Devotionals

On September 11, 2001, nineteen terrorist based in Afghanistan [15 from Saudi Arabia, 2 UAE, 1 Lebanon, 1 Egypt] from al-Qaeda [Islamic extremists] hijacked four commercial airplanes and sent a message of death and destruction killing 2,977 people from ninety nations. Al-Qaeda sees the United States as an obstacle to their desire for global order under Islamic authority.  These extremist see hate and violence as acceptable to achieve their goal.  May, by the mercy of Almighty God, this country never become so deeply deceived.  Today, please remember the atrocities of 9/11, pray for the destruction of evil and for the grace of God to lead this country and this world in the Truth of God’s love.

In our passage today, David sings about the spiritually lost and lawless state of humanity; it is universal—something we share in common.  When a person or group can commit heinous crimes and somehow spiritually justify such acts in their minds, evil and lawlessness is actually lord of the heart. Jesus was sent to guide us into a proper understanding of God, because throughout time humanity has lived ignorantly of his love and righteous standard. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17).  

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy! He is “slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness” (Ex 34:6). Humanity was originally formed in God’s image, but we love the darkness that leads to lawlessness —violating God’s standard. Yet, if God himself has offered us his mercy, how can we claim to know him and act so unrighteous? 

No amount of good deeds can save a soul or ensure eternal life.  We must accept the cleansing and redeeming blood of Jesus that was spilled for our sakes.  Only then will grace cover us, love fill us, and wisdom provide us with a proper understanding of God.  This all flows from the goodness of God.  However, let’s be very certain that one day evil and lawlessness will fall before the Lord, give an account to divine authority, and spend eternity without God and where their lawless hearts took them (Ro 14:12).

Psalm 14 NLT A psalm of David.

1 

Only fools say in their hearts,
    “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
    not one of them does good!

2 

The Lord looks down from heaven
    on the entire human race;
he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,
    if anyone seeks God.

3 

But no, all have turned away;
    all have become corrupt.
No one does good,
    not a single one!

4 

Will those who do evil never learn?
    They eat up my people like bread
    and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord.

5 

Terror will grip them,
    for God is with those who obey him.

6 

The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed,
    but the Lord will protect his people.

7 

Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?
    When the Lord restores his people,
    Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

Prayer:  Lord, we pause today to reflect upon our country’s experience twenty-four years ago when we suffered from acts of evil and lawlessness.  Have mercy on sinful humanity and forgive us for not bowing to the Love you offer in your Son.  We ask for grace to cover people, love to fill every heart thereby casting down hate-driven evil, and for wisdom to provide us with a true understanding of your heart so we will not allow evil rule of our lives.  Please heal hearts and restore them in the Truth.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Scripture is inspired by God and has been given to minister the truth to our lives. The Word helps us understand God’s righteous standards—how the Lord must be loved and how we love others (2 Tim 3:16). Although God gave us the Ten Commandments, striving to observe them was never going to be the way to salvation. It is impossible to obey them perfectly even if we think we are doing a pretty good job. God wants every human being to know the only way to salvation is dependence upon Him by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9).

God knows every heart; he knows the idols we have made and he knows the weaknesses that seek to destroy our worship of Him. He asks us to follow him into a better more righteous place in his presence. We all make mistakes, but we must allow the Living Word of God to correct us and send us in a better direction. God is the Truth.

A wise person said, “More people would learn from their mistakes if they weren’t so busy denying them.”

In our passage today, Jesus encounters a wealthy religious leader. This person has the wrong idea about eternal salvation; so, to clarify the point Jesus tells him to sell all his possession and give the money to the poor. It is a test, because Jesus already knows the leader depends on his wealth (idol) rather than God. When the man leaves his conversation with Jesus, he knows the truth of his own heart, as well.

Eternal life is connected to knowing the Lord can provide for our every need. We must trust and depend upon his love for us. Do you know? It’s a test…

Luke 18:18-30 NLT The Rich Man
18 Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. 20 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’”

21 The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.
24 When Jesus saw this,[b] he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

26 Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?”
27 He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.”

28 Peter said, “We’ve left our homes to follow you.”

29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, 30 will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.”

Prayer: Lord, you know our hearts and you know our needs. Help us to confess our mistakes when we make them, as well as ask for the help we truly need. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we pray our lives will reflect more of the divine nature. You alone deserve our worship, Lord. We trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From the time I was very young, I always wanted to emulate my mother.  She was kind, loving, and giving.  People around her knew…and I knew…she was the real deal and the same every day.  As I grew older, I realized she simply wanted a heart after Jesus—to pursue and emulate the loving character of the Lord. Truly, that should be the heart of every believer. 

In our passage today, David makes a similar commitment. As a leader and with the Lord’s help, he wants to live in integrity, justice, and righteousness. If he is going to be successful, he knows it means he must surround himself with people who also desire to “live a blameless life.” How will he seek to accomplish this lifestyle of worship—of the King’s rule?  He tells us he must avoid living separated from the standards God has set for his covenant people. 

If David is going to live a blameless life, he will need to guard his eyes, avoid dishonesty, run from evil, stay away from people who slander others, reject pride, and refuse to associate with deceivers and liars.  I was thinking about how important all of these areas are if we truly desire to emulate the Lord’s nature and character.  To live a blameless life is to be a worshiper of the Lord.

Would you ever find Jesus: watching pornography or filthy movies, taking advantage of others, speaking in a way that dishonors the reputation of another person, or trying to manipulate anyone?  I will answer for you—NO. Christ lives in you and those actions are not under the King’s rule.  That is the rule of the flesh.  So, if we are allowing the Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ, none of these things should have dominion in our lives.  To avoid falling prey to the temptations of Satan, we must desire God more than anything else. 

Psalm 101 A psalm of David.

1 

I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.
    I will praise you with songs.

2 

I will be careful to live a blameless life—
    when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity
    in my own home.

3 

I will refuse to look at
    anything vile and vulgar.
I hate all who deal crookedly;
    I will have nothing to do with them.

4 

I will reject perverse ideas
    and stay away from every evil.

5 

I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.
    I will not endure conceit and pride.

6 

I will search for faithful people
    to be my companions.
Only those who are above reproach
    will be allowed to serve me.

7 

I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house,
    and liars will not stay in my presence.

8 

My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked
    and free the city of the Lord from their grip.

Prayer:  Lord, there is absolutely no way we can live a lifestyle of worship without your supernatural help.  From our passage today, we know some of the things we should avoid if we are pursuing a blameless life as your son or daughter.  We take time to praise you for the grace that guides us into your holy character.  As well, we thank you for the forgiveness you offer in our failures. Holy Spirit, please continue your work of producing godliness in us.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Recently, we became aware that a wall—a supporting structure at our house—needed to be reinforced in order to stabilize the weight distribution of the roof.  It wasn’t until all of the drywall was removed that we were aware of this need.  So, I am very grateful for this revelation, because we can now take measures to place a vertical structure [pillar] and cross beams of wood to rebuild a very strong wall of support.  

In our passage today, Paul refers to the Church [covenant people] as the “pillar and foundation of the truth.” In other words, the church is the body where the truth is supported, elevated, as well as modeled by God’s people.  Paul reveals the heart of the gospel, when he teaches about the humanity and the divinity of Christ.  Jesus lived a perfect life and modeled godliness while on earth.  Therefore, godliness should never be something hidden; Christ should always be exalted and release through the lives of believers in order to bring glory to God.  Only when we follow and obey the Lord, can we learn to live a godly life that pleases our Father.

Apostasy—the refusal to obey or the act of stepping away from the Truth—has always plague humanity. It is throughout the Bible. Jesus himself taught his disciples, in the last days, apostasy will be rampant before his second coming (Mat. 24:10-14).  As well, Jesus taught about false teachers that would dilute the Word of God at the end of the age.  

Satan is a liar and a deceiver; therefore, one of his tactics is to dilute the gospel and offer an imitation of the Truth.  If we know the truth, then we will be able to recognize the world’s lies about any topic.  Jesus modeled the truth so we would know how to live with the things he provides even in this fallen world.  Truly, God is the giver of every good and perfect Gift (Jas. 1:17).

1 Timothy 3:14-4:5 AMP

3:14 I hope to come to you before long, but I am writing these instructions to you 15 in case I am delayed, so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 And great, we confess, is the mystery [the hidden truth] of godliness:

He (Jesus Christ) who was revealed in human flesh,
Was justified and vindicated in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory.

4:1 But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning], 3 who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from [certain kinds of] foods which God has created to be gratefully shared by those who believe and have [a clear] knowledge of the truth. 4 For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified [set apart, dedicated to God] by means of the word of God and prayer.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being our support and Truth.  As your covenant people, raise us up so we can exalt your name as the One true God.  Help us reach out to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. As apostasy increases, please keep us flowing in your wisdom and help us live the Truth in your power and grace.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

When anything in our lives—physical things, concepts, or desires—are elevated above the divine principles or our worship of God, those things have become idols.  Loving money and possessions certainly fall into this category, but so do things like power, identity, approval, convenience, pleasure, or an intense focus on entertainment. 

Idolatry has always been the sin of self-destruction, because it is misdirected worship. Sadly, when we make anything or anyone more important in our lives than our love and worship of God, we find ourselves empty, lacking meaning, and distanced from God.  Idolatry has been the downfall of every unrighteous nation, because it failed to place God on the throne as Lord.  

In our passage today, Israel has been entrenched with idolatry.  God sends Jeremiah to tell Israel they must abandon their idols and turn to God.  They refuse and Jeremiah knows it spells disaster for Israel. So, this man of God shares a prayer and places the Lord in His rightful place as his source of strength in his weakness, his fortress [stronghold] in his times of fear and uncertainty, and his refuge of rest when all hell comes against him.  In other words, regardless of what the nation does, Jeremiah honors the Lord.  With God in His rightful place, Jeremiah experiences a sense of inner peace and security even when the nation and world struggle in turmoil. 

These days in which we live are filled with demands, pressures, and challenges of all kinds.  Naturally, we may want to escape and run from it all, but where do we go?  We must be careful because the temptation arrives to idol-medicate rather than God-meditate.  Even excessive busyness can be an idol of escape; we must bow to divine Lordship and ask God for what we need.

The Lord has promised to be our shalom [peace/wholeness]. Down deep beyond our tendency and desire to escape every difficult place, we must hold on to the promises of God to be what we lack. When we worship the Lord, we have the power and grace of heaven as our sustaining resource.  No idol of our making can bring us the peace of God—in fact, idolatry causes humans to wander farther and farther away from God’s glorious presence making us more vulnerable.  We must place our confident trust in our Lord.

Jeremiah 16:19-21 NLT  Jeremiah’s Prayer of Confidence

19 

Lord, you are my strength and fortress,
    my refuge in the day of trouble!
Nations from around the world
    will come to you and say,
“Our ancestors left us a foolish heritage,
    for they worshiped worthless idols.

20 

Can people make their own gods?
    These are not real gods at all!”

21 

The Lord says,
“Now I will show them my power;
    now I will show them my might.
At last they will know and understand
    that I am the Lord.

Prayer:  Lord, you faithfully offer yourself to be the Source of our strength; to be a fortress and refuge when life is overwhelming.  We have read your Word and know the self-destructive work of creating idols that self-medicate to help us cope.  So, we turn and bow before you as our Lord and Shepherd to ask for your power, might, and grace to lead and provide for us the wisdom and strength we need to be victorious.  We worship only you and pray for the nations to do likewise. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Whether we realize it or not, every human being desires to be known. Scripture teaches we were created by God to be known by him. The Hebrew word for “known” is יָד֔וּעַ [yadua] and it can be translated as “intimate knowledge” or in easy terms God having a deep understanding of each member of his human family. God is Spirit and he ministers to our spirits [core of our being] (John 4:24).  We cannot comprehend God with our natural minds, but our spirits in human flesh were wired with a compelling desire to share a relationship with the Lord.  He is our Maker. 

Sometimes we may have a fear of being known and we try to hide our true selves from what may feel like an invasion of our privacy and will.  However, God pursues every person and seeks to reveal himself in hearts, in nature, and in the universe. God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and always presence; so, we cannot hide from him and believers should simply enjoy his loving presence in us!  God with us [Immanuel]. Wow…such a miraculous gift and blessing! 

In our passage today, David sings of the sovereignty of God—his unlimited authority over creation.  Nothing can stop what God has purposed and planned, because he is above and beyond all the limitations of time and creation.  Our Creator holds all things together and has ultimate control over events.  Satan is the deceiver and destroyer and he works to thwart humanity’s understanding of God’s goodness (2 Cor 4:4).  Remember, Satan has power in this world, but his power is not equal to God.  So, believers take authority over Satan and pray for God’s will to manifest on earth as it is in heaven.

One may question why God allows certain horrible things to happen in this world; but, because we cannot comprehend the thoughts and ways of God to save us we are blind to the goodness for the whole of creation that motivates our Lord—he uses evil to bring about a greater revelation of grace, salvation, and godliness to humanity (Isa 55:8-9).  There is always a contrast between righteousness [good] and unrighteousness [evil].  Sadly, humanity sees many things more clearly through the eyes of pain.

As we read our passage, today, rather than dissecting the teaching based on our quest for human knowledge, let’s allow this passage to bring comfort and reassurance to us that God knows and loves us. We must never forget from the beginning, human beings have been created to become God’s glorious temple (1 Cor 3:16).  We are known completely by a perfect and pure God.  All the days of our lives should be focused on knowing him in return and therefore trusting his plan for us.  Are God’s thoughts about you precious in your sight?

Psalm 139:1-6 NLT A psalm of David.

1 

O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.

2 

You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

3 

You see me when I travel
    and when I rest at home.
    You know everything I do.

4 

You know what I am going to say
    even before I say it, Lord.

5 

You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.

6 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too great for me to understand!

13

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

15 

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
    as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

16 

You saw me before I was born.
    Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
    before a single day had passed.

17 

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
    They cannot be numbered!

18 

I can’t even count them;
    they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
    you are still with me!

Prayer:  Father, thank you for making each of us wonderfully complex and unique.  You offer us a personal relationship and a closeness we sometimes struggle to receive. And, you pursue us until we surrender to your authority, willingly obey your Word to our hearts, and grow spiritually so we can begin to see things the way you do.  Beautifully, in our uniqueness, you have chosen to shine the light of your glory.  Believers are your dwelling place and the Spirit raises us up in Christ’s righteousness.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

The internet is truly helpful when we are looking for instructions, educational information, ideas, networking tools, etc. If you have a question, you can usually find some kind of an answer on the internet. Recently, I was surprised to find a plethora of sample excuses a person could use to call in sick for work. Granted the topic was an odd search on my part! lol! However, the Bible is the best place to search for answers and Jesus does address telling the Truth, as well as the pitfalls of making dishonest excuses (Ex 20:16).

During the sermon time on Sunday, our Luken passage was about honor and the actions of true believers (14:7-14). Jesus uses a dinner banquet he is attending as an example of what NOT to do. Believers are not to seek the seats of honor when going to a banquet gathering. Instead, Jesus’ disciples are to sit as servants waiting for the master to assign their seats. Then, Jesus tells the host of the banquet not to invite people who can reciprocate with a blessing; instead he is encouraged to invite the poor, blind, deaf, and crippled because then he will be blessed by God (14:13). Throughout his example, Jesus is teaching about humility, as well as honor, and he finishes that teaching with, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

In our continuous passage today from Luke’s gospel, Jesus shares a parable about a great dinner banquet, but is really referencing the end of the age Great Kingdom Feast with Messiah. This time Jesus’ teaching exposes the dishonor of making unacceptable excuses for not attending the banquet or entering the Kingdom for the Feast. No excuse is going to be acceptable. Humanity has been invited to Messiah’s banquet Feast; when we hear the salvation invitation [Christ’s sacrifice to die for the forgiveness of our sin] it is our day of visitation and we must respond by seeking Christ’s Kingdom and serving in a righteous lifestyle. Scripture reminds us one day it will be too late to accept the invitation. But for now, there is room in Christ’s Kingdom for all…

Luke 14:15-24 NLT Parable of the Great Feast
15 Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet [eat bread] in the Kingdom of God!”

16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ 18 But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. 24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for modeling a servant’s heart for us as your children. As your family, please teach us to honor one another and to approach all that we say and do with an abundance of gratitude and respect, because we represent you. We have no excuse to approach life any other way. May you be glorified in our lives, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Do you think if you knew the future it would change the way you viewed or lived your life? I know this is basically a hypothetical question, because there is no real reliable way to know the future. However, researcher have studied how a person’s perception, attitudes—positive or negative—as well as beliefs affect a person’s sense of well-being which does influence life choices and outcomes. Although predictions may limit our anxiety about the future, God has created us to have faith and confident trust that he will guide and direct our steps (Pro 3:5-6).

In Isaiah chapter two—written about 740 BC—the prophet has a vision of the future reign of the Lord on Mount Moriah [Jerusalem] (Rev 21). This vision involves Judah [translates praise; thanksgiving] and Jerusalem [translates city of peace; righteousness]; the vision is one of future wholeness and justice with God. Judah, the southern kingdom, and Israel, the northern kingdom, were separated at the time of this vision; a national split. When Isaiah wrote down his vision, these two kingdoms were experiencing a sense of security, but it was artificial. Why? Because the people had abandoned their First Love; therefore, in due time, both kingdoms would face the humbling work of the Lord because of their idolatry.

Isaiah is sent by the Lord to warn both kingdoms; they must return to God. They must heed God’s warnings or they will lose everything. In time, the northern kingdom was captured and defeated by the Assyrians and the southern kingdom was destroyed and the people taken into captivity by the Babylonians. So, even when God sent the prophet Isaiah to warn the people about the future, many chose to remain indifferent to the Word of the Lord.

This nation—the United States of America—needs to return to God, because as a whole we have carelessly abandoned our First Love. As a nation, we have tried to be our own god, live by our feelings and desires, so we are eating the rotten fruit of our unrighteous choices. May we return and humbly bow to the Lord our God, before we face his humbling work—a day of reckoning. “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land” (2 Chro 7:14).

God wants our hearts and our devotion; allegiance to his Word. We cannot say we belong to the Lord [called by his name] and align our lives with this fallen world. According to Scripture, judgment comes “suddenly” like a “thief in the night” (1 Thes 5:2-3). Now is the time to pray and make some serious changes to live in the righteousness of Jesus the Christ. If as believers, we will prudently judge ourselves, we will not receive the disciplinary action of Almighty God or the judgment meant for the unrighteous following the deceptive lies of Satan (1 Cor 11:31).

Isaiah 2:12-17 NLT
12
For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
    has a day of reckoning.
He will punish the proud and mighty
    and bring down everything that is exalted.
13 
He will cut down the tall cedars of Lebanon
    and all the mighty oaks of Bashan.
14 
He will level all the high mountains
    and all the lofty hills.
15 
He will break down every high tower
    and every fortified wall.
16 
He will destroy all the great trading ships
    and every magnificent vessel.
17 
Human pride will be humbled,
    and human arrogance will be brought down.
Only the Lord will be exalted
    on that day of judgment.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for always getting to your children the resources of Truth we need to make wise decisions. You share with us in order to protect us and guide us around the pitfalls created by Satan. You are good, Lord, and we thank and praise you for your pure love for us. Please continue to help us walk in the ways of wisdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

As believers, we live in this ever-changing and many times unjust world; therefore, we must cling to our never-changing Lord. Because he is the same yesterday, today, and forever—he is Truth—we can drawn near him, form roots through our trust, and grow in his righteous character. The Spirit gives us the desire for spiritual growth. As this happens, the world begins to lose its attraction, the Kingdom compels us forward as witnesses, and our hearts begin to long for our eternal home. Our focus changes to the Changeless One!

In our passage today from the writer of Hebrews, we are challenged not to be attached to this temporary world. Only our relationship with Christ and our service to him as our King will last. Believers are in this race of faith together and it requires endurance (Heb 12:1-2). We must not stop praying for one another, because the effort of the enemy is focused on destroying the work of God’s leaders to form sons and daughters who are led by the Spirit (Ro 8:14).

Spiritual maturity is hard work, but we have been invited into the rest of God to receive grace when we need it (Heb 4:16). Never forget, with God all things are possible (Mat 19:26). Happy Labor Day…make sure you enter into the Rest of the Lord!

Hebrews 13:7-21 NLT
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. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.

10 We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. 12 So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. 13 So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. 14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

18 Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do. 19 And especially pray that I will be able to come back to you soon.
20 
Now may the God of peace—
    who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
    and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
21 
may he equip you with all you need
    for doing his will.
May he produce in you,[us]
    through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
    All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Prayer: Lord, we desire for you to be the beginning and end of our faith, so we pray and ask for grace. Help us grow in spiritual maturity and in the beauty of your righteous character. May we produce the fruit of your love, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In our LIFE lessons Bible study time on Wednesday, we dove into Matthew chapter 11 and it became clear the narrow way of the Lord is the path of endurance.  Life right now can be stressful and emotionally driven, so we must use healthy coping skills to successfully navigate each day. Certainly, getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy, exercising, enjoying a hobby or connecting with friends all help us gain a better balance to manage stress. 

All of these choices and actions are good tools, but don’t forget Jesus teaches love never fails and disciplined, grateful, and childlike prayer is essential to the believer’s endurance (Mat 6:5-8; 6:9-13; 11:25; 1 Cor 13:7).  The time between Jesus’ death/ascension and the time of his return are considered the “end times” or the “age of grace.”  We must stay focused on prayer and seeking the Kingdom way of living, because we must learn to remain in the peace and joy of the Spirit.  

Jesus told his disciples no one but the Father knows the time of Christ’s return (Acts1:7). During this stress infused end time, we must trust God to safely guide us around the traps of worldliness; Satan uses stress to destroy us. Therefore, Christ’s disciples are to live in anticipation of his return while they faithfully pray for God’s provision and strength and stay focused on witnessing to the world about the Kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy believers can enter and enjoy in the Spirit (Mat 21:22).

In our passage from Peter, today, we are encouraged to pray, love one another, share life, rely on God’s strength, and live for the glory of God.  If we are stressed, we will struggle to do these things.  If you find yourself burdened with stress…reach out in prayer to Jesus. He says, “Come all of you…” (Mat 11:28-30).  

Who is all of you?

• All of you who are struggling to find answers and peace
• All of you who are exhausted, overworked, overextended
• All of you who desire to know the truth and be set free
• All of you who are in need of hope to go on
• All of you who are concerned about the future
• All of you who are fighting or in the midst of conflict
• All of you who are bending under the weight of life’s problems
• All of you regardless of age, gender, race, past, present—all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and the Lord will give you rest.

1 Peter 4:7-11 NLT

7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Prayer:  Lord, no one knows how to connect time with your return.  So, help us live anticipating your return, by actually fulfilling the work you have for us as your witnesses.  Holy Spirit, bring us people who need help coping with the pressures of life and we will tell them about you and how you help us.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.