Devotionals

Intro: How do you view prayer? How does grace merge with prayer? Over the past few months, God has been convicting me about prayer, as well as urging me to pray about every aspect of each day. As I go through my day, I am to set myself up to receive his grace [power for living] in an ongoing fashion [cascading—like water pouring downward rapidly in large quantities]. “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Cor 9:8).

I do not typically pray for myself in specifics; I simply give myself into the care of God in the morning and thank him in the evening when I lay my head back down to rest. However, God is leading me to be very specific now with my prayers as I seek to be a resource of blessing to others. Because life seems to be getting increasingly more challenging to our Christian witness, I am to ask him specifically for the grace I need to minister to each need or task moment by moment and without fear.

In our passage today, Jesus goes to the mountain to pray all night, because he must select twelve of his followers who will go forward as his emissaries [representatives or agents of Christ’s mission]. As well, the Father is preparing Jesus, so he prays for the wisdom to know who to choose, as well as prays for the grace [power] to bring the truth and healing to those who would be seeking him the next day.

Over the past few months in our Chosen Bible Study time, we have met many of these disciples who were chosen to serve as Christ’s representatives. The series reveals the disciples as unique in their backgrounds and personalities, as well as unique in their gifts. Scripture leads us to know this is the truth. Each one is essential, even Judas; the other eleven will fulfill the will of the Father by carrying on the mission of Christ after he ascends back to the Father.

My friends, we are those emissaries who must endure and travail for the truth in our generation. So, I pass onto you my lessons; to speak into your lives and encourage you to pray each day for the grace you need to be a blessing in Christ to others. Grace [the ongoing benevolent act and power of God] is essential and Jesus told us so, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9).

Luke 6:12-19 VOICE
12 Around this time, Jesus went outside the city to a nearby mountain, along with a large crowd of His disciples. He prayed through the night to God. 13 The next morning, He chose 12 of them and gave each a new title of “emissary.”

14 They included Simon (Jesus called him Peter) and Andrew (Simon’s brother); James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 15 Matthew and Thomas; James (son of Alphaeus) and Simon (known as the Zealot); 16 Judas (son of James) and the other Judas (Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Jesus).

17 The whole crowd of disciples (including the 12 now designated as His emissaries) came down together, and they stood on a level area nearby. They were joined by an even greater crowd of people who had come from across the whole region—from all of Judea, from Jerusalem, from the coastal areas of Tyre and Sidon. 18 These people came to hear Jesus teach and to be healed by Jesus of their diseases. Those who were troubled by demonic spirits were liberated.

19 Everyone wanted to touch Jesus because when they did, power emanated from Him and they were healed.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for the grace each of us, as your children, need to operate in your character and mission today. For each task or encounter we face, I pray for us to invite you and your grace into it and to serve you in that place. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Joy—a sense of wholeness and well-being—is a beautiful gift the world cannot give anyone. Therefore, joy is not the same as happiness. We can experience happiness in the world, but it is fleeting, because what may make us happy today could change by tomorrow. That is the danger of living by our will or emotions; we are fickle and finite. I find happiness in many relationships, but not every relationship leaves me with a sense of well-being or joy. The fullness of joy, on the other hand, is only found in the presence of God, through Christ, and in the Spirit. Joy is always inexpressible and overwhelming, because it is supernatural (Ps 16:11).

In our passage for today, Israel is returning from their second exile due to God’s judgment; the first exile was in Egypt and the second was in Babylon. The Israelites have learned the hard way that God means what he says about idolatry. When God is finished teaching them about his sovereign rule and why they should honor him above all, like Moses leading the people through the wilderness, God mercifully leads his people toward freedom in Zion and a new beginning.

The freedom before the Israelites seems surreal, because their past 70 years have been so awful. The Lord moves them from sorrow into joy and laughter. So, they praise the Lord with shouts and singing. But, beyond their praise, the people cry out for God to restore not only their freedom, but deliver them into a prosperous and new spiritual life. The exile left them spiritually empty, broken, and in need of restoration.

Jesus does this for every believer, because the world does a devastating number on our souls. We can very easily find ourselves captives to sin and the destructive behaviors of ourselves or others. Yet, Jesus comes to rescue us and deliver us into the shalom of God, so we may be restored by his presence and walk in his plan and purpose. Praise God, it is never too late to call on the name of the Lord for salvation. Rise up, pilgrims!

Psalm 126 NLT A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
1 
When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,
    it was like a dream!
2 
We were filled with laughter,
    and we sang for joy.
And the other nations said,
    “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
3 
Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!
    What joy!
4 
Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    as streams renew the desert.
5 
Those who plant in tears
    will harvest with shouts of joy.
6 
They weep as they go to plant their seed,
    but they sing as they return with the harvest.

Prayer: Lord, you truly do amazing things for us as your children. Thank you! Please restore the weary souls of your sons and daughters and cause us to be filled with your joy, today. In Jesus’ name.

During yesterday’s sermon, Pastor Mary spoke about allowing Jesus the proper spiritual authority within our lives. Although you and I reside on earth and our soul (which is our mind, will and emotions) wants to align with the ways of this world, we must stand in oneness with Jesus and allow Him the spiritual authority to move us (along with our soul) within the direction that He created us to prosper and to further grow His Kingdom.

In today’s passage, Moses has died and now the Lord has commissioned Joshua, who was Moses’ assistant, to lead the Israelites into the promised land. It is obvious even prior to reading this Word that Joshua would be experiencing sadness, fear, loneliness, and possible feelings of being in over his head. But you will notice that the Lord tells Joshua three times within this passage to “be strong and courageous”. In verse 8 the Lord specifically guides Joshua by instructing him to “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” The Lord goes on to tell Joshua that there is no need for fear or to be discouraged because He is with him wherever he goes.

Friends, this passage isn’t only for Joshua, and it isn’t only for those called into leadership, it is a calling for all of God’s kids. In the first few verses we are reminded of God’s promise to give to His people. In the middle section of this passage, God reminded us that in order to receive all that He has to give we must grow in our faith, and God is so gracious to give us specific instructions on what we need to do in order to grow. In the last few verses, God reminds us that He is always with us, with every breath that we take.

Joshua 1:1-11 (NLT)
The Lord’s Charge to Joshua

1 After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua’s Charge to the Israelites

10 Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel, 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Prayer: Jesus, please forgive me when I run ahead, fall behind, or step sideways from Your plan for my life. Holy Spirit, I need Your guidance each and every day. I submit my soul to You, as I want to continue to grow in my faith. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for always being with me. I ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: It has been said that history repeats itself, because humans rarely learn from the mistakes of the past. For example, God declared Israel’s idolatry—her unfaithful national practices and false worship—would lead the people into exile if they did not turn back to him. Because they continued in idolatry, God’s people lived in slavery to Egypt for 400 years before their exodus. But even following their deliverance, during the 40 years in the wilderness, the people were quick to forget how idolatry cost them their freedom.

So, while Moses is being given the commandments on Mount Sinai, the people are at the base of the mountain worshiping the pagen god Molech [meaning to rule; a golden calf/bull idol served by child sacrifice] and the pagen god Rephan [meaning to sink down; the wandering star or god of Rome/sickel]. Generation after generation, they fall into idolatry. Israel spends roughly 70 years in Babylonian captivity, before God liberates them. Lastly, the nation suffers with Roman oppression, because Israel does not understand God’s plan and purpose to rid them of sin— having any god but him.

To lead us into the passage for today, the disciple, Stephen, has become a victim of lies, because he is proclaiming salvation in Jesus. Stephen is accused of blasphemy [disrespecting the Most High God] and inciting a riot among the people, so the Jewish leaders [Sanhedrin] arrest him and impose false charges against him. Instead of going to his own defense, Stephen responds to how the Torah points to Jesus the Christ as the answer for Israel’s history of idolatry/sin and God’s judgment.

When you look at our culture and national practices, as well as measure it with biblical history, is the god Molech [ruler for child sacrifice] or the god Rephan [sink down or be cut down] still being worshiped? Are we still bowing to idolatry—unfaithful national practices and false worship? If so, we haven’t learned from the mistakes of the past either.

Acts 7:35-43 NLT
35 [Stephen speaking of Moses] “So God sent back the same man his people had previously rejected when they demanded, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us?’ Through the angel who appeared to him in the burning bush, God sent Moses to be their ruler and savior. 36 And by means of many wonders and miraculous signs, he led them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and through the wilderness for forty years.

37 “Moses himself told the people of Israel, ‘God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people.’ 38 Moses was with our ancestors, the assembly of God’s people in the wilderness, when the angel spoke to him at Mount Sinai. And there Moses received life-giving words to pass on to us.
39 “But our ancestors refused to listen to Moses. They rejected him and wanted to return to Egypt. 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us some gods who can lead us, for we don’t know what has become of this Moses, who brought us out of Egypt.’ 41 So they made an idol shaped like a calf, and they sacrificed to it and celebrated over this thing they had made. 42 Then God turned away from them and abandoned them to serve the stars of heaven as their gods! In the book of the prophets it is written,
‘Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings
    during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?
43 
No, you carried your pagan gods—
    the shrine of Molech,
    the star of your god Rephan,
    and the images you made to worship them.
So I will send you into exile
    as far away as Babylon.’

Prayer: Father, thank you for the reminders your Word brings for your children so we can learn from the past. Wake us up! May your sons and daughters invite you to empower us to overcome every idolatrous temptation that would, in any way, dishonor you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: We must guard ourselves from thinking about Jesus as just a loving being who is kind and compassionate to oppressed people. Although this is most certainly true, there is a great deal more to consider when saying we are partners together in Christ. To be a partner with Jesus, as his follower, is to pursue a growing and holy life in the Spirit (James 1:18). This is the only way to remain faithful to the genuine gospel of Christ.

Jesus came to save and forgive us from the sin of our fallen nature, build us into his righteous character, and call us to faithfully live in the new life he offers while we encourage others to join God’s family and start the journey for themselves. We belong to the Father’s Household when we welcome and embrace the whole work of Christ. Jesus builds the House of God [his people] into his image; Christ is our genuine image of holy faith.

In our passage today, the writer of Hebrews reminds those who profess to be Christians that Jesus is the truest Hero of the faith that pleases the Father. Moses was appointed by God as a prophet to the people, but Jesus IS God and the One who actually sent Moses to lead his people toward truth. When we remain focused on the truth of Jesus and what he actually came to do through redemption [helping us regain the life we were created to live from the beginning], we will not minimize his power or usurp his place and purpose for our lives. God is the divine Builder of every life that pleases him and Jesus is the One in whose image we are being made. So, when Jesus teaches us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow him, he is inviting us on a journey to be recreated in his holy image (Mat 16:24). Therefore, the world has no authority to tell you who you are or what is acceptable to God; so deny that unholy word and surrender yourself to the truth. If you profess to be a partner with Jesus, you are being made in his image; he is the divine Builder of you as a son or daughter of the Father! Take courage and put your hope and identity where it belongs…in Jesus! Grace—Christ’s divine help and strength—will make you victorious. We are saved by faith through grace when we believe the truth (Eph 2:8).

Hebrews 3:1-6 NLT Jesus Is Greater Than Moses
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters [holy ones] who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger [Apostle] and High Priest. 2 For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God’s entire house.
3 But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. 4 For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.
5 Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. 6 But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ [faithful to the end].

Prayer: Father, as your children who seek to follow Jesus, help us to be excited about our future in your loving care. Lord, you are our Apostle who is set apart. You are our High Priest with supreme authority. You are our Builder and your image is the goal of our faith. Draw us closer to you each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: There is a Hebrew word I would like to share with you that is relevant for us, today—להשוות or lehashvot—which basically translates in English as equate, match, or compare. In our passage, the Pharisees have taken the Commands or Word of God and are endeavoring to judge others. The Pharisees are holding up the letter of the law, but are missing God’s intent, as well as their own hypocrisy—they have a double standard for acceptable conduct. That will always happen when people use themselves as the standard rather than God.

Gleaning or plucking grain and taking it from a neighbor’s field was permitted on the Sabbath when people were hungry (Deut 23:25). However, harvesting—laboring for the purpose of making money—was not permitted on the Sabbath. Jesus speaks the truth to defend his disciples against their accusers.
Interestingly, the Pharisees are actually the ones guilty of violating the Sabbath by their lack of mercy and compassion for others. The words and actions of Jesus are about the intent of the law—helping God’s people display his holy character and principles. Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath and our purpose is to serve and worship God. The intent of the Sabbath is to gather and connect people to Christ as worshipers.

Although we can witness a double standard—a rule or principle which is unfairly applied in different ways to different people or groups in our world—this should never be the behavior of God’s children. Pray and run from that evil spirit. As Christ’s followers, we are to be consistent in honor and respect; filled with compassion and mercy because Christ is our standard. We are to first judge [evaluate] ourselves before judging others. It reminds me of something Jesus said, “Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye, when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye” (Mat 7:3-5).

Matthew 12:1-8 Amplified Bible
1 At that particular time Jesus went through the fields of standing grain on the Sabbath; and His disciples were hungry, and they began to pick off the spikes of grain and to eat.

2 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, See there! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful and not permitted on the Sabbath.

3 He said to them, Have you not even read what David did when he was hungry, and those who accompanied him—

4 How he went into the house of God and ate the loaves of the showbread—which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for the men who accompanied him, but for the priests only?

5 Or have you never read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple violate the sanctity of the Sabbath [breaking it] and yet are guiltless?

6 But I tell you, Something greater and more exalted and more majestic than the temple is here!

7 And if you had only known what this saying means, I desire mercy [readiness to help, to spare, to forgive those in distress] rather than sacrifice and sacrificial victims, you would not have condemned the guiltless.

8 For the Son of Man is Lord [even] of the Sabbath.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping us better understand how we must conduct ourselves as your worshipers in the midst of a world filled with double-standards. May we emulate a spirit of mercy and compassion using Jesus as our standard. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: I recently saw a news report highlighting a trend to marry oneself; essentially you are the mate to you. I am sure that would cut down on a lot of arguments…well, I think it would anyway. If I have understood the point of those who are marrying themselves, this is a statement and demonstration of self-love. I have so many questions: Is this a legal document? When you get tired of yourself, do you get a divorce? If you find yourself attracted to another person, is that adultery?

The person who was interviewed said she was free to be with anyone she wanted, but she was first married to herself. By the way, she had a whole big formal wedding ceremony with an officiant, a wedding party, family, friends, a reception, and gifts.

I realize trauma, rejection, and a lack of loving examples can cause people great pain and I am certainly not minimizing how some folks can begin to loathe themselves. I am filled with empathy for the broken and mistreated. I just wrestled wrapping my head around why I would “marry myself” as a way to fix my brokenness! Mary marry Mary?

I believe inviting God to fill us with his love helps put self-love into perspective. No one, including myself, will make me ‘feel and know’ the love I was actually created to enjoy, because God is the One who ‘is and initiates’ that powerful love. God is the Healer of our hearts; he heals with himself who is LOVE. He brings beauty to replace our ashes, joy to replace our mourning, and praise to replace our despair” (Isa 61:3). God’s love is very practical and our actions need to line up with loving God and others…not just loving ourselves.

In our passage today from Paul and his letter to the Hebrews, he talks about the actions that will help us be empowered by the love of God, learn to love others by sharing the fruit of the spirit, and then experience the JOY of indwelling love that comes from our God. Paul asks the Hebrew believers to take care of one another so they help each other experience the love of God that alone satisfies the soul.

Hebrews 13:1-8 NLT Concluding Words
1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3 Remember those [believers] in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.
4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
“I will never fail you.
    I will never abandon you.”
6 So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper,
    so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?”

7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Prayer: Lord, we pray for your creation to know and experience your love; only you can make us feel loved and valued. The world drains us of authentic love unless we continue to come to you and be filled. I pray for a spirit of empathy to rise up in your children, so we can help one another through difficult, discouraging, and self-defeating times. If we only look at ourselves, Lord, we will never be healed. If we look to you, we will not only be healed, we will be made whole. Thank you for your great love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In the beginning of today’s passage, we see that David waited patiently for the Lord, the Lord heard his cry for help, lifted him from his pit of despair, and set him steadfast to walk in praises of joy unto the Lord. Jesus does the same for you and me. He calls us to have full trust in His plan for our life. No matter where we find ourselves, we need to fully lean on Jesus, especially during hellish times, because it is within those moments where He wants to truly grow and refine us.

David understands that God does not take delight in sacrifices or offerings, rather He wants us to be in oneness with Him, a connection through our heart and a relationship. You and I no longer live under the old system of sacrifices and offerings to atone for our sins, as Jesus was the only sinless sacrifice Who qualified to bear the weight of our sins on the cross as a substitute for the old sacrificial system. Even though King David lived many generations before Jesus even walked the earth, David’s heart for the Lord, understood that He did not require burnt offerings or sin offerings. God’s instructions were written on David’s heart, and those instructions of the “Good News” were not meant to be kept hidden in his heart but were meant to be shared. King David a man “after God’s own heart”, had a spiritual awareness of Jesus without human knowledge of him. Jesus is found within every part of the Bible, and that is because Jesus existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, the Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought Light to everyone. No darkness can ever extinguish the Light of Christ. (John 1:1-5) Friends, as containers of the Light of Christ, and by His unfailing love for us, we must ask the Holy Spirit to keep moving us along the path that God has for us so that as our faith keeps growing, we keep sharing the Good News of Christ all of the time!

Psalm 40:1-8 (NLT)
For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.

3 He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.

4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,
who have no confidence in the proud
or in those who worship idols.

5 O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.

6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand—
you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.

7 Then I said, “Look, I have come.
As is written about me in the Scriptures:

8 I take joy in doing your will, my God,
for your instructions are written on my heart.”

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for caring endlessly for me. Help to cleanse me, Lord, each day so that Your Word can instruct my heart and bring me closer to You. Open doors so that I can share Your unfailing love with at least one person each day. Keep me growing in Your Truth, growing my faith, and bringing me closer and closer in our relationship to You. I ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: Many people are afraid to die, but that fear should definitely not be tormenting believers. Eternal life is the gift of God to those who belong to the Christ (John 3:16). The lives of Christ’s followers and disciples are under God’s control; how long we live and when we return home to heaven is known only to God. In the meantime, we are to live for the glory of God and his purpose to exalt the King and further the Kingdom.

In our passage today from Luke, the Apostle Paul meets the Phoenician people of Malta. The people’s belief of justice has to do with a god giving a person what is due them [good/bad]. They know nothing about the Most High God, but when the snake bites Paul, the people of Malta assume he deserves death. However, it doesn’t take long for them to understand the apostle’s life is divinely protected.

Believers are protected by God and we see that in many biblical characters. As long as God has plans for our lives, we will remain alive. That does not mean we can live carelessly or neglect to use wisdom for our decision and lifestyles, but even our reckless ways are no match for God’s purposes. We need to take Luke’s lesson about Paul and the snake to heart. Shake off the poison of fear and live with confidence and courage each day. Enjoy the people around you and refuse to allow fear to rob you of a single minute. Live fully present and available to God.

Acts 28:1-10 NLT Paul on the Island of Malta
1 Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. 2 The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.

3 As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. 4 The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” 5 But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. 6 The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.

7 Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. 8 As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9 Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. 10 As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for holding our lives in your hands. There is no room for fear when you are with us, because we know Satan has no power when we are submitted to you. Help us to be fully alive to the work of your Spirit and Kingdom, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: I have a Greek word for you, today: ψευδής (pseudes)—false/fake/untrue/lying. There is a great deal of ψευδής going on in our world, today. As well, there is some ψευδής doctrine being upheld and taught as truth in some churches. False teaching has been present in every era and it is still present, today. This teaching has no footing on the narrow road of the Spirit; it is primarily focused on the wide gate that exalts the flesh (Mat 7:13-14). This was the case in the first century church even after Christ’s ascension; it will be the case until Jesus returns for his Bride. For this reason, we need the protective work of the Holy Spirit whom Christ promised would lead us into all truth (John 16:13).

False teachers are recognized by their ψευδής fruit, just as teachers of righteousness are recognized by their holy fruit (Gal 5:22-23). So what is the fruit [fake doctrine] of false teachers? I will share just a few things, today. The gospel leads us to respect the authority of Christ, but ψευδής teaching encourages rebellion and refuses to confess Jesus as God or have the correct view of Christ [this is the spirit of antichrist] (1 John 4:2-3). The gospel leads us to know the Word of God (Christ) as living and teaches us what is righteous before God, as well as corrects us when we are wrong, but ψευδής teaching gives people permission to sin and preys on those who do not know the living Word of God or the conviction of sin by the Spirit (2 Tim 3:16). Humility is the way for the Christ follower, but ψευδής teaching drips with pride (Mat 5:3; 2 Peter 2:17). So, run from what is ψευδής.

If we are truly following Christ and listening to righteous teaching, we will be lead on the narrow road of truth (always leading us toward Christ-likeness) and the Holy Spirit will produce abundant fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control!” (Gal 5:22-23). So, whatever you do, do all to the glory of God, because one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (1 Cor 10:31; Phil 2:11).

2 Peter 2:17-22 NLT
17 These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness. 18 They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. 19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. 20 And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. 21 It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. 22 They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”

Prayer: Lord, I pray for all of us—believers and unbelievers—to be wise to the work of Satan who attempts to twist everything and lead humanity into a deceived and apostate way of living. Thank you for the Spirit and Truth to guide us, so we understand how to live as your worshipers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.