. God is the Creator, Provider, Savior, and Sustainer of Life and humanity is called to enter into his godly presence and plan for our well-being/wholeness. Every believer has been gifted and equipped by and through God to be a blessing within creation, so we certainly have something to add to the whole picture as we love God and one another. This world was never created to function without God filling our hearts and directing our paths (Pro 3:5-6). I want to remind you, today, God loves you!

If we are going to succeed as a human race, we are going to need to lose our arrogance and pride, because it is a form of self-worship or idolatry. No person is better than another; we are all sinners who need God’s love and salvation. So, may we gain some wisdom and reject prideful arrogance, because God resists the proud (Pro 3:34). Having godly aspirations for our lives is good, but selfish ambitions that are only focused on our personal advantage is prideful and will rob us of the contentment God offers his children.

In our passage today, David reminds us to have a proper vision of the chain of command put in place by God. Some things only God knows; therefore, his standard should not be questioned. When humanity goes too far into sin, biblical history reminds us God will wean us from our self-sufficiency and self-focus and help us see things from a higher perspective. This is called discipline and it is painful, but necessary if we are going to learn dependence upon God. May we all choose to be weaned from self, because only then will we truly value others and see life more clearly. Trusting in God’s plan is required.
Psalm 131 GNT A Prayer of Humble Trust
1 
Lord, I have given up my pride
    and turned away from my arrogance.
I am not concerned with great matters
    or with subjects too difficult for me.
2 
Instead, I am content and at peace.
As a child lies quietly in its mother’s arms,
    so my heart is quiet within me.
3 
Israel, trust in the Lord
    now and forever!

Prayer: Lord, please continue to help me assume a humble posture before you and others. Please help us as your children to put on grace and reflect your righteous attitude and conduct. We know contentment is only found in living out your plan. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In today’s passage, Paul is very clear in his reminder to us that God truly hates sin. We must remember “God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus He has created us for a life of good deeds, which He has already prepared for us to do.” (Eph 2:10)

Friends, when you and I sin we are walking in unrighteous ways, which is extremely upsetting to our Righteous Father because He knows that we know better. As believers we should be super concerned that sin suppresses God’s Truth in and for us. God has made His Truth obvious to us through His Word, and He has made it visually clear through His creation that is us and that is all around us. We must remain rooted in His Word, living a life for Christ and not for sin as we are to “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.” (Phil 4:4)

Romans 1:18-25 NLT
God’s Anger at Sin

18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for today’s honest Truth from our brother, Paul, about sin. Forgive us for when we minimize sin and allow it to take root over You in our lives. Cleanse us, Lord, and help us to walk closely with You today, and each day that follows. We want to be ready to serve Your Heavenly Kingdom, but we must be living for Your Kingdom now. I ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Last week, we looked at Ira David Sankey who was with Dwight Moody for thirty  years in the world of evangelism.  He was different because he was a worship leader for Moody and they worked together for a long time.  This week, we are looking at an individual named Charles Grandison Finney (1792-1876).  Finney was part of the Sunday School Revivals from 1820 through 1850.  What was interesting about his story is that he was a lawyer before he became an evangelist.  On August 10, 1821, he went away to pray and he was convinced to leave his law practice to preach the gospel across America.  He started off at a Presbyterian church in 1824 and then served at the Congregational Church twelve years later.  He once held a revival that lasted for five months at Third Presbyterian Church in New York.  While this was something amazing, some people were not very happy with what he was doing.  There were some disputes between Finney and the pastor, but he continued to do what he was called to do.  When he went to a Methodist church, he had what is commonly referred to as “the altar call.”  He thought of this when people were going up to participate in communion.  One of the things that he was very controversial was that he was really big in remodeling church sanctuaries.  Anytime he would go to a new church, he would inform the trustees that the pulpit area need to be remodeled.  One reason is because the sanctuary would become very crowded when he would appear and he wanted the people to have room and space for them to come in and receive the Holy Spirit.  Throughout his time up in Rochester, NY, the revival up there spread to 1500 towns and villages up through the New England area and more than 100,000 people gave their lives to the Lord.  

Challenge

I want to challenge you to think about what it means to step out in faith.  I remember watching an episode of the TV series “The Chosen” and there was a scene where Matthew and Philip are having a dialogue about what it means to be on the outside of the circle.  This stuck out to me because so often we want to be included and inside the circle, but sometimes it is good for us to be on the outside of the circle.  Here’s what I’m saying: you can step out in faith without stepping into the circle.  In other words, we cannot be conformed to the patterns of this world, but instead we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).  I want to challenge you to step out in faith but don’t step in the circle.  When we start doing this, we will begin to see what God is trying to reveal to us and what we need to do to stay in tuned or in lined with Him.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Your continuous strength and wisdom as we continue to do the things that You have called us to.  As we grow Your Kingdom, let us not be ashamed of it.  Instead, let us embrace it and let Your word shine before others so that the darkness will flee and Your light will shine through.  In Jesus name I pray, amen.  

Intro: When we have a right relationship with God through Christ and are seeking to be led by the Spirit, every day brings along little spiritual victories even if we are not aware of them. Our faith is active and moving. God is good and with Christ as Lord of our lives, we are filled with his presence and that makes believers more than conquerors in the world.

Believers are on the same page when it comes to Christ’s authority and victorious Kingdom living; we all must come with childlike faith and trust. Every victory, whether small or large, is important to God and makes a difference for the Kingdom. The only thing that can stand in our way of experiencing miraculous victories is spiritual pride. Do you have childlike faith?

Leading up to our passage today, seventy-two disciples return from a mission directed by the Lord. The disciples had been sent out to other towns in pairs—as lambs among wolves—to heal the sick and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now’ (Luke 10:8). They followed Jesus’ instructions. The disciples return filled with joy over the victories they had over demons, because Jesus had given them authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:18). Although Jesus rejoices with them, he wants them to focus on what should fill them with the greatest joy: their names are registered in heaven” (Luke 10:17-18).

In our passage today, Jesus takes time to pray and thank the Father for allowing the childlike to experience the power of the Kingdom. Jesus thanks the Father for his plan, because everyone who knows the Son can be victorious. Truly, if we did not have childlike faith, we would never go out and mingle with wolves, would we?

Luke 10:21-24 NLT Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving
21 At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.
22 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
23 Then when they were alone, he turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. 24 I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving believers the privilege of joining you in ministry to the world. Help us live each day with childlike faith, knowing every day can bring the Kingdom closer to earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: The burdens many people face in life can really be heavy and too much for them to carry alone. I minister to people all the time who are standing in the merging intersection of those weighty challenges and they are trying to decide which way to turn or what to do to bring healthy change. Although I seek to help in spiritual and tangible ways, my greatest responsibility is to help people connect with the God to whom nothing is impossible. God is able and we must, by faith, stand in that place of belief and know the Lord will provide a way of salvation. He has given us his promise that nothing can separate us from his love; therefore, victory is ours through Christ (Rom 8:35-37).

In our passage today, David stands in the midst of challenges and proclaims the sufficiency of God. David wants God’s people to remember, the Lord is great and righteous, he acts on behalf of his children doing wonderful works, his glory reaches the heavens, he is filled with patience and compassion, and he is all we need each day to flourish as we seek his kingdom (Mat 6:33). Developing a thriving relationship with the Lord is the wisest action a human being can take, because the Helper (Spirit) moves through that relationship.

In the Old Testament prayers and praises, David tells us the Lord is the Lifter of our hearts, as well as the Helper we need for every burden. In the New Testament Jesus tells us something very similar, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Mat 11:28-30). Jesus offers his followers spiritual rest and an opportunity to come to him (yield) for learning and refreshment, because we must stop trying to carry the load of life alone.

Psalm 145:8-14 NLT
8
The Lord is merciful and compassionate,    slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 
The Lord is good to everyone.    He showers compassion on all his creation.
10 
All of your works will thank you, Lord,    and your faithful followers will praise you.
11 
They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;    they will give examples of your power.
12 
They will tell about your mighty deeds    and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
13 
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.    You rule throughout all generations.
The Lord always keeps his promises;    he is gracious in all he does.
14 
The Lord helps the fallen    and lifts those bent beneath their loads.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for pouring your goodness into our lives and providing the strength we need while you bring salvation. Thank you for the spiritual rest and the glorious help of the Spirit who leads our lives forward into good things. Like David, may we be a witness to others of your faithfulness to walk through life with us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: For my 65th birthday, my daughters (in love) and a dear friend took me to a pottery wheel class. I learned quite a bit about the work of a potter with clay while I was there; first thing to remember is the whole process is MESSY! When clay is mixed with water as a lubricant, it causes the particles to slide past one another. Wedging gets the bubbles out and smooths out the clay making it workable. Then it’s time to dampen the wheel with water so the clay sticks when you throw it in the middle of the wheel. With wet hands you cone the clay by bringing your hands together; the clay moves upward through your hands. Then, the challenge of shaping takes place. As long as one keeps the clay and hands wet while on the wheel, reshaping is possible if the end product is undesirable.

In our passage for today, Jeremiah gets a visual object lesson from God when he is taken to the potter’s shop. This process and lesson allowed Jeremiah to understand what God was planning to do to Judah unless they repented. Like a divine Potter, God planned to shape and form Judah like a clay jar according to his standards. If God was not happy with the finished wet clay jar, he would simply smash it down and start all over again until he was satisfied with the final product. In other words, Judah would experience painful times until they turned their hearts toward the Lord.

God’s plan for his children is to shape us (as clay mixed with the water of the Spirit) into the image of Christ. This means our hearts must be pure (quick to repent) and our lives humble and obedient to the work of God’s Holy Spirit. Now, we can fight the process or we can welcome it. However, if we claim Christ the process has been established and Jesus is the standard. So, may the Spirit make us workable clay by providing the wedging we need, centering us in Christ, moving us upward in his character, and shaping us according to his standard, so we can be witnesses to the glorious transformation process. The unredeemed world needs to pay attention, because one day God will allow human clay to dry (remove the water of the Spirit and grace)…shattered lives will be the result. He has spoken. May we listen.

Jeremiah 18:1-11 NLT The Potter and the Clay
1 The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, 2 “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” 3 So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. 4 But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.

5 Then the Lord gave me this message: 6 “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. 7 If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, 8 but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. 9 And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, 10 but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would.

11 “Therefore, Jeremiah, go and warn all Judah and Jerusalem. Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am planning disaster for you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.’”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for our object lesson from Jeremiah. Have your way in our human hearts and lives; otherwise, we will be filled with worldly filth and impurities. Help us to listen to the Spirit and cooperate with the shaping that comes through ongoing conviction, repentance, and transformation. Open us up to the truth about our lives and the plans you have for us in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Today, many citizens in the United States will celebrate the 4th of July—Independence Day. Approximately two hundred and forty-seven years ago the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed by the Second Continental Congress. Today, all over the country, there will be celebratory parades, cookouts, family gatherings, and awe-inspiring fireworks. For the patriot, today is a day of celebrating freedom and to remember the preamble to our Declaration: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

While in Boston, during a recent vacation with dear friends, we walked the Freedom Trail. I was inspired once again by the history of our country, as well as the patriotism and courage demonstrated by many of our founding fathers and leaders. For example, we visited the Granary Burying Ground where we honored the gravesites of three signers of the Declaration of Independence: Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Robert Treat Paine. Our founding fathers sought to secure freedom from English rule and create a government that would honor the God-given freedom of those they governed.

In our passage today from the Psalter, we continue to recognize our unalienable rights that must be protected by our allegiance to our Creator. The Lord rules over his creation and every nation who acknowledges his right to influence governance and order will experience his life, love, wisdom, and power. I praise God for the measure of freedom we have in this country; a freedom many in other parts of the world lack. I praise God for our military, law enforcement, and border security who maintain our freedom and safety. However, I encourage us to pray more fervently for our nation’s leaders, because they have failed to acknowledge to “We the People” that every right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is from the Creator and Giver and not the government. Please take time, today, to praise and pray…

Psalm 33:8-18 NLT
8
Let the whole world fear the Lord,    and let everyone stand in awe of him.
9 
For when he spoke, the world began!    It appeared at his command.
10 
The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations    and thwarts all their schemes.
11 
But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;    his intentions can never be shaken.
12
What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,    whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
13 
The Lord looks down from heaven    and sees the whole human race.
14 
From his throne he observes    all who live on the earth.
15 
He made their hearts,    so he understands everything they do.
16 
The best-equipped army cannot save a king,    nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
17 
Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—    for all its strength, it cannot save you.
18 
But the Lord watches over those who fear him,    those who rely on his unfailing love.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for life, liberty, and the ability to pursue the happiness that is found only in you. We praise you for our freedom to worship and serve you and one another. We pray for our country to bow to your authority and to point the people toward you as the true Giver of our rights. May our leaders turn from an unholy arrogance to honor you and appreciate those who protect the freedom we have been given. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Every time I read about Abraham’s faith being tested in Genesis 22, when God instructs Abraham to offer his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering, I am in awe of each obedient step that Abraham took to follow God’s instruction. It was days of what had to seem like pure torment. We know that as a result of Abraham’s faithfulness and pure reverence, or fear of the Lord, God does not allow Abraham to go through with this request; and we will see in today’s passage the many blessings that God bestows upon Abraham for his unwavering faith. But, before we look at those blessings, I want us to try to put ourselves in Abraham’s shoes for a moment. I honestly do not think most of us would make it past request #1:

1. God calls out to you tonight…“(Insert Your Name), tomorrow I will send further instruction, but go to this place and I would like for you to sacrifice your child or the person you love the most in this world.”
2. The next morning you wake up early, get your transportation ready, ask two people to accompany you, you bring your most loved one with you, and set out to sacrifice this person for God.
3. You get near the place, you chop wood, it has been 3 days, and you ask the two people who you brought with you to remain with your transportation.
4. You and your most loved one travel a little farther and that person begins to question what is going to happen.
5. You arrive at the place where God has instructed, you build an altar, you arrange wood on the top of the alter, you tie up your loved one, you lay that person upon the wood on the altar, then you take a knife and prepare to kill your loved one.
6. Before you can hurt your loved one, an angel of the Lord calls out to you from heaven and stops you.

We know that all of this transpired within the Old Testament, under the old sacrificial law, and as followers of Christ, He is our One and only sacrifice that replaced the old law. But truly, Abraham’s immense faith should be a never-ending example for you and me.

Today’s passage picks up after God stops Abraham from killing Isaac and after the ram is sacrificed as the offering to God. The angel of the Lord calls out again to Abraham, only this time God offers Abraham many blessings and promises of reward due to his faithfulness.

God wants our faith to be obedient and steadfast as Abraham. Obviously, each of us is different and so how He calls us is going to be different, but we need to be ready to answer God’s call. We see here, and throughout God’s Word, that blessings come as a result of our faithfulness. May Abraham’s example be an encouragement to your faith today, I know it has done a number on mine.

Genesis 22:15-18 (NLT)

15 Then the angel of the LORD called again to Abraham from heaven. 16 “This is what the LORD says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that 17 I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. 18 And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.”

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for placing Abraham, and every other brother and sister of faith, within my path. I learn so much from their examples of living lives that are faithful to You. Holy Spirit, please move within me so that I can continue to grow in my faith. Help to open my spiritual ears to hear what I need to hear in order to grow closer and closer to the Lord. May my spiritual eyes fixate on that which is of eternity and steer clear of that which is of this world. Stir within my heart to connect to the heart of Jesus. I ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Last week, we looked at Ira David Sankey who was with Dwight Moody for thirty  years in the world of evangelism.  He was different because he was a worship leader for Moody and they worked together for a long time.  This week, we are looking at an individual named Charles Grandison Finney (1792-1876).  Finney was part of the Sunday School Revivals from 1820 through 1850.  What was interesting about his story is that he was a lawyer before he became an evangelist.  On August 10, 1821, he went away to pray and he was convinced to leave his law practice to preach the gospel across America.  He started off at a Presbyterian church in 1824 and then served at the Congregational Church twelve years later.  He once held a revival that lasted for five months at Third Presbyterian Church in New York.  While this was something amazing, some people were not very happy with what he was doing.  There were some disputes between Finney and the pastor, but he continued to do what he was called to do.  When he went to a Methodist church, he had what is commonly referred to as “the altar call.”  He thought of this when people were going up to participate in communion.  One of the things that he was very controversial was that he was really big in remodeling church sanctuaries.  Anytime he would go to a new church, he would inform the trustees that the pulpit area need to be remodeled.  One reason is because the sanctuary would become very crowded when he would appear and he wanted the people to have room and space for them to come in and receive the Holy Spirit.  Throughout his time up in Rochester, NY, the revival up there spread to 1500 towns and villages up through the New England area and more than 100,000 people gave their lives to the Lord.  

Challenge

I want to challenge you to think about what it means to step out in faith.  I remember watching an episode of the TV series “The Chosen” and there was a scene where Matthew and Philip are having a dialogue about what it means to be on the outside of the circle.  This stuck out to me because so often we want to be included and inside the circle, but sometimes it is good for us to be on the outside of the circle.  Here’s what I’m saying: you can step out in faith without stepping into the circle.  In other words, we cannot be conformed to the patterns of this world, but instead we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).  I want to challenge you to step out in faith but don’t step in the circle.  When we start doing this, we will begin to see what God is trying to reveal to us and what we need to do to stay in tuned or in lined with Him.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Your continuous strength and wisdom as we continue to do the things that You have called us to.  As we grow Your Kingdom, let us not be ashamed of it.  Instead, let us embrace it and let Your word shine before others so that the darkness will flee and Your light will shine through.  In Jesus name I pray, amen.  

Intro: This past Wednesday evening during our Chosen Bible Study, we watched a video about meekness—defined as controlled strength under pressure. Meekness is the inner attitude of the heart—of our mind/will/emotions—which expresses itself outwardly as strong, active, courageous, restrained and never self-aggrandizing. Evil and sin will always arrive to disrupt our meekness, because Satan wants to move us away from a posture of humility, trust, forgiveness, and a fear of the Lord.

In our passage from Luke today, Jesus is teaching about perpetuating evil—those who encourage others to sin against God. Certainly, we all sin and fall short of Christ’s glorious standard; sin is the spiritual malady of the human heart that seeks to live without the fear of the Lord. We all need to take a meek position with each other. The temptation to sin against God, others, or ourselves will exist until Jesus returns; so, forgiveness is essential.

When someone is living with the spiritual illness of the heart, he or she tends to want others to join him or her in that sickness. Misery loves company and many times Jesus addresses the Pharisees about how they are leading God’s people to join them in their spiritual malady rather than living to please God. For this reason, Jesus casts a very vivid picture of what will happen to those who are given spiritual authority but mislead God’s family away from the truth. Sorrow awaits.

So, let’s just think for a moment about how our faith must lead us toward forgiveness, because we are commanded to forgive. In the Body of Christ, we will need to forgive one another over and over again. That means we must be quick to repent, apologize, and recognize our own sin before fixating on the sin of others. So, before we get upset with a fellow brother or sister in Christ and try to point out their sin, let’s make sure our action is based on meekness and our purpose is to restore another in relationship to God.

Luke 17:1-4 NLT Teachings about Forgiveness and Faith
1 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! 2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. 3 So watch yourselves!

“If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this lesson on meekness. Help your children to be bathed in quiet strength and to have the right attitude about our personal sin, as well as the sin of others. Sin is wrong and we must help one another rise above it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.