Author: Bruce

I have been in Japan as a missionary since 1995. I'm currently going to a church called Crossroad Nishinomiya, an international church in Nishinomiya, a city right between Kobe and Osaka. Check out their website: www.crossroad-web.com. #crossroadnishinomiya

１９９５年に宣教師として日本に来ました。　今、西宮クロスロード教会という国際の教会に行っています。どうぞ、そのホームページを見てください：　www.crossroad-web.com. #西宮クロスロード教会

Categories
Luke Devotionals

Getting involved with the things of our Father

12-year old Jesus

Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house? (Luke 2:49)

Jesus’ words really struck me this morning. By the time he was 12, he realized how important it was to be in his Father’s house. And I was wondering, how many Christians understand that?

How many think on Sunday mornings, “It’s necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?”

But as I was looking at the footnotes of my Bible today, I was reminded of something. The word “house” is not in the Greek.

More literally, Jesus said, “Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in the <things> of my Father?”

What those things are is not exactly clear. Since his parents were looking for him, it makes sense that “things” means “my Father’s house.”

But in my footnotes, it gives the alternate translations of “be involved in my Father’s interests” or “be among my Father’s people.”

Honestly, I can be self-centered at times, thinking only of myself.

But I want to be like Jesus. I want to be involved in my Father’s interests. I want to value the things my Father values.

Jesus, give me your heart, each day valuing the things the Father values.

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Exodus Devotions

Celebration Sunday!

Road to Emmaus

Okay, it doesn’t quite have the alliteration of Throwback Thursday, but anyway…

Happy Resurrection Sunday! He is risen indeed!

God’s redemption plan is imperturbable.

No matter how badly we sin, no matter how badly we fall, no one is beyond God’s ability to save.

That’s the hope of Easter.

God’s imperturbable plans (Exodus 1)
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Psalms Devotionals 2

Leading our hearts to worship

My soul, bless the Lord,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

My soul, bless the Lord,
and do not forget all his benefits. (Psalm 103:1-2)

I was just thinking today, “How often do I lead my heart to bless the Lord?”

How often do I say, “Hey self! Bless the Lord today. Don’t forget all he’s done for you. Don’t forget all his goodness to you.”

That’s important to do when things are going badly, of course. When David got really down, he reminded himself, “Hey self! Why are you so down? Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 42-43)

But it’s also important to do when things are going well. To remember where all your blessings came from (Deuteronomy 6:10-12).

That’s what David does in this psalm. At a guess, he wrote this psalm some time after God had forgiven his sin with Bathsheba and restored his kingdom after his son Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 11-19).

How about you? Do you lead your heart to bless the Lord every day?

Bless the Lord…
his servants who do his will.

Bless the Lord, all his works
in all the places where he rules.

My soul, bless the Lord! (21-22)

Categories
Isaiah Devotionals

Forgiven and forgotten

cross

For the former troubles will be forgotten
and hidden from my sight.

For I will create new heavens and a new earth;
the past events will not be remembered or come to mind. (Isaiah 65:16-17)

Somehow, whenever I’ve read verses 16-17, I’ve always thought about how when we see God face to face in the new heavens and new earth, we will forget all our former troubles, all our sins and mistakes.

I still think we’ll forget all those things.

But I don’t think that’s what God’s saying. He said, “the former troubles will be forgotten and hidden from MY sight.”

And so when he says the past events will not be remembered or come to mind, I think he’s saying, “They will not come to MY mind.”

How much trouble have we brought into this world since Adam and Eve first sinned? How much have we grieved God’s heart?

That’s what we see in this chapter. God recounts all the sin and rebellion of his people, and how much they have grieved him over the years.

And yet, God says, “I will make all things new. And on that day, all your sins, all the times you’ve grieved my heart will be forgotten and hidden from my sight. They will not be remembered or come to my mind.”

All our sins forgiven and forgotten because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

That’s amazing grace!

Categories
Isaiah Devotionals

The God who “mercies” us

three crosses

In this Easter season, it’s good to think about why Jesus had to die.

This passage is interesting in that on one hand, Isaiah prays that God would rend the heavens and come down, revealing himself to the nations.

At the same time, he recognizes that should God do so, it would mean judgment not only for Israel’s enemies, but for Israel itself, because the people had turned their backs on God.

And so he prays,

Lord, do not be terribly angry
or remember our iniquity forever.

Please look—all of us are your people! (Isaiah 64:9)

That prayer reveals why Jesus had to die. Jesus bore the wrath of God for us on the cross. And it’s because of Jesus and what he did there that our sins are forgiven.

The translation of verse 4 into Greek (which is the translation the early church used) is very interesting.

It says something like, “From eternity, we have not heard, nor have our eyes seen any God except for you, and your works that you do for those waiting for mercy.

The ultimate work of God’s mercy toward us was shown on that cross.

Paul seems to see it that way. Talking about the cross, he paraphrases Isaiah 64:4.

What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human heart has conceived—
God has prepared these things for those who love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

The cross was no tragic accident. It was God’s plan from eternity past to save us, to “mercy” us.

That’s an awesome thing.

Categories
Isaiah Devotionals

Pray!

I will not keep silent because of Zion,
and I will not keep still because of Jerusalem,
until her righteousness shines like a bright light
and her salvation, like a flaming torch…

Jerusalem,
I have appointed watchmen on your walls;
they will never be silent, day or night.

There is no rest for you,
who remind the Lord.

Do not give him rest
until he establishes and makes Jerusalem
the praise of the earth. (Isaiah 62:1, 6-7)

In verses 1-2, it seems like Messiah is saying that he will not keep silent or keep still, but will keep interceding and working for Jerusalem until her righteousness shines like a bright light and her salvation like a flaming torch.

That was cool to see, because I think that Jesus will not only do that for Jerusalem, but for all his people.

He won’t stop interceding or working on our behalf until our righteousness shines like a bright light and our salvation like a burning torch. (Hebrews 7:22-25)

But it was verses 6-7 that really struck me. Because Messiah assigns people as watchmen.

And he says to us, “There’s no rest for you. Remind the Lord of his promises. Keep praying. Do not let him rest until he establishes and makes Jerusalem the praise of the earth.”

I thought of Japan, and I think Jesus assigns us Christians in Japan as his watchmen for this nation.

And he tells us, “Don’t stop praying, don’t stop interceding for Japan. Remind him of his promises to draw people from every nation to himself.” (John 10:16, 12:32; Revelation 7:9-10)

Pray that God’s kingdom comes to this nation. Pray that he keeps working until Japan’s righteousness in Christ shines like a bright light and Japan’s salvation like a burning torch.

But whatever nation you are in, the same holds true for you.

So let us each pray for the nation we are in:

Father, let your kingdom come in this nation that so desperately needs you.

Categories
Isaiah Devotionals

Blessed

blessing

All who see them will recognize 
that they are a people the LORD has blessed. 

I rejoice greatly in the LORD, 
I exult in my God; 
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation 
and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness…” (Isaiah 61:9-10)

Usually when I read this passage, most of my focus is on the first three verses because Jesus applied them to himself. (Luke 4:18-21)

But today my eyes focused on verses 9-10. And I realized just how blessed I really am.

I see all my flaws, all my failures, all my sins. But by his grace, God has clothed me with his salvation and Christ’s righteousness.

Father, I am blessed.  I rejoice in you, I exult in you, because you have clothed me with the garments of salvation and wrapped me in Christ’s robe of righteousness.

I didn’t have to make those clothes. I didn’t have to buy them. Jesus, you purchased them with your blood and you clothed me. All I can say is, “Thank you.”

Categories
Isaiah Devotionals

Shine!

Just in case you forgot, Isaiah 60 follows chapter 59. 🙂

And in chapter 59, we saw the hope that we have in Christ in this darkened world. That when things were at its worst, when we couldn’t save ourselves, God himself sent Jesus to bring about our salvation.

God, of course, was primarily talking about Israel’s restoration in chapters 59-60, but we see John in Revelation using Isaiah’s words to describe the new heavens and new earth, and particularly the new Jerusalem. (Isaiah 60:3, Revelation 21:24; Isaiah 60:11, Revelation 21:25-26; Isaiah 60:19-20; Revelation 21:4, 23; 22:5)

All of this is the hope we have.

And so the words God spoke concerning Jerusalem and the Jews, he speaks also to us.

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord shines over you. (Isaiah 60:1)

I just felt God telling me this morning, “Hey, don’t get all down from all the darkness that you see in this world. Don’t get discouraged by all the evil you see, by all the hopelessness and brokenness of the people around you.

“Get up! Shine in this world! Shine the hope that you have. And as you do, people will come out of their darkness into my light.”

Father, help me to shine today.

Categories
Romans Devotionals

Motivation Monday — Approved. Chosen.

Every once in a while, I’ll think I noticed something new in the Bible only to realize later that I’d noticed it before and actually blogged about it. This was one of those times.

But there were some new thoughts I had on the matter, and so I rewrote this article a bit.

I hope you’re as blessed as I was.

Approved. Chosen. (Romans 16)
Categories
Romans Devotionals

Who are you living for?

love your neighbor

As I was reading today’s passage, two things Paul wrote connected in my mind with things he had said earlier in Romans.

First, Paul wrote in chapter 14,

For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself.

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord.

Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Christ died and returned to life for this: that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living. (Romans 14:7-9)

It reminded me of Paul’s words in Romans 11:36-12:1.

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.

The second thing that struck me today is what Paul wrote in verse 15.

For if your brother or sister is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love. (Romans 14:15)

(If you want more information, on what that was about, you can check what I’ve written here.)

But anyway, those words made me think of what Paul wrote in chapter 13.

Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law…

Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8, 10)

I guess the question Jesus is asking me is, “Who are you living for?

Are you just living for yourself, only thinking about what you want?

Or are you living for me?

And specifically, are you loving the people I have placed in your life, people that I died for?”

Categories
Romans Devotionals

Because I am yours

For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever. Amen.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. (Romans 11:36-12:1)

Recently, these verses have been the foundation of my daily prayers.

Father, all things are from you, and through you, and to you.

You created all things and all things were created for you and your purposes. I was created for you and your purposes.

So Father, I give myself to you today. Let my whole life to you be worship.

May my words, my thoughts, my actions, be a pleasing fragrance, holy and pleasing to you.

I give myself as a living sacrifice to you.

You deserve anything and everything I can give you.

Thank you for your awesome grace and mercy to me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Categories
Romans Devotionals

God’s remnant

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Absolutely not…

God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.

Or don’t you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he pleads with God against Israel?

Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and they are trying to take my life!

But what was God’s answer to him?

I have left seven thousand for myself who have not bowed down to Baal.

In the same way, then, there is also at the present time a remnant chosen by grace. (Romans 11:1-5)

In this passage (and for that matter, the last two chapters), Paul is addressing the Jews and their hardness of heart towards the gospel. And he asks here, “Has God then rejected the Jews?”

His answer is unequivocal: No. There has always been and always will be a remnant of those who belong to him, a remnant chosen by his grace.

I think about Japan where I live. It’s easy to look at how few Christians there are here and think, “Has God rejected Japan?”

But I think Paul would answer just as unequivocally: No.

Of course, we can’t apply all Paul’s words concerning the Jews to the Japanese people.

But I do believe that in each city of Japan (and in each country throughout the world), there is a remnant of people whom God has known before time began and chosen to be his own.

All that’s needed is for us to bring the gospel to them. (Romans 10:13-15)

So let’s not get discouraged when we see the numbers of people who don’t know Christ in Japan or whatever country you may be in.

Instead, let’s pray. Then let’s go out to those God has put in our lives, sharing the gospel with them.

And by his grace we will find that remnant.

Categories
Romans Devotionals

Words to make your heart sing

One memory always comes to mind whenever I read this passage.

Back when I was a high school student, one day I was just thinking on Paul’s words as I walked from the bus stop to my school.

My heart was singing that day.

And as I read it today, my soul sang just as loudly if not more loudly than it did all those years ago.

No condemnation.

Pardoned.

No spirit of fear.

Child of God.

The Holy Spirit in me crying out, “Abba, Father!”

Hope.

The Spirit interceding for me when my prayers are all messed up.

God hearing those prayers and working all things for my good.

God is for me, not against me.

I’m foreknown by God.

Predestined to be made like Jesus.

Called.

Justified.

Glorified.

Not accused. Justified.

Not condemned. Defended.

And nothing, nothing can separate me from God’s love!

Is your heart singing yet?

Think on those words.

Meditate on them.

Is your heart singing?

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Romans Devotionals

That I may belong to you

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also were put to death in relation to the law through the body of Christ so that you may belong to another.

You belong to him who was raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God. (Romans 7:4)

Jesus, I don’t belong to Satan, though I was once a slave in his kingdom.

Nor do I belong to myself, simply following the desires of my sinful heart.

I belong to another now. I belong to you.

I don’t live just to make myself happy. I live to bear fruit for you. I live for you.

Thank you for your awesome love toward me. Let me bear fruit for you today as I walk with you. Amen.

Categories
Romans Devotionals

The newness of life

empty grave and grave clothes

Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

I like the translation “newness of life” here.

I don’t want to walk around in the tomb surrounded by the stench of sin and death. I want to breathe in the fresh air of righteousness and life.

I don’t want to be walking around clothed with the decaying clothes of sin. I want to wear the new clothes of Christ’s righteousness.

Imagine Jesus raising Lazarus and saying, “Come out,” only for Lazarus to answer, “No, thank you. I like walking around in this tomb in my grave clothes.”

I don’t want to do that.

Rather, breathing in the fresh air and wearing my new clothes, I want to present myself to God as a weapon, an instrument he can use to battle Satan who has enslaved so many people.

Like Isaiah, I want to stand before God and present myself to him, saying, “Here am I, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

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Romans Devotionals

Peace

rainbow

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

A lot of times when we read these longer sentences, the main point can get lost. But let’s not lose sight of Paul’s main point. What is it?

Therefore…we have peace with God.

Let those words sink in.

“I have peace with God.

I used to be his enemy. But now I have been reconciled to him. I have peace with him.”

“So when trials come, it’s not God’s way of punishing me for my mistakes.

“I have peace with him. I stand in his grace.

“And he pours out his love on me daily.”

So don’t get discouraged when trials hit.

Don’t think God is punishing you.

Jesus already took your punishment on the cross.

You have peace with God now.

Let’s hold on to that truth, especially during the hard times.

It’s our hope.

God and his faithful love toward us is our hope.

And ultimately, that hope won’t disappoint us.

Categories
Romans Devotionals

God’s faithfulness, Christ’s faithfulness

This past Sunday, I gave a message at church about how we come to God, not on the basis of our faithfulness to him, but his faithfulness to us.

And that’s what Paul talks about here. He starts by talking about God’s faithfulness to the Jews. He said,

What then? If some were unfaithful, will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?

Absolutely not! Let God be true, even though everyone is a liar. (Romans 3:3-4)

But then Paul goes on to talk about how all of us, Jew and non-Jew are unfaithful to him (Romand 3:9-18).

And yet, God shows his faithfulness to us. How?

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (although it is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed—namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe… (Romans 3:21-22, NET)

I really like this translation. Normally, verse 22 is translated “through faith in Jesus Christ.”

But it can also be translated as above, “through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.”

For all of us who put our faith in Jesus, he proves to be a faithful God and Savior.

He proved it in that though we were unfaithful to him, he didn’t give up on us. Instead he went to the cross, taking the Father’s anger upon himself, paying the price for our sin by his blood shed on that cross.

I don’t know about you, but that kind of faithfulness makes me stand in wonder. It’s what keeps me from getting discouraged when I fail him.

Though I am unfaithful to him, he is faithful to me (2 Timothy 2:13).

So when I fall, he doesn’t say, “I’m disappointed in you, you let me down.”

Nor does he say, “Renew your broken vows to be faithful to me.”

Instead, he says to us what he said to Peter, “Do you love me? Yes? Good. Follow me.” (John 21:15-19)

Thank you Father, thank you Jesus for your incredible faithfulness to me.

Categories
Romans Devotionals

That you may be glorified

For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude.

Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21)

Father, let those words never be said of me. I was created by you and for you. So in my life, be glorified.

Be glorified in my speech, my thoughts, and in my actions. Let my whole life be worship to you.

As I live each day, let my heart overflow with gratitude to you, transforming the way I think and act. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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James Devotionals

Undivided heart

Therefore, submit to God…Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (James 4:7-8)

Father, what does it mean to submit to you? At least part of it seems to mean that I submit all my desires to you.

Be Lord of my desires. Let my desires conform to yours. Help me to desire the things you desire. To make your priorities my priorities.

Father be my desire above all other things. May my greatest desire be to draw near to you each day.

I don’t want to be a double-minded man with a divided heart. Give me an undivided heart that seeks you above all else. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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James Devotionals

A perfect man

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. (James 3:2, ESV)

The above words really struck me this morning, because while the word above translated “man” can refer to both men and women (and in this context probably does), it most often refers specifically to men.

And being a man, it particularly struck home with me. I don’t think many men think of their tongues as the thing keeping them from being “perfect.”

I certainly don’t.

But James says here that it is the one thing that often prevents us from being the men we ought to be.

It certainly prevents us from the husbands we ought to be. It prevents us from being the fathers we ought to be. For those who are single, it prevents us from being the boyfriend we ought to be.

How much damage do we do to our wives, our sons and daughters, and to our girlfriends by the things that come out of our mouths?

Men, I don’t know about you, but I want to be like my Lord. I want my words to heal, not burn. I want my words to be marked by the gentleness that comes from wisdom.

Lord Jesus, let me be the perfect man, controlling my tongue. Lord Jesus, let me be like you.

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James Devotionals

Mature and complete

fruit

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

“Mature and complete.”

Those words resonated with me this morning. That’s what my Father wants me to be: mature and complete, lacking nothing. I suppose all fathers want their children to be that way.

I’d like to think myself mature and complete. But I was thinking just last week about an area of my life where I have yet to mature.

And I can hardly say that I’m “lacking nothing” as a Christian.

Not only in character, but definitely in wisdom.

And so James’ next words resonated with me too.

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly (ESV: “without reproach”) —and it will be given to him. (5)

Honestly, as a father, I’m not always as patient as I should be. When my daughter isn’t as mature or complete as I’d like, I often get frustrated. And yet, God is not that way with me.

Rather, when I come to him in my weakness and imperfections, he gives me what I need, generously and without reprimand. That’s pretty awesome to think about.

Father, I want to be mature and complete. I know you want that for me too. You know where I’m lacking.

So where I’m lacking, help me to grow. I want to be like you in everything. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Categories
Isaiah Devotionals

Our hope in a darkened world

darkened world

As I read Isaiah’s words, it reminded me of how little this world has changed.

Just looking at the news this week, I see all the violence and bloodshed, all the injustice that’s in this world.

We live in a world where truth has stumbled in the public square, where people have rejected God’s truth and are trying to create their own.

But again, these are not new problems. Isaiah was talking about this kind of thing thousands of years ago. And sometimes it’s easy to feel like Isaiah.

We hope for light, but there is darkness;
for brightness, but we live in the night. (Isaiah 59:9)

But I love Isaiah’s words in verses 15-16.

The Lord saw that there was no justice,
and he was offended.

He saw that there was no man—
he was amazed that there was no one interceding;
so his own arm brought salvation,
and his own righteousness supported him. (15-16)

Of course, Isaiah is talking about Jesus. And by going to the cross, he paid the price for our sin which had separated us from God, and brought us salvation.

But more, we see in this passage that Jesus will come again and he will bring justice. And this world will be made whole. (17-20)

That’s our hope.

So as we face this darkened world, let us put on the armor of God, his helmet of salvation and his breastplate of righteousness, guarding our hearts and minds from discouragement and any spiritual attack Satan would bring against us.

And let’s go out wearing the shoes of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15), bringing the hope of our salvation to those around us who are without hope.

As Isaiah said,

How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of the herald,
who proclaims peace,
who brings news of good things,
who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)

Categories
Isaiah Devotionals

To be a father like You

Me and my daughter

For the High and Exalted One,
who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this:

“I live in a high and holy place,
and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and revive the heart of the oppressed.

For I will not accuse you forever,
and I will not always be angry;
for then the spirit would grow weak before me,
even the breath, which I have made.” (Isaiah 57:15-16)

Father, thank you that you are not a God who is distant and uncaring, but a God who is near and full of compassion.

Thank you that you are a Father that is not always accusing, not always angry.

Rather, you see my weaknesses, and have mercy on me.

Let me be such a father to my daughter. Let her see what kind of Father you are as she looks at me.

I want to be like you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Categories
Isaiah Devotionals

Slinging stones

slinging stones

Last Sunday, I was listening to a message on David and Goliath. And one of the things my pastor was talking about was David slinging his stone that the world might know the God that Israel followed. (1 Samuel 17:40, 46)

And that stone skillfully slung accomplished the purpose God intended, not only defeating Goliath, but letting the Israelites, the Philistines, and all the other nations know that he is God.

As I read today’s passage, I thought about that message. And one stone I want to sling skillfully is the stone of his Word, namely, the gospel.

I want to encourage the people around me to stop seeking things that can’t satisfy and to seek God who alone can fill the hole in their hearts.

I want to urge them to turn from the sins that are destroying them.

And I want to tell them the good news that it is never too late for them. That our God freely pardons all who come to him in repentance.

God promises that his word, like David’s stone, will never return to him empty, but will accomplish all that he desires.

Father, help me know your word well and sling it skillfully that those around me may know you are God and find life.

Categories
Isaiah Devotionals

How can you be so good to me?

cross

Jesus, you came to this earth, and you became just like us. There was nothing in your appearance that people would desire you. You were just an ordinary looking man.

You understood rejection. You experienced illness.

And then you were pierced. You were crushed. By the time you were crucified, your appearance was so disfigured, you did not even look like a man anymore (Isaiah 52:14).

And all that because of me. You were pierced and struck for my rebellion. Crushed for my iniqutiies.

The whole reason I have peace with the Father was because you took my punishment for me. And by your wounds, my brokenness caused by my sin is healed.

I was like a sheep gone astray. I had turned to my own way. But like a good shepherd, you went chasing after me. And you took the punishment I deserved on yourself.

No one forced you to do this. You willingly submitted yourself to death. You bore my sin.

And you intercede for me even now: “Father, forgive him, for he doesn’t know what he’s doing.”

Jesus, you carried my iniquities on the cross, and because you did so, I now stand justified before the Father.

You saw anguish and death. But you rose from the grave, and now you see me and all those you died for and are satisfied.

Jesus, I stand in awe of your grace. How can you be so good to me?

Categories
Isaiah Devotionals

A prayer

prayer

Pay attention to me, my people,
and listen to me, my nation;
for instruction will come from me…

Listen to me, you who know righteousness,
the people in whose heart is my instruction… (Isaiah 51:4, 7)

Father, direct my heart to you. May I be alert, paying attention to you, and listening to you in my prayers.

I want to hear the instruction that comes from you. To have your instruction in my heart.

And as I pray, let me not merely say, “Your will be done.” But remind me of what you have said in your Word so that I can truly know your will and pray your will.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

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John Devotionals

Jesus’ heart

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When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught…

Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them…

Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. (John 21:9-10, 12-13)

I love this chapter on a lot of levels. We see Jesus’ heart, particularly for Peter in this chapter.

But today, I was thinking about why Jesus would prepare breakfast for his disciples. I mean he’d just performed a great miracle for them already.

I think the answer is very simple. The thought came into his head, “They must be tired and hungry. Let me do something for them.”

I wonder where did he got the fish and bread from. I strongly doubt he miraculously made them (though he could have easily done so).

My guess is he had bought the bread in a nearby village perhaps the day before, and had perhaps bought the fish from some other fishermen who had been more successful catching fish earlier that morning.

Whatever the case, he was thinking about his disciples and wanted to bless them. This was no big miracle he performed. Just a simple act of kindness.

That’s a part of Jesus’ heart that I want more of. A greater awareness of what the ones I love need, not just in the big things (like restoring Peter), but in the small. And then doing what I can to bless them.

Jesus, give me that kind of heart.

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John Devotionals

Peace

Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19, LSB)

Just thinking about the disciples and how they were feeling that Sunday. Fearful. Anxious. Confused. And Jesus comes into their midst and says, “Peace be with you.”

Later he would say to Thomas, “Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” (27)

It mirrors what Jesus said to his disciples earlier.

Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. (John 14:1)

There are certain things on my mind this week. And it’s easy to get fixated on them. To get anxious or worried about them.

And yet, Jesus comes to me where I am, and says, “Peace be with you. I am with you. Trust me. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”

My Lord. My God. Prince of Peace. Immanuel. In the midst of all I go through, Jesus, that’s what you are. Help me to remember that…and trust you.

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John Devotionals

Drinking the cup God has given us

At that, Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword away! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:11)

Sometimes, we go through trials, and as we’re praying, God makes it clear that he is not going to take it away. This is the cup he has given us.

Jesus experienced this (Luke 22:42-43).

Paul also experienced this (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).

And faced with that cup, we have a choice. We can either be bitter, fighting the cup God has given us.

Or we can say, “Your grace is sufficient for me. You are with me. And you are enough for me.”

One path leads to a miserable life and death.

The other leads to joy…and ultimately resurrection.

So the question I’m asking myself today is this. “Is God’s grace enough for me? Is God enough for me?”

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John Devotionals

Jesus’ patience

patience

I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. (John 16:12-13)

I wonder how many times Jesus says that to me. How many things does he yet have to tell me, but I’m not ready to hear it.

And yet Jesus doesn’t scold me for not being ready yet. He patiently waits. And as I continually open my heart to him, in his time, his Spirit will tell me the things I need to know.

Jesus you know my heart. You know what I’m ready to hear and what I’m not ready to hear. Thank you for your patience and gentleness toward me.

Continue to prepare my heart to hear your words. Help me to keep a soft heart towards you.

Holy Spirit, I open my heart to you. In your time, lead me into all truth, even though it may be hard to hear.

And Jesus, help me to show the same patience and gentleness you’ve given me to those around me.

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John Devotionals

Knowing Jesus

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip?” (John 14:9, ESV)

As I read Jesus’ words, it made me think, “Would Jesus say to me what he said to Phillip?”

“Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me? Really know me?”

I certainly know him better than I did when I first became a Christian. And I’d like to think I know him better than I did even last year.

But how much more do I need to learn about Jesus? I know it’s a lifelong process. Paul himself had been a Christian a long time when he said, “I want to know Christ.” (Philippians 3:10)

As much as he knew Jesus, he knew he needed to know Jesus more.

And if I’m honest with myself, so do I.

Jesus, I want to know you more. Really know you.

I have a lot of head knowledge about you. But let all of that head knowledge go down to my heart.

I want to trust you more. I want to join in your work, doing even greater things than you did. (I have a hard time wrapping my head around what that even means).

You promised you would reveal yourself to those who love you. (John 14:21)

So I’m asking. Reveal yourself to me more and more each day. I truly do want to know you more.

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John Devotionals

Clean

clean water

Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean… (John 13:10)

A lot of Christians live steeped in guilt. All they can see is their own sin and failures.

Is that you?

If you have put your faith in Jesus and what he’s done for you on the cross, his words are for you.

“You are clean.”

Let Jesus’ words ring in your soul.

“You are clean.”

It’s made all the difference in my life.

Yes, my feet get dirtied by sin as I walk through this world. But I know he has accepted me. And I know that when I come to him, in his grace, he’ll wash my feet and I’ll be completely clean again.

That’s the confidence I walk in. That’s why I have joy as a Christian, despite all my weaknesses and failures.

Is that the confidence and joy you walk in?

Meditate on Jesus’ words. Repeat them in your heart and mind.

Let them sink deep into your soul.

“You are clean.”

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John Devotionals

Too late?

tomb

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. (John 11:21)

As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died!” (32)

I’d always seen Mary’s and Martha’s words as a kind of rebuke of Jesus. “Why didn’t you come earlier? If you had come earlier, Lazarus wouldn’t have died.”

Now I’m not so sure.

Lazarus had been in the grave four days when Jesus arrived. Which means even if Jesus had left right away, Lazarus would have still been in the tomb two days when Jesus arrived.

And so it seems more likely to me that they were saying, “I wish you hadn’t been so far away when Lazarus got sick. If you had been here, he wouldn’t have died.”

But one thing that’s clear to me is that when Jesus arrived, Mary and Martha had no thought that Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead. It never entered their heads to ask him.

Even when Martha told Jesus, “I believe God will give you anything you ask,” looking at her words in verses 24 and 39, it’s very clear she wasn’t thinking Jesus would raise Lazarus right then and there.

It just made me think. Do I ever think, “It’s too late; it’s no use praying anymore”?

Is my Jesus so small, that I don’t think he can raise the things I consider dead and beyond hope to life again?

Do I truly believe he is able to do far more than I can ask or imagine? Or is my thinking as to what Jesus can do still too small?

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John Devotionals

I believe

Jesus heard that they had thrown the man out, and when he found him, he asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

“Who is he, Sir, that I may believe in him?” he asked.

Jesus answered, “You have seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

“I believe, Lord!” he said, and he worshiped him. (John 9:35-38)

Father, give me the heart of that man who had been blind. A heart open to you. A heart that is quick to believe you, to trust you, to worship you, to follow you, no matter what others say.

He was so opposite to the Pharisees who were willfully blind, refusing to see what was so plain, refusing to believe.

I don’t want to be like that.

So Jesus, today, with that man, I come to you in worship, and with the heart of a child say, “Lord, I believe.”

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John Devotionals

The mark of a disciple

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. (John 8:31)

Jesus’ words really spoke to me this morning.

One of the marks of a disciple is of course love (John 13:34-35).

But Jesus says here that another mark of a disciple is that we not only believe him, but continue in his word. That is, we continually open ourselves up to his word, receive it, and obey it.

Jesus said to the Jews in verse 37.

I know you are descendants of Abraham, but you are trying to kill me because my word has no place among you. (37)

The translation in the NET Bible is very interesting:

But you want to kill me, because my teaching makes no progress among you. (37, NET)

As I read that, I sensed God asking me, “Are you truly making room for my word in your life? Is my word making progress in your life?”

If we truly make a place for God’s word in our lives, it will transform us. It will change the way we think and the way we live. We will think and act like Jesus did. We will think and act like children of God.

And Jesus says that as we remain in his word, opening ourselves up to it, believing it, receiving it, and obeying it, his truth will set us free. (32)

How about you? Are you making room for God’s word in your life? Is it making progress in your life?

Father, how much is your word making progress in my life? Sometimes I wonder.

Help me to have a heart that is always receptive to you.

When I hear your word at church, when I read it at home, when people share your word with me, help me to hear it, receive it, and obey it, even when it’s hard. Even when it’s something I don’t want to hear.

Because I believe you are good. And I believe that in your word, I will find freedom and joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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John Devotionals

What Jesus wants to give us

Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled…

I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.” (John 6:26, 35)

Why do we seek Jesus? Why do we come to him? Do we come to him for solely for what he can give us? Or do we come to encounter him? To know him?

Certainly Jesus wants to meet our needs. But the thing he wants to give us more than anything else is himself. Because he is the only one who can satisfy the hunger and thirst in our souls.

And the good news is that when we knock on his door, he will always open it to us. And as he himself said,

…the one who comes to me I will never cast out. (37)

Jesus, I come to you today, not simply for what you can give me. I want you. I long to know you more. Thank you for always opening the door to me.

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John Devotionals

Entering into Christ’s labor

Christ's labor

My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work…

I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor. (John 4:34, 38, ESV)

“Entering into their labor.”

God touched me with those words this morning.

The disciples entered into the labor of that Samaritan woman whose testimony caused many Samaritans to seek Jesus. The disciples entered into the labor that Jesus himself started when he started talking to that woman by the well.

And I just felt God telling me, “I want you and all my people to enter into the labor of my Son, the labor he started on the cross. The labor that others have continued in the centuries since.

“Lift up your eyes. See the people around you who are dying in their sin and need me. Don’t shut your eyes to them. Don’t ignore them. Reach out to them and touch them with my love.”

So that’s been my prayer today.

Father, let me enter into your labor today and every day, touching those around me that Christ has died for. Use me.

Help me to do your will and accomplish the work you’ve given me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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John Devotionals

As we seek a miracle

“Do whatever he tells you,” his mother told the servants. (John 2:5)

Some of you may be seeking a miracle in your life this year. It may be physical healing. It may be the healing of a relationship. It may be a new job. It may be the resolving of a seemingly never-ending problem.

But as we come to God seeking that miracle, let us take the attitude of Mary.

Let us not just pray repeatedly, “God, please solve my problem.”

Instead, as we think about our problems, let us come to Jesus, saying, “What do you want me to do? Whatever you tell me, I’ll do it.”

That’s the heart God seeks.

Not a heart that that simply sees him as a genie.

Not a heart that seeks to bribe or manipulate him.

But a heart that is fully submitted to him.

And as we submit to him, we’ll find that the greatest miracle is not the change God brings about in our circumstances, but the change God brings about in our own hearts.

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Isaiah Devotionals

Following our Lord’s example

The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word.

He awakens me each morning; he awakens my ear to listen like those being instructed. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn back. (Isaiah 50:4-5)

In a lot of ways, Jesus fulfilled the words found in verses 4-7. (Mark 1:35-38; Luke 9:51; John 12:23-33; Matthew 26:67; John 19:1-3)

But it is his example in verses 4-5 that I especially want to follow this year and every year.

I want to have the tongue of a disciple of Christ, able to sustain the weary with a word.

But if I’m going to do that, I need to have the ears of a disciple of Christ, listening to my Lord, giving him my time each morning.

More importantly, I need the heart of a disciple of Christ, submitting to him as my Lord moment to moment, day to day,

Father, give me the ears of a disciple of Christ, listening to your voice. Give me the tongue of a disciple of Christ, giving the weary your words of life. Give me the heart of a disciple of Christ, submitting to Jesus as Lord, moment to moment, day to day.

Jesus, I want to be like you. Amen.

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12 Days of Christmas Devotionals

Twelfth day of Christmas

cross

And she conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she named him Judah. (Genesis 29:35)

Judah’s name sounds like the Hebrew word for “praise.”

Yes, I know, Judah was the fourth of Jacob’s 12 sons. But considering that it was through Judah that Jesus came, it seems appropriate to end this way.

With the birth of Judah, for a short time anyway, Leah took her eyes off her misery and stopped trying to fill the hole in her heart with Jacob. Instead, she turned her heart to God in worship.

So this year, let us do Leah did. Not just for a day, or a week, or a month. But every day, let’s lead our hearts, taking our eyes off of ourselves and our troubles and instead look to Jesus, saying each and every morning, “Today, today, I choose to praise the Lord.”

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12 Days of Christmas Devotionals

Eleventh day of Christmas

ascension
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When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult. During her difficult labor, the midwife said to her, “Don’t be afraid, for you have another son.”

With her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni, but his father called him Benjamin. (Genesis 35:16-18)

Ben-oni means “son of my sorrow,” while Benjamin means “son of my right hand.”

Both terms can be applied to Jesus.

Isaiah said of Jesus,

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief… (Isaiah 53:3, ESV)

And yet, after the cross,

[God] raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. (Ephesians 1:20-21)

Son of sorrows. Son at the Father’s right hand.

Let us worship him!

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12 Days of Christmas Devotionals

Tenth day of Christmas

grace

Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb. She conceived and bore a son, and she said, “God has taken away my disgrace.” She named him Joseph and said, “May the Lord add another son to me.” (Genesis 30:22-24)

Joseph sound like the Hebrew for “he has taken away” but means “he adds.”

Just as God took way Rachel’s disgrace by giving her a son, he took away the disgrace of our sin by giving us his Son to die on the cross for our sins.

And now because of Jesus, he adds to us grace upon grace upon grace each and every day.

And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)

Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness. (John 1:16)

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12 Days of Christmas Devotionals

Ninth day of Christmas

crown

Then Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. “God has given me a good gift,” Leah said. “This time my husband will honor me because I have borne six sons for him,” and she named him Zebulun. (Genesis 30:19-20)

The name Zebulun sounds like the Hebrew word for “honored.”

No matter what we do, we may never receive the honor from people that we desire. Despite Leah having given Jacob six sons, we see no hint that Jacob ever did honor her as he did Rachel.

But God has now crowned us who believe in Jesus with glory and honor. Not because of anything we have done, but because of what Jesus did for us.

What is man that you remember him, or the son of man that you care for him? You made him lower than the angels for a short time; you crowned him with glory and honor and subjected everything under his feet…As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him.

But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.

For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:6-10)

As Paul would add in another letter,

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

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12 Days of Christmas Devotionals

Eighth day of Christmas

gift

God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my slave to my husband,” and she named him Issachar. (Genesis 30:17-18)

Issachar sounds like the Hebrew word for “reward” or “wages.”

It’s highly doubtful that God was rewarding Leah for giving her slave to Jacob to sleep with. But the problem with sin is that it deceives us into thinking that it’s giving us something good. It may even claim God is the one giving you the good.

How much better to receive the free gift of God that comes through Jesus.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

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12 Days of Christmas Devotionals

Seventh day of Christmas

Anna
www.LumoProject.com

When Leah’s slave Zilpah bore Jacob a second son, Leah said, “I am happy that the women call me happy,” so she named him Asher. (Genesis 30:12-13)

The name Asher means “happy.”

Leah, in trying to fill the hole in her heart, allowed her slave to sleep with Jacob. By doing so, she found “happiness.” And yet, by verse 20, you see her still trying to fill that hole in her heart with Jacob’s love.

But hundreds of years later, a descendant of Asher would learn where true happiness is found. In Luke 2:36-38, we see the story of Anna. Anna lost her husband after only seven years of marriage. But for the rest of her life, she sought God day and night. And ultimately, her hole was filled when she saw Jesus for the first time.

At that very moment, [Anna] came up and began to thank God and to speak about [Jesus] to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:38)

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12 Days of Christmas Devotionals

Sixth day of Christmas

blessings

When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her slave Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. Leah’s slave Zilpah bore Jacob a son. Then Leah said, “What good fortune!” and she named him Gad. (Genesis 30:9-11)

The name Gad means “good fortune.”

Children are indeed a blessing from God. But what price did Leah have to pay in order to receive her “good fortune.” Was it really worth now having to share her husband with a fourth woman?

Let us not seek that kind of “good fortune.” Instead, let us seek the blessings that come in Christ. The awesome thing about those blessings? The price for them was already paid for us on the cross.

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

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12 Days of Christmas Devotionals

Fifth day of Christmas

broken relationships

Rachel’s slave Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. Rachel said, “In my wrestlings with God, I have wrestled with my sister and won,” and she named him Naphtali. (Genesis 30:7-8)

The name Naphtali sounds like the Hebrew for, “my wrestlings.”

How often do we wrestle others for things that can never fill the hole in our hearts? That’s what Rachel did in wrestling with Leah for the love of Jacob. But the sad thing is, all our wrestling will leave us empty. Only God can fill that hole. Let us seek the Giver over the gifts.

What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from your passions that wage war within you? You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. (James 4:1-3)

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12 Days of Christmas Devotionals

Fourth day of Christmas

favel

Rachel said, “God has vindicated me; yes, he has heard me and given me a son,” so she named him Dan. (Genesis 30:6)

Rachel had her husband stolen by Leah on her wedding night. Worse, though Jacob now had married her too and clearly favored her over Leah, Rachel had no children, while Leah had four. So she gave her servant Bilhah to Jacob to sleep with, and the children born to her were counted as Rachel’s children.

Dan sounds like the Hebrew word for “judged” or “vindicated.”

It’s highly doubtful that God was taking sides between Rachel and Leah. But one thing that’s clear is that for us who have put our faith in Jesus: God is definitely on our side.

Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. (Romans 8:33-34)

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12 Days of Christmas Devotionals

Third day of Christmas

hugging couple

[Leah] conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, “At last, my husband will become attached to me because I have borne three sons for him.” Therefore he was named Levi. (Genesis 29:34)

The name Levi sounds like the Hebrew word for “attached.”

Leah longed for attachment, for love.

Many today seek that kind of attachment and love.

And that’s what God has given us in his Son.

At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:12-13)

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12 Days of Christmas Devotionals

Second day of Christmas

depression

[Leah] conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, “The Lord heard that I am neglected and has given me this son also.” So she named him Simeon. (Genesis 29:33)

The name Simeon sounds like the Hebrew word for “heard.”

Leah was unloved by Jacob. She was neglected, broken, and hurting.

But God heard Leah’s cries. And in the same way, he hears the cries of all who love him.

Another angel, with a golden incense burner, came and stood at the altar. He was given a large amount of incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up in the presence of God from the angel’s hand. (Revelation 8:3-4)

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their cry for help…

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.

The Lord is near the brokenhearted;
he saves those crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:15, 17-18)

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12 Days of Christmas Devotionals

First day of Christmas

Jesus' birth
www.LumoProject.com

Merry Christmas all!

Starting today, I will be doing a special Christmas meditation for the 12 days of Christmas. These are based on a message I gave at my church recently, which you can hear here.

In it, I basically took the names of Jacob’s 12 sons, names born largely out of the pain of Rachel and Leah, and reinterpreted their meanings in light of Christmas, and God’s message toward us.

Today, Reuben.

When the Lord saw that Leah was neglected, he opened her womb; but Rachel was unable to conceive. Leah conceived, gave birth to a son, and named him Reuben, for she said, “The Lord has seen my affliction; surely my husband will love me now.” (Genesis 29:31-32)

The name Reuben means, “See, a son.”

It seems Leah was crying out to Jacob, “See, I’ve given you a son. Love me!”

But now God looks down at us, and says, “See, my Son! I do love you.”

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. (1 John 4:9)

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Isaiah Devotionals

A Christmas song

Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you. I will praise your name,
for you have accomplished wonders,
plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. (Isaiah 25:1)

That song resonated with me this morning, especially as I think about Christmas.

According to his plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness, God sent his Son.

But Isaiah 24-25 seem focused not on Jesus’ first coming, but his second.

When Jesus comes again, he will make all things right, destroying all evil. And after he does so, he will conquer the final enemy: death.

Death which covers this world like a burial shroud will be taken away forever. God will remove the disgrace and shame of all our sin. And he will wipe every tear from our eyes. (Isaiah 25:7-8)

Paul and John also talk about this, so I really encourage you to read their words. (1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 51-57; Revelation 20:7-21:4)

Anyway, on that day, we will see Jesus and sing this Christmas song, a song we can sing now, but one which will have far greater meaning when he comes again.

Look, this is our God;
we have waited for him, and he has saved us.

This is the Lord; we have waited for him.
Let’s rejoice and be glad in his salvation. (Isaiah 25:9)

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Malachi Devotionals

Leading our hearts to trust God

In my church, recently, we’ve been talking a lot about not simply following our hearts and going wherever it takes us, because there are times our hearts will take us in the wrong direction. Rather, we are to lead our hearts to follow God.

That’s important because in a broken world, it’s easy to get cynical.

That’s how the Jews were. They had returned from Babylon, the temple and city walls were rebuilt, and yet they still faced many problems as a nation.

As a result, they questioned God’s love (1:2), they questioned whether he was really a God of justice (2:17), and they questioned whether it was truly worth serving him (3:14).

And all this showed in how they treated God, dishonoring him (1:6-8) and robbing him (3:8-9). It also showed in how they treated their wives (2:14-16) and each other (3:5).

But not all were like this. There were the few who despite their circumstances, despite what others were doing, continued to lead their hearts to trust the Lord.

They chose to believe God loved them. They chose to believe he will eventually bring justice to this world. And they continued to faithfully serve him.

The result?

The Lord took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written before him for those who feared the Lord and had high regard for his name.

“They will be mine,” says the Lord of Armies, “my own possession on the day I am preparing.” (Malachi 3:16-17)

Are you getting cynical towards God when you see all the problems in this world and in your own life?

Will you choose to lead your heart and trust him?

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Malachi Devotionals

Following our High Priest’s example

Jesus, you were and are the perfect high priest. You revered your Father and stood in awe at his name. True instruction was in your mouth and nothing wrong was found on your lips.

You walked with the Father in peace and integrity and turned many away from iniquity. Your lips guarded knowledge and people desired instruction from your mouth.

But now you have made every Christian, including me, your priest. We are a kingdom, priests to your God and Father. (Revelation 1:6)

So each day, may I follow in your footsteps.

May I revere your Father each day and stand in awe of his name. May true instruction be in my mouth, and nothing wrong found on my lips.

Let me walk with the Father moment to moment, day to day, in peace and integrity, turning people from iniquity.

Let my lips guard knowledge and may the people around me see your wisdom in me and desire instruction from your my mouth.

Father, I feel so inadequate to the task. I am a man of unclean lips living among a people of unclean lips.

But by your grace, you’ve touched my lips, you’ve removed my iniquity, and atoned for my sin. (Isaiah 6:5-7)

So now I stand before you simply saying, “Here I am, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

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Titus Devotionals

Because God showed his love and kindness to us

But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:4-5)

“His love for mankind.”

That phrase stuck out to me because in some English translations, it’s just translated “his love.”

But the Greek word there actually refers to a specific love for mankind and is where we get our word “philanthropy” from.

It also struck me because of other things Paul said in this chapter.

Remind them…to be ready for every good work. (Titus 3:1)

I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. (8)

Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. (14)

Why do we do these things? Because God first showed his love and kindness to us.

And so just as he loved us, not just in word but in deed, we are to love others by our deeds as well.

The question God was asking me this morning was, “Do you love the people around you as much as I do?”

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Titus Devotionals

True worship

He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works. (Titus 2:14)

I’ve been thinking the last few days about what people mean when they say, “I love to worship.”

For that matter, what do I mean?

I think for many people, it means, “I feel good when I sing songs to God. I sense his love. I feel so close to him.”

I confess, it’s easy for me to think of worship this way.

But is that all worship is?

Worship recognizes that by his great mercy, Jesus went to the cross for our sins. He did so to cleanse us of our sin and make us his own people, a people eager to do good works, serving him.

We are his now. We belong to him.

And so worshiping God doesn’t just mean singing love songs.

It’s living a life that says, “My life is completely yours. My money. My time. I offer every aspect of my life to you.”

Paul recognized that in Romans 11-12.

Paul sang a song, but it’s notable that it wasn’t just a love song. It was a song which recognized that all things in this world are from God, through him, and to him, and that all glory belongs to him. (Romans 11:36).

And then Paul defines true worship:

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. (Romans 12:1)

When you say that you love to worship, is that what you mean?

Father, help me to love worship. To joyfully offer you all I am and all I have to you, holding nothing back.

It’s only right that I worship you by offering myself to you. For you created me and by your will, I was created and exist (Revelation 4:11).

From you, and through you, and to you are all things. So not just in my songs, but in every aspect of my life, be glorified. In Jesus’ name amen.

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Titus Devotionals

The unlying God

…in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. (Titus 1:2)

The unlying God.

I suppose “the God who cannot lie,” is a good translation. But somehow, the more “literal” translation rang more in my heart this morning.

It’s the reason I have hope. Because he is the unlying God, what he has promised, he always does.

And that includes the promise of eternal life that he gave before time began.

The promise that found fulfillment in his Son.

I can’t help but think of Simeon’s words in Luke 2.

Now, Master,
you can dismiss your servant in peace,
as you promised.


For my eyes have seen your salvation.
You have prepared it
in the presence of all peoples—
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory to your people Israel. (Luke 2:29-32)

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Ephesians Devotionals

Understanding God’s will

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— making the most of the time, because the days are evil.

So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Father, as I walk each day, help me keep in mind the bigger picture of what your will is.

Your will is that everything would be brought under your Son’s rule. (Ephesians 1:9-10)

That includes me. That includes the people around me. That includes all creation.

That’s the bigger picture. But as I see the bigger picture, help me also see the smaller picture of what you want me to do today.

Help me to see the opportunities you’re giving me to touch other’s lives. To rescue Satan’s prisoners of war and bring them into your kingdom.

Give me your compassion for them. Help me to walk in love as Jesus loved me.

And help me to make the most of every opportunity you give me today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Ephesians Devotionals

God’s power in us

Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us… (Ephesians 3:20)

I was thinking about that last phrase: “his power that works in us.”

So often, I thought of that as God’s power working through us to do his work, to touch others’ lives.

But today, it occurred to me that God’s power is at work in me to change me. And he is able to do in me above and beyond all that I could think or imagine.

Many times when I face problems, I ask God to take the problem away. To change my circumstances.

God in his grace sometimes does that.

But so often, he’s not so interested in changing our circumstances.

He’s interested in changing us, to make us like his Son. (Romans 8:28)

Sometimes, though, that seems impossible.

My pastor has been preaching recently about leading our hearts. (Proverbs 23:19)

That can be hard. Especially when it comes to forgiveness or other hurts we deal with in our lives.

We want others to apologize. We want them to change.

But all the while, we harbor doubt that our hearts can change if they don’t, if our circumstances don’t.

But God is able to do above all we ask or think. Why? Because his power, the power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us.

The question is, “Do we believe that?”

Father, root me in your love. Firmly establish me in it.

Help me to understand the length and width, height, and depth of your love so that the void in my heart may truly be filled with you and all my wounds healed.

I don’t ask that you change my circumstances or the people around me. I ask that you change me.

By your power, which can do more than all I could possibly ask or imagine, make me like your Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Ephesians Devotionals

But God…

But God…made us alive with Christ…He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus…

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:4-6, 10)

I was just marveling at God’s grace this morning.

In the Greek, “his” is stressed in verse 10. Paul says, “We are HIS workmanship.”

I wondered at that. Why stress “his”?

Then Paul’s words in verse 4 struck me: “But God…

Because of everything I’VE done, I was spiritually dead, separated from God. Because of all I’VE done, I was a child under God’s wrath, deserving hell.

But GOD…

God made me alive. He forgave my sins through the blood of Christ shed on the cross. He raised me up and gave me new life. And he has seated me with Christ by his side.

Why?

Not because of how great I am or anything I’ve done.

But because of his great love and mercy toward me.

When God first made me in my mother’s womb, I was his “masterpiece.” (Psalm 139:13-14, Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

But with me dead in my sins, a “masterpiece” broken and scarred, by his grace, God then made me anew.

I am twice HIS masterpiece!

And he made me not so just so that people might admire me. He has prepared me for a specific work: to touch people for his kingdom. And I want to walk each day, doing that work.

You are God’s masterpiece too. Twice his masterpiece. Let’s rejoice in that. And let’s walk each day, doing the things he has given us to do.

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Isaiah Devotionals

Shepherds’ song?

Shepherds

I was reading a Christmas advent devotional today and thinking about the shepherds. I was thinking about how they felt when they saw the angel.

Luke tells us they were terrified. Why?

God had been silent for 400 years. Now he was breaking that silence. For what? To bring judgment on his people?

No. To bring good news.

His anger was ended. And now he was bringing salvation through his Son.

Did the shepherds think of Isaiah 12 when they heard the angels?

Probably not. But if they had, I think they would have been singing it.

I will give thanks to you, Lord,
although you were angry with me.

Your anger has turned away,
and you have comforted me.

Indeed, God is my salvation;
I will trust him and not be afraid,
for the Lord, the Lord himself,
is my strength and my song.
He has become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:1-2)

Jesus, the root of Jesse had come. (Isaiah 11:1-5, 10)

And after seeing Jesus, the shepherds went and told everyone what they had seen and heard. (Luke 2:16-18)

Cry out and sing, citizen of Zion,
for the Holy One of Israel is among you
in his greatness. (Isaiah 12:6)

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Isaiah Devotionals

Take me back Tuesday — For you

A little something I wrote a few years ago, but seems appropriate to bring back as we start approaching the Christmas season.

You may feel like the shepherds. You may feel insignificant. Unimportant.

But Jesus was born for you.

For you.

For you (Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2:11)
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Isaiah Devotionals

Choosing to trust

For Aram, along with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has plotted harm against you.

They say, ‘Let’s go up against Judah, terrorize it, and conquer it for ourselves. Then we can install Tabeel’s son as king in it.’

This is what the Lord God says: It will not happen; it will not occur. (Isaiah 7:5-7)

As I read that, I wondered: “How often do I worry about things that will never happen?”

I can remember times I have actually lost sleep worrying about things that never happened.

How much better is it to trust God? How much better to remember that he is with me.

Two thousand years ago, he gave me a sign of his presence. The sign came in the form of a baby, lying in a manger.

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel. (14)

As Matthew points out, “Immanuel” means “God with us.” (Matthew 1:22-23)

It’s easy to criticize Ahaz for refusing to trust God. But how often do I fail to look at the sign he has given me and trust him?

Jesus you are always with me. You truly are Immanuel. So whenever I’m tempted to worry, help me to turn to you…and trust.

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Isaiah Devotionals

Holy God, gracious God

Joy Ornament

This passage is one of my favorites in the Bible and it never fails to touch me.

I was just thinking today about God’s holiness and God’s grace.

The seraphim (a kind of angel) cried out,

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies;
his glory fills the whole earth. (Isaiah 6:3)

That was something that King Uzziah failed to recognize late in his life. (2 Chronicles 26:16-21)

Isaiah, on the other hand, recognized God’s holiness all too well, crying out,

Woe is me for I am ruined
because I am a man of unclean lips
and live among a people of unclean lips,
and because my eyes have seen the King,
the Lord of Armies. (5)

And yet, we see God’s grace just as clearly.

Ironically, we see it in the judgment God declared on Israel. He told Isaiah to harden the hearts of the people.

How? By telling them the truth they didn’t want to hear.

But while the nation would ultimately fall to the Babylonians, there would remain a stump, a remnant of people who would remain faithful to God because of the words Isaiah spoke. People like Daniel, Ezekiel, Ezra, and Nehemiah.

And ultimately, through that remnant, Jesus came to save us. The King that Isaiah saw that day in his vision would come down from his throne to die for our sins. (John 12:23-41)

That’s what Christmas is all about. The King coming down from his throne to save us.

And now, when we come before him burdened with guilt and shame as Isaiah did, he looks at us in grace, and tells us, “Your iniquity is removed. Your sins is atoned for.”

That’s why we sing,

Joy to the world!
The Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!

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Isaiah Devotionals

When healing will come

Father, we are waiting for the day when the mountain of your house is established. For the time when war is at an end. When all evil is judged with justice. Where people seek you. (Isaiah 2:2-4)

When will healing come? This whole world is spiritually sick. And so are its people. (Isaiah 1:5-6)

Why? Because they don’t recognize their Lord. They don’t understand the source of life, the one who can satisfy the hunger in their hearts.

Instead, they’ve abandoned you, despised you, turned their backs on you. (Isaiah 1:3-4)

When will healing come?

It won’t come by putting our trust in money or anything else we take pride in. (Isaiah 2:7-18)

It certainly won’t come by any of our political leaders. (Isaiah 2:22)

Healing will come when this world recognizes you as King, as Lord, as God.

Healing will come as we seek you. Truly seek you, not just in form, but from the heart. (Isaiah 1:11-19)

When people turn to you saying,

Come, let’s go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us about his ways so that we may walk in his paths. (Isaiah 2:3)

That starts with us, Father. That starts with your people turning to you with all our hearts.

So Father, put a hunger in me to seek you. Moment to moment, day to day, in full trust and dependence on you. Seeking your Word. Seeking your will. Seeking your wisdom. Seeking your strength.

Let your kingdom come to this broken world and the broken people around me.

Use me to that end.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Philippians Devotionals

What we dwell on

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

“What does my heart dwell on?”

That’s what I was thinking today after reading verse 8.

For me, there’s a lot I can dwell on.

Political issues. Social issues. The war in Gaza.

On a more personal level, family problems.

But when I dwell on these things, they inevitably lead to frustration, anger, sadness, and anxiety.

Certainly not peace.

And so many times I sense God telling me, “Shift your focus. Turn off the TV; turn off the internet. Stop arguing with people in your head. Turn to me.”

Part of that is turning to his words. Letting his words shape the way I’m thinking. Letting his words change my focus to that which is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, morally excellent and praiseworthy.

Part of that is simply taking the time to talk to him about all that’s running through my mind.

As Paul says, being “anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, making our requests known to God.”

What are you dwelling on?

Jesus, you are the vine; I am the branch. You are my source of life and spiritual nourishment. So set my heart and mind on you.

You know all that goes on through my mind during the day. But help me not to dwell on these things. Help me to dwell on you. You are my life.

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Philippians Devotionals

Our hope

One of my favorite scriptures is found in Philippians 1:6.

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

We see more of that idea in 12-13 of chapter 2.

…continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God. (Philippians 2:12-13, NET)

One thing that has always given me hope as a Christian is that even though I see all my sins and weaknesses, God never gives up on me. What he has started, he will complete.

Even now, he is working in me, giving me the desire and the ability to be more like Jesus.

Sometimes that process seems slow. I still see all my flaws. I am far from perfect. But I have also seen the change God has worked in my life over the years.

And I stand in awe and reverence at his incredible grace toward me each and every day. That’s what motivates me to keep following after him.

Not guilt.

Not fear of God’s anger or rejection of me.

But his amazing grace.

Is that your hope?

What motivates you?

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Colossians Devotionals

Fight!

He is always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. (Colossians 4:12)

“He’s always wrestling for you in his prayers.”

That word “wrestle” is sometimes translated “fight” in the New Testament, (1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7)

So you could probably translate Paul’s words, “He’s always fighting for you in his prayers.”

That resonates with me.

How often do I fight for people in my prayers?

There are two people in particular that I’m thinking of right now who are really struggling. But there are many more I know who are also having a really hard time.

And I just feel like God is saying to me, “Fight for them in your prayers. Fight! Don’t just give brief, token prayers for them. Fight!”

Who is God putting on your heart right now that he wants you to fight for?

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Colossians Devotionals

Seeing our brothers and sisters as God sees them

Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another.

Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.

Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15)

Sometimes, our brothers and sisters in Christ can be frustrating.

But God reminded me of something this morning as I read this passage.

Yes, I am chosen by God, holy, and dearly loved by him.

But so are my brothers and sisters in Christ.

And that’s why he calls me to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience when dealing with them.

That’s why he asks me to bear with them and forgive them. To love them. And to let his peace rule in our relationships.

When we forget how God sees our brothers and sisters, it’s easy to slander them in our hearts.

In doing so, we indirectly blaspheme God, because we slander someone made in his image. (The word translated “slander” is generally translated “blaspheme” when used in reference to God).

And so God reminded me this morning, especially when I look at my wife and daughter, to remember that all his children are chosen, holy, and dearly loved by him. And I am to treat them that way.

How do you see your brothers and sisters in Christ?

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Colossians Devotionals

Fully pleasing, fully accepted

We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God…(Colossians 1:9-10)

“Fully pleasing.”

Those words struck me this morning. I want to be fully pleasing to God. And yet there are many times I fall short. Times when I don’t walk worthy of the Lord.

And yet, Paul also says these words:

But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him… (22)

No, I don’t always walk worthy of the Lord. No, I’m not always fully pleasing to him.

And yet because of what Jesus did on the cross, I’m holy, faultless, and blameless before him.

In short, I’m accepted.

Fully accepted.

How about you?

Do you walk with Jesus each day with that assurance?

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Matthew Devotionals

What God didn’t do

“I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said.

“What’s that to us?” they said. “See to it yourself!” (Matthew 27:4)

The amazing thing to me about God is he did not respond to us as the priests responded to Judas.

When we came to God in our guilt and shame, he didn’t say, “What is that to me? See to it yourself.”

Had he done so, we would have been left in despair and death as Judas was.

But instead, God sent his Son.

…he was pierced because of our rebellion,
crushed because of our iniquities;
punishment for our peace was on him,
and we are healed by his wounds.

We all went astray like sheep;
we all have turned to our own way;
and the Lord has punished him
for the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6)

I’ll never know why you did what you did.
You didn’t have to die, but you did.

You hung on the cross so that I wouldn’t be lost.
You took my place, now you’re pleading my case.

You didn’t have to do it, but I’m glad you did.
You didn’t have to do it, but I’m glad you did.

Crystal Lewis
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Matthew Devotionals

Your will be done

Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven…Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10)

My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done. (Matthew 26:42)

Just thinking, Father, the exact words Jesus put in his “disciple’s prayer” is what he prayed the night before he was crucified.

It’s easy to teach others to pray that way.

It’s easy to pray that way as a general prayer to start the day.

It’s so much harder when I’m facing something I don’t want to face.

Can I say, “Your will be done” when it affects my life. When it means going through suffering or hard times? Can I still call you “My Father” during those times and not be bitter, questioning your goodness?

Jesus, I am so weak, as Peter was. As the disciples were.

So especially when I’m facing something bigger than me, something I can’t handle on my own, give me the grace, the strength, the faith, to say as you did, “Father, your will be done.”

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Matthew Devotionals

Merely pointing fingers?

They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them. (Matthew 23:4)

The Pharisees and scribes had a habit of pointing out others’ sins.

But one thing they never did was reach out with compassion to those burdened with their sin.

And it made me think, “Am I as quick to help people who are struggling with their sin as I am to point our their sin?”

I believe Paul was thinking of Jesus’ words when he wrote,

Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.

Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1-2)

Father, unlike the scribes and Pharisees, I don’t want to be a person who merely points out others’ sins. May I instead have Jesus’ heart toward those struggling with their sins. Give me his heart of mercy towards them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Matthew Devotionals

Take me back Tuesday — Ignorant of the scriptures?

Words that always strike me: You are mistaken, because you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God. 

Can that be said of us?

Ignorant of the scriptures
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Matthew Devotionals

The fruit God seeks

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruit. (Matthew 21:43)

As I read today’s chapter and especially those words, I was reminded of John the Baptist’s words to the Pharisees and Sadducees in chapter 3.

Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance…The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:8-10)

What is the fruit God is seeking? It’s the fruit consistent with repentance.

It’s what the tax collectors and prostitutes showed and that’s why they would enter God’s kingdom and the religious leaders who refused to repent wouldn’t (Matthew 21:31-32).

That difference in attitude was also shown in the parable of the two sons. (28-30)

And the fig tree Jesus cursed and the parable of the vineyard he told is a warning to those who don’t show that fruit consistent with repentance. (18-19, 33-34)

Repentance is not just a change of mind, a mere mental assent to the things God teaches. Repentance leads to the fruit of a changed heart and a changed life.

As we say at my church, it’s a life of “head, heart, hands.”

God’s word enters our heads. It then transforms our hearts. And as a result, our lives change.

That’s the fruit God is looking for.

Is that the fruit you’re producing?

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Matthew Devotionals

When your words are hard

Jesus, sometimes your words are hard.

They were hard for the disciples when you talked about marriage.

They were hard for the rich young man when you told him to let go of what he held most dear in order to follow you.

Sometimes you say things that I don’t want to hear.

I don’t want to hear it because my heart is hard, and I would prefer to do things my way because my way is “easier.”

Or there are things in my life that I don’t want to let go of.

But when your words are hard, help me to remember that you are good.

When your words are hard, help me to remember your way is best.

And when your words are hard, help me to keep a soft heart, following you and your ways.

Because though your words may be hard, they are the words of life. (John 6:63, 68)

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Matthew Devotionals

Failing to hear

While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!” …

As they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised up.”

And they were deeply distressed. (Matthew 17:5, 22-23)

How many times are we like Jesus’ disciples? God has plans. Good plans. But we don’t always see them because we’re not hearing all he’s saying.

All we’re hearing are the destruction of our own hopes, plans, and dreams. And we become deeply distressed.

But we fail to see what will rise from those ashes.

Joy. Peace. Life.

But most importantly, we’ll see Jesus.

So in those times when you’re distressed because God’s plans seem counter to your own, let’s remember the Father’s words.

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!”

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Matthew Devotionals

Short memories

You of little faith…Don’t you understand yet? Don’t you remember…? (Matthew 16:8-9)

How often is our lack of of faith, our inability to understand what God is trying to teach us due to our short memories?

We read his words in the Bible or hear them in the Sunday message. We’re encouraged and inspired by those words…and then we forget.

We see how God has worked in our lives. We marvel and rejoice in it…and then we forget.

How much would our faith increase if we would just remember.

Father, increase my faith. Help me to remember the things you’ve taught me and the things you’ve done for me. And as I remember, in the good times and bad, may I rejoice and trust in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Matthew Devotionals

Who we are following

The story of how John the Baptist’s life ended is really heartbreaking when you think about it.

But today, I thought about his disciples’ response. They came to take his body and bury it. And then they told Jesus.

But the thought came to me today, “What did they do after that?”

Did they follow Jesus?

Or did they just go home?

We don’t know.

I would hope they followed Jesus. After all, Jesus was the one John had pointed to.

It made me think, though. Who are we following?

Many people become Christians because of someone influential in their lives. It might be a a pastor. It might be a friend. It might be a family member.

But what happens when they leave us?

Some may literally pass away.

Others may move away.

Sadly, some may even fall into sin and walk away from God.

And the question is, what then?

Do we just “go home?”

Or do we turn our eyes to Jesus and follow him?

Because as Jesus proved through the miracle of the feeding of the 5000, he is the bread of life (John 6). He is the one imparts true life to us, filling our spiritual hunger and thirst.

And he is the one who will always be there for us, no matter what storms may hit.

People will leave us. People let us down.

Jesus will not.

So I ask again:

“Who are you following?”

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Matthew Devotionals

Deeply rooted faith?

And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.

But he has no root and is short-lived. When distress or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away. (Matthew 13:20-21)

The picture Jesus gives here is of a seed sown in a thin layer of soil over limestone. And because the limestone prevents the roots from growing deep, the plant quickly withers in the heat of the trials and persecution.

As I was reading, I thought about what that limestone was which kept the roots from growing deep.

Could it be the limestone of unbelief? Namely, doubt about God’s goodness and love toward us?

Some people hear about God’s love and goodness, and they’re immediately excited and joyous.

But then trials come. Persecution comes. And a deep-seeded doubt that lies beneath the surface of their hearts is revealed:

“Is God really good? Does God really love me? Then why are these bad things happening to me?”

The result? They quickly fall away.

How about you? When trials and persecutions come, is your first thought, “If God is good, if God really loves me, why is this happening to me?”

Or is your faith rooted deeply in your conviction of God’s love and goodness toward you?

How deep are your roots?

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Matthew Devotionals

Words of grace, words of judgment

What struck me today were the words of grace and judgment coming from Jesus’ mouth in this chapter.

The words of judgment were for the cities who had failed to respond to his call to repent, despite all the miracles he had shown them.

And ultimately, that was the line that Jesus always drew throughout his ministry. He called people to repentance.

It was the message he preached (Matthew 4:17), and when he sent out his disciples to preach, he gave them the same message (Mark 6:12).

And if people didn’t repent, he warned them of judgment. (Luke 13:1-8, John 5:14)

But at the same time, Jesus’ words were full of grace. To John, whose faith was shaken after being thrown into prison, Jesus gave words of encouragement.

And to people who were burdened by the guilt of their sin, to those weighed down by all the legalistic rules the religious leaders had put on them (Matthew 23:4), Jesus offered rest.

But it’s a rest that only comes with repentance and putting our trust in him.

It’s a message reminiscent of what Isaiah once told the Israelites.

In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it. (Isaiah 30:15, NIV)

That was the problem with the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. And Jesus judged them for it.

But to those with soft hearts, even though they may struggle with feelings of guilt or doubt, Jesus is full of grace.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.

Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

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Matthew Devotionals

Our heart, our message

[Jesus] said, ‘It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice.

For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Matthew 9:12-13)

As I was reflecting on Jesus’ words, I thought about what our heart should be toward non-Christians who come to our churches.

We should have hearts of mercy towards them. They are like sheep without a shepherd, harassed and cast down by the Enemy.

We shouldn’t be avoiding them. We should be reaching out to them, showing Christ’s love to them.

At the same time, we have a message for them. Jesus came to call sinners. But what does he call them to do?

Luke is a little clearer about that in his account of this story. Jesus said,

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32)

Love does not tell people, “It’s okay to stay in your sin.”

Love tells people, “Repent.”

It was Jesus’ message from the beginning. (Matthew 4:17)

It’s what Jesus told Matthew and the other tax collectors and sinners while he was talking with them over dinner.

It’s certainly what he told Zacchaeus and his friends. (Luke 19:1-10)

So as we encounter non-Christians in our church, let us take on Jesus’ attitude, welcoming them, and showing love and mercy to them.

But at the same time, with humility and gentleness, let us share with them the same message Jesus did with Matthew and his friends.

“God’s kingdom is near. There is a God who loves you and is inviting you to join his kingdom. So repent of your sins and turn to him. And you will find life.”

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Matthew Devotionals

Following Jesus

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29)

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

Part of it is recognizing Jesus’ authority.

Jesus certainly has it.

He commanded the wind and waves, and they obeyed.

He commanded the demons, and they obeyed.

Yes, Jesus has authority. But the question is, do we recognize his authority in our lives?

The centurion certainly did.

As for the two men who wanted to follow Jesus, we don’t know if they did or not.

And as for the crowds mentioned in the above verse, some did come to recognize Jesus’ authority, and others outright rejected it.

But it’s possible to recognize Jesus’ authority and still not follow him.

The demons recognized his authority and hated him for it.

The people of the Gadarenes were frightened of him and asked him to leave.

What about us?

Jesus is asking us, “Do you recognize my authority in your life? And do you love and trust me enough to obey?”

Do you want to follow Jesus?

Do you love him and truly want to know him?

Then remember his words:

The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him. (John 14:21)

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Matthew Devotionals

Breaking off pieces of the bedrock

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. (Matthew 7:24-25)

As I was reading Jesus’ words this morning, a picture came to mind that I’d never thought of before.

Jesus, of course, gives the picture of someone building their house on bedrock.

But the image that came to my mind this morning was of someone not building his house on bedrock, but instead breaking off pieces of that bedrock and trying to make it part of his house’s walls.

And though the bedrock was part of the house’s walls, because the house’s foundation was sand, it ultimately all collapsed.

There are many people like that today. They claim to follow Jesus, but they don’t build their lives on all of Jesus’ teaching. Instead, they “break off” the parts they like, and try to incorporate it into their way of thinking.

We can’t do that. We can’t just take the parts of Jesus’ teaching we like, add it to our own way of thinking, and reject the rest of Jesus’ words. To live that way is not following the Father’s will, but our own.

Our lives need to be built on all he Jesus taught, not just the parts we happen to like.

And of course, the first thing Jesus ever taught was “Repent!”

We cannot enter God’s kingdom if we don’t repent of our sins. (Matthew 4:17)

If we refuse to repent, if instead we cling to our sins, the day will come when we call out to him, “Lord, Lord,” and he says, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers.” (23)

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Matthew Devotionals

That my eyes may be healed

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.

But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness, how deep is that darkness! (Matthew 6:22-23)

Father, heal my spiritual eyes that I might see things as they really are.

To see that you are a good Father. That you really do care about me, and I don’t need to worry about anything.

To see that the things of this world will pass away.

To see what’s truly important: your kingdom, your righteousness.

Too often, my eyes are diseased. So heal my eyes.

Help me to value you above all else. And help me to value the people you love that you’ve placed in my life.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Matthew Devotionals

A mirror of Your heart

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

Father, I want to be more like you. You know all the ways that I fall short. You know all the ways that my righteousness falls short of your righteousness, all the ways my love for people falls short of your love for people.

But as I gaze upon your love and goodness to me, increase my desire to become more like you. As I gaze upon your beauty and perfection, increase my hunger to be like you.

I want to walk in the image of you,
Like a child imitating what his Father would do,
A mirror of your heart.

Chris Christian
Categories
Matthew Devotionals

A prayer from a child of God

When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water.

The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)

Father, how is it that by your grace, you open up heaven to me, give me your Spirit, and say, “You are my beloved child. In you I am well pleased?”

How is it? That’s incredible to me!

So Father, let me bear the fruit of repentance. You know the sins that I still struggle with.

Father, don’t let me be like the Pharisees and Sadducees, merely pretending to be righteous. Let me truly bear the fruit of righteousness in my life

Jesus, you said I am already clean because of the Word you have spoken and I have believed. Now let your words abide in me.

Pruning me. Shaping me. Transforming me. Changing the way I think and act. Convicting me of sin.

Yet reminding me of your forgiveness and love. Encouraging me to take the next step forward with you, becoming more like you.

You are the vine. I am the branch. Teach me what it means to abide in you. Without you I can do nothing. But with you, I will bear much fruit. And I do want to bear fruit for you. (John 15:3-7)

Holy Spirit, as you filled and led Jesus throughout his earthly life, fill and lead me, moment to moment, day to day.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Categories
Matthew Devotionals

God with us

Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son,
and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” (Matthew 1:22-23)

I was just meditating on those final words: God with us.

With us.

Not far from us.

With us.

Not keeping his distance from us because we’re not worthy of his love.

With us.

Not giving up on us because of sins and failures.

With us.

Not constantly accusing us, but rather defending us.

With us.

Not abandoning us when the enemy attacks, but fighting for us.

With us.

Our God is with us.

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

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1 Timothy Devotionals

Where training in godliness starts

…train yourself in godliness. (1 Timothy 4:7)

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. (5:4)

I have a mother who is a widow, so these words especially resonated with me. Particularly since she’s going through depression right now.

I live far from her, so there’s not much I can do, but I do keep in touch with her, talking with, praying with, and praying for her. That said, in these times, it’s tough to follow Paul’s words and serve my mom. I truly need God’s grace.

And yet, this is part of my training in godliness.

But Paul’s words are not only for me or others who have mothers who are widows. They’re for all of us.

Practicing godliness starts with our family. We can’t simply practice our godliness at church or at our workplace.

We need to practice it at home with our parents, our siblings, our spouses, our children.

And when we do, it pleases our Father.

But it can be tough at home. Especially at the end of a long day when we’re tired. Particularly when our families start getting our nerves.

But if we want to truly be like our Father who loves us, it starts at home.

Father, I want to be like you. Help me to practice godliness with my mother. With my wife. With my daughter.

I want to please you each day by how I treat them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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1 Timothy Devotionals

Men of prayer

Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. (1 Timothy 2:8)

It’s always interesting to me that Paul specifically tells the men to pray.

How much do we men actually value prayer?

How often, instead, do we live as practical atheists, living each day as if God isn’t there, as if we are dependent only upon ourselves?

What marks our lives in our homes, at our workplace, at church?

Anger?

An argumentative attitude?

Or are we marked by prayer, each day lifting holy hands to our Father?

Of course, women should pray too. Everything I said applies to you too.

But men, in this passage, Paul is talking to you.

So let’s take up the challenge God has given us and be men of prayer.

We are soldiers for Christ, fighting an enemy who wants to destroy us, our families, and those we love. (2 Timothy 2:3-4; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10)

So as Christ’s soldiers, let’s get on our knees and fight like men.

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1 Timothy Devotionals

What the law is good for

But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately.

We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral and males who have sex with males, for slave traders, liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me. (1Timothy 1:8-11)

We live in a world where there are Christians, even pastors who are trying to “unhitch” the church from the Old Testament, saying God’s law has no relevance for us.

They then point to the ritual laws, such as circumcision, the sacrifices, and the seasonal festivals to try to prove their point.

But Paul makes very clear that the law is still good if we use it legitimately.

What is a legitimate use of the law? To point out what sin is. The list that Paul uses above is essentially an expanded version of the ten commandments.

And Paul says that these laws aren’t necessary for people who are righteous and living a life pleasing to God. They’re necessary for those who are living in rebellion against God to point out their sin.

As Paul points out in Romans 3:19-20, it’s through God’s law that we become conscious of sin.

On the other hand, Paul also points out in the same passage that the law is not good for actually making someone righteous before God because no one can keep the law perfectly.

And that’s why we need the good news that Paul proclaims.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners… (1 Timothy 1:15)

But in order to define “sinners,” we need to define what “sin” is, and that’s what the law does for us.

Without that definition of sin, there is no gospel because there is nothing for us to be saved from.

Unfortunately, for those who seek to unhitch the church from God’s law, many end up as Hymenaeus and Alexander rejecting a good conscience before God, embracing their sin, and end up shipwrecking their faith. (20)

Let’s never do that. Instead, let us fight the good fight, living a life of love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. (5, 18-19)

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2 Thessalonians Devotionals

Praying scripture

Sometimes as we’re praying for people, we’re not sure what to pray, so we default to “Father, please bless so-and so.”

I suppose that’s better than nothing, but during those times, it’s better to pray scripture. This morning, there were several prayers I was praying from this passage, especially for people I know who are struggling.

“Father, strengthen her and guard her from the evil one.”

“Father, direct him to your love and to Christ’s endurance in this time.”

“Father, let him not get weary of doing good.”

“Lord of peace, give her peace always in every way. Be with her. Let her know you are there with her.”

“Jesus, remind him of your grace. Let your grace be with him.”

By the way, these are good prayers to pray for your pastor as well. I’m sure he would love to have people praying like this for him. I know I would.

Who are people God’s putting on your heart to pray in this way today?

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2 Thessalonians Devotionals

Choosing to believe God is good

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what we wrote. (2 Thessalonians 3:15)

As I was reading chapter 2 morning, verse 3 really struck me.

Paul says that before the Lord returns, conquers all evil, and makes all things right, there will first come an apostasy.

That is, there will come a time when many people who once claimed faith in Christ will turn away from him.

I suppose you could say Judas was the first to do so. But many others have followed.

I have served the Lord with people who have now turned their backs on him.

Nowadays, there are many people who were once famous Christian singers or even pastors who have now turned their backs on God.

There are many reasons that people turn from the Lord. But for most, it comes down to their rejection of the truth. They no longer believe the Bible is God’s word.

Mostly that’s because they have been swayed by the teaching of this world.

They’ve been swayed by what this world claims a good God would be like.

They’ve been swayed by what this world claims a good God would say, especially when it comes to morality.

And because of that attitude, when the Antichrist, the man of lawlessness appears, they will happily follow after him, because they have already rejected the truth, trading it for a lie.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s okay to ask questions about the Bible. It’s okay to express your struggles with what God has said.

I’ll be honest. I don’t always understand God and his ways.

So if you have those kinds of doubts or questions, please ask your pastor or a mature Christian about it.

But ultimately, all of us have to make a choice.

Will we believe that God is good or not?

Will we believe that his Word is good or not?

Will we believe his ways are best or not?

If we say no, we will follow Judas and all the others who fell into apostasy and destruction.

But if we say yes, we will find joy and life.

I’ve made my choice.

I choose to believe God is good as are all his ways.

I choose to believe because I’ve seen God’s goodness in my life.

What will you choose?

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2 Thessalonians Devotionals

That I might bear fruit

In view of this, we always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good and your work produced by faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

Father, I pray that you would make me worthy of your calling.

I fall short so often. I desire to do good, to bear much fruit for you, but so often fail to do so.

Jesus, you are the vine. I am the branch.

By your power fulfill my every desire to do good.

Not so that I will receive praise from others.

But so that your name, and your Father will be glorified in me.

And that I may hear your words of praise, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Thank you for your grace, Father.

You, who have called and chosen me, are faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

And I believe that what you started in me, you will complete. (Philippians 1:6)

In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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1 Thessalonians Devotionals

God’s will for us

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

A lot of times, we ask, “What is God’s will for me?”

While this is not the whole of God’s will for us, Paul does tell us how God desires us to live each day: “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything.”

Life isn’t always fun. Many times we face trials.

How is it then that we can rejoice always and give thanks in everything? When life is hard, what do we have to rejoice about, to give thanks about.

We can give thanks and rejoice in how God sees us. That he has stamped his image on us (Genesis 1:26-27).

And as his priests, he has stamped his seal on us: “Holy to the Lord.” (Exodus 28:36, Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2; 1 Peter 2: 5, 9).

And because we are his, his priests, his people, his beloved children, we have access to him 24-7.

We don’t have to be afraid he’ll reject us or turn us away. In good times and bad, in our triumphs and struggles, we can come to him with boldness.

That’s God’s will for us. To walk with him moment to moment, rejoicing in our relationship with him.

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1 Thessalonians Devotionals

Ringing out

For the word of the Lord rang out from you… (1 Thessalonians 1:8)

Father, you have loved me and chosen me. You have filled me with your Spirit and now I have full assurance of your love for me. Because of you, I have hope.

So Father, let your word ring out from me.

Let my words and actions reflect my faith in you to the people around me. May they see my love for you and for them.

And no matter what struggles I may go through, let them see your hope shining brightly through me.

There are so many people around me who don’t know you. Who have no peace or hope in this world. Who are starving for love in their lives.

Please use me today to touch them with your love.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Galatians Devotionals

Tired

Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ…

Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. (Galatians 6:2, 9-10)

I’ll be honest. I’m struggling with this one right now. Because carrying someone’s burdens is not easy when you don’t see any immediate solutions to their problems. And I’m not seeing any immediate solutions right now.

Yet Paul says, “Let’s not get tired of doing good. We will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”

But I’m realizing that I can’t do that on my own. I need the spiritual nourishment and refreshment that comes from remaining in the Vine. (John 15:4-5)

Jesus, I need you now. You are the vine. I am the branch. And without you I can do nothing.

You’ve told me not to get tired and give up. But I am tired.

So Lord, teach me what it means to remain in you, each and every moment.

Strengthen me. Fill me. And refresh my spirit with your presence, your love, and your grace. In your name, I pray, amen.

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Galatians Devotionals

Walking by, led by, living by, keeping in step with the Spirit

I say, then, walk by the Spirit… (Galatians 5:16)

…you are led by the Spirit… (18)

…we live by the Spirit… (25a)

…let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (25b)

Holy Spirit, I’m not living this Christian life by my own efforts to keep a bunch of religious rules. I’m living this life in relationship with you.

Holy Spirit, it’s because of you that I have life. I was spiritually dead, and by your grace, you breathed life into me. And now by you, I cry out as a child of God, “Abba, Father.” (4:6)

So, Holy Spirit, lead me today. Show me where you’re going. Show me what you’re doing around me.

Help me to keep in step with you today. Not going ahead of you. Not falling behind you. Not going in a totally different direction from you.

Instead let me walk by your side, in your power and wisdom, so that I might bear your fruit in my life, touching the people around me with your love.

Teach me more each day what it means to walk by you, to be led by you, to live by you, and to keep in step with you. I want to know much more what that kind of life looks like.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Galatians Devotionals

Living by faith?

I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by believing what you heard?

Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now finishing by the flesh…

Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. (Galatians 3:2-3, 11)

What does it mean to live by faith? That’s what I was thinking about this morning. What did Paul mean by it?

I think the base of it is found in Galatians 2:20.

The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

To live by faith starts with believing:

1. God actually loves me.
2. Jesus died for my sins on the cross. Jesus completely paid my debt.

I know the moment I first realized that truth, the moment it truly sunk in, it blew me away. For years, I’d known those truths in my head, but that day it really sunk into my heart.

For many Christians, though, they start out believing and rejoicing in those truths, but then these kinds of thoughts start creeping in their minds.

“God must be disappointed in me.”

“I’m not a very good Christian. I should be doing better as a Christian.”

“I should be doing more. Reading my Bible more. Praying more. Sharing Christ more. Serving more.”

“I should be more successful in fighting sin in my life.”

“I should be a better person. A better father. A better mother. A better student. A better leader at church.”

Do these kinds of thoughts ever go through your mind?

These are not thoughts coming from faith. They’re certainly not the thoughts of joy that come from faith.

After starting our relationship with God with faith, rejoicing that he loves us and has accepted us because of what Jesus has done for us, why do we so quickly start thinking that he loves and accepts us based on our performance?

Paul told the Galatians, “When you became Christians, God didn’t accept you because you got circumcised and were keeping all his laws. He accepted you because you put your faith in Jesus.

“Why are you now trying to get him to accept you by all your efforts to keep his law?”

How are you living your Christian life? Are you living by faith, rejoicing in the fact that Jesus loves you and gave himself up for you?

Or are you living your Christian life still trying to prove to God that you’re somehow worthy of his love and acceptance?

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Galatians Devotionals

A different gospel?

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!

As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!

For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people?

If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:8-10)

The church in Galatia was facing a problem. Certain Jews among them were telling them that unless they followed the laws of Moses and were circumcised, they were not really saved.

But that was totally contradictory to the gospel that Paul had taught them, that they were saved by God’s grace alone.

And so Paul says, “Anyone who preaches a different ‘gospel’ is cursed by God. Our gospel comes from Jesus Christ himself. So if we change what he says, we may be pleasing the people around us, but we’re not pleasing Christ.”

I don’t think any of us would say to someone, “You need to be circumcised to be saved.” But there are other ways people are tempted to change the gospel.

Many want to say that all “good people” will go to heaven, regardless of whether they have put their faith in Christ or not. Others are avoiding talking about the need to turn from our sins.

Some are even calling what God calls sin, “good,” and calling what is good, “evil.” (Isaiah 5:20; Romans 1:24-32)

People around us might be happy to hear us sharing that kind of gospel. But we are not pleasing Christ.

I’ll be honest. It’s not always easy to be faithful in sharing Christ’s gospel message. Some people we love may not be pleased with us when we do.

But with love for God and for them, let us be faithful in preaching the gospel that Jesus gave us, the gospel through which Jesus saved us.

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Bible Original

Motivation Monday: God’s grace

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2 Kings 25:27-30; Jeremiah 52:31-34 — Grace
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2 Kings Devotionals

Before we can believe and obey

The high priest Hilkiah told the court secretary Shaphan, “I have found the book of the law in the Lord’s temple,” and he gave the book to Shaphan, who read it…

Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.

When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. (2 Kings 22:8, 10-11)

This week, I’ve been reflecting on John 15, and thinking about what it means to have God’s word “remain in us.”

Of course, part of that means to believe and obey God’s words.

But it struck me that there is one more component that must come before we can believe and obey.

We need to know what God has said.

That is clearly seen in today’s story.

It’s amazing to think that things had gotten so bad in God’s temple. How can God’s words get lost…in the temple?

Josiah had a soft heart towards God. That showed in his response once he heard God’s word. He believed God’s words and he would obey them.

But you can’t believe and obey what you don’t know.

Do you know God’s word?

Ignorance is not an excuse before God. Disaster was coming on Judah because of their ignorance.

And we can make a big mess of our lives, in our families, in our relationships, in our finances, in everything, if we don’t believe and obey God’s words.

But again, before you can believe and obey God’s word, you need to know it.

Are you putting the time into knowing God’s word each day?

Or is it “lost” in your house (or smartphone) like it was in the temple?

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2 Kings Devotionals

God’s judgment, God’s patience

Since King Manasseh of Judah has committed all these detestable acts…this is what the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I am about to bring such a disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that everyone who hears about it will shudder. (2 Kings 21:11-12)

As I thought about Manasseh’s life, God’s patience and mercy once again really struck me.

Manasseh was probably the worst of all the kings of Judah, bringing idol worship back, sacrificing his own son, and spilling much innocent blood.

Tradition has it that it was under Manasseh’s reign that the prophet Isaiah was “sawn in two” (Hebrews 11:37).

As a result, God passed judgment on Manasseh and Judah.

But that judgment did not come for many years. Why? Because it was God’s desire that they repent.

Amazingly, Manasseh did. (2 Chronicles 33:10-13)

Manasseh’s son Amon didn’t, unfortunately, but his grandson Josiah, as we’ll see in later chapters, also had a repentant heart.

As a result, God’s judgment did not fully fall until after Josiah’s death.

It made me think of God’s mercy to me over the years despite all my “detestable acts.”

His patience toward me has been incredible. And I’m grateful.

As David wrote and experienced himself,

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in faithful love. (Psalm 103:8)

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2 Kings Devotionals

Our attitude in prayer

Please, Lord, remember how I have walked before you faithfully and wholeheartedly and have done what pleases you. (2 Kings 20:3)

This story apparently happened after Assyria started their attacks on Judah, but before Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem. (See 2 Kings 20:13 and compare with 18:14-16.)

What strikes me is the basis on which Hezekiah made his plea, and the basis on which God answered. Hezekiah made his plea based on his goodness and faithfulness.

But on what basis did God answer?

When God gave the reasons for granting Hezekiah’s request and for delivering Judah from Assyria, he said he would do these things “for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.” (16)

In short, God granted Hezekiah’s request, not because of Hezekiah’s goodness, but because of God’s glory, goodness, faithfulness, and grace.

He had made promises to David, and he was faithful to keep them.

And by healing Hezekiah and delivering Judah from Assyria, he showed his glory, goodness, and grace not only to Hezekiah, but to Judah and all the surrounding nations.

It made me think. On what basis do I come to God with my requests?

Am I appealing to my own goodness? Am I saying, “God, I deserve this”?

Or do I acknowledge, “Father, I deserve nothing from you. But I come to you because of your goodness, faithfulness, and grace to me.”

Do I lay my requests before him with that kind of heart?

If we come to God thinking we deserve things from him, it’s easy to fall into the trap of pride Hezekiah did. (2 Kings 20:12-19, 2 Chronicles 32:24-25).

“Of course, God answered my prayer. I deserve it. I deserve his blessings.”

Or if God says no, we get angry.

“Why didn’t you answer me? I deserve this!”

On what basis do you come to God in prayer?

On your goodness?

Or God’s glory, goodness, faithfulness, and grace?

Father, I deserve nothing from you. And yet, by your grace, you call me your child and tell me I can ask you for anything.

So Father, I humbly come before you and lay my requests before you.

Not because of my goodness. But because of your glory, goodness, faithfulness, and grace.

And I trust that however you answer, yes or no, you are good and your ways are best. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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2 Kings Devotionals

Who are you relying on?

[Hezekiah] did what was right in the Lord’s sight…Hezekiah relied on the Lord God of Israel…

He remained faithful to the Lord and did not turn from following him but kept the commands the Lord had commanded Moses…

Assyria’s King Sennacherib attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them…

Then the royal spokesman said to them, “Tell Hezekiah this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: ‘What are you relying on?'” (2 Kings 18:3, 5-6, 13, 19)

Father, Hezekiah did all the right things, serving you. And yet trouble came.

The enemy came, screaming, “What are you relying on?”

I can identify with Hezekiah, Father.

Sometimes I feel I’m trying to do all the right things, relying on you, being faithful to you, and obeying you.

And yet trouble comes.

Then the Enemy comes and screams at me, “What are you relying on? God?”

Satan would have me question you. His motives are evil. But his question is actually a good one.

What am I relying on? Am I truly relying on you?

It’s so easy to rely on myself, especially when trials come. To rely on my wisdom, my strength.

And maybe through these things I’m going through, you’re reminding me just how much I need you.

Hezekiah had to turn from relying on Egypt to relying on you. (Isaiah 30-31)

Father, help me to turn from relying on myself to relying on you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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2 Kings Devotionals

The root issue

This disaster happened because the people of Israel sinned against the Lord their God… (2 Kings 17:7)

I was listening to a message once, and the pastor asked a very interesting question.

I’m paraphrasing, but he essentially said, “There may be many reasons for the problems we face, but which reason is most fundamental?”

That’s what I thought of when I read the above scripture.

There were many reasons Israel fell.

Assyria was a powerful nation at the time. Israel was much weaker.

King Hoshea had a treaty with the king of Assyria. He broke that treaty.

Both reasonably explain Israel’s fall.

But which reason was most fundamental?

The answer is neither.

We’ll read it in the next two chapters, but King Hezekiah would also break a treaty with Assyria, and Assyria besieged Jerusalem.

But when Hezekiah humbled himself before God, God delivered Jerusalem even though Assyria was much stronger militarily than Judah.

There were also many other times that Israel faced stronger enemies, but because they trusted and served God, they overcame their enemies.

The fundamental reason that Israel fell to Assyria was that the people had sinned against God, turning their backs on him to follow other gods.

Instead of following God and his ways, they followed the ways of the nations around them.

It made me think of the problems I’m facing in life.

There may be many reasons for them. But what is the most fundamental reason?

Is my heart truly right before God?

Am I following him, doing things his way?

Or am I doing things my own?

When God points out my disobedience, am I repenting, or am I making excuses?

Father, search me and know my heart. You know the problems I’m facing. Show me what the fundamental issues are.

And if there’s something I need to do, something I need to repent of, show me what it is.

Help me to trust and obey you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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2 Kings Devotionals

Remembering whose we are

En Gedi caves
Joe Goldberg from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

So Ahaz sent messengers to King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son…” (2 Kings 16:7)

If you want some background to this story, read Isaiah 7.

It was in the midst of Ahaz’s problems with Aram and Israel that Isaiah made his famous Immanuel prophesy.

The sad thing is that in Isaiah 7, God was telling Ahaz, “Trust me. Your enemies won’t succeed. I’ll even give you a sign so that you can believe me. Just ask for one.”

But Ahaz refused to trust God, declining to ask for a sign. Instead, he sought Assyria’s help.

He got it, but it came at a great price. Eventually, Ahaz’s “master” and “father” turned against Israel and became its enemy.

How much different would things have been if Ahaz had turned to God, saying, “I am your servant and your son”?

I’m facing my own issues right now, and I just felt God reminding me, “Remember whose you are. You are my servant. More importantly, you are my beloved child. Seek me. Trust me.”

He then brought this psalm to mind.

God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.

Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,
though its water roars and foams
and the mountains quake with its turmoil…

“Stop fighting, and know that I am God,
exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”

The Lord of Armies is with us (Immanuel!);
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” (Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11)

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2 Kings Devotionals

“Forgetting God’s kindness to us,” revisited

Then Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord heard him, for he saw the oppression the king of Aram inflicted on Israel.

Therefore, the Lord gave Israel a deliverer, and they escaped from the power of the Arameans. Then the people of Israel returned to their former way of life, but they didn’t turn away from the sins that the house of Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit.

Jehoahaz continued them, and the Asherah pole also remained standing in Samaria. (2 Kings 13:4-6)

God’s grace is pretty amazing.

Despite the fact that Jehoahaz and the Israelites had turned their back on him, when Jeohoahaz cried out to God, God graciously helped them, delivering Israel from the Arameans.

But after life returned to normal, they showed no gratitude for God’s kindness to them.

Instead they just returned back to their sin, living their own way.

How often do we get into trouble because of our sin, cry out to God for help, and in his grace he delivers us?

And how often do we soon forget the kindness God showed us and put him to the side, living our own way?

Let us not forget God when life is going well, taking his kindness and love toward us for granted.

As Paul wrote,

…do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)

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2 Kings Devotionals

Forgetting God’s kindness to us

One interesting difference between Kings and Chronicles is that the author of Kings often skips over the negative aspects of some of the kings of Judah.

We saw that with Asa in 1 Kings 15.

We also see it in this chapter.

But as with Asa, we see the author of Kings hinting that not all was as well as it seemed.

The writer notes,

Throughout the time the priest Jehoiada instructed him, Joash did what was right in the Lord’s sight. (2 Kings 12:2)

Which makes one think, “What happened after Jehoiada stopped instructing Joash?”

Sadly, according to 2 Chronicles 24, after Jehoiada died, Joash turned from the Lord and started worshiping idols. And when Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, warned him and urged him to repent,

King Joash didn’t remember the kindness that Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had extended to him, but killed his son. (2 Chronicles 24:22)

But it wasn’t just Jehoiada’s kindness that Joash had forgotten.

Joash had forgotten the Lord’s kindness to him as well.

The Lord had saved him from being killed by his grandmother Athaliah, after all.

So my prayer this morning was this:

Father, let me never forget the kindness you’ve shown me like Joash did. Because if I ever do that, it would be so easy to fall away from you.

And Father, I don’t want to ever fall away from you.

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2 Kings Devotionals

Whole heart?

but [Jehu ]did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit—worshiping the gold calves that were in Bethel and Dan…

Yet Jehu was not careful to follow the instruction of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart.

He did not turn from the sins that Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit. (2 Kings 10:29, 31)

I was just reflecting on those words today.

There were some things God praised Jehu for.

One was for destroying the house of Ahab, fulfilling God’s judgment on them, not only for the evil they had done, but for the evil they had led Israel into.

Part of that evil was Baal worship which Jehu also destroyed. That too pleased God.

But we see in the above words that God did not have Jehu’s whole heart.

While Jehu did not worship Baal, he continued to worship the golden calves that Jeroboam had set up in pseudo-Yahweh worship. (1 Kings 12:26-33)

In that, and probably other things, he was not careful to follow God’s words with all his heart. (Exodus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 12:5-14)

But for me, I was asking myself two questions today.

1. Are there sins I’m holding onto, sins that I refuse to turn my back on? Even “little” ones?

2. Am I careful to follow God’s words with all my heart? Even the “least of his commands?” (Matthew 5:19)

    I want God to have my whole heart, not just part of it.

    How about you?

    Categories
    2 Kings Devotionals

    God’s patience, God’s judgment

    Back when Ahab first killed Naboth, God passed judgment on Ahab and his family.

    Yet when Ahab humbled himself, God in his mercy put off that judgment. (1 Kings 21:21-29)

    Even so, it wasn’t long before Ahab rebelled against God one final time and he died. (1 Kings 22)

    What’s remarkable to me, though, is how much grace God showed his son Joram. Over a period of twelve years, time and again, God helped him (2 Kings 3, 5-7).

    God also showed his impeccable timing to Joram, leading him to help the Shunnamite woman. (2 Kings 8:1-6)

    I don’t know if there was any other ungodly Israelite king that God had showed so much grace to.

    And yet, in the end, we see no sign that Joram actually ever repented and started following God.

    Instead, he clung to his sins and refused to turn from them (2 Kings 3:3).

    And so in the end, judgment came.

    What’s my point?

    It’s easy to think of God as being harsh in his punishments in the Old Testament.

    But I think it’s worth remembering that he was also very patient and gracious with even the most rebellious people.

    As a just God, he can’t put off judgment forever. But he isn’t a God that delights in judgment. Rather he delights in mercy. And it’s his desire that people repent.

    As God would tell the prophet Ezekiel,

    As I live—this is the declaration of the Lord God—I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live. (Ezekiel 33:11)

    Categories
    2 Kings Devotionals

    Eyes of faith

    This disaster is from the Lord. Why should I wait for the Lord any longer? (2 Kings 6:33)

    Quick quiz: What is the name of the king of Israel in this chapter?

    If you’re having trouble coming up with his name, it’s understandable. We haven’t heard it since chapter 3.

    We’ve heard Elisha’s name, Jehoshaphat’s name, and even Naaman’s name more than we’ve heard the king of Israel’s name.

    (It’s Joram or Jehoram, depending on your translation, by the way.)

    We won’t hear his name again for another several chapters when his death is recorded.

    Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but I kind of get the feeling that the author didn’t think much of Joram. And the reason is easily seen here:

    Joram had very little, if any trust in God.

    I think about chapter 5. You have godly parents raising a godly girl in an ungodly land. (Just see verses 28-29 of this chapter.)

    And yet, this girl is captured and taken into a foreign land as a slave.

    Nevertheless, we see this girl still serving the Lord. Though we see nothing of her parents, considering their daughter’s faith, I believe they held on to their faith despite their grief.

    I think about Elisha, surrounded by his enemies, and yet seeing through the eyes of faith.

    But this ungodly king is so quick to blame God for his troubles.

    This despite seeing God help him time and again. (See chapters 3, 5, and 6 of 2 Kings.)

    When troubles come, how do we respond?

    Do we respond like Joram quickly questioning God’s goodness?

    Or do we respond like that Elisha and that girl?

    Do we respond with eyes of faith, continuing to follow and serve God.

    Father, when troubles come, give me the eyes of faith. Give me the grace to continue trusting and following you.

    Categories
    2 Kings Devotionals

    Raising children of faith

    As I read the story of Naaman, I thought of the girl from Israel who recommended that he ask for help from Elisha.

    And as I did, God put two thoughts in my mind.

    First, growing up in Israel, this girl had lived in a land where the people had turned their backs on the Lord. Still, this girl had more faith than the king of Israel!

    The second thought was this, “Why did she have so much faith in a faithless land?”

    The answer I think is pretty clear: her parents.

    I don’t think there’s any way that she grows up with that kind of faith unless her parents had taught her to do so.

    And so my prayer for today was this:

    Father, by my words and my example, help me to train my daughter to be a woman of faith.

    Categories
    2 Kings Devotionals

    God’s curse, God’s grace revisited

    As I was reading the story of Elisha “healing” the water of Jericho, God showed me something new that I’d never thought of before.

    Jericho had been a cursed city.

    It was the first city to be destroyed by the Israelites when they entered the promised land. And at that time, Joshua declared a curse on anyone who would rebuild it (Joshua 6:26).

    When someone did rebuild it, God’s curse fell on him. (1 Kings 16:34)

    In a way, Jericho was still cursed in Elisha’s time.

    The city was in a wonderful place, but the water was bad, and as a result, nothing would grow.

    But when the people came to Elisha for help, he threw salt into the water, saying,

    “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will death or unfruitfulness result from it.’” (2 Kings 2:21)

    Here was a city that was cursed by God for years. Yet in an instant, it was healed by his grace.

    You may feel cursed by God, judged by him for your sin.

    But if you turn to him, humbling yourself before him, he will bring healing to your life.

    If he can reverse a judgment on a city that lasted hundreds of years, he can do the same for you.

    Categories
    2 Kings Devotionals

    God’s curse, God’s grace

    In chapters 1 and 2 we see two incidences of God’s curse being invoked by Elijah and Elisha.

    Probably for most readers, they’re hard to understand. It all seems very harsh.

    Something that’s important to remember, however, is that when the Bible talks about God’s curse, it’s not talking about some magic formula to bring down disaster upon our enemies.

    It’s God’s judgment on a rebellious people.

    We see that in the first case with Elijah.

    There was a definite arrogance and rebelliousness against God and his prophet shown by Israel’s king and the first two captains he sent.

    The second case with Elisha shows a similar arrogance and rebelliousness against God and his prophet.

    What makes it more difficult to swallow, though, is that most translations call the offenders “small boys” or “young boys.”

    But the Hebrew word for “boys” is very broad and is often used to describe people who were young men.

    Solomon uses that exact term for himself in 1 Kings 3:7 which different English Bibles translate “youth,” “small child,” or “young man.”

    However you translate Solomon’s words, I think it’s clear he was putting himself down, admitting his inexperience and ignorance as a young man.

    In the same way, I think the writer of Kings was criticizing the ignorance of these young men.

    But the difference between Solomon and these young men was that Solomon was humble before God. The result was he found grace.

    These young men accosting Elisha were arrogant and hostile against Elisha and the God he served.

    As a result, they were judged.

    James put it this way.

    God resists the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.

    Therefore, submit to God…

    Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

    Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

    Be miserable and mourn and weep.

    Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 

    Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (Jamess 4:6–10)

    Categories
    1 Kings Devotionals

    Making peace?

    It’s always good to think about context as you’re reading the Bible. And that’s particularly true when it comes to verse 44.

    Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel. (1 Kings 22:44)

    At first glance, this was a good thing.

    But if you look at verse 43, right after praising Jehoshaphat for doing what was right in God’s sight, it criticizes him for not taking down the high places.

    People were probably worshiping the Lord at these places, but the problem was that God had told them to worship, and more specifically, to offer their sacrifices in Jerusalem alone. (Deuteronomy 12:4-11, 13)

    It’s right after this, that the writer talks about Jehoshophat making peace with the king of Israel.

    He’s continuing his criticism of Jehoshophat, not praising him for it.

    But why would he criticize Jehoshaphat for making peace? Isn’t peace a good thing?

    Normally, yes. But the way he made peace was marrying his son to Ahab’s daughter Athaliah. (2 Chronicles 18:1)

    And as we’ll find out Athaliah, like her father, did not follow God. In fact, as we’ll see in chapter 11 of 2 Kings, she almost wiped out all of David’s line.

    More than that, through Ahab’s influence, Jehoshaphat ignored the prophet’s counsel, and joined Ahab in battle against Aram.

    This despite the fact that Jehoshaphat was clearly bothered by Ahab’s attitude toward the prophet. (1 Kings 22:8)

    All this nearly cost Jehoshaphat his life. And another prophet would sharply criticize him after Jehoshaphat returned from battle. (2 Chronicles 19:2)

    Unfortunately, Jehoshaphat would twice more make the same kind of mistake. (2 Chronicles 20:35-37, 2 Kings 3).

    Solomon once wrote,

    The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm. (Proverbs 13:20)

    “Fools” in the Old Testament don’t simply mean “foolish people.” It means people who set their hearts against God.

    It’s one thing to do our best to be at peace with such people. It’s another to let them influence us.

    If we do that, like Jehoshaphat, we can suffer great harm.

    Who are you walking with?

    Categories
    1 Kings Devotionals

    Vexed and sullen

    And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen… (1 Kings 21:4)

    Jesus told us that to enter God’s kingdom, we must become like a little child. But this is not what he meant.

    Ahab was a king. God had entrusted Israel to him. And yet, Ahab acted like a spoiled brat.

    Twice in five verses, it talks about Ahab going home vexed and sullen.

    Once, because God rebuked him (1 Kings 20:43).

    And now, because Naboth refused to sell Ahab his field. (1 Kings 21:4).

    But it made me think, “Are there times I act like Ahab? Are there times I act vexed and sullen like a little child?”

    God pointed out one area to me this morning. And I had to repent.

    Are there times you act vexed and sullen? With your boss? With your husband or wife? With your boyfriend or girlfriend? With your friends?

    Worst of all, with God?

    Categories
    1 Kings Devotionals

    God’s gentleness

    The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in faithful love.

    He will not always accuse us
    or be angry forever…

    As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

    For he knows what we are made of,
    remembering that we are dust. (Psalm 103: 8-9, 13-14)

    God brought those verses to mind as I read 1 Kings 19 today.

    Elijah was in a full-blown pity party. And God could have easily said, “You want to die? Fine! Die!”

    But instead, God showed great concern for him, sending an angel to give him food and drink.

    And then there was his interaction with Elijah on the mountain.

    I wonder what Elijah was thinking when God told him, “Go out on the mountain and stand in my presence.”

    Did he go out in trepidation, fearing God’s response? Did he expect a scathing rebuke?

    If he did, God certainly gave him a lot to look at, a fierce wind, an earthquake, fire.

    But when Elijah looked carefully, God wasn’t in any of those things.

    Instead, when God spoke again, he spoke gently.

    That said, God didn’t leave Elijah in his pity party. He called Elijah out of that pity party and back into his service.

    So many Christians have this deep-seeded fear of God. They feel he’s always accusing, always angry at us for our failures.

    But our Father is not that way. He doesn’t come screaming at us. He comes at us with a gentle whisper, calling us to get up and follow him once more.

    Categories
    1 Kings Devotionals

    A prayer to the One who is God over all

    Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” (1 Kings 17:1, LSB)

    Father, Ahab didn’t recognize you as the God of Israel. But it didn’t change the fact that you were still the God of Israel.

    But as you showed the woman in Sidon, you are also God beyond the borders of Israel.

    You are in fact, the God of all creation. By your command, the rains stopped, and by your command, they started again.

    By your command, even the ravens did your bidding, feeding Elijah.

    Father, like Ahab, many people in this world don’t recognize you as God.

    So, Father, like Elijah, we come to you in prayer, aligning ourselves to you and your will.

    Hear and answer us, so that the people in this nation, in all nations, will know that you are God.

    Turn people’s hearts to you, especially those you’ve entrusted to us to care for and love, so that they too will say, “Yahweh, he is God. Yahweh, he is God.” (18:39).

    In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Categories
    1 Kings Devotionals

    Responding to God’s discipline

    When you look at Asa’s story in 1 Kings, it seems like he was a really good king.

    But we do see hints that there were spiritual issues in his life, with him taking gold and silver from the Lord’s temple in order to make a treaty with Ben-Hadad.

    Asa’s spiritual issues are made much more explicit in 2 Chronicles 16.

    God rebuked Asa for his actions through the prophet Hanani, and Asa threw him in prison. And when Asa suffered from his illness later, we find out that he refused to seek out God for help, but only doctors.

    It made me think, “Was Asa saved? Will we see him in heaven?”

    I’m going to guess yes. Why? Well, the writer of Kings does say of his overall reign that he did what was right in God’s eyes and was committed to the Lord his whole life. (1 Kings 15:11, 14)

    That seems strange, considering what we see in Chronicles.

    But I think it’s consistent with what God said of David. He said that David “kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes.” (1 Kings 14:8)

    The writer of Kings echoes that thought in chapter 15, but adds a caveat: “except in the matter of Uriah the Hethite.” (1 Kings 15:5; 2 Samuel 11)

    God impressed two things on my heart as I thought about David and Asa.

    First, we do live by grace. And when he sees us, he sees us as righteous in his sight. Not because we are perfect. But ultimately because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

    We are clothed in his righteousness, and despite our failures, on judgment day, God can say of us, “You kept my commands, followed me with all your heart, doing only what is right in my eyes.”

    That’s pretty amazing to think about.

    But the other thing that God impressed on my heart is that our actions can affect the quality of our relationship with God here on earth. And one aspect of that is how we receive God’s discipline.

    David responded well and maintained a strong relationship with God to the end of his life.

    Asa didn’t, and his relationship with God deteriorated as a result.

    How are your actions affecting the quality of your relationship with God?

    Categories
    1 Kings Devotionals

    Where God puts his name

    Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king; he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city where the Lord had chosen from all the tribes of Israel to put his name.

    Rehoboam’s mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite. (1 Kings 14:21)

    When Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, God told him he would put his name there forever. (1 Kings 9:3)

    But some time later, Solomon brought another name into the city where God had put his name: “Naamah.”

    She was one of the many wives that he took who helped lead Solomon into idol worship. (1 Kings 11:1-4)

    And apparently she helped lead her son Rehoboam down that same path.

    The author goes out of his way twice to say name her and to give her Ammonite origins. (1 Kings 14:21, 31)

    God has put his name on us. We are now his temple.

    What other names, what influences, are we bringing into God’s temple?

    What books do we read? What do we watch on the internet or on TV? What podcasts do we listen to? What music do we listen to?

    Some things are clearly negative, and we should avoid them at all costs.

    Some things are neutral and are okay in moderation.

    Some things are good, strengthening our faith and drawing us nearer to God. Is that what you are bringing into God’s temple every day?

    How are the things you’re bringing into your temple every day shaping your attitudes, your worldview, and your faith?

    Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

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    1 Kings Devotionals

    Man of God?

    I was reflecting on the phrase, “man of God” today.

    Usually, in the Bible it’s used to describe a prophet. But David was called a “man of God” (Nehemiah 12:36) and so was Timothy (1 Timothy 6:11).

    Interestingly, “man of God” is used of the messenger sent to Samson’s parents, and many Bible scholars believe that the messenger was actually Jesus (Judges 13:6).

    But here in 1 Kings 13, God pointed out two things to me I’d never seen before.

    First, the older prophet was never called a “man of God.” And looking at his actions, I think we can see why.

    Second, the “man of God” in this chapter is the only one in the Bible of whom it’s said in the same breath, “who disobeyed the Lord’s command.”

    And really, obedience is what marks a “man of God.” He is not his “own man.” He is “God’s man.”

    A man of God lives under God’s lordship.

    He trusts God, living by every word that come from God’s mouth, even the little details, something the “man of God” in this story failed to do.

    A man of God is faithful with what God has entrusted to him, loving and serving the people God has put in his life.

    That contrasts sharply with Jeroboam who refused to trust God and went his own way. (1 Kings 11:38; 12:26-30)

    And that contrasts sharply with Rehoboam who tried to flex his power over his people. (1 Kings 12:13-14)

    Now, technically speaking, the word, “man of God” could be translated “person of God.”

    And all Christians, men and women, should be men and women of God, men and women living under God’s lordship, loving and serving those God has entrusted to them.

    But throughout the Bible, “man of God” is always used of men: Moses, Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha, and Timothy, among others.

    So while I would challenge the women to be “women of God,” I challenge the men even more, “Be a man of God.”

    Live under his lordship, in daily submission to him. And be faithful to what God has entrusted to you, loving and serving your wife, your children, and all others God has put into your life.

    Categories
    1 Kings Devotionals

    Making excuses for our disobedience

    …you are to appoint over you the king the Lord your God chooses…

    However, he must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire many horses, for the Lord has told you, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’

    He must not acquire many wives for himself so that his heart won’t go astray.

    He must not acquire very large amounts of silver and gold for himself. (Deuteronomy 17:15-17)

    Those were the instructions God gave the Israelites through Moses concerning their kings.

    Solomon broke every single one (1 Kings 9:28; 10:14-21, 26-29; 11:1-3).

    Why did Solomon break God’s instructions?

    I don’t know.

    Maybe it was because he thought they weren’t so important.

    We can make all kinds of excuses for our disobedience to God’s Word.

    We can say to ourselves, “Hey, I still love the Lord. I still worship him. Besides, everyone else lives this way.”

    I’m sure that’s what Solomon thought. He continued to worship God. That wasn’t the problem.

    The problem was that he “was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord his God (1 Kings 11:4).”

    And that ultimately led him to do what was utterly evil in God’s sight (1 Kings 11:6).

    It’s so easy to deceive ourselves and come up with all kinds of “good reasons” for our disobedience.

    But when we do, at best, our hearts are no longer wholly God’s. At worst, we start to do things that are downright evil in his sight.

    Jesus, you said that if I love you, I will obey you. I do love you. Help me throw away all my excuses for disobedience. I want my heart to be completely yours in everything.

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    1 Kings Devotionals

    A mind-blowing truth

    But will God indeed live on earth?
    Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain you,
    much less this temple I have built. (1 Kings 8:27)

    I was just meditating on those words this morning. The heavens cannot contain God. Yet by his grace, God chose to enter Solomon’s temple and fill it with his glory. (10-11).

    Hundreds of years later, God came and actually lived on this earth as a man, dwelling among us.

    Jesus himself was the temple of God on earth, and all of God’s fullness, all his glory dwelt in him. (John 1:14, 2:20; Colossians 1:19)

    But now, we are God’s temple.

    The heavens can’t contain God, and yet he chooses to dwell in individual human hearts, in all who put their faith in Jesus. (John 14:23; Ephesians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

    Because we are his temple, God has his eyes on us day and night, moment to moment, day to day, watching over us and hearing all our prayers and petitions.

    And he says of us, “My name will be there.” (1 Kings 8:28-29)

    Father, will you indeed live on earth?
    Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain you.

    How is it that you would choose to dwell in me
    Watching over me and hearing me
    And calling me your own?

    Your love is truly amazing.

    Categories
    1 Kings Devotionals

    The One who strengthens and establishes us

    He set up the pillars at the portico of the sanctuary: he set up the right pillar and named it Jachin; then he set up the left pillar and named it Boaz. (1 Kings 7:21)

    Let’s be honest, this section is a little dry. But God directed my eyes to a couple of footnotes concerning the names “Jachin” and “Boaz.”

    The name Jachin means, “He establishes.”

    Boaz means, “In Him is strength.”

    I’m not sure, but I think this goes back to God’s words to David back in 2 Samuel 7:7-16.

    David went through many trials in his life, and yet God strengthened him and promised to establish his descendant’s throne forever.

    Ultimately, that will be fulfilled in Jesus.

    Anyway, God reminded me this morning, “I am the one who establishes you. It’s in me that you’ll find your strength. So walk with me.”

    That’s what the temple was all about: God’s presence with us.

    So let’s walk in step with God.

    If we do, no matter what trials we may go through, God will establish us.

    And in him, we will find strength for each day.

    The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. (1 Peter 5:10)

    Categories
    1 Kings Devotionals

    Solomon’s temple, Your heavenly throne room

    1 Kings

    Father, the temple Solomon made was incredibly beautiful. I can only imagine how the high priest felt when he entered that Most Holy Place for the first time.

    But as beautiful as that temple was, it’s only a dim reflection of your true throne room in heaven.

    And access to that earthly throne room was restricted to one high priest who came from one tribe, one nation.

    But Jesus, you were slaughtered like a lamb on the cross.

    And there, you purchased people for God by your blood. You purchased people from every tribe, language, people, and nation.

    Now you have made us a kingdom. You have made us all priests to God. Priests who all have direct access to your Father in his throne room.

    But not only priests. Beloved children who will reign with you someday. (Revelation 4:9-10)

    And so Father, I enter your throne room.

    I enter with a boldness that not even the high priest ever had.

    I enter with boldness because Jesus has paid the price for my sin.

    I enter with boldness because I know you have forgiven me.

    I enter with boldness because I know you love me and have accepted me. (Hebrews 4:16, 10:19-22)

    Walk with me, Father, moment to moment, day to day.

    In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Categories
    1 Kings Devotionals

    A receptive heart

    I am just a youth with no experience in leadership…

    So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. (1 Kings 3:7, 9)

    Those words, “a receptive heart” really struck me this morning, mostly because the English translation I often used before translated that phrase “discerning heart.”

    The word translated “receptive” is usually simply translated “hearing,” and sometimes has the idea of “obedient,” which is probably how the translators came up with “receptive.”

    It did make me think of something Jesus said.

    I can do nothing on my own.

    I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me. (John 5:30)

    As a man, Jesus had limited knowledge. In that sense, like Solomon, Jesus was as a child, totally reliant on his Father’s wisdom.

    And so he listened to his Father, with a heart seeking to do his Father’s will.

    If Jesus lived that way, how much more should we?

    Father, I want to please you. I want to do your will. But I am like a child. I need your wisdom to discern what is right and wrong. I need your wisdom to make right judgments, to make good decisions.

    So give me a receptive heart. A heart that listens for your voice throughout the day. A heart that willingly obeys you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Categories
    1 Kings Devotionals

    To be a man

    Brooklyn Museum / FreeBibleimages.org

    Be strong and be a man, and keep your obligation to the Lord your God to walk in his ways and to keep his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees. (1 Kings 2:2-3)

    David’s words have application for both men and women, but considering that in this story, one man (David) was telling another man (Solomon) to be a man, permit me to speak to the men today.

    The idea of what masculinity is has gradually become more and more blurry in modern society. But in the past, people often associated masculinity with strength and courage. That was, in fact, the case in David’s day.

    But masculinity goes beyond mere strength and courage.

    A real man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of God. And sometimes, it takes real strength and courage to do so.

    I was reading Mark 10 this past weekend, and it occurred to me that Jesus showed what it meant to be a man.

    His Father had sent him to Jerusalem to die.

    And though it was scary, though Jesus didn’t want to die, he set his face resolutely toward Jerusalem, even as the people who followed him were hanging back in fear. (Mark 10:32)

    Jesus lived by every word that came from his Father’s mouth, no matter the cost.

    He was a true man.

    Men, I don’t know about you, but I want to be a man like Jesus was.

    Will we live by every word that comes from our Father’s mouths, no matter what?

    The good news is that we don’t have to do this in our own strength. The truth is, we can’t. So let’s remember Jesus’ words.

    Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.

    I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. (John 15:4-5)

    What will you do?

    Our wives, our sons and daughters, our girlfriends, and this world are watching.

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    John Devotionals

    You follow me

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    Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (John 21:22, ESV)

    I suppose it’s natural for us to compare ourselves with others. I know I do.

    But ultimately, comparing ourselves to others distracts us from what’s most important: following Jesus.

    I was thinking about Peter and how when he saw Jesus, he leapt out of the boat and swam to him.

    My first thought was, “I wish I had his passion.”

    My second thought was, “That’s not me. There’s no way I’m every jumping out of that boat to swim to Jesus.”

    It’s not that I don’t love Jesus. It’s just not my personality. (Would you have jumped out of that boat?)

    But I felt like God was saying to me, “If it was my will to make Peter that way, what is that to you? I made you the way you are. You follow me.”

    God doesn’t want me to be Peter. He doesn’t want me to be my pastor. He doesn’t want to be any of the other Christians I know. He wants me to be what he’s made me.

    God feels the same way about you.

    And if you and I just keep our eyes on him, following him, and being faithful with what he’s entrusted us, that’s enough for him.

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    John Devotionals

    Behold Your King

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    [Pilate] said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” (John 19:4)

    Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. (John 20:19-20)

    I don’t usually wax poetic, but yesterday and today, I felt particularly inspired.

    Behold your King.
    Body, bloodied and torn.

    Behold your King.
    Crowned with thorns.

    Behold your King.
    Face, battered and bruised.

    Behold your King.
    Unjustly abused.

    Behold your King.
    Crucified.

    Behold your King.
    For you, he died.

    Behold your King.
    His empty grave.

    Behold your King.
    In glory, raised.

    Behold your King.
    His hands, his side.

    Behold your King.
    In his peace, abide.

    Behold your King.
    Coming soon.

    Behold your King.
    Making all things new.

    Categories
    John Devotionals

    What God has written

    Cross sign
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    So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The king of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the king of the Jews.’ ”

    Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.” (John 19:21-22)

    Father, what Pilate wrote stood, despite the Jewish leaders’ objections.

    How much more does what you say stand, no matter how people in this world object and rebel against you?

    What you have written, you have written.

    All that you spoke through the prophets concerning Jesus happened. (24, 28, 36-37)

    That’s my hope.

    This world is broken. This world has rebelled against you. But you have established your King. (Psalm 2:6)

    This world crucified him, but you raised him from the dead.

    And the day will come when he will come back and make all things new.

    I wait for that day. I wait with hope. I wait with expectation.

    For what you have written, you have written. And in your timing, all your words will be fulfilled.

    Categories
    John Devotionals

    When the questions will no longer matter

    So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you. In that day you will not ask me anything. (John 16:22-23)

    Just reflecting on those words today. Last Sunday was Father’s Day, and as usual, I think about my dad who passed away twelve years ago.

    He saw a lot of struggles in his life, including a lot of health issues in his last ten years. He was never one to ask God, “why?” But he easily could have.

    I’ve seen a lot of things in this world that make me ask “Why?” I’ve seen friends die of cancer. I’ve had relatives go through depression and even commit suicide. I’ve seen bad things happen to “good” people.

    And because of that I’ve known sorrow. I’ve felt pain. There are a lot of unanswered questions I have.

    But Jesus says that the day will come when I will see him face to face. My heart will rejoice and I will not ask him anything.

    Why not? Maybe it’s because on that day, all the answers will be clear.

    But maybe, just maybe, the questions won’t matter to me anymore. Because Jesus is there. And his presence alone will wash away all the pain and sorrow I’ve ever felt.

    For now, though, I have direct access to the Father. I can lay my requests before him. And he will hear me. He hears me because he loves me.

    And if in his wisdom, he decides I’m asking for what’s good for me, as a good Father, he will not withhold it from me. (1 John 5:14-15, Matthew 6:11)

    So I hold on to Jesus’ words.

    I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world. (John 16:33)

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    John Devotionals

    Clean

    [The Father] prunes (literal translation: “cleans”) every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.

    You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. (John 15:2-3)

    As I thought on those words this morning, it occurred to me that Jesus said very similar words in John 13.

    One who has bathed…doesn’t need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean. You are clean… (John 13:10)

    Those words were encouraging to me. Jesus impressed those words on my heart today.

    “Because you have believed my words, because you have believed in me, you are already clean in my sight. You are already accepted by the Father.”

    There are still sins that dirty my spiritual feet as I walk through this life.

    Recently God has been showing me some attitudes that I have toward people that are keeping me from being fruitful as I should be.

    But he doesn’t give up on me.

    Rather, with great patience, love, and grace, he washes me. He prunes me so that I can be more fruitful.

    And he does the same for you.

    When you look the spiritual mirror of God’s Word, you might see the same kinds of things I see: sin or other things blocking your fruitfulness.

    But remember that God looks at you and says, “You are already clean.”

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    John Devotionals

    Living by every word that comes from your mouth

    Jesus, you said, “Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

    And that’s how you lived. You lived on every word that came from your Father’s mouth. Everything your Father commanded, you did. (John 14:31)

    Now let me live by every word that comes from your mouth. Because everything you said came from your Father’s mouth. (John 14:10, 24)

    Don’t let me lean on my own wisdom and understanding.

    Nor let me lean on the “wisdom” of this world whose thinking has been so corrupted by sin.

    Instead, let your words shape the way I think. Let them shape my values. Let them shape my priorities. For your words are truth. And they give me life.

    Thank you for giving me your Spirit to teach me your truth and to remind me of all you’ve said. (John 14:26)

    Help me to each day keep in step with him.

    In your name, I pray, amen.

    Categories
    John Devotionals

    Questioning Jesus’ love

    Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. (John 11:5-6)

    So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Couldn’t he who opened the blind man’s eyes also have kept this man from dying?” (36-37)

    One of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! You’re not considering that it is to your advantage that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish.”

    He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to unite the scattered children of God. (49-52)

    Jesus loves us. But there are times he doesn’t act as we had hoped, and we struggle to understand why. During those times, it’s easy to start asking, “Does Jesus really love me?”

    But the truth is, often times we know nothing at all. There are things that God knows that we are not considering.

    That was most clearly seen at the cross. No one understood what God was doing. Not the priests. Not the Pharisees. Not Jesus’ disciples. Not Jesus’ mother. No one.

    But the cross was the greatest expression of God’s love.

    Are there questions you’re struggling with? “Why”s you can’t understand?

    Let us be like Mary and Martha, who though hurting, didn’t stay away from Jesus, but ran to him. Who kept believing in him. Who kept obeying him.

    And like them, the day will come when we will see the glory of God.

    On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory.

    None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written,

    What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
    and no human heart has conceived—
    God has prepared these things for those who love him. (1 Corinthians 2:7-9)

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    John Devotionals

    My prayer to the Shepherd

    He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. (John 10:3-4)

    Somehow, Jesus, this resonates in my heart.

    I’m not some nameless, faceless sheep to you. You call me by name saying, “Come on! Let’s go!”

    You go ahead of us. You lead us. You clear the road for us. You protect us from harm. You take us where there is good pasture.

    Lord Jesus, go ahead of me. Let me not go ahead of you. You go ahead of me. And I will follow.

    Categories
    John Devotionals

    That God’s work might be seen in us

    As he was passing by, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

    “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered. “This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him. (John 9:1-3)

    Sometimes bad things happen in life, and we wonder if God is punishing us. But there are two truths we must always keep in mind.

    First, while our sin can cause us all kinds of suffering and pain, sometimes our suffering comes simply from the fact that we live in a broken world filled with broken people.

    And our suffering is a reminder to us that this world is not our home. We are just passing through, looking for a better country, a heavenly one. (Hebrews 11:16)

    But second, God sometimes allows our suffering so that his marvelous works might be seen in us.

    If that’s going to happen, though, we need to do the two things this blind man did: put our faith in Jesus and obey him. (John 9:7, 37-38)

    What trials and struggles are you going through now? Will you fall down and worship him, trusting that he is still good? That he loves you? That he wants your best?

    And will you obey him?

    Categories
    John Devotionals

    Making room for God’s word

    …my word has no place among you. (John 8:37)

    Those words really made me think this morning. As God’s people, do we make a place for his Word in our hearts?

    Do we value his Word enough to make time to read it? To put aside social media, Youtube, video games, TV, music, books, or whatever we do in our free time so that we can read what God has said?

    More importantly, as we read, do we give God time to speak to us? Or do we simply read the passage, and say, “Well, I did my Christian duty for the day.”

    Sometimes as we read his Word, it contradicts the way we think; it contradicts our values. When that happens, what do we do?

    Do we push aside his words saying, “It’s not for me” or “I don’t want to think about this right now”?

    Or do we make room for his word in our hearts, letting his Word push out old way of thinking?

    Father, help me to always make room in my heart for your Word.

    If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (31-32)

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    John Devotionals

    That I might have life

    Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled.

    Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal of approval on him.”

    “What can we do to perform the works of God?” they asked.

    Jesus replied, “This is the work of God—that you believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:26-29)

    Jesus, the people came to you for bread as if bread was the most important thing, as if bread was the thing that truly gave life.

    But Jesus, I come to you hoping you will give me yourself. Because you yourself are the source of life.

    You gave your life for the world on that cross, your flesh crucified, your blood shed for our sins. For my sins.

    And by giving yourself on that cross and dying in my place, you gave me life.

    But this life-giving doesn’t stop at the cross, does it? I first got that life by coming to you and believing in you for my salvation.

    But I’m continually receiving life from you by coming to you and believing you every day. I need to be constantly coming to you and feeding off of you.

    You have the words of eternal life. They give me life as I face the challenges of the day. They encourage me. They lead me. They give me wisdom. They correct me when I start going on the wrong path.

    But you not only give me your words. You give me your grace when I fall. Even now I’m feeding off what you did on the cross for me.

    And by what you did on the cross, I now have access to your power. The same power the Father used to raise you from the dead is now in me.

    Power to overcome temptation. Power to overcome Satan’s attacks. Power to deal with difficult people. Power to deal with anything I face in life.

    All this was bought for me when your body was broken and your blood shed at the cross.

    But again, most of all, you give me yourself, walking beside me every moment of every day.

    So Jesus, I come to you today and ask, “Please give me yourself. You’re all I need.”

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    John Devotionals

    Leaving the pity party

    The disabled man in this story was throwing a full-on pity party. When Jesus asked him if he wanted to get well, he complained, “Nobody ever helps me.”

    But then Jesus said, “Get up, pick up your mat and walk.” (John 5:8)

    And by Jesus’ power, the man was healed.

    How often do we throw pity parties for ourselves when we have problems? How often do we complain, “Nobody cares about me! Nobody helps me!”

    But Jesus asks, “Do you want help? I’m more than willing.”

    And if we’ll just do as he says, by his power, he will transform our lives.

    How about you? Are you ready to leave the pity party and do what he says?

    Or will you just stay where you are feeling sorry for yourself?

    Categories
    John Devotionals

    Opening our eyes

    Listen to what I’m telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, because they are ready for harvest. (John 4:35)

    Those words really resonated with me this morning. And I really felt God speaking them to my heart today.

    There are so many people like the woman in today’s story. Who are drinking from broken cisterns (Jeremiah 2:13).

    Who are always trying to fill their deepest needs, perhaps being satisfied for a while, but soon finding themselves empty again.

    For years, this woman sought to fill her needs through men. Yet five men proved to be broken cisterns. And the sixth wasn’t looking that promising either, living with her, but not being willing to marry her.

    I’m thinking of two people right now who are struggling with problems and need Jesus. And I’m praying for opportunities to reach them. But I need to open my eyes to those opportunities.

    At the same time, I’m wondering who are the other people around me who are drinking from broken cisterns that I am not seeing right now.

    Who are the people who have broken cisterns in your life? Can you see them? Do you recognize them?

    Categories
    John Devotionals

    Because you know me

    [Jesus] did not need anyone to testify about man; for he himself knew what was in man.” (John 2:25)

    Lord Jesus, you need no one’s testimony about me to know me. To know what’s in my heart. You know, Lord, what is in me. You know what’s in my heart.

    Honestly, Lord, you know me better than I know myself. So hold the mirror of your Word to my heart. Show me what’s in there.

    Thank you that I don’t need to fear what I see in that mirror. Because as ugly as that reflection I see may be, you have accepted me as your child. And by your grace, you cleanse me.

    You changed ordinary water into extraordinary wine. If you can do that, I believe you can do so much more with me. Thank you for your grace and faithfulness to me.

    In your name I pray. Amen.

    Categories
    John Devotionals

    Abiding with Jesus. Abiding in Jesus.

    [Jesus] asked them, “What are you looking for?”

    They said to him, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

    “Come and you’ll see,” he replied. So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. (John 1:38-39)

    Remain (same word translated as “stay” in John 1:38-39) in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. (John 15:4)

    Jesus, the very first question Andrew and John(?) asked was, “Where are you staying?” You welcomed them and they stayed the whole day with you.

    Lord, I want to be where you are. I want to stay with you. To remain in you. To abide in you. Because from your fullness, I receive grace upon grace. Not from your emptiness. Not from your half-tank. But from your fullness.

    Fill me with your grace. Fill me with your strength. Fill me with your wisdom. And let me bear fruit for you today. In your name I pray, amen.

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    James Devotionals

    Strengthen your heart

    Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming.

    See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.

    You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. (James 5:7-8)

    We saw in chapter 1 that the people James was writing to were going through hard times, and so James encouraged them to persevere. And here in chapter 5, we see James returning to that theme.

    As he does so, he says, “Strengthen your hearts.”

    But how do we do that?

    Just say to yourself, “Be strong! Be strong! Be strong!”?

    No.

    But consciously remind yourself, the Lord’s coming is near. Our troubles won’t last forever. They may seem long, but in comparison to eternity, they’re a drop in the ocean.

    Remind yourself he is merciful and compassionate. Remember stories like Job. But also remind yourself of the times God has shown you his mercy and compassion when you’ve been through hard times.

    And finally, remind yourself that even now, Jesus is near. So choose to rejoice. And instead of trying to endure in your own strength, humbly cast your anxieties on him. (Philippians 4:4-7; I Peter 5:6-7)

    In short, let’s pray as David did.

    The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear?
    The Lord is the stronghold of my life—whom should I dread?

    Lord, hear my voice when I call;
    be gracious to me and answer me.

    My heart says this about you: “Seek his face.”
    Lord, I will seek your face…

    Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me…

    I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.

    Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous.

    Wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:1, 7-8, 10, 13-14)

    Categories
    James Devotionals

    What defiles us

    …the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body… (James 3:6, LSB)

    When I read those words, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ words.

    What comes out of a person is what defiles him.

    For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, self-indulgence, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.

    All these evil things come from within and defile a person. (Mark 7:20-23)

    I haven’t thought of words much as something that defiles me. That makes me unclean before my Lord.

    But words express what is in my heart. And Jesus says that on the day of judgment I will have to account for every careless word I have spoken (Matthew 12:33-37)

    Father, like Isaiah, I am a man of unclean lips (Isaiah 6:5). How often have I defiled myself by the careless things I have said? Forgive me.

    Who perceives his unintentional sins?
    Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

    Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins;
    do not let them rule me.

    Then I will be blameless
    and cleansed from blatant rebellion.

    May the words of my mouth
    and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable to you,
    Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:12-14)

    Categories
    James Devotionals

    Learning endurance

    Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

    And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

    “Let endurance have its full effect.”

    Those words struck me this morning.

    Quite frankly, I’d like to short-circuit the process. Can’t we just skip to the part where we’re mature and complete, lacking nothing?

    Not according to James. Only through enduring trials will we become that way.

    But this isn’t an endurance that is based on the building of our own strength.

    It’s an endurance that comes as we learn to lean more on God and his strength.

    The mature and complete person doesn’t live a life independent of God.

    The mature and complete person has learned that they can’t make it on their own. That they desperately need God. And in the end, they learn what Paul did.

    “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”

    Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

    So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

    Father, I don’t like trials. When I go through them, I just want them to end as soon as possible.

    But if those trials can teach me to lean on you and your strength, if I can learn that your power is made perfect in my weakness, and if you’ll walk with me through the whole process, then I’m willing to do so.

    Make me mature and complete. Make me like your Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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    1 John Devotionals

    Who do we believe?

    For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden, because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world.

    This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. (1 John 5:3-4)

    This world throws a lot at us. In the words of Paul, it throws at us trouble, hardships, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, and sword. (Romans 8:35)

    And yet, Paul says in all this we are more than conquerors though Christ who loved us. (Romans 8:37).

    John essentially says the same thing here. What gives us victory over this world and all that it throws at us? Faith. Faith that our God is good. Faith that he loves us. Faith that he knows what is best. Faith that he wants our best.

    This world we live in is marked by unbelief. It’s a world that essentially calls God a liar. And when we face all that the world throws at us, it’s easy to fall into disbelief. To let disbelief crush us.

    And when disbelief crushes us, God’s commands become a burden. Living for him becomes a burden.

    But with faith comes victory and joy despite our circumstances.

    Whose testimony will we receive? This world’s? Or God’s?

    One leads to death. One leads to life.

    And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has life. The one who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (11-12)

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    1 John Devotionals

    Do I know Your love?

    And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us…We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:16, 19)

    Father, I do know your love. And I do believe you love me. I love you because you first loved me.

    And yet.

    There are so many times I struggle to love others as you have loved me.

    And so it makes me wonder, “Have I truly come to know and believe in your love for me?“

    I would think that if I have, it would show in my love for others. In the way, I accept them. In the way I forgive them. In the way I deal with them.

    So while I do know and believe in your love, it is so apparent to me that I need to know it so much deeper. Because right now, my love is so imperfect.

    I want to love as you do. I want your love to be made complete in me. Make me like you.

    In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Categories
    1 John Devotionals

    Because I have hope

    Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is.

    And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure. (1 John 3:2-3)

    Father, I have a hope.

    I have hope because you have called me your child.

    I have hope that your Son will return, and when he appears, I will be like him for I shall see him as he is.

    And so in the here and now, I strive to be more like Jesus. To live as he did. To love as he did.

    But when I fall, when I sin, I have hope because you don’t give up on me.

    Instead, when I confess my sin, you are faithful and just to forgive my sin (1 John 1:9).

    And though Satan may accuse me, though my own heart at times accuses me, you are greater than my heart and you know all things. You know I love you. (John 20:15-21)

    Let me walk each day in your love, your grace, your hope. In Jesus’ name amen.

    Categories
    1 John Devotionals

    Growing in grace and knowlege 

    Today, I was meditating on verses 12-14 and thinking about the stages of Christian maturity.

    Newly born again Christians don’t know much, but they know this one thing: “My Daddy loves me and accepts me. And though I fall, he still loves me and will forgive me.”

    And so God is totally approachable. They can run to him like a little child without fear.

    Mature Christians also have this relationship. But it goes beyond that. Their experience with God is so much deeper.

    They no longer simply see Daddy. But they see someone who has existed from all eternity. They see the all-powerful Creator who made all things.

    They see the Holy One who is perfect in all his ways. They see one who never changes in his character, in his love, in his grace, and in his mercy.

    They have seen God’s goodness and faithfulness to them, despite all their failures and the times they have been unfaithful. And as they think on these things, they stand in awe. They can’t help but worship.

    And we have the young people who have grown to adulthood. They are no longer living on milk, but are eating the solid food of the Word. The word remains in them.

    They are experienced and skilled in wielding the Word of God. They have trained their senses to discern right and wrong. And because of that, they have started to see victory in their lives over sin and the evil one. (Hebrews 5:12-14)

    Father, I pray for the young Christians in your church, that they would truly come to know you. That they could learn they are loved, accepted, and forgiven by you. That they can approach you as a little child, running to you, fully confident in your love for them.

    Father, I pray for the mature Christians in your church, that as they think back on their relationship with you and all they’ve seen, experienced, and learned, they would stand in awe of you and share with the younger Christians all they have experienced with you.

    And Father, I pray for the young adults in your church, that the word of God would remain in them. That they will have trained their senses to discern right and wrong. And that they will wield the sword of the Spirit skillfully in their lives as they face trials, temptations, and spiritual battles.

    In Jesus’ name, amen.