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The Tree Church
This is the audio version of our Daily Devotional. We hope this helps those who are audible learners engage God's Word and grow in their faith.
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Looking for the written version of today's devotion? You can find it at thetree.church.
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This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available.
Find the written form of the Tree Church Daily by clicking here.
This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available. Find the written form of the Tree Church Daily by clicking here.
Proverbs 12:15 (ESV)
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:18 (ESV)
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Explanation:
The basic tension of Proverbs is the choice between two paths: foolishness and wisdom. Culture tries to tell us that we can create our own truth and therefore we can define what is wisdom. Scripture tells us that truth is only found in God, and therefore wisdom is only found in obedience to Him. Culture tries to convince us that there are many paths of life that can all turn out equally good, but the truth of Scripture is that there are only two options which end in dramatically different destinations. Wisdom will end in God’s blessing that leads to eternal life. Foolishness will lead to heartache, brokenness, and ultimately in eternal destruction.
Solomon wrote Proverbs, and what he was emphasizing in these two proverbs is that we will not find wisdom inside of ourselves naturally. There are too many things in our hearts that will interfere with the discovery of wisdom. We have desires, biases, hurts, and all types of brokenness. The way to discover wisdom is to be open to instruction from someone who knows and models wisdom. The added blessing of listening to someone who has wisdom is their words might also bring healing. Wisdom will lead us away from ongoing hurt and will lead us around future traps of foolishness. The question for us is will we be humble enough to pursue wisdom from the wise and apply it to our lives?
Action Steps:
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Take a moment to think about what clouds your view of what is wise?
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When you face a difficult choice, what is the process you go through to discover wisdom? Do you ever rely on someone to speak wisdom into your life?
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Think about sources of wisdom that God has placed in your life. How can you better utilize those sources when you are faced with a difficult choice?
Prayer:
Jesus, please help us to have the conviction in our hearts to believe that wisdom is only found in You, and that You willingly give it to whoever asks for it. Help us to not simply seek wisdom, but to apply it to our lives. Help us to love Your word and ways. Help us to see the foolishness of our world and to despise it in our hearts and actions. Your ways are best, and we thank You for revealing the truth to us. We love You. Amen.
For Further Study:
Read Proverbs 1:1-7 for a foundation on how wisdom is discovered.
2 Chronicles 10:3-16 (NLT)
The leaders of Israel summoned him, and Jeroboam and all Israel went to speak with Rehoboam. “Your father was a hard master,” they said. “Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us. Then we will be your loyal subjects.”
Rehoboam replied, “Come back in three days for my answer.” So the people went away.
Then King Rehoboam discussed the matter with the older men who had counseled his father, Solomon. “What is your advice?” he asked. “How should I answer these people?”
The older counselors replied, “If you are good to these people and do your best to please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects.”
But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers. “What is your advice?” he asked them. “How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?”
The young men replied, “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! Yes, my father had heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’”
Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to hear Rehoboam’s decision, just as the king had ordered. But Rehoboam spoke harshly to them, for he rejected the advice of the older counselors and followed the counsel of his younger advisers. He told the people, “My father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!”
So the king paid no attention to the people. This turn of events was the will of God, for it fulfilled the Lord’s message to Jeroboam son of Nebat through the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh.
When all Israel realized that the king had refused to listen to them, they responded, “Down with the dynasty of David!” We have no interest in the son of Jesse. Back to your homes, O Israel! Look out for your own people, O David!” So all the people of Israel returned home.
Explanation:
Solomon has died and Rehoboam is the new king of Israel. Early in his reign, Rehoboam is approached by his people with a very reasonable proposal: lighten our load and we’ll be good subjects forever. Instead of agreeing, he chose to listen to the “young men who had grown up with him.” If we read closely, we can see the difference in how the people surrounding Solomon and Rehoboam are described. Solomon’s inner circle “counseled” him, while Rehoboam’s “advised” him. A subtle difference, but anyone can give advice, while counsel suggests an element of guidance and support. These counselors may even have been part of the reason Solomon was considered so wise, but Rehoboam didn’t consider that possibility.
Rehoboam’s advisers were presumably close to his own age, had no experience being king, and obviously didn’t value mercy or compromise. They did nothing to prove themselves worthy of their position. At times, God appoints the unqualified, knowing they will rely on Him for direction, but clearly these advisers were not seeking God on behalf of Rehoboam. They dispensed advice without considering the consequences, and this particular advice cost Rehoboam his kingdom.
Their rash and ill-advised suggestion to harshly deal with the people backfired, and ultimately caused the majority of Rehoboam’s kingdom to leave, never to serve God again. Only Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to Rehoboam (although it couldn’t have been easy). We know God had plans for these two kingdoms, but the northern tribes refused to be ruled by a descendant of David, which was part of God’s ultimate plan in Jesus. They knew they needed a king, but rejected Rehoboam when he “paid no attention to the people.”
Thankfully, this cautionary account is followed up by a beautiful reminder: “This turn of events w
James 1:22-26 (The Message, emphasis mine)
Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.
Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air.
Explanation:
Stop, look, and listen. Stop, drop, and roll. These are such small and powerful slogans to teach us how to not get killed.
Stop, hear, and act would be James’ slogan.
James doesn’t want us to die or suffer harm, so he is asking us to stop fooling ourselves by a continuous cycle of conviction with no follow-through. It’s not enough to feel bad about our actions. That just leaves us feeling bad. Who wants to feel bad all of the time?
He wants us to actually hear and process God’s word, to let it come alive IN us. To be blessed by obedience! The reason hearing is so important is that we want God’s vantage point in our lives. Once our vantage point is adjusted to God’s vantage point, we will change.
It’s all about clarity…and God offers us clarity.
Yes: Thoughts of revenge will devour you. Coveting will germinate anxiety. Backstabbing will hijack your peace. Greediness will stunt your growth. Slander will sour your soul. Prayerlessness will render you anemic. Judging will produce a hard heart. Harshness will lacerate friendships. Worry will exhaust you. Laziness depletes.
Listening is the beginning of freedom.
Sin is slippery, and if we think we alone can force it out of our hearts, we are delusional. James knows the secret is grabbing onto the revealed counsel of God: the word of God. That is where life dwells and where life is learned.
Ignoring the Holy Spirit’s nudge regarding something acidic in our life only leads to dysfunction and wasted years.
If you surrender your secrets, struggles, and darkest parts to God, He will meet you at your weakest point and empower transformation layer by layer. You simply cannot pretend your way into the abundant life. But if you “catch a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life! —even out of the corner of your eye, and stick with it, you will find delight and affirmation in the action.”
Action Step:
I’ve learned that between conviction and doing, is a stage called unraveling. In my own life, I was feeling convicted for leaning negative. To start walking out of that, I began feeding myself positive things: proverbs, epistles, uplifting books, and distancing myself from negative people…thus starving negativity. I’ve been a lifelong news junky, until God helped me see that it had crossed the line in my life. I wasn’t made to absorb the divisiveness of American politics. I unraveled by putting guardrails in my life, and replacing the time I would have spent absorbing news with absorbing good things. So much has changed in my heart by my action step. I hope you will isolate something you are convicted of, and plan serious steps toward unraveling it. It’s fun to be free.
Prayer:
Lord, I know the sins I don’t face become my limits. Give me the courage to stop, hear, and act on what I see in the mirror of my soul. Amen.
Luke 6:46-49 (ESV)
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Explanation:
I recently went to a Marriage Conference in Pittsburgh with my husband put on by Jimmy Evans and the XO Marriage team. At this conference, a couple spoke about how important it is to have a foundational faith, to continually keep choosing obedience, and leaning into God for His wisdom and guidance through all of life. This will help you when something big comes your way. If you are anchored to God and you have a firm foundation in seeking Him, then you will be ready for the storms of life. The wife talked about how she and her husband had been obedient in all the things that this world had thrown their way, and when something rocked them, they would seek after God, and He was always faithful to walk with them through it. She then explained how last year they had their biggest storm yet in the 40 years they had been married: they lost their young adult daughter suddenly. This was a huge storm, but since they had been consistently building on the foundation of hearing God’s Word and doing God’s Word, they could withstand this crippling storm.
Friends, we need to be laying our foundation daily. We cannot be flippant about our walk with God. If you are anything like me, I tend to make excuses for myself and downplay my sin and my disobedience. “It’s not as bad as what most people are doing,” is what I tell myself. This is not the life that God wants for us. He wants us to have an abundant life, filled with blessing, and we receive God’s blessings by being obedient and faithful in building a strong foundation based on Him.
Action Step:
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Stop for a moment and take a quick inventory: what do you think your foundation is? If you asked the people that are a part of your everyday life how your foundation is, what would they would answer?
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Are you listening to God’s voice and doing what He says? Or are you brushing Him off? If you are the latter, take some time right now to repent, and to turn back to God in obedience.
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Ask God if there is any area in your life that you are hearing His voice, but not doing what He asks. Spend some time asking God to help you be obedient.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your word. Help me to take inventory in my life. I pray that You would help me be open to how You want to keep changing me to be more like You. Give me a humble heart and help me seek You and Your wisdom this week. Thank You for not leaving me in my disfunction, but always chasing after me to show me the blessing that You want to give. Amen.
Deuteronomy 11:26-28
Listen to me. I’m setting a blessing and a curse in front of you today. I’m giving you the commands of the Lord your God today. You will be blessed if you obey them. But you will be cursed if you don’t obey them. So don’t turn away from the path I’m now commanding you to take. Don’t turn away by worshiping other gods you didn’t know before
Explanation:
We serve such an amazing God, one who wants to be in relationship with us. He also gives us free will to make choices. What if you were sitting down in front of God at a table, and He laid before you a blessing and a curse? The key to get the blessing is to follow His commands, and the key to get the curse is to follow your own desires and worldly pleasures. What would you choose? I would hope many of us would say we want God’s blessing, but our busy lives, the world, and our brains get in the way of doing that.
Moses wrote this scripture, and it was directly from God. In Moses’s day, there were many false gods that the Israelites would worship and follow. God is asking them, “Are you going to choose me, or someone or something else?” As I was studying this Scripture, a commentary talked about how the blessing or curse can affect other generations. What a weight that carries. Our decisions we make now can affect generations to come.
I had a situation like this happen to me. I had a friend going through a difficult situation, and I felt like God wanted me to text a particular Scripture to them. I questioned myself, thinking this might not be what they wanted to hear, or what if something went from bad to worse. I tried on my own to find something different to say, another Scripture or song. God kept bringing me back to the same Scripture. Finally, I decided to send it, and they said it was exactly what they needed. I instantly asked God to forgive me for questioning Him, which He did. But I almost didn’t take His blessing of helping someone else, because I only saw what I could see…and not His plans. I want the supernatural blessings of God, but it will only come with obedience and taking faith steps with Him.
Action Step:
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Before you go to bed, ask God to show you the areas of your life you are letting others control, instead of giving those areas to Him.
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What fear in your life is holding you back from the blessing that God wants to give you?
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What is God asking you to let Him help you with that will affect the next generation? (addiction, pride, fear, worry, anger, gossip, etc.)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank you for your BLESSINGS! I am sorry for the times I choose to follow my own heart when You are asking me to do something out of my comfort zone. Help me to choose Your path instead of going toward the world, even when I don’t understand. I love You, Father. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
1 Kings 11:1-13 (NLT)
Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. The LORD had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the LORD.
In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the LORD his God, as his father, David, had been. Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the LORD’s sight; he refused to follow the LORD completely, as his father, David, had done.
On the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, he even built a pagan shrine for Chemosh, the detestable god of Moab, and another for Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. Solomon built such shrines for all his foreign wives to use for burning incense and sacrificing to their gods.
The LORD was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the LORD’s command. So now the LORD said to him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants. But for the sake of your father, David, I will not do this while you are still alive. I will take the kingdom away from your son. And even so, I will not take away the entire kingdom; I will let him be king of one tribe, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, my chosen city.”
Explanation:
In his book titled Finishing Strong, author Steve Farrar suggests that if the life of faith was literally a race, then among the godly men of the Bible, King Solomon crawled to the finish line. Why is that so? Along with unparalleled wealth, God blessed Solomon with more wisdom than anyone in the East (1 Kings 4:30). With all that God entrusted to him, shouldn’t he have left everyone in the dust?
Sadly, Solomon, like his father, violated God’s laws for marriage by having multiple wives—a sin that led to tragic consequences for both of them. All the wisdom in the world didn’t protect Solomon from committing idolatry once his heart was turned from God. Although it happened in his old age, the trap was set much earlier. The heart is not led astray overnight, but through the consent of one temptation, which leads to another temptation, and another…each one easier to approve than the last. Eventually, we find we have drifted miles away from the center of God’s will.
It’s easy to think God overlooked Solomon’s many wives and mistresses because it was a cultural practice—but He didn’t. Not even kings can avoid the consequences of disobedience. Solomon’s sin permanently divided the nation of Israel and left him spiritually bankrupt. All that God entrusts to us comes with unlimited favor when we honor Him…and unmitigated shame when we don’t.
Action Steps:
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What are the top three things God has entrusted to your care?
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What safeguards do you have in place to keep your heart from going astray?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for blessing my life in so many ways. I am committed to keeping my eyes on You alone, and not the blessings You have entrusted to me. Please put the right people in my path to hold me accountable when my behavior does not honor You. Amen.
2 Chronicles 9:1-8 (NIV)
When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.
She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the LORD your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.”
Explanation:
God came to King Solomon in a dream and told him to ask for anything. He could have asked for wisdom, power, fame, riches… But Solomon knew, in order to be a good king, he would need to make good choices, so he asked God for wisdom. God rewarded Solomon for this choice, and even enhanced it with fame and wealth. This made Israel rich, and Solomon’s reputation spread for thousands of miles. People came from everywhere to hear the wise king’s advice. Every ruler on earth had heard of him and his unrivaled wisdom.
The Queen of Sheba (Ethiopia and Yemen today) was one such ruler. She had to see for herself though, so she decided to make the 1,200-mile trek to question this wise king. It’s approximately 1,200 miles from Lancaster, Ohio to the Florida Keys. The Queen traveled this distance by camel, with an entourage of staff and riches. This was an uncomfortable, dangerous trip, but she knew she had to commune with the king to satisfy her doubts. Have you ever wondered about or puzzled over something in this way?
The queen opened up her heart and mind to Solomon, and tested him with riddles. Solomon answered every one of her questions, and she was in awe of what she had witnessed. She was overwhelmed with the beauty and success of his kingdom, and her heart melted at his access to God through the temple. Even Solomon’s servants were content. The Queen of Sheba complimented Solomon on his successes, and recognized God had chosen him to be king because God loved Israel so much. Solomon had even exceeded his famous reputation. He had unified Israel under peace, stabilized the economy, and built magnificent structures. He was a master administrator of a well-oiled machine, and she was overwhelmed.
Solomon was able to accomplish these things because he sought after and trusted God’s wisdom rather than his own. Solomon became a hero, not because of riches or power, but because he used the wisdom God gave him. Like Solomon, we can also pray for and trust God’s wisdom. The wisdom God gives us is the most valuable gift of all.
Action Steps:
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Go to Jesus for wisdom, as the Queen of Sheba went to Solomon.
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Is there anything that keeps you from being confident that God has all the answers?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us continue to seek Your wisdom and remember how much You love us. Forgive us when we seek worldly pleasures and pull away from You. Catch us before we lose focus on heaven, and redirect our thoughts toward You. Thank You for being in our corner and fighting our battles for us, even when we may not understand Your ways. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.
2 Chronicles 6:40-7:5 (NLT)
“O my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to all the prayers made to you in this place.
“And now arise, O Lord God, and enter your resting place, along with the Ark, the symbol of your power. May your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation; may your loyal servants rejoice in your goodness. O Lord God, do not reject the king you have anointed. Remember your unfailing love for your servant David.”
When Solomon finished praying, fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple. The priests could not enter the Temple of the Lord because the glorious presence of the Lord filled it. When all the people of Israel saw the fire coming down and the glorious presence of the Lord filling the Temple, they fell face down on the ground and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying,
“He is good! His faithful love endures forever!”
Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices to the Lord. King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats. And so the king and all the people dedicated the Temple of God.
Explanation:
I love a good interior design or home makeover show. From Fixer Upper to Property Brothers, from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to organizing shows like Marie Kondo’s, I love watching how the expert interior designers come in and take charge! They first spend time getting rid of unwanted and unneeded items to create a space, then carefully choose things that instead bring beauty, color, and joy into the room. The shows always end with “before and after” photos that show such inviting spaces that function and flow so much better for the owner’s needs… and usually with me looking around at my surroundings wanting to do the same thing!
In today’s passage, King Solomon has finally completed his long and elaborate building of the Temple in Jerusalem. We join him as he is praying in front of all his people, dedicating the Temple to God, and asking God to arise and rest there with them. When he finished his very bold prayer, an amazing thing happened: “fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple.”
Reading this Scripture made me yearn “for the glorious presence of the Lord” to fill not only my surroundings, but more importantly, my own heart. 1 Corinthians 3:16 and 1 Peter 2:5 refer to us as God’s temple, because the Spirit of God comes to dwell in us when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. But so often, instead of creating a space for the glory of God to fill me, I find myself overburdened with various responsibilities, unnecessary worries, and unbalanced priorities. Every decision I make has an impact within me as well as outside of me. I need to replace the clutter of discontent with the soft textures of His peace, throw out the dissonance of frustration to make place for His joy, and replace distractions with things that honor and host His presence. I need to actively clear out my heart and mind to invite God, in all His glory, to find His resting place within me!
Action Step:
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Take a moment right now, before other things fill up your day, to reflect on whether you have been creating and maintaining space for God in your heart and in your life. Is it furnished and filled with things that honor the glorious presence of the Almighty God to live in you?
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Listen to the new song LION by Elevation Worship, and use that time to pray for the Spirit of God to reveal things that are taking up too much space in your mind and heart. What needs to be actively devalued in your life so you can better prepare the way for God’s presence?
Prayer:
Lord God, my mind and heart are filled with so many things and so much clutter. Show me how I can create space for You to dwell in, Lord! Help me clear myself out, God, and create a sacred place for You to fully inhabit, and for Your glory to be manifested in. Holy Spirit, I want Your glorious presence to fill me! Help me, God, to allow You fully in! In Jesus’s precious name. Amen.
2 Chronicles 1:1, 6-12 (ESV)
Now Solomon the son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and exalted him greatly.
And Solomon went up there before the Lord to the bronze altar which was at the tent of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said to God, “You have dealt with my father David with great faithfulness, and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, Your promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Now give me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?” Then God said to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you did not ask for riches, wealth, or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor did you even ask for long life, but you asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge so that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. I will also give you riches, wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed, nor will those who will come after you.”
Explanation:
“Ask what shall I give you?” What? Are you kidding me? What do I have to do to get an offer like that? Where is this bronze altar and what are the thousand burnt offerings?
My questions explain why Solomon got an offer like that and I never did! His prayer was not for himself; rather, it was about God's mission, plan, and purpose that He had entrusted to Solomon. My prayer times are rarely focused on God's mission, plans, or purposes. My prayers rarely go through the filter of God's objective. Perhaps that's the problem. Maybe you can relate.
At first glance, I'm guessing that the lesson we're supposed to get from this passage is not that God is going to make another offer like that anytime soon. So then what is a lesson, the golden nugget, a take-away?
First off, note something: before King Solomon got this amazing offer from God, he was simply being obedient. He wasn’t asking God for anything. Solomon had been showing great wisdom already as he was obediently leading the people. The passage tells us he had established himself over his kingdom. He had made the Lord “his God” (verse 1). He exalted and praised God (verses 8-9). Solomon also knew he needed to come before the Lord and present an offering that was acceptable to God.
I think Solomon was also demonstrating a picture of how we should pray: 1. Praise and exaltation towards God 2. Put God’s purposes first 3. Approach with a good heart and not a self-serving one
God acknowledged and blessed those things in Solomon. So let us be more like Solomon, using wisdom to obey in what God wants us to do, taking time to exalt and praise God, and always being mindful of what God's mission, plan, and purposes are. Ultimately, we will always need more wisdom and we need to remember to ask God for more wisdom daily.
Action Step:
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Take a moment right now to reflect on what your prayers have been filled with lately. Are you functioning from praise and putting God’s purposes first?
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What is God’s mission, plan, or purpose that you see for your life? Are you praying for wisdom daily in how to better accomplish it?
Prayer:
Dear God, I come before You today with praise for who You are! You are a faithful, promise keeping God! Thank You that You are always looking to bless me, and that You are always working to accomplish and finish the work You have begun in me. I ask You today to give me wisdom! Give me wisdom in my work, in my relationships, and in my own mind and heart. Help me accomplish the purposes You have set forth for my life! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Acts 13:16-25 (NLT)
So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet them, and started speaking. “Men of Israel,” he said, “and you God-fearing Gentiles, listen to me.
“The God of this nation of Israel chose our ancestors and made them multiply and grow strong during their stay in Egypt. Then with a powerful arm he led them out of their slavery. He put up with them through forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Then he destroyed seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to Israel as an inheritance. All this took about 450 years.
“After that, God gave them judges to rule until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’
“And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel! Before he came, John the Baptist preached that all the people of Israel needed to repent of their sins and turn to God and be baptized. As John was finishing his ministry he asked, ‘Do you think I am the Messiah? No, I am not! But he is coming soon—and I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the sandals on his feet.’
Explanation:
“A legacy is passed from one generation to the next and often refers to gifts of money or property. However, leaving a personal legacy involves more than the financial assets you bestow on the younger generation.” ~Bestow.com
When we look back on our ancestry, we can make a list of traditions, habits, and skills that have been passed down from generation to generation. Even if they are not a part of our everyday lives now, they are still associated with our families and have impacted who we are today. In my family, we have property that has never left the family lineage since it was established over 200 years ago. The home I live in was built by my great-great-grandparents in 1804. The road we live on was named after the family, and my parents and cousins also live on this road. Because I live in the family homestead, I was given the family Bible. In between the Scriptures, you will find evidences of my family tree. There are locks of hair, photos, birth records, baptism dates, and death certificates that date back to the late 1800’s. The way this house and this Bible have been cared for and passed down from generation to generation are just examples of the ongoing legacy my family has created. Our roots are deep in the community and in faith.
The Jewish people were very familial and set in traditions, too. When Paul had the opportunity to speak in the synagogue, he knew the best way to get their attention and understanding was to build the connection of King David’s legacy to Jesus. David was chosen by God because his heart was aligned with obeying His commands. He had a heart of repentance that kept him humble. God knew that placing David as king would usher in God’s spirit, bringing stability and saving His chosen people from chaos and destruction during the reign of Saul. Through David, God set into motion a legacy that would continue through the generations, leading up to Jesus being born.
Action Steps:
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Write down some family traditions. Even if you no longer do them, traditions give us all a sense of belonging. Think about some of the family traditions you had as a child, or even those you’ve heard about from long-lost relatives. These are your family legacies.
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Now think about what kind of personal legacy you want to pass on. List them. These do not need to match your family legacies. This is your opportunity to create a legacy that will encourage others toward Christ, and continue on long after you’re gone.
Prayer:
God, thank You for always directing our paths, and placing people into our lives who will lead us back to You. I want to align my heart with Yours, so You can use me as an example for all generations. Humble my heart to repent for the sins I have done, and to be attentive to the ways You have called me. Amen.
Psalm 51:1-17 (ESV)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Explanation:
Yesterday, we read that David was anointed king of Israel by the prophet Samuel, and “from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power” (1 Samuel 16:13). This changed the trajectory of David’s life, but we also know that David still sinned. Under the weight of his convoluted, covered-up sins, he appealed to the only One who had power to save him.
David begins with a humble plea for God to have mercy on him. He knows God is just, but it is His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness that David pleads for. God’s justice alone would bring David no closer to reconciliation, since justice requires his actions to be punished. David never speaks of his specific sins, focusing instead on God’s goodness. He contrasts the beautiful qualities of His loving God (steadfast, merciful, blameless) with the brokenness of his own life (transgressions, iniquity, sin). He knows he doesn’t deserve God’s mercy, just as we don’t in our sin. He asks God to “blot out” his transgressions, which equates to removing them completely; again, he acknowledges that only God can rightfully cleanse him.
But even after all of his bad decisions, David doesn’t try to hide from his sins. He brings his brokenness before God and lays his sins at God’s feet, hopeful and expectant, relying on the forgiveness of the God he knows intimately and still loves with all of his heart. He acknowledges that he was born into sin, and that it will continue to plague him for the rest of his life, just like it will us.
David then seeks restoration from God. David understands that his inner self, not outward sacrifices, is key to true repentance, and it is this honesty that eventually brings him renewal. He knows that his worst punishment would be for God’s presence to depart from him, and he begs God not to let this happen, promising to tell others about God and sing His praises forevermore.
David’s model is so important for us, because in every stage of his prayer, he confesses it is God alone who restores. David repented, and his life was redeemed. It took humility, vulnerability and a true heart for God, but it led to genuine change. This was God’s rhythm for David, and it is His rhythm for us!
Action Step:
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This psalm finds David at rock bottom. Like him, this is often the only place we can find true humility, when we have nothing left. Think about the reasons why we let ourselves get to this place before we decide to turn to God. Then ask Him for His help in changing this pattern in your life going forward.
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David’s example is a beautiful reminder that even when we are living for God, our sins will eventually catch up with us. But it is how we choose to deal with them that matters. This week, practice facing your sins head on and repenting immediately, knowing that you have the power of the living God to walk you through the process!
Prayer:
Father God, thank You so much for giving us the story of David, and proving once again that You care about every detail of our lives. Help us today to heed this loving example, and lead us to trust You, to turn our lives over to You the moment we begin to pull away. Your mercy is always available to us, we need only ask; thank You so much for this life-saving truth. We love You. Amen.
2 Samuel 12:1-14 (NIV)
The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.
“Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.”
David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”
Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.”
Explanation:
Sin can't be hidden from God, and it has consequences. King David had done some very evil things. When you look at God's Ten Commandments, you can see that David disobeyed three of them. He first coveted after another man's wife. Then he broke the seventh commandment by committing adultery. Lastly, he murdered a man, which goes against the sixth commandment. Since David reacted so quickly to condemn the man in this story, it seems that David must have been trying to rid his guilty conscience by passing judgment on someone else. But after the prophet Nathan confronted him, David's heart was pierced with shame and disgust for what he had done.
Have you ever been confronted by someone else regarding some things you were doing that were not pleasing to God? Have you been directed by God to challenge a friend about their behaviors? Nathan had a close relationship with David. I read this about David and Nathan's friendship: “Nathan the prophet was a blessing to King David. He was a close, trusted friend. He spoke truth to David, even when that truth was difficult to hear. He was loyal in his service to the king and faithful to God and His Word. These are all important traits to possess in any friendship. It says something that David and Bathsheba later named one of their sons Nathan.”
If God has confronted you with unforgiven sins, take some time right now to ask for forgiveness. Jesus paid the price for our sins by dying on the cross. All you need to do is what David did. He confessed that he had sinned.
If God is directing you to talk with a friend about an area in their life that is not pleasing to God, take these important steps first. You can read further about these steps at https://www.crossway.org/articles/7-tips-for-confronting-a-friend-in-sin/ Confront yourself first Confront from a loving heart Confront at the right time Confront the most important matters Confront with Scripture Confront confidentially Confront and then provide accountability
Action Steps:
If you have been confronted with unforgiven sins, remember that because of Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, you can now come before God Almighty washed clean of all of your transgressions. Don't go another minute without asking God to blot out all of your sins. All you need to do is say something like this: Jesus, I have sinned (be specific and name your sin). I know this was not pleasing in Your eyes. Please forgive me for what I have done. Thank You, Jesus, for wiping my sins away!
Prayer:
Lord, if You are calling me to confront someone's sins, please give me the right words to say. Holy Spirit, go before me and prepare my friend's heart before I speak with them. Then, help me to show them that You have provided a way for them to be forgiven of all the wrongs done. Thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, who paid the price for my sins. The blood of Jesus washes away all my iniquities. Help me to confess everything to You, Lord. I don't want anything in my life to be hidden from You. Amen!
2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14-16 (ESV)
In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.
It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house. And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, “I am pregnant.”
In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. In the letter he wrote, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die.” And as Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant men.
Explanation:
Technology has changed quite significantly in my lifetime. Looking back, I remember there were many times when pieces of technology were jam packed full of wires and cords. It seemed like you needed about a gazillion specialized cords just to get one piece of tech up and running. If your home was anything like mine, you probably also had a box for any extra, spare, or old cords that were not currently in use. Any time you needed anything from that box, what you would always find was a jumbled nest of cords all woven together in some intricate puzzling way that would require a degree from Harvard to figure out how to untangle. I never understood how something could go into that box all neatly wound up, and over time end up like it did.
This is the image I get when I reflect on the complicated mess that sin creates in our lives. On occasion, I find myself unrealistically expecting that sin should be something easy to identify, withstand, and overcome. Yet, it turns out to be quite the opposite. Often, sin makes a jumbled mess of our thoughts and actions, and can become such an ingrained part of our living that we fail to even recognize its impact. We can become so tangled in our sinful mess that it can feel impossible to right.
King David, who we read about today in our Scriptures, found himself in one of these jumbled messes. What started off as one sin soon escalated into numerous sins, which entangled every part of his life. In the book of James, we get such a clear description of the progression of sin in one’s life. James 1:14-15 says, “[E}ach person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his OWN desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (emphasis added). I capitalized the word “own” on purpose, because it shows us that sin is a very unique, personal thing to each and every one of us. The same was true for King David. Sin brought spiritual and physical death to his life, and to his relationships with God and others. It is a very vivid picture of how sin can weave itself into our lives and leave us a bundled mess. However, like He did for David, God offers us an untangling hope through His grace and mercy. We must choose, though, to walk in the ways that He offers.
Action Steps:
- Dedicate some time today during your lunchtime to have a conversation with God about your sin. Use this time to do the following:
a. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any unknown sin to you.
b. Confess your sin to God.
c. Tell Jesus that you receive His mercy for your sin.
d. Ask God to help you determine through His Spirit and Scripture how to repent from your sin.
Prayer:
Lord, You know exactly what it is like to be tempted by sin. Lord, You know my heart and my sinful desires. I am not alone in my sin. You not only have forgiven my sin when I confess it to You, but You also have grace to show me how to be more sanctified like You. Lord, help me to remember what James said about sin. Make my mind sensitive to the moments when I am tempted, and help my heart choose to follow You over sin. Thank You for Your grace and mercy.
1 Samuel 16:6-13 (NLT)
When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”
“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.
And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”
So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.
Explanation:
Recently one of my grandchildren was lamenting children on the school playground, who professed to be Christians but were not being kind. My grandchild said, “They need to get their church personality onto the playground!” Hmmm… I hate when my playground personality overrides my church personality. I know where that playground is; it’s in my divided heart. What exactly is God looking for in a heart?
What caught God’s eye from His throne on high, regarding a teenage David, shepherding sheep and spending days beside still waters and green pastures? What tipped God off that David could effectively lead the nation of Israel better than anyone, especially Saul?
What defining attribute propelled David from the pasture to the palace?
Acts 13:22 (NLT)
But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’
God trusted David to listen and act. It makes so much sense. God loves the simplicity of someone following His instructions. Of course, God gave David the leadership position over His chosen people, because David had:
✔️ The courage to listen to God and obey ✔️ The humility to listen to God and obey ✔️ The wisdom to listen to God and obey ✔️ The intelligence to listen to God and obey ✔️ The dignity to listen to God and obey
David was SUCH king material. When Samuel calls for David, he finds a 15-year-old boy with a heart in great spiritual shape, living quietly in the will of God, doing his duty, minding his sheep, fighting off predators, and happy in the Lord.
That is a simple yet powerful way to live life. God loves useability.
Saul was the first king over Israel, and ended up refusing God’s direction, falling on his own sword and dying. David was God's ideal king. God wanted a king with a shepherd's heart for Israel. God's heavenly gaze upon that young man’s heart saw moldability, trust, and clarity…someone He could trust to lead well, His way.
✔️The people had elected Saul ✔️God selected David ✔️Saul had been a herder of mules ✔️David was a keeper of sheep
✔️Saul was used to driving ✔️David was used to leading
David did not have a divided heart. He pursued God’s heart.
Action Step:
What God is looking for is a heart He can change. Because your heart is such a private place that only God can peer into, an action step has to actually COME FROM your heart. I have been challenged so emphatically by today’s verses that I am asking God to reveal to me what I don’t know about my heart. I need Him to know what I don’t know. I’m uttering this several times a day, “God show me, me.” Will you join me?
Prayer:
Lord, You see my heart in all of its woundedness, manipulativeness, hardness, and hopelessness. I know You see any deficits through the eyes of healing. I am inviting You to flush my heart with the power of the Holy Spirit, to revive the dead and dreadful things I have ignored in my heart. Help me join David in having a heart that will do what You want me to do.
1 Samuel 15:17-26 (NLT)
And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord has anointed you king of Israel. And the Lord sent you on a mission and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.’ Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?”
“But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”
But Samuel replied,
“What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. But now, please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the Lord.”
But Samuel replied, “I will not go back with you! Since you have rejected the Lord’s command, he has rejected you as king of Israel.”
Explanation:
Samuel was the spiritual leader of Israel during this time. Through Samuel, God gave a mission to King Saul, who was the military leader. Saul was commanded to destroy the entire Amalekite people as judgment from God. He prepares his men and leads them into battle. Unfortunately, Saul does not completely obey ALL God had told him. Saul does destroy most of the Amalekites, but he spares their king and all of their best livestock. Saul only obeyed in a manner that he found fit and comfortable. What Saul was about to learn, however, is that partial obedience is still disobedience. Disobedience to God will always come with consequences. Even after he was confronted, Saul was not sorry; he did not have a repentant heart for what he had done. Saul’s decisions and attitude showed that he was rejecting God, and as a result, God would reject Saul as king. Saul’s decision would also cause hardship for the kings who would follow.
Complete obedience is always the response we should have with God. God calls us to take steps of faith for our benefit, but also for the benefit of others. Although it can often be scary, seem impossible, or out of our comfort zone, there is always a greater purpose for it. When we walk out God’s calling in obedience, it shows that we have surrendered our will, our desires, and our wants to Him. When we walk in obedience, it increases our faith, and God honors it. Think about how different things could have been for Saul. If he had been fully obedient to God, his story would have been radically different. Saul could have been an incredible king who did amazing things for God and the people of Israel, but instead, his disobedience led his life in a different direction. The same is true for all of us. You never know what one act of obedience can lead to. God wants to use you for a greater purpose; all you have to do is say yes and walk in full obedience.
Action Steps:
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What is God is calling you to do? Are you being obedient, or only partially obedient, to God’s calling?
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How might your story turn out differently if you walk in full obedience?
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Take some time today to seek God. Ask Him to be with you, to help you step out of your comfort zone and walk out His calling in completely obedience. I am positive He will do more with your obedience than you can even begin to imagine.
Prayer:
God, I am sorry for the times I have either been disobedient or partially obedient to the things You have called me to do. I come today with a repentant heart. I want to be obedient to the calling You are placing in my life. Will You give me the strength and courage to walk out Your calling for my life, especially in the moments when I feel afraid of what might happen? I want to trust you completely and I know this only happens when I walk out my life in obedience. I surrender all to you today. Amen.
1 Samuel 9:1-2, 15-17; 10:1 (ESV)
There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.
Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people, because their cry has come to me.” When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.”
Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you to be prince over his heritage.
Explanation:
We all can think of world and church leaders who abandoned their calling and were consumed by the darkness in their hearts. These are tragic stories of sin and destruction. No matter how the leader started, or the good they did, what seems to define them is the end of the story, their failure. King Saul is one of those tragic tales. His story sounds as if it were ripped straight from the headlines of today’s blogs and news outlets. His disobedience to God, his torment and attempted murder of David, the loss of respect of his people, and his tragic death all tell the tale of what brokenness and unrepentant sin can do to a leader and his people.
But we can’t forget the beginning. We can’t forget that God called Saul, anointed him, and used him in dynamic ways in the kingdom of Israel. We can’t forget that Saul’s leadership was legitimate, and the promised hope for Israel’s peace. We can’t forget the beginning, because if we do, we will never see the true warnings that come from Saul’s life. He will stand as a distant tragic figure who was evil, different than you and me. We will never see the potential we have inside of ourselves to make the same poor decisions (or worse) that Saul made. We will never work to protect ourselves from going down the same path as Saul. And the great hope and potential God begins in our lives will end up at the same broken destination as Saul.
You may say, “I am not a king and don’t have plans to be one.” Maybe, but you still have influence and responsibility for something: yourself (at the least), friendships, spouse, kids, position at work, employees, ministry. God has called you and anointed you for the responsibilities of your life. We all must have the character to realize that we are not above temptation. Our greatest hope to begin and end well is to trust God, and surround ourselves with the people and systems that will point us back to Him when we are tempted to look away.
Action Steps:
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Identify a common temptation you struggle with.
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List 5 things that you think will help keep you focused on God and accountable to your obedience to Him.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, the path to a life of obedience is riddled with temptation. But there is hope and a way. You have given us Your Spirit to warn and guide us, so fill us with the Spirit and help us to heed His voice. You have given us the church to teach us, and You have surrounded us with a community of people who can help us. Help us to recognize our temptations, and to get help to come through them faithfully. We want to end well, no matter what You have called us to. Amen.
Romans 12:3-6 (NLT)
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.
Explanation:
Humans are born with varying degrees of nine intelligences.
It is fascinating that Paul is emphasizing two of the nine in our verses today:
• Interpersonal intelligence • Intrapersonal intelligence
Someone with interpersonal intelligence is good at sensing other people’s emotions, reading the room, and understanding people’s point of view. They are very inclusive.
Intrapersonal intelligence refers to self-awareness and people’s ability to understand themselves and appreciate their talents. Intrapersonal intelligence involves admiring and respecting others, while pursuing continual personal growth.
Paul is essentially teaching us social skills for the Christian, and it is not just a suggestion. The Holy Spirit offers interpersonal and intrapersonal skills freely, to enhance our lives and our church.
Paul doesn’t believe it is helpful to the church for people to be emotionally and spiritually deficient. Both are equally draining on the body of Christ, and we need a proper opinion of ourselves and others for unity. Insight is key.
Two dangers we are up against: 1. We may overestimate our own importance. 2. We may depreciate ourselves to the point of false humility.
Arrogance and an inferiority complex are equal in spiritual dysfunctionality. God didn’t design us to grandstand or to be a spiritual wallflower.
The sweet spot Paul is trying to get us to is being free of any bias so we can not only rejoice in our own talents, but be equally happy in celebrating others’ talents.
It is not uncommon for someone to ask me if I am proud of Matthew. Yes! So very much! One of the things I’m most delighted about is his ability to know God has given him the gift of teaching. He recognizes the gift, respects the gift, stewards the gift, and shares the gift. God likes that.
But equally, Matthew celebrates the gifts of other pastors, whether they are on The Tree Church staff, or other local or national churches. He continually does practical things to come alongside and cheer on the gifts of others. He doesn’t compete. He completes. When we celebrate what God has given us AND what He has given others, we complete the fabric of unity that cloaks the body of Christ.
As Matthew would say, “Me Healthy-We Healthy.”
You have the responsibility of finding out what your gifts are and using them. You equally have the responsibility of affirming the gifts of others. It is how we fulfill His plan for becoming one.
Action Steps:
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Pinpoint your gifts. If you need help, you can take a Spiritual Gifts test at Spiritual Gifts Survey (churchgrowth.org)
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Make it a point to physically appreciate another Christian’s gift this week through text, call, mail, or conversation. Someone needs it.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, Help us dwell together with our gifts Savoring the good and pleasant Deliver us from competition and rifts Living and breathing in grace apparent. Amen.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
Ephesians 4:1-7 (NIV)
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
Explanation:
My first duty station in the U.S. Navy was on a nuclear aircraft carrier, the USS NIMITZ. My ship carried over 5,500 Sailors and about 90 aircraft. Each Sailor had a specific job to perform to ensure our ship’s overall mission was achieved. Some Sailors flew jets, other Sailors operated the machines that hauled the 2-ton anchors out of the water. Some Sailors prepared food for the entire ship’s crew, while others worked on the bridge assisting the captain while he navigated our course. Our ship had many Sailors but we were one crew, and we had one captain who gave the orders.
Similarly, Paul is encouraging the members of the church in Ephesus to come together and to work as one unit. The Greek word used here for unity is henotes meaning “oneness.” Paul uses this word to emphasize how we as Christians should interact with each another so we can function successfully as the church. As Christians, we all serve some part and contribute in some way to the body of Christ. Paul states, “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it” (Ephesians 4:7). He is calling us to recognize that Christ has given each of us an individual measure of grace that assists us in contributing to the body of Christ as a whole.
Paul is encouraging Christians to be completely humble and gentle, patient and bearing with one another in love so we can function together as one. We are at one with each other when we humbly serve each other, understanding that Christ is the Captain at the helm. Indeed, He is the only one who is capable of navigating us through life’s seas. When we work together as one, we achieve our mission for the kingdom of God: to bring as many to the truth of Christ Jesus as we can.
Action Steps:
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What is one way you can contribute to the body of Christ this week?
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Have you considered serving on a team at The Tree?
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Consider the last time you exercised complete humility and gentleness with members or leadership at The Tree. Is there someone within the church who you have not kept the bond of peace with?
Prayer:
Father God, please help me to be very aware of Your mission for me within Your church. Help me to build others up in unity, patient love, and humility so Your kingdom is advanced. If there is a way I can contribute to the body of Christ, please make it clear to me. Help me to work with others to achieve Your mission of love for all people everywhere. Amen.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (ESV)
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Explanation:
When I saw that I was writing a devotion about this passage of scripture, I was thrilled! I am passionate about what this scripture is teaching us: that God has called each one of us for a purpose within the body of Christ. Everyone has a part to play. No one is left out and everyone has something they can offer. If God has placed you at The Tree Church, the Holy Spirit has a purpose and plan and role for you within the church body. That is exciting!
I have the blessing of working on staff at The Tree, and one of my roles is to help people understand and walk through the process of becoming a CORE Member. In order to be a CORE Member, you must implement several specific spiritual habits in your life and be consistent in these habits. One of the spiritual habits is serving on a ministry team at The Tree. Some people jump right in and sign up for a team. For others, it takes a little more convincing. Sometimes they don’t feel like they have anything to offer. Other times the hesitancy is because they don’t feel that they have enough time, or that they will feel awkward. My encouragement is that God has placed them here at The Tree for a reason, and the body (the church) needs them.
I also always tell folks that they will be surprised to see what serving will do in their own hearts. All it takes is looking around on a Sunday morning or throughout the week at The Tree, and seeing the faces of the people who are there operating and serving as a body. If you ask most people, they are finding more joy in serving than they would’ve imagined. That is the design of God. He desires for us to work together to share His message, and we can’t do it alone… we weren’t meant to do it alone! I hope you are operating as a part of the body of Christ (serving) and if you aren’t, I hope this encourages you to do so! The body needs you, you are a part of the body, and the Holy Spirit is calling you!
Action Step:
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How does it make you feel that you are designed to be a part of the body of Christ?
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Are you serving on a ministry team at The Tree Church? If not, what is holding you back? If so, think about one way it has impacted your life.
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If you are wondering how to begin serving on a ministry team at The Tree, you can reach out to Katie Iser, who oversees our teams: kiser@thetree.church
Prayer:
God, we thank You that You have designed us to work together as a body. Thank You that we are designed for relationships and to be connected to one another. Help us to have a heart that desires to serve others and desires to show others Your love. For those of us that are struggling to find our role, help us to reach out and allow others to help guide us along with Your Holy Spirit. We love You! Amen.
Hebrews 13:17 (NRSV)
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing—for that would be harmful to you.
Explanation:
In today’s world, obedience and submission to those in authority appear to be optional. If we don’t like the President or disagree with his policies, the world tells us we can dishonor him and show little to no respect. I think the phrase “He’s not my President” proves this point. This goes even deeper than just political leaders. We see it in all areas of our lives. Parents can override how a teacher runs their child’s classroom. Employees believe they have a right to tell their bosses how to run businesses. The list goes on and on. Unfortunately, Christians have fallen into this trap, and we are seeing this attitude creeping into our churches.
When we read today’s passage, God tells us something different. The way of dismissing people, complaining, arguing, and dishonoring is not in line with the heart of God. We are called to a higher calling, and that includes honoring, respecting, and submitting to those who are in authority…church included.
We are called to submit to those in authority, first and foremost because God has placed them there. When it comes to the church, every single pastor and leader has a calling on their life from God. He has designed, created, and appointed them to be in the place of authority for a reason. Second, it is easier to submit to someone when you try to see things from their perspective. You may not realize this, but church leaders, especially lead pastors, will be held accountable for the lives of others before God. That is a huge weight to carry on their shoulders. The pastors and leaders of the church are not doing things for their own gain, rather they are working so as many people as possible can come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Your church leaders care about you more than I think you realize. They are constantly praying for you and concerned about your eternal destiny. When we walk in the way God has called us by submitting to our church leaders, the church is healthier.
Action Steps:
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Be honest, are you submitting and obeying those in leadership (in all areas), or are you being like culture?
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How can you change your behavior when it comes to submitting to those in authority?
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If you are struggling with a decision the church leaders have made, reach out. They are more than happy to walk through it and help you understand the why behind it.
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Take time this week to text, email, or even send a card to thank someone who is in a leadership role over you. It will mean a lot to that person.
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Take time every day to pray for your church leaders. Ask God to protect their hearts, for the Holy Spirit to fill them and guide them in truth and wisdom. And if you are struggling with submitting to their authority, ask God to humble your heart and to help you see things from a different perspective.
Prayer:
God, today I want to thank You for our church leaders. I know that You have called and led each of them to this place and this position. Thank You for the impact they have had in my life, and for the way they lead our church. I know You have placed each one in their role for a reason. Will You continue to fill our leaders with Your Spirit, guiding them in wisdom? Help me to always stay humble and to trust the ways in which You are guiding them and our church, knowing they want nothing more than for everyone to come to You. Thank You for the calling You have placed on their lives. Help me to do what I can to submit, trust, encourage, and honor them every day. Amen.
Acts 9:1-16 (ESV)
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
Explanation:
I have learned over the years that I am raising some very opinionated, confident, and dominant personality children. They are confident that they know the best way to do everything, and this attracts others to follow. Many times, my input is merely a suggestion and not a command. There have been times when they incessantly pursue a certain behavior or action that isn’t leading or shaping them in the way they need to go. In those moments, I, as their loving parent, need to step in and stop them in their tracks. Changing their direction will not only put them on the right path, but will also change the direction of those that gravitate towards their influential personality. The hard part is: how? How will I step in? What is the best way to reverse the behavior that they are so confident is right? How do I usher in change in a way that they will desire to follow the Holy Spirit?
Then it hit me like a 2x4 to the forehead. Seeing my kids in this way is EXACTLY how God is viewing me regularly. He is ready to step in and interfere at the most opportune time that brings His plans to fruition, not mine. Just like my children, I can get going in a direction that I am fully confident is right, and it would take a Saul-like moment to stop me. Saul’s encounter with the Holy Spirit not only wrecked his way of life but impacted all those around him. He saw the resurrected Jesus and heard His voice. Those standing right there with him didn’t see what Saul saw but they heard it all. God used the position of influence that Saul had to turn all of those around him in the direction that led others to His glory. Despite his reputation of persecution of believers in Christ, he became a vital instrument to guide others to this day towards encountering Christ and being used by the Holy Spirit. God has a plan to use each of us. When we choose to submit to the Holy Spirit, we become a chosen instrument by God for the works of His kingdom.
Action Step:
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Can you think of a moment where things just seem like they weren’t going right? You might be in that situation now! Take some time to give it to God. Ask this question: “What role do you need me to play in this moment?” Spend some time listening first. Allow the Holy Spirit to intercede and direct you. Allow yourself space for Him to meet you.
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Prepare to respond. By actively pursuing the Holy Spirit daily, you will equip yourself to hear from Him when He intercedes. The faith step will feel less scary when you know Who has our back!
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If you and I can be used by God despite our brokenness, can you imagine what He can do through those around us, too? Spend some time praying for those of influence in your life. Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to move through them not for acceleration or justification of their current life choices, but rather so Jesus can use them and meet them where they are, just as He did with Paul.
Prayer:
God, I want to be used by You. I want You to intercede and push me in any and every moment that would further Your plan and bring glory to Your name. Give me the strength and confidence to be obedient to Your voice. I want to grow my faith and closeness to You like never before. Amen.
Leviticus 8:5-12 (ESV)
And Moses said to the congregation, “This is the thing that the Lord has commanded to be done.” And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. And he put the coat on him and tied the sash around his waist and clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him and tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod around him, binding it to him with the band. And he placed the breastpiece on him, and in the breastpiece he put the Urim and the Thummim. And he set the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the golden plate, the holy crown, as the Lord commanded Moses.
Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. And he sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its utensils and the basin and its stand, to consecrate them. And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him to consecrate him.
Explanation:
In this chapter of Leviticus, the Lord was speaking to Moses about the consecration of priests. Specifically in these verses the Lord is commanding Moses to gather the congregation of people to the door of the tabernacle. He brought out Aaron and his sons to wash them with water. This was a sacred ceremony for priests specifically. This was all a part of the Lord’s plan, not Moses’ plan. They were cleansed and humbled in this process of immersion.
In the same way the ancient priests were cleansed, every single Christian is washed by the work of Christ. The work was accomplished by the death of Jesus for our sins to make us cleansed and humble.
Action Step:
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Take some time today to think about the ways Christ has cleansed you and made you new.
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Think about how you can live a life humbled by the work of Jesus on the cross.
Prayer:
God, thank You for the work You have done for us and for Your death on the cross so that we would be cleansed. Help us to continue to walk in a life of holiness, a life that reflects our new lives with You. Lord, continue to work in our hearts and our minds to live like Your anointed people. Amen.
Numbers 12:1-5 (NLT)
While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. They said, “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the LORD heard them. (Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.)
So immediately the LORD called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, “Go out to the Tabernacle, all three of you!” So the three of them went to the Tabernacle. Then the LORD descended in the pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle. “Aaron and Miriam!” he called, and they stepped forward. And the LORD said to them, “Now listen to what I say:
“If there were prophets among you, I, the LORD, would reveal myself in visions. I would speak to them in dreams. But not with my servant Moses. Of all my house, he is the one I trust. I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles! He sees the LORD as he is. So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?”
The LORD was very angry with them, and he departed. As the cloud moved from above the Tabernacle, there stood Miriam, her skin as white as snow from leprosy. When Aaron saw what had happened to her, he cried out to Moses, “Oh, my master! Please don’t punish us for this sin we have so foolishly committed. Don’t let her be like a stillborn baby, already decayed at birth.”
So Moses cried out to the LORD, “O God, I beg you, please heal her!”
But the LORD said to Moses, “If her father had done nothing more than spit in her face, wouldn’t she be defiled for seven days? So keep her outside the camp for seven days, and after that she may be accepted back.”
So Miriam was kept outside the camp for seven days, and the people waited until she was brought back before they traveled again.
Explanation:
At first, I thought Miriam’s punishment was too harsh, until I connected it to what God wants to accomplish in our lives. On the surface, we see God defending Moses from criticism, but at the core is a lesson in character development that his siblings…Aaron, the High Priest, and Miriam, a prophetess…wouldn’t forget.
Two of God’s greatest characteristics are His holiness and His immutability (which means He never changes). God will patiently spend a lifetime building His holiness in us. Part of that process is allowing us to suffer the consequences of a critical spirit—undue criticism has no place in a holy life. Note that while Aaron cries out for mercy, Miriam says nothing. That is the nature of a critical heart; we think everyone else, including God, must be wrong. But God’s holiness sets the standard for our behavior, and His immutability guarantees it is we who need to change. This is true for every area of life, not just our mouths.
If left unchecked, criticism will hinder our obedience to God, and as we see here, He will do whatever it takes to get our attention. Just like any loving parent, He wants us to learn the lesson sooner rather than later. God always has a greater purpose for His discipline than what we can see.
Action Steps:
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What or who was the last thing you criticized?
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Is it possible your criticism was wrong?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please convict my heart when I am being critical, so I can repent and remain in the center of Your will for my life. Amen!
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
Explanation:
God has laid out a plan for all of mankind. He desires to have a personal relationship with each of us. According to this scripture, we have the opportunity to be born again or changed. We have hope because of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. What does it mean to be born again?
In researching this scripture, I read something interesting. Someone said that culture has redefined and cheapened some biblical words so much that they no longer mean what the Bible truly intends them to mean. The words then seep back into our vocabulary with a devalued meaning. The term “born again” has been one of those phrases. Anyone who makes an amazing come-back like in sports is described as being born again. Or a corporation that has made their company more successful than ever may now be called a born-again company.
The biblical meaning of “born again” should never be cheapened. We were redeemed by Christ's great mercy. The price of Jesus' sacrifice goes beyond comprehension. When we ask Jesus Christ to become King of our hearts, we must replace our humanness with His Spirit. We must be changed into a new person. Our lives should look different.
As the scripture says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Action Step:
Stop right now and think about whether your life reflects something different than the world gives.
Do you exhibit: Peace or Confusion Hope or Defeat Patience or Frustration
Are you: Generous or Stingy Obedient or Confrontational Forgiving or Stubborn
Prayer:
Father God, I need Your help each and every day to live my life as a changed person. I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to sacrifice His life on my behalf. Now that I have been reborn as a new creation, help my life to reflect that in this dark world. Keep me always mindful of how my actions look to others. I want to be a shining, living example of You, Lord. Amen.
Romans 3:23-25a (ESV)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
Explanation:
Glory: high renown or honor, the splendor, holiness, and majesty of God Justified: declared or made righteous in the sight of God Grace: the spontaneous, unmerited gift of divine favor Redemption: the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil Propitiation: that by which it becomes consistent with His character to pardon a sinner Righteousness: acting in accord with divine or moral law Forbearance: patient self-control; restraint and tolerance
As most of you that regularly read the Tree Church Daily devotions know, I have the vocabulary of a 5th grader. So, I had to look up all these words so I could honestly understand what I was reading. Once we understand the words that are packed into these Bible verses, it starts to have a whole new and breath-taking meaning.
We all have sinned. We sin daily, hourly, and yes, sometimes every minute. Jesus did not. He set an example for us to strive for. Yes, I know most days we don’t even come close. And honestly, we will never come close, even on our best days of being a parent, coworker, spouse, child, teacher, disciple, etc. So just remember this as we push on and as we tackle verse 24. This is going to be rough, so make sure you’re ready before you read this next sentence…
You Have to Give Up Your Child to Save The World.
Gone, just literally gone in a moments time. This little person that you may have given birth to, that you raised from diapers, then taught to walk. Can you do it? All the world is on your shoulders. The world didn’t ask you to do this, but you know this is the only way to save them. God did! No one asked Him to, but He knew this was the only way to redeem the world and show them that HE is LOVE.
As I wrote the above paragraph, I got super emotional, sweaty, and felt the Holy Spirit fall on me. I cannot consider giving up one of my children. It makes me so mad to even think about it. But God gave His Son up to death for wretched people like you and me. God used His Son to redeem us, to give us the chance to be in good standing with Him! God loved us so much that He gave His Son to die on a cross. I’m mad even thinking about losing a child, but God allowed awful people to hang His Son on a cross because they didn’t like what He was teaching and saying. That’s LOVE right there. Love that people write songs and books about, love that withstands the test of time, love that can move people to do amazing things, because the Author of that love is so incredible that He sent His Son to die for all mankind.
God’s propitiation gives us the opportunity to have faith and then to grow that faith in Him. Your old sins don’t matter to God. He made a place for you to cast away your sins: that place is the cross.
Action Step:
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Are you thinking/obsessing about old or current sins in your life? Is this stopping you from having a love-filled relationship with God? Take those sins to God right now, and let Him do work for you!
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Is there anything you are struggling with that you need help with? Find a faith-filled fellow believer to share with, and allow them to pray for you as well. There is power in prayer and power in numbers.
Prayer:
God, thank You for loving us and pursuing us even when we were dead in sin. Show us the path of love as we think about what You did for us. Thank You that Jesus took our place on the cross. Give us the strength to reach out to other people when we are struggling, when we may be in weak moments of life. Give us the courage to reach out to those You put on our hearts. God, we love You and can’t wait to see where You move in our lives today. Amen.
Acts 2:29-38 (NLT)
“Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave.
“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said,
‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”’
“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Explanation:
We often think of the book of Psalms as sweet songs of praise, forgetting that King David was a powerful prophet who God used to help us recognize what to look for and who to believe in as our promised Messiah and Savior. In this passage, the crowds in Jerusalem had come running after hearing a loud noise, and many thought the disciples were just drunk instead of filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:5, 13). Peter uses this opportunity to boldly explain to the Jews from the Old Testament how Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah and Redeemer of Israel.
Peter explains that “God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him” (Acts 2:22), which was the part they could more easily see, understand, and get behind. But when that same Jesus was brutally crucified on the cross, everyone thought God’s plan must have been ruined.
But this was another sign they should’ve been looking for. Jesus did not remain in the grave! God miraculously raised Him from the dead, just as David had predicted centuries before it actually happened. “You will not leave my soul among the dead, or allow the Holy One to rot in the grave,” (Psalm 16:10). And Peter doesn’t stop there. He goes on to show that when they watched Jesus physically ascend back into heaven, this was also a sign foretold by King David. Psalm 110:1 says, “The Lord to my Lord said, ‘Sit in the place of honor at my right hand.” Jesus Christ wasn’t dead in a grave! He was taken back into heaven to sit at the right hand of God, just as predicted. How absolutely incredible, to hear the prophecies in the Old Testament about the One who God would send, and then to see it fulfilled right in front of their eyes!
Peter’s powerful explanation “pierced their hearts,” and they asked the most important question anyone can ever ask after hearing the Gospel: “What should we do?” How beautifully merciful, that after all God has so intricately woven together for our redemption, all we need to do is repent, turn to God, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer!
And how comforting that we don’t need to suspend our intelligence and blindly believe whatever we hear. Jesus Christ fulfilled more than 300 prophecies that God included in the Old Testament on purpose, just for us, so that our own eyes could see His beautiful plan fulfilled, and instead of our hands and feet, our hearts could be pierced instead.
Action Steps:
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Have you allowed God’s amazing plan of redeeming us to pierce your heart? If not, take a moment right now to pray: turn to God, repent of your sins, acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Savior, and allow the Holy Spirit to come and dwell within you!
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If you have been a Christian for some time, it’s easy to forget the beauty and intricacy of God’s plan of redemption. Take time right now to thank God for the many prophecies and signs He included in the Bible for our sakes, and thank Him for the power of the Gospel that saves us!
Prayer:
Lord God, I am so humbled by the lengths to which You have gone to redeem us! Thank You for sending Your Son to take my punishment and die for me. Thank You that Jesus rose again and is a living Savior, seated at Your right hand, so I can have victory over the grave as well! Help my heart to never harden, but to be always pierced by Your love and mercy toward me. In Jesus’s powerful name I pray. Amen!
Luke 15:11-24 (ESV)
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Explanation:
This story is a parable that Jesus told His followers, and is often referred to as the Prodigal Son. The story describes one of two brothers who disrespected their father and asked for his inheritance before the father’s death. The younger son leaves and spends every cent his father gave him, and then returns expecting to work as a hired laborer. In a surprise turn, when the father sees the son coming down the road, he runs to welcome his son back with open arms and celebrates him being home again. This story shows immense mercy, unconditional love, and immeasurable grace from a father to a son.
The parable can also be known as the Merciful Father, which I think is so fitting. Yes, the story shows the foolish actions of the younger son and his reckless spending. Luke 15:25-32 discusses the jealousy of the older brother that had stayed by his father’s side and continued to help at the house. With all this going on, the wise father interacts with both sons showing grace/mercy toward the younger and compassion/correction with the older.
Jesus tells this story to give an example of how God never gives up on His people and is always directing them towards repentance. The parable gives us a glimpse of how God really thinks and feels about us. He is delighted when His children return and want to renew a relationship with Him. It is an amazing story and one that should give every believer hope. We have a Heavenly Father that loves us and never stops pursuing us. We can all be thankful that when we sin and ask for forgiveness, God will respond, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.”
Action Step:
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Think about a time in your life when you felt like the prodigal. What would your response be to a forgiving parent?
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What sins are you holding onto that you don’t think God will forgive? Take a moment right now to place them in the hands of Your loving Father, and accept His forgiveness.
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Reread the passage of Luke 15: 11-32 in its entirety. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the perspective of the merciful father, and the choice he made to love both of his sons.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank You that You are my Merciful Father that never gives up on me. You are always pursuing me and there to forgive and redeem me. Help me bring my sin to You and know that You want to help me with it. I love You Father! Amen.
John 11:25-27 (NLT)
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”
“Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”
Explanation:
In this passage, we encounter Jesus prior to performing His last recorded miracle in the Gospel of John. Jesus’s friends, Mary and Martha, have just experienced the death of their brother, Lazarus. Martha’s faith is real and she knows that Jesus can do miracles, so we find her angry with Jesus for not coming to help sooner. Instead of getting defensive or offering words of sympathy for their loss, Jesus gently reminds Martha of something she already knows, allowing her heart knowledge to catch up with her head knowledge. He tells her instead that He is the Resurrection and the Life. Just like His own death to come in the future, the situation in reality is different than it appears. With Jesus, even death does not have the final word. Every believer will be resurrected to eternal life because of the sacrifice Jesus has been predestined to make. Jesus doesn’t just say He is going to be resurrected, but that He IS the Resurrection. For Lazarus, for us…forever.
Jesus then tells Martha that He is the Life. This statement has two meanings: He is the ONLY way to eternal life, but He is also the only answer to all of the unknowns in Martha’s life in the moment. We all have situations where our hearts need to catch up to our heads. We know Jesus can do all things. But we still experience things that rock our foundation, even if it is built on Jesus, just like Martha’s was. So, we can take our cue from her answer to Jesus’s straightforward question: “Do you believe this, Martha?”
When we look to the heartbreakingly beautiful work of Jesus on the cross, and the promises of His presence in this life and in heaven, we, too, must remind ourselves that this was God’s plan all along. He knew Jesus would do and be all of these things, which is exactly why we can trust Him. So this week, let us celebrate our amazing God and His perfect plan through His selfless Son by answering directly with a resounding, “Yes, we believe!”
Action Step:
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Think about the seemingly hopeless situations in your life. Then write down the ways these verses remind you never to give up hope when you’ve put your faith in Jesus. Jesus’s delay to arrive on the scene here was purposeful. He didn’t lose track of time or forget about Lazarus and his family. It appears that He did nothing in those first days. But He asks for their belief BEFORE He did the miracle. Will you do the same in your own situations?
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Sometime today, read the rest of this story (John 11:28-57). Jesus brings Lazarus back to life by His voice only. The same is true in Genesis 1:3 when God formed the world just by speaking. When God speaks, things happen!
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Jesus was confident that His Father in heaven heard His request to raise Lazarus from the dead. We should be confident, too. So take time to offer your prayers up to God, knowing He hears and cares, and with Jesus, the situation is never as it appears. Praise God for this truth!
Prayer:
Father God, please help these words reach exactly those You want to hear them. So many times our intentions get in the way of Your good for us. Let us see the Resurrection with fresh eyes, and let the weight of it sit on our hearts in a new way. We are so grateful for all You have done and continue to do for us. Thank You for our many blessings this week and always. Amen.
Luke 24:36-49 (ESV)
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Explanation:
Imagine you were the disciples, talking amongst yourselves, and suddenly Jesus appears to you. What would you do? What would you say? There’s no doubt that you’d be shocked. You may even wonder if what you’re seeing is real. How could Jesus be here in front of us?!
Here’s a quick history lesson: In those days, people generally believed that the souls of the dead were able to roam the earth. There was a widespread cultural fear of ghosts. Now Jesus comes on scene, and the disciples are scared and confused. Jesus even shows them the holes in His hands and feet, and they were still in awe. I love how Jesus just shifts gears and basically says, “What’s for dinner?” I’m sure the disciples were still a bit numb with fear and doubt about what they were seeing, but I also think they had figured out that if there were such a thing as ghosts, they probably wouldn’t ask for food, so perhaps this was really Jesus.
As the confusion settled, Jesus reminds them of how He fulfilled Scripture through His death and resurrection. He implores them to have peace…the real, true peace that only comes from knowing Him. The peace we receive from knowing Jesus is a place of perfect calm in the storm. As Philippians 4:7 says, the peace of God “transcends all understanding.” That’s the kind of peace I want to have as the storms of this world rage around me. Even when I doubt, even when I fear, and even when the outlook is bleak, I’ve been given peace.
Action Step:
When you have a moment today, think about the last weather report you saw regarding a hurricane. Maybe you’ve had the unfortunate privilege of actually being in a hurricane yourself. Hurricanes are often extremely fierce, with pounding winds and rains that continue for hours. There’s a fascinating anomaly about these storms, however, and that’s in the storm’s “eye.” The eye of a hurricane is a place of perfect calm. Can you think of a time when the storms of life around you were raging, but you felt calm in the “eye” of the peace that Jesus brings?
Prayer:
God, I thank You for peace that only You can bring. Thank You for guiding my steps while the storms of life are raging around me. Help me to show others that my comfort in this life comes from You alone, and no matter what happens, I have hope for the future. Help me to find solace in Your word and strength in Your holy Name. We are so thankful for Jesus paying our debt and leaving us with the peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus’s Name. Amen.
John 20: 1-10 (NIV)
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
Explanation:
In these verses, John relates the first moments when Jesus’ followers discovered that He had been resurrected. Earlier in the gospels, Matthew describes how the first sighting of the risen Christ was by Mary and Mary Magdalene in Matthew 28. In that culture and time, women were not highly regarded, and their testimony was meaningless in a court of law. However, God honors women! Psalm 34 states God is close to the broken hearted. When Jesus was on the cross, Mary stayed, cried, and called out to God. If we call out to God, He will answer us.
You would think the King of the Universe, about to ascend to His heavenly throne, would come in as a warrior on a stallion. He isn’t distant, though. He is good, and humble, and calls us by name. He blessed Mary by appearing to her first. Jesus is alive!
Mary went directly to Simon Peter after she saw the stone rolled away from the tomb. The disciples ran to the tomb because they had to check for themselves. None of them remembered the scripture about Him rising again, even though Jesus had told them on more than one occasion.
John and Peter observed the empty tomb. They noted napkins were not lying with the linens. They were wrapped, indicating they were rolled or folded neatly. They were not with the body, nor were they with the other clothing. Someone took the time to fold them. If Jesus’ body was stolen, who would take the time to remove clothing from His body, fold the napkins, and place them aside? God purposely showed these details. Jesus did not need the stone rolled away so He could get out: it was rolled away to make sure there were eyewitnesses. The entire basis of Christianity is the resurrection. Jesus is the only One in all of history who suffered and died for our sins, then was raised from the dead!
It is important to note that when Mary and some other women headed toward the tomb, it was dark, the stone was huge, and they were women. But nothing stopped them. They kept pushing forward toward Jesus. What is stopping you from running toward Jesus? What great stone is in your way?
Action Step:
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What does the empty tomb represent to you personally? Take a moment now to ask God to touch any areas in your life that you need the resurrecting, life-giving power of God.
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When you read the Bible, the Bible also reads you. It is the living word of God. It is self-authenticating because of the many prophecies that have been fulfilled. Make sure to spend dedicated time today in His Word!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your transforming power. We put our trust in You because of that empty tomb and the promises that go with it. We know those promises are assured because of Jesus’ resurrection. He has risen from the grave, and He is alive! Amen.
For Further Study:
Read Mark 16:1-11 and Luke 24:1-12.
Galatians 6:7-9 (NLT)
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Explanation:
Have you ever seen something that is decaying? It is not pretty! When my husband and I first got married, we were so excited for our first apartment. We went grocery shopping and one of the items on our list was potatoes. When we got home, we put our groceries away and put the potatoes in the cabinet. Two weeks later there was a horrible smell in our little kitchen. You guessed it: decaying potatoes. If we don’t pay attention to our produce, it will eventually decay and cause other produce around it to go bad, too.
Just like the potato started decaying when we forgot about it, the same can happen in our life. When we quit spending time with God, reading His Word, talking to Him, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us, our life will start to decay and affect everything around us. It becomes much easier to fall into the things of this world like jealousy, gossip, anger, lust, bitterness, and so much more when we are not pursuing God.
This scripture is telling us not to give up on doing the right thing when we are obeying God. He has called us to be different in this world and to follow Him. So, when sin arises, we can go to Him and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit into truth. When we put the work in by following His Word, others will see what it looks like to be in relationship with God and receive His blessings in our lives.
Application:
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Have you spent time with God this week in prayer and worshiping Him? If not, what is stopping you?
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What areas in your life are struggling because you haven’t asked God into them?
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Take 15 minutes with God right now and give Him the areas you are struggling with. Ask His Holy Spirit to guide you today.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that I get be in relationship with the REAL God, and that You want to be in relationship with me. Help me when I start to feel overwhelmed by this world or fall into sin to realize that I have taken You out of those areas, and I need strength to fix them. This week help me to spend time with You and see all the good You have done in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Romans 8:5-13 (NLT)
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.
Explanation:
As humans beings, we are born striving. Most of us are raised in a culture of “more.” We strive for more money because it provides us with cars and homes and games and toys. We strive to have fun. We live in an era where it’s all about doing what is comfortable. We focus on the pursuit of self-satisfaction, often at the cost of others. Our culture is to constantly seek to feel fulfilled by living for “the now” and embracing “you do you” attitudes. We are told to make every moment count by taking advantage of every opportunity to climb the ladder in our work and social circles, focusing only on what’s right in front of us. But it’s wrong.
When we consider today’s passage, we see a very different point of view. God doesn’t tell us that it’s wrong to have money or a successful career or to have fun. What He is telling us is that those things should not be our primary concern. Our focus is to be on loving God and loving people, speaking truth, helping others, and giving glory to God in all situations.
What happens when we set our mind on the Spirit? We look at the events of life through a different lens. We see God’s point of view and not the world’s. Our values change from that which is cultural to that which is heavenly. You no longer seek to “be you,” but rather you seek to be like Jesus. You shift your perspective from a lifestyle that leads to death to a lifestyle that leads to eternal life.
I recently had the opportunity to put this Scripture into action at a very personal level. I had been anticipating that I would be receiving a promotion at the beginning of this month, as several of the leaders had positioned me to believe it was coming. Ultimately, I was overlooked and told that it would be re-considered in the fall. My initial reaction was hurt, anger, and frustration. I wanted to be able to get “more,” just like the world tells me to do.
God must have something else in mind for me right now, but the human part of me is still hurt. God didn’t say that the journey would be easy; He said that the reward would come at the end. God has richly blessed me already, and if I focus on Him, this job stuff is all secondary. Culture still is tugging at me to be angry, but I’m letting God have that battle. I am called to continue to love God and love people until the very end, setting my mind on Him at all times.
Application:
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As you have some quiet time today, ask God if there is anything that is distracting you from setting your mind on God.
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Can you think of a time that you’ve been caught up in the world’s view of “just doing you” and striving to meet what culture wants us to be? How did leaving God out of the equation work for you in the end?
Prayer:
God, there are so many people, things, and priorities that try to take my attention off You in this world. Today, I’m asking that You help me remember that my primary focus is to become like Jesus. Help me to set my eyes on the ultimate prize of heaven, where nothing of this world matters. Give me eyes to see when I’m getting off track, and help me adjust my focus. Remind me that because of You, I can overcome this world. Thank You for loving me and being my Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
John 16: 7–15 (ESV)
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Explanation:
Driving on the road when it is foggy can be a tricky task. The lack of visibility can make it challenging to gauge conditions on the road, and there is always the potential that you could misjudge all sorts of things when driving under foggy conditions. One of my vehicles is equipped with fog lights, which assist with making the road a bit more visible. I make sure to use this feature every time fog is present.
From my experience, when I choose to live my life without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I find that my view can get a bit muddled, just like when I drive on a foggy day. Often things like my perspective on God and others, the way I view sin and its impact on my life, and the gravity of my insecurities are all engulfed in a fog that limits my ability to see them as the Holy Spirit would want me to.
Just as I must engage the fog lights on my car, I must engage with the Holy Spirit for all these things to be properly seen. These are just a few examples of how the truth of the Spirit works in and through our lives. Our own flesh, satan, and other factors can fog up our minds and hearts. The Holy Spirit, our Helper, wants to point us to truth. To point us back to what Jesus spoke of. To convict us of the death that sin can bring to our lives. To show us what new life we are offered in His daily mercies. To teach us the true ways of God that are outside of our own ability. To give us perspective on the temporal life we live: that our hope is not in what this world offers, but in the eternal life we will one day share with God. To give us a heart of worship for a God who is worthy of our praise.
Friends, if you are experiencing what seems like fog in the midst of life, don’t waste another second remaining in that place. Invite the Holy Spirit into your heart and mind. He delights in being your Helper. Let Him do just that.
Application:
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What might “fogginess” look like in your life?
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What things feel a bit foggy to you right now?
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Why must we seek the Spirit of truth and not our own truths?
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Why does the Holy Spirit want to be YOUR Helper?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I DESPERATELY need You. Help me see my desperation right now in this moment. I do not want to waste another second living without Your help. Life can get pretty foggy at times, and I know that You have given me Your Spirit to guide me into all truth. Speak to me today, Holy Spirit. Teach me the ways of God, and lead me in the way that is everlasting. I love You, Holy Spirit. Amen.
John 14:25-26 (NLT)
I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
John 15:26-27 (NLT)
“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.
Explanation:
When my boys were growing up, I watched a movie with them called “The Bear.” It chronicles an orphaned baby bear that was essentially adopted by a male Kodiak bear. In one powerful scene, a predator starts approaching the baby bear. The baby is terrified, but instinctively mimics what he’s seen other bears do in similar situations. He stands up on his little hind legs and growls his biggest growl! To his astonishment, the growl is so loud and fierce the ground shakes and the predator runs away terrified. He even shocks himself. What baby bear never found out is that his adopted dad was right behind him, and at the precise time the baby stood and growled, so did dad.
His dad gave him power and authority in a situation that was way over his ability to conquer.
Baby bear saunters on with a newfound confidence because his dad had advocated for him.
Advocacy is any action that speaks in favor of, argues for, supports, defends, or pleads on behalf of others. If someone defends you, it feels so good.
ADVOCACY: ✔️Someone is weak and is in need. ✔️Someone is strong and will help.
In the spiritual realm, satan is our predator and the Holy Spirit is our defender.
In our reading today, Jesus was referencing the New Testament (that had not been written yet) as He talked to the disciples about what the Holy Spirit was going to do for them: He shall bring all things to your remembrance, and He shall teach you all things.
The Holy Spirit not only interpreted to the disciples the things that Jesus had said (which at the time were very much over their heads), but He revealed to them new aspects of truth, much of which was found only in germ form in Jesus’ teachings.
THAT is a lot of advocating by leading us into all truth… past, present, and future. He reminds us of what we’ve learned and forgotten AND He continues to teach us new life skills… always walking right behind us to empower us.
It is clear the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit know how to tag team. The Father made plans for our redemption, Jesus paid the price for it, and the Holy Spirit will advocate for us in every situation for the rest of our lives.
Is that not the most encouraging reality? Such security!
Application:
- The Holy Spirit will teach you all things, and will remind you of all things. Will you listen? Will you live in His power?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I have been set up for success beyond measure by Your involvement in my life. May I not squander the power You provide. I love You. Amen.
Luke 4:14-21 (ESV)
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Explanation:
This passage marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Having just completed a 40 day fast that would have sent the rest of us packing, Jesus immediately declares the reason He came to earth in the flesh. He didn’t take a vacation to get recharged or to catch up on worldly demands—He was on a mission from God, and that was His priority. We let a million things get in the way of sharing our faith, while Jesus set aside every distraction to show us the way to eternal life.
“…To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Quoting the first sentence of Isaiah 61:2, Jesus is saying that salvation is available to all who believe in Him. Salvation was His mission on His first coming. But He stopped short of quoting the second sentence of that verse which says, “and the day of vengeance of our God,” because judgment will be His mission on His second coming.
Do you see why Jesus wasted no time proclaiming the Good News of salvation? In between the first and second sentences of Isaiah 61:2 is this thing we call today, and no one knows how many todays anyone has, nor do we know when Christ’s second coming will end all todays. That’s why the Bible says today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). If I love my neighbor as I love myself, how could I not share the gospel with the same urgency Jesus modeled for this world?
Application:
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Name two people in your life who need to know how much Jesus loves them.
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Tell them about His love today.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for making the way for me to have eternal life. Reveal to me those who need Your salvation, and give me the right words to tell them about Your love. Amen.
Daniel 7:13-14 (NLT)
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Explanation:
In this vision that Daniel has, God is promising that His kingdom will never be destroyed, no matter how insignificant the church can seem in our culture today. Jesus was given the authority, glory, and sovereign power, and He deserves our worship. What a promise: that our God’s kingdom, reign, and power will NEVER pass away! It is eternal, and it can be trusted always, no matter our circumstances. I don’t know about you guys, but that gets me fired up!
God is more powerful than anything we face. I must remind myself of this truth daily, that God is more powerful than anything I face. He is more powerful than my fear, my anxiety, my heartache, my insecurity, my (you fill in the blank). He is greater than all of it, and wants to walk alongside you. All we must do for the Holy Spirit’s help is to seek Him and ask for it. In Matthew 7:7-11 it is written, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
I have been trying in my own life to spend more time seeking God. God has been challenging me to make more time for Him. More time for Him to speak to me, more time for Him to give me the opportunity to prophesy into others’ lives, more time to be filled up with the Spirit so that I can fill others up. It is challenging to say no to some things to make more time for God, but when we trust Jesus and we are obedient, He always blesses obedience.
Application:
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Is it difficult sometimes to think that God is more powerful than anything you face? If so, why do you think that is?
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Write down some things you are facing that feel overwhelming. Spend some time today praying and asking God to remind you of His power over those circumstances. Then go ahead and rip those papers up to symbolize the power of God over each of those things!
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I challenge you to join me in being intentional this week to carve out time to seek God. This can be spending time in prayer, sitting in His presence asking Him to speak to you, finding time to worship, or dedicating time to reading His Word.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for wanting to be in a relationship with us. Thank You for loving us the way You do. Remind us today of Your love and Your power. I pray that we would feel Your love in a real way today, and that You would help us make time to seek You this week. We give You all the glory. Amen.
Isaiah 53:1-6 (ESV)
Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Explanation:
This passage is a prophecy pointing to the coming Messiah, who we now know to be Jesus. The people during this time were waiting for their Savior to come and rescue them. But I imagine the words Isaiah spoke and the imagery he gave were not what they were hoping for or expecting. They were looking for a mighty warrior, big in stature, ready to come in to fight and save the day. Yet we know that Jesus was completely different. He was not a “mighty warrior”, but instead a meek and humble King. He was full of compassion, love, grace, and kindness. He came to seek out the broken, to save the lost, and redeem people. He spoke truth always with love. He didn’t fight in the physical, but instead took our sins, shame, and punishment. He fought and won for us in the spiritual, which was exactly what we all needed. His punishment brought us peace and healing. He was not the Messiah they were looking for: He was so much better.
We get the best-case scenario for living in the time that we do. We can read the stories of the way God the Father was faithful in the Old Testament. How He always did what was necessary to bring His people back to Him. We see how His hand was moving and working. We have the ability to learn more about who Jesus was. We get to read the accounts of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection. We are able to look to Him as our example.
And God could have stopped there, but He didn’t. We have access to the power of the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit leads, guides, and directs us. Our goal is becoming more like Jesus, and we have the Holy Spirit to help us accomplish that.
Application:
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Why do you think the Holy Spirit is always pointing us back to Jesus?
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In what ways do you want/need to become more like Jesus?
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Take time every day this week to seek and ask the Holy Spirit to empower you in those areas. Journal the ways in which you see the Holy Spirit helping you.
Prayer:
God, I am so thankful that we live in a time where we have the example of Jesus in our lives. It is our greatest desire to be more and more like Him every day. We know this is only possible with the power of the Holy Spirit moving and working in our lives. Help us to seek You and to be open to allowing the Spirit to change us. May we continue to look to You to lead, guide, and direct every step of our lives. Thank you so much for gifting us with Your Spirit. Amen.
Luke 11:5-13 (NLT)
Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.
“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
Explanation:
God always answers prayer.
~Always~
✔️ Yes ✔️ No ✔️ Wait
Some things we pray about are answered in an hour.
Other answers to prayer require a process, because the answer depends on something so deep, it will transform us.
When Luke admonishes us to pray an importunity prayer that requires asking, seeking, and knocking, we can bet it’s for something bigger than a good parking spot.
As a teen, I was keenly aware there was a family trait I longed not to have. In my adult years, I realized it takes more than “just a want” to change a pattern. I needed something outside of myself to alter what had essentially been placed in my emotional DNA in my formative years. I began to pray. I asked the Lord to help me not be “that.” As I journeyed on in my young adult years, I continued to ask, and then I started seeking. I scoured the Bible, committed verses to memory, read topical books, listened to teaching, took notes, and studied the lives of people who seemed to model my hopes. Over the many years of my life, the process of asking and seeking became knocking.
I became more persistent in my desire to overcome. There is something good about desperation, because it will motivate you to lean into the pain. God led me to skilled counselors, wise friends, and many other layers of healthy influence.
Just like an onion, with the Holy Spirit’s help, I peeled the layers…repeating the asking, seeking, and knocking sequence at every setback. It has taken effort and surrender to break that bend, but with God’s help, the process worked. I’m confident I was the generation to change that for my sons, but it’s a testimony instead of a statistic only because of God leading me through those developing steps. Yes, He could have zapped it right out of me on the first ask, but I am forever grateful the Holy Spirit led me into truth the rich way.
Along the journey of fighting “that,” I learned so much about God’s power in all the little dark corners of my broken heart. His loving excavation process drew me close to Him.
I am forever changed by His precious leading.
In the asking, I absorbed His viewpoint. In the seeking, He taught me new skills. In the knocking, I gained power!
He is so faithful.
Application:
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It is not uncommon for someone to make a joyful announcement, followed by, “God answered my prayer!” What could be flawed in that understanding?
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Unlearning patterns is a miracle that requires the power of God. Have you ever asked the Holy Spirit to help you unlearn something? He will.
Prayer:
Remind us Lord…
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Teach me, Lord, to wait. Amen.
Romans 15:18-19 (NLT)
Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them. They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.
Explanation:
“Know your place.” Oftentimes when we hear this phrase, it carries a negative warning to someone not to step outside the role they have been given. Here, Paul is explaining to the new Christians in Rome how perfectly he knows his place. He takes credit only for being the messenger while God has supernaturally been preparing their hearts. His Spirit uniquely readies each of us to receive the life-saving message of Jesus at the perfect time and place. Paul acknowledges that God’s Spirit does everything for him, by allowing him to speak boldly with protection and persuasion, but also by opening the hearts of the people to receive his message. Paul admits only to pointing the Gentiles in the right direction, which allowed him to bring the message of Jesus all the way to northwestern Greece, where Jesus wasn’t known or worshipped. This happened because Paul was willing.
So what is our role, our “place”? If you haven’t heard or been open to the Good News of Jesus, your role is just that: begin by opening your ears and your heart to the people God has placed in your life to bring you His message. Be willing to listen, and the Holy Spirit will begin His work in you, even if you still have doubts or questions. His power is limitless, and your life or situation is no exception!
For those of us who have heard and believed that Jesus is the One True Way, our job is to be ready for the work He wants to do through us. If, like Paul, we acknowledge that we are vessels for His Spirit, we can enjoy a life of blessing as time and time again, He uses us in ways and with people we could never have imagined in our own strength. Our lives should be so filled with Christ that they create a thirst in others for the Gospel!
Every time we seek God, He promises to equip us with everything we need to do the work He has called us to do in His Name. Secondly, He is orchestrating things in our life to coincide perfectly with what He is doing outside our lives. He is a Good Father who loves His children independently AND together, and the next best news to Jesus is that God’s Spirit can use unholy people like us to do His holy work on earth!
Application:
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What work is God’s Spirit preparing you for? Maybe it is something entirely new, or maybe it is the next step in an otherwise very long journey. Whatever it is, let Paul’s words give you hope and courage to step out in faith today!
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Ask His Spirit to move in you, overpowering every instinct, every emotion you may have to the contrary. Our tendency is to make it all about us and our weaknesses, BUT His word tells us that His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). So ask Him specifically to fully use your weaknesses to bring about His desired result in you and others.
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Seek God for who He wants you to pray for this week, then sit back and watch what happens when you do. Go where His Spirit leads, but be in awe of how He does all the heavy lifting. Be a person who wants to be used by God, and see His miracles unfold before you!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, how amazing to think that You don’t need us, but you still use us every day. What an honor it is to share You with others. Help us be bold and courageous to do so this week; You promise to equip us fully for every good work, so let us rest in this truth. Thank You for loving us so. In Your Son’s Precious Name. Amen.
Acts 4:23-31 (NIV)
On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one. Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Explanation:
Most Biblical scholars believe the book of Acts was written by Luke to dispel prejudice against Christianity and help pave the way for Christians to spread the gospel. If you are reading this, the gospel is being brought to you through the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s the greatest message ever told.
Peter and John had just been called out by the Sadducees for healing a lame beggar in Jesus’ name. They were threatened to no longer speak in His name. The church had just been banned! The men responded by asking the Sadducees if they should obey them, or God? Bravely, they stated they choose to obey God. The men were let go with a warning to take back to their Christian community. Imagine what it must have been like for Peter and John to confront the same religious leaders who had just crucified Jesus. They must have been terrified, thinking, “This is it. This is the day we die.” When they returned to other church members in Jerusalem, they told them of what had occurred. This generated an impromptu prayer meeting.
What exactly did they pray, though? They must have prayed for God to blind the enemy or to keep them protected when they spoke of Jesus, right? No. In their holy huddle, they asked God for boldness when preaching the word. They were afraid they would no longer be able to tell of the miracles and love of Jesus. They were not concerned about self-preservation. They asked the Holy Spirit to fill them with courage to keep on preaching. They reminded themselves of who God is: sovereign, powerful, and in control.
Many people neglect to proclaim the gospel through their daily lives. Though they are Christians, their commitment doesn’t translate. We live in a country where Christianity is under attack, but we aren’t persecuted like the apostles. We certainly have opportunities to share the Good News, and our behavior should reflect this. The apostles didn’t change their plan when they encountered opposition. They prayed for strength. Each time we pray, we have His ear. There is comfort in prayer because it’s not a one-way relationship. We all need boldness from the Holy Spirit. When was the last time you prayed specifically for strength, courage, and boldness when sharing the gospel?
Application:
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Pray daily for boldness and courage to share God’s Word.
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Practice sharing God’s Word with others. This world is upside down. Many people are scared and need to hear about the hope God offers them!
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Invite people to Easter services at The Tree Church. Invitation cards are located at Connection Central.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your sovereignty. Remind us that You are in control of the details. We are Your servants, Lord. Use us and give us courage and boldness when we talk about You, so others may be saved. Amen.
For Further Study: Psalm 2:25 and Acts 4.
1 Kings 18:41-46 (NLT)
Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!”
So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.
Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.”
“The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.”
Seven times Elijah told him to go and look. Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.”
Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’”
And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel. Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.
Explanation:
How’d we get here? Back in 1 Kings 18:1, God told Elijah to go meet Ahab because God is going to send rain to their land. We join them in this passage with Elijah telling Ahab that he needs to get something to eat before the rains come. Elijah prayed anyway, knowing that it was God’s will to send rain, but Elijah didn’t know the timing of its arrival—so he prayed for God to do what God had already promised.
Imagine being the servant who gets sent seven times to look for rain out on the horizon, but seeing nothing until the seventh time. He had to be exhausted. The seventh time, though, the servant saw the rain cloud coming. Elijah knew if he didn’t warn Ahab to leave, Ahab would be trapped in floodwaters. What happened next was the supernatural physical strength given to Elijah. He led the way for Ahab, who was in a chariot with a team of horses, and ran ahead of the chariot all the way to Jezreel. You may be thinking, “so what, Elijah ran ahead of him, why is this a big deal?”
First, let’s remember that he ran ahead of a team of horses. Depending on the breed, horses can run between 27 and 50 mph. Then there’s the human factor; Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest runner, ran 100 meters at a pace of 27 mph in a race in 2009. Elijah not only ran at least that fast, he did it from Mt. Carmel to Jezreel, a distance of a little over 30 miles. Let’s level-set for just a moment if you don’t see where this is going. No human, in their own physical being, has ever been known to sustain a pace that is faster than a team of horses for over 30 miles. The only explanation is that God placed His hand on Elijah and allowed him to become superhuman that day in order to protect Ahab.
This story causes me to pause and reflect. How many times have I prayed for God to do His will, but then I stop expecting God to really do His will? I allow my expectations to be constrained by the things of the physical, forgetting that God still does things that are much more than I can see. He works in the realm of the spiritual on a higher level than my brain can comprehend, and I find myself surprised when He acts in a way that only He can to make things happen. If I ask God to “go before” me, I have to understand that He is working in more than the physical. He is the Lord our God, the One who is able.
Application:
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God gave Elijah great abilities in this passage, and Ahab was witness. Why do you think Ahab didn’t just ask Elijah to “hop in” his chariot and ride with him?
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When you pray and ask God to make a way, and He reveals to you that He has a plan, do you stop praying for that plan to come to fruition? Or do you continue to pray like Elijah did, knowing that it is going to happen (because God told him so).
Prayer:
God, I come to You today asking for Your hand to go before me in all that I do. I pray that as You reveal things to me, I continue to pray until they’ve come to pass, knowing that You want me to keep praying and believing in the truth that You’ve revealed. Help me to understand that even when I can’t feel or see You at work, You are constantly working. You are weaving a path and a plan for me and my life that only You can do. I ask You, if I’m ever in a situation where I need something more than I can accomplish in my physical being, that You work through Your Holy Spirit to do Your will. Thank You for being the God of my life. I praise You and thank You for all You’ve done and are continuing to do. Amen.
1 Samuel 16:10-13 (NASB)
So Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the boys?” And he said, “The youngest is still left, but behold, he is tending the sheep.” So Samuel said to Jesse, “Send word and bring him; for we will not take our places at the table until he comes here.”
So he sent word and brought him in. Now he was reddish, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel set out and went to Ramah.
Explanation:
Samuel is on a quest to find the next king of Israel, replacing King Saul. God has chosen David to be that replacement.
In today’s reading, we learn three things about David. He was chosen by God, chosen to be the next king of Israel. He was anointed (which means set apart) by God to fill that position. Lastly, the Holy Spirit came upon him so that he had the power to carry out God’s plan for him as king.
This passage also gives us a picture of how God carries out all His plans here on Earth today. The Bible tells us that God’s plans cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2). God makes plans and then chooses who He wants to use to make those plans happen. God then anoints, or sets apart, a person’s life to have the capacity and skill, and to be at the right place at the right time, to carry them out. Finally, God gives His Holy Spirit to lead and empower those people to do what He wants done.
We shouldn’t live in fear of what God’s plans are for us. He has specifically chosen us for those plans. We cannot fail because they are God’s plans, and anything He plans will come to fruition. We shouldn’t feel uncertain because of a lack of something in us, because God has set us apart, designated us, given us life experiences, and designed and shaped us to be able do the tasks He has chosen us to do. We shouldn’t feel anxious because God has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us to do these very tasks, to carry out these very plans. We cannot fail because God’s plans cannot fail. He is involved every step along the way, and it will happen as He designed it to happen.
Application:
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Look back over your life. Think of the education you received or the relationships you've had or even the jobs you've worked at. What were some of the challenges you've overcome? What were some of the difficult circumstances you went through?
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God uses everything from your past as building blocks to make you qualified to do the job He has chosen for you. How does understanding this truth help you to take advantage of the opportunities God places before you?
Prayer:
God, as we strive to learn Your plans for us, help us to approach them with the confidence that they are Your plans, and nothing can thwart them.
1 Samuel 10:9-11 (ESV)
When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day. When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them. And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
Explanation:
In 1 Samuel 10, the prophet Samuel was declaring to Saul God’s calling on his life to rule over Israel. This was not something Saul had a desire for, or an interest in. Samuel anointed Saul and told him of the things to come so that Saul would believe in God’s calling. When Saul went to leave, the scripture says “God gave him another heart.” God changed Saul’s heart to be prepared for the role he was placed in, and allowed him to be made new in God’s plan. When Saul met with the prophets, the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied just as Samuel had said. When the people saw Saul prophecy, they saw the difference in him. The people saw the fruit from God giving Saul a new heart.
When we allow and ask for God to give us a new heart and to pour out His spirit, He does. When God calls us to places or roles where we feel inadequate, He provides and gives us everything we need. Seeing the transformation within Saul from the moment he wasn’t even thinking about ruling to the when we see him becoming the first king of Israel, we can be reminded of the power of God to fulfill His promises and to provide for His people. When God gives us a new heart, the fruit of our actions will proclaim His blessings.
Application:
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Where is God calling you right now?
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Why is it important to ask God for His presence, and to ask Him to change our hearts?
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How can you ask God to lead you and guide you in the areas He is calling you?
Prayer:
God, thank You for being a God who is with us and who promises to pour out Your Spirit. Thank You for being a God who calls us to further Your kingdom, but also loves us enough to provide us with the tools to do things well. Lord, give us a new heart to live out Your ministry here on earth. Give us a new heart to obey where You are calling us, and allow us to trust that You will help us. Lord, we love You and we thank You for the blessing of serving Your Kingdom. Amen.
Numbers 11:21-29 (The Message)
Moses said, “I’m standing here surrounded by 600,000 men on foot and you say, ‘I’ll give them meat, meat every day for a month.’ So where’s it coming from? Even if all the flocks and herds were butchered, would that be enough? Even if all the fish in the sea were caught, would that be enough?” God answered Moses, “So, do you think I can’t take care of you? You’ll see soon enough whether what I say happens for you or not.”
So Moses went out and told the people what God had said. He called together seventy of the leaders and had them stand around the Tent. God came down in a cloud and spoke to Moses and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy leaders. When the Spirit rested on them they prophesied. But they didn’t continue; it was a onetime event.
Meanwhile two men, Eldad and Medad, had stayed in the camp. They were listed as leaders but they didn’t leave camp to go to the Tent. Still, the Spirit also rested on them and they prophesied in the camp.
A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!” Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ right-hand man since his youth, said, “Moses, master! Stop them!” But Moses said, “Are you jealous for me? Would that all God’s people were prophets. Would that God would put his Spirit on all of them.”
Explanation:
There are so many things in life that we need to qualify for to receive: promotions, awards, achievements, mortgages, teams. While that concept isn’t always bad, it has taught us to operate on a performance basis in life. My favorite line from the verses above is when Moses says, “Would that all God’s people were prophets. Would that God would put his Spirit on all of them.” Joshua was concerned that the two leaders Eldad and Medad who were prophesying in the camp would take away from Moses’ status or leadership. Moses opposes that thought and tells them that his desire is for ALL to receive the Spirit of God and for ALL to prophesy. He’s not limiting the gift of the Holy Spirit to just himself or a select few. He wants ALL to receive this gift. We should want the same.
The gift of the Holy Spirit isn’t limited to the most popular, the person with the most money, the one who has achieved the most in life, the most successful, the strongest, the most talented, the person who has it all together, or the person with the ideal marriage or family…. He is available to ALL. We should all desire the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life, and the gifts that come from Him. The gifts include but aren’t limited to the ability to prophesy (encourage and lift up), speak in tongues (a personal prayer language used for edification), wisdom, discernment, comfort, and peace. Don’t those sound like tools you would want to have in your life? I hope so, because the Holy Spirit within us is life changing!
If you haven’t already, I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to come into your life. Ask Him to dwell within you and to give you the gifts that He offers. Be open to receiving His gifts. It might seem scary at first, but once you receive the Holy Spirit, you will never want to do life without Him!
Application:
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Have you ever felt that you had to qualify yourself before approaching God?
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Have you asked the Holy Spirit to fill you? If not, what is holding you back?
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From the list above, what do you feel that you need most from the Holy Spirit right now?
Prayer:
God, THANK YOU for Your Holy Spirit! What a gift You are to our lives. Help us to receive this gift, and to not feel the need to “achieve” something before asking. Thank You that it is Jesus who has qualified us, and that we have access to You. May all who read this prayer be open to receiving the Holy Spirit within them. We love You, Lord! Amen.
Galatians 5:16-23 (ESV)
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Explanation:
I’ve read and applied this passage wrong for years. I’ve tried growing my love and continuously producing joy for others. I’ve attempted to have peace, holding it like a Band-Aid on top of my gaping frustration when life didn’t go as I pictured it. I’ve undertaken to grow my patience and ended up with a teeth-clenched, foot-tapping, white-knuckled version of waiting on God to move at my prescribed speed limit. I’ve even hand-cut a construction paper tree with “The Fruits of the Spirit” on our kitchen wall, and made my children focus on growing their fruits better!
The problem is, my own fruit never stuck around long. I would make some gains in the peace department before I turned around and lost my temper again. I would feel proud of loving my family well that morning only to find myself instigating a spirited disagreement with my husband that evening. What was I doing wrong? I must not be TRYING hard enough. And on and on this cycle would go, producing fruit as flimsy as the construction paper I’d written it down on.
Does this sound at all familiar to you? Have you been trying to grow some fruit for God, too, only to find that it didn’t withstand the stressors of everyday life for very long? Well, the good news is the answer was right in front of us all along… it’s the fruit of THE SPIRIT! The Bible never said WE would start magically producing our own fruit, if people would just leave us alone long enough. It’s fruit that ONLY the Spirit of God can produce!
Moment-to-moment dependence on Him and accessing His life-giving Spirit is the only thing that will allow HIS fruit to flourish in the soil of OUR hearts. It’s a small switch of perspective and understanding, but it produces a huge change! It’s the difference between our own flimsy achievements and His powerful anointing, between us striving versus us accessing. Only if we allow His Spirit to course His life through us can we have hope of bearing any real and lasting fruit. And the beauty of it is that the fruit remains HIS! We don’t have to create what we think looks like peace and joy. If we “follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25), He promises that we will see the results of HIS FRUIT: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”!
Application:
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Do you have a living, vital, heart-to-heart, growing relationship with the Holy Spirit?
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How can you allow yourself to be better led by the Spirit throughout your day and “in every part” of your life?
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John 15:5b (AMP) says “…The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me… [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.” What area in your life needs a more vital union with Him? Make it a point this week, whenever this area comes up, to pray to the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in that moment, and watch for the results!
Prayer:
God, I can’t do any of this life on my own. I need You, Holy Spirit, to breathe life into the soil of my heart. I want to produce good fruit! Help me to listen and be led by You throughout my day, in every part of it. Help me to produce Your fruit, and to see the results of You in my life! Amen.
Acts 16:6-10 (NLT)
Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas.
That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.
Explanation:
For the Christ follower, few things are more disappointing than watching God close a door that looked so promising. When our hopes are dashed, we can get discouraged quickly, in spite of receiving the requisite encouragement from others that when God closes one door, He always…well, you know the rest.
If you are certain God closed a door in your life, you can assume a couple things up front—you’re seeking God’s best for your life (or you wouldn’t be praying for His guidance), and you obeyed the last thing He told you (or you wouldn’t be hearing Him clearly right now). So, take heart in the well-intentioned advice of your fellow believers. If Paul and Silas had not listened to the Holy Spirit, the groundwork for the church in Philippi would not have been laid at that time, nor would the Philippian jailer and his household have been saved. If you are truly following Jesus, He may thwart your plans in a heartbeat for the sake of one lost soul. Are you good with that?
Wait patiently for God and keep obeying what the Holy Spirit says. As surely as Paul met up with Luke in Troas (Acts 16:10), God will provide the help you need to accomplish what lies ahead on the other side of your open door!
Application:
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Are you currently in the middle of a closed-door experience?
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What’s the connection between obeying the last thing God spoke to you and being able to hear Him clearly right now?
Prayer:
Lord God, I want only what You want for my life. Close whatever doors need closed for You to accomplish Your plans, and give me the grace I need to trust You every step of the way. Amen.
Hebrews 4:12-13 (ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Explanation:
The original Greek word translated here as “living” means to have life or to be alive. Our God is a living God. Jesus did not remain dead in that tomb! Jesus is alive right now, sitting at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for you and me. So also the word of God is living and active right now. The Bible is as relevant to us today as it was in the past and will be in the future.
The term “active” means effective, powerful, producing or capable of producing an intended result. The word of God is vibrant, dynamic, energizing, and productive. It is not static or idle in the lives of individual genuine believers. The apostle Paul explained that the word of God is “at work in you who believe” (I Thessalonians 2:13).
In Matthew 13:1-23, Jesus compared God's word to seed. Seed, like God’s word, is a living organism. When seeds are planted in fertile soil and cared for properly, they produce abundant life. All true believers must let God's message take deep root and have complete control of their lives.
When I was in summer Bible school as a child, I remember reciting a pledge to the Bible. It went something like this: I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's Holy Word. It is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Its words will I hide in my heart that I may not sin against God (Psalm 119:105-112). What we read in God's word is living and active. It is not something we should read passively, and then forget about what it says. We must let God's message do its work deep inside of us as it changes our character and behavior, and spreads a message of God's love to all the world.
Application:
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Do you pay close attention to ALL the living and active instructions written in God's word? If you don't do this, then you may be trying to avoid changing what it wrong in your life.
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God wants to help you change so you will be living your life in a way that will be pleasing to Him.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to pay close attention to what Your word, an active and living document, is saying to me. Show me where I need to change what I am doing. I do not want to sin against You, God. I want my life to reflect Your love to others. I thank You in advance for what You are going to do in me and through me. Amen.
1 Corinthians 2:6-13 (The Message)
We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground, but it’s not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. God’s wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don’t find it lying around on the surface. It’s not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene. The experts of our day haven’t a clue about what this eternal plan is. If they had, they wouldn’t have killed the Master of the God-designed life on a cross. That’s why we have this Scripture text:
No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it— What God has arranged for those who love him.
But you’ve seen and heard it because God by his Spirit has brought it all out into the open before you.
The Spirit, not content to flit around on the surface, dives into the depths of God, and brings out what God planned all along. Who ever knows what you’re thinking and planning except you? The same with God—except that he not only knows what he’s thinking, but he lets us in on it. God offers a full report on the gifts of life and salvation that he is giving us. We don’t have to rely on the world’s guesses and opinions. We didn’t learn this by reading books or going to school; we learned it from God, who taught us person-to-person through Jesus, and we’re passing it on to you in the same firsthand, personal way.
Explanation:
Longing for God’s purposes is the secret to life. It will spur your growth, and keep you close to God’s heart.
It will also keep you fresh. To be an attractional Christian…you must stay fresh.
Stale isn’t a good thing. Embarrassingly enough, I found that even pop expires, when I offered one to a guest. Stale in the food realm means the basic elements are still there, but the crunch is wimpy or the taste is off. Something the food needed went missing. and it could not be the spice, chip or cracker it once was. On a rudimentary level, our spiritual life is the same.
When we begin to live on last year's Bible study or last month's prayer, we are technically saved and chronically musty. You know that “old” stench. Instead of a sweet aroma of “having been with Jesus,” we stand smelly in dutiful religion. We’ve all sniffed a few in our time, and others have gotten a whiff of our apathy.
Paul says:
No one’s ever seen, or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—
What God has arranged for those who love him…
He is pinpointing:
✔️ Because the eye is immobilized ✔️ Because the ear is incapacitated
The heart is unenlightened.
Paul has a passion for people to live in all God has planned for them. He wants us to comprehend the incompleteness of our viewpoint, and why we need the Holy Spirit's help.
Some will settle for the basic salvation plan like a millionaire who settles for the cheapest cruise cabin in the hull of the ship. Others want everything God offers which would be like an Ocean View Balcony Suite with 4,443 square feet, a private chef, pool, sauna, and dining room. At $11,000 a night, you can bet the customer in that suite is having a completely different cruise experience than the one in the hull, even though they are on the same trip.
We can see God's divine fingerprints everywhere in creation, but we can never know His mind, His heart, and His will without the Holy Spirit.
“The Spirit, not content to flit around on the surface, dives into the depths of God, and brings out what God planned all along.”
The Holy Spirit wants to amaze you. He wants to astound you with God’s goodness.
Application:
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As humans, we over complicate things. Paul simplified it for us. What is the one thing God looks for when He prepares great things for His children? ¬¬¬¬
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Poor God. Why is it so hard for His children to take what He offers?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, pull me out of the dregs of life. Heal my ears and eyes, and refurbish my heart with all You have planned for me. Amen.
Deuteronomy 1:23-33 (NLT)
“This seemed like a good idea to me, so I chose twelve scouts, one from each of your tribes. They headed for the hill country and came to the valley of Eshcol and explored it. They picked some of its fruit and brought it back to us. And they reported, ‘The land the LORD our God has given us is indeed a good land.’
“But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God and refused to go in. You complained in your tents and said, ‘The LORD must hate us. That’s why he has brought us here from Egypt—to hand us over to the Amorites to be slaughtered. Where can we go? Our brothers have demoralized us with their report. They tell us, “The people of the land are taller and more powerful than we are, and their towns are large, with walls rising high into the sky! We even saw giants there—the descendants of Anak!”’
“But I said to you, ‘Don’t be shocked or afraid of them! The LORD your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt. And you saw how the LORD your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place.’
“But even after all he did, you refused to trust the LORD your God, who goes before you looking for the best places to camp, guiding you with a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day.
Explanation:
God opened the door last November for my husband and me to relocate to the Hilton Head, South Carolina area. We had been praying for two years that He would help us get closer to where my parents live (now ONLY about 2 hours north of us), and plant us in a community where we can serve Him and be a light to others. This passage reminds me so much of our own journey and how we reacted when God said “GO!”
During the two year “waiting period,” we witnessed God working through us in Lancaster. There was a definite reason why we were there. Just like the Scripture said, “the Lord your God cared for you all the way, just as a father cares for his child.” We thought we were ready two years ago, but God wasn’t. There was still work to be done. We had moments when we didn’t understand the giants we were facing, and why God was making us wait.
Once God said “GO!” things happened very quickly. We found a house, sold our house, and relocated in a period of about 45 days. It was an answer to our prayer, but a very scary one. We were going from a place of familiarity, where I could comfortably say I knew about 50% of the population, to a place where we knew no one. We leaned on God to lead us to a church where we could be fed spiritually, serve, and grow, while still engaging online with The Tree and Pastor Matthew’s teaching.
We were here exactly two weeks before I was asked to be part of the Greeter team, and Kyle was asked to be the leader of the Security and Parking teams. Three weeks later, the Associate Pastor and Outreach Director asked us to meet with them. The church is planning to plant at least four campuses by the end of 2025, and we have been asked to help them with the startup of the first one. The following week, I was asked to lead the development of the Social Media content for the Women’s Ministry. When God said “GO!” He said it loudly!
We’re doing lots of things we’ve never done before, and the giants sometimes seem overpowering to us. We lean on this passage often, being reminded that “The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you.” My God is the same God who went before the people as they traveled through the wilderness. He’s the same God who loves me and cares for me like my earthly father does. I choose to trust that He is leading the way, going before me, and already knows the things unknown to us.
Application:
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Do you have a journey that you can remember, where you fully relied on God to go before?
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When we go through uncertain times, our human nature can cause doubt to creep in. How do you remind yourself to let God lead the way?
Prayer:
God, You have given us so many blessings. It’s sometimes hard when we are in the wilderness to remember that we are called to fully trust in You. We need You to go before us and make the way, even when we aren’t in the wilderness. Help us to boldly step out of our comfort zones when you tell us to GO! Give us strength for the journey, and help us to see that there is no giant too big for You to overcome. Thank You for giving us a redemption plan that allows us to live eternally because of the sacrifice of Your Son. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Exodus 14:10-14 (ESV)
When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Explanation:
In this chapter in Exodus, Moses leads the people of Israel from Egypt on the path provided by God. Pharaoh and his army of men followed, which makes them question why they left Egypt. They were scared and in a vulnerable position in the wilderness. But God had led them to where He knew Pharaoh and his men would be defeated. The people of Israel lacked confidence to trust in God’s plan, and were frustrated they left Egypt. Moses reminds them that God never abandons us. He is our faithful protector! Even when we don’t ask for help, God is fighting our battles.
A few years ago, I went to a local metro park with a friend. We occasionally like to take long walks together in the spring or fall to enjoy the late afternoon sunshine and cool breezes. We set off on a trail that was relatively new to both of us. The path was wide and freshly groomed. There wasn’t a worry about the direction of the path or where it was leading us. We hadn’t seen each other in a while, so the conversations were long and plentiful. Suddenly, it seemed that sunset came in an instant. We hadn’t noticed the trail had become much narrower and unmarked. No cell phone, no GPS, no flashlight. We were afraid. We were lost in the wilderness.
Much like the Israelites, we felt alone in the world. If only we had stayed at the entrance of the trail, our fears would have been avoided. Yet, the path before us was so beautiful and full of life. This path was meant to be traveled. Before we realized the time, we met the end of the trail at a small pond. The path led us right where we needed to be to see the last of the sun’s rays kiss the water.
We had trusted the path to this point. Why, then, did we feel so afraid?
This is why we must remember God’s promise to never leave us stranded, alone, or forgotten. We may feel surrounded by fear, but we are actually surrounded by the loving arms of our Father.
Application:
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When was the time you felt most afraid? Did you pray about your fears? Did you feel abandoned by God?
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How do you see the Lord working in your life?
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Seek wisdom from God to provide a path from any battles you are fighting. He is fighting them, too!
Prayer:
Dear God, we pray to feel Your presence in our lives. At times, we lose sight of the direction You have provided and become lost. Help us to avoid a feeling of isolation, and provide us comfort in Your salvation. Surround us with Your loving arms as we embark on the path that leads to You. Amen.
Exodus 13:17-22 (ESV)
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.” And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.
Explanation:
Have you ever been so close to someone that you feel they know you better than you know yourself? There are some clear indictors in our reading today that tell us that God knew His people better than they knew themselves. He knew their capabilities, their hearts, and what would be best for them. After freeing them from slavery in Egypt, God starts the process of leading His people to their next destination in life. With a protective Fatherly approach, He strategically leads them from one place to the next. I am sure at times the places made complete sense in the Israelites’ minds, and there were also times when I am sure they were very confused. We see this later when they do finally reach the Red Sea, and it looks as if there is no place else to go, that God has led them to their doom. However, He does a miracle and continues to lead them on their journey.
Ok, let me ask you a tough question…one I truly want you to wrestle with. Do you think God knows you better than you know yourself? If your answer is yes, which I assume is the case, with God being our very Creator, how would that impact your level of trust with Him? Say you are single, and He is leading you out of a broken relationship, a relationship that does not help you grow in Christ. Do you follow His lead and step away from that relationship? Say you are a married man, with too many hobbies to count. You know that hobbies in themselves are not bad, but your hobbies just so happen to be pulling you away from home. Away from quality time with your wife and kiddos. What if God says to give up those hobbies? Do you follow His lead? I could provide so many more examples, but I do not doubt that the Holy Spirit can and will speak directly to your situation, revealing to you the ways that God is leading you. Will you trust His leading? Will you follow Him where He is calling you, even if it does not make sense?
Application:
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Describe a time that you have followed the leading of God. How did that experience go for you?
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What can hinder you from following the leading of God (Holy Spirit)?
3.What can create an insecurity in you that keeps you from following Him, trusting Him?
- What can help you overcome those insecurities, lack of trust, and the things that hinder you?
Prayer:
God, following You is no easy task for us. There are many things that wage war against our trust in You. We struggle to fully comprehend the destinations You are calling us to. We plead that You fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we can have a supernatural faith. One that says even when it does not seem clear, we love Your leading.
Exodus 33:12-16 (ESV)
Moses said to the LORD, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”
Explanation:
Moses knows that he’s been called to take his people to the Promised Land, but he also knows that there’s more to the journey than just getting there. Imagine that you have been chosen to lead a huge group of people to a place that you’ve never been before. You have no GPS, cell phone, maps, or technology to lead the way. The people are looking to you to get them there, and you’ve heard enough cries of “Are we there yet?” and “How much further?” to send you over the edge.
That’s where we find Moses. He is complaining to God that he’s trying to lead with incomplete information. Moses is asking God for more than just His provision. He wants God’s Presence. He boldly says to God, “If YOU aren’t going, WE aren’t going.” Without God along for the journey to their destination, the Promised Land meant nothing. God promised Moses that His presence, what we know as the Holy Spirit, was going to go beside them and give them rest.
Let’s reflect for a moment: how many times do we try to get to the destination, but forget to ask God to lead the way? We often turn to society for remedies when we get lost, forgetting that they offer nothing of value. Our only hope for the journey is to place our trust and faith in the Creator of the universe, and Master of the destination.
Application:
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If you were given everything you ever wanted except the presence of God, would you take the deal?
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How can you adjust your priorities to make sure that you place your journey in His hands instead of trying to take it on yourself?
Prayer:
Lord, I am so thankful and humbled that You have given us Your presence. I know that I have failed so many times when I am on a journey, forgetting that You are the only One that can help me get to the destination. Remind me that regardless of the battle, You are here. Remind me to look to You FIRST, and not after the struggle begins. Give me strength for the journey that lies ahead, knowing that You will give me Your provision and Your presence. Thank You for the many blessings that You’ve given me, and continue to use me to do Your work. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Acts 4:23-31 (ESV)
When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Explanation:
The Jesus followers were praying with boldness for God to protect them so they could continue the work of proclaiming and teaching the resurrection of Jesus. They had been warned that this went against the laws of the Sanhedrin and would face persecution. John and Peter trusted that praying for God to intercede in His own plan was the only way. Jesus had modeled this for them when He prayed before being arrested. He already knew what God’s will was but asked anyway. Why ask for something if you already know the plan He has? It prepares your heart to encounter the Holy Spirit in a specific and powerful way. Asking for God to prepare you for His will to be done is an act of submission. You are speaking into words that you are ready to do His work.
When we approach God to intercede in our lives on His behalf, the Holy Spirit honors that and will make Himself evident. We must ask and seek Him in our lives, praying boldly and confidently that God’s will be done in all the works He has brought you to do. It can be hard to ask for God to intercede in your situation if it is already hard, and you don’t know if it will get harder. John and Peter were fearing for their lives. They knew they would be persecuted if they continued to preach about Jesus. But this didn’t stop them from boldly praying, asking for God to allow them to continue the work of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit came, and not only were they able to continue, it says they were able to “speak the word of God with boldness” (verse 31).
The beautiful thing to remember is that we don’t have to pray an elaborate prayer. My husband and I had an encounter with the Holy Spirit that we hadn’t expected when we were walking through the traumatic experience of losing our daughter. We were being asked to do things that we had no clue about, and of course had never experienced that type of spiritual and emotional hurt before. We were sitting in our car outside the funeral home and were not emotionally prepared for what we knew had to happen. We had to walk in those doors, look at our child in a casket and receive people coming to pay their respects. We held hands, closed our eyes, and said, “Give us the strength to get through this day.” What happened next can only be explained as the Holy Spirit filling us. We stood for hours hugging family and friends. There were so many tears, but they were not our own. We found that we were actually comforting many instead of them comforting us. Many told us that there was something different about the room when they came in, and they couldn’t explain it. We knew it was the Holy Spirit, and told them it was God’s strength holding us up. The Holy Spirit filled us in a way to protect our hearts from the pain we were facing in that moment, and used that situation to introduce Himself to hundreds of people that came through those doors. This has become a marker in our lives that we can look back on and know that God will go with us for His glory.
APPLICATION:
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Have you experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit in any situation?
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If you haven’t, think about boldly praying for God to intercede whenever you are facing a tough situation. Submit your heart to Him. Volunteer to do His work that you might already know will be hard.
PRAYER:
God, thank You for sending Your son to die for our sins. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit as a helper to use us to accomplish Your will. I want to submit myself to You to do the work of Your kingdom. Fill me with Your Spirit. Amen!
Joel 2:28-29 (NLT)
“Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.
Explanation:
God is a God of intimate fellowship. His desire is to: ✔️ Be with us ✔️ In is ✔️ Upon us
He accomplishes this through the Holy Spirit.
Today's scripture was referenced by Peter in his sermon at Pentecost. It gives me goosebumps because Joel prophesied it and Peter experienced it. What is even more exciting? You can too.
Joel declares a transethnic, multigenerational, gender-inclusive, supernatural experience. Breaking all cultural exclusivity, gender bias, and age restriction, Joel’s prophecy points God’s people to the larger purpose the Holy Spirit has, of reaching the world around us through all who will be available to the work of His Spirit.
Not one left out demographic… Not one overlooked recipient… Not one exception… No racism. No sexism. No ageism.
It is so inclusive that the lowest segment of society within Joel’s knowledge is included: a servant.
The result of this will be the salvation of all those who will call upon the name of the Lord (Joel 2:32) as they witness God’s Spirit at work in His people.
What rain is to a drought, the Holy Spirit is to robotic Christianity.
When the Holy Spirit is poured out upon people, stale routine is replaced with vitality; shoulds are replaced with want; lethargy is replaced with power; and image is replaced with God's character inside our skin.
YOU are who God wants to pour His Spirit out on. He wants to drench you in potential!
His Spirit will guide you, release you, incentivize you, encourage you, grow you, and use you.
The Sunday Matthew preached the first sermon in the “He” series, I was late leaving the building after first service. When I came out of the building, I could hear the music of the second service starting as several people were still coming from their cars. The parking lot was filled out to the grass. I became very emotional at the sight of how many people had come. As I observed, I said, “Lord, people are hungry for You. They are craving You. We simply offer God; they come.”
What we have to offer Fairfield County is being people who have accepted the pouring out of God’s Spirit.
We must. Souls are at stake.
Our county is full of brokenness that only God can heal. We must accept His power and flow in His plan to reach Fairfield County with the message of salvation.
Application:
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If availability is all God asks …
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If you are longing to fall in love with Jesus all over again, ask for the Holy Spirit’s outpouring. First love can be found and maintained.
Prayer:
Jesus… You are the One who sent the Holy Spirit to be poured out upon me. I want everything the Holy Spirit offers me.
I accept Him as: My Helper My Teacher My Convictor My Wisdom My Power My Guide My Intercessor My Sanctifier
I accept. I say yes. Amen.
Exodus 19:16-19 (ESV)
On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.
Explanation:
I have never been on a blind date. Never felt the nervous anticipation of meeting someone I have only heard about through mutual friends. Never had that excitement of realizing they were all I had hoped for, or the disappointment of them being a real flop… or worse, being a flop to the other person! They say first impressions are everything for blind dates.
In today’s passage, we get a glimpse into Israel’s blind date with God. The Hebrew slaves had heard of the God of Abraham, and they had heard Moses talk of the God who wanted to rescue and free them. They had seen God work through Moses to bring about the plagues, but now the day had come that they were meeting the God who had rescued them. God came out to meet them in a demonstration of His power and glory, but it unnerved the people of Israel. Moses would go on to say that after this encounter, the people asked for God to only speak directly to Moses from then on. What a shame! The people missed that what was wrapped in all that smoke, cloud, fire, and thunder was God’s love, protection, provision, and His desire to be present with His people.
Which brings me to my point: God’s presence was not what the people expected, and they recoiled. The Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives can sometimes not be what we expect. His presence isn’t solely to give us good feelings and a peaceful existence. Sometimes He shows up in conviction. Sometimes He shows up in discipline. Sometimes He shows up and turns life on its head. Those can all be scary things. But let us not miss that in the midst of clouds of fear, the rumble of correction, and the lightning of discipline, the heart of it all is love and His desire to be with you.
Application:
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Have you interpreted a correction or challenge by God through a lens of fear and distrust?
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Take some time to imagine what God is bringing to you that you didn’t expect is wrapped in His love and meant to bring you into more life.
Prayer:
God, I am often overwhelmed at times by Your presence in my life. The things You do in me and are asking me to do are sometimes terrifying. As You challenge me, Holy Spirit, help me to trust that the things that are terrifying and overwhelming to me are within Your power and Your ability to handle. And most of all, help me to trust that wherever You lead, whatever You do in my life is always wrapped in love and for my good. Amen.
Exodus 14:21-31 (NRSV)
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.
Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.
Explanation:
Imagine this scenario with me. You are an Israelite. You have been in slavery your whole life. Through an act of God, Pharaoh has decided to let you go and no longer be bound as a slave. Then out of the blue, he changes his mind, and the Egyptian army is coming after you. You thought this was the moment God’s people would finally find the freedom promised for all these years, and yet there is a big problem standing in your way. In the front of you is a large sea, and coming behind you is an army prepared to do anything possible to capture and/or kill you. Yet again, God does the impossible. He parts the sea, allowing your people to walk across on dry land. Afterwards He releases the sea, and it kills every single Egyptian solider. You are finally free. Your old life is gone and now you are new. What an incredible moment and story.
This was the moment that changed everything for the children of Israel. It is also a great reminder to us of how we too have been set free. We used to be trapped and slaves to sin, but now we are free. Not only are we free but we have the same power inside us that parted the physical waters for Israel. You are made new in Christ, and now the Holy Spirit dwells inside you. The Spirit wants to part the waters in our lives, to lead us, guide us, and make us holy.
Application:
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I encourage you to write your own notes on the passage you read today. How did this story impact you? What thoughts came to mind as you read this passage?
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Make a list of the ways you have been made new.
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There is a song that goes so well with today’s passage and message. I encourage you to listen to it and allow the words to speak to you and remind you of all God has done in your life. The song is “Egypt” by Cory Asbury.
Prayer:
God, thank You for stories like the one we read today that remind us of Your faithfulness all throughout history. You have always had a plan of redemption for Your people, one where You promised to be present with us. Thank You for the gift of new life that we find through Jesus. Thank You that you part the waters in our lives to make us new, whole, and full of life. Amen!
Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Explanation:
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter primarily to address Gentile Christians in Ephesus. He emphasized God’s will, and the fact that we have been a part of His plan since creation. This blessing is by God’s grace alone, and nothing we have done.
In Paul’s day, seals were used to notarize letters, indicate ownership of products, to show approval, and for protection or warning. A king would use clay or wax marked by a signet ring to indicate the authority of the imprint. Paul used this metaphor to illustrate God’s promises to us.
John 14:26 teaches us that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and remind us of everything He has said to us. The Holy Spirit comes upon each of us at the exact moment we accept Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. We are instantly sealed. We have security in our salvation, we belong to God, and we are authenticated by the seal of the Holy Spirit. We are His!
God purchased our very souls. We are redeemed because we are precious enough to Him to purchase for an immense price, the perfect blood of Jesus Christ. Until the moment He claims His purchased possession (when we die), we have been sealed in Christ. This is a down payment declaring God intends to finish what He started.
When we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, we begin to feel tugs at our hearts as He nudges us toward righteousness. We need to slow down and listen to Him in all that we do and ask Him to guide us. This frees us from indecision and half-heartedness. We need to wake up each day and make a conscious decision to be a Spirit-led person. The Holy Spirit makes God’s Word come alive. Without the Holy Spirit, they are just words on a page. With the Holy Spirit, we have the living God directing our daily lives. When we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, we are chosen by God. Now it is our responsibility to choose Him. God is a sovereign creator, and we are created in His image. To follow Him is our sovereign choice.
Application:
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Pride goes before a fall. Let go and humble yourself before God. Do this out loud, and from your knees.
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Everyone is broken. Everyone sins. Think and pray about one of yours. Change your thinking about it. Acknowledge it is a sin, ask Christ for forgiveness, and change your behavior. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you through this.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, give us the wisdom each day to ask for Your guidance. Remind us to listen to the Holy Spirit in everything we do. Motivate us through the Spirit to serve You, Lord. Thank You for not giving us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind. You are in control. We love You. Your will be done. Amen.
For Further Study:
John 14:13-26, and John 3:33-36.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NIV)
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Explanation:
I have a bad hip. Some days my hip causes a lot of pain and discomfort. Other days it works like it should. On good days I can play basketball, work out, play with my kids, and get work done. But on bad days, I can get random pain that stops me from doing the things I need to do, and some days I can barely walk. I am sure you can relate to this in some way. Some suffer from headaches or other bodily pain. Others have addictions that mess with them. You have a vehicle that works, and then it decides to not function properly. We all have something in our lives that doesn’t work the way it should.
Now think about our church. If The Tree Church is your home church, it’s part of your body, too. It takes so many volunteers to make our body run well. And too often our church is running on fumes. Some Sundays our church runs and operates like a CHAMP. And sometimes, other parts of the body have to work harder and faster to even survive.
I get it, life happens and sometimes we just can’t make it to church. But how often are we just too lazy, in a bad mood, or honestly just don’t want to go? I’ve been there, and honestly, I didn’t care that someone else had to pick up my slack. You ask, “Josh, what changed?” Well, I did. God changed me by putting people in my life that were picking up my slack. I didn’t like to hear that coming from people I love. I was hurting the body, my body in Christ. I was making God’s Kingdom suffer just so I could be selfish. No one wants to make anyone they love suffer or cause more work for them.
So I just want you to ask yourself one question: “Am I causing my church body to suffer?”
This is a for real question you need to ask yourself. If you come in those doors each week and get convicted from the message, and look forward to each Sunday, but you’re not volunteering or getting involved… then YES. You are hurting the body. You are hurting your church body by not working or functioning as you are intended to.
Here is what you need to do if that applies to you: go to Connection Central. Get plugged in, and join a connect group. Get more involved in your church body. Volunteer. Make new friends in the church that are there for the same reason you are: to love God, love people, and advance the kingdom of God. I know for a fact God is waiting over there to show you your new path.
Application:
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Ask God to show you where to volunteer.
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Pray for the people that are doing multiple positions to help our church body run.
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Look at your own life and ask God to show you what you are missing so you can operate more efficiently.
Prayer:
God, thank You for today. Thank You for loving us. Help us to get more in tune with what, where, and when we can help advance Your kingdom. Show us if we are helping or hurting Your kingdom. Give us courage to take our next steps to get more involved in our church body. As we pray these things, we wait for You to do miracles in and around our lives. In Your mighty name we pray, Amen.
Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Explanation:
As Christians, we believe in the Trinity: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The mystery of God can never be completely understood, but most of us are comfortable with God as our Father/Protector who receives and hears our prayers. We know Jesus as a man who lived, did not sin, and was the perfect sacrifice. He took our sin upon Himself, so we can be in right standing with a holy God. That’s where the conversation often stops with a lot of Christians.
The Holy Spirit, however, is just as important in God’s plan for empowering His people. God’s Spirit is the Holy Spirit, and He is God. He isn’t less than God, nor more important than God. He accomplishes His will through us. God doesn’t need anything, but invites us to be a part of His plan for humanity. When we place our faith in Jesus, repent and receive His grace, God empowers His people with His Spirit to live inside all believers.
To be effective and reflect Jesus to others, we need the Holy Spirit in our lives. It was no different when God sent His Spirit to the disciples for the first time on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Jesus’s followers were waiting to be empowered by the Holy Spirit so they could spread His message of redemption to the world. On Pentecost, God did something miraculous by giving the disciples the ability to speak the language of all the nations and preach His message of salvation. On that day, God chose to make Himself known to all people, and offered an opportunity for them to be in relationship with Him. The same is true for you.
Application:
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It is important for us to recognize the Holy Spirit’s prompting. This can be effective by quieting our mind, reading the Bible, and listening to Him.
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How has God empowered you with His Spirit? Who would He want you to tell your testimony?
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The Holy Spirit gives us many gifts, such as wisdom, knowledge, healing, faith, prophecy, performing miracles, distinguishing spirits, and speaking and interpreting tongues. How can these gifts help you in your life?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I want Your Spirit to surround me and give me a boldness to speak Your truth to others in a loving and redemptive way. Show me where I lack and need Your power to strengthen me. Help me to love others the way You love them. Teach me to trust You and not my own understandings. I want Your presence and peace in my life. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.
Luke 24:44-49 (NLT)
Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.
“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
Explanation:
I was filled with the Holy Spirit when I was 16 years old and am now 67. Without a doubt, He has been my biggest helper, guide, comfort, and power. Without Him, I would never have been able to stay the course through loss, challenges, and deep disappointments. He is my greatest resource, and the One who has gifted me with staying power.
The Holy Spirit is who makes the difference between enduring life and enjoying life.
He will do the same for you. He is precious, encouraging, compassionate, energizing, and full of wisdom. When you get to a fork in the road of life, I promise, you will find Him there.
“The Holy Spirit comes and FILLS you with POWER from HEAVEN!”
Who doesn’t need power in 2022?
Power from heaven supersedes any form of power you can fathom. It is supernatural. So much so that Jesus didn’t want His disciples to begin their mission until they received this power.
Jesus gave them two commands: ✔️ Wait in Jerusalem ✔️ Expect power They had to obey to receive.
Jesus not only commissioned the disciples as witnesses but promised them the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to carry out the task. They all would endure unfathomable situations, but all fulfilled their calling.
He promises you the same.
Luke 11:13 says the Father will give the Holy Spirit to anyone who asks Him, which means there is no discrimination or pecking order when it comes to God’s children having all they need to live for Him.
In June of 2005, I arrived in Lancaster. I had lost a life I held dear. I didn’t get here until midnight, and since Matthew had to preach the next morning, they left the front door unlocked and had a bed prepared. I was so exhausted from the most traumatic year of my life that I only removed my shoes and slid into bed still in my clothes. I vividly remember rolling over onto my side and bringing the sheet over my head and saying into my pillow, “Jesus, it’s just You and me.”
Yes, it was Jesus and me…AND the Holy Spirit's power. I not only survived, I thrived. I’m here to tell you that no matter how hopeless or helpless you feel today, Jesus offers you the power of the Holy Spirit if you will but ask.
But you must ask.
Application:
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What do you have to lose if you stop yourself right now and ask the Holy Spirit for help? You have everything to gain.
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Don’t allow your ego to diminish your need for the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s folly. God designed us to need the Holy Spirit.
Prayer:
This is my prayer for you today:
Lord, I know many people with small and enormous burdens are reading or listening today to my thoughts on the Holy Spirit. Take my words and illuminate Your power through them. Help those who are limping through life to be strengthened. Help those who are confused to find clarity. Help those who are alone to feel Your comfort. Help those who are losing their way to refocus on Jesus. Help the ones in bondage to fear find freedom. Help those in the prison of addiction find deliverance. Help the haughty and proud to crave Your presence once again. Do what only You can do, Holy Spirit, and empower Your children today. Amen.
John 1:6-7; 29-34 (NIV)
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
Explanation:
In Jewish history, an animal, most often a lamb, was offered in sacrifice to God to atone for the sin of man. How bold a statement that John made to the people, that this man now standing before them was the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” The Jews who were in witness there were likely stunned by this statement, and possibly even offended. Instead of a lamb being offered for sacrifice, God, in the form of man, was making Himself a sacrifice for the world, and not only for the Jews.
John was the son of a priest named Zechariah. He would have been raised under Jewish law, having a full understanding of it. He understood what the standards of Jewish sacrificial law were, and how important it was to adhere to those standards. At that time, every morning and evening a lamb would be sacrificed at the temple for the sins of the people. John was aware of the implications of his statement, and regardless of who he offended, he pointed with boldness and proclaimed that Jesus was the Lamb of God.
Two different times, John stated that he didn’t know Jesus, but he wasn’t speaking of Jesus in the physical person. They likely knew one another in the physical, as they were cousins. John was saying that God had revealed something to him about Jesus that was different than what he knew before. God spoke to John and told him that the Spirit would descend upon Jesus—and John witnessed that in person. That incident was the absolute confirmation for John; Jesus was the Messiah, the Lamb of God.
Application:
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God knew exactly what John needed to be convinced that Jesus was who He claimed to be. He told John what to watch for, and then made it happen. We know that God wants us to be aware of His work in our lives. How does God reveal Himself to you?
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John acknowledged that he didn’t know what to expect as he was preparing the way for Jesus. We are very similar in this way, as we don’t know what God is planning to do in our lives as well. How can we prepare the way in our hearts and lives for Jesus, so God can do His planned work in and through us?
Prayer:
Father, I come to You today asking for You to prepare my heart, my mind, and life for the work You want to do in me and through me. Remind me every moment that Your Holy Spirit lives in me and walks with me. Help me to be open and aware of the work You want to do in me, and reveal Yourself to those around me. Help me to live a life that You would find pleasing, and in all that I do, give You the glory. In Jesus’s holy Name. Amen.
Exodus 40:34-38 (NLT)
Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.
Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.
Explanation:
When I first became a Christian, I used to envy the people of Israel so much. They could SEE a visual cloud of the Spirit of God. How blessed were they?! If they wanted to prove to someone that God actually exists, they didn’t have to argue, they could simply point to the cloud of glory. If they were wondering if they should move to a new place, they could just follow His cloud. I thought, wouldn’t it be nice to know the will of God that clearly? We wouldn’t have to worry about which college is right for us if we could just line up our college applications and see which one the cloud settled on. We wouldn’t have to wonder who God wanted us to date or marry… we could just wait to see which blessed guy walked in under a white cloud!
As I’ve gotten older in my journey with God, however, I realize how limited their relationship with God was in the Old Testament. They may have been able to follow the cloud from afar when God moved, but they couldn’t handle the holiness of the Lord if they got too close to Him. They had to stay outside the courts to bring their sacrifices to God, and the previous chapters and the whole book of Leviticus following this passage is filled with protocols of how to approach God. They couldn’t just worship God in church with a congregation, or in their living rooms with their families, or in their car on the way to work.
So really, it’s mind-blowing how blessed WE are on this side of history! We can simply pray for forgiveness and repentance, claim the gift of salvation from Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, instantly be washed clean, and the God of the universe comes to live in our hearts?! It seems too good to be true! We can grow from a place of wanting to know God’s will to actually having a heart-to-heart relationship with the Spirit of God. We don’t have to look to an external pillar of fire at night because now the Holy Spirit can speak comfort directly to the secret fears of our hearts in dark times. When we lack strength, the Holy Spirit comes close to us and fortifies our inner spirits to keep up the good fight. And when we enter His courts with praise, His glory can now rest upon us!
Application:
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Have you accepted Jesus as your salvation so you can enjoy a vibrant, living relationship with God? Read Romans 3:23, Acts 4:12, and Acts 2:38 for guidance.
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Are you fully utilizing the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit who comes to reside inside of you? Or are you still functioning as if God is an external source of limited guidance that you shouldn’t get too close to?
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Pray to the Holy Spirit today to expose areas that you haven’t been allowing Him into fully, and pray that He would show you His glory! (Exodus 33:18)
Prayer:
Lord God, thank You for providing the way for me to have a real relationship with You. Jesus, thank You for Your obedience to the cross and sacrifice for me. Holy Spirit, I am so thankful to be able to speak to You whenever I want to, and every time I need to. God, show me Your glory today!
Leviticus 23:15-21 (ESV)
“You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you shall present a grain offering of new grain to the LORD. You shall bring from your dwelling places two loaves of bread to be waved, made of two tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour, and they shall be baked with leaven, as firstfruits to the LORD. And you shall present with the bread seven lambs a year old without blemish, and one bull from the herd and two rams. They shall be a burnt offering to the LORD, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD. And you shall offer one male goat for a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old as a sacrifice of peace offerings. And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to the LORD for the priest. And you shall make a proclamation on the same day. You shall hold a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work. It is a statute forever in all your dwelling places throughout your generations.
Explanation:
The Feast of Pentecost, steeped in Jewish tradition, is a foreshadowing of the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross. All of the rites, rituals, and laws in the Old Testament point the way to the coming Messiah. That may seem like a stretch by the time you get to the 23rd chapter of Leviticus, but what appear to be stiff and starchy rules are actually a reflection of God’s holiness–He cannot condone sin; a price must be paid.
We see examples of offerings in this passage that require either the first or the best of what the giver owns. These complex verses become clear when we consider that God did the same to redeem our sins—He gave His first and His best. Should He not expect the same from us? Whether it is time, money, or talent, giving our best to God reveals our desire to obey Him. Obedience is the scale God uses to weigh the sincerity of our offerings.
Isaiah 1 gives us a taste of God’s displeasure when worship is combined with disobedience. After calling out the people of Judah for their hypocrisy, God implored them to repent and obey so they could enjoy His grace and provision (Isaiah 1:19). Some of us want God’s blessings while ignoring the latest thing He told us to do. We cannot experience God’s grace without first acknowledging His holiness, and we cannot acknowledge His holiness without first obeying His word.
Application:
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Are you giving God the first and the best of what He has given you?
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What is the latest thing God told you to do?
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Have you done it?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for showing grace and mercy to me. Please give me clear direction as I do my best to obey what I know You are telling me to do. Amen.
Exodus 12:12-13, 21-23 (NIV)
On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning. When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your house or strike you down.”
Explanation:
After four generations of slavery in Egypt, God set in motion the next step of His redemptive purpose: to bring His chosen people to a place, both physically and emotionally, where they would once again be His own. After so long, the influence of Egyptian gods had worn off on the Israelites, and they had lost sight of who God was and all He was capable of. But God had a plan (spoiler alert: He always does). He began to re-introduce Himself to the Israelites using the plagues. Each plague, and ultimately the Passover, was sent by a loving God to show the Israelites His power, but more so, to teach them to trust Him.
God’s specific instructions to the Israelites were to strategically place the blood of a spotless lamb on the doorframe of their homes, across the top and down the sides of the doorposts. If they obeyed, they would be passed over while the angel of death sent by God came for the Egyptian first-borns. In the process of doing as God commanded, the Israelites would have made the motion (up high, then from side to side) that represents a cross. Ultimately, the Israelites were saved by the blood in the sign of the cross. We know that with sin, an atoning sacrifice is necessary. The blood, if not our own, has to come from somewhere. For the Israelites, it was a year-old spotless lamb, and for us, it is the blood of the only sinless Son of our Most High Father. The cross represents that death has passed over us.
The Lord tells the Israelites (through Moses) that each man is to select the lamb for his own household. Each family had to make a decision as to whether they would apply the blood of the lamb to their lives. Today, we still have this choice: Will we choose to apply the blood of Jesus to the doorframe and doorposts of our hearts? If so, our relationship with Him begins with a promise as well. The redemptive blood of Jesus sets us free from the slavery of a life lived in sin. He was our perfect atoning Passover Lamb, chosen by God Himself, to advance His beautiful redemption plan of calling ALL of His people, including us, back to Himself.
Application:
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The Hebrew words for “lamb” and “covering” share the same root. How amazing, as the blood of the Lamb promises to cover the sins of our lives into eternity! Celebrating the Passover annually is a way of remembering all God has done for His people, BUT for us Christians, celebrating all that the true Passover Lamb has done in our lives should be an everyday experience!
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Speaking of remembering, think back to when you first chose to make Jesus your Savior, applying the blood of the cross to your own life. What was different then? What has grown in you? What is God showing you that you need to remember?
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If you haven’t yet made this life-saving choice, what is holding you back? Does it help to know that God’s Holy Spirit promises to “help us in our weaknesses” (Romans 8:26)? From our very first choice to trust Him at His word, His Promise to never leave us is invoked. You were never meant to keep trying this life alone. God wants nothing more than to set you free from slavery, once and for all!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we can’t thank You enough for loving us so much to create the perfect plan to bring us back to You. It started with the Passover of the Old Testament, and leads to the promise of Passover each and every day of our lives. We are so grateful that we have others to share in the joy of these truths together, but most of all, we are so thankful for the presence of Your Holy Spirit in our daily lives. Open the hearts of Your children who haven’t yet made the decision to apply the blood of Jesus to their lives, and we promise to give You all the honor and praise when You do. You are worthy of it all. In Jesus’s holy Name. Amen.
Genesis 3:1-8 (NIV)
Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they realized they were naked; so, they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Then the man and his wife heard the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
Explanation:
I am reading a book at the moment by Havilah Cunnington called Stronger Than The Struggle- Uncomplicating Your Spiritual Battle. I am not that far in yet, but the chapter I was just reading talks about how satan works. He is super smart, conniving, and uses manipulation to trick us into thinking that God is not for us, we are not good enough for Him, and He couldn’t possibly love us with all our sin. This is spiritual warfare, and we are fighting a spiritual war every single day, friends.
God knows all our sin and our weaknesses, but wants to use them for good. On the other hand, satan wants to use our sin and our weaknesses to manipulate us, just like he manipulated Adam and Eve. Satan is so crafty. Do you see how he turns Eve’s statement into a question? She tells him that God said, “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.” Satan flips it and says, “You will not certainly die.” This is one of his many schemes. He will question what God said, and try to make you doubt. Then he will feed your mind and heart with lies, just like when he tells Eve that God knows when she eats from the tree, her eyes will be opened, and she will be like God, knowing good and evil.
This is just not a story; this is showing us how satan works and how God is always going to find a way to redeem us. No matter how crafty and manipulative satan is, God is always there to redeem us and get us back on the narrow path toward life. We must remember that we are fighting daily, and we have the Holy Spirit to help us. Sometimes I think we can judge Eve harshly for falling for the schemes of the serpent, but how many times have we listened to his lies? How many times have we doubted God, or in the moment followed our own selfish desires? We are all broken, and we all have fallen short, but the most important thing to remember is that we know who can restore us. God, and God alone!
Application:
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When you read the story of the fall of man, what thoughts/emotions come to the surface?
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Do you ever feel like you are being spiritually attacked? What does that look like for you?
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What are some ways you can combat spiritual warfare in your everyday life?
Prayer:
God, thank You for always pursuing us, even when we fail. Thank You for loving us unconditionally and wanting to be in a relationship with us. I pray You would help us when we feel spiritually attacked. I pray You would remind us that we need You every single day. Help us to worship You more this week. Amen.
Isaiah 40:28-31 (ESV)
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Explanation:
The popularity of endurance sports has grown immensely over the past several decades. Individuals are constantly testing their physical and mental limits, striving to push themselves longer, farther, and harder than ever before. One of the more popular events that you may be familiar with is the ironman triathlon race, which consist of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike, and a 26.2-mile run. It is an unbelievable challenge, one that requires the ability to overcome weariness. The individual who can push through the weariness will find themselves crossing the finish line with the title of ironman. I guarantee that every athlete who competes in an ironman race experiences some level of weariness.
You may look at an individual who willingly puts themselves through that type of experience as crazy. In all honesty, one must be a little cuckoo to even attempt endurance sports. However, weariness is not something only endurance athletes face. Weariness comes in all shapes and sizes, not just physical. At the time when Isaiah spoke these words we read today, God’s people, the Israelites, were strangers in a foreign land. They had been exiled to Babylon, and God spoke this promise over them through the prophet Isaiah. Their situation was anything but ideal, and they were unfortunately enduring the consequences of their choice not to follow God.
From what we can see in the context, many had grown excessively weary of the condition they found themselves in. Even the youth, who are known for being full of energy, had reached a place of exhaustion. In your human experience, you too have probably experienced some level of weariness. Maybe you are even in that season now. It may not be to the extent we read about in Isaiah, but that does not minimize how difficult those seasons can be. Friends, these are not seasons to try and muster up more of our own strength. It is time for the One who does not grow weary. We need supernatural spiritual intervention. Weariness can only be endured when we have the power and promises of God in our lives. The Israelites needed to be reminded of it then, and we need reminded of it today. Depend on God for your strength always. His strength is best demonstrated in and through our weaknesses.
Application:
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How have you seen weariness in your life?
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What are indicators for you that you are in the midst of a weary season?
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How do you typically handle your weariness?
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What can you take away from today’s reading that could help you in seasons of weariness?
Prayer:
Lord, I grow weary. My human strength can only go so far. On my own power, I struggle to endure at times. Thank You for making Your strength available to be. I could not do life without it. Nor do I want to. Help me in my weariness.
John 4:31-34 (ESV)
Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
Explanation:
We enter this passage where Jesus has just finished speaking to the woman at the well, which led to a two-day meeting with the townspeople. Jesus was likely exhausted. It’s important to remember that He had very human traits and struggled with many of the same physical things that we do. Here, even when He was completely exhausted, He did not allow His tiredness to keep Him from doing the work that He was sent for. His focus on saving souls took priority over His appetite to feed His flesh.
What if our focus was like that? Jesus was in such a rhythm to reach the people that food wasn’t even a thought for Him. He wanted to finish His work. There have been times that I’ve been so engrossed in activities that I’ve temporarily forgotten to eat. Most of the time, however, the words “forget” and “eat” are not used in the same sentence for me. When I think about what Jesus may have been doing that made missing a meal so unimportant, I know it has to be SO MUCH BIGGER than the things that I get distracted by. Jesus was laser focused on the important stuff— doing his Father’s will. He wanted everyone to know the love of the Father, and nothing else mattered.
It's time for a focus check. In order to love like Jesus loved, we must focus on what He focused on: loving God, loving people, and saving souls. If I ask myself “What am I known for?”, I want the answer to be what Jesus said His disciples would be known for: their love. It’s time for me to adjust my focus so that there is never any doubt that I am known for loving well and fulfilling God’s will in me.
Application:
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Do you ever get so engrossed in something that you lose track of time? Here’s a tough question: how many of those times are you doing something that would be considered “fruitful” (as compared to doing a puzzle, reading a fictional book, or surfing Instagram)?
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Ask yourself, “What am I known for?” Ask God to help reveal how you can love others better and be someone who is known for your love.
Prayer:
God, teach me how to be known for my love. Help me to be a light to others in a dark world. Give me eyes to see those that need love, and teach me how to help them. Help me adjust my focus to things that are not of this world. Thank You for trusting me to do your work. Guide me as I walk through this day and the days to come. Forgive me for the times that I don’t see what You want me to see or act the way that You would have me to act. Thank You for Your grace and mercy on our lives. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Psalm 119:103-105 (NASB)
How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Explanation:
Words can inspire us, hurt us, encourage us, or even confuse us. Words affect our emotions, how we process things, and how we see and live in the world around us. Today's devotion is about words, not man’s words but the very words of God, and how they affect our feelings, thinking and reality.
“Your words to my taste” …affects my feelings.
“Your precepts I get understanding” …affects my thinking.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet” …affects my reality.
Have you ever read Scripture and were moved by the brilliance of it? Its depth and wisdom? Have you ever read Scripture, saw the plan and design of it, and simply said, “You can’t make this stuff up!”?
Well, you can’t! No one person, or even a group of people, could. These words, written two to three thousand years ago, are still relevant, factual and life changing today. They are words that have never been proven wrong by science, archaeology, or biology.
I often read people who write from a counseling point of view. It always amazes me how biblical precepts, commands, and even events, reflect what the study of counseling has come to understand today. In reality, it shouldn't be so shocking that the two offer parallel thoughts. The God who created man and the way he operates is the same One who guided the hands of the people who wrote the Bible for us. Who understands better how we operate than the One who created us? So, when counseling begins to see how and why we operate the way we do, it should come as no surprise that the Bible has already shown us the very same thing.
Even during my own personal times of doubt and questioning, I can’t deny the Bible’s truths, its wisdom, or its beauty. I can’t deny that when it says a bad thing is a bad thing, it is in reality a bad thing. And no matter how badly I want that bad thing, if I’m really honest with myself, it is still quite obviously, a bad thing.
Application:
Let the Bible affect your feelings. Let it affect your thinking. Let it affect your reality.
And you can only come to the conclusion that “You can’t make this stuff up”!
Prayer:
Father, whatever my life or heart situation is, please help me to always see, in spite of the chaos around me, that Your word is the only salve for my feelings, thinking, and reality.
Romans 12: 1-2 (NIV)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Explanation:
The Apostle Paul urged the Christian church in Rome to present their entire lives to God. In the first eleven chapters, he told of God’s many mercies: divine love, grace, the Holy Spirit, forgiveness, patience, comfort, help, kindness, honor, righteousness, a share in God’s glory… everything we need. And nothing we deserve.
Paul warns us not to conform to societal norms, but to transform our thinking, and become living sacrifices. Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. In turn, we need to become living sacrifices to Him. God’s mercies are massive. We need to live like we believe this. Singing a few songs every other Sunday morning is not a living sacrifice. In Biblical times, people would sacrifice a lamb, or if they were poorer, turtle doves. They gave something of value. Christ gave Himself in sacrifice for us. We are called to give our souls, bodies, and minds to Him. They are all interconnected.
If we focus on Christ and all He provides, He will protect us from being stamped out by the world. We must ensure our minds are not completely absorbed by culture and sin. How you think governs what you do. I can’t help but think of our children, and the awful influences out there. Adults are susceptible too, though. Therefore, we must renew our minds through the word of God. There is no other source of true renewal. Your living sacrifice to God can only be sustained if your mind is constantly being renewed by God’s word.
Changing your thinking is not easy. It takes work, practice, and determination. When God is the focus of your life, this all makes sense. It’s logical and reasonable if you declare Jesus as Lord and God as sovereign.
There were no chairs in the tabernacle. God wants us to always be presenting something before Him and doing His work. There is no time off from this living sacrifice. His work never ends. Every relationship has a responsibility. You can’t have the joy in the relationship without also having the responsibilities to go with it. Our responsibility is to constantly renew our minds with God’s word so we may be living sacrifices to Him.
Application:
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Journal ways in which you might need to change your everyday thinking to Biblical thinking.
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People often get uncomfortable when God gets into their lifestyle. Behave as a living sacrifice and observe. Use these experiences to talk about Jesus.
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Tally how many hours you’re on social media this week, not for judgement but for insight. I will be doing the same. Journal what you could have been doing to renew your mind through God’s word.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us understand that being a living sacrifice is truly what You want for us, and by obeying, we will receive Your many mercies. Remind us You don’t just want us on Sunday mornings. You long for us! Help us feel that longing. Give us an intense longing for Your word, so we may constantly renew our minds in You. Amen.
For Further Study:
1 Corinthians 2:16 and Colossians 1.
Isaiah 55:1-3, 6 (NLT)
“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.
“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
Explanation:
When I moved to Ohio, a big cultural change I had to adjust to was the need for food at almost every human encounter. I would show up for meetings with my purse, and it seemed everyone else brought snacks. People actually owned special high-end baskets for transporting food, baking ware with snap-on travel lids, and crockpots with clipped lids to haul around. In my former position I never had to factor in food for meetings, small groups or seminars. When I came on staff, I broached the topic of eliminating the stress of food at everything, and as I read the room, I forever got the impression it would CAUSE stress to ignore the food element of life in Ohio. I had come to a new land.
Guess what, my dear, fellow Ohioans? You are invited to God’s grace feast! All that is necessary is hunger and thirst.
Nourishment for your soul is freely offered because God longs to feed you!
Most of you have seen the child who needs a nap, protests the nap, gets put down for a nap, takes the nap, and wakes up a “napped-happy” child.
They didn’t know their need.
In a nutrition class I took, it was stressed that many times people start snacking at night because they are tired and what they really need to do is just go to bed.
They are filling the wrong need.
Spiritual hunger and thirst are real. You feel alienated from God, and yet can’t put your finger on the solution. Unfulfilled desires, emptiness and agitation wear your soul out, and the Spirit of God soothingly says…refresh.
✔️ Come (vs 1) ✔️ Listen (vs 2) ✔️ Seek (vs 3) ✔️ Call (vs 6)
All of those invitations are full of reassurance, hope, and the tender, compassionate love of your Father…drawing you close to Him.
He knows your real need.
When Isaiah urges you to call on God while He is near, it is not because God is moving. You move.
Isaiah is urging you to draw near while you can, before your slow fade puts the light out. It’s much harder in the dark. Don’t wait until you have drifted so far, you lose your way.
There is real urgency in the “drawing close” element of your relationship with God, because you could quite literally starve to death, without His presence in your heart.
Application:
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Grace is irrational because it reaches for the undeserving person. Only the undeserving…
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God is compassionate to the humble who accept his offer.
Prayer:
Father… Sometimes I foolishly want instant gratification over good nourishment. Today I am accepting Your nutritious grace to grow. Amen.
Matthew 5:1-2 (NIRV)
Jesus saw the crowds. So he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them.
Matthew 5:6 (ESV)
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Explanation:
The scripture above is the start of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. He sits down to teach His disciples and the crowd how to live a life following God. Verses 3-12 are called the Beatitudes. The Latin phrase for beatitude is “beatus” which means blessed, happy. It’s not just the feeling of being happy, but also being content, satisfied, and longing for a relationship with God.
When we are outside on a hot summer day all we want is a cold drink of water to satisfy our thirst. Our body needs it and desires it. The same is true for our soul. The only thing that can satisfy it and make us feel whole is a relationship with God. We can try and fill our life with things that make us happy, but eventually they will fail us. Having a relationship with God by spending time in His word, praying, and worshipping Him will truly satisfy you.
By putting God first and talking to Him before anything changes in your day, you are inviting Him in and saying, “Whatever you would like for my day, God!” You might still have your to-do list in your head, but you can ask Him to be a part of it. There might be times where He says, “I don’t want you to do that,” or throw a wrench in your plans. You might want to quickly run to the grocery store, but you see someone that just needs to talk. When you give your time to God, it makes your mind say, “It’s Your will, God, not mine.”
Application:
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Ask God to show you the areas in your life that you need Him.
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What are some things you are striving after that keep failing, that ONLY God can fill?
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Take some time today with God by listening to a worship song, sitting quietly with Him, or reading more of our passage in Matthew 5:1-16.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, You are the only one who can satisfy my soul. You never change. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Help to remember that when I’m struggling today or feeling lost. Remind me that You want to be in the good times, too. Thank You for loving me and always wanting to be in relationship with me, and help me to want to do the same. In Jesus name I pray! Amen.
Matthew 4:1-4 (ESV)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Explanation:
It is so easy to allow our emotions and our feelings to rule what we do. Have you ever been tired and said something you instantly regretted, or been hungry and made a bad decision? I have. One of my favorite pieces of advice from my mom is to not make decisions at night. That is especially true for me as I don’t usually process information well or think clearly at night. Anyone else in that same boat? Being tired and hungry aren’t the only recipes for bad decision making - there is stress, bad company, incorrect information, putting negativity into our minds and hearts, and the list goes on.
In this passage of scripture Jesus has been fasting for 40 days and is being tempted by satan. If anyone was in the position to make a bad decision, it was Jesus. And satan knew just what to tempt him with: food. Yet Jesus didn’t take the short cut of turning stones into bread. In that moment after fasting for 40 days, He was so physically vulnerable, but He operated in what God the Father had in store for Him. Jesus fully experienced the temptation that we as humans face, but withstood the temptation for something better: the plan of God, ultimately dying on the cross for all of us.
The truth that Jesus spoke in this passage should make us realize that nothing in this life will give us what we need except God. Embracing God’s word is what allows us to experience the fullest life here and eternal life in heaven. There are no short cuts that work, no short cuts that offer anything close to what God and His word offer. We must set our standards based off the word of God and not on what our emotions tell us to do. Those emotions change, but God’s word is constant.
Application:
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What emotions have you felt in the last day or two? Have they driven your decision-making process?
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Are you willing to use the word of God to help you make decisions rather than basing them on your own emotions?
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In order to do what the word of God says, we need to know what the word of God says. What is one specific step that you can take today to become more familiar with the word of God? Some examples include reading the Bible, listening to a Biblical teaching such as a sermon or podcast, or reading a Bible based devotion.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for what You modeled for us here on earth. Thank You for the example that You are to us and for the truth that we find in God’s word. Help us to remember that we cannot withstand temptation on our own, but it is only through Your strength.
Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Explanation:
Does the message of Christ dwell richly or abundantly in you? As we learn more about God's plan for our lives and how He wants us to live, our lives should be different from the world's. Others should see something contagious in us – something about which they want to learn. Our lives should exude joy and gratitude for the fact that Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins, rose again, and is alive today. Accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior guarantees that we will spend eternity in heaven. Jesus is the only Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). That deserves all of our praise.
I love music and I love to worship! Singing praise to God is largely associated with showing our gratitude to Him, rather than focusing on ourselves or our own desires. Because of my love and gratefulness for Jesus, I don't feel like I can ever worship Him enough, but I will continue to do so as long as I have breath.
Chris Tomlin wrote a song years ago and part of it reads like this:
“How can I keep from singing Your praise? How can I ever say enough? How amazing is Your love. How can I keep from shouting Your Name? I know I am loved by The King, and it makes my heart want to sing!”
Give thanks and praise to Jesus from a grateful heart!
Application:
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Do you feel grateful for things in your life? What makes you feel this way?
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Does the fact that Jesus died for your sins make you grateful?
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Do you worship God with gratitude in your heart?
Prayer:
Father, help us seek to live lives that reveal a rich and abundant joy. We want the world to know all about You. Keep us always grateful for what You have done for us. Without You, we have no hope of eternal life. May our worship to You reflect how thankful we are for all the mighty deeds You have done, and will continue to do. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
Psalm 95:1-7a (NLT)
Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods. He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too. Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.
Explanation:
I can’t think of a time in my life that worship music wasn’t present, at least at some level. I remember singing hymns with my Granny, singing Maranatha praise choruses my mom played from her cassette player while she was cleaning the house, and singing in the church with other believers who gathered together. For many years, though, it wasn’t authentic. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the words and lyrics were as ordinary to me as those of any other genre of music. I’m being fully transparent here: for years I was a “worship fraud” according to what God calls our worship to be.
God wants us to make our worship personal, to make it about Him and how wonderful He is. To take the words of the songs we are singing and make them a prayer from our hearts. He wants our true selves. He wants us to sing of His amazing love and greatness. Just like this passage says, come to Him with thanksgiving and praise for the greatness of all He has done.
Today I want to challenge you to evaluate your worship. Is it YOU-centered or GOD-centered? Are you like me, who for all those years just sang words without truly singing them to God in praise? Are you going through the motions as part of a Sunday morning routine? This soul-searching effort is not often easy, but it’s for your benefit. Our worship is meant to focus on God and His greatness.
There’s one more challenge that I’d like to pose today. Once you’ve evaluated your worship and asked God to help you transform your worship into something that is truly God-centered, break out that worship playlist. Take that step wherever you are and really make it about Him today. Are you at work? Make the words you’re hearing a silent prayer of God’s goodness. In the car? Be that person other drivers roll up on as you’re singing to God at the top of your lungs! At home? Open all the windows (if it’s warm enough) and sing to the Lord, thanking Him for His goodness and mercy!
Application:
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How can you make your worship an authentic offering to God?
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What is one thing you can do to remember to keep God at the center of your worship?
Prayer:
God, thank You for the gift of worship. You’ve given us so many talented writers and singers that we can sing along with to exalt You. Help me keep You as the center of my worship. Remind me as I sing along in the car or around the house that I should be making the words an offering to You. Help me to remember to worship even when things are hard and life is challenging. You are the God of every circumstance and challenge, and I praise You for who You are. Thank You for being in control, and for this and so many other things, I give You my highest praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Psalm 63: 1-8 (ESV)
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Explanation:
As the heading explains, David wrote this Psalm when he was fleeing from someone, possibly Saul but more likely his son, Absalom. Either way, both men were eager to find and kill him. While David begins in somewhat of a lamenting tone, he quickly moves to seeking God with all that he has left in him. There was likely not much water in the desert of Judah, so his soul is as thirsty as his body, and we can almost hear the desperation in his voice.
David first recounts his past worship experiences, and longs to be able to meet God again in the sanctuary to encounter His glory, which is simply God’s special presence with His people. David then expresses his confident expectation that God will show up for him, and that he will be able to worship Him again. He wants to lift his hands because to do so directs all of his praise toward God. To David, nothing is more important, and he depends on this worship to save his life.
In the last verses, David makes clear that he knows where to go when he is lost. While he longs for the sanctuary, he also realizes that you don’t need one to worship God. All we need is a safe space to sing for joy, and he tells us here that in the shadow of God’s wings is the safe space that we seek.
I can’t imagine the shadows that presented themselves while David was running and hiding. Especially for someone living in a cave, every shadow potentially presented a different threat. David was not physically safe when he wrote these words. He was restless, sleepless, and penning this “in the watches of the night.” This makes his choice to spend his valuable time worshipping God all the more inspiring. He chose not to live in fear of these lesser shadows but instead to rely on the ever-present shadow of his Protector. David knew God can be found no matter how dry and weary our land. Let David’s words guide your way back to the shadow of your Father’s wings today, and when He does as He promises He will, let everything we have praise the Lord!
Application:
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What situation brings you crawling into the shadow of God’s wings today? Know that this is a safe space to find respite for your weary soul. God’s wings have stood the test of time, and He offers them as shelter every time we genuinely seek Him.
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The Hebrew word for “clings” is “dabaq,” which means to “hold fast.” This word is used many times in the Bible to link those who uphold the commands of God with His promises to protect them. What do you cling to in the difficult moments of your life? Know that anything besides Jesus does not promise the same protection.
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Take time to earnestly worship God today for who He is and not just for what He can do. This is our greatest privilege this side of heaven! In the words of Matt Maher:
“Joy still comes in the morning, Hope still walks with the hurting; If you’re still alive and breathing, Praise the Lord!”
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You so much for the words of David to show us that we do not walk alone. You are always with us, even in our wilderness, in our desert, and when the shadows of this life loom so large. Your Presence is the greatest gift we could ever receive, and we humbly ask that You remind us of this today. Thank You for Your patience when we stumble along on our own, always willing to spread Your beautiful wings over us. Help us, too, to wait with confident expectation for all You have planned for our lives. May we worship You and praise Your Holy Name this day and always. Amen.
2 Samuel 6:12-23 (NLT)
Then King David was told, “The Lord has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.” So David went there and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a great celebration. After the men who were carrying the Ark of the Lord had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns.
But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him.
They brought the Ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes.
When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!”
David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.
Explanation:
I would melt like a salted slug if Skip ever mocked my physical expression of worship before God. Opinions can be toxic when they move from your heart to your tongue, and Michal wounded David.
David was delirious with joy when, as King, he removed his royal robes and danced in his priestly garment before the Lord. Imagine His vulnerability. But Michal could not share David’s joyful worship of God, so she hated it.
David was doing with his body what his heart could not contain. Worship.
Michal did with her tongue what her heart could not contain. Mocking.
Out of David flowed freedom. Out of Michal flowed loathing.
His physical response to God was: ✔️ Loving ✔️ Warranted ✔️ Honoring
Her opinion was: ✔️ Critical ✔️ Wrong ✔️ Lethal
In my own life I recently began starving the negative and feeding the positive. I’m learning to be more vigilant regarding the slow leaks in my spiritual life. One that kept tripping me up was forming an opinion. I finally exhausted myself with my opinions. I had an opinion on everything, and I could feel it was unhealthy.
I'm a reader, and very fascinated by the thought processes of leaders. While that may sound virtuous on the surface, we all know good can morph. I was following leaders and influencers on Instagram that labeled themselves “Progressives” but were actually deconstructors of sound theology. I had a morbid curiosity, and would read their posts under the pretense of understanding where the other side was coming from.
THEN I mentally judged them.
It was the judging component that made my opinions toxic. I unfollowed them all, and just that tiny step helped in my freedom. Feeding positivity and starving negativity has helped my spiritual life.
While the window of opinion I sat in was completely different from Michal’s window, we see the end results.
Barrenness.
Barrenness is where life does not live.
David’s heart was closed to Michal from that day forward, and their physical union would never happen again. She sealed the door between them by one fateful opinion.
Life never grew within her.
While Michal loved David, she did not love his God. What a different story might have been written of her, if she had been a woman after God’s own heart.
Application:
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The polar opposite responses to the presence of God from David and Michal illustrate the choice between spiritual life and spiritual death. Response matters.
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Michal is a divine looking glass for all who judge others' responses to God. What do you see?
Prayer:
“Lord I need your loving grace to travel on this hard road that leads to the death of my old self to a new life in and for you. I know and trust that this is the road to freedom. Lord, dispel my mistrust.” Henri Nouwen
Psalm 108:1-5 (NIV)
My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
Explanation:
My primary language to God is, and always has been, worship. There is something about stepping into an atmosphere of worship that makes the surface under your feet a holy ground. Praise ushers in the presence of the Almighty King. He chooses to abide in the presence of His people when we praise Him.
Worship has been a burial ground for me. I can bring all my burdens into His presence with me, relieved to finally lay them down at His feet, knowing they are covered beneath safe and regenerative soil. In seasons of heartache and pain, it was only in worship that I encountered the deep comfort and unchanging quality of His character. Like a rock that is immovable, His presence would meet me there in the dark place, and give me a foothold to stand on again. When there was nothing else I could count on, the depths of His presence would offer me a lifeline to hold onto when I lifted my hands in worship. When I was mourning the loss of something precious, His goodness would envelope me in a warm embrace and pour into my empty places, and shore me up once more. When I enter His presence wanting, no more than an empty shell of flesh from pouring out of myself to the demands of life, His fullness always meets me there, offering me new life from His unending abundance. I’ve never raised my hands in surrender without finding my God’s hands already there, enveloping mine in His, so glad to welcome me home into His presence.
I have found that there is a praise that creates space in your spirit for God to work. It’s where you can praise Him for all the victories He’s brought you through, while praising Him in advance for all that is coming ahead of you. In praise, you can set the table in faith for victory over a current battle, and taste His triumph in the spirit before you ever see it with human eyes. Praise paves the way for His will to be done in your life.
When we worship and praise Him with our ALL, bringing all of our needs, all of our joys and all of our pain, all of our intelligence and all of our limitations, all of our hopes and all of our fears… when we praise Him with all of our souls, He meets us there with all of Himself.
Application:
- Create a space for bringing your all to God today by finding a safe place to worship without having to worry about others. Turn on some praise and worship on your preferred device, and spend time worshipping in His presence with all your soul.
Prayer:
Lord God, You invite us to enter Your gates with thanksgiving, and to come into Your courts with praise. I praise You for Your unchanging nature, for Your love that is higher than the heavens, and Your faithfulness that reaches to the sky. Thank You that You are a God who meets me in that holy place of worship when I surrender to You with my all. Help me to bring all of myself to You. Teach me how to worship, God! In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Psalm 98 (ESV)
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song, For he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm Have worked salvation for him.” The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
Explanation:
The Psalms are composed of 150 Hebrew poems that are divided into five books. Each book has a connected theme of praise for Yahweh. Psalm 98 calls for God’s people to sing His praise as a celebration of God’s faithfulness in His promise of salvation. The “new song” is meant as a fresh response to an experience or witness to the wonderful things God does for us. God’s power and righteousness provide justice and a heavenly kingdom for all the world.
I often attended church with my grandparents when I was a little girl. I vividly remember being snuggled up to my soft grandma on the hard pew, peaceful and relaxed. And then, when the organ piped music into the air, she was quick to her feet. She loved singing the hymns. Her voice was not the most in tune, but she knew every word and sang with such a declaration of her heart. Her body was full of praise and rhythm. She sang with fresh glory during every song.
Many years later, my grandma showed early signs of dementia. She had become forgetful of names and places, and always needed a guiding hand. I accompanied her to the funeral of an extended family member at a local Catholic Church. She was somewhat confused during the unfamiliar service…until the organ piped up. She immediately rose, and her sweet voice sang every word of “How Great Thou Art.” It was such a beautiful moment for her to recognize and remember how powerful worshiping God feels. At the end of the service, on the unsteady walk to the car, my grandmother made it known why she liked singing hymns. “It’s the one thing I can do every day to tell Jesus, ‘I love you.’”
I am thankful her passionate love for the hymns has passed to me. I am grateful to be in the presence of a community of followers who sing, sway, and give glory to God. It’s the one thing we can do every day to tell God, “We love you!”
Application:
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Take time this week to play worship music. Close your eyes. Do you feel powerful? Speak prayerfully as you listen.
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Pastor Michael is always encouraging the audience to reflect a posture of praise. Challenge yourself to reflect your heart and love of Christ.
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Psalm 98 is behind the famous hymn, “Joy to The World.” Enjoy listening or singing this hymn today.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the marvelous things You have done for us. You provide us with steadfast love and protection. Help us to see each day as a fresh opportunity to sing Your praises. I pray children grow up in an environment that shows them love. I also pray for those who are confined, and can no longer enjoy beautiful music in the church they call home. God, fill us with Your Spirit so that we burst with a joyful new song.
1 Chronicles 16:8-13, 23-36 (NIV)
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Israel, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place. Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.” Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”
Explanation:
Have you ever had a mountaintop experience? I had a literal mountaintop experience this past summer when we were on vacation. It was my first time to experience the mountains, and it did not disappoint. I had expectations going into the vacation, but I had no idea that what I was about to see was going to far exceed my expectations. As I stood on the mountaintop looking out at this amazing creation, I was in awe. The only thing I could do in that moment was to praise the One who created everything. I wept and began to sing a song of praise to God for this amazing moment and experience. God’s beautiful creation screams and sings His praise. On that day, I experienced this first hand. Creation is amazing, and a beautiful song of praise to our God.
We too are a beautiful part of God’s creation. As His creation, we are called to worship Him and lead others to do the same. Once God has changed your life, the natural by-product should be a heart that sings His praises. He has redeemed us, forgiven us, and saved us. He loves us unconditionally, and showers us with grace over and over again. We should not only want to sing and shout His praises, but we should want to share this with the rest of the world. God has done so much for us, and we show Him our thanks by the way we conduct our lives. Sing His praises through your actions, words, and deeds. Sing His praises in the quiet and in the noise. Worship Him by sharing with others how He has changed your life. The way we live our lives can be a beautiful song of thankful worship and praise to God. Let’s sing a song of praise, and share our incredible God with others.
Application:
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In what ways have you found yourself singing the praises of God?
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What are things in your life that often keep you from singing His praises?
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I encourage you to take some time this week to get into the presence of God. Sing songs of worship and praise. Make a list of all the things He has done. And then go out and share what He has done with others.
Prayer:
God, today we simply want to praise You. To lift our hands, our hearts, and our lives in worship of who You are and all You have done. Thank You for being a God who is present in our lives. You have done some much for us, and we want to share that with others. Help us to have a heart that longs to worship You, and You alone. Thank You for all You have done and all You will continue to do in our lives. We love You! Amen.
Matthew 8:5-13 (NLT)
When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”
Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”
But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.
Explanation:
The Roman officer, also called a “centurion,” was someone who held prestige in the Roman army. They were leaders in the Roman army and often commanded military units of 100 or so soldiers. They were responsible for enforcing the Roman law at the fullest extent. What this centurion wasn’t was a Jew. He crossed political lines on behalf of his servant, an act of great love and selflessness, especially by someone of his authority.
The centurion had seen and heard what Jesus was capable of—healings and miracles to those who believe. Though he was not Jewish, he had great faith. Jesus called him out, and said that his faith was greater than that of many of the Israelites. The centurion set aside his pride and chose to anchor himself in faith. He exercised humility and grace at a time when he could have turned away.
The culture we live in today often shows a lack of love and compassion. We draw lines in the imaginary sand about who we can commiserate with and who we should turn from, often in the name of a political party or group. We forget that Christ showed love to everyone, and called us to do the same. Jesus loved the “enemies” of the Jews, like the centurion.
Imagine you had the ability to take your pride and stash it in your attic or some other hard-to-get-to location in your house. After you tuck it away, you begin having conversations with others who are on the “other side” of your imaginary line, and begin to see them as a person who God created, just like you. All labels are stripped away, and for that moment, you are both just broken people. You find out in that conversation that this person needs Jesus and has never entered into a relationship with Him. You become the catalyst for this person to know Jesus personally. Suddenly, those imaginary lines don’t matter anymore, and perhaps you realize they never did. Perhaps we can all learn something from the centurion on our journey to be more like Jesus.
Application:
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One of the most powerful parts of today’s passage is when Jesus tells the centurion that even though he’s not Jewish, he’s demonstrated faith greater than that of many Israelites. When you meditate on those words, what do they say to you?
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Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve had to cross the political divide? Did you “Love Well” or did you behave in a manner that was less than exemplary? What could you have done differently to bridge the divide?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for giving us the Bible. So many examples of broken people being restored by Your grace are demonstrated in these pages. Give me faith like the centurion, and help me to remember to “Love Well.” Remind me that the imaginary line I have drawn is truly just that—imaginary. Give me humility when I interact with other people who were created to serve You, just like me. Thank You for Your love, and for Your Son giving us the ultimate example of love. Help us to be more like Him. In Jesus’s Name. Amen.
Luke 10:25-37 (ESV)
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Explanation:
There once was an OSU fan that was beaten by robbers and while two OSU fans stood by and watched, a Michigan fan came and helped at the cost of his reputation and comfort…
There was once a Democrat beaten by robbers and left on the side of the road. After being passed by two other Democrats, a Republican came along and at the cost of his constituency, sacrificially cared for the down and out Democrat…
There once was a pro-life supporter that was beaten by robbers and left by the side of the road. After being passed by their fellow pro-lifers, a Planned Parenthood staffer stopped and sacrificially took care of the pro-lifer, saving their life…
I get the scandalous nature of this last example and I chose it purposefully because it has the potential to be the most polarizing, the one where the Christian community may feel most justified in their disdain for another group of people. I chose it because it gets us the closest to the scandal that we so quaintly call the “Parable of the Good Samaritan.”
This story that has become almost like a children’s tale to us is a story of the barriers God is calling us to break down to see and show His love. It is a call to throw off the simple stereotypes we use to label people and keep them at a distance. It addresses the issues of why the “good guys” don’t always act like the “good guys,” and the “bad guys” maybe act more like Jesus than the “good guys.” Telling the people of God that they are missing God’s intentions, while celebrating how a “heathen heretic of a Samaritan” (the 1st Century Jewish thought) demonstrated it, was scandalous.
Jesus told this story to shake things up and to open eyes, first to the type of sacrificial, scandalous, and reckless love God puts on display for each of us, and second to break down the walls of who we show it to. No matter how much we try, we categorize the people we do or do not care for.
So the question is, who are the people that you disqualify? Maybe those who we see as evil? Are we willing to see them as human beings, willing to see the hints of godliness they portray? Are we willing to look at the evil inside of us and where we fail to demonstrate Jesus’ love? And are we willing to change?
Application:
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How does the story of the Good Samaritan challenge our perceptions of how we view those outside our group?
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How does God’s extravagant and scandalous love for us challenge how we love others?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please help me to love those who aren’t like me, those that frustrate me, even those who offend me. This is the type of love You demonstrated for me when I was offensive to You. Amen.
Mark 5:1-20 (NLT)
So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.
When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”
Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”
And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.
There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.”
So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.
The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
Explanation:
Few of us know the level of torment someone experiences when possessed by an evil spirit. Hollywood may give us a glimpse of what it looks like on the outside, but only God can see what takes place in the soul of someone operating under Satan’s control.
In spiritual terms, the word possessed is used exclusively for ownership by a demonic spirit. We do not say that Christ followers are angelically or divinely possessed, rather that we are saved, or redeemed. The difference between possession and salvation is free will. One may take an interest in the occult or even unwittingly entertain satanic philosophies, but once that door is open, possession is not a matter of choice—it can happen quickly, completely, and without warning. Contrast that with the tenderness of God, who “[draws us] with gentle cords, with bands of love” (Hosea 11:4). It’s up to us to respond to His call for salvation, and if we do, He guarantees that the enemy cannot possess us (John 10:28). We can be tempted, harassed, attacked, even oppressed by satan’s army, but the battle for our soul has been won. We must spend time daily putting on the full armor of God’s protection, so we can be victorious over anything that comes our way.
Application:
- Jesus did not allow the healed man to follow Him, rather He instructed the man to go tell everyone what Jesus did for him. Are you telling anyone what Jesus did for you?
Prayer:
Lord God, thank You for saving my soul, and for the blessed assurance that the enemy cannot snatch me out of Your hand. Surround me with Your hedge of protection as a shield. Amen!
Matthew 8:1-4 (NIV)
When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Explanation:
Jesus had just finished the Sermon on the Mount when a man inflicted with leprosy asked Jesus if He was willing to heal him.
During this time, if someone had a strange spot on their skin, they would be inspected by a priest and quarantined for a time. They would then be reinspected, and their lives would go in one of two ways: either they would be allowed back into society, or they would be condemned to isolation in a leper colony, no longer able to interact with family members. Spouses were no longer kissed, and children were never again hugged. Lepers developed putrid, decaying skin with deep sores from head to toe, and often a foul odor. Over time, extremities became numb and fell away, often including the nose. Victims were described as having lion-like, swollen faces, claw-like hands, and raspy voices. Leprosy went 4,000 years without a cure.
It was believed that lepers were inflicted with the disease due to sin, and religious leaders were cruel and harsh to them. Lepers were also required by law to announce their approach with, “Unclean! Unclean!” Imagine having to shout your worst embarrassment or shame whenever in public.
For this man to leave his colony and seek Jesus was a testament to his faith. He broke many laws to do this. And notice how he asked if Jesus was willing to heal him? He didn’t waver or question this. He just knew it. Jesus said He was willing, He touched the leper, and the man was healed immediately. This demonstrates the parallel of leprosy and our sinful condition. Both spread and destroy their hosts, but one touch from Jesus will restore us completely.
Jesus didn’t need to touch the man to heal the leper. He chose to. Jesus was filled with compassion. Just as a parent longs to ease the pain of their child, Jesus wants to bear our burdens. He is not embarrassed by our sins. He is willing to touch us, not based on how foul we are, but on how wonderful He is. Jesus never once told someone they are too far gone or can’t be reached. Sometimes we think we will never get our lives together, or we’ve gone too far, or the damage is too severe, but Jesus wants to heal us. Now is the time to embrace Him. Jesus chose to illuminate His miraculous ability through healing the leper. Jesus touches the outcast.
Application:
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Journal some ways you may not accepting of outcasts.
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Make a list of things you wouldn’t hesitate to do for your family members or dearest friends. How does this relate to your relationship with God?
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Say out loud, “God, I need You.” Do this until it becomes habit.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, give us the strength to leave our colonies and ask for Your healing. Use us to illustrate Your strength and miraculous ability. Touch us, heal us, fulfill us, and deliver us from the death sentence of sin. Remind us we will never get it together enough to wait to ask You for healing. Help us to have the courage to ask right now.
For Further Study:
Read and study Leviticus 14, Mark 1:41, and 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Luke 7:36-50 (ESV)
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Explanation:
Imagine that room.
✔️ The Host ✔️ The Guest ✔️ The Condemned
…and dinner. …and cringing onlookers. …AND humility upstaging piety.
We have no idea why Simon invited Jesus to dinner but he certainly was not effusive in honor. He literally just did dinner and skipped the customs that showed basic respect for his guest. He tips his hand by what he didn’t do.
BUT we know without a doubt why Mary was there. She was there for Jesus.
She heard where Jesus was and went to Him. Grateful people want to thank Jesus. She had wept at Jesus's feet before in a lack of faith when her brother died, and now she had an opportunity to weep at His feet in gratitude for doing something greater than raising her brother Lazarus from the dead…He forgave her many sins. She had a history with Jesus.
John 11:2 defines her as “the Mary who…” John 11:32-33 finds her weeping at Jesus's feet. John 12:3 shows her pouring perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiping them with her hair.
In Simon’s house, Mary responded again by kneeling at the feet of Jesus, with palpable gratitude. Jesus was her Redeemer. She had a tender heart. Think how many tears she had to cry to be able to wash Jesus’s feet. In a loving act of faith, she broke a costly jar of perfume and anointed Jesus. In a tender expression of humility, she cried at His feet. In a beautiful moment of serving, she dried His feet with her own hair.
She loved him from the deepest parts of her soul against the backdrop of her fallen nature, and her tears flowed unabashedly. She kissed the feet that Simon hadn’t bothered to wash.
Simon and Mary both had souls. Both had spiritual needs. Both had longing. Both had brokenness. Both weren’t meant to be perfect, but both were meant to be whole.
Simon stays rigid in pride while Mary basks in her freedom. Simon had the answer for wholeness at his dinner table, but his natural heart resisted. He stood firm in his religion and judgment.
Mary, however, is formidable in her embrace of grace and lack of pretense. She is lavish with love and thanks.
Every cell in Mary’s body understood___ a life troubled by the ravages of sin can become a life of opulent peace, when grace is accepted.
Application:
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Perhaps instead of a message of how bad sin is, we should share a message of how great forgiveness is! What do you think?
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Critics like Simon will come and go, but the peace of God lasts forever. Surround yourself with forgiven people, and see the dimension it adds to your life. Forgiven people are fun and gracious and add value to your life. Mary taught us that Jesus enjoys forgiven people who celebrate. Will you celebrate with a physical response?
Prayer:
Please help me to open my heart to accept I am not a compilation of my failures, but instead, I am what You give me. What You give me is unconditional, everlasting love. What I want to give You in return, is a life of gratitude. Amen
Luke 19: 1-10 (NIV)
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now, I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Explanation:
I don’t know about any of you, but I hate to be lost. A loss for words, lost in the sense of direction, lost in life, loss of money, loss of time. A loss of anything gives me a headache, frustrates me, and makes me sweat.
Think about this for a second: There are people out there who are lost and don’t even know it. We were those people at one time. At least I was one of those people. I had no real purpose. I was doing what I wanted to do all day, every day. Just doing me. Being selfish with my time, my money, my desires. I didn’t really care about anyone else unless they could benefit me in some way. Kinda like Zacchaeus. He was a tax collector, not any old tax collector, but a chief tax collector. A big shot. I don’t know about any of you, but that title would have gone straight to my head when I was a lost soul like Zacchaeus was.
Zacchaeus obviously wanted to see what this Jesus guy was about. I mean, the dude climbed in a tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus. So, at that point Zacchaeus was looking. Something was pulling him in. Maybe he was looking for change. Looking for someone to direct his life. Looking for answers to questions that kept him up at night. All we really know is that his spirit was stirred.
These are questions we need to ask ourselves often: Was I lost? Am I lost? Will I get lost? Is this the path God wants me on? Should I be dating this person? Am I really addicted to this? Take the inventory of your life to God. Give Him all of your lost moments. This is scary, I know. No one wants to be lost, and a lot of us don’t want to ask for help. But look at Zacchaeus at the end of this story. Zacchaeus tells Jesus that he will repay the people he swindled, to the extreme of paying it back fourfold. And he will give his stuff to the poor. Then Jesus says to him, in public, “Today salvation has come to this house.” On that day, a lost soul has come to know Christ, and he has turned from his old, terrible, exhausting ways to follow Christ. Mike drop and give someone a chest pump moment. A lost soul has a moment that changes his eternity.
So now I have to ask you: What is making you lost in your life? Because Jesus wants to talk with you about it.
Application:
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Was I lost? Really think about the times you were lost. Did you invite Jesus to help?
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Am I lost? What can I do to find the direction that God has for me?
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Will I get lost? Yes, yes you will, but ask God to show you how to navigate through it.
Prayer:
God, thank You for today. Thank You for standing with me even when I’m lost. Thank You for loving me through the lost times and the found moments. Show me how to listen to You better in the lost moments. Give me the courage to ask for help in my weak moments. Give me strength to help others in their lost times. God, I love You and praise You in all the moments of my life. Amen.
Mark 2:13-17 (ESV)
He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Explanation:
Jesus was meticulous with where He taught. You would find Him in the synagogues or homes with Pharisees to debate the finer points of theology. This would be where you would expect to see the Son of God. But many times, you would find Him in the outdoors for His teachings. Getting outside the confinement of walls, He was able to expand His ministry and reach a different, more diverse audience. Most of the crowds that followed Him included those that wouldn’t generally be welcomed into the synagogues for teaching. Women, girls, and boys under thirteen years old didn’t have Pharisaical duties that would make it necessary for them to be a part of it. Gentiles and sinners were definitely rejected and unwelcome in the synagogues. The crowd that was gathering around Jesus were made up of more than the disciples, Pharisees, and scribes. It was also the Gentiles, women, children, and sinners. Because of this, Levi most likely saw many faces in the crowd that he recognized.
In a mirroring passage, Matthew 9:9, we learn that Levi is actually Matthew, and most likely Jesus was invited to his house for a feast amongst his peers of other tax collectors, Gentiles, and sinners. Pharisees were harsh on Jewish tax collectors. They were excommunicated from the synagogues, banned from court rooms, and generally looked at as the worst of the worst. So when they saw Jesus having dinner with them, the Pharisees were baffled. These people do not follow or meet any of the Mosiac laws put in place to make them ritually clean and right with God. Why in the world would Jesus want to be associated with people like that?! In classic Jesus format, He gently reminds them of His purpose: to save the sinners, and to grow His kingdom.
We can gravitate toward things, groups, and people that exemplify our own identities. Often it means we are excluding what comes against those identities, too. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing when the opposition can cause harm or lead us away from Christ. But we can still love each other well when differences arise. Knowing Jesus and aligning ourselves with those that are also seeking to know Jesus will naturally grow the kingdom and cancel out any earthly divisive identities we have embraced. This doesn’t mean we need to completely walk away from all groups, people, things that haven’t fully turned their attention toward Jesus, though. We must keep our identity in Jesus as our foundational truth everywhere we go. Allow those groups and people to experience Jesus through you.
Application:
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What are the types of environments you enjoy being in? What are some of the things that make your friend groups stick together?
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Do these groups or environments exclude anyone? Or have rules/laws?
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It’s important for us to find and expose ourselves to things that are different than us. But we must first be firm in our own relationship with Christ. Jesus works through us to expand His kingdom when we choose to love well in all circumstances and environments. Take a moment to think about all that you are a part of. In what ways could you impact others if Jesus was at the front of your mind?
Prayer:
Jesus, I am so grateful for the love You have for all of humanity. We are plagued with sin, yet You want us to be with You for eternity. Help me to address the ways I have built judgment towards others outside my own groups. Search my heart to reveal my own sin. Help me to grow in grace, love, and wisdom to build the kingdom of God. Amen.
Mark 7:1-13 (ESV)
Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Explanation: To be honest, I love traditions that have been passed down in my family. Growing up, we would vacation at the same camping location every year with my grandparents, which became something we all looked forward to. As I got older, camping was replaced by a hotel waterpark. My entire family would stay overnight, and of course we all had to do things we had done on previous stays. It’s still a family tradition we all enjoy every year. I think traditions are what make families unique and everyone connect. When we get together, we always reminisce about the memories.
Family traditions can be fun, but what if I was never willing to change them? What if I never wanted to do anything else but what I have been doing for years? If I never would have grown or changed my thinking, I would have missed out on a lot of new experiences. Traditions are important, but are they always necessary? Do we ever ask the question, “Why are we doing this?” I grew up in a very traditional Lutheran church. I enjoyed my church experience, but didn’t always understand why we did certain things. On the surface, there is nothing wrong with honoring the past and doing church traditions, but is it always what God wants or even commands?
In our scripture today, Jesus was addressing the traditions of the Pharisees, in particular the ceremonial washing of their hands before they ate. It was not an issue of washing their hands because they were unclean, but an elaborate washing process the elders did before they ate to show they were “more spiritually filled” than others. It was an extensive ritual, often repeated over and over, and then reciting a prayer that was not honoring God from their heart. The religious leaders questioned Jesus, asking “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” They knew these washings were never commanded by God or Scripture, but passed down through the traditions of men. The Pharisees kept these traditions so rigorously that it led to excluding everyone else who didn’t. This discouraged people from a relationship with God, which upset Jesus.
Jesus responds to these religious leaders by calling them hypocrites. This word in ancient Greek language refers to an actor whose image is more important than who they actually are. (Text Commentaries, David Guzik). Jesus quotes scripture from Isaiah prophesying “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Jesus then asks the Pharisees why they don’t follow the commandment to honor their parents, and use their finances to help them. Jesus always used every opportunity as a teaching point, to have people reflect on their motives and their relationship with God. Jesus wants our hearts toward Him first, not us doing a check list of tasks.
Application:
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Have you ever got caught up in the traditions of church or religion, but not fully had your heart toward God? If so, how did you refocus your attention to honor God?
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Reading God’s word is essential to be certain what God wants from us as His children. If you desire to know Scripture better, start small with just a few verses that are impactful to you.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Help me refocus on You and get rid of the distractions in my life. I may not always have the right motives, but I want to change my heart towars You. Thank you for loving me as a child who needs correction but also Your grace. I want to know Your love. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.
John 8:2-11 (NLT)
Early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
Explanation:
You’ve probably seen the T-shirts, signs, memes, and bumper stickers that say, “No Mercy.” It’s pretty popular around big sports rivalry games (ahem, Ohio State vs. the Team Up North) when we rally around our team and support them by telling them to spare no mercy for the other team. It’s the tough guy image that get behind to rally our boys to a win. Merciless attack is the name of the game. Our culture is that way, isn’t it? Even 2,000 years ago culture was that way. The wise leaders, the Pharisees, wanted “no mercy” for this woman who had been caught in adultery. The inside story here is that they were trying to get Jesus in a Catch-22 so that they could arrest Him for being a false teacher and breaking the law of Moses, but that’s a story for another time.
Jesus gave the accusers the ultimate zinger here. In today’s terms, He looked at them and said, “You want no mercy? Fine. If you can show me that YOU are more deserving of mercy because you’re perfect and have never sinned, then we’ll talk about showing her no mercy. For now, though, you probably ought to hush your mouth because we all know you’re not perfect.” Bam. That was the mic drop that caused them all to leave that poor woman alone.
Some of us are old enough to remember a game we played on the school bus or at recess called “Mercy.” Two people would intertwine their fingers, much like you would on a romantic date, but there was no romance involved. Each person would use the strength of their hands to try to bend their opponent’s fingers backward until they couldn’t stand the pain anymore and shouted “Mercy!” I look back at this game and think about how primitive it was, but I also think about it in different context—how many times do we wait until we can’t take the pain any longer and then cry out to God asking for His mercy?
I cannot count the times that God’s mercy has welcomed me back into His loving arms after I’ve done something stupid or made a bad decision. Can you imagine what life would be like without God’s grace and mercy? We would be condemned to death. Like the woman in today’s story, there would be no hope. No promise of a better life after we complete our earthly journey, because we are all sinners. God’s mercy is hope in the darkness, forgiveness of sins, and a love that is greater than we could ever imagine.
Application:
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What if this woman was on trial today for a crime? How do you think her trial would be handled? Would her accusers give her mercy, or would she be condemned?
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Think of a time in your life that God has shown you mercy. It can be something as simple as giving you breath in your lungs when you woke up this morning. Reflect on how great God is and take a moment to thank Him for His redeeming love and mercy.
Prayer:
God, thank You for being such a merciful God. We don’t deserve Your forgiveness. We don’t deserve to have the promise of life everlasting with You, and we certainly don’t deserve to be loved. As humans in general, we are not great. We’ve turned our back on You and tried to do things on our own, and then when we’re on our last leg, we cry out to You for mercy. Even in our lowest times, You open Your arms and forgive us. You don’t dwell on our past sins or make us wallow in guilt—You simply show mercy and love over and over again. Help us to be people that are merciful in a culture that is not. Help us to remember that You gave us a model to follow in Jesus, and soften our hearts so that we can be more like Him. Thank You for saving me, and thank You for Your grace. Amen.
Luke 11:37-46 (NLT)
As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table. His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom. Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy-full of greed and wickedness. Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.
What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you love to sit in the seats of honor in the synagogues and receive respectful greetings as you walk in the marketplaces. Yes, what sorrow awaits you! For you are like hidden graves in a field. People walk over them without knowing the corruption they are stepping on.”
“Teacher,” said an expert in religious law, “you have insulted us, too, in what you just said.”
“Yes,” said Jesus, “what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbelievable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden.”
Explanation:
In this conversation between Jesus and a member of the strict sect of Judaism called the Pharisees, Jesus breaks down the old saying: “You can’t see the forest for the trees.”
The first “tree” addressed is ceremonial cleansing (or lack thereof) at the expense of earnest relationship. Presumably, the Pharisee had genuine interest in Jesus’s teachings or, at a minimum, wanted to engage Him in open and honest discourse. But any notion of doing so is dashed when the Pharisee focuses on something “required by Jewish custom,” which really wasn’t required at all. Jesus points this out, explaining that God isn’t concerned whether He has washed well enough, but instead with what is going on in His heart, mind, and spirit.
The second “tree” noted is tithing at the expense of loving God and His people. Once again, Jesus expresses that if what is on the inside of us is driven by ANYTHING other than a desire to please God, the outward expression is pointless. He cares only about the heart behind the act, never the act itself.
The third “tree” is being seen as righteous and important to the world. Engaging only in surface relationships with God and others, refusing to let anyone into your heart or your life, indicates that you are content being alone. BUT that has never been, nor will it ever be, God’s plan for your life. We were meant to love and be loved, and if we choose to disregard this command, we can’t be surprised if, and inevitably when, someone walks right past our life as if it doesn’t exist. As The Message so bluntly puts it: “People walk over that nice, grassy surface never suspecting the corruption that is six feet under.” OUCH.
The great news for us is that even if we see more of ourselves in the Pharisee’s behavior than we ever realized or intended, Jesus wants us to change! He offers us this chance, and God can and will heal us if we offer up what is really inside of us. This story is a cautionary one and included in the word of God for our benefit. These “trees” are only good IF they are PART of the forest of God’s all-encompassing, never-ending love for us. Alone, they simply block our view of just that.
Application:
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Jesus tells the Pharisee three times that “sorrow awaits” him if he doesn’t change his ways. I can’t imagine a more crushing prediction for someone who truly loves and serves God in this life. Our entire hope is built on knowing that one day we can escape this world, where sorrow is already so prevalent, to an eternity filled with only the good things of God. So, imagine being told by Jesus that only sorrow remains for the future. If that doesn’t cause you to take a look at your life, I don’t know what will.
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Do you have some areas of “obligatory spirituality” in your own life? Is your life in danger of being considered an unmarked grave because of them? Be honest with God and yourself. These behaviors are damaging to your relationship with Him and also your relationships with others. Surrender anything He brings to your mind, and ask Him for guidance on how to get a better view of His beautiful forest.
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“Fools! Frauds! Hypocrites!” Pick your biblical translation and pick your title. The Greek word for hypocrite means “play acting.” And even though we might be able to genuinely fool other people, we’ll never be able to fool God. But there is hope! Even if you are working on coming out from behind a particular “tree,” there is a God who is ready, willing, and able to point out the way.
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Practice loving God and others sacrificially this week. Then these “trees” will no longer be impediments, but rather inclusions in a life that is lived fully known and loved.
Prayer:
Father God, we thank You so much for Your patience as we learn to live life with You. Forgive us for the ways we have complicated this beautiful gift, and help us to simplify our relationship with You and others in love alone. Guard our hearts against judgment of others in this regard, and help all of Your children, myself included, turn from these selfish ways back toward You. In Your Son’s holy Name we pray. Amen.
Mark 12:38-40 (ESV)
And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
Explanation: The scribes and Jesus were in a tension all through the gospel of Mark, specifically in chapter 12 as they continue to approach Jesus with questions, trying to trap and test Him. Jesus is challenging those listening to His teaching to beware of the scribes, going on to explain that their appearance may come across in one way as honor and power, while they damage those around them and pray and follow God falsely. This section of scripture ends with the convicting sentence, “They will receive the greater condemnation.”
Jesus is teaching this to not only point out the wrongs in the false leading of the gospel, but also to tell the people to beware of those that live all for show, for their worldly life on the exterior. We as followers of Christ can read this scripture and be challenged in the ways we live. Are we being fooled by those around us with the best seats and places of honor, and are we falling into the temptation to find power and life in worldly glories? The thing we must draw our attention to is protecting our hearts in order to flee from the greater condemnation and towards who Christ truly is and what He has done for us.
Application:
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Do you ever find yourself living as the scribes, falling into worldly blessings and turning from the truths of God, or stuck in an “all for show manner?”
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Why is it important to know the consequence of living in the way of the scribes, and how can that truth pertain to you?
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How can you ask God to teach you to open your eyes to your heart and to the hearts of others around you?
Prayer:
God, thank You for being not only Father, Savior, and many other names, but also for being our Teacher. We thank You that You love us enough to convict us in times where we need it, and also that You show us the truths to Your blessing and how we should live in order to receive it. We ask that You move in our hearts and minds, teach us more and more each day about Your word and the truths You have for us. Convict us in a way that molds us into a creation that looks more like You. Amen.
Luke 18:9-14 (New English Translation, NET)
Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else. “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’ The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’ I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Explanation:
How many times in our lives have we felt that our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ have judged us unjustly, or have looked down among us because of their self-appointed holiness? It's a tragic affair.
We are all sinners saved by grace. Such were some of us: liars, thieves, drunks, abusers of drugs, indulgers in vile deeds, etc. However, we were saved by grace and mercy. None of us deserve the gift that Christ bestowed upon us at the cross. Every single person in existence, since Adam and Eve committed the first sin against God by taking and eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, is a born sinner. From the moment they did that, man was at enmity with God. We are acting for our own selfish interests unless we decide to put God's kingdom ahead of our own.
It doesn't matter how you were raised. It doesn't matter what you've done in the past. It doesn't matter what kind of person you think you are, whether you think you are good enough or justified in your actions, or even whether you think the world may be better off without you. The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Christ comes so that you may have life, and life more abundantly (John 10:10). When you humble yourself to the living God, He will change your life. He will intervene on a level you never thought possible. He will do things in your midst that will amaze you and make you even more faithful. He will change your marriage, He will change your workplace, He will change your home life, He will affect your thoughts, He will help you to be a better person through the spirit of the living God, He will change your demeanor, and He will soften your heart. Even if you are the most hated person in your culture, like the tax collector was in the Jewish culture, He will change your entire existence and mark you as His own.
However, on the other hand, if you think that your self-righteousness and self-appointed holiness will save you, you will be sadly mistaken. If God's people will humble themselves, and pray and seek His face, and turn from their wickedness, He will hear them from heaven and He will forgive them and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Application:
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As a Pharisee should have, lay down your self-righteousness this week. Humble yourself before God, and ask Him to help you see your life as He sees it. Ask Him what you need to do to be more like Christ, our perfect example.
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As a tax collector did, come back to the cross. Kneel before the living God and recognize that Christ is the only way to heaven. Give yourself to Him, and He will hear you, forgive you, and make you His own.
Prayer:
God, I thank You that I am a sinner saved by grace. I thank You that when I humble myself and pray to You, when I ask You to forgive me for my self-righteousness, and when I ask You to hear me, You do just that. God, show me what I need to do to be changed by You. Show me what relationships I need to work on. Show me how You would treat those around me, so I can be more like Your Son. Help me to show others the love of Christ. Let me help them meet Christ right where they are, in that very moment of need. Help me to reflect Your image. Amen.
For Further Study:
Spend some time in meditation this week, and focus on the statutes of God. Type "What are the statutes of God?" into a search engine, develop a list to use during your meditations, and focus on how to implement them into your life.
John 2:13-17, 22 (NLT)
It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”
Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”
After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.
Explanation:
Rationalization is one of the most dangerous words in the English language. It sums up the process that moves you from ✔️thought, ✔️to consideration, ✔️to action, ✔️to repeated action, ✔️to what becomes practiced sin. All things gone awry spiritually____ start with rationalization. The Jews were superior rationalizers.
Visualize the avarice and cheating going on at the temple when Jesus shows up: sordid swindlers taking advantage of those in need of forgiveness of sins, making an extortion business out of God’s house. Animals were needed at that time to offer sacrifices for sins so hey…let’s get people who are exhausted and have traveled from far away, in their deepest point of need (forgiveness of sin), and extract exorbitant amounts of money “to care for our beautiful Temple.” Jesus always became His angriest over oppression and those who misused their religious standing. Jesus would eventually die on the cross to take care of never needing an animal again, but until He did, He did what Jesus does best.
He interrupted.
Jesus took the evil acts in the temple as an insult to God, and was consumed with holy and righteous anger against such flagrant disrespect for God.
The temple was for repentance, worship, and prayer…a soothing, holy, set- apart place to realign with God and honor Him.
This isn’t a story recorded just for facts. It’s recorded for application.
Now your body is that temple. You. Your body. It’s a big deal.
1 Corinthians 3:16
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
When you rationalize anything that moves into your heart to defile and capsize your devotion to God, you risk being hoodwinked by the temple sellers. Jesus’s love for you won’t tolerate it. He will interrupt!
Jesus still clears the temple of our hearts, and it can feel violent. His love is bold enough to cause a spiritual scene. Through repercussions and consequences, His hand moves in our lives in such a way the inappropriate and unsuitable are exposed and toppled. It feels as brutal as the temple cleansing, but the results of restoration and things being set right are a freedom beyond description.
Jesus is zealous for you; the most extreme proof …dying for you. You can bet He is going to aggressively fight for the courts of your heart.
Application:
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Jesus single-handedly can overthrow an entrenched system of evil that poses as a spiritual benefit. What does he have His eye on in your heart?
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When great dysfunction exists, over-correction is what is needed. One doesn’t “wean” out of dysfunction. Open wide your temple courts, and let Him zealously destroy the profane intruders of your heart. Cleansing smells good, tastes good, feels good, sounds good, is good.
Prayer:
Oh Lord, create in me a clean heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me! Expose Crush Topple Whip 180 any spiritual impediment in the courtyard of my heart.
Amen!
Matthew 12:1-14 (NLT)
At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”
Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”
Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)
And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”
Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.
Explanation:
What preconceived notions do you hold onto that do not actually reflect the heart of God? Perhaps you have certain ideas about how a church should be, or how family members should conduct their lives, or how we should treat those who don’t believe the same things we do. When we get close to Jesus, He has a way of blowing our preconceived notions out of the water…if we let Him.
The Sabbath was a holy day for the nation of Israel, a day dedicated to God that demanded rest and a turning back of their heart-focus to the things of God. It set the Jewish culture apart from all other people at that time, and inserted the God they served right into their daily lives. If you were a practicing Jew, the Sabbath was an obvious, visual way to proclaim to those around you who you were. Without modern amenities to make life easier, your livelihood and the comfort of your family was dependent on how hard you worked on a daily basis, taking care of your crops, bringing in the water, carrying things, preparing food. Taking a full day off every week was supposed to be a step of faith that honored God’s commands and declared that He would take care of all your needs. Instead, the Pharisees were using the Sabbath as a way to judge and set themselves above others, not as a way to honor God.
How easy it is for us to fall into the same trap! We get so opinionated and judgmental of others that we forget it is possible to be totally right, and completely WRONG at the same time.
Jesus didn’t mind His disciples harvesting some grain to eat while they followed Him because His heart was moved by their hunger. Keeping the Sabbath with your hands and feet but judging others in your heart from morning to evening doesn’t honor Him! Doing good to others is more important than being right all the time, and letting someone suffer while you preach to them doesn’t do any good. The passage shows the stark results of religiosity without love: your hardened heart will not be moved by others’ hunger, pain, or suffering, and you will miss out on the compassionate heart of the Father.
Application:
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What are some preconceived notions you might have that cause you to look at others a certain way, but actually might not be a reflection of God’s heart?
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What are some areas in your life that you sacrifice a lot for? Repeated sacrifice can lead to a hardened heart when you start focusing on what you “need to do” instead of the object of the work you are doing. Whether it is for God, your spouse, your children, or your work, love often requires sacrifice, but not at the expense of the object of your love! How can you refocus your heart today?
Prayer:
Lord God, I do not want to be walking around thinking I’m doing everything right, but miss out on Your heart! Show me today where I need to shift my focus! Help me, God! Help me to function from a place of love and mercy, not from judgment or condemnation. Help all that I DO be an outflow from a heart that reflects Yours. Amen.
For Further Study:
Meditate on the verse Jesus referenced above and see what the Holy Spirit convicts your heart about areas you need to change.
Hosea 6:6 (NLT) I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:6 (ESV) For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Ephesians 4:11-16 (NRSV)
The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.
Explanation:
I find myself in a season of parenting where I am trying to teach my child to problem solve, and in some ways, figure things out for herself. For example, the other day she was physically stuck behind the couch. Although I could have helped her in this instance, I thought it was a great moment for her to problem solve and think of a solution. So, instead of helping her, I told her to “figure it out.” In this instance, having her figure things out for herself was a positive and good learning moment. However, I know there are other areas of her life where I do not want her to “figure it out” for herself; rather, I want to teach her, shape her, and lead her to learn God’s truth and direction for her life.
Our current culture is constantly screaming messages to us. Right now, we are being told to figure things out for ourselves. Discover your truth, your path, what you want for your life. But this message is damaging. Sure, we can “figure” some things out, but it does not always mean it will be the healthiest or best way. Culture does not have our best interest in mind. Culture is run by broken people who are just trying to “figure things out” for themselves.
That is not the case with God. He is constant and never-changing. He is truth. He has always been, and will only lead us down a path that leads to life. Whenever we don’t know what to do, He is where we find true knowledge and wisdom. As humans, we are limited. Limited in our perspective, knowledge, and understanding because we are broken individuals. But we have a God who is full of all wisdom and knowledge. He knows all, sees all, and has our best interest in mind. We no longer have to “figure it out” for ourselves…we can seek God for wisdom and guidance for our lives. Seek Him today. He will give you the wisdom, knowledge, and guidance you need to live life to the fullest…and that is only found in Him.
Application:
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Why is it harmful and damaging for us to try to figure things out for ourselves?
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What are some of the messages you feel culture is screaming at you currently?
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Why is seeking God’s wisdom a better way?
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Can you think of a time when you sought God’s wisdom instead of your own? How did the situation play out for you?
Prayer:
God, culture is screaming so many messages to us on a daily basis. It can be hard to figure out what is truth and what is not. As we continue to walk with You, will You please speak truth, wisdom, and knowledge into our lives? And when we try to figure things out on our own, remind us that we have You to teach us and walk alongside us. We know Your way is always better. Help us to walk in Your truth today. Amen.
Psalm 25:4-5 (ESV)
Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
Explanation:
My favorite type of coach or teacher is one who tells me what they want me to do and are clear with their expectations. I don’t like reading between the lines or trying to figure out if what I’m doing meets the standards. If I’m doing something wrong, I like to be shown the right way to do it and not have to guess what’s best. I love how God operates in this way. In Scripture, God is so clear to us about the way He desires for us to live, and how we can experience the most full life here on earth. His truth is presented over and over in Scripture, and although applying it to our lives isn’t easy, finding out what the truth is, isn’t difficult.
In the verses prior to ones listed above, David is professing his dependence on God, and desires what comes with that type of a relationship with God. He desires to have God defend him, and then goes on to ask God to:
• Make known His ways • Teach His paths • Lead in His truth • Teach him
David is an intelligent and capable man. Yet, he recognizes that doing life on his own isn’t the best way. David knows who God is, and that God’s ways are best. It would have been easy for David to rely on his own intelligence or strength, but he knows that’s not what will make him successful. David recognizes that the best way to live is to follow the path that God lays out, and he is willing to do what it takes to be led by God. And here’s the good news: God was faithful to David’s cries and will be faithful to our cries. When we ask God to help us know His ways and to lead us, He will. He isn’t a cruel God who is trying to make us guess what is truth. He clearly tells us His truth and promises to guide us by His Holy Spirit. Our responsibility is to ask, be open, and obey.
Application:
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Do you truly desire for God to teach you His truth?
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Are you willing to do the hard step of applying it to your life? If not, what is preventing you?
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Do you have a truth that God has revealed to you recently?
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If so, what are you doing about it?
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Take a minute to pray and ask God to reveal one step He wants you to take today.
Prayer:
God, I’m so thankful that we serve a God who isn’t trying to trick us or make us confused, but rather a God who is full of truth and is willing to lead and guide us. Hearing Your truth can be tough, and applying it to our lives even tougher. Please help us to be willing to hear Your truth and to trust that You will help us apply it to our lives. Thank You for giving us what we need when we need it.
1 Corinthians 15:1-5 (ESV)
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
Explanation:
There is a common icebreaker activity that is played in group settings called “Two Truths and a Lie.” You probably have played it yourself. Each person in a group comes up with two truths about their lives and one lie. They tell them all to the group at the same time, and the group tries to decide which ones are the truths and which one is the lie. It can be loads of fun and a good way to get to know someone better.
I think there is a part of us, if we are honest with ourselves, that would say we can at times approach God’s word and His commands in our lives with this same mentality. We find ourselves questioning the validity of the words that we hear or read about in Scripture. In fact, Scripture can be very foreign to us, almost as if we are trying to interpret an entirely different language. It is this foreignness that can lead us to question at times.
The truth is that this type of grappling with God’s word is not unique to just us. We are not alone in it. The Apostle Paul finds himself speaking to a group of individuals in Corinth who were feeling a bit of that tension, too…unsure of what maybe they fully believed and why they believed it to begin with. However, Paul ministers to them and reminds them of the power that lies behind the message of the Gospel. Paul speaks as one who is confident in what he believes, because he probably spent a good deal of time wrestling with these tensions himself.
Remember, Paul was a man in opposition to Jesus at one time. I cannot imagine it was a quick turnaround for him to instantaneously believe the Gospel message. Maybe it was. All we know is that faith taught Paul that what Jesus said and what Jesus did was true. This was birthed out of putting God’s word into practice. This is precisely the message Paul is preaching to the church in Corinth. It is not a surprise to God when we find ourselves wrestling with His truths. However, it presents us with an opportunity to, like Paul, keep holding fast in faith to the life-changing message of the Gospel that we first fell in love with. The message that saved our lives.
Application:
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Why did you first believe in the message of the Gospel?
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In what ways do you find yourself wrestling with the truths of God’s word?
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Why do you think Paul was so confident in the message of the Gospel?
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What are some practical steps you can take each day to shore up your faith in the truths of God?
Prayer:
Jesus, restore to me my hope and love for You and Your message. It truly is the message of salvation, and I want to hold fast to the power that it provides for my life. You are the Good Shepherd, and You guide in each season of my faith. Continue to guide me even when I have a hard time seeing the truth of Your word.
Colossians 2:6-8 (NIrV)
You received Christ Jesus as Lord. So keep on living your lives in him. Have your roots in him. Build yourselves up in him. Grow strong in what you believe, just as you were taught. Be more thankful than ever before.
Make sure no one controls you. They will try to control you by using false reasoning that has no meaning. Their ideas depend on human teachings. They also depend on the basic spiritual powers of this world. They don’t depend on Christ.
Explanation:
I feel like in our world right now, we are constantly bombarded by people’s opinions. Everyone has an opinion on everything, and they feel they must voice it. Take a scroll on social media for 10 seconds and you will see what I mean. Spend some time reading news stories or attend a kid’s sporting event, and you will witness how opinionated our culture has become. I was at my daughter’s soccer game, and this man kept screaming at the referee (who was a 13-year-old boy) that he didn’t know anything about soccer and he shouldn’t be on the field. I felt like I was in a movie, it was so unreal to me. This went on the whole game. He wasn’t embarrassed one bit, and thought his actions were completely okay.
Paul is kindly warning us to pay no attention to the opinions of this world, BUT to have our roots in God. His words make me think of these two gigantic trees that line my road. They are gorgeous! These trees have been there for many, many years and have very strong and large roots. The more we practice rooting ourselves in God, the more we will become like those trees. We must make it a habit in our lives to keep going to Him and Him alone for what is true. We must go to Him when we are confused, when we are doubting, when we are frustrated, when we are feeling pulled into the world’s lies. I love when Paul writes, “Their ideas depend on human teachings. They don’t depend on Christ.” What a powerful statement that we can hold on to when we start to fall into something we know is not from God. God calls us to depend on Him. Dependence on God is a good thing. Let that sink in. God doesn’t want us to do this on our own; He wants us to partner with Him and depend on Him every single day.
Application:
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What do you think it means to have your roots in Him? What are some practical things you can start doing today to keep your roots in Him?
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I believe that gratitude is powerful for our minds and hearts. Paul says to “be more thankful than ever before.” Take some time thanking God today for all He has blessed you with. Be specific.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for wanting to be in a relationship with us. Thank You for creating us to depend on You. I pray that we would be rooted in You this week, and that we would have thankful hearts. Please help us to love those around us well, even the ones who are hard to love. Amen.
John 18:37-38 (ESV)
Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.
Application: Nothing is as flimsy as “your own truth.” We’ve had it marketed very cleverly in our culture, as though we all can have our own version, but it is shifty. Have you ever watched a crime documentary, and your “own truth” selected the villain before the real truth cleared his name? Have you ever gone into a conversation with one opinion and the presented facts changed your mind?
Truth matters. The truth you build a life on has to be unchangeable and pure, and there is only one source.
Jesus.
Pilate first focuses on a word he understands: king.
Jesus gave him back his words. Pilate lowered Jesus to King, but Jesus was much more than a King.
His realm was total, pure truth.
“I have come into the world to bear witness to THE truth.”
Jesus could not answer Pilate’s question untruthfully. But Jesus went on to indicate that His claims, while true, would not be accepted by those who were not “of the truth.” Those who were “of the truth” would hear His voice and receive Him as their King.
In our oversaturated world of search engine information and 24-hour TV, you surely have had a Pilate moment and wondered exactly who is telling you the truth. One of the tethers of real, secure, fulfilled life is knowing the honest facts regarding the things that affect your life. Nothing is quite as unsettling as having a suspicion. Shadows, deceit, and half-facts rattle your security.
Skip and I are champion coupon flunkies. The promised privilege is always front and center in large print. We consistently miss the fine print buried in them and lose the privileges the coupon promised. It’s not a good feeling to be “punked” by a business. Why don’t they help us be able to read: “If you dine at our restaurant on the last Tuesday of the month, in the months starting with J, between 3:00-3:30, you can purchase one entree ½ off.”
Jesus will never punk you!
That is why He is referred to as the rock! Building our life on Him means: ✔️ We are not going to get our foundation washed away in a storm. ✔️ We will have true direction for decisions and illumination for our purpose. ✔️ We will live in the truth, free of shadows, tricks, and deceit. ✔️ We will know Him…He is knowable!
Application:
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You won’t live in the truth of God as long as you turn to the world as your satisfaction and security.
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To live in God's truth means you have to learn His truth by absorbing the Bible and replacing your thoughts with His thoughts…one verse at a time. Not only that, but when we put on His mind as described in Romans 12:1-2, we have soundness of decisions, results, vision, clarity, and wisdom.
Prayer:
Precious Holy Spirit…deliver me from combo living, where I mix a little of my truth with the truth of God. Set me free to have the wisdom to know that it is the truth of God that will free me to flow and grow. Cleanse me and mold me into a person “of the truth” under the Kingship of Jesus.
Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
Explanation:
Proverbs was written as a guide to help the young with discernment, make the wise even wiser, and steer us away from the line of fire. It speaks to everyone of all ages. Most are two-line couplets, and almost all illustrate a contrast regarding a broad range of difficult situations. Reliance on God as the true path to happiness is the cornerstone of each. The Bible is full of instructions for how to live this life. Proverbs reminds us to lean into God, or we risk unhappiness and negative consequences.
There is no sugar coating here. There is a right way to life, and a wrong way to death. You can believe you are right, and maybe you are, but you can also be dead right. Just because the light has turned green doesn’t mean you can go ahead and ignore the traffic around you. We must take a second and third look before we proceed through the intersection. We may have the right of way, but we must discern and lean into the Holy Spirit before we put our foot on the gas and make choices that lead to terrible consequences.
Each Sunday, the kids’ ministry team reminds the children of the importance of having a positive attitude. They call out in unison, “Attitude matters!” This is what God does for us in the book of Proverbs. He tells us to have a good attitude because He loves us. He reminds us that He has promised to return, and He left us with guidance so we can actively wait in a fulfilling way. A way that glorifies Him and advances His kingdom.
God hasn’t left us. He isn’t far away on some billowy cloud. He’s right here. He is His word. He has a glorious plan for us, and He has presented us with the blueprints for success, with the Holy Spirit to guide us. The path toward truth and life is not promised to come without pain or suffering, but God has told us what to do, so we may lean into Him and come through hard times.
Application:
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Journal some areas in which you may need God’s guidance right now or in the near future.
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Research Bible verses, specifically verses from Proverbs, and look for God’s blueprint for your situation.
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Put God’s word into action, and build on His blueprint.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, wrap Your arms around us as we walk through, and often stumble through life. Help us to let go of foolish pride and the sinful world around us, and just lean into You. Be with us as we search Your word for discernment to apply to our lives. Open our eyes to even small signs that You are with us, so we may be encouraged through hardships. Help us feel Your presence during trials, and remind us to seek You first. Remind us it’s really that simple. It always has and always will be You.
For Further Study:
Read and study Proverbs 1:7, James 1:12, Jeremiah 29:11, John 1:1, and John 14:26.
John 14:1-6 (NLT)
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”
“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Explanation:
This passage is part of the “Upper Room Discourse” (John 13-17), five chapters that capture the last moments Jesus spent with His disciples before He was crucified. These chapters provide some of the deepest and most profound truths in the Bible as Jesus assures them their loyalty to Him is not in vain. The disciples are having difficulty understanding where Jesus is going, so He made it easy for them to understand. I can relate to His explanation.
My sister lives in Palm Springs, California, and I would love to visit her sometime and do some sightseeing. Having never been there, I would need some help with what to see and how to get there. My sister could, I suppose, give me some addresses of places to visit and tell me to use Google maps. Or she could describe in great detail how to get to where I want to go. But she loves me, so I’m sure she would say, “I know how the way, so just stick with me and you’ll get there.”
That’s what Jesus is telling His followers—if they know Him, they know the Father. Therefore, they know the way to where He is going. Jesus is the only way to eternal life, and however thankful I am that He saved me, I’m just as thankful that in the midst of some difficult theology, He makes salvation easy for us to understand.
Application:
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We see in the book of Acts that people started referring to Christianity as the Way, based on Jesus’s words in today’s passage (Acts 9:2, 19:9, 22:4). Do you know the Way?
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If you don’t, search your heart now and be honest about what is standing between you and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us enough to make even one way for us to spend eternity with You. I pray You open my eyes to every opportunity You give me to tell others about the way, the truth, and the life we have through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT)
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Explanation:
Paul, the author of this scripture, is praying for people to realize how much God loves them. Paul persecuted Christians at the beginning of his life. He was on his way to arrest Christians when he met Jesus, but God loved Paul and pursued him. Paul was radically saved and started following God and telling others about Him. He realized how much God loved him, and everything that he gained and earned didn’t mean anything unless Christ was involved (Philippians 3:8-10).
God doesn’t want us to do life without Him. He knows it is impossible. When you feel all the pain of this world, you might have a friend to help you, but nothing comes close to the way He would help and love you. We can’t fathom how much God loves us. I have a little boy and I love him so much. When he hurts, I hurt. I want to fix his problems and help him. In the same way, a loving God looks at us and wants to be involved in everything we go through.
During Children’s Church, the 2-4 years olds at our church sing part of this scripture in a worship song. The beginning of the song says: “I don’t really understand everything that is in Your plan, but if there is one thing you should know is the way He loves us so… HOW WIDE, HOW LONG, HOW HIGH AND HOW DEEP Your love really is.” When I listen to the kids sing this song, they shout it, and it chokes me up every time. The confidence the children have in the truth that “God truly loves them” is inspiring.
The same is true for you! “God truly loves YOU!” Trust today that He wants to be a part of everything in your life. It is so much better doing life with Him.
Application:
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Do you have confidence that God knows what is best in your life?
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What areas are you struggling with understanding that you need to give to God?
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Ask God today to show you how much He loves you.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Help me today to realize that You love me, created me, and want to be in relationship with me. You know what is going on in my life, and You aren’t surprised by it. Help me to trust You when You want to be in the middle of it. I need You today. I love You, Father! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 16-18 (NIV)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Explanation:
It seems like every day my body’s “check engine” light comes on for a different ache or pain du jour. If I sleep in the wrong position, my neck hurts. Stretch my leg in the middle of the night? Charley horse. Pick up something that’s too heavy? Back ache. You get it. Our bodies are not made to live forever. Physically, we are wasting away each moment that we are here on earth. It’s an unfortunate fact that our flesh doesn’t like to deal with.
Paul lived in the same type of physical body that we do, and he realized that his own body was failing. He isn’t saying that the body is worthless, but he wanted us to understand it’s value. We are a container, a vessel like the jars of clay of Paul’s time, that carries the word of Jesus to share with others. We aren’t worthy of this valuable gift, yet God trusts us to carry this on His behalf.
Think about this illustration for a moment: jars of clay were very common in Paul’s time. They weren’t very durable and were often broken. Once they were broken, they were useless. Essentially, they were cheap and held little value. So here we are… jars of clay. Bodies with very little value that God chose to put His light and glory in. God went with the breakable, everyday dishes that we are to do His work. Think about it for a moment… broken, everyday vessels bring glory to God. He is continually refining us so that we can be more like Jesus! This is our hope and our promise. Each day, as my body’s check engine light identifies more and more things going wrong with my physical person, I have the promise that God is renewing my heart! My flesh may be destroyed, but my soul is strong!
Application:
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Is there something that you’re battling with in the flesh that could use a renewed perspective? Take a moment and reflect on Paul’s words that our affliction is light because it is only for a moment. Allow God to carry your suffering today, and ask Him to renew your spirit.
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Paul talks about the weight of glory. Picture a scale. On one side there are 3 bricks, and on the other there are 3 pebbles. Which one weighs more? The bricks, of course. Imagine that those bricks are God’s glory—the glory that’s awaiting us in Heaven. Now imagine that the pebbles are your earthly problems. That’s the “light affliction” that Paul speaks of. What amazing hope that gives us as we walk this earth!
Prayer:
God, my problems seem so big here on earth. I know that You are bigger, but there are days that it’s a struggle. Please help me to see that You have a greater promise for my life, even in these hard times. Give me the strength for the earthly battle that will help me endure until I receive Your glory. In the meantime, help me to grow closer to You as You refine me. Let my broken vessel bring You glory. Thank You for being my God and for Your promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Romans 8:14-18 (ESV)
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Explanation:
Being a parent is hard. Probably the most difficult of any job. I think back to the first few days of being a new parent and the constant desire to do everything to please my newborn son. He would cry out in hunger in the middle of the night, and I was there to fill his belly. When he soiled a diaper and wanted immediate attention, I was there to clean and pat dry. At times he just wanted to be rocked and soothed, and I dropped everything to do just that. And then, he turned two. He began to test his independent desires against my steadfast guidance. Naps weren’t his desire anymore, even though I knew it was what was best for him. He longed to put his index finger into any hole in the wall, as I panicked in fear of his electrocution. Suddenly, he didn’t like green food, even though I stressed how strong it made Popeye. If you ask my son about his childhood sufferings of independence, he will tell you the story of the time he held a grape in his mouth for ten minutes, refusing to chew and swallow. I knew fruit was good for him, but he thought otherwise.
In this passage, Paul writes if you are led by the Spirit, then you are a child of God. YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD! An heir to a glorious kingdom, and the promise of Him being present in your life. What more could any child ask for? Our lives should be perfect, being born in a world where the perfect love of God surrounds us!
… Yet, our lives are not perfect. As humans, we are broken and sinful. But God is there. He is there to say, “You know what, I don’t agree with that choice, but I will offer you grace if you ask for forgiveness.” He is there when we experience pain and loss with the promise of peace and comfort. God is there. Always listening to our hearts. Embracing us with love and desire for the best life.
Application:
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Reflect on a time when you were told “no” by a parent. How differently do you feel now, knowing even God has to sometimes say “no”?
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Imagine a world where everyone drops their surname and added “Child Of God” in its place. How different would the world be? How differently would you treat your brothers and sisters? Would you feel powerful in the hope of everlasting life?
Prayer:
Dear God, I rejoice in knowing I am a child of God. I know I make mistakes and test my independence, yet You remain steadfast in Your promise of an eternal life with me. It is such an honor to carry Your name and be heir to the glorious kingdom in which You live. Help me to receive the guidance from the Spirit to do Your will. Amen.
Acts 2:29-33 (NLT)
“Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave.
“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.
Explanation:
Earlier in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit descended and filled the house where the believers gathered at Pentecost, and they were filled with the power Jesus had promised to them (Luke 24: 49). In this passage, the apostle Peter could not help but to pour out all that God was pouring in.
The concept of being filled up is consistent with the character of God, who is generous and never does anything halfway. Jesus doesn’t partially save anyone, nor does He forgive only some of our sins. With salvation comes a full transformation that fills us with the Holy Spirit. Psalm 23:5 exemplifies God’s generosity when the psalmist declares, “My cup overflows with blessings”.
When a vessel overflows, it spills out what’s inside. If we try to keep for ourselves the blessings we receive, our relationship with God will become stagnant and lifeless like the Dead Sea, which receives water from the Jordan River but has no outlet to pour into. Think of the Christian life as a distribution center—always receiving blessings and always sending them out.
As Christ followers we are to be filled with the fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1: 11) and filled with the fullness of God (Ephesians 3: 19). The only way to remain full is to spend time daily with God, the Source of all our provisions. When we do, out of our hearts will flow rivers of living water to bless everyone around us.
Application:
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We pour out to others what we are filled up with. We are filled up with what we are passionate about. What are you pouring out to others?
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How would you explain to an unbeliever what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
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Does your life bear witness to that explanation?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to live within me and guide me with every decision I make. Help me to see every opportunity You give me to pour out Your love, comfort, and encouragement to everyone I meet. Amen.
John 16:12-15 (NLT)
“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’
Explanation: My personal theme for 2022 is embracing curiosity over certainty.
It’s very easy to become brittle or dogmatic in beliefs and not stay moldable. It’s the boomerang of many years lived that I don’t want to grab.
We visited Woodstock, New York, and by happenstance arrived on the 50th Anniversary of the famous Woodstock concert. We found a gathering of 75-ish-old hippies sporting peace signs, the combover of shoulder length hair, long gray braids, tie dye clothes, wearing stability shoes, and using walkers and canes. It seemed charming and humorous at first, then kind of sad. They had peaked and frozen. Apparently they hadn’t taken to heart Bob Dylan’s admission, “If you’re not busy being born, you’re busy dying.”
It was a great object lesson for me.
I want to stay curious about people, technology, leadership, fashion, mentoring, gardening, hospitality, culture shifts, and current events. I keep exposing my mind to new thoughts and additional information. I want to keep growing instead of narrowing my world in such a way that I simmer it down to a stock of certainty that makes my world small, predictable, routine, or worse yet, habitual.
But no area of curiosity makes my heart pound faster than spiritual curiosity.
The Holy Spirit was sent specifically to LEAD us into all truth. He is futuristic in His leading!
There is something new He wants to teach us every day of our lives about Jesus! His revelations are always fresh and life changing. It’s the most beautiful adventure of growing deeper and deeper in love with Jesus as the Holy Spirit peels layers and layers of revelation back for us!
He illuminates the TRUTH of who Jesus is: not our mom's version, our neighbor’s version or our boss’s version. The Father gave us Jesus to reveal the Father. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus.
The Holy Spirit will tell us the whole truth of who Jesus is. I have been wrong or wracked with doubt regarding so many things about Christianity that it has added an underlying soberness and desire to know what God really wants me to know. I want to shed anything in my life that was put there by the denomination, home, or tradition I was raised in. I want truth.
It’s a process, not a moment, and it is your inalienable right as a Christ follower to be led into ALL truth regarding Jesus. Take hold of what is yours!
Application:
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Why is a God-curious life an attractional life?
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You choose: ✔️Malaise or Love ✔️Dormant or Growing ✔️Same or New ✔️Monotonous or Engaging ✔️Stale or Fresh ✔️Packaged or Authentic ✔️Past or Future ✔️Self or Holy Spirit
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I want! I want fresh revelation. I want power to overcome. I want closeness. I want boldness. I want insight. I want wisdom. I want to be enlarged in compassion and love. You are my Guide and Friend. Lead me where Jesus wants me. Amen.
For Further Study:
I lean heavily on Pastor Chris’ knowledge of the languages, cultural impact, and context comprehension of the Bible when I am wrestling through something spiritual. He is such a good resource as I ask the Holy Spirit to lead me. He has never flinched when I’ve handed him doubt, and he has always been one gracious email away: creed@thetree.church
John 15:26 - 16:11 (ESV)
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Explanation:
I can’t think of a worse or more disappointing situation than when Jesus told the disciples that He was going to be leaving them. Their Savior, their Messiah, their teacher, their encourager, their comforter, was going to be leaving them. They must have felt overwhelmed, upset, and hopeless. And then to add to the confusion, we see in this passage that Jesus tells them it will be to their advantage that He goes away, and He is sending the Helper who will be the Spirit of Truth. I’m guessing that was a little bit of an encouragement, but I imagine it was still puzzling to them. With access to the Bible, we can understand that Jesus was talking about being crucified, resurrected, and then ascending into Heaven where He now sits at the right hand of God. He sent His Holy Spirit to live inside of those of us who have recognized Jesus as our Savior. While it must have been extremely sad for the disciples to physically lose the presence of Jesus in their lives, they also had the life changing experience of having the presence of God, the Holy Spirit, to live inside of them!
We too have that same opportunity to have the Holy Spirit living inside of us, guiding us in all truth, comforting us, encouraging us, convicting us, giving us wisdom, and sustaining us. The Holy Spirit is a GIFT to us!
I am in a season of life where I must rely on the Holy Spirit completely. My mom has been dealing with Alzheimer’s for about 8 years, and is at a stage where she needs complete care. My dad lovingly and devotedly is caring for all of her needs, but it is getting more and more difficult. My four siblings and our spouses are doing our best to help in any way that we can. All of us, however, including my dad, are navigating a situation we have never been in before while trying to process the sadness of watching my mom go through this terrible disease. I am daily asking the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom on what is the best way to care for my mom, comfort as we deal with the reality of her being able to function less and less, encouragement as we feel sad at watching her face this disease and the reality that she isn’t who she once was. The Holy Spirit has been and will continue to be faithful to give me (and us) everything we need. Unless God does a miracle (and I believe that He can!), my mom isn’t getting better this side of Heaven. BUT I know that the Holy Spirit will sustain us and be with us as we walk through this situation, and will do things in our hearts that we can’t imagine.
Application:
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What area in your life do you need the Holy Spirit’s presence most right now (conviction of truth, wisdom, encouragement, comfort)?
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If you haven’t yet, what is preventing you from inviting the Holy Spirit to live within you?
Prayer:
God, we can’t express to You the thankfulness that we have for Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for the gift of allowing us to have Your Spirit within us, teaching us, guiding us, encouraging us, comforting us. Help us to take advantage of this gift and to be perceptive to the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. Amen.
John 14:15-18, 25-27 (ESV)
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Explanation:
I worked at a summer camp my junior year of college, and I was in charge of setting up and preparing high-ropes courses for the other staff and campers to participate in. Climbing into trees, scaling rock surfaces, and free swinging 50 feet above the ground was a typical week for me. It might shock you to find out then that I am a bit afraid of heights. It is less a fear of being in high places and more a distrust of my own balance when my neck is on the line. So, if it scared me so much why would I do it, and love it? The answer to that lies in a “helper” I had with me on every climb I did, which we called the lobster claws. The lobster claws were a pair of carabiners, each on the end of a red nylon strap that was bundled together and hooked to my climbing harness. They were there to catch me when I slipped, hold me to the tree when I needed both hands free, and they were a backup to the ropes typically used to suspend ourselves. When I had the lobster claws on, I could climb anywhere and do anything.
Facing the difficult circumstances in our lives can often be like a climber who is afraid of heights. It can get our heads spinning and overwhelming fear can quickly cripple us. Being a follower of Jesus does not put an end to navigating the difficulties of life, but it does give us a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who is always available and always with us for us to look to, lean on, and tether us to Jesus in the most terrifying of moments.
Application:
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Think of a time when you were in a situation that was overwhelming. Did you have the comfort of knowing the Spirit was with you?
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How would the situation have changed if you had known the God of the universe was available right in that moment to comfort, strengthen, help, and hold to?
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Start practicing the response of “Holy Spirit, help.” Any time you find yourself worried, scared, and overwhelmed by your circumstances, in that moment simply whisper the prayer, “Holy Spirit, help me.”
Prayer:
Jesus, You promised to never leave or abandon Your followers. Please help us to remember that Your Spirit is present and always willing to lead, convict, guide, strengthen, encourage, and help us as we face life’s challenges. Amen.
Hebrews 11:1 (MSG)
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.
Explanation:
Faith is a spiritual word that condemns those who don’t understand it.
It has been so often misunderstood as a measuring tool instead of a gift.
Passages taken out of context have been used to imply that our spiritual defeats are the result of not enough faith, therefore making it our responsibility to maintain a “quantity” large enough to leverage spiritual victory. Sadly, it isn't ignorance without consequences. Many a Christian have crumbled under the weight of trying to muster up “enough” faith. My husband Skip was actually told his late wife died because of a lack of faith. Imagine what that does to the heart of a man that wanted more than anything for his wife to survive cancer. Faith isn’t the stock market of miracles, and if you obtain a certain quantity, you qualify. What brings us spiritual victory is trust in God, not faith in faith.
Trusting God is the only foundation that will support a lifetime of unknowns.
We use faith all day long, every single day. I fall asleep trusting the sun to rise in the morning. I get out of bed trusting my floor to hold me, trusting my water to shower me, trusting my car to drive me and trusting the earth to not spin into the sun. Thousands of minutes are full of faith. Do you trust gravity? You know it exists because you feel its effects. We trust in so many things we cannot see.
What we put our spiritual trust and faith in is what sets us apart here and for eternity.
The Muslim has faith in Muhammad; the idolater in graven images; the humanist in himself; the philosopher in his own ideas; the materialist in his money; and the religionist in his good works. None of these can save because the object of faith, in each case, is wrong.
Saving faith is faith that rests in Jesus.
When our faith rests in Jesus, we have something that can’t be seen with the naked eye but is felt deeply in our hearts and spirits. It encapsulates a glorious process of becoming increasingly whole.
Faith IN Jesus is confidence in what we hope for and the assurance that the Lord is working, even though we cannot see it. Faith knows that no matter what the situation in our lives, Jesus is working in it, moving on our behalf, giving, and us receiving… not us accomplishing and Him applauding.
Never get that backwards.
Application:
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“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast” (Ephesians 2:8). Why would God set up a system of faith?
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If you didn’t get the answer you wanted, does that mean you might have been one cup short on faith and thus the recipe of answered prayer flopped? Sounds silly, but it’s easy to believe.
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How would a relationship with God based on the possibility of human error ever work outside of faith?
Prayer:
"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
Lord, we believe You are, and we seek. We come to YOU. Show us Your work in our day, and help us rest in all that You are doing on our behalf. Amen.
James 5:7-11 (NIV)
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Explanation:
In order to understand these verses, you must first understand the preceding verses 1-6. James was speaking to oppressed Christians who were being tested in their faith. Persecution was great during this time, and James was writing words of encouragement, perspective, and instruction on how to live life through trials and suffering. He told them to count their suffering as joy because God wants to use it to make them stronger.
James uses a form of the word “patient” several times in just these few verses. It is important to think of patience as active rather than passive. You may be frustrated about the world today, but as the passage reminds us, fight the urge to take things out on others. Don’t let judgement come against you because of your reaction to hardships. In Romans 12:19, Paul instructs us not to take revenge, but leave room for God’s wrath. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” God will take care of things. Be patient and have faith.
James uses the precious fruit parable. Prepare the land, plant seeds, wait for the rain, and be ready for the fruit to break through the earth. Usually, we want what we want when we want it, though. We need to learn the lesson of the farmer, who perseveres and sees things through to harvest.
The coming of the Lord is certain! We need to be fixed in our resolve, trust His promise to return, and patiently, actively wait. Take mindful steps back to observe and accept that the Lord is in control. Every moment is an opportunity to glorify God, so we need to practice patience and maturity, just as Job did. Job was stripped of everything, and yet his foundation was firm. He remained a righteous, faithful man, and in the end, God restored him and more.
We need to think vertically, by simply looking up. Impatience makes us reduce our goals: if the reward we seek doesn’t come in a timely manner, we run the risk of lowering the bar. Now is not the time to be lowering spiritual standards. Biblical thinking and The Holy Spirit will get us through.
Listen and watch closely. The return of the Lord is imminent. Let this affect how we behave and speak. The ultimate, final resolution could be today. No one knows. So, the next time a child screams over the seam in his socks, the barista forgets the whipped cream, your coworker holds the meeting hostage, or even when tragedies happen, remember to be patient in your suffering. God isn’t finished yet. He has a purpose, a plan, and He promised He would come back for us. Hold steadfast, work the fields, and pursue the rain. Live like a spiritual farmer.
Application:
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Make a list of areas where you struggle with impatience. Be specific and detailed.
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Make a second column of ways you can practice patience in those areas.
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Look for upcoming appointments/activities where you struggle with impatience, and prepare to practice.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, open our eyes to areas in our lives where we need to practice patience. Remind us while we are in active situations that we need not lose control because You have us covered. Thank You for Your love, grace, and mercy. It’s not about us, Lord. Every moment of every day is about glorifying You. Give us the strength to hold steadfast in our resolve and actively, patiently wait for Your return. We love You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
For Further Study:
Read and study the book of Job.
Job 1:6-12
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
Job 42:1-2
Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
Explanation:
Have you ever had someone bring something to your attention that you never noticed before? It can be a simple as someone pointing out the way you say a certain word, a doctor asking if you have been experiencing a particular symptom, or even a mechanic identifying a funny noise in your car. I once had a biology teacher in high school who recorded the number of times that his students used their hands to touch their faces during classwork. If I remember correctly, we were in a unit on germs, and he wanted to educate us on how easily germs can be passed from our hands to our faces. You’d better believe that we were a whole lot more conscientious about it after that day.
I use these examples to pinpoint the power of awareness. When we read stories from Scripture like today’s, we are instantly reminded there is a spiritual side to us that can easily go unnoticed. More so, when we are made aware that the spiritual can impact our physical, hopefully it compels us to operate differently. When stepping into a relationship with a God who is Spirit (John 4:24), we must understand that He is going to interact there. We cannot overlook it or minimize the impact it has in our lives, because satan, our enemy, will also confront us spiritually.
We get an incredibly vivid picture of how satan and the other fallen angels that follow him (what Job refers to as “the sons of God” in verse 6) interact with the earth. In 1 Peter 5:8, we see satan described like a lion, just walking or prowling around on earth looking for someone to harm. In that same verse, we are also warned to be always on high alert, because he is going to be complicating all that God is trying to work in our lives. In the case of Job, we do see an instance where God sovereignly allows Job to experience hardship from satan. Although it may confuse us, God’s ways are not without purpose. Maybe even a purpose that will remain unknown to us. Then again, we trust in the good character of God. Our hope never has been or will be in the perfect life. God has given us His Holy Spirit for the imperfect now, to carry us through to the perfect eternity. Therefore, we must be vigilant to engage God in the spiritual.
Application:
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Why do you think it can be challenging for us to notice the spiritual impact on our lives?
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What can engaging with the Holy Spirit provide for someone trying to live a life more like Jesus?
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How do we distinguish the difference between a spiritual attack from satan and spiritual interaction from God?
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What does the life of someone look like who does not connect with the Holy Spirit on a consistent basis?
Prayer:
Thank You, God, for giving us Your very Spirit to walk through this imperfect life with. It is such an incredible gift to have in all seasons of life. Holy Spirit, I worship You and ask for You to draw me in deeper with You starting this day.
Psalm 27:13-14 (ESV)
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Explanation:
Have you ever seen the Disney movie Cars? In the opening scene, Lightning McQueen is in his trailer meditating on the race. He envisions the track, the finish line, and his opponents, speaking words of affirmation to himself like, “I am speed.” This is how I picture David when I read Psalm 27. He is reflecting on the ways he has seen God be faithful, he’s asking God to protect him from those who come against him, and then he reminds himself how to stay steadfast. David is keeping his eyes on the finish line: the promise of true life beyond this physical world. He can see the covering hand of God in all situations and has faith that he will continue to be covered, but… he still needs reassurance.
There have been many times in the past that I was up against difficult situations and questioned how it would turn out. I was praying specifically for God to move in certain ways, but I just wasn’t seeing the results I wanted. It all came down to having faith that it would be His will and plan of action, no matter the outcome. The “no matter the outcome” part is what I struggled with most. I was still anxious about the process. The physical life is tough and can be scary. Most of us would do whatever possible to remove ourselves from the hard situation or react to bring a resolution immediately. But when I engage in active faith by focusing on the goodness God produces in all things, I see the power of the Holy Spirit in each of those situations. I can trust that what God produces and His timing is always perfect. I just need to be patient. “Wait for the Lord.” I love that David focuses on this and to add emphasis, he repeated it. We all need this reminder too.
Application:
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What are some experiences you have faced that were difficult, but God produced goodness?
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Is there a situation(s) that you are currently facing that you are waiting for God to respond? How are you feeling? What steps are you taking to ease any impatience you have in the waiting?
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When we focus on God and our relationship with Jesus, it will activate a deeper faith. Engage in prayer and worship more frequently and free from distractions.
Prayer:
God, You have promised that all things work together for good, for those called according to Your purpose. I want to rest in Your peace in the process. Help me to be patient and not interfere with the plan and process You have. Amen.
Psalm 37:7-8 (NLT)
Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm
Explanation: Waiting on God’s timing is so hard. I know I have had numerous experiences in my life where God’s answer to my prayer has been wait. It’s not a no, but as a human it is so hard, because it means it will not happen in my timing and the way I had planned. I know for me, often in those seasons it is so easy to become angry and filled with despair. We think we know the right moment and time for all things, so we get upset when we think God is keeping us from something that will indeed be for our good, or something that is a deep desire of our hearts. In these moments we can feel so alone, rejected, left out, and forgotten. It feels even harder when we can’t do anything to help the situation except to wait on God to move. But from my experience, there is something beautiful that can also happen when we release it and sit still, waiting for God to say yes to us at the right time.
I had a season of waiting that was very difficult. It was a season when I learned to sit still in the presence of God and to allow Him to fill my deepest longing. Since I was a young girl, I knew being a mom was something I looked forward to. So when my husband and I decided we were ready, I was so excited. Little did I know in that moment that God’s response to my prayers for a child would be “you have to wait.” It was devastating to me. I had this incredible desire to be a mom, and there was literally nothing I could do about the situation except to wait on God and His perfect timing. So in that season, I had to learn to be still and to wait patiently on the Lord. I had to look to Him and trust that He had a better plan. He knew when the perfect timing would be, and I simply had to get out of the way and trust He would give me my yes at just the right time.
Now as my daughter is about to turn seven years old, I look back and I understand why we had to wait. She has brought so much joy in seasons of great sadness, she has kept me going in seasons when I wanted to give up, and she is being a light to those she is around, especially at school. God had to put so many other things in place that I didn’t recognize at the time. Waiting for her was hard, but I look back on that season with so much fondness. It was a season when I learned to trust God like never before. It was a season when I learned to take my hands off of the situation, and to sit and be still, waiting upon the Lord. Seasons of waiting are so hard, but we can keep looking forward with hope, knowing that God wants to teach us, grow us, mold us, and shape us. And at just the right time, in His perfect design, we will receive our yes. Keep trusting that His ways truly are best and His timing is always perfect.
Application:
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What is a prayer in your life that you know God’s response to you is “not right now” or “wait”?
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How can you be still before God during this season of waiting?
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What do you think God is doing behind the scenes that you don’t see?
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Take some time today to ask God what He desires for you during this season of waiting. I know for me, God used my season of waiting to prepare my heart and to move in my life, so in His perfect time I would be ready for His answer to be yes. What is God doing in your life right now as you wait?
Prayer:
God, waiting is so hard. We have desires and plans, but when our plans don’t match up with Yours, it’s difficult. We can feel alone and forgotten. Will You remind us today that there is so much going on behind the scenes that we don’t see? Help us in our moments of desperation to look to You. And when we feel as if we can’t wait anymore, help us to be still in Your presence and allow You to sustain us through. We look forward in faith for the day when our wait turns into “Yes, now is the perfect time.” Thank You for being with us as we wait upon You. Amen.
2 Chronicles 32:1-8 (NLT)
After Hezekiah had faithfully carried out this work, King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified towns, giving orders for his army to break through their walls.
When Hezekiah realized that Sennacherib also intended to attack Jerusalem, he consulted with his officials and military advisers, and they decided to stop the flow of the springs outside the city. They organized a huge work crew to stop the flow of the springs, cutting off the brook that ran through the fields. For they said, “Why should the kings of Assyria come here and find plenty of water?”
Then Hezekiah worked hard at repairing all the broken sections of the wall, erecting towers, and constructing a second wall outside the first. He also reinforced the supporting terraces in the City of David and manufactured large numbers of weapons and shields. He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate. Then Hezekiah encouraged them by saying: “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.
Explanation:
It seems like every day there is a new struggle or problem that we face. It’s part of being alive. It’s easy to get caught up in the struggle and overwhelmed. The enemy constantly is seeking a way to defeat us. Hezekiah had some serious problems he was faced with as well. A mighty enemy was coming after him, but he did the thing I often forget to do…he immediately chose to put the battle in God’s hands. He didn’t try to figure things out on his own; he put his faith in God and chose to rely on Him from the start.
When the threat came, he took action immediately. He made preparations for the coming trouble, determined not to give the enemy any unnecessary advantages like a water supply to his city. He strengthened the walls and took logical steps for battle. Then, most importantly, he motivated the troops. He reminded them that the other side had only “an arm of flesh,” but on Hezekiah’s team was God. God’s strength is so much greater than man’s!
I’m going to be real here for a moment. I am embarrassed to share how many times I have forgotten that God is so much greater than the current crisis I’m facing. My granny on my mom’s side used to say, “I’ve got it all to do” when it came to housework, errands, etc. By nature, she tried to do everything on her own, and I’m pretty sure that trait has been passed down to both my mom and me. I try to handle it all on my own, and then turn to God when I’m frustrated, instead of giving it all to Him in the first place. It’s so much easier when I remember that HE IS GREATER in the beginning of the battle!
Application:
Today’s passage has some really practical steps to action for the problems I’m faced with in life:
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Take action immediately-evaluate your situation and put it in God’s hands to help you.
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Be logical-resist the urge to curl up in the corner and retreat. Put on the full armor of God and ask Him for guidance and strength for the fight.
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Prepare for battle-the enemy is coming for your water supply. What can you do to “shut off” your water supply and make it harder to get to you?
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Rally the troops-Share your struggle with those around you and ask them for support. If there is nothing tangible they can help with, ask them to pray, pray, pray!
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Be STRONG AND COURAGEOUS; the Lord our God is with us and will help us to fight our battles!
Is there a problem or challenge you are faced with today that you can apply these steps to? Give it to God! If you’re like me, you’ll have to give it to Him more than once. Keep giving it back to Him. He’ll take it every time, because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world!
Prayer:
God, help me to remember that YOU are GREATER than the problems I face. Help me prepare for battle by turning to You rather than relying on myself. Give me the strength to make good decisions as I put on my armor for the fight. Be a constant reminder that You hold this current difficulty in Your hands, just like You did for Hezekiah. Give me eyes that see beyond the problem, and know that You have the power to overcome this problem of the present. Allow me to understand when things don’t go my way that You have a plan for my future, and I wasn’t promised a life without problems. Help me to understand that this suffering is temporary, and that in the light of Eternity, it’s all worth it. Thank You for being the God of all things. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
2 Kings 6:8-17 (ESV)
Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.” And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice.
And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Explanation:
I can very easily picture myself playing the role of Elisha’s servant in this passage. Faced with a seemingly insurmountable situation, he does exactly what I would do: he panics! So when God speaks through Elisha in this instance, my heart rejoices at His calming words: “Sit tight. I have a plan.”
Elisha first tells his servant not to be afraid. We tell this to each other, we teach this to our kids, so why can we tell and not be told? This is such a loving way to begin combating what God already knows is rising in us. We have an important choice when faced with a panic moment: to acknowledge our helplessness and LISTEN to God’s ever-present voice telling us to surrender our fear to Him, or to continue to be afraid.
Next, Elisha tells his servant that those who are with them are more than those who are with their enemy. What a motivating, “stay calm” sentiment: not only is Elisha completely confident in the quantity of the heavenly army that shows up to fight for them, but he is also completely secure in the quality of those sent on their behalf. Elisha knows they have the power of the Almighty God on their side! When we feel outnumbered, we need only remember that with God on our side, we, too, outnumber and outrank any enemy that comes against us.
Elisha then prays for God to open his servant’s eyes to the fact that He is already there. Each of us, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, can experience God’s presence through His Holy Spirit. Elisha knew to invite God into his time of weakness through prayer. His help is there every time we need it, and He promises to surround us with His Spirit if we simply ask.
In our weakest moments, it is easy to believe God has given up on our situation and left us to fend for ourselves. Fear breeds loneliness, which can bring isolation and eventually despair. But the final step of Elisha’s plan is to remember that God is ALWAYS with us. He may feel distant in our hardship, but He’s not; He’s simply waiting to respond in a way we aren’t anticipating. Sometimes our situations don’t change, and we must surrender control of them over and over again. But the one thing we can control is how we choose to fight our battles. God is for us in our good times as well as what we perceive as our bad times, and if we take time to learn His plan, we’ll never forget He truly is all around us.
Application:
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Think about the plan for “battle” that God sets forth through His prophet, Elisha. Which of these steps do you have the hardest time following in crisis? Ask God for His help in learning how to fight with Him on your side.
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I read that there are 365 “fear not” commands in the Bible. While I haven’t counted them myself, I find this comforting that if true, God tells us not to be afraid every day of every year. What a beautiful reminder of how intimately He knows us and exactly how we need encouraging!
3, How does it make you feel to know that just like the song says: “It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by You.” Do you feel this is true of God in your life? If not, pray for God to confirm this truth to you today.
Prayer:
Father God, we thank You so much for stories like this that not only bolster our faith but remind us of Your goodness. Help us to cling to that goodness in our times of weakness; give us faith to continue believing when we lack the strength to do so. Thank You for this community where we can be shown examples of faith like Elisha’s that we may never have heard before; it confirms in us that You never want us to stop learning more about You. We are so grateful for Your willingness to teach us Your plans for our lives. Help us to live them out each day we walk with You. Amen.
Romans 8:28-29 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Explanation:
I have heard folks say “All things work together for good” more times than I can count. It wasn’t until several years ago when I was doing a Bible study that I realized how much was missing when the second half of that Scripture was left off: “for those who are called according to his purpose.” God’s purpose is to make us more like Jesus. That doesn’t mean every day will be sunshine and butterflies. In fact, we are promised that it won’t always be easy to be a follower of Jesus (John 16:33). The “good” in this passage isn’t about circumstances at all; it’s about God using every event in our lives to make us more like Jesus, if we allow Him. It’s hard to see promise in the painful times, and our faith is often tested by those events. This Scripture promises us that God is using those experiences to mold us, no matter how painful it is to our flesh or how hard it is to understand.
As you allow yourself to be molded by God, remember that Paul (who was no stranger to suffering here on earth) left us a great reminder to reflect on when times are difficult. Second Corinthians 4:17 says that in comparison with the glory we will experience in heaven even the worst things we experience here on earth will seem like a “momentary light affliction” when we arrive. Every single second of our lives is being used by God. There is nothing we are going through that He will not transform into glory, if we place our faith in Him. He loves us more than we can imagine, and He is looking forward to spending eternity with you!
Application:
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Have you heard today’s passage used in different context? After taking a deeper dive today, has the meaning changed for you?
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When you reflect on the difficulties of your past, and think about how God uses them to shape you and make you more like Jesus, can you see how He’s worked in your life?
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What is one thing in your life that you need to give to God, and allow Him to work in you through faith?
Prayer:
Lord, I thank You that You are working to mold me in the image of Jesus. Help me remember during the hard times that You have a purpose and want me to see You through it all. Allow others to see a reflection of You in me. Remind me that every second of my life, You are here. You are working. You are the one thing in this world that is constant, and I am thankful for Your grace and Your faithfulness to me. Thank You for being the God of my life. Amen.
2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (ESV)
I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Explanation:
Recently, I believe the Lord has drawn me to think about the reasons I do or have done certain things in my life. I believe He has shown me that sometimes I do some things to get other people's attention. I have wanted people to think of me as talented or important. That is not the way God wants us to live. It's not about us – it's all about Him.
In this Scripture passage, Paul was allowed to experience something astonishing, but he was not to speak about what he saw and heard. It would have been easy for Paul to have used this experience in the wrong way. There were a group of deceivers who had been boasting among the Corinthians about all of their spiritual experiences, comparing themselves to Paul and being very proud. Paul knew the goal of these people was to seduce the Corinthians away from their devotion to the one and only true Christ.
Paul only boasted about this much more impressive and powerful story, so he could then go on and share how there is nothing to be gained by boasting. The gain would come by sharing how God humbled him with some sort of impairment, in order to teach Paul that he can be content in his suffering since the power of God is made perfect in his weakness. This was Paul's blessing in disguise.
The same holds true for us. God wants us to trust in Christ because He is trustworthy, not because of any visions or because of anything we have done to gain recognition.
Application:
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What lesson can we learn from this Scripture about how God views pride?
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Why do you think God may allow difficulties or obstacles in your life?
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Can you think about a time when God used a difficult situation to teach you to be more humble?
Prayer:
Father, You know what is best for our lives. We are humbled by the very fact that You loved us enough to send Your Son, Jesus, to die in our place. We owe You so much more than we could ever repay. Living our lives totally surrendered to You and Your will is what we must do. Keep us humble, Lord. May we boast only in what You have done for us, and the fact that it is so undeserved. Thank You, Jesus, for guiding us. Amen.
John 5:1-9 (NKJV)
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
Explanation:
Jesus asked the paralytic a question with a seemingly obvious answer. After all, who wouldn’t want to be healed after living with such an infirmity for thirty-eight years? The man’s response indicates he didn’t know that Jesus Christ could bring true healing; only that he couldn’t help himself and a man-made solution might provide the healing he desperately desired. But once he responded to Jesus’ offer, he experienced the full measure of divine intervention.
The lame man is a snapshot of the world we live in, his helpless state no different than anyone who has never encountered Jesus. In our nation alone, think about the untold billions we spend pursuing personal happiness and answers to what ails our society as a whole. From every tragedy this country witnesses with increased frequency to the breakdown of the family unit in our communities, Jesus knows our condition and He’s right here asking us, “Do you want to be made well?” The answer seems obvious, but we ignore His offer while lamenting the hopelessness of our future if we don’t find a solution soon. Until we, like the paralytic, admit our need for Jesus to intervene, all our efforts are in vain.
The lame man received his spiritual healing along with his physical healing (John 5: 14). One encounter with Jesus can change everything in our broken world.
Application:
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What issues are you dealing with that you have yet to surrender to Jesus for His answers?
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Do you know anyone who has never heard of the healing power of Jesus?
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If you don’t help them encounter Jesus, who will?
Prayer:
Lord God, I’m giving You control over everything I’ve been trying to find answers to on my own. You are the Lord of my life, and Your wisdom and direction are what I need for the problems I’m facing today. Amen!
Exodus 14:10-14 (NLT)
As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”
But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Explanation:
We all bear a deep deficiency of mistrust in God. It just takes different things to unveil it.
Of all the things we are called to trust God with, surely our future feels the most precarious. All the unknowns can paralyze our minds if we dwell on them. Because we live in a physical world with real components, the unrevealed, with all of its variables, can be daunting to leave in God’s hands.
The Israelites had longed and yearned for freedom, but when it came, and required them to…step into their future, they: ✔️ Panicked. ✔️ Started the blame-game with Moses. ✔️ Whipped out the sarcasm. “Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt?” ✔️ Accused Moses of “making” them leave. ✔️ Played “we told you so.” ✔️ Begged to stay slaves.
BUT MOSES! He is the most skillful of leaders because He kept it simple, true, and forceful.
“The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
He didn’t cajole. He didn’t pity them. He didn’t baby them. He told them the truth about their reality. If they wanted to be free, they had to grasp Who was fighting for them, and they needed to “own” their reaction to His plan. Response matters to God. Things don’t change until reactions change. They needed to knock it off with the drama, and get a collective focus and stand firm in the calmness of trusting God. Calm spreads. It is felt, it changes the atmosphere, it clears the air, it stills the mind, and it allows for clarity. When reality TV invaded our lives, and a person could walk away with a million dollars or a marriage partner for having back-stabbed and annihilated others the best, we began to be desensitized to drama. It was all hyped with promos sensationalizing “drama and over-reactions” as a winning life skill.
It is the opposite of what God wants.
Staying calm in stressful situations can be learned and practiced. When you become good at staying calm, you will open your ears to God's guidance, and this ultimately leads to a happy and peaceful life.
God highly values peace. He needs us to stay calm even if the elements of our future feel slippery and wobbly. He is at work.
There is great value in stopping ourselves when we feel the onslaught of fear and doubt, and reminding ourselves that He has never let us down ever…and He never will.
Application:
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Why does God need you to stay calm while He moves on your behalf?
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Starve drama/feed peace. Why would this be a winning formula?
Prayer:
Father…I need renewal where it all starts: in my mind. Help me to feed my mind on “things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” (Philippians 4:8, MSG) Empower me to make good choices in feeding my mind today. Amen.
2 Corinthians 1:18-20 (NKJV)
But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
Explanation:
Lately in my life, I have been doing a ton of planning. I am getting married very soon and, although I am absolutely elated, I have also been a bit annoyed at times. Sending out invites was fun. We have the seating arrangements planned and everything is working out very well, but my fiancé and I have been having trouble with RSVPs. Whether it is the mail not being delivered, or people just being wishy washy, I feel sometimes as though I could just throw my hands up in the air and say, "Could they be any less clear??!!"
People would say "Oh, we will totally be there," or "I don't think we can make it," only to call us back a few days later to explain why they are changing their decisions. I get it. You can't always see every pothole around every corner, and people have busy schedules and all, but my fiancé and I have had to redo the seating chart twice. Ugh…
When we read the scripture above concerning the promises that God has made to us, we can be confident in knowing that God is steadfast in His love for us. We can rest in the fact that God will not be wishy washy concerning His promises, and that we can trust in Him to answer us when we call upon Him in any circumstance we may face in our daily lives.
His answer is, "Yes, it is finished! I have uttered the word and it will not come back to Me void. Rest assured in this."
Application:
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Take a deep breath. Find some time to meditate with God. Just be still for a moment and be thankful for your relationship with Him. Rest with Him knowing that no matter what is going on in your life, He is right there with you, He is for you, and when He says He will take care of you, He means it.
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As you read the Word in your quiet time this week, write down any promises that you find God has made to us. I assure you, there are many.
Prayer:
God, as we go through life today, help us focus on You and on your faithfulness, and let us rest in the hope that You give us. We have blessed assurance that in You, we can find our peace, in You we can find our blessings, and in You we can find the answer to our prayers and needs. Help us to see the grace You have given us that we may give grace to others. Help us to be good stewards of our resources, and help us to become like Your son, Jesus Christ. Let us reflect Your image in our decisions and in our actions. Amen.
For Further Study:
Try to be like God in your decisions this week. Prayerfully consider each one and focus on trying not to be wishy washy. Do what you are going to say, whether it is to the kids, or to your friends or family. Be that reliable friend. Be that reliable dad or mom, brother or sister, son or daughter. Be present with your surroundings, and never take anyone for granted. God is reliable. Let's reflect His image.
2 Corinthians 6:4-10 (ESV)
But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
Explanation:
Whether you are a Christian or not, we can all agree on this one fact: life will bring trials and hardships for each one of us at some point. Sin entered the world many, many years ago through a couple not listening to God’s words in the garden. Since then, sin, satan, and ourselves have made life hard. Some of us have made it harder than it needs to be, and some have hardships because of other people’s mistakes. One thing is true for all of us, though, that God is here with us and in us.
So, you messed up, again. Guess what? God is still with you. Some of you would say, “No, I’m too far gone”, or “I’ve really messed up this time so God will not be with me.” I say you are so very WRONG. God doesn’t like what you are doing or how you are acting, but if you still believe and trust in Him. He is still with you. Hear me, though: you must repent and put your faith in Him. God will use your messes to redeem you. God will take your ashes and turn that into a life changing testimony. Remember God uses the broken to change the world.
Others reading this might feel you are doing good in God’s eyes. You are doing “the disciple’s check list”. Awesome, that’s great. Go you! This is your time to show and share Jesus with the world. I know what some of you are thinking, “But Josh, if we are Christians, shouldn’t we always feel like sharing Jesus with people?” I say, do you always feel like going to work? Do you always feel like buying the groceries? No, we don’t always feel like doing these things. So, right now, press into Jesus. Share Him with everyone. Help those that are low and depressed. Reach out to the lost and the ones that feel hopeless because, as I mentioned earlier, at some point we all will experience hardship.
If you haven’t noticed, I like to be relatable to all of you reading my devotionals. More often than not, I’m the lost soul. More often than not, I’m the one being negative. Often, I give good Christian advice but don’t always use that advice in my own life. Sometimes I show up to church with an awful look on my face, a bad attitude, and feeling sorry for myself. With all this being said, though, I do love me some Jesus. I love our church. I love my soft spoken, God-loving wife, I love my many God-fearing friends. Even after all this stuff I listed, you know what? God still pursues me and loves me, even through all the ups and downs that occur in my life.
Wherever you are, God loves you and He has the best for you. You just have to run to Him with great endurance, trust, love, and often patience. Put God first every morning, and every morning see what He can and will accomplish in your life!
Application:
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Get in God’s presence first thing every morning this week.
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Be thankful for all the blessings He has given you so far in your life: life, health, house, car, friends, family, church, anything…
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Ask then and listen for God to show you how to honor Him better with your life.
Prayer:
God, thank You for today. Thank You for giving us another breath. Thank You for giving us our church. Show me where I need to improve to be the disciple You have called me to be. Show and help me to knock down walls in my life that are hindering me from getting closer to you and other God-loving Christians. Help me to listen to You better and more. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Psalm 37:1-6 (NKJV)
Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.
Explanation:
Have you asked yourself lately, “Why does this have to be so hard? I’m trying to do a good thing here!” Often the more worthy the goal we’re trying to achieve, the harder it becomes to actually accomplish it. You make a resolution to finally lose weight and eat healthier, and suddenly a half sheet of leftover birthday cake ambushes you on your kitchen counter and someone decides to send you a chocolate bouquet. God convicts your heart to spend more time with Him, and everything and everyone around you starts conspiring to distract you the minute you sit down for your quiet time. Or God has given you a dream in your heart that you know is from Him…but it’s not the right season yet, and He asks you to wait, and wait, and wait some more. So often we are tempted to take the easy route like so many others do, to quit on our resolutions, forget trying so hard to focus on God, and just step out and make things happen…even without the blessing of God on it.
Last year, I found this passage gave me an exact formula for accomplishing all that I am waiting on in my life, so I’ve had it posted on our family room bookshelf for the past year. The words have become so comforting and dear to my heart, especially when the weight of waiting to see in the physical what God has spoken to my spirit gets tough. The psalmist commands us to place our trust in the Lord, and continue to do good. Whatever He has placed in my hands this day is all He expects of me, and as I bring goodness to the world around me today, He can be trusted with all that I couldn’t accomplish yet.
Next, “Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness”! The word “dwell” for me suggests living in the place you are right now, with contentedness, not always looking for the next season or the next thing. “Dwell” where you are now! He has strategically positioned you in the exact place you are, in the circumstances you are surrounded by…don’t always be looking for an escape. Instead, “feed on His faithfulness”! Allow who He is to satisfy your hunger, and fill yourself up on His character so you don’t look to other things for temporary gratification.
Lastly, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart”! Find delight in your relationship with Him! Don’t begrudge Him the time it takes to read your Bible, to communicate with Him, to sit with Him in worship. Not a second of it will be wasted! Similar to marriage, a relationship can’t grow without time spent together, and having joy in those times. When you allow yourself to take pleasure in His presence, your relationship can’t help but thrive, and He promises to give you the desires of your heart that are for your good, that you have been waiting for.
Application:
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What are some things you are finding hard to achieve in this season?
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Write down some “desires of your heart” that you’ve been waiting on.
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How do you plan to accomplish #1 and #2? Write down ways you can obey Him with the following verbs: “Trust… dwell… feed… delight… commit…” Keep what you’ve written down to look back on next year at this time, and see all that God has done!
Prayer:
Lord God, it’s so tempting to want to take the easy way out, to always be looking to the next thing, to rush things before You’ve given them to us, or to make things happen as the world tells us to. Help us, God, to find our delight in You, to dwell with content in the land You’ve given us, and to continue to do good within each day that lays before us. Help us commit our ways to You, so that YOU can bring to pass all that is on our hearts to do. We know that whatever YOU do, it will be forever! In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen!
2 Corinthians 5:1-7 (NLT)
For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee, he has given us his Holy Spirit. So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing.
Explanation:
In this passage, the Apostle Paul is motivating those who already believe in Jesus to continue living a life of faith. Paul longs for his future resurrection body, which every believer will receive either when we die or when Jesus comes back for us. He describes our current bodies as tents. Tents are functional, though not permanent, and while they can stand up to some storms, they eventually give out in others. Paul doesn’t use this description to illustrate how terrible our lives are here on earth, but instead to contrast it with just how amazing our lives will be for eternity when we continue to live according to the promises of God.
But there is more great news! Our earthly bodies are still a wonderful gift in that they offer a temporary dwelling place where our spirits can be with God now, even though we have not yet received our heavenly bodies. These verses tell us that the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is our down payment for that future promise, and Paul encourages us to cling to all of God’s Promises even when they aren’t yet fully realized.
I’ve been home with a sick kid this week. Neither of us is at our best and both of us are wishing for restored health. But God wants us to sit in these “tent” moments with Him, acknowledging His Presence and Sovereignty over this world. As I prayed over my son’s fevering body, fear began to rise within me when I thought of all the things that could be wrong with him, but it was these Scriptures that gave me hope. Through the beautiful gift of His Spirit, God reminded me that I’m not in control, BUT HE IS. He made no specific promises in that moment save for the most important of all: He is here with us, which is the only promise we ever really need here on earth. And it is this belief (knowing something is true) coupled with trust (reliance on this belief) that results in the ongoing faith Paul points us toward. It is in this confidence that we can rest as we continue to live out our time in our earthly bodies. Your heavenly body will be crafted by God Himself, eternal and perfect in every way. Now that is a promise I can look forward to.
Application:
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What are the ways (physically, mentally, emotionally) that your earthly body feels like a tent today? Does it change your outlook to know that God knows about your housing situation and wants to work through it with you? Does it give you hope to know your heavenly body awaits you, hand-built by the Master Himself?
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Spend some unrushed, uninterrupted time allowing God to minister to your spirit today, which will inevitably overflow to your body, renewing both your strength and your faith in all that God is and does. We can use our past with Him to stay committed and confident for our future!
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As “The Message” puts it: “It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going.” In a life-altering message for me many years ago, Pastor Matthew explained that God will either choose to heal us or choose to sustain us. Only when we truly trust His choice to sustain us will we then learn what it means to believe without seeing.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank You for Your promise to remain with us even when this life feels hard. You guide us from the temporary to the eternal, and we are so grateful we don’t transition alone. Help us to balance honoring our bodies by making them the most hospitable place for You to dwell this side of heaven, and give us faith to continue trusting when we think this life has let us down. Thank You for Your faithfulness day after day. We love You! Amen.
2 Corinthians 1:3-12 (NLT)
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.
Explanation:
Of all the things God gives us to steward, pain is in the top five, along with our heart, time, money, and mouth.
Pain in God’s hands is gold. Pain squandered is spiritual quicksand.
Talk to a saint who has endured suffering with God's help, and you will be conversing with someone who has a hope-sparkle in their heart and a vitality in their spirit. In fact, once those sufferings have passed, there can actually be a longing for that special time, because the season was so permeated with God's love and power. I have a friend, Cheri Wellington, who shared this exact sentiment with me when recalling the year her husband Jim was dying from cancer. She obviously did not want to relive his passing, but she longed for that extra intense connection one has with God when all depends on Him. When you are in delirious pain, your senses are heightened, you hear God’s voice clearer, see Him in the smallest things, and feel His presence in the most physical way. When all our earthly props are removed, there remains the right hand of God, upholding and embracing us in ways that are unimaginable. It stays with you for life and becomes your bedrock.
An outgrowth of those experiences is an increased ability to empathize with others in a spiritually healthy way. The way pain becomes gold in God’s hand is He uses it to school you in how to help others. When people are in intense times of suffering, God’s will is still being done, and it is important not to interfere.
No one needs: ✔️For you to fix it. ✔️For you to silver line it. ✔️For you to minimize it. ✔️For you to “one up them” with your pain. ✔️For you to “at least it’s not”… ✔️For you to scripturize it for them.
They need comfort from God… and you… saturated in grace that produces listening ears, prayerful lips, and eyes that notice.
In this passage, Paul is talking about suffering in rather glowing terms because he knows the value of suffering successfully for Christ. I too have learned suffering's value, and I make it my daily goal not to unlearn what I learned.
May we all highly value our intense times, knowing God's will is being done. May we learn what He wants us to learn, all the while becoming better comforters in the process. That’s spiritual gold.
Application:
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Being soft and strong is a winning combination that only comes from suffering. Why do you think suffering accomplishes that?
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How can pain be wasted?
Prayer:
My prayer for all readers and listeners today:
If you are in the fire of loss… may you allow God to fill your void with His Holy Spirit in ways you thought impossible.
If you are in the sorrow of grief… may God soothe your lacerated heart and draw you close to His. It’s the warmest place for healing.
If you are in the agony of a toxic relationship… may you trust God to lead you out and away - HIS WAY - to freedom.
If you are gripped in fear and anxiety… may learning to fully trust and rely on God be your 2022 miracle. It is an abundant life.
Amen; so let it be!
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV)
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Explanation:
This is a wonderful promise: perfect peace. God promises that we can have perfect peace, and even be kept in a place of perfect peace. Others can experience peace, but it is not the perfect peace that God offers. Peace that is not given by God is fleeting and imperfect. Have you ever experienced heartache? I have gone through some extremely painful heartache in my life, and through that pain I have experienced God’s perfect peace. The peace you can’t explain when people ask about it. The kind of peace that makes people who don’t know Jesus want to know about Him.
We can only experience this peace when our mind is focused on God. This is the home and source of perfect peace. When we keep our minds stayed (settled) upon the Lord Himself, then we can be kept in this perfect peace. It isn’t so much a matter of our spirit or our heart, but our mind. We are to love the LORD our God with all of our mind (Matthew 22:37). We are transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2). We can have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16, Philippians 2:5). We are not to set our mind on earthly things (Philippians 3:19), but to set our mind on things above (Colossians 3:2).
I have a hard time focusing, period. It can be a daily struggle with me. My brain is constantly jumping from one thing to another, and I have a hard time focusing and completing one task at a time. I must be very purposed to stay focused on one thing. Maybe some of you can relate to this? I sometimes struggle to focus my mind on God and to stay there. This verse says God keeps him in perfect peace whose mind is STAYED on Him. I do a pretty good job at spending time praying and doing my devotions, but to keep my mind STAYED on God can be tough. I get distracted easily, and my focus can quickly go from God to anxiety, doubt, fear, worry. Here’s the thing though, friends…God knows this about us. He knows that we are imperfect and we get distracted by this world. He is just asking us to align our focus back on Him when we get off track, and He will be our everlasting rock.
Application:
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Have you ever experienced God’s perfect peace in your life?
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Do you find it hard to stay focused on God? What can you implement in your life to help you to stay focused on Him? (Structured daily worship time, daily prayer time, Christian friendships, etc.)
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Spend some time looking back on your life as a Christian, and spend some time journaling about the different times when God has given you His perfect peace through hardship. If you need His peace right now, spend some time praying and asking for His perfect peace.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You so much for wanting to give us this amazing gift of perfect peace. I pray that You help us to keep our minds focused on You, and You alone. When we get distracted by the things of this world, help us to get back on track. Amen.
For Further Study:
Here are a few songs that I really love; they’re about God’s perfect peace through heartache. Take some time worshipping God.
Tremble: Mosaic MSC Lean Back: Maverick City Music Your Nature: Kari Jobe
Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
Explanation:
Psalm 46 is a Psalm about having confidence in the protection and power of God the Father. Many of the other Psalms begin with a description of some sort of crisis, yet this one begins with the declaration of God’s provision. In this scripture we are encouraged to find our hope, provision, and comfort in God even in the midst of things that seem uncontrollable.
In this section it starts by simply saying, “God is our refuge and strength”, giving God the descriptions as our shelter and safe place, as well as the strength we need. He is not only our safe place, but He is very present in the midst of our needs. The Psalm goes on to say that we will not fear or tremble when the things around us are overwhelming, because our strength and safety are found in the Lord and we can trust Him. In a similar sense to the first message of this new series, sometimes our “it” is greater than us, but God is always greater than “it,” and this passage perfectly exemplifies this.
Application:
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It can be difficult for us in rough seasons to feel like we are not alone. Why is it important to know that God is “a very present help in trouble”?
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Is it easy for you to lean upon God as your refuge and strength? If not, how can you grow in this and begin to trust Him more?
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What are the areas in your life that you need a sense of refuge and strength not of your own?
Prayer:
God, thank You for loving us and for being a present God who is not only near in the good seasons, but who is just as present in the challenging ones. Thank You for being our safety and our strength when it is difficult for us to feel these on our own. We ask that You would move supernaturally in our lives in this season, that You would be with us through the challenges, and continue to help us grow to be more like You. Lord, we love You and we praise You, and it’s in Your name we pray, Amen.
Acts 5:17-29, 32 (NASB)
But the high priest stood up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and leading them out, he said, “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple area the whole message of this Life.” Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple area about daybreak and began to teach.
Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, that is, all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison for them to be brought. But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported, saying, “We found the prison locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple area and teaching the people!” Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).
When they had brought them, they had them stand before the Council. The high priest interrogated them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Explanation:
Following Jesus often takes courage, and in many ways, it is a call to swim against the grain of popular thought. The life Jesus lived was pure and unadulterated goodness amid darkness, corruption, chaos, and evil. Like a dazzling diamond of truth in a pile of mud, He and His way of living stood out and offended some. The message of Jesus and His way of connecting everyone to God was threatening to the leaders of a religious system who were accustomed to their ways, and comfortable in their lives of power and influence. They were threatened by Him and they killed him. So, when the disciples stand in the temple, worship Jesus, and proclaim Him as the living Lord, Savior, Messiah, and God, it ruffles feathers. It offends, and they have to make a choice of what they know to be true, right, and good…versus the comfort of the status quo.
But Jesus and the disciples did not offend simply to be offensive. They were not characterized by their hatred for the outsider or their truth bludgeoning. No, what offended so many was their invitation for all to be able to come to God and be forgiven and healed. They were willing to care for those who society rejected, including Jesus himself. They were offensive because they were called to love even their enemies in the face of their own persecution. This was not the way the world operated, but this was the way Jesus showed His disciples to live. And when He went to the cross and died, then ate and drank with them again after coming back to life, it did something to them. Through the empowering of the Holy Spirit, they became unwavering in their conviction that their friend was the risen and living Lord, God, and Hope for all mankind. His way of doing life was the true way of living. There was nothing anyone could say or do that would make them think otherwise, or make them stop telling the story of how Jesus loved even sinners like them, saving and changing their lives. This was the message they so boldly proclaimed.
It is the message we still declare, with all courage, love, and truth in our hearts. We still live in a dark and chaotic world…and Jesus’s love and truth are still offensive to those who would find hope in the value systems of power, comfort, pleasure, and greed. Will we be so bold as to ask the Spirit for the conviction, courage, and love we need to be His witnesses today?
Application:
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Jesus’s truth confronts our own ways of thinking, often long before He calls us to confront others. Is God challenging a value, a way of thinking, a behavior in you today?
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The term martyr means witness. Is there something God is asking you to do, but you’re afraid it will cost something?
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None of us are superheroes; we all require help from the Holy Spirit to live bold lives of witness. Take some time and begin to ask the Spirit to embolden your love for others, and to show you what He wants you to do about it.
Prayer:
Jesus, You are the truth and the life. You are also the perfect revelation of who the Father is in His values and His ways. So when we look at You, we can know how to find life. Help us not just to hold onto the conviction that You have forgiven us, but You are also transforming and empowering us to live the way You lived. Help me do that today. I need Your Holy Spirit to fill me and change me, so I can faithfully live this out in my life and community. Amen.
Daniel 3:8-18 (ESV)
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Explanation:
This popular passage in Scripture is often referred to when one’s faith is being discussed. The faith that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego possessed was supernatural. They knew God and His voice, and they had an authentic relationship with Him. They sought Him daily, without ceasing, at numerous times during their day.
These three men, among others, were brought from Israel when the Babylonian Empire conquered them. They were young, intelligent men who were educated and raised in Babylonian culture. When King Nebuchadnezzar had a giant statue built, he demanded that the people of his kingdom worship the golden image. This policy was strictly against the Jewish law that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego followed. The three men knew the penalty of not worshiping the statue, which was being thrown in a blazing furnace, but that didn’t matter. Their integrity and faith in God were more important. They knew the consequence of their decision, but God was greater. They were prepared to die for what they knew was the right response to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
The answer that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego gave to the king was their moment of stepping out in faith. No matter what happened, they were not going to waiver in their decision to obey God’s law. They literally prayed, “God, YOUR WILL be done in this NO MATTER what happens to us.” I can’t help but read this and put myself in their shoes. It’s a terrifying circumstance. How would I respond if I were in their situation? Would I keep my mouth shut in fear of death, or would I stand up for what I believe in? Thankfully, I have never had to be in a situation where my beliefs could get me killed, but I do want to have a faith that is bold. A real boldness…to declare in the face of danger that God is real, knowing it could cost me everything.
The outcome for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego was also extraordinary. God appeared as Jesus and was seen with the three men in the fire, protecting them. Nebuchadnezzar realized that the God of Israel was the only true God, and praised them for their unwavering faith. That’s the kind of faith I want, but it doesn’t just happen. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had authenticity with God and had seen Him work miracles in the past. They knew the stories of their people’s history and how God worked through His people. But they were also prepared to be martyred for their faith, knowing God would use that story as well. How would you respond when God asks you to take a stance for Him?
Application:
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The story of the fiery furnace is one of tremendous faith in God in light of the immediate possibility of death. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were about to die for their beliefs. You may never face death for what you believe in, but how can this story encourage your faith, that no matter the circumstance, God will use everything for His glory?
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When have you had an opportunity to share your faith with others but didn’t? Ask God to give you more chances to share with people how knowing Jesus has changed your life.
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Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not bow down to the golden statue, even though everyone else did, because it was against everything they believed in. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to make a decision in faith knowing it may not be the most popular?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for always showing up in Your time. Thank You for Your mercy and forgiving me when I make mistakes. I know I sometimes don’t represent You as well as I should, but show me Your ways. Help me to have the faith that knows, no matter what, You have a plan and purpose for my life. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.
For Further Study:
Read the entire account of the fiery furnace in Daniel 3:8-30.
Romans 8:31-39 (NASB)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Just as it is written:
“FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE REGARDED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Explanation:
Having recently celebrated Christmas, the concept of gifts is still lingering in my mind…giving to family and friends, and the joy that’s associated with it all. At some point in your life, you’ve likely received a gift you were underwhelmed with. Maybe it wasn’t your favorite color or style. Maybe it just didn’t suit your taste. One way or another, it just wasn’t “right” in your eyes, and you chose to return it to the store for something you liked better.
I wonder how many times God has given me a gift in the form of an encounter with someone who is hurting, an opportunity to witness to someone and give my testimony, an opportunity to serve him and grow His Kingdom, and I have responded in the same way I did to that Christmas gift that didn’t suit me. Rather than embracing the gift I was given at that time, I chose to “give it back” to God and ignore the opportunity. I can almost picture God shaking His head at me and saying, “Seriously, you are turning your back on me AGAIN? When will you ever learn?”
It’s at this point that many people make a bad decision. There’s a terrible human misconception that until we become “good enough” we can’t be loved by God. Until we quit screwing up, we aren’t able to be saved. Think about this: If we could stop sinning on our own and make the decision that God wanted us to every time, why would Jesus have needed to die?
Here’s the thing. God’s grace is so much greater than our carnal human nature. No matter how many times we fail, He will forgive us if we go to Him with sincerity and an open heart. You see, today’s Scripture is about God’s amazing love: Love that caused Him to send His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins so that no trouble, danger, or bad decision could ever separate us from His love, as long as we are willing to ask for forgiveness and turn away from our sin. Even those times when I’ve failed to embrace the gift of situations or opportunities, only to see later on that He was trying to use me, He’s not going to turn away from me if I genuinely seek His mercy. What great love and mercy He shows to us every day!
Application:
Is there a “gift” God has presented you with, but He’s waiting for you to accept?
Maybe it’s something simple like calling a friend who has been on your mind, or giving a few extra dollars to a local food pantry to help those in need.
Maybe it’s something greater—perhaps you’ve made God distant because you believe that your sin is too great for you to be in relationship with Him until you are “doing better.”
Today is the day to take action!
Prayer:
God, You know what my struggles are. You know where I’ve failed to accept Your gifts with open arms. You see every shortcoming and every sin. I come to You today with a heart of repentance. Open my heart to understand that I cannot be separated from Your love, even when I’ve failed. Forgive me of my sins, and help me to see that Your grace is bigger than any of my failures. Remind me that Jesus came to die for my sins, and through Him, we are saved. Help me to walk in Your will, accepting the gifts that You give me with open arms. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
2 Corinthians 10:1-5 (NLT)
Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives. We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
Explanation:
Paul is talking to the church in Corinth. He is telling them that their arguments and quarrels between one another are actually things going on in the spiritual world. The enemy will try to do anything to divide God’s people. Paul’s fights are not physical battles but spiritual ones. He fights these battles with God’s help by praying, spending time with God, and trusting in God’s wisdom. When Paul does these things, he sees the situation through God’s eyes.
When we ask God for wisdom in our situations, He supernaturally shows us what we need to know. Last year my son was having a rough end to the year at school. When his teacher talked to me, I just started getting flooded with advice from people telling me what I should do for him. It was so overwhelming, and I just wanted to do the right thing. The next morning, I prayed as I was listening to the song called “Wait on You” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City.
When I heard these lyrics I felt like God was sitting in front of me, telling me to wait on Him. “Stop trying to fix it with the world or on your own… just wait on Me.”
“You should just wait (You should just wait) Instead of trying in your own strength You should just wait Instead of calculating what would happen if you go wrong You should just wait My steps are ordered by the Lord, yeah I should just wait…”
The next week God showed me how I could help my son. Things didn’t get easier, they got harder, but I had a supernatural peace that God was going to take care of everything. It’s hard not to listen to people who love you, but just like Paul, for the battle I was facing, ONLY God could help me through it. What battles are you facing? Have you added God into them, or are you trying to do it on your own? Trust Him to help you through them.
Application:
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What battles are you trying to do on your own? Parenting, marriage, friendship, work, gossip, fear, anxiety? Whatever it is, take some to give God all your worries.
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Who are you trying to please in your life over God? Take some time with God and ask Him to show you what He has for you in that situation.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I need YOU to help fight my battles. When things feel out of control, help me to stop and come to you. When my anger/frustration arises throughout my day towards situations and people, give me clarity and wisdom. Love You Father. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
For Further Study: Take some time today to listen to “Wait on you” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City.
Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Explanation:
This passage is in the conclusion of The Sermon on the Mount, which is a practical guide to discipleship and what it means to live as His followers and serve as a member of God’s Kingdom. Jesus made it clear His followers should live a different way than others. They should keep a higher standard and live a noticeably different lifestyle than non-believers.
Jesus often taught in parables, pictures illustrating the truth. In this passage, Jesus tells of wise and foolish builders. The wise build structures with strong foundations. The foolish build on faulty, cracked foundations. Jesus made this concept so simple that everyone can understand it. There are two types of foundations. One will stand. One will collapse.
Faith is obeying, and obedience is proof of identity. Obedience is our response to God’s love. We need to invest properly, think Biblically, and build a strong foundation in Jesus. If we build on the world, we are unsafe and shaken. If we build on Jesus, we have peace and rest, even into eternity.
Having faith and a strong foundation in Jesus does not exempt us from storms, though. It rains on all of us, believers and non-believers alike. When the storms hit, will you remain strong and committed, or will you wash away with the tide? If we build on ourselves and do things our way, we build on our own foolishness. The foolish person isn’t necessarily dumb. The foolish might know Jesus but choose to not obey. They aren’t believers, they are make- believers. When the storms come, they will be blindsided and fail. If we obey and are committed, we will remain strong in Him.
Application:
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Contemplate your relationship with God and discuss your current foundation with your family members or a trusted friend.
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Make a list of scriptures that appeal to you. Make a second list of scripture that may not be so appealing. Sometimes being a Christian is difficult, and we need spiritual guidance. Ask yourself these questions: Am I stubbornly independent? Do I have nothing to learn? Will I collapse when the storm hits? If so, journal practical things you can do to think Biblically and build on Jesus.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, remind us that faith in material things, wealth, fame, and pride is foolish disobedience. Help us to understand that we need to continue to build our relationship with You so we may have a solid foundation when the storms hit. We know we are not exempt from the storms, but we will find rest and peace in You. Help conform us into obedient believers, living a life worth imitating. Amen.
Matthew 17:14-20 (ESV)
And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Explanation:
If I can be 100% honest, there are moments that I read scripture and I have a hard time deciphering what the exact implications are of what Jesus says. This passage is one of them. I certainly see the main principles of what He is conveying. The disciples should have been able to heal this young man. Jesus seems frustrated that they cannot. Even the smallest amount of faith in God can move mountains. The message seems to be that if you just have enough faith, you can do anything.
While trusting Jesus’ words, we also have to contend with the experience that people who have a lot of trust in God still get sick and still deal with difficult circumstances. Holding these two realities has been a difficulty for believers since they were spoken. The Man who spoke the words Himself went to a cross, and all of the men that followed Him shared similar fates. How do we reconcile Jesus’ call to faith and ability to work miracles with the continued experience that not every evil is put to rest just yet?
I think the tension is relieved not in the circumstance but where the faith is placed. For Jesus…it is in God with Him. That is how He had the power and authority to do all that He did, and it is how He dealt with the difficulty of the cross. Faith in God brought Him though both. I think that is the heart of this passage. We can look to God and trust Him for everything. For both the miracle we need and the strength to endure the difficulty. And it takes just a mustard seeed amount of the God of the universe to make all the difference.
Application:
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Are you facing a challenging circumstance?
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Have you brought it to God through prayer, seeking and asking Him to work in that circumstance?
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Do you trust Him, even if the miracle doesn’t happen?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we look to You both for the miracle and the ability to sustain the trial. We trust and believe that You have the power and authority to change any of our circumstances. But we also know that sometimes You take a different path. Help me to put my faith in You either way. I trust and believe that You hold my life in Your hands and that You are good. Amen.
Deuteronomy 1: 19-31 (ESV)
“Then we set out from Horeb and went through all that great and terrifying wilderness that you saw, on the way to the hill country of the Amorites, as the Lord our God commanded us. And we came to Kadesh-barnea. And I said to you, ‘You have come to the hill country of the Amorites, which the Lord our God is giving us. See, the Lord your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’ Then all of you came near me and said, ‘Let us send men before us, that they may explore the land for us and bring us word again of the way by which we must go up and the cities into which we shall come.’ The thing seemed good to me, and I took twelve men from you, one man from each tribe. And they turned and went up into the hill country, and came to the Valley of Eshcol and spied it out. And they took in their hands some of the fruit of the land and brought it down to us, and brought us word again and said, ‘It is a good land that the Lord our God is giving us.’
“Yet you would not go up, but rebelled against the command of the Lord your God. And you murmured in your tents and said, ‘Because the Lord hated us he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to give us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. Where are we going up? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and fortified up to heaven. And besides, we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.”’ Then I said to you, ‘Do not be in dread or afraid of them. The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.’
Explanation:
During spring break of my junior year and college I got to be a part of a backpacking trip to the beautiful state of Utah. We had a group around 18 – 20 people with varying levels of experience. However, the wilderness does not care how much experience you have. If you are unprepared or fall into an unfortunate situation it can be very dangerous. You prepare as best you can, but there are just times when things happen. At first, we were enjoying all that Utah had to offer. The weather was fair, the scenery was breathtaking, our supplies were ample, and the company was amazing. We were, however, exploring a territory that was new to all of us and one day we ended up lost. We had already determined the night before that we needed to cover some ground to get to our next basecamp site, and knew it was going to be a physical and mental stretch for some in the group. We decided we would give it a shot anyway.
What originally was to be a 10 plus mile trek ended up well over that. We had to actually back track and landed ourselves once again at our original basecamp. It got iffy at times, but thankfully everyone made it safely. Those leading our trip had a unique weight that they carried, one that no one can understand until they are given a similar role.
As a leader of God’s people, Moses carried a unique burden. His burden, however, was greatly amplified by the magnitude of leading during such a profound time in Israel’s history. Moses would be tested often with his obedience to God and his patience with leading a very stubborn people. Israel had seen God’s astonishing miracles, and yet failed to trust wholly in the good character of their God. In our passages today we see that the Israelites just could not take their eyes off the physical and trust God in the spiritual. God had repeatedly prepared the way for them before and fulfilled His promises, but their hearts would simply not soften enough to believe and walk in the way He had laid out.
You may be able to relate. I know I do. Faith requires complete trust that God has gone before us. The new year is the absolute perfect time to determine in faith that we will trust God more this next year. It will look differently for each of us, but wherever and whatever God calls us to, we must trust that He sees it all, and moreover, that He knows precisely the perfect way for us to live. The question is: will you trust His leadership?
Application:
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Why is it so challenging to take our eyes off the physical and place our trust in the spiritual that God has prepared for us?
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Describe a time when you trusted in God’s provision. How can focusing on this moment encourage you to trust Him in your next faith step?
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What outcomes could have been drastically different for Israel if they had just trusted in God’s good character?
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How can life look differently for you this year, as you determine to trust God more?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, open our eyes and soften our hearts to focus on the good promises that God has for our lives. We fail to see how God can work good in certain situations, but we want to trust that He is capable of far more than we could ever imagine. Thank You for being a good God who leads us so perfectly.
For Further Study: Read Deuteronomy 1: 34-40. How did Israel’s choice to not follow God lead them to experience a less full life than what God had originally promised them?
Psalm 33:16-22 (NLT)
The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory— for all its strength, it cannot save you. But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
Explanation:
We continue, as a nation, to get more and more skilled in the execution of war. Recently I watched a special on Silicon Valley’s new drones that are highly sophisticated in destruction and deadly accuracy. The days of warhorses and warriors of the Psalms have evaporated, replaced by cyber war, chemical war, and nuclear war with drone soldiers. But no matter how powerful a nation might be, no matter how great it’s armaments, no matter how mobilized for war - God is not impressed. World affairs are not decided in Washington or the Kremlin. China doesn’t hold your destiny and rich oil countries are not your supply. God is on the throne!
The God who guides the paths of the stars, who keeps them whirling at such mathematical precision that we can foretell years in advance an occasion of an eclipse—-that God sees YOU. Right now.
While God controls the universe (where stars and planets are given no choice) the same is not true for you. He allows you to choose His control through trust.
The writers of the Psalms use lots of “enemy/battle” imagery. Most of us will never actually be in a physical battle… but our battles are spiritual… ones we need an understanding of God's power for.
The enemies we face are the enemies of our soul. Bitterness, faithlessness, despondency, emotional score keeping, jealousy, revenge, disloyalty, laziness, dismissiveness, comparison, covetousness, and lust… these are a few. They are just as deadly as a nuclear bomb because they kill you from the inside out. As they erode your life, you fall prey to a destruction that only God can save you from… but the Lord watches over those who fear Him and rely on His unfailing love.
God is always in control for those who give Him control.
God works on His own mysterious timetable. He has not forgotten us. His interference in history when He sent His Son to redeem us was right on time. It’s easy to see when we reflect on Old Testament scripture. Jesus’ interruption of history when He returns for us will also be right on time.
As we wait and face the despair and heartache of a pandemic, social unrest, political chaos, and economic uncertainty in our earthly life, we find hope in the fact that He never changes and He cannot let us down.
“In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.”
Application:
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When your circumstances frown on you, where do you turn? It’s a great question to be honest about because it reveals if you are still grasping for control or trusting Him.
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Have you ever prayed for something and then forgotten about it? God didn’t. He started working the minute you involved Him. This is why we are sometimes startled by an awareness of answered prayer.
Devo Plus:
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
Corrie Ten Boom Dutch Writer Survivor of Auschwitz
Prayer:
God, You are the unchangeable in the midst of the changeable. Because of You: ✔️ In pain I trust ✔️ In fear I trust ✔️ In loss I trust ✔️ In betrayal I trust ✔️ In confusion I trust ✔️ In grief I trust ✔️ In all, I trust You. I wait in hope. Amen.
1 Samuel 17: 4-11, 45-47 (NLT)
Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder. The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver’s beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds. His armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a shield. Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.
David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
Explanation:
With details that border on exaggeration, this familiar story begs the age-old question: is it true because it’s in the Bible, or is it in the Bible because it’s true? The answer is yes, and the genius of God is revealed in how this physical fight mirrors our spiritual battles. Everyone has at least one Goliath standing between them and a more peaceful walk with God. The pathway to victory is to understand, as David did, that the battle has been won for those whom God calls His children.
“If I kill him, you will be our slaves!” Giants come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it is fear, shame, loneliness, or any type of addiction known to mankind, the nature of all adversity is to enslave those who do not take authority over it. The ultimate goal of our enemy is to destroy us (John 10: 10), but that won’t happen if we are positioned to claim our victory in Christ.
“Today the Lord will conquer you…” David didn’t just show up on the battlefield talking trash and signing God’s name to it. His skill with a slingshot (1 Samuel 17: 49) was developed over the course of time as a shepherd guarding his sheep. Likewise, his confidence that God would prevail was the result of faithfully seeking God’s heart and obeying His voice. Every weapon formed against us was defeated at Christ’s resurrection. Through faith and obedience, we lay hold of the victory that is rightfully ours.
Application:
- God promises victory when we step out in faith. And He will put the right people in our lives at the right time to support us. Even Saul offered his personal armor to David—a gesture of support. God can use anyone (family, friends, counselors, healthcare professionals, etc.) to bring the victory for which we are trusting Him. Who do you have in your corner to help you face your Goliath?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I’m trusting You to bring me victory over the adversity that threatens the abundant life You have in store for me. I ask You in Jesus’ name to lead me to the people and resources I need to step out in faith so You can show Yourself strong in my life. Amen.
Psalm 44:1-8 (NLT)
O God, we have heard it with our own ears— our ancestors have told us of all you did in their day, in days long ago: You drove out the pagan nations by your power and gave all the land to our ancestors. You crushed their enemies and set our ancestors free. They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them. You are my King and my God. You command victories for Israel. Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies; you disgrace those who hate us. O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name.
Explanation:
I recently attended a funeral for a member of my husband’s family. This individual was the last of his generation to pass away. As I sat and listened to the family talk, it was amazing to hear stories of God’s faithfulness throughout so many generations in this family line. Stories of God’s provision in times of financial struggle, stories of God’s wisdom spoken to individuals when they needed it most, and even a story of how this particular individual was called into ministry at a very dark moment in his life. These stories were a testament and reminder of God’s hand moving and working in the lives of those who chose to trust and follow Him. The best part of this story is that so many in the current generation continue to follow God, and are sharing these stories of God’s faithfulness with the next generation.
This is exactly what we see happening in today’s passage. The people in this time were in a season of defeat. They couldn’t save themselves or change their situation; they needed God to do it. As they recalled the stories of God’s faithfulness in the past, it was the encouragement they needed to keep going. It is a reminder that even when we don’t feel it or see it, the hand of God is moving and working in our lives and situation. The stories of God’s faithfulness in the past was a great reminder to them that He would indeed be faithful again to what He had promised. They simply had to trust and allow God to do what only He can.
Oftentimes in our lives we find ourselves in the same place, not able to do anything to change our circumstances or situation. It can be defeating to find ourselves here, but when we take a moment to look back, it can change our outlook and strengthen our faith. We may not be able to change our situation, but we can still walk forward in faith and confidence that if God was faithful before, He will be faithful again. Even when we can’t see it, the hand of God is leading, moving, and working in our lives. We are called to get out of the way and simply trust that He will be faithful to see us through. Whatever it is you are fighting through today, I encourage you to recall God’s faithfulness in the past and to remind yourself that He will do what He says. He is with you, He is moving, He is working, and He will see you through.
Application:
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Can you recall hearing a story of how God was faithful in the life of someone else? How did their story encourage you?
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What is a situation in your life right now where you feel defeated or hopeless?
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How can today’s passage bring you hope and change your outlook?
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How have you seen the hand of God working in your current situation?
Prayer:
God, I am so thankful for You! It is amazing to take a moment and look back on my life only to see how You were moving and working in ways I never expected. You have been so good and so faithful to me, keeping Your promises to be with me in the middle of the storm. As I look back on my story and the story of previous generations, may it be a reminder to me that You are indeed moving, working, and leading me, even though sometimes it may not feel like it. May the stories of the previous generations and others encourage me to remember that You alone are what I need. Amen.
For Further Study:
Often it is not until we are through the storm that we can look back and see how the hand of God was moving and working in our situation. I encourage you to take some time today to look back on God’s faithfulness. Make a list of the ways you have seen God move in your life. Then allow it to give you hope and reaffirm your faith that God is with you, even now, no matter what you are walking through.
Revelation 21:1-27 (ESV)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Explanation:
Just the other day I was outside raking leaves that I had neglected to rake in the fall. To start with, it seemed so puzzling to me that it was late December, and the temps were warm enough to be finishing up some fall chores. This wasn’t the only puzzling thing I was a contemplating that day. Lately, I feel like I have been in a wrestling match with time. More than ever, I feel the pull to make the most of my days. As the psalmist King David wrote in Psalm 139:16, my days have been hand selected for me by God, and each one of them is a gift. He has given them to me as an opportunity to connect with Him and help others around me connect with Him as well. I must remain purposed to slow down, cherish the moments I get, and remind myself of how important each day really is.
Then again, there is also this eternal longing in my heart to be whole again. God’s promise of eternity is like a piece of low-hanging fruit that I just want to grab and take hold of. My body, mind, and soul yearn for the wholeness that eternity offers. As I was raking leaves this past week, I found myself having a conversation with God. Maybe it was a bit of grumbling, but above even that, it was this desire to not be plagued by the brokenness of sin, this desire to experience God not through the temporal lenses with which I see Him now, but the unimpeded eternal ones.
For John, who wrote our Scripture verses today, this must have been amplified even more, especially since he was blessed with catching a true glimpse of God’s promise of eternal life. I grow weepy as I re-read these promises of God found in verses 5-7. This thirst for the eternal things increases as I hear God say there is nothing that can change this beautiful promise of His. He says, “I am the Lord of lords, and what I have said will come about, just as I have said it would.” This truth, like an anchor, keeps me hopeful each day as I eagerly await the restoration of heaven. I hope it too can be a very bright light for you, as you live out your days here and now.
Application:
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In what ways do you find yourself focusing on the present and the eternal?
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What eternal promises of God can keep you hopeful each day?
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When God says, “It is done!” He means that nothing can change that truth. Why are these words so profound for those who have put their faith in God?
Prayer:
Father God, we have a yearning for Your presence. You have given us Your Spirit for the here and now, but what we truly desire is to be face-to-face with You in eternity. We cannot thank You enough for even making this a hope for us. We cannot imagine how life would be without it. Help us not to lose sight of Your promises, and to keep doing the good work You have called us to do throughout each day of our ordained lives.
For Further Study:
Read Romans 8:23. How do God’s children “groan inwardly” as we wait for eternity?
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (ESV)
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Explanation:
I feel like I’ve spent quite a bit of time in my life preparing for upcoming events. As a mom with four kids, I’ve spent many hours packing diaper bags, packing snacks, making meals, helping pack backpacks. Now that my kids are a little older, I spend time each week writing out the schedules filled with practices, concerts, and social activities, then put time into planning out how all of those events are going to coordinate. Each night, Matthew and I talk about the next day and what needs to happen when. In my own schedule, I’m constantly thinking about what emails need to be sent, people contacted, meeting scheduled. If you’re anything like me, you spend a lot of time thinking about and planning for what’s next.
But I wonder, do we spend enough time thinking about the state of our relationship with God? Are we as concerned about preparing for Christ’s return as we are what emails need to be sent or what event we have next? If I’m honest, I can get caught up in the preparation of my daily activities and sometimes put my time with God on the back burner. I know God gives mercy, and I don’t want to fall into a legalistic trap of thinking that only if I spend time daily with God will I be ready for Christ’s Second Coming. But I do know that when I spend time with God on a daily basis, my life is a better reflection of Him. When my focus is on putting God first, the rest of my priorities fall into place. I want to be as prepared as possible for Christ’s return, and that only comes in being purposed in how I live and what my priorities are in my life.
There are some passages of scripture that cut to the chase. I feel like this is one of them. Paul is not fooling around when he describes the day of Christ’s return. Are you prepared for your most important event ever? If you are in relationship with God and pursuing a life that reflects Him and His word (the Bible), then you have nothing to fear. If you aren’t, however, pursuing God in your life, then you should be scared. You don’t want to experience the “sudden destruction” that will come upon you. Instead, you want to be children of the light who remain in the light. You want to be people who are pursuing God and making Him a priority in your life.
Application:
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Are you confident in where you stand with God if Christ were to return today?
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Think through your schedule for yesterday and today. If someone looked at your schedule, could they see a space for time with God?
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What is one practical step you can take today to be ready for Christ’s return?
Prayer:
God, we don’t know the day or time of Your return. We do know that it is going to happen, and we desire to be as ready as we possibly can. Forgive me for the times when I’ve shrugged off the idea of Your return and have been so focused on my own desires. Help us to have hearts that truly desire to grow in the knowledge of who You are and to transfer that knowledge into actions. We await Your Second Coming, and look forward to it with hope!
1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Explanation:
Have you ever watched those cheesy Hallmark movies that are about some poor, single man or woman hopelessly seeking to find their “happily ever after”? There is usually some kind of drama associated with their search for “ever after”—confusion, betrayal, etc. Now let me tell you about my Jesus and HIS “ever after.”
I love the strong words this translation uses to describe our inheritance through Jesus. Let’s reflect on them and review their meanings together: Imperishable–lasting forever; never dying; timeless; immortal Undefiled–pure; unblemished Unfading–not losing strength; forever bright Guarded through faith by God’s power–God has promised that if we put our faith in Him, we have this promise eternally.
I don’t know about you, but from where I stand, cheesy Hallmark movies don’t hold a candle to the “ever after” I have through Jesus!
Application:
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When you think about the words in the promise outlined in today’s Scripture, how do you feel?
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What does it mean to you to have an “inheritance”? How does that compare to the inheritance you traditionally think of when you hear the term?
Prayer:
God, I am humbled by the promise of an eternal inheritance that is waiting for me. Your grace is boundless, and I know there is nothing I could ever do to be worthy of such an amazing gift. Knowing that You have prepared a place for me that no human or spiritual entity can touch or tarnish brings me to my knees in adoration of You. Forgive me of my sins and for the times I forget that this life is temporary, as are its troubles. Help me to focus on the eternal gift that awaits me, to sustain me through the storms of this life. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
For Further Study:
Read today’s scripture in two or three different translations of the Bible using Biblegateway.com (a free resource). Reflect on the words used to describe our inheritance in these other translations.
1 Corinthians 15:50-57 (NIrV)
Brothers and sisters, here is what I’m telling you. Bodies made of flesh and blood can’t share in the kingdom of God. And what dies can’t share in what never dies. Listen! I am telling you a mystery. We will not all die. But we will all be changed. That will happen in a flash, as quickly as you can wink an eye. It will happen at the blast of the last trumpet. Then the dead will be raised to live forever. And we will be changed. Our natural bodies don’t last forever. They must be dressed with what does last forever. What dies must be dressed with what does not die. In fact, that is going to happen. What does not last will be dressed with what lasts forever. What dies will be dressed with what does not die. Then what is written will come true. It says, “Death has been swallowed up. It has lost the battle.”
“Death, where is the victory you thought you had? Death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin. And the power of sin is the law. But let us give thanks to God! He gives us the victory because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done.
Explanation:
I enjoy running, and I recently trained to run a 15k (which is 9.3 miles, in case you were wondering). I put a lot of time into preparing my body to be able to have the stamina to endure running for roughly two hours. On race day, I was feeling good. The run was going better than I had anticipated, until I hit mile eight. All of a sudden, my side began to cramp. I was not happy about the fact that my body in that moment was failing me. I had trained so hard and the finish line was so close; this was not the moment I needed my body to fall apart. Luckily, I got the cramp under control, and I was indeed able to finish the run.
I share this story because I think it is something we can all relate to. You may not be a runner, but I am sure at some point in your life your earthly body has failed you. Maybe it was a bad health report, an injury, or just the normal aches and pains that come with age. As we continue to walk this earth, our bodies will continue to break down, fall apart, and fail us. When sin entered the world, it took away our perfect bodies, and now we all experience pains, aches, and issues within our physical selves.
As discouraging as this is, we can still look forward with hope. Why? Because of today’s passage. When Christ returns, we will be changed in an instant! We will be made whole, new, and perfect. This includes our physical bodies. No more aches, no more pain, no more imperfections, but rather perfect bodies, perfect life, full perfection. I look forward to the day when I won’t have physical limitations, but will rather live in the perfect body God had designed for us to walk in from the beginning.
I hope this encourages you today. Whether you have recently dealt with a negative health report, have physical limitations, or are struggling as you get older, may this be a reminder to you that someday our physical bodies will no longer be a problem. We will be changed, made new, and will live in perfection for all eternity. Now, that is something to look forward to.
Application:
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How have you seen your physical body fail you?
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Why does this passage bring you hope?
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What would your ideal, perfect body look like?
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What do you think it will be like to have a perfect body, mind, soul, and spirit?
Prayer:
God, I thank You so much for the earthly body You have given to me. It has helped me accomplish so many wonderful things. And although this body gets sick and broken, I can look forward with hope, knowing one day it will all be made new. Thank You so much for giving us this reminder in Your word, that one day You will change us and make us new. Amen.
For Further Study:
Take some time today to make a list of all the things your body has helped you accomplish (i.e., giving birth, running a marathon, doing day-to-day tasks). I encourage you to then take some time to thank God for the physical body He has given you to use while here on the earth.
1 Corinthians 13:8-12(ESV)
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up my childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Explanation:
This passage is part of a letter written by Paul to the Christians in Corinth. The people in Corinth were failing to use their spiritual gifts from God properly. God’s intention for these gifts…prophecies, tongues, and knowledge…was to spread LOVE. But the people of Corinth did not see the reasoning for their gifts.
Today is my half century birthday. For my first 43 years, I didn’t fully grasp the plans God had in store for me. I was living what I thought was a good life. Husband, kids, friends, and financial comfort. I attended church and volunteered regularly. I thought I was doing a pretty good job of being a disciple of God, teaching Sunday school and singing in the Christmas choir. And then, an unpleasant circumstance opened my eyes to what God desires for us…to love one another. My situation spun me into a web of despair, and through that sadness, my heart was healed and made new by the love of others. Everything softened, hope returned, and for the first time I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit.
I saw through a clear mirror.
God’s gift of love is everlasting. Paul’s words speak the truth that everything else will pass or simply go away. But not love. I believe Paul can’t say this loudly enough. We all have situations that aren’t ideal…heartbreaks, loss, devastations. God has perfectly created a world where He places us to give love and to receive love. Maybe that time you smiled at the stranger changed the course of their day. Or, maybe a hug given to a person made them believe in themselves. Sometimes we don’t see the results of our actions, and that’s okay. Trust God to lead you to those who need and desire His blessing of everlasting love.
Application:
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Think of “love” as an action verb. In what ways do you reflect a godly love toward others?
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God’s love is unconditional. Pray for a person who has betrayed you, caused you pain, or is selfish.
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Paul mentions the time when we will come face-to-face with God. How will your reflection look to Him?
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Love is the foundation of Paul’s teachings and is the greatest gift. Reflect on the earthly gifts you have recently received. How do those compare to the eternal gift of loving one another?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we are overwhelmed by Your love and grace. Help us to share in Your desire for our world to know Your love. Lead us to those who need to feel Your presence in their lives, and open our hearts to receive Your gifts. God, please provide comfort to those who do not feel love. Wrap Your arms around those hurting or suffering. May Your comfort be all we desire. In Your name we pray. Amen.
For Further Study:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35 (ESV)
Read John 15:9-17.
Listen to Your Love Never Fails, by Chris Quilala/Jesus Culture Music
Your Kingdom Come
Author: Barb Crawford
Matthew 6:9-10 (ESV)
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Explanation:
This passage is the beginning of what has become known as the Lord's Prayer. Jesus is teaching his followers how to pray. First of all, our God is to be hallowed, or greatly revered and honored. Next, Jesus says to pray that God's kingdom will come. To pray that we want God’s kingdom to come is saying that we want people's hearts to be changed and to be like Jesus. We are praying for God’s will and purposes on earth to continue to be accomplished in the hearts and lives of His believers, just as God's will is perfectly experienced in heaven.
If Jesus has instructed us to pray this prayer, I believe He is calling us to be a part of carrying out this task. I read this in one commentary: “We are to seek a radically new set of passions and priorities in our lives – Kingdom priorities. Pray that God will help all of us pray an old prayer in a radically new way.” Are you ready to accept this challenge? Jesus wants to use you. May His will be done in and through all of our lives.
Application:
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Does your life reflect “Kingdom priorities”?
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If not, what needs to change so your life will better reflect Jesus?
Prayer:
Father in heaven, we praise Your Mighty Name! Use us each day to further Your Kingdom here on the earth. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to help people to change their lives. May our lives speak volumes about Your love, and be a magnet drawing others into a personal relationship with You. Amen.
For Further Study: Matthew 6:9-10 reads this way in The Message version of the Bible: Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below.
Merry Christmas from the Devo Team!
Today’s devo is simply the Christmas story as told in the Scriptures. It is our deepest hope that you will read this account of our Messiah out loud with your entire family. May your Christmas be filled with the peace and hope found only in Jesus.
The Messiah Has Come
Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-21 (ESV)
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV)
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Explanation:
The book of Revelation is a crescendo, a cresting point meant not simply to tell us “truth facts” but to accentuate truth with a feeling. When a reader sits down with the apostle John’s writing, they are being invited into a cinematic experience. Think about your favorite movies…the way the story is told, the way the movie is captured, cut and edited, all with the goal of stirring in you feelings of love, fear, courage, greatness, or adventure. If the movie is good, every detail works you toward that grand vision the movie is trying to convey. The Spirit does the same here through John to make us feel something about our Champion.
With the chaos and destruction of a freshly defeated evil still smoldering, the clouds part and heaven’s Champion is seen seated on His steed. John describes Him as wearing all white, to tell us of His purity, but the army He leads also bears this white garb. The difference between the army and their Captain is that He alone wears a cloak dashed in crimson. The blood of His enemies? Perhaps. But a spotless army and the context of the cross paints a better picture of a cloak soaked in His own blood: the victory won on Calvary.
He bears the weapons of advancement and judgment. Flaming eyes that purify and cut through the masks humans wear. The double-edged sword of His words that pierce the heart and judge the ways of the nations. These words both advance the Gospel against the darkness and stand as the witness for their rebellion against it. He bears a shepherd’s rod to lead and correct the nations. He is the one who treads out judgment on those who will, until their dying breath, reject the love and sovereignty of God.
He bears an unknown name, a name of intimacy given Him by the Father. But John says He also bears other names, like Faithful and True. These aren’t just traits He possesses; they are who He is. He is also called by the name Logos, the same word John would use to introduce Him in his Gospel, the faithful and true Word of God who is the accurate image of God in this world, the ultimate revelation. And as if the music swells and the fanfare begins, John proclaims Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords! No one is beside Him (not even Caesar). He alone stands worthy of all adoration, praise, and honor. He is the self-sacrificing Champion, Judge, and King who John directs us to worship, love, adore, faithfully follow, and anticipate this Christmas.
Application:
- John’s writing is meant to stir in us an attitude of worship and adoration. As you prepare for celebrating Christmas with your family, spend some time thinking on this crowned King image of Jesus and take some time to worship Him today. Ask Him to increase your love and desire for His presence. And pray for this vision of all the wrongs righted to come soon.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, You crowned Your Son King of kings and Lord of lords. There is no earthly king beside Him. There is no earthly promise that can measure against His worth. But our hearts are fickle and we love transitory things. So help us to stay focused on You, our Champion of heaven. Help us to keep this image of worship that John provides before us, and may it stir greater love and obedience as we await Your return. Amen.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (ESV)
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Explanation:
First Corinthians is a letter Paul wrote to the church of Corinth to challenge them in some of the ways they were living. Specifically in this section, Paul is telling the church to flee from all sexual immorality. In 1 Corinthians 5, we see that the church of Corinth is defiled by sexual immorality, and they see no wrongs in their ways. Paul is confronting the people who are committed in the body of Christ to turn from their sexual sin and boasting, because they bear the name of Christ in a way that should not be associated with this behavior.
In today’s passage, Paul begins by saying “Flee from sexual immorality,” and ends with “So glorify God in your body.” He is saying the same thing in two different ways. The first is saying do not even come near sexual immorality or let it tempt you; rather, run away from it. Paul compares how sins committed are outside the body, but sexual sins are sins against the body itself. When Paul is addressing the church, he is reminding them that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and they should glorify Him with their actions. Living in sexual immorality is dishonoring the gift we are given from the price Jesus paid. Therefore, as Paul clearly states, “So glorify God in your body.”
Application:
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Why is it so important to glorify God with our body?
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Is it easy for you to think sin just affects things outside, rather than within ourselves?
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How can you set up accountability and barriers to help you to flee from sexual immorality?
Prayer:
God, we thank You for being a God who challenges us to grow in our holiness and in our character. We ask that when there are temptations, You would put people in our lives to challenge us and to help us. Remind us that You have created us in Your image, and we are called to live like You and to glorify Your name. Lord, we love You and thank You for the many ways You love us. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
For Further Study:
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. (Romans 6:12-13, ESV)
1 Corinthians 2: 6-13 (NIV)
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
Explanation:
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to address some of the Christians in Corinth for walking dangerously close to the immoral sect of society. He reminded them that wisdom isn’t bad, but there is a difference between human wisdom and the complete wisdom of God.
My dad used to say, “I’m smart enough to know I don’t know.”
When we become believers, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us. He makes Scripture come alive and gives us the ability to understand its truth. God’s wisdom is revealed in Scripture, and The Holy Spirit causes us to love the Word, to hunger for it. However, we have to be in constant communication with God because if we aren’t, we are disconnected from Him.
Divine wisdom is not available to even the greatest of minds or the fiercest of leaders. Top Gun doesn’t even come close! Faith should not be in the wisdom of the world but in the power of God. God alone is competent.
The Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. The Holy Spirit is omniscient about Himself because the Trinity is perfect in knowledge. God knows Himself fully and unveils things to us that are known only to Him. This is a free, voluntary act of love. God does this in His own timing, without error. His Word is complete and authoritative, and we are never closer to Him than when we are reading Scripture.
Even if we have a Bible in front of us, it is foolishness to the spiritually dead. We cannot completely understand the vastness of God’s plan, but if we are in communion with Him, The Holy Spirit will guide us toward truth. Faith is working with The Holy Spirit, being inspired by Him, and having the emotional fortitude to remind ourselves that we are smart enough to know we don’t know.
Application:
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Think about how often you truly focus on working with The Holy Spirit. Discuss with a friend or family member.
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Work on positive Christian habits such as setting an alarm to pray. Get into a routine so this becomes a habit. Working with The Holy Spirit should be as automatic as breathing, but it takes time and practice to get there. Put in the work, and journal your experience.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your gift of The Holy Spirit, living in us and helping us understand the truth. We are grateful for this immense gift. We thank You for allowing us to do Your work. Give us the strength and courage to keep going even though we don’t fully understand divine wisdom. Help us get up each day asking, “God? What do you have for me today? How can I help spread the message of Your Kingdom?” Amen.
Romans 8:14-17, 26-27 (ESV)
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Explanation:
In the verses surrounding the above passage from Romans, Paul talks about our present sufferings as compared with our future in heaven, and the excitement builds as he tells us that we are now looked at by God as sons and daughters, just like Jesus! And when we operate with God’s presence, His Holy Spirit in us, then we are truly His family. We can look to Him to set our priorities, for guidance and advice, and for comfort–roles we often look to other broken people to fill. We can have confidence that the Holy Spirit is our entire family in one perfect Being, and He can serve perfectly all of the roles of every person we think we need.
But even as sons and daughters, the ones who both know and believe in the hope of Jesus’s return, we feel the weight of the waiting. The fact that the Spirit interprets our groanings is beautiful news for us. We don’t know how to pray, but God’s own word tells us that it doesn’t matter. All we need is to ask for His Spirit to speak into our shortcomings, and His answer is always a resounding “YES!” He wants only for us to turn to Him first, really giving Him our often-heavy hearts, then fully trusting in His response…even if it is different than the one we hoped for. This requires a level of commitment, communication, and follow-through that isn’t always easy for us.
It’s not trite to encourage others to “give their problems to God.” God is an actual Someone who can take our tear-stained pillows or our beating fists, and give them a refuge. The situations of this life are so much more than we can handle alone; our efforts will fall short every time. But with the Holy Spirit alive and moving, our hearts can take comfort amidst these times as Someone way more capable is handling them on our behalf. He knows our befores and our afters, and not only that, He knows the same about everyone else and how they fit together in His perfect adoption plan. His Presence in the Holy Spirit is a good gift from a good, good Father, one we can access right now, and one we should be grateful for…not just at Christmas but always.
Application:
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Have you ever considered yourself an adoptive sibling of Jesus? How does that make you feel? How does it change how you celebrate the arrival of Him on earth and the arrival of Him to come?
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What personal promises of God are you waiting to see fulfilled? If you are honest, are you waiting on a certain result? The Scripture tells us that the Spirit will always intercede “according to the will of God.” Ask the Holy Spirit to give you strength and confidence to continue waiting for His Perfect Will to be accomplished. It isn’t easy, but it is so much better than our own limited desires and perspectives.
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Romans also tells us that the Spirit leads to life and peace, and peace is something we could all use a little more of these days. Today, find some time to be still, and invite the Spirit to lead you in whatever ways He sees fit.
Prayer:
God, we are so very thankful for the gift of Your Spirit. Without You leading us in this way, we are well aware that the darkness of this world would be too much for us to bear. Your word tells us that the Spirit brings life and peace, and no matter where we are in our journey, our lives need more of You. Please continue to intervene in the situations we willingly lay before You, in whatever ways align with Your will. Help our hearts to accept that Your ways are not just higher, but they are always better, even if we can’t see or feel that in this life. Help us prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of your Son, our fellow heir, as He rescues this world from pain, once and for all. We give You all the glory. Amen.
Acts 2:1-4, 14-21 (NLT)
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:
‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy. And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Explanation:
This is the time of year when we see snow globes in various places filled with scenes of winter splendor and cheer. If you try really hard when you’re looking in a snow globe, you can almost picture yourself in the scene and imagine the conversations taking place there. Now imagine that you have a snow globe (or in this case, a desert globe) that allows you to view the happenings on the Day of Pentecost in real time.
The people you see are all speaking different languages, and you may even think they are under the influence of some kind of strange substance that is altering their behavior. You are perplexed at the sights you see. You may even doubt their authenticity. Then Peter steps up and says, “Look, it’s only 9 a.m. These people aren’t drinking, they are filled with the Holy Spirit! They have been waiting for the prophecy to be fulfilled and today’s the day!” The people had been waiting for what the Father had promised—a Holy Spirit, a helper, a way to carry Jesus with them wherever they went.
When Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised that He would send someone who would dwell with each of us. Jesus–God in Human form–wants to live with YOU. He wants to live with ME. If we place our hope in Jesus, He promises never to leave or abandon us, even when the rest of the world may shun us. Being a Jesus follower isn’t guaranteed to be an easy road, but it’s a filled one. It’s filled with promises; it’s filled with the knowledge that when I place my hope in Jesus, I am guaranteed to have a helper, a friend, and a guide to help me.
Application:
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What does your snow globe look like? Are the scenes filled with the peace of the Holy Spirit dwelling within you?
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In times of trouble, we have a guide in the Holy Spirit who has promised to dwell with us. What comfort can you find in that reminder?
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What does it mean to you to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for giving me the promise that You will never leave me. No matter how much chaos there may be in my life, I know that I can rely on Your promises and the peace that You give me to endure the struggle. Help me to remember that You will never leave or abandon me; You dwell within my heart and are with me anywhere I go. Help me to trust You more in everything I do. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
For Further Study:
Listen to “Pour Your Spirit Out” by Tree Church Music. Reflect on the lyrics and make this your prayer each day this week.
John 14:15-18, 25-27 (NLT)
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.
I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
Explanation:
It was our first trip away from our children since becoming parents, and boy was I prepared! I had trained Grandma in their daily schedule, fully stocked the fridge with their favorite meals, and replenished their craft boxes with all manner of fun activities. There was a list of fun things to do taped on the fridge, along with phone numbers to call in case of emergency, and even a box full of little presents to keep them busy and happy. I tried to think of everything they might need or want in my absence so they would be completely comfortable while we were gone.
Now the big day had arrived, and we began to implement our exit strategy. All was going according to plan…until I started putting on my shoes and turned to see our daughter’s beautiful brown eyes welling up with tears. She looked so heartbroken and forlorn, and didn’t understand where I was going or WHY! I leaned down and pulled her close, trying to comfort her that Daddy and I would be stronger together, and better parents for her and her brothers because of this trip. “I promise, you’re going to have so much fun with Grandma! Don’t worry, Mommy and Daddy will be home before you know it!” It took many hugs and repeated reassurances before her heart was comforted enough for me to walk out that door with peace in my own heart.
If we as flawed humans put so much effort into our children’s every need, how much more the heart of our heavenly Father! Jesus was about to be torn away from His disciples and brutally crucified before being powerfully resurrected and taken up into heaven again. So He gives them, and us, a promise that He Himself would be with us, not limited to a physical body walking around Jerusalem, but dwelling in His children’s hearts instead. He knew we would be utterly lost, blundering around alone without understanding and truth, if He was no longer on earth with us. “No, I will not abandon you as orphans – I will come to you... and will teach you everything”! I love how the Amplified Bible says verse 16: He sent us our ultimate Comforter, “an Advocate, Intercessor – Counselor, Strengthener, Standby to be with you forever, the Spirit of Truth.” What a beautiful and amazing plan from a perfectly loving Father! He anticipated our every need and provided His Holy Spirit to fill every one of them.
Application:
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How does it make you feel that you are never alone? There is One who will “never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit…” (verse 16). So whether you have friends who abandoned you, challenges at your workplace, trials with family, or internal struggles, realize that there is never a moment when God is not with you.
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Jesus Christ takes care of our salvation and repairs our broken relationship with God, and He is seated at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19, 1 Peter 3:22). The Holy Spirit is the answer to your every current need on earth. Take some time to think of what you have need of today, and pray to the Holy Spirit that His power fills your every need.
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Do you find yourself today troubled about many things? Is it possible you are leaving a gift from God under the tree, still wrapped and unopened, waiting for you to claim it? He says in verse 27 (NLT) “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart…” So, “let [His] perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge” verse 27 (AMP).
Prayer:
Thank You, God, for never leaving us, and for providing Your Holy Spirit to dwell with us and in us. Holy Spirit, we know and acknowledge that You are God. Thank You for Your role as my Advocate and Counselor, my Strengthener, and my Teacher of truth. I pray that You help me remove all the roadblocks to feeling Your presence with me today. Help me open my heart fully to Your power and all that You have provided for me! Amen.
Revelation 5:1-9 (NIRV)
Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. The scroll had writing on both sides. It was sealed with seven seals. I saw a mighty angel calling out in a loud voice. He said, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll. No one could even look inside it. I cried and cried. That’s because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not cry! The Lion of the tribe of Judah has won the battle. He is the Root of David. He is able to break the seven seals and open the scroll.”
Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if he had been put to death. He stood at the center of the area around the throne. The Lamb was surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes. The eyes stand for the seven spirits of God, which are sent out into all the earth. The Lamb went and took the scroll. He took it from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. Then the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down in front of the Lamb. Each one had a harp. They were holding golden bowls full of incense. They stand for the prayers of God’s people. Here is the new song they sang.
“You are worthy to take the scroll and break open its seals. You are worthy because you were put to death. With your blood you bought people for God. They come from every tribe, people and nation, no matter what language they speak.
Explanation:
The scripture above is written by the Apostle John. He is moved to tears because no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth was worthy to open the scroll that contained “God’s purpose for history” (ESV Study Bible). The elders told John not to cry because there is “the Lion of Judah", the One who conquered death, who is worthy. Jesus is from the line of Judah and worthy to open the scroll. Then the elders fell to the ground and worshiped Him and sang the song, “Worthy is the Lamb.”
The same Jesus that was worthy to open the scroll came to the earth as a baby to become the Savior of the world, so that you can have forgiveness of sins and find your worth in Him. This is the reason we celebrate Christmas.
Application:
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What do you find your worth in? Being a good person? Having good finances? Having lots of good things? Being a good parent and/or spouse? All of these things are good but eventually they will let you down. Whatever stuck out to you, give it to God and ask Him to change your worth to Him.
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Take some time to ask God by praying to show you how worthy you are in Him.
Devo Plus:
Take sometime today to listen to “Worthy Of It All” by David Brymer.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for coming on this earth to take my sins and choosing to be in relationship with me. You are so worthy of everything. Thank You for my life and where You have put me. Help me to see who You see me for. I love You Father!
Philippians 2:6-11 (NLT)
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Explanation:
It is easy to emphasize our unique connections that will upgrade us in the eyes of people or impact situations we are in. It is common to use status to add ease to our lives. When we lived in Michigan, the town that abutted ours had lush parks with high-end playgrounds, tennis courts, and swimming pools. I lived in the city of Detroit and we had no such parks. I could only take my boys to those nice parks if a friend who lived in that town used their pass to get me in. Her zip code gave her exclusive rights.
Rights are a big deal to Americans. We want them and we will fight for them.
Jesus did the opposite. He gave up His rights.
Jesus decided not to cling to His position as God or His divine privileges; instead, He surrendered them to save us. He was willing to leave the comfort and joy of Heaven to live on earth. He never played the God card when living His physical life. He didn’t use it for ease, to solve lack, to avoid pain, or to get out of a situation. Instead, He absorbed full humanity all the way through His excruciating physical death on a cross, where He was publicly shamed while hanging naked and exposed. Those jeering and mocking Him while He died were the very ones He came to save.
But Jesus stayed. Jesus won.
But don’t leave Jesus on the cross. Don’t leave Him in the manger either. He is now seated in the place of highest honor, and His name has divine power!
Our world uses Jesus’s divine name in jest, vulgarity, and anger. It’s taken in vain by comedians, used loosely in blog humor, and flung in conversations for effect. Folks too stoic to say His name aloud in praise on Sunday don’t flinch when the star of their movie prolifically spews and damns His name for two hours.
But it matters to God. Jesus is a holy name. Jesus is THE name above every name! Someday the unsaved dead, along with the unrepentant false shepherds, unscrupulous world leaders, philosophers of wicked ideologies, mockers, sorcerers, idolaters, liars, and murderers will be summoned to the great white throne. Everyone who blasphemed and denied Jesus will be unified in bowed surrender, and without exception, every tongue will declare that Jesus Christ is Lord!
Application:
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It is important to note that Jesus was not emptying Himself of His deity, but clothing Himself in humanity—in order to be a servant. What “right” could you lay down for humanity?
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As God, He was the Creator of the universe and the one angels worshipped, BUT your soul was of such value to Him that He took on the form of man to die in your place, so you never have to. What gift can you give Jesus in return?
Devo Plus:
“Jesus is not valued at all unless He is valued above all.” Augustine
Prayer:
Jesus, You are the light of the world. Whoever follows You will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Infuse Your light in my day, my thoughts, my meditations, and my interactions. May I reflect Your name with my life! Amen.
Titus 3:5-7 (NKJV)
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Explanation:
I have always been a person who tries to "do the right things." I believe that this is the best way to show others that there are good people out there. Christ even modeled this to us and reiterated the instruction that we received from the books of the law of Moses in the Old Testament. These instructions include directions on how to treat your neighbors concerning their money in banking and borrowing, property and animals, and concerning each other's families.
These are some of the most basic instructions that we can follow to do good works to our neighbors, family members, and to the community as a whole. However, in doing good works to others, sometimes it is easy to lose sight as to why we as Christians are to follow these statutes.
There became a common theme in the days of Christ in the Jewish culture. There were a couple of sects of Judaism known as the Sadducees and the Pharisees who would argue amongst each other about certain things in the Old Testament. But one thing is for sure: both groups flaunted their so-called spirituality among the masses by performing "good works" in the sight of all, to be noticed by all and thought of as more spiritual. They gave large sums of money to the poor, they would pray loudly and extravagantly in the streets, and they would do other works just to be seen by large crowds.
I think we can all agree that they did some good things for others and for their community. The most important thing that was lacking in the works they performed, however, was what really gives meaning to the works that we do for others. They lacked the love that they were supposed to show to their community. They lacked the compassion behind the giving and the praying. They lacked a commitment to their brothers and sisters in the places they lived.
In the scriptures above, Paul points us to the real reason we should feel secure in our faith. He reminds us that God saves us, not according to our works, but according to His abundant grace and love for us. He has made us new through the living out of the example He has given us in Christ. Christ models to us the love of God and the grace that God has to show us despite how undeserving we really are. In this grace, God has adopted us into His kingdom, and we are made heirs with Christ. Keeping this in remembrance is what justifies our good works, not simply performing works to be seen by others.
Application:
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Take some time this week to reflect on how good God has been to you. How does this make you feel? Are you thankful for where God is leading you?
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Pray for God to help you show people His heart when you perform good works this week. Let anything you do for others this week come from a place of remembrance of God's grace.
Devo Plus:
Reach out to someone this week. Maybe there is someone you have been thinking about, or someone in the community you know that needs help. Perhaps God has placed that concern for someone in your heart. Move on that thought, and let the Spirit of God move in that situation. Allow your compassion and your love of God compel someone to the gospel of Christ this week.
Prayer:
God, please move in us this week. Holy Spirit, we ask for a regeneration of our minds and hearts concerning the good works we perform for your Kingdom. We ask for the renewing of our spirits this week. Lord, thank You for Your grace. Thank You for the example of Your son, Jesus Christ, who sits on the throne at Your right hand, God. Thank You for adopting us into Your kingdom, and making us heirs with Christ. Thank You for the hope of eternal life with You that You have given us. Again, we ask that You would move in us this week. Amen.
John 1:1-13 (ESV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Explanation:
In this prologue to the gospel of John, the most profound truths of God are explained with child-like simplicity – proof that the plan of salvation is one of the simplest messages to understand. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). That’s why along with a simple message, God gives everyone enough light (verse 9) to leave mankind without excuse for seeking after Him.
We are without excuse, but we are not without explanation. Back then, many did not recognize God when He came to this world in the flesh as the Messiah, Jesus Christ (referred to in this passage as the Word and the light). Today, many do not recognize their need for salvation through Christ. Either way, Jesus says the reason anyone rejects Him is because they love the darkness more than they love the light (John 3:19-20).
This is where you and I come in. As Christ followers we are called to be the light to this dark world. In the same way a candle dispels the darkness of a pitch-black room, the unsaved among us should know right away there is something different about our conduct. As John the Baptist pointed the way to Jesus, so should our words and actions model to unbelievers an infinitely better way to live.
Application:
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How would you explain to someone that the Word (Jesus) was with God, but at the same time the Word was God?
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An interesting paradox of Christianity is that if our life is truly focused on God, we typically aren’t aware of how or to what extent the light we shine is influencing others. However, this is not true when we look at other Christ followers. Think of someone you know who is fully devoted to Jesus, and name three ways in which this person shines the light of His love.
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God gives every person enough light to know that He exists (verse 9, see also Romans 1:21 and Ecclesiastes 3:11). They may not know it is God they are missing in their life, but they know something is missing. How will unbelievers know where the light in our life comes from if we never talk about Jesus?
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Is it possible to be a light to the unsaved without having a genuine, abiding relationship with God?
Devo Plus:
Read John 3:18-21.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I want to be the light of Christ to everyone I meet. Please surround me with opportunities to share my faith and Your love with people who need Your healing touch. Amen.
Isaiah 53: 1-12 (NIV)
Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Explanation:
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the four gospels, but if you think about it, Isaiah is the first gospel. Jesus of Nazareth is the Savior of humanity, and prophecies fulfilled by Christ are detailed over and over again in this passage. Most Jewish people have never read it, and some have even said it is the forbidden chapter in the Hebrew Bible. Clearly, the writer is speaking of Jesus. Specific instructions were given for who the Messiah would be so that we wouldn’t miss Him. Without Him, we have no atonement or forgiveness. Jesus fulfills God’s mission to restore Israel, and to be a light to the nations.
There is more about what Jesus endured in Isaiah 53 than in all four gospels combined. Isaiah is quoted in the gospels more than any other Old Testament book. It’s a poem in triunes about atonement, redemption, sacrifice, and salvation. It is 100% prophecy in rhythm.
We tend to idolize impressive things. Jesus was unexceptional in His appearance, though. He was despised and rejected. People were ashamed of Him and hid their faces. He was wounded, pierced, bruised, and chastised for us, but He never opened His mouth to defend Himself. He was put to death after being condemned, but He came back to life, and through this brought forgiveness, healing, and righteousness.
We are all sick. If you are reading this, you are a transgressor, a sinner, and you need an intercessor. Isaiah 53 is about God’s extravagant love. Some have said it’s the Mount Everest of Messianic Prophesy. We all have a fatal disease that Jesus came to Earth to cure. He contracted the disease and took it for us with His life. The perfect took the place of the diseased. The innocent took the place of the guilty. It’s a debt we cannot possibly pay.
Sorrow and alienation from God is the true pandemic. We all need a specialist. In this passage, God is telling the Jews 700 years before Jesus came to Earth that He would send His servant to be a substitute for our sins: a sacrificial lamb to be slaughtered for the guilty. This is the Great Exchange! It’s vicarious atonement and a substitutionary death. God treated Jesus like He deserved to be punished for every sin of every human who ever lived. He did this so He could treat us like Jesus deserved to be treated. This is extravagant love.
Application:
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Journal what it means for you to be chosen by God.
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Rather than deny sickness, think of how you can confess it, admit you messed up, declare you can’t fix it yourself, and take the medicine (God’s extravagant love).
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There are two ways to respond: be humble and repent, or reject and resist. Which way is calling to you? Talk about this with a trusted friend.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us to remember that we are sick and the only cure is Jesus. By His stripes we are healed. We humbly confess and repent. We deserve death because of our sins, but You have sent Your Son to redeem us. You have sent us light and hope in our darkness. We are helpless infants reaching for You. Thank You, Lord, for healing us by Your wounds, with Your extravagant love. Amen.
Isaiah 9: 1-2 (CSB), 6-7 (ESV)
Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Explanation:
The above passage is about the Messiah whom the prophet Isaiah speaks about. Verses 1-2 reference “the gloom of the distressed land” meaning the invasion from the Assyrian army that destroyed much of the Northern land of Israel (Zebulun and Naphtali). However, in the future, that region around the Sea of Galilee will be the first to experience the light of the Messiah. This prophecy was fulfilled in Matthew 4:13 (ESV): “And leaving Nazareth he (Jesus) went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali”. Jesus began His ministry in Capernaum, and in John 8:12 (NLT) He refers to Himself as “the light of the world… that leads to life.”
In our passage for today, Isaiah 9:6-7 describes this child that has authority and power that will be born many years from the time of this prophesy. The prophet names this special child “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” And “the government shall be upon his shoulder” and He will rule “with justice and righteousness.” These unique titles and qualities can only describe Jesus, the King of kings, who is not like anyone else that has ever lived. During His ministry Jesus gave wise advice, forgave sins as only God could, was a protector for the weak, loved the outcast, provided peace for those that trusted Him, and demonstrated grace to others. Jesus was God’s only plan to save humanity from their sin. Jesus was and is our Emmanuel (God with us), God in the flesh.
The sinless life Jesus lived was the perfect sacrifice that God required for our sin. We were the ones that deserved death and separation from a perfect and Holy God, but that’s not what God ultimately wanted. He wanted and always wants to be in relationship with His people. And HE wants to be in relationship with YOU.
Application:
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God promises to be with us always (Matthew 28:20). How can this truth help us when we need to be reminded of His power and goodness?
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Isaiah prophesied about the Messiah’s birth long before Jesus’ ministry began. Where else have you read about Jesus in the Old Testament?
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A redeemer is a person who repays, recovers, saves, or exchanges something for something else. Jesus is known as the Redeemer of our sin because Jesus’ death and resurrection is how we are saved. Redemption is only through the blood of Jesus. He paid the price for our sin with His death. Take a minute and meditate on what this act tells you about God’s love for you.
Devo Plus:
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 (ESV)
Prayer Starter:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for always being my Protector and Savior. You are the King of kings, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace… yet always approachable. Thank You for redeeming me back from the path I was heading down. Help me to focus on You this Christmas and not all the distractions. Remind me that You are the reason for this CHRISTmas season. Emmanuel, God with us! Amen.
Genesis 3:8-15 (NLT)
When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”
“Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”
Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Explanation:
The first question asked by God in the Bible occurs in this passage when He asks Adam where he is. God didn’t ask because He wasn’t aware of Adam’s location; He already knew. He knew that Adam and Eve had done something that required reconciliation, and He wanted to bring them back. It was the question from a loving Father who was looking for His children. Adam immediately blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent for her sin.
I am the type of person that when I’m putting together a plan for something, I like to make sure I have some backup options in case something goes wrong. I nearly always have a “Plan B” just in case I need it to fall back on. That’s the awesome thing about God. He never needs a backup plan. His “Plan A” is the one that always works. Today’s passage is one that reiterates this very fact.
As humans, we’re good at placing blame on others instead of accepting responsibility for our sin. God finds us in our failure, discouragement, guilt, and loss, and wants to bring us back to Him. When satan convicts us, God is looking to reconcile us. From the very time that Adam and Eve betrayed God, He had a plan to bring them back. His plan from the beginning was to give humanity the chance to be with Him eternally instead of facing death in Hell. God never needed a “Plan B,” because He had already initiated a plan to send Jesus to save us from our sins.
Application:
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When God asked “What have you done?” to Eve, do you think it’s because He didn’t know what had transpired with the serpent? Why do you think He asked her that question?
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God knew that Adam and Eve would cause humanity to be cursed to death and immediately enacted His reconciliation plan. What steps do you see that God took in this passage toward initiation of His plan?
Devo Plus:
“Sin makes man a coward and an equivocator and a liar; it leads him to seek refuge in half-truths, deceit, evasion and outright lies.” John Lowe
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for having a plan for our lives that allows us to escape eternal death. By bringing us your Son, You allow us to be reconciled. We know that it’s only by Your grace that our sins are forgiven, and nothing we can ever do would be enough to bring us to You without Jesus. Thank You for always having the perfect plan for us and for allowing us to dwell with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Revelation 21:3 (NLT)
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.”
Explanation:
In my 50 years following Jesus, I have felt His tender presence in seasons of great joy and seasons of pure sorrow.
He has comforted me, strengthened me, guided me, redirected me, convicted me, delivered me, provided for me, trained me, developed me, conformed me, taught me, challenged me, chastised me…all with His presence.
For 25 years, I had an upholstered rocking chair that was my meeting place with God. I would sometimes practically run to that chair and either read my Bible for direction, pray for wisdom, worship, or just be touched by His rejuvenating presence. God does not live in inanimate objects, but that chair represented my personal sanctuary during my years in Detroit. Matthew now has that chair, and I hope he has had moments with God's presence as he has prayed over his family and The Tree Church. I now have a new chair…and guess what? Even though it is only a physical object that holds my body, it is a place where my heart cries out to God when I take a posture of desiring Him. I’m sitting in it as I write. It is a “set apart place” where I meet God and He is faithful with His presence.
BUT! What am I going to do when I am actually WITH God; when heaven replaces my chair; when He is tangible; when I see Him and touch Him?
I believe I will laugh, dance, pinch myself, and be delirious with surrender as I stare at the God who walked with me through my entire earthly life.
It will be almost impossible to contain myself. I will want to fall at His feet and weep with relief.
I’m confident so much will make sense when there is no longer any physical space between us. My yearnings will be instantly filled. My wondering will be answered. My brokenness finally healed.
Wherever God reigns, there is peace, security, and love. All who are in heaven are there because they want Him. Our reward will be all of His characteristics governing our hearts. We will no longer lament our wrong attitudes, fight our selfish responses, guard our hearts from others, or struggle with anxiety, worry, cravings, or poisoned passions. satan will be gone, and our hearts and minds will finally be free, washed with pure love and peace as we dwell for eternity with our God among us.
Application:
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How does the thought of heaven impact your “today”?
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Do you practice His presence?
Devo Plus:
“It's crazy how the presence of God can completely change your mood and attitude in an instant. One worship song, one whispered prayer, one scripture verse can take you from the absolute worst mindset to a place of such peace and joy. There's nothing like the presence of God.” _she_rises_ IG post
Prayer:
God…I long for You. I am so very grateful for Your presence. Until I’m home safe with You, I am so very grateful that Your presence resides in my days. Amen.
Hebrews 10:19-25 (NLT)
And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Explanation:
I can’t imagine what it must have been like. To be a part of the chosen people of God, to have been entrusted with His commandments and laws, but to not know how in the world to live up to them. To be close to His tabernacle, the place of sacrifice and meeting with God, but to not be able to enter it. To be painfully aware of your own sin and inadequacies, but to have no other recourse than to choose an animal to sacrifice, to have a priest symbolically transfer your sin to it and offer it up in your place. To know the mercy seat of God was just inside, but it was behind a veil and beyond your reach.
How inadequate all that spilled blood must have felt! What an enormous amount of faith it must have taken, to believe that you can have a relationship with the Most Holy God when you didn’t know His full plan of salvation. The Bible would make no sense without looking at it through the lens of Jesus Christ, the ultimate and final sacrifice. The Old Testament tabernacle, with all its rituals and sacrifices, were just shadows to teach us of the One who was to come and pay the price for all our sins. His blood was so powerful, and His love so sacrificial, that it took care of each and every wrong thing we have ever done and ever will do. His death took our place, once and for all! The price for sin was paid, and that veil was torn from top to bottom… so that we can enter the Most Holy Place! We have become the priests, and He our High Priest, who stands between us and the Righteous God, clothes us in His righteousness, and forever shields us from the wrath that should have been our portion.
“Let us hold tightly … to the hope” He offers us, and enter into heaven’s Most Holy Place as often and as BOLDLY as we can, remembering a time when this wouldn’t have been possible for us. When we sin and fall short, let us hold tightly to the promise that HE is faithful, and allow our guilty consciences to be sprinkled clean again. “Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him” as often as we need to…for there is no separation now!
Application:
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Have you been taking the presence of God for granted lately?
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How thankful are you to be able to speak right to God? How thankful have you been lately to be able to worship Him in church, in your home, in your car, etc.?
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What have you been holding tightly to lately?
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How often do you take advantage of your amazing access to God?
Devo Plus:
Take some time to pray today, and picture yourself made righteous by Jesus Christ the Son of God, marching straight through the tabernacle, right through the curtain, and straight to the golden mercy seat of God!
Watch the video “Jesus the Royal Priest,” from The Bible Project.
Prayer:
Lord God in heaven, I am so filled with thankfulness that I am living on this side of history! That I am able to hold the full and living word of God in my hands, that I can see the threads of Your amazing handiwork throughout the whole Bible, culminating in my own personal and loving Savior, Jesus Christ. I cannot express my gratitude to be in Your presence today. Help me to use this amazing access I have to You throughout my day today, and to hold fast to Your hope. Amen.
Ezekiel 37:24-28 (ESV)
My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes. They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children's children shall dwell there forever, and David my servant shall be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”
Explanation:
During my sabbatical this summer, I got an amazing opportunity to spend a week in Florida with a ministry that specializes in helping pastors process their life in ministry. I was very hesitant at first to participate in this ministry for several different reasons, but boy, am I glad I did. It ended up being a week with much healing and tons of practical steps to grow in my overall health. One of the activities I was asked to do one afternoon was to find a quiet place by myself, away from as many distractions as possible, and simply have a conversation with Jesus. I was to imagine that He was sitting directly across from me, visualizing His face and mannerisms, and most importantly, His words specifically just for me. This was tough initially, because I have such a distracted mind and the activity wasn’t going as I had imagined it. But I refused to give up on it. I sat and sat, just doing my best to quiet my mind, my fears, my anxieties, my doubts, and anything else that would come up. Finally, I had a breakthrough, and I was able to get past all the mess in my brain and have a very special conversation with Jesus.
In our scripture reading for today, we see that Ezekiel, a prophet who lived more than 500 years before Jesus became man, speaks of a “shepherd” who will dwell with His people. God promised to make His dwelling place with man, rather than just in heaven. When I speak of my earlier encounter with Jesus, these verses sum up my experience so well. With all the work that God did through Christ, I now get access to interact with the Trinity at any point in time. He wants to dwell with me. What an incredible thought.
My friends, I am not exclusively given more privilege than anyone else. Ezekiel was not speaking only to me. He was speaking to anyone who calls on the name of Jesus. Male, female, young, old, learned, unlearned, saint, sinner…all have been invited by God to share in communion with Him. This season is a great time to reflect on the awesome truth that God came to be our Emmanuel, our God with us.
Application:
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What might a dedicated time with Jesus look like in your life?
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How could this type of activity be a blessing for you in this current season?
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When you think about God’s constant nearness to you and the words of Ezekiel, how can this stir you to connect with God more?
Devo Plus:
Reread verse 27 of today’s Scripture. What does it mean for God to say He will be “their God”?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for being our Emmanuel. We may never be able to grasp the fullness of what it means that You have chosen to do whatever it takes to dwell with us, but please don’t let our hearts stray from the truth that You desire to near to us. We worship You Heavenly Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit for giving us so many ways to remain in relationship with You.
Psalm 139:1-12 (NLT)
O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.
Explanation:
“For the director of music/choir director/chief musician/a hymn of David.” Different translations of these verses are intended for differently named people, BUT all of them come with the same underlying instruction: THIS NEWS IS TO BE SUNG. David’s words in the above psalm are just as much for us as they were for him. God knows us in such a beautifully intimate way that it is impossible for us as humans to comprehend. He goes before us and He follows us and He places His Hand of blessing on our heads. The fact that He knows everything about us is never a way for God to keep tabs on our rights and wrongs; it is instead to encourage us that we are never alone. His word says that we can never escape/avoid/flee/get away from His Presence, and when we picture it this way, we can imagine a constant posture of love and gentleness from a caring Dad.
I was blessed to have a great example of a loving earthly father. One of his famous “dad-isms” was that if we made bad choices but came to him first, our trouble would be much less than if he found out from someone else. This taught us honesty while saving him some embarrassment (which I totally get now as a parent.) The good news for us kids is that he really meant it. I remember him driving me to a locked school building on a dark Sunday night in sixth grade to “fix” one of my bad choices. My life wasn’t void of consequences, but they were always dealt in love. That is exactly what these verses point to…a strong hand to guide us away from our bad choices in the first place, but also toward repentance and forgiveness when we inevitably make them anyway.
No choice we make can hide us from God’s hand; He is always willing to outstretch it on our behalf. Even when we feel we are in pitch blackness from sin, God comes in, flips on the light, and gently says, “There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you!” Knowing full well where we were the whole time, He picks us up, dusts us off, and asks us to try again, this time with Him. David was so right; this truth IS too wonderful for me to fully understand, but you can bet I’m going to keep trying!
Application:
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Sitting. Standing. Traveling. Resting. Thoughts before we think them, words before we speak them…NONE of it is a surprise to Him! In which of these areas (or somewhere else completely) do you need to remember to trust in God’s guiding hand?
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We write these devotions in advance and I am writing this one during Thanksgiving week. And as much as I am so very grateful for the outward blessings of my life, it is honestly this Scripture that brings me the most gratitude. We serve a God who knows absolutely everything about our life before we’ve lived it. And not only does He KNOW it, the Bible tells us He CREATED our life for us and us for our life (Psalm 139:16). Ask Him to show you where He wants you to go next. Maybe it’s a big step into the unknown (but not to Him!), or a tiny, squinting step into the edge of His light…either way, let your heart be thankful for these truths today!
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As I was praying this week, I was distracted by a big “to do” list. I kept thinking of things I “should have” done with my time. It was then I heard God whisper to me that He never meant for “should” to be a word we use. I stopped my racing mind and brought it back to Him, and He confirmed that when we live in the proximity to Him that He truly desires, there is no room for “shoulds.” He showed me through this verse that when we LET Him, He is always guiding us with His gentle hand, and therefore we are already always where we should be, doing what we should be. I thought this lesson was just for me, but I am honored to share His words to me with you!
Devo Plus:
In the spirit of hymns, and amidst of season of joy and gratitude, below are some other psalms that have traditionally been sung as hymns. (I broke out my old Lutheran “green hymnal” for this one!) “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” (Psalm 34) “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (Psalm 91) “Rock of Ages” (Psalm 51) “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” (Psalm 89)
For a more current version of a hymn of praise, listen to “The Lord is My Shepherd” (based on Psalm 23), by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music. I challenge you NOT to raise your hands in worship while watching/listening to this one! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duLKCOmxbJs
Prayer:
Father God, it truly is a privilege to carry everything to You in prayer. Whether it is a prayer of thankfulness, desperation, or anything in between, to know that You hear them all, and even knew them in advance, really is too amazing for us to fully understand. But we thank You that You don’t wait for our knowledge to “catch up” to Your goodness. You love us this way, anyway. Thank You again for the reminder that wherever we go, You are already there. In Your Son’s Precious Name. Amen.
Psalm 9:9-10 (ESV)
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Explanation: Debbie Downer. That’s what we call someone who consistently sees the negative side of things. She looks at every situation, seeing only darkness, and has no hope for the current suffering she may be enduring or seeing around her. She does not know the promise of a Lord who is our refuge and stronghold in times of trouble.
Debbie doesn’t know that when she puts her trust and faith in God, He will never turn a blind eye or a deaf ear on us. She doesn’t know what it means to “lean in.” When you physically lean on something like a wall, you place your whole weight on it. You trust that it will support you and not let you fall. That’s what it means to “lean in” on God. Allow Him to support your decisions, your situations, and your path. Allow Him to guide your decisions and re-direct your desires to things of heaven and eternity.
When we place our faith in God, He will lead us in our decisions when we seek Him. Trusting Him doesn’t mean that we won’t experience dark days or tough, even heartbreaking, situations. What it means is that He will never fail us. It means we don’t have to be a Debbie Downer when things get tough. The strength of the wall we are leaning on will uphold us through it all. We are never forsaken by the God we serve, regardless of the situation.
Application:
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Do you know a Debbie Downer? Maybe you have even been one from time to time. How can you change Debbie’s perspective about a situation?
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What does it mean to “lean in” on God in your situation?
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Are you going through a tough time that you’ve not completely surrendered to God’s control? In today’s prayer, we are going to ask God to take that situation, in faith, and allow Him to guide our path.
Devo Plus:
There are several other Scriptures that talk about God’s faithfulness to us and how He never forsakes us. Let’s take a look at some of them today: Psalm 91:14; Psalm 5:11; Psalm 37:28; Proverbs 18:10; Isaiah 55:6-7.
Prayer:
God, sometimes we fail to see that You are in all situations, and Your way is better than our own. Today, in faith, I give You my current decisions and this situation that I’m in, and ask You to guide me. I believe that by trusting in You to help me see the right direction, You will honor Your word and never forsake me. Your word is full of promises, and I ask You to help me to grow in my faith. When I try to take this situation back into my own hands, I ask that Your Holy Spirit remind me that You are in control, and this battle belongs to You. Amen.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Explanation:
Courage (noun): the ability to do something that frightens one. Strong (adjective): able to withstand; having the power to perform an action well and powerfully.
Often in my life, I don’t feel like I have either of these two traits. And if we add the word “afraid” into the mix, it becomes almost all you can think about. We get so caught up on what we are afraid of, or the stuff we think we can’t do. We often lose sight of our goals as disciples. We get scared or discouraged or even distracted at times. We forget that God is with us, and that He fights for us.
But do you ever fight for Him? It said in this verse that we are not to be afraid or to get discouraged because God is with us. That’s so true. But there’s more to it than that. In the book of Joshua, God asks Joshua and Caleb to do some frightening stuff, like march around a fortified city with no weapons except their voices and musical instruments. That right there is silly. Then God promises a land full of milk and honey, but it’s full of giants that could smash them all as well. Joshua and Caleb used this verse very well. That city they marched around came crashing down because they literally walked out this verse. The Promised Land could have been theirs forty years ago, but all the others were too scared to walk out what God had asked.
If you do what God asks of you, you have no reason to be afraid or discouraged. Read your Bible, worship Him, make disciples, love God and others, and this verse will be easier for you to live out. I know what you’re thinking: “Yeah, right. I can’t have that kind of strength or courage.” Oh, but you can, my friends. It takes practice, discipline, and the desire to want to be imitators of God.
The verse doesn’t say you will never be discouraged or never be afraid. But if you do all the things He asks of you, He will be with you and He will make those times easier for you to handle and get through. Some of you are on the wrong path and you know it. Some of you have one foot in and one foot out. You’re lost or you say you don’t hear from God anymore, or at all. But He’s there, and He’s always been there. Do you have the strength and courage to listen to what He is saying, and to what He wants you to do? Just like in the book of Joshua.
Application:
I’m a recovering alcoholic and I have two little girls, so I know about being scared and discouraged. I love this verse so much I tattooed it on my arm. Put this verse where you will see it every day. On the fridge, by your alarm clock, the dash of your car, tattoo it. Put reminders of how strong and courageous God can make you if you put your trust and hope in Him every day.
Devo Plus:
Read through the book of Joshua and the crazy things he did because he loved and trusted God so much. Joshua was the definition of strong and courageous.
More verses to check out: Romans 15:5, Psalm 121: 1-2, Nehemiah 8:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, 1 Corinthians 16:13
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for today. Thank You for all the blessings we have in our lives and even the ones that are still yet to come. Give us strength and courage this week to conquer our giants. Show us how to be better disciples, and how to walk the path You already have planned for us. Remind us that You are with us, and You are for us. We love You and praise You. Amen.
Exodus 6:6-7 (NIV)
“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
Explanation:
In this passage, God is telling Moses what to say to the Israelites. God wants the Israelites to know that He is going to free them and He is faithful in His promises to them. Have you ever had someone you cared about make a promise to you and then not follow through? It hurts so deeply when that happens, and it causes us to trust that person less. It also causes us to trust others less. I think sometimes as broken people we trust God less because of the hurts from others in our lives. But God isn’t like those people. He is perfect and ALWAYS keeps His promises. Mind you, they might not come through in the timing we would want or in the way we would prefer, but He always stays true to what He promises. Isn’t that so comforting, to know that even when people in our lives let us down, or when our circumstances aren’t what we would like them to be, God is faithful always?
The last verse of this passage sticks out to me. “Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.” God wants them to remember that He is the one who kept His promise, and He is the one who saved them. Maybe it’s because I am getting older, or maybe I have always been like this, but I have a hard time remembering things. So, when God does something cool in my life, I have a hard time remembering it. Since I know I struggle with that, sometimes I will take some quiet time with a notebook and just ask God to remind me of those things, and I write them down.
God has saved me from unforgiveness. Before knowing God, I was a very cold and bitter person. If someone hurt me, I could cut them off easily and not even bat an eye. God has softened my heart and taught me how to love people better and how to show grace. He has also made me empathetic, which is something the old me would never have had as a trait. I am so thankful that God keeps His promises, and keeps pursuing us through our brokenness and through our stubbornness, like the Israelites.
Application:
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Do you have a hard time trusting God’s word and His promises in your life? If so, why do you think that is?
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Do you have a hard time trusting in God’s timing?
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Do you struggle with remembering the times when God came through on His promises? If so, spend some time asking Him to remind you of those times, and write them down.
Devo Plus:
Spend some time in worship, thanking and praising God for all He has done in your life.
Prayer:
God, thank You so much for always running after Your people. Thanks for pursuing us even when we aren’t pursuing You. I pray that You would remind us of all Your good works in our lives. I pray that we would have hearts of thankfulness, and we would give You all the praise and all the glory. Amen.
Luke 5:27-32 (ESV)
After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.
And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Explanation:
Jesus didn’t care about cultural classes or stigmas. He only cared about winning souls to eternity, regardless of their situation. In today’s passage, we see a perfect example of this. We see that Levi was a tax collector, but tax collectors of that day were not what we may imagine when we hear that title; Levi was a wealthy man who had gained his riches by betraying his people, their heritage, and their religion.
Tax collectors of Jesus’s time were equated to gamblers, thieves, robbers and harlots. The Jewish culture believed that if a tax collector entered the house, the house became unclean. Tax collectors were not allowed in the synagogue. In fact, they were viewed as out of the reach of God by some leaders of that time. Jesus met Levi sitting in the tax booth; think of it as a mobile toll booth taxing the people traveling along the road or gathering together. It is believed by some Bible scholars that Levi followed Jesus around so he could tax the people who were coming to hear Jesus teach. Definitely not the kind of guy you’d like to have following you around.
When Jesus met Levi, He immediately called Levi to follow. Jesus was pursuing the worst of the worst in their culture, asking him to leave his past life behind. If Levi had been following Jesus and the disciples around for some time, it’s likely that his presence was an annoyance to the disciples. Isn’t it amazing that rather than shooing Levi off and telling him to go away, Jesus did exactly the opposite and invited him to follow? Jesus didn’t care that society hated Levi; He didn’t care that the other disciples were annoyed by him…He pursued him anyway.
All those who seem to be “too far gone” are those Jesus was sent to receive into His loving arms and give eternal life to. You see, Levi the tax collector was seen by Jesus as so much more than a lowly tax collector. In fact, to make sure that Levi was able to shed the stigma of his old life, we never see him referred to as Levi again in the Bible. He was known as Matthew. The same Matthew who wrote the Gospel of Matthew, telling the story of Jesus so that all may know the Good News.
Application:
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Take a moment and reflect on the encounter Levi had with Jesus. We don’t see Jesus spending a lot of time trying to convince Levi (or anyone else) of their sin. He didn’t care about that—Jesus cared about what Levi did from that moment forward. What would our relationship with Jesus be like if we let go of our baggage from the past once and for all?
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Jesus saw past the cultural stigmas associated with crime and undesirable behaviors and reached people in the gutters. What would our world be like if each of us took a moment to see the lost through the eyes of Jesus, and made an effort today to connect with just one of those lost?
Devo Plus:
Take a moment today and listen to the song “Jesus, Friend of Sinners” by Casting Crowns. The lyrics are also posted here for you to read along while you listen.
Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away We cut down people in Your name, but the sword was never ours to swing Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see The world is on their way to You, but they're trippin' over me Always lookin' around, but never lookin' up, I'm so double minded A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided
Oh, Jesus, friend of sinners Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers Oh, let our hearts be led by mercy Help us reach with open hearts and open doors Oh, Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours Yeah, yeah
Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand Made the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands Help us to remember we are all the least of these Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees Nobody knows what we're for, only what we're against when we judge the wounded What if we put down our signs, crossed over the lines and love like You did?
Oh, Jesus, friend of sinners Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers And let our hearts be led by mercy Help us reach with open hearts and open doors Oh, Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours
You love every lost cause, You reach for the outcast (every outcast) For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came Lord, I was that lost cause (I was that lost cause) and I was the outcast (and I was the outcast) But You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet
'Cause You are good, oh, You are good and Your love endures forever Oh, You are good, You are good and Your love, endures forever Oh, You are good, yes, You are good and Your love endures forever Oh, You are good, oh, You are good and Your love endures forever
Jesus, friend of sinners Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers But let our hearts be led by mercy Help us reach with open hearts and open doors Oh, Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast Yeah You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet
Prayer:
God, help me to see past cultural boundaries. Give me vision to see things through Your eyes. Walk before me and help me to show compassion to the hurting and less fortunate, and give me the words and actions that You want me to have in that situation. Teach me to see things the way You do, and to understand that You care about their heart more than their situation. Help me to pursue You in everything I do. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Mark 1:14-15 (NIV)
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Explanation:
This is the beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. After John the Baptist was imprisoned, Jesus began His own proclamation that the kingdom has come near. Can you imagine? The Messianic prophecies were fulfilled after four hundred years of silence from God. Jesus was live and in-person! The Seed of Abraham and Son of David had finally come to gather His lost sheep. The kingdom of God was at hand, and this was the theme of Jesus’ ministry. He spoke about the kingdom of God more than any other subject, over one hundred times.
Israel was called to repent once more and have a change of heart, mind, and attitude. As Pastor Matthew has been telling us, repentance is not simply confessing our sins. It’s a transformation in thinking. We must change our minds to change our behaviors and turn from sin. Jesus Christ must be the object of our faith. Jesus is the only way to reconcile with God. Righteousness brings us closer to God. Believing and repenting go hand in hand. It’s impossible to truly believe in salvation through Christ and not turn from our sins. We must repent and believe. Yes, we can go to heaven after we die, but we can live under God’s reign and protection right now. When we seek Him and bow before Him, we are living for His purpose and glory. Christianity is a lifelong process of conversion and building godly character. The first step is repentance. Believing in the gospel involves unlearning false teachings and opening our eyes to Christ’s true gospel. Change is difficult, but it is absolutely possible with God’s help through the Holy Spirit.
I recently read an article about Reverend John Harper, a victim of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. He was reportedly observed swimming frantically to other victims, leading them to Christ before they were surely to die. Rev. Harper’s last words before succumbing to hypothermia and slipping under the frigid waves were, “Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus and you will be saved!” Like John the Baptist, he believed in the good news and proclaimed the gospel right up until the end. What faith!
Application:
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Review your schedule this week through the lens of the gospel – events, relationships, appointments, etc. Think of them as opportunities to share what God has done in your life.
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Take daily inventory of your heart and faith this week. Make a wholehearted, comprehensive decision to be satisfied with Jesus in all things. Journal your thoughts and how the gospel relates to your life.
Devo Plus:
Overview: Mark - Bing video
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, remind us of the importance of the gospel in our everyday lives. We praise You for who You are, and we find comfort in Your greatness. Help us see every challenge as an opportunity to depend on You. We pray for opportunities to show others a gospel driven life. Help us be humble and kind in our actions and words so that our behaviors will also glorify You. Thank You for Your grace. Remind us to look around our worlds and find the blessings amongst the angst, and turn to You for comfort. The time has come. Your will be done. Amen.
Acts 8:26-39 (NLT)
As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”
Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.
The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.”
The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.
As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.
Explanation:
Several things about this story fascinate me. First, we have this person of great authority, the eunuch, who was sitting in his chariot and reading from Isaiah. He was literate, but he didn’t understand what he was reading. At this point, I jettison back to my college Greek Mythology class. I’m reading, I have no idea what it’s saying, but I’m reading it because I’m supposed to. I can totally relate to this eunuch’s response to Philip— “How am I supposed to understand this unless someone explains it to me?”
Next, we have Philip. He’s going to be our focus for the remainder of our reflection today, and how he arrives with the eunuch is equally fascinating. Philip is going about his day, minding his business, when an angel of the Lord tells him to essentially go to the middle of nowhere. What incredible faith he shows to travel down this road that was likely dangerous and quite lonely—but he sets out to do what he is called to do.
When Philip is on this strange journey, he encounters a chariot with this eunuch reading aloud something that he doesn’t understand. I want you to think about the courage that the Holy Spirit gave Philip at this time. He finds himself jogging next to the chariot of an esteemed and powerful random stranger and asking an extremely bold question. It’s not like an airplane encounter where you look at what the person next to you is reading and give a nod because you’ve read it and know the story. This was a BOLD question. “Dude, do you even know what you’re reading?!”
In an act that is nothing less than guided by God, the eunuch invites the jogger up into the chariot to explain the Scripture. Philip shares the good news of Jesus with him, causing the eunuch to both understand and to desire baptism. The next thing we read is that Philip is baptizing this man, and when he resurfaces, Philip disappears, “snatched away” by the Holy Spirit. What a testimony this man must have had!
Application:
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God calls us to places that we never expect to go, if we allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit. We may be called to help a stranger or perform a task we never could have imagined. It’s important that we humble our heart to hear the Holy Spirit’s leading, because God has already been to that place and performed that task. Take a moment right now and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and your heart to that leading.
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Take a moment and imagine yourself as both the eunuch and Philip. What are you thinking when you encounter this stranger? Will you go where the Holy Spirit leads you without question as Philip did?
Devo Plus:
Who was Philip the Evangelist? Did you know that the man we read about today was not the same man who was one of the twelve disciples? It can be extremely confusing if you haven’t read the “backstory.” The Philip we read about today was one of the original seven deacons selected to serve in the church in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5). After he was taken away by the Holy Spirit after the eunuch’s baptism, he was taken to Azotus, where he preached from there to Caesarea (Acts 8:40).
Prayer:
God, help me to open my heart and be led by your Holy Spirit. Give me faith like Philip to boldly go and know that You are already there in the situation. Give me the guidance to ask the tough and challenging questions, to be quiet when You would have me to be quiet, and to share the Good News of Jesus. Thank You for already paving a way into these unknown and often scary places for me. Allow me to never lose focus on You in my life, and help me to make disciples of others along the way. Amen.
John 1:43-46 (NIV)
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.
Explanation:
In this passage, Jesus calls to Nathanael and Phillip. He had already found disciples in Andrew and Peter. At least seven of the twelve disciples were fishermen, hard-working and resilient men. Higher education was not in the plan for them. Back then, it would have been an honor to follow a rabbi. Although the people of Galilee were passionate Jews known for their great reverence for Scripture, very few of the most outstanding students left home and studied with a rabbi. Following Jesus wouldn’t have even been on the radar for men who were already fishermen. Most students sought a rabbi to follow, and most were turned away. Some were invited to “Follow me,” when a rabbi felt a student had commitment and potential to become like him, which was the whole point. This would have been considered a monumental compliment.
It is important to remember that the Jews of that time were waiting for a Messiah with a strong military or political presence. What Jesus did was not in line with what they imagined. The prophecies said He would be born in Bethlehem, but the Pharisees thought He was from Nazareth. Prophesy said He would be called Emmanuel and appear as a king, but He was named Jesus and dressed in a plain, ordinary shawl and sandals.
Nathanael asked what good can come from Nazareth because villages rivaled each other, and Jesus’ humble origins were unimpressive. When Phillip responds, “Come and see,” he is echoing Jesus. It was an invitation to experience Jesus for himself. Whether you have heard of Jesus or not, the invitation is open. It was open then, and it’s open now.
As believers, the Bible instructs us to tell others about Jesus. It’s the Great Commission, and it’s incredibly important. The Lord gave final instructions for His followers to go to all nations and preach the Good News. A witness is someone who sees something important or amazing. Bearing witness is sharing what you’ve witnessed. This is what Jesus instructed us to do. John the Baptist met Jesus and told others about Him. One by one people encountered Jesus. Our job is to continue to bear witness. Many times, we may feel awkward or insignificant, but we need to get outside of ourselves. Remember, to show the world who Jesus is shows the world who God is. We give well thought out reviews for restaurants, cars, stores, etc.… Surely, we can tell someone about Jesus.
Application:
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Practice talking to others about their interests this week and see if there is an opening to discuss God. Share your experiences with your family.
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Work at it together and discuss what went well and what you would change for next time.
Devo Plus:
Greg Laurie - Evangelism, Jesus Style - Bing video
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, give us the courage to get out of our comfort zones and talk to others about You. Help us show others Your ways by how we present ourselves and in the way we live our lives. Remind us to check our pride and awkwardness at the door and share His gift. It doesn’t belong to just us.
John 12:17 – 22 (ESV)
The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
Explanation:
Some of the sweetest words our ears could ever hear from another is, “We wish to see Jesus.” I once heard a speaker at a conference say that our primary purpose in life should be to get people to Jesus as fast as we can. That thought has remained embedded in my brain ever since. I hate when I lose sight of this at times, but I am so thankful when the Holy Spirit brings it once again to my mind in my interactions with others.
We know that from our own encounters with Him, Jesus truly gives us the most life. He heals us, He frees us, He comforts us, He convicts us, He loves us, and the list goes on and on. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to what Jesus can do in and through our lives. This is such good news for us who are in His care, but this is the same reason we must get others to Him as well.
We help reflect Jesus to the world, and it is our purpose to introduce His light to those around us. However, we are just a reflection; we are not the true source. Therefore, the faster we can help others find their place in Jesus, the faster they get to experience the true source of life, now and eternally.
To reflect Jesus well requires that we make our relationship with Him a priority. The greatest witness to others about Jesus is a life that authentically knows Jesus, loves Jesus, and a life that emulates Him in all they do. This is not a simple task, my friends. It will take, as Jesus commanded, loving Him with all our hearts, minds, and strength. When all these things are saturated by Him, our lives then overflow into all we say and do.
Application:
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Why is the greatest witness a person who knows Jesus, loves Jesus, and emulates Him in all they do?
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In our scripture story today, how did the message of Jesus spread? Why is it significant for us to see it spreading in this way?
Devo Plus:
Read Mark 16:15. What part of the world has God placed you in to share His message with others? How can you start today by sharing and demonstrating Jesus?
Prayer:
Jesus, You have called us to share You with others. This is a huge privilege and an even greater responsibility. It is so easy to not make this mission our priority. We need Your Holy Spirit to guide us in how we can accomplish this. Thank You for shining Your light in us.
John 6:1-14 (ESV)
After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
Explanation:
I live my life in a “sign” from God. The 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, roof, walls, doors, and windows we call our home is a sign from God. In 2016, we started the journey of building our own home. It was a journey that often left us feeling like we had five boards and two nails to build an entire house. Yet God, through very generous friends, supernatural protection, and guidance, put together this standing miracle we have lived in since 2018. Our house is a testimony of God’s abundant provision for all to see, but I know the story; I wake every morning in it and lay my head down in it every night. I know the stories of every step of its build, and every time I see it, I remember how abundant, how generous, and miraculously good God is. I get the honor and privilege of sharing these truths, every time I share its story.
The story in today’s reading is certainly a testimony to the miraculous power of Jesus. I think the crowds benefited and marveled at this “sign.” But more than that, I think this story was a sign for Andrew and the other disciples. They saw the few provisions they started with, they saw Jesus bless it, they saw every hungry mouth fed, and they each carried home a basket full of bread. The crowd called him a “prophet,” but this sign to the disciples was so they would know Jesus was so much more (A few verses later Peter would testify that Jesus was the Messiah, the one come from God). Not only would they benefit from His miraculous power, they would also soon be called to tell the whole world about Him, His power, and what He had come to do in the world.
God does so many gracious, wonderful, and miraculous things in our lives, and they are for our benefit, not simply for our consumption. They are the signs, the reminders of who God is and what He can do in the lives of those who trust Him. It is the bedrock of our testimony to ourselves and the whole world that He is a good, abundantly loving, and trustworthy King.
Application:
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Have you ever experienced a “sign” in your life? Take a moment to reflect.
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How has it stood as a testimony to you of God’s goodness and graciousness?
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Have you allowed it to fuel your sharing Christ with others? Why or why not?
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Who do you know in your life who needs to hear how God has shown abundant love, grace, and provision to you?
Devo Plus:
This is one of the few stories that is featured in each of the Gospels. Read the other perspectives in Matthew 14, Mark 6, and Luke 9.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank You for always bringing to mind who Jesus is and what He has done, both in the testimony of the Gospels and also in our lives. Constantly recall in us the “signs” You have done and the plan You have to use our story to draw others to You. Embolden us and empower us to bear witness to the truth that You are the Messiah, the Savior, and the hope for all humankind. Amen.
John 1:35-42a (NLT)
The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.
Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.
They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
“Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus.
Explanation:
It’s been said that Billy Graham had no supernatural anointing over him that you and I don’t have; he simply obeyed God’s call on his life to bring people to Jesus. As a result, God used him in a mighty way to reach generations of lost people for Christ. The truth is, most of us who obey God will not be thrust into the limelight where our works will be displayed for the world to see.
Andrew was content to serve God behind the scenes, where no one praised, or even noticed, his obedience. He showed no resentment when Peter, his brother, whom Andrew introduced to Jesus, rose to prominence as the leader of the twelve disciples. It’s no surprise Andrew found the young boy with the fish and loaves of bread. and brought him to Jesus (John 6:8-9). Andrew brought Greeks to Jesus so they, too, could experience salvation (John 12:20-22).
We see no evidence that Andrew ever preached to the crowds or wrote Scripture, but his obedience to God’s call on his life should serve as a model for our outreach to this lost and hurting world. When we are faithful to fulfill the call of evangelism without desiring notoriety, Jesus will be faithful to fulfill His promise to reward us in heaven (Luke 14:11).
Application:
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Why do you think God uses some people to a greater extent than others?
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Do you struggle with the need to be affirmed or recognized for your service to God?
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If so, what difference can today’s devotion make in how you serve God?
Devo Plus:
Luke 5:17-26 is a powerful story of a paralytic being led to Jesus by a group of men who cared for him.
Prayer:
In your quiet time with God today, ask Him to reveal who He wants you to bring to Jesus. This could mean an opportunity to share your testimony, or just a simple invitation to come to church next Sunday.
Isaiah 49:6 (NLT)
He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Explanation:
To be made a light to Gentiles (unsaved people) will require:
✔️Spiritual insight
✔️Strategy
✔️Simplicity
Spiritually: What will make you shine and stand out from the crowd?
Answer: Jesus living in and through you. You can’t fake it. Like a mother bird eating, then feeding her child, you must have a fresh relationship with Jesus to represent Him well. People watch with intensity, and you will miss perfect moments if you aren’t allowing Him to shape you into a mirror of Him. Optimism, hope, perseverance, courage, kindness, courtesy, thoughtfulness, wisdom, listening skills, confidence, and generosity are all things Jesus works into us, to make us a bright light, which draws people to want Him.
Strategy:
You can’t legislate light. Marketing strategists help clients create “want.” When people watch your character and quickly figure out you have some super power as you do life, they will ask you what you have. My greatest successes of leading people to Christ came from saying little and living it out. They approached me. When someone comes to you and asks what makes your life different, you have an open door. Their defenses are down and their interest is up. It is prime soil for sowing seed. Nothing will slam the door shut faster and harder than loftiness, judgment, condescension, divisiveness, piety, or arrogance.
Simplicity:
Focus on what Jesus has done for you. In John 4, we have an example of a very immoral woman who met Jesus for the first time at a well when He offered her eternal life. After her experience, she ran back to her village shouting “come meet a man who told me everything I did.” Many believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony. She wasn’t a spiritual knowledge expert. She was a set free example, and that is all she knew; so the fact Jesus knew all of her immorality, yet loved her…that was the power in her story. Never hide the dark parts of your story. What Jesus delivered you from is what the world is hungry to hear.
Jesus made our instructions for life very simple. “Go and make disciples.” Matthew 28:19
If you are spiritually healthy…you will reproduce. To do that, we must allow His light to flush darkness out of our lives and transform us into people who other people want to be around, who other people turn to, who other people seek out.
Application:
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Are you spiritually attractive? Jesus living in us helps our brain think wisely, makes our personality warm, our conversation interesting, and our manner attractive. He radiates through us to reflect His light. What are you drawn to? That is what others are drawn to.
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Matthew 7:12 spells it right out. “Treat others as you want to be treated.” It is a simple formula that can change everything.
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Does your Sunday personality show up on Monday? People shining the light are consistent in their moods, verbiage, and morals.
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Guilt is the lowest form of motivation. Why?
Devo Plus:
Imagine the unsaved person's heart as a clenched fist. It is your job, through love, to get each finger, one by one, to release until you have an open hand. Once you have an open hand, you have an open heart.
Never enforce God’s standards on them. We, who are in relationship with God, are motivated because we love Him. If someone doesn’t love God yet, why would they want to obey Him? Why would you try to make them obey someone they don’t know?
Sharing light for the most part goes very slowly, because people will watch your life to see if you walk what you talk. It is so important to live in the Light yourself to reflect the light.
Prayer:
Jesus, You are the light of my life. You invite me to walk in Your light, and reflect Your light to the world as I do so. Guide me every step of the way as I learn to live in You. Amen.
Jonah 1:1, 4:1-3 (NLT)
The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai:
This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”
Explanation:
God commanded the prophet Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and tell them to repent. The Ninevites were so evil that Jonah couldn’t bear the thought of spending eternity with them, so he disobeyed God’s word. After three days of behavior management training, Jonah went to Nineveh with God’s message, and much to his dismay, the entire city repented.
We’ll never know on this side of heaven why Jonah was so bent out of shape over God’s compassion and unconditional love, but the point here is that God’s mercy knows no bounds. The God who chose to forgive the Ninevites when they deserved death is the same God who provided comfort for Jonah in the midst of his tantrum (Jonah 4:6). In these examples, we see the definition of mercy—God withholding what we deserve.
Of course, withholding what we deserve requires God to give us something we don’t deserve, and that is the definition of grace. These two attributes go hand-in-hand with God’s sovereignty. Often, we see them mentioned in the same breath when describing God’s characteristics (Psalm 86:15, 103:8). God extended to us the same grace and mercy when we were every bit as lost as the Ninevites, and He will do the same when we, like Jonah, get sideways because things don’t go our way.
Application:
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Is there anything going on that’s got you at odds with God?
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If so, how can you apply Jonah’s words that God is compassionate and merciful to reconcile your differences with God?
Devo Plus:
Read the book of Jonah. It takes only a few minutes, and it is a powerful example of God’s mercy and grace toward mankind.
Prayer:
Lord God, please forgive me for my attitude when things don’t go my way, and when I don’t understand what You are doing or why. Help me to extend to others the same grace and mercy You so generously give to me. Amen.
Acts 1:6-8 (NLT)
So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”
He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Explanation:
I’m going to be honest with you: I groaned when I saw this passage as my writing assignment. Wouldn’t this be better written by a pastor, or a missionary? But then the Holy Spirit convicted me and asked me to figure out my feelings about evangelizing, and to look at being His witness with fresh eyes. Maybe I wasn’t the only one feeling an angst I didn’t need to feel.
I realized I had this notion that being a witness meant preaching about God’s grand plan from Genesis to Revelation to everyone I encountered or handing out Christian tracts on a city corner. The result, if I was doing my job properly, was supposed to be that everyone would make a life “altar-ing” decision to follow Christ wholeheartedly from that moment on. Since this was a virtually impossible feat, I was always walking around feeling guilty that I wasn’t being a “good witness.”
Furthermore, the term “evangelical” has taken on a whole new meaning in the world and on news outlets, hasn’t it? It’s become synonymous with voting for a certain political party, standing against certain things, and overall, a person to be avoided. No wonder my feelings were in a tangle!
Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of the friends in high school and college I had shared His story with. How I shared His love with my extended family growing up in a love-less religious atmosphere. How I had obeyed His nudging and started a Bible study in grad school. He opened my eyes to the songs I had sent, sermons I had shared, and stories of His faithfulness I shared with those I was in relationship with. He reminded me that I don’t let a day go by without teaching my children about God.
He asked me to revisit what being a witness really means. It means “a person who sees an event take place”, or “the evidence; proof.” I submit that those of us who never met Jesus in person but who have accepted Him as our Savior ARE the evidence and proof! We are witnesses to His redemption because the Spirit of God resides in us. We don’t have to strive to become something we already are! We carry the evidence of who God is every day.
As a verb, to witness means “to have knowledge of an event or change from personal observation or experience.” Our personal stories of redemption and of all God has done for us are powerful. Others can argue with us ‘til the cows come home about morals, politics, and religion, but they can’t argue with our personal stories of redemption and love. When we share the daily miracles and works of God with those around us, we are bearing witness to the character of God, and will attracts others’ hearts to His.
He has given us the power of the Holy Spirit! Let Him empower us and lead us to share Him as He wants us to. Allow the Holy Spirit to rid you of all guilt or feelings of being unworthy, as He did for me. Remember that you ARE already a witness! and keep bearing witness of Him daily.
Application:
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What feelings have you been harboring about witnessing? Do you consider witnessing to others a privilege or an obligation?
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Have you been allowing the Holy Spirit to empower you to be His witness?
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In what ways have you shared God with others in the past?
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In what ways have you shared God with others in your current season? Spend a moment asking God to give you new ways to share His story with others.
Devo Plus:
“To call yourself a child of God is one thing. To be called a child of God by those who watch your life is another thing altogether.” Max Lucado
Prayer:
Lord God, it is amazing to me that You have entrusted us humans with the job of bringing others to You, and of bearing witness to who You are. Holy Spirit, infuse me with Your power, give me Your wisdom, and fill me with Your Words. Help me to live in such a way that my life points to You, and help me share my story with those that need to hear it. Amen.
1 Peter 2:9-10 (NKJV)
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Explanation:
The apostle Peter, who lived alongside Jesus while He was on earth, tells us here that as Jesus’ followers, we should be full of hope for what awaits us at the end of our life, even when it proves difficult. Peter’s message is at times intense and urgent but easy for us to understand: we have a special duty because of our status as children of God.
Our generation has been chosen to do unique things for God. Just like Queen Esther of the Old Testament was set apart “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14), so are we set apart for a specific time, place, and purpose in God’s redemptive plan. This calling should be received with joy and expectation: just as God chose us, we can in turn choose to help others. Since Jesus has come and set all things right, there is no role for the priests of the Old Testament - not because we still don’t need to walk through repentance and forgiveness on a daily basis, but because with Jesus as our High Priest and Savior, WE are now the everyday priests called to help with the salvation of others. This responsibility should never be viewed as having power or judgment over people, but instead we should model a life lived in Christ. Our lives SHOULD look different from the world, enough so that others will notice and ask why. “A holy nation” doesn’t refer to us as Americans but instead as a people who understand that we do not lead ourselves. We are called to be an example to the entire world and can only be considered holy because our Leader is holy (1 Peter 1:15). We are His special people once we have heeded His call, and we are now also invited to tell others that they too, can be part of God’s special people. It is not a closed society - all are invited!
So how exactly do we fulfill our Kingdom responsibilities in this regard? We are to proclaim His praises by telling others our faith stories. Your story is uniquely yours, which is purposeful: your voice is predestined for another’s ears. And even if we don’t feel like we deserve to be called by the names God chooses to call us, to know He describes us in this way is truly all the power we need in this life.
Application:
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Luke 12:48 reminds us that, “to whom much was given, of him much will be required.” How does this principle relate to telling others about Jesus?
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Often we don’t tell other people how good God has been in our lives because we are fearful He won’t be as good in theirs. But God doesn’t need us to be His PR agent. He asks only that we believe and share, and He promises to handle the outcome!
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The most powerful story when you are first telling someone about Jesus doesn’t come from the Bible but instead from your own life. By leading with your own experience of how Jesus has transformed you, people will see that even though we are all still sinners, we were ALL ransomed with His blood (1 Peter 1:18-19). Give someone the chance to celebrate that amazing truth with you today!
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Think about your journey from darkness into His marvelous light. Where are you along the way? Marvelous isn’t a word we use often and therefore its meaning may be lost on us. But by way of reminder, it means “extraordinary, causing great wonder.” Always remember that God’s love is something to marvel at. Resume your journey, wherever you are, focusing on all that He is and not on what we aren’t.
Devo Plus:
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Listen to Pastor Matthew’s message from the “Malachi” series on us as the royal priesthood dated October 17, 2021, and let it change your view of evangelism… it IS our calling and our responsibility as followers of Christ!
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Listen to “Too Good To Not Believe” by Bethel/Brandon Lake and sing the praises of our wonder-working God to those around you today!
Prayer:
Father God, You are so good to us. Thank You for entrusting to us the beautiful, life-saving message of Your love and Your Son. Your miracles in our lives and the lives of those around us are just too good not to share. Help us be courageous and bold as we trust Your Holy Spirit in leading us to tell of Your good works in our lives. Teach us to love You with our whole hearts and let Your guidance be all that we need to do that which You have already planned for us. Amen.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (ESV)
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
Explanation:
There’s a plot in some sci-fi shows where a character has an ability to change their physical form or identity at will, morphing into an animal or even an alien. They are called “shape shifters,” and they usually use their skill to escape a situation by adapting into something different. Their changes often help them avoid danger, but sometimes they shift in an effort to help someone else escape from certain peril. When I read today’s Scripture, I couldn’t help but thinking about how Paul was a different kind of “shape shifter,” one that set an example for his time and ours.
We obviously know that Paul never “morphed” into some other physical form or into anyone else’s identity, and he never did anything for his own benefit. He spent his time consistently trying to spread the message of a risen Savior and His love for everyone. We read in this passage that He literally shifted his personality and personal situation to become like the people he was trying to reach. He adapted himself into something different – poor, weak, under the Jewish law, outside the Jewish law, etc. – in an effort to help people escape the certain peril of eternal death.
We know that all people are different. Paul embraced this fact, and used it to minister to the masses. He realized there wasn’t one way to win every soul to Jesus. He went to find them in their environments. He established rapport with them so they could hear the Gospel without barriers of financial class or social status. Let’s be clear; he never lowered his standards, he simply waived his privileges. He kept his eyes on Jesus, for the sake of allowing others to reap the eternal reward alongside him. This is the type of “shape-shifter” I aspire to be—one who reaches people where they are and meets them in their need, like Jesus does for me every single time I call His name.
Application:
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Paul adapted himself through selfless accommodation to the bias of other people. Is there something in your life that stands in the way of you becoming an effective witness to people in your daily life?
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Paul says that he was “free from all men” but made himself a “servant to all men” so he might win more souls to the cause of Christ. How can you exercise this principle in your daily life—where you live in freedom but become a servant to all others?
Devo Plus:
In an online Bible commentary about this passage, I read the following quote by Grant Richison that caused me to evaluate my approach to reaching others. Take a moment today and reflect on this statement, and think about how you can apply it this week. “If we love the lost, we will be flexible in ministry to establish rapport with those without Christ.”
Prayer:
God, today I ask You to help me set aside the biases I have toward others. Help me become more like You, and allow me to see them through Your eyes. Humble my heart and my personality so I may reach the lost in Your name. Thank You for the grace You give me to live each day and the mercy of Your forgiveness of my sins. Help me to adapt like Paul and be a light in Your name. Thank You for giving us the opportunity to live eternally with You. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Matthew 9:37-38 (NLT)
He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
Explanation:
As I read today’s passage, a song from my youth group days came to mind. It is by the group Plumb and the lyrics are as follows:
There’s a God shaped hole in all of us And a restless soul is searching There’s a God shaped hole in all of us And it’s a hole, only He can fill
I feel as though these lyrics give a glimpse into what God is trying to remind us of and teach us in today’s Scripture. As Jesus was speaking these words to the disciples, He was traveling from town to town telling people the Good News. As He traveled, He met a number of different people, individuals who were lost, hurting. He met with people who were looking for a better way. Jesus had great compassion on these people, and continued to share the Good News of the Savior. They had a God-shaped hole, a longing, that only God could truly fill. The people who are longing for more are those in the harvest. But God needs workers to go out and to share the news of Jesus with others.
This truth is a critical reminder to all of us today. So many people are looking for something to fill the great void in their lives, the God-shaped hole. We have the answer to what they are looking for. But we have to be willing to be a worker who goes out and shares the Good News with others. God has changed our lives, and we should have a deep desire to want this for others. Are we willing to do the work? Are we willing to go into all the world and to tell others that there is a better way? Are we willing to share our faith so that others can be saved? When God changes our lives, we should want to share it with others. The harvest is great, so let’s go and do the work by sharing this news with the world.
Application:
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How has the Good News of Christ changed your life?
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Why is it sometimes easier to keep this Good News to ourselves?
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Are you willing to be a worker, ready to share the Good News with others?
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What do you need to do today to be a “worker” who shares Christ with others?
Devo Plus:
My encouragement for all of us this week is that we will be brave and courageous to share our faith with others. Here are some steps to take:
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Think of someone in your life who you know needs to hear the Good News of Christ.
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Take some time to pray and seek God. Ask God to soften the heart of the individual, and to give you words of wisdom and hope to speak into their life
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Take advantage of the opportunities God gives to you to share your faith. Ask God to give you opportunities to speak truth and love into their life.
4.Invite them to church. It’s amazing what God can do with one simple invite.
I’m praying that lives are saved because of our boldness to tell others about Jesus.
Prayer:
God, we know there are so many people in this world who need You. They need to hear the story of Your love, Your grace, and Your truth. Will you help us to be brave? Help us to be bold and confident when it comes to sharing our faith. We long for lives to be changed and saved. We know that it starts with us. Help us to be Your workers, to share the reasons for the peace and hope we have in our lives. We long for life change to happen. We submit all of this into Your hands. Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Explanation:
These verses are referred to as the Great Commission. These words are the last recorded personal instructions given by the resurrected Jesus to His disciples, and now also to us. The word commission can mean to authorize or send on a mission. You might say that you are not qualified to answer this call, but we are all called to do this. We may not be asked to go throughout the earth speaking to large crowds of people, or to a far-off place where native people may have never heard about Jesus. The task we have been given is to tell others about Jesus wherever He sends us.
How do we do this? We can't do this on our own. We can only do it through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives inside of every believer. We do this by being obedient to whatever God is calling us to do. Some have been called to teach through being a pastor or a missionary, but we can teach others about Jesus by the way we live our lives each and every day. Our lives should be so different that people will ask us why we act the way we do. Many times, this is the best way others learn about who Jesus is.
The calling we have been given is to share Jesus to others in our sphere of influence. God desires all people to be saved, and He needs each of His followers to have a part in doing that. Go and tell others about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Application:
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Is your life reflecting Jesus? Are there steps you need to take to change any behaviors that may not be pleasing to your Savior?
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Do you find yourself being intimidated by this commission? Remember that God uses us in different ways. Pray and ask God to show you ways you can be His light.
Devo Plus:
Here are some Scriptures to encourage you in your commission: John 20:21, Acts 1:7-8, Romans 10:15.
Prayer:
Father God, You have given us a task to do for You. Help us to take this commission seriously. Give us the confidence to tell others about You. God, You want no one to die without being in a personal relationship with Your Son, Jesus. Help us to have that desire also. Thank You for the strength that Your Holy Spirit gives to us to be Your disciples each and every day. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
Galatians 6:7-10 (ESV)
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Explanation:
We live in an area where every spring, it’s not uncommon to see fields being plowed and seeds planted into the freshly tilled soil. The farmer purposefully plants row by row, meticulously organizing his fields in a manner that will yield the best harvest in the fall. Once the seeds are planted, they must be irrigated and fertilized, taking care that no pests or weeds invade and squeeze the life out of the crops. Once it’s harvest time, the farmer isn’t shocked by the crop – his corn is in the rows it was planted in, and his beans are in their spot as well. He reaps based on what he has sown.
There’s an important concept here for all of us, farmers or not: the seeds that we sow yield a harvest. How are you preparing your harvest? Many people seek a life of “happiness” and doing what feels good in the moment. The problem with sowing seeds to harvest happiness is that there is never a certain outcome. What makes me happy today may not make me happy tomorrow, and the seeds I planted to be happy become nothing but waste.
Our seeds should be for a bigger harvest: sowing God’s word into the hearts of others, growing ourselves and others into disciples of the Word, and planting treasures in heaven. Much like the farmers experience, harvest is not immediate. We must plant the seed and then endure the growing season with patience and anticipation that God is doing something good with our crop! Don’t be deceived by those random weeds that pop up – get rid of them, for they are meant to kill our crops. Keep your eyes on Jesus, and reap a heavenly harvest!
Application:
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Where are you planting your seeds right now? Are they in a field that satisfies your personal goals, or are they focused on God’s plan?
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What’s in your garden that needs “weeded out” so that you can focus on harvesting for Jesus?
Devo Plus:
“It is said of an English traveler that he so loved the wildflowers that grew at the sides of the lanes and in the fields of England, that when he went abroad, he would fill his pockets with the seeds and scatter them broadcast. Almost every day we live there are opportunities for sowing the seed of God in some heart; it may be some simple word, some kindly act. Just a line in a letter we write, or a text we quote, and the seed is sown and some life is blessed.”
A. Lindsey Clegg
Prayer:
Spend some time today reflecting on what it looks like to sow and reap with a heavenly purpose. Ask God to reveal the things that need to be removed from your life that are “weeds” and interfere with His purpose for your life. Ask Him to help keep you from being distracted and deceived, and to help you to be a better disciple of His Word.
Hebrews 10:26-31
If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he’ll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: “Vengeance is mine, and I won’t overlook a thing” and “God will judge his people.” Nobody’s getting by with anything, believe me.
Explanation:
There is no question God is loving, merciful, forgiving, tender-hearted, kind, compassionate, and long suffering. If GOD is for us, who can be against us? He is protective, jealous for our love, dialed in to our needs, and aware of our situations. He fights for us and provides for us. He is an attentive, all-caring God.
His hand is outstretched when you stumble. His heart is toward you when you blow it. His grace envelopes you when you sin. His eyes are on you when you feel lost. His mercy finds you when you falter. His arms enfold you when you hurt. His power lifts you when you are weak. God is all in…when we need his help. God is all in…when we need grace. He has provided everything we need for living a godly life. (2 Peter 1:3)
But… reject His Son's sacrifice for your sins, turn your back on what He has done for you or insult His Holy Spirit, and you will know the judicial side of God.
It’s not the stumbler, but the quitter who finds himself eternally damned.
The person the author of Hebrews describes is one who has professed faith in Christ, who came to the cross and outwardly identified with Christ. They professed to be in the sanctifying process, but none of it was real. They have turned their back on all of that now. One step more and they would have truly been covered by the blood and saved forever, but now they have willfully refused God’s salvation.
It is a dangerous game of spiritual roulette when we are convicted of sin, but don’t respond with any action. The deadening of our heart begins. Like the lepers of old who felt no warning of pain, and thus lost toes, feet, and hands…we stand to lose it all because God draws the line on rejecting the conviction of His Holy Spirit and devaluing Jesus’s sacrifice for our sins.
Being inside of a lie makes it hard to see out, but if we hope for eternity with God, we must break free. We must see that a seared conscience leads to deliberate sin, and deliberate sin is the damning sin, because there is no other place to go for salvation.
Application:
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Currently, what are you repudiating (refusing to accept) from the Spirit of God?
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The writer of Hebrews seems to see us as he spells out his dire warning of making initial responses to the Gospel, but living no follow through. What is another word for “follow through?” _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Devo Plus:
We must live with an eternal viewpoint to be healthy repenters. I have a memory of a college teacher explaining the great white throne of judgment in Revelation 20; how no matter how big my dreams, how grand my words, how lofty my aspirations…one day I would stand before God and give an account of what I actually DID in my earthly life. It changed everything for me. I am so grateful because it added a layer of soberness for how I respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Living with an eternal perspective gives me stability, insight, endurance, and a healthy desire for ongoing change.
Prayer:
If today’s devo has convicted you of unrepentant sin, pray:
Lord, I once walked with You, my heart tender to Your leading. Yet little by little, I exchanged Your truths for temptations and deceit that led me away from You. Instead of taking thoughts captive and confessing them immediately, I allowed them to grow totally out of control. Disappointment and discouragement have taken their toll on me.
So today I’m confessing my desperate need for You. You have promised that if we will confess our sin, You will forgive us and make us clean again. Lord, I truly need Your forgiveness. Repentance is on my heart and lips. I want to turn around and head another direction—back to You, Lord. I need Your help. Amen.
James 1:22, 26-27 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Explanation:
Actions speak louder than words. It’s one of the most common idioms spoken in the English language, and expresses the idea that what a person does has more value than what they say. Our words make promises, but our actions make us accountable.
The repeating theme in the book of James is to live out one’s faith, taking physical steps of obedience. I often think of a lady who attended the same church as I did many years ago. She would sit in a front pew, dressed in her Sunday best. She listened to the sermon and sang every hymn. She smiled and waved goodbye to the congregation as she sailed out of the narthex.
Occasionally, I would see this woman around town mid-week. No smile. Gossiping in the ear of a friend. Unkind to strangers. Deceiving only herself.
Application:
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How would a person describe you outside of church?
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What is one action step you can take this week to further your discipleship?
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What challenges you to be a “doer”?
Devo Plus:
Luke 6:46-48 (ESV) “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’, and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.”
Prayer:
Dear God, lead us to be doers of Your word. Give us strength and endurance to overcome our weekday temptations. May we be forgiving and compassionate, loving and unselfish. I pray our minds and hearts are pure. Surround us with Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Isaiah 57:14-21 (NLT)
God says, “Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.” The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. If I were, all people would pass away— all the souls I have made. I was angry, so I punished these greedy people. I withdrew from them, but they kept going on their own stubborn way. I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn, bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the Lord, who heals them. “But those who still reject me are like the restless sea, which is never still but continually churns up mud and dirt. There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God.
Explanation:
This passage is a beautifully distilled, concentrated synopsis of the heart of God toward humanity. Earlier in the chapter, God describes in great detail the depravity of His people at that time. They were continually mocking others, worshiping idols with great passion, sacrificing their children in the valleys, committing adultery, putting pagan symbols in their homes, pursuing sinful things, lying to God, and forgetting His words…essentially having no reverence or fear of God.
This is the God who is the “high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One.” He has all power and all might, needs nothing and is complete unto Himself, the Great I AM. He is so holy that He cannot excuse or live with sin. He has every right and every reason to destroy the world with the sin and immorality we have filled it with. Yet He deigns to “live…with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.”
What kind of a God is this!? He still wants to live with us...after all we have done? You see, we are not so different from the people in Isaiah’s time. We have gotten so used to being scornful and judgmental and disrespectful of others that we hardly even notice it anymore. We are so passionate about politics, sports, finances, our careers, social standing and entertainment, but find it so hard to pray, worship, or do things for God. We sacrifice investing in our children’s relationship with God to overly busy schedules and our perpetually distracted minds. We fling open the doors of our homes and invite in worldly standards of marriage and pagan priorities. We lie to ourselves and to the God we are supposedly serving with hardened, opinionated hearts that are convinced about our own rightness, and no longer open to conviction or change even when the Holy Spirit Himself tries to get through to us.
And yet He says, “I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway!” He “restore[s] the crushed spirit of the humble and revive[s] the courage of those with repentant hearts”! The second we turn from our wrong and set our faces toward Him once more, He runs to us with open arms. He offers us complete restoration when we reach toward having a humble heart, and fills us with courage to approach His throne again, and to try again. He LIVES with those who have contrite hearts, who recognize His correction and hold tight to the power of the blood of Jesus that washes us clean once more, and every time.
There is no vocabulary existing in the world that can adequately describe the magnificence and magnitude of His grace toward us.
Let us “Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity” (vs. 18). Let us clear a pathway for ourselves, removing all the barriers we can find that are keeping us from Him! Let us passionately pursue this amazingly loving God once more!
Application:
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Read the passage above again. Let the heart of God speak to yours.
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Do you want God to live with you, to reside in you? What words does God use in the passage to describe what He needs to be able to do that fully?
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What barriers are in your way that need to be cleared away so you can have a close relationship with God once more?
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Do you have “abundant peace” today? Why or why not? Re-read above what God promises to us every time we turn back to Him.
Devo Plus:
Listen to “You Have My Yes” by Maryanne J. George, featuring Naomi Raine, and let it become a grateful prayer of your heart.
Prayer:
Lord God in heaven, You are the High and Lofty One, the One who resides in eternity. And yet You choose to live with us when we have humble hearts that turn to You. Give us the vision to really see what we need to change, and give us the strength and courage to continue in it. Help us to passionately pursue You once more! In the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Isaiah 45:22-25 (NIV)
Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’” All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame. But all the descendants of Israel will find deliverance in the Lord and will make their boast in him.
Explanation:
A long time ago, I made a choice for myself to put my trust in the Lord. I made the ultimate choice to lay my life in His hands; a choice to say that no matter what this life brings, whether destruction or paradise, I will say of the Lord "He is my refuge, my fortress; My God, in whom I trust."
Come what may, I know that God is going to take care of me. I know that He is for me, and not against me. I know that because I chose Him in my heart at that moment, He recognized that decision, and now He recognizes me as His own.
Put your trust in the Lord today. He has the final say. He is the master and the maker of your being. He is the God of your salvation, and He will deliver you out of all of life's circumstances.
When we as the church make the decision to let God be the priority in our lives —and we start letting the Word of God alter who we are as people— differences in our communities can be made. People can come to know God through YOU living His word out and sharing His word with them. Let Him use YOU to effect positive change.
Become operative in the Kingdom of God. Get to know the Bible and God's precepts, because people need to know the Lord and the effect God can have on their lives. One day they will know. If they have not recognized that God is who He says He is before that day, then as it says in the above passage, “they will be put to shame.”
Let's help these people —in whose lives God has placed YOU— to find deliverance in God and to make their boast IN HIM!
Application:
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Turn to God and be saved. It is a commandment that God Himself gave us in Isaiah 45:22.
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If we haven't made Him a priority this week, let's start by removing all distractions, and focusing on Him right now.
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Let's find our deliverance from life's circumstances this week. Let's give all of our worries, all of our doubts, all of our problems, and all of our anxieties to Him. Let Him give us rest and peace. Let Him save us from our circumstances this week so that we may boast in Him for our salvation.
Devo Plus:
Try to arrange to meet up with someone this week for coffee or for food. It could be a fellow Christian, a family member, or someone that God has impressed upon you to connect with. Be a friend to that person and reach out to them in love. Be a light to them this week. Point them to God, offer to pray for them or with them, or at least offer to be thinking of them if they have an upcoming interview, have experienced a recent loss, or something as simple as having had recent car troubles. Let God use you to have a positive effect on their lives.
Prayer:
God, I know that one day every tongue will confess that You are God. One day every knee shall bow. Lord I choose to say, in this moment, that I put my trust in You. I trust You for my deliverance from my circumstances. I trust You for the strength You are providing me. I trust You for the voice of reason that You have been in my life no matter what has been bothering me. Thank You for Your hand in my life. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for bringing me this far, and I'm so thankful for where You are bringing me next. Help me be a light in my community. Help me in all that I do for You. Amen.
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (ESV)
See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Explanation:
Today’s scripture is the leader Moses giving his final address to the Israelites before they enter the land promised to them by God. Moses preaches to the people to seek God, trust in His grace, and obey His commandments. He tells them to love the Lord by following His rules and walking in His ways. If the Israelites listen and obey what God is speaking to them through Moses, then they will receive a supernatural blessing. God will give them children, protection, and a long life in the land. However, if the people turn their hearts from God by not listening to His words, serving other gods, and worshiping idols, His blessing will be removed from their lives. God makes it very clear that there will be consequences from their decisions. God’s perfect nature cannot allow Him to bless disobedience.
The same is true for us today. If we choose to submit to God and keep His commandments, we will receive the blessings of God. This is what we should all strive for. God wants all His children to return to Him. He is telling us exactly what will happen when we disobey. The choice (our free will) is for us to decide if we will submit to Him. God will never force Himself on anyone.
I know for myself, I want the favor of God on my life, but there are times when I am just not seeking Him like I should. Life gets busy, I make excuses, and God becomes second. Fortunately, God is never far and is always pursuing me. He wants my struggles, insecurities, and anxiety. If anyone can handle the stress of this world, it’s God, who created everything. All He asks is for me to trust in His ways, act in love, and ask for forgiveness when I mess up. If you find yourself confused or even discouraged, I challenge you to talk to God and get into His presence. Allow His Holy Spirit to minister to you through worship of Him. Give God the glory in all situations.
Application:
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Sometimes we find ourselves far from God’s path. If that’s true, then stop, turn from where you are heading, and seek Him. He is a God of forgiveness and mercy. Confess your sins and ask for forgiveness.
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God wants to bless your life, but He will not bless disobedience. If you are struggling with a particular sin, make purposeful decisions not to place yourself in situations that can lead to sin. God promises to be with us when we ask.
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Being in the right thought process is important when you are spending time with God; cutting out distractions is the key. What can you do to help make the most of this time?
Devo Plus:
Take a minute and listen to “Promises" by Maverick City, to focus on God and how faithful He is.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for always loving me, even when I am not obedient to You. Help me to trust You and follow Your plans and focus on Your faithfulness. Let me see Your grace You give to me. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
Malachi 3:16 – 4:6 (ESV)
Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.
“Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.”
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”
Explanation:
Every year for the Connect Group season, I ask God for vision that I can share with the Connect Group leaders. This year I couldn’t shake the idea that God wanted me to focus on the parable of the sower. I am not going to go too in depth with the breakdown of these passages; essentially, Jesus was addressing the human heart. One of the discoveries I made when preparing the message and shared with the group leaders was the transformational power of remembrance.
One of the repeated commands of God for His people is to remember and help each generation to remember the work of God in their lives. I say that remembrance is a transformational power because remembering God’s faithfulness and work throughout our lives has a way of grounding us and shaping our hearts. In moments of anxiety, depression, sin, shame, hopelessness, despair, rebellion, you name it, if we simply take time to pause and remember God in those moments, it can be a major turning point for us in our faith journey.
It’s no wonder God’s message to His people in Malachi, after He has corrected them and asked them to repent, is now remember. He draws them back in to focus on the commands He established through Moses, and reminds them of who He is. He is the eternal God, and He wants them to understand He is also a God who remembers. He remembers those who follow Him and those who reject Him. Our choice to follow or reject Him has eternal significance. We either get to spend eternity with God or we don’t. This message applies to us as well, and its one we must remember and focus on throughout our time here on earth.
Application:
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How has remembering played a role in your relationship with God (remembering His promises, remembering His faithfulness, remembering His power, etc.)?
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Why is it important for us to help others remember God, too?
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What can you remember right now about God that will help you in the season you are in?
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How can remembering God as the eternal God who has power over our eternal lives help you in following Him now?
Devo Plus:
Read Psalm 77:11. How is this a similar thought to what we read in our Malachi verses today?
Prayer:
God, I remember now that You are the God of eternity. I want to be a follower of You. I want to now make the decision to seek You in my life. Thank You for inviting me in to experience eternity with You.
2 Corinthians 9: 6-15 (NIV)
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Explanation:
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth detailing instructions and guidance on generosity and service to others. This was basically a fundraising letter for the mother church in Jerusalem, telling them to prepare for his upcoming visit.
There had been an economic downturn in Judea, specifically in Jerusalem. Most jobs at that time were related to the temple, a massive undertaking. However, the Sadducees (aristocratic priests) ran things. They denied the resurrection of the dead, so the resurrection of Christ was a problem for them. Believers were now at odds with the temple, and thousands of Christians were fired. Add a famine on top, and you have a crisis.
To address these concerns, Paul drew from Isaiah 55:10 when he wrote that God supplies the resources from which we live. Paul linked God’s indescribable gift to us, Jesus’ death on the cross, to their giving. Jesus’ death on the cross is the basis for our gifts. We have what we have because of God’s generosity and love. This reminds me of the teenager who threatens to run away, but the parent instructs the child to leave everything at home when they go because nothing truly belongs to them. There are 2,350 Biblical passages regarding money and material things. This is more than any other subject but talked about the least. People are afraid to offend anyone. The world tells us to save, invest, and indulge. God says give it away. God wants us to enjoy generosity, not do it begrudgingly. He takes this personally.
Do we spend wisely on needs, or are we duped into consumerism by skilled marketing tactics? We need to be content simply because God is with us. If we change our thinking about giving, our behaviors will change, leading to generosity, and generosity always succeeds in transforming lives. Generosity to God’s children is generosity to Him. Our mindset will only change if we are willing to step out of our comfort zone and eliminate excuses.
It is important to remember Matthew 6:21 (NIV):“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” When my daughter got sick, I researched painstakingly. I wanted to know more about her diagnosis, doctors, the hospital, medications and side effects, accommodations, treatment plan, ongoing care, etc. I even looked up parking and where to get coffee. I continue to be invested in her care because she is my heart. My heart was at that hospital, so I invested time, energy, and finances. We need to take daily inventory of our hearts.
Application:
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What is your passion? Where is your heart? Make a conscious effort to take inventory.
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Give a little bit extra this week, and journal the experience. What did you decide to do? What were your thoughts before and after giving? Did the Holy Spirit call to you? Did you see the fruits of your gift?
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Share this concept with your children, friends, or family members. Do it together and discuss.
Devo Plus:
Philippians 4, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Timothy 6, Proverbs 15, Acts 11, and Luke 14.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, open our eyes to see giving and generosity as blessings to You, as well as to us. We have been told You have a perfect plan. Help us remember this when we are given opportunities to glorify You through generosity. Remind us that when we are generous, You have used us to care for others. Help us remember the farmer does not withhold seeds, but plants many for a successful crop. Give us the courage to step out of our comfort zones, have faith, add purposeful giving to the budget, and bless others generously.
Luke 20:45 - 21:4 (NIRV)
All the people were listening. Jesus said to his disciples, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in long robes. They love to be greeted with respect in the market. They love to have the most important seats in the synagogues. They also love to have the places of honor at banquets. They take over the houses of widows. They say long prayers to show off. God will punish these men very much.”
As Jesus looked up, he saw rich people putting their gifts into the temple offering boxes. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “What I’m about to tell you is true,” Jesus said. “That poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these other people gave a lot because they are rich. But even though she is poor, she put in everything. She had nothing left to live on.”
Explanation:
Jesus was teaching His disciples. They were sitting at the temple, watching people give their offering. There were rich people coming and giving a lot, out of the abundance that they had. Then a poor widow came and gave her last two coins. When we look at this scripture, we would say that the rich people gave more, but Jesus saw the widow and knew she gave more because she gave sacrificially. She gave it all, believing that God would take care of her.
God doesn’t need our money! It is all about our hearts. He wants us to be willing to trust Him to give the first out of our pay. Then, we are saying, “God, You provided my job and finances for me. So I am giving you my first 10%.” When we do this, our money is tied to the heart of Jesus, and not just to us. We can trust and know that God will provide everything we need with the rest.
Putting God first in our finances is important to me and my husband. God has always provided for us. Eight years ago when our son was born, he had to be in the hospital for a while, so we stayed in the Ronald McDonald house. My husband’s men’s group collected money for us and paid for the whole thing. There were many other things God provided: our parking, food, and blessing after blessing. It was so cool to watch God be in control.
Application:
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What is stopping you from tithing?
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Ask God to show you this week how He will take care of you.
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When you tithe, are you giving with your whole heart, or are you giving in anger?
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Ask God to help you find joy with giving Him all your finances.
Devo Plus:
They have suffered a great deal. But in their suffering, their joy was more than full. Even though they were very poor, they gave very freely. 2 Corinthians 8:2 (NIRV)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Help me to put You first in everything, and especially to trust You with my finances. Change my heart to look to You for help in that area. Thank You for always taking care of me and protectin
Luke 18:9-14 (ESV)
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Explanation:
Ahh, the Pharisee. I’m ashamed to say that there are times that he’s not much different than me. I have been (and can be) the person that finds themselves feeling morally superior to others, prideful that my behavior is not “unholy” like theirs. I have found myself mentally checking boxes of all the ways that I am “better” than someone else because I don’t commit the same sins that they do. I am the Pharisee in this story.
You see, my sin is still sin. It may look different than my neighbor’s, but it’s still ugly, condemning sin. Like the Pharisee, I have looked around and said, “I don’t do this, or this, or that, so I am ‘good’.” Both men in this parable were in the temple praying, but the Pharisee had it all wrong. He trusted in his own righteousness and his accomplishments. The tax collector, however, threw himself at the mercy of God. He called out to God, asking humbly for mercy, because he was aware of his sin. He didn’t have a list of reasons that he deserved mercy; rather, he felt unworthy to be in the presence of the Almighty God. God acknowledged his prayer and was merciful to him because he realized that it wasn’t about “self.”
Application:
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Which of the two men in the story do you identify with? Sometimes it is challenging for us to accept that we are loved by God without any qualifications. We are not loved because we are good, but because God is good!
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It can be helpful to use our imagination and "become" one of the characters. Notice how comfortable or uncomfortable we feel in his clothes. Try saying the prayer of each in turn. What is that like for you? Experience tells us that no one is wholly "Pharisee" (hypocrite) or wholly "tax collector" (truthfully self-aware).
Devo Plus:
Take some time today and reflect on this statement:
Texan Episcopal priest, Mike K. Marsh, suggests that the world would be a significantly better place if, every time we met someone, we prayed: “May the Christ in me see and honor the Christ in you, and the Christ in you see and honor the Christ in me.”
What do you think would be different about your posture toward others and the humility in your heart if you applied this statement to your life?
Prayer:
God, today my prayer is that of the tax collector: be merciful to me, a sinner. Help me be aware of any attitudes or words that demean other people. I know that You see through my exterior and know my heart. Help me to refrain from self-promotion, but to exalt You in all that I do. Have mercy on me, and help me to be more like You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
1 Timothy 6:6-11 (NLT)
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
Explanation:
One of the hardest things we face as U.S. citizens is being a U.S. citizen.
From the womb to the grave, we are immersed in the American Dream, where anything is possible and aspiring to be rich is applauded!
While pursuing the “anything I want to be life” we eventually reach the golden years, where we live on the money we accumulated while on the 50-year treadmill to retirement. We are indoctrinated early into the “more and more” life, and feel it is our guaranteed right to “obtain” in the land of the free and home of the brave. Financial accumulation is one of the hallmarks of being born in the USA, and sadly, dependence on God actually has to be learned, because of the abundance of our lives.
Our self-sufficiency is killing us spiritually.
Paul’s letter is trying to grab our spiritual attention, to wake us from our consuming mindset, founded on obtaining money. Like a parent helping a child re-focus, Paul has us by our spiritual cheeks and is saying, “Focus. Listen to me. Not only does hoping in and loving money not work…it leads to all kinds of evil. It’s not a small thing.” Wealth is morally neutral; there is nothing wrong with money, in and of itself, or the possession of money. However, when loving money begins to control and motivate us, that’s when trouble starts. Hope in your paycheck, savings, inheritance, or nest egg is flimsy. It won’t hold you in a storm.
Why? You have replaced Jesus as your hope and are headed for many sorrows. Once untethered to Jesus, you break loose on a sea of self-serving, independent living that will eventually exhaust and deplete you. Few things are sadder than people who once had a vibrant, close relationship with Jesus, but would not grasp this warning and shipwrecked their lives with greed.
As I write, I have three close friends going through loss so deep I could give them each a million dollars and it wouldn’t touch their hearts. Money won’t heal a dying spouse, cure a child’s mental illness, or bring back a memory erasing with Alzheimer’s.
But all are firmly rooted in Jesus and have lived lives with their hope in Jesus. All are tethered to His heart and are experiencing the peace that passes all understanding…solid, secure, and full of God-given contentment.
Application:
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When faced with a difficult situation, is God your first impulse?
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Aren’t content people attractive? I am drawn to content people. Contentment is a virtue straight from the heart of God. He wants you to learn it.
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You won’t find generosity in someone who loves their money. They can’t coexist.
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The love of money is what motivates people to lie, steal, cheat, gamble, embezzle, and even murder. People who have a love for money lack the godliness and contentment that is true gain in God’s eyes. Are there any gray areas of your financial heart that needs attention?
Devo Plus:
“Water is useful to the ship and helps it to sail better to the haven, but let the water get into the ship, if it is not pumped out, it drowns the ship. So riches are useful and convenient for our passage. We sail more comfortably with them through the troubles of this world; but if the water gets into the ship, if love of riches gets into the heart, then we are drowned by them.” - Thomas Watson
Prayer:
Lord, help me release my grip on any thoughts I entertain regarding my love of money. Since my money is Your money…every spending decision I make is a spiritual decision. Give me new vision as I learn to be a steward of what is Yours. Help me in my pursuit of righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Amen.
Luke 12:13-21 (NLT)
Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”
Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Explanation:
Greed is a dangerous emotion any way you slice it. Jesus calls out not just greed in general, but every kind of greed, which runs the gamut from desiring instant wealth with no effort, to an insatiable thirst for things we can obtain through labor, be it power or possessions. When the heart desires wealth more than a relationship with God, the result, as we see in this story, is tragic.
Proverbs 1:17-19 likens greed to a trap that will snare those who do not take authority over it. Even a bird will avoid a trap that is set before its own eyes, yet greed can blind us to the point where we don’t see the foolishness of our plans and desires. Ultimately, the unbridled pursuit for wealth takes away the life of its owners (Proverbs 1:19).
A thousand other lessons could be taught from this parable, not the least of which is that tomorrow is promised to no one. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Only a right relationship with God can protect us from the ravages of greed, and give us the perspective of wealth weighed against the backdrop of eternity. We know we aren’t taking it with us; the question is, how are we using it now to glorify God?
Application:
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At what point is a desire for material wealth considered greed?
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If the answer is unclear, how do Jesus’s words in Matthew 6:20-21 (NLT) add clarity?
Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
- How do your spending habits line up with that verse? Put another way, how are you glorifying God with your resources?
Devo Plus:
Here’s a quote from Joyce Meyer, many years ago, that radically changed my attitude on possessions: “I don’t hold on to anything so tightly that I can’t give it away.” Take a few minutes to consider what needs to happen in you for that statement to be true.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I’m committed to honoring You with everything I have, so that greed will not rule my heart nor lead me to the consequences You warn me of in Your Word. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Malachi 3:6-15 (ESV)
“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.
“Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’”
Explanation:
In Pastor Matthew's message series in 2020 entitled LIFE, he asks this question. What if we are doing life wrong? As we have been learning in Malachi the past few weeks, this book of the Bible was written as a message to the people of Israel. They were definitely “doing life wrong.” These chosen people of God had gone astray from what their forefathers had taught them about being in a covenant relationship with God. The Israelites were not treating sacrifices seriously, marrying people outside of their faith, committing adultery, and worshipping other gods. In this scripture passage, we see that they were also forgetting about tithing.
God does know what is best for our lives. He has laid out a plan for us, too. When we commit ourselves to serving Jesus, God asks us to do things that go against our natural inclination. Talking about money can be especially hard, but it is so important. Giving 10% of our money to the church takes a huge step of faith. I love what Pastor Matthew says, “God doesn't need our money!” What God wants is our obedience. I know from personal experience that God will provide what I need when I give to Him first. Notice I said God will provide what I need, not always what I want. There is a big difference. If you aren't practicing tithing, I encourage you to start. You will be amazed at how God will bless you for your obedience.
Application:
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Have you ever been guilty of giving God less than He deserves?
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Have you ever given a gift to God knowing it was not the best you could give?
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Make a commitment today to start giving your best to God.
Devo Plus:
For more information and teaching about tithing, please listen to Pastor Matthew's message from 2017 where he talks about tithing. This teaching is from the series entitled MARGINS. https://www.thetree.church/messages?sapurl=LyswOWI2L2xiL21pLys0a2pydjdzP2F1dG9wbGF5PXRydWUmYnJhbmRpbmc9dHJ1ZSZlbWJlZD10cnVlJnJlY2VudFJvdXRlPWFwcC53ZWItYXBwLmxpYnJhcnkubGlzdCZyZWNlbnRSb3V0ZVNsdWc9JTJCYmNra3p5Nw==
Prayer:
Father God, You have redeemed out lives through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Without this, we would be doomed to an eternal life separated from You, and a life of so much unrest and torture. You deserve all of what we have. We can never repay You for what You deserve. Giving back to You a small portion of what You have blessed us with should be an exciting thing that we want to do. Help us to have the faith to be obedient. We thank You in advance for what You will do in our lives. Amen.
Matthew 6:19-24 (ESV)
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, 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. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Explanation:
The Book of Malachi has been clear that God is much more interested in our genuine steps toward Him, no matter how small, than grand gestures that are never put into practice. Here, Jesus echoes the writer of Malachi and begins by talking about where to store our treasure. Again, He is not talking about earthly treasure of any kind. Really this passage can be used to teach about any resource our Good Father has given us in this life: wealth, time, possessions, even love. I’m reminded of the old Vacation Bible School song that goes something like this: “Love is something if you give it away (give it away, give it away), you’ll end up having more.” This is the principle Jesus is addressing. He is talking about our priorities, and how we choose to spend our resources should not be a matter of impulse. It takes careful planning, and like anything done well, takes dedication and commitment. We need His help in everything we do, but especially in matters so tied to our hearts. Many factors have influence over our priorities: our upbringing, life events, who we spend time with, etc., and only God can equalize all these things and speak directly into our lives.
And if all of that wasn’t clear enough, Jesus ends by leaving no room for confusion: You can’t serve God and BLANK. He uses money because it is traditionally what has diverted our hearts away the most; it was true in Jesus’ time, and it is still true today. Your BLANK might be different, but our teaching today remains the same: our God is so great that we only have room for Him in our lives. So if you are squeezing Him out with anything, eventually your devotion to the other will cause you to, in Jesus’ own words, “hate” and “despise” Him. These are words we should reserve for no one, especially not the Son of God sent by Our Father to save our sins as only He could. But in effect this is true if we continue to relegate Him to any less than first priority in our lives. Let us be a people to put Him back where He belongs in our lives, individually and as a church!
Application:
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What is an earthly resource that has pulled your heart away from God? Is this a new issue, or has it been this way as long as you can remember? Either way, God’s plan for your life triumphs over this struggle, so in humility and honesty, ask Him to show you the steps for breaking free to serve only Him.
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Would you consider your eye to be full of light, full of darkness, or a little of both? My guess is the latter and if so, ask God to show you where the darkness radiates from. Then surrender this to Him so He can begin the process of changing your focus back on His light only.
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A footnote to the ESV version of these scriptures reads, “the righteousness of the Kingdom of Heaven works out in the details of one’s personal life.” How does it make you feel to know that your everyday, personal choices have impact in the kingdom of heaven? What will your impact be? Are your daily choices pointing toward your desired impact?
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I believe that tithing, more than any other biblical practice, is something you can only experience by actually doing it. We can listen to convincing messages straight from the Word of God, and amazing testimonies from other people, but the physical act of taking that step is supernaturally tied to God’s heart in this area. If you haven’t taken the step of giving to God first and regularly, I can promise you with confidence that your life will be changed, and I can’t wait to hear the stories of how true this is for you!
Devo Plus:
Read the rest of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 for His teachings on many other topics, and how He wants to give us guidance grounded in love for each of them.
Listen to “Make Room” by Elyssa Smith and Community Music (I love the live version) and take even a small step in the direction of laying it all down to make room for Him today.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for being the strength that we need when it comes to turning things around in our lives. You are always shepherding us away from evil and toward You, and we are so grateful for Your doing so. Thank You for being a light we can’t ignore, and please help us take our focus off of what is directly before us and put it back on You. Help us to put off our old selves when it comes to what has held us captive, and give Your Holy Spirit room in our lives to do what only He can. We love You and praise Your holy name. Amen.
Titus 2:11-14 (NLT)
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Explanation:
If you are driving down a street lined with gorgeous homes, I doubt you give their foundations a second thought. Have you ever heard someone comment on an amazing foundation? Do you know WHEN a foundation is noticed? When it starts to fail. No matter how beautiful a building is, once the foundation crumbles, the WHOLE building is compromised until the foundation is fixed.
So too are our lives.
If the foundation of your spiritual life is not grace, your whole spiritual life is compromised.
Verse 11: Sovereign grace - “For the grace of God has been revealed” Saving grace - “bringing salvation” Sufficient grace - “to all people.”
Sovereign grace references the first advent of Jesus to earth and the cross; your realization of free salvation.
Saving grace creates a longing for holiness in us. We see this in new converts who are zealous and willing to surrender whatever Jesus asks. It is called “first love” because their total dependence on God’s grace makes them full of spiritual vitality, zeal, and joy.
Sufficient grace covers all our needs because it was provided for ALL people. No person is excluded.
When we firmly plant our hearts in God's grace, longing comes alive, and it is in longing that desire for God permeates and makes our hearts crave His goodness, power, and love. This is called accepting God’s grace. As long as you pour your energy into earning God’s grace, you will lead a listless life.
The pride of trying to earn God's grace is spiritual quicksand, sucking the life and energy to change right out of you. Change only happens within the perimeters of grace because grace aligns us right at the foot of the cross, surrendered, focused, and pliable. While we are focused on Jesus… the Holy Spirit begins touching those places in our heart that need healing and hope, and verse 14 becomes realized: “He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.”
He does the work/He gets the glory.
Grace reminds me visually of a hot air balloon! As the air is heated inside the balloon, it causes it to rise upwards, because the inside air is lighter than the cool air outside. Grace is greater than your sin and it is the available power source for your life. Accept it.
Application:
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Grace will mess with your need for control. How very arrogant to think we can skip God's grace to serve the idol of willpower. Honest differentiation will set you free.
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Grace is getting what you could never deserve. It requires your acceptance. Not accepting is as silly as refusing to cash in a million-dollar winning lottery ticket your boss gave you for Christmas.
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A slow fade begins when we gradually walk outside of God’s grace into independence. The dull reality of no longer “longing for holiness” is walking death. Choose life.
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What specific things do you desire in your life from our passage today? Accepting God’s divine grace and knowing it flows from His character will help you better understand how to live by grace.
Devo Plus:
“Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off.” Max Lucado
Prayer:
As I bow my heart before You, God, I ask to mature in grace and realize its life giving power from Your heart to mine. Grow my understanding and rearrange my heart to mesh with Yours. Amen.
2 Corinthians 7:8-11 (ESV)
For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
Explanation:
Correction is the worst part of parenting by far. If I could download one truth to my kids, it would be that disciplining them is no more fun for me than it is for them. Well… maybe that wouldn’t be the first thing I would download to them, but it is an important one that comes up in conversation a good bit in our house. What they fail to understand is that when they disobey or disregard something my wife and I have determined is important, we discipline them in order to correct their behavior and show them a way that will bring peace to our home and joy to their lives. It’s terrible though to have to stand in opposition to them, to discipline them, to make them upset. As much as I hate to upset them and be the bad guy, their (and my) feelings become secondary to the importance of the correction and the good it will do them and the family.
Paul in his letters to the Corinthians is like a parent who has had to correct his children. He writes sternly and confronts behavior that is damaging to their faith and the church as a whole. He does not want to upset them and cause them grief, but the discipline and the grief Paul brings in his correction led the Corinthian church to repentance, and that repentance to salvation and restoration of peace amidst God’s people.
For Paul godly grief or feelings of guilt (shame is different) are not a bad thing. This is what God uses to bring us to an acknowledgment of our sin with the hope that we will turn to God. When we look to Him in our guilt, the promise is that when we repent we will be met with grace and mercy. Because the greater evil is that we feel good all the time until we walk our lives right into destruction.
Application:
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Is there something that you feel you are being corrected in?
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Guilt and shame are two different things. Guilt says “I did something wrong”, shame says “I am wrong.” When you are corrected, which of these do you feel?
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If shame is your go to, pray and ask God to show you who you are in Him, and do a Google search about what the Bible says about our identity in Christ.
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If guilt is your go to, pray to God about the behavior that you need to change, repent, and find forgiveness in His presence.
Devo Plus:
Read Hebrews 12; Romans 8; and Ephesians 2.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we don’t like to be corrected. We don’t like to feel bad about ourselves. We don’t like to feel like we don’t measure up. Protect us from the heartbreak of shame while always bringing guilt in those moments when we walk away from You. In the end, we trust that Your discipline is always working us towards the good of Your church and of our own personal lives. You want us to become more like You because it is the good you have destined for those who want it, and that means we will have to corrected and guided on the way. So help us to trust You in that process! Amen.
Jeremiah 4:3-4 (ESV)
Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.
Explanation:
In this passage the prophet Jeremiah, in God’s name, is speaking to men of Judah and Jerusalem. He is using bold language to call them to repentance. He uses some metaphors that would have been very relatable to the people of that time to challenge them to make some changes in their lives.
Fallow ground is ground that has not been used or has been left unsown for a time in order to produce more in the future. It hasn’t been fruitful for a period, but it can be. We are being told to start breaking that ground up, meaning to start turning over areas in our hearts and lives that haven’t been fruitful, but have the potential to produce. Now is the time! Trying to produce good seed among thorns is silly and useless. The metaphor to not sow among thorns is meaning to be intentional about how we are living. When the passage talks about circumcising our hearts, it is representing the cutting away of the sin that is in our lives. Not just saying that we are getting rid of it, but truly doing it.
This passage goes on to talk about the consequences from God if the people (us included) don’t do what He is asking of them. It’s vivid and self-explanatory. The fire will remain as long as there is something for it to burn. If we want to remove God’s wrath, we must address the sin in our lives.
So, what do we do? We should:
• Identify sin in our lives • Confess those sins • Receive God’s forgiveness • Ask God for help in turning from sin (this includes making wise decisions on where we should hang out, what we should expose ourselves to, and who we allow in our lives). • Make tough lifestyle changes
God is merciful, but God is also clear on how He views sin. We have the opportunity to address sin right now, and we need to do so with urgency. By doing so, we will experience the true life that only God offers. God could justly choose to pour out His wrath on us, but by His grace, He uses the refining process to bring us into true life that brings us true fulfillment. What an amazing God!
Application:
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When you know that someone has your best interest in mind, how does that make you feel?
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Do you truly believe that God has your best interest in mind? Why?
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Right this minute, list some areas of sin in your life where God is convicting you. (ex: not placing God as your priority, not tithing 10% of your income to God, giving in to anger, not being faithful to your spouse).
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Go through the steps above to address those sins.
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Dealing with/confessing sin is never fun, but do you feel better once you do it?
Devo Plus:
Read Lamentations 3:22-23. How does it make you feel to know that the God who wants you to address your sin is steadfast, and that His mercies are new every morning?
Prayer:
God we are so grateful that You desire for us to experience the life that only You offer. It’s hard to address sin and make changes in our lives, but we are so thankful that we don’t have to do it alone. You are there with us, encouraging us, and ready to welcome us with open arms. Thank You for who You are and Your endless love for us.
Isaiah 55: 6-7 (NIV)
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Explanation:
In this passage, God is cautioning Israel and us as individuals to seek a relationship with Him. God is always nearby. Whenever we repent and turn to Him, He will always respond. If we are continually walking in sin, God will be more distant, but like the prodigal son, as soon as we turn and run back to God, He is always waiting with open arms. God is encouraging us to seek after Him daily and not to wait. I know that I personally can be a procrastinator. It is very easy for me to push things off until tomorrow and to make excuses for myself. We all do this! “I’ll start eating healthy on Monday”, or “Once my kids’ sports are over then I will start reading more often”, etc. God is warning us not to wait. Tomorrow is not promised, and we need to pursue God today. We make time for the things that we want to do. I don’t have to make time each day to eat lunch, or to scroll on Instagram. My kids don’t have to make time each day to watch their favorite show or play with their toys. Seeking God needs to be our top priority. We don’t want to be the person that stands before God and He says I never knew you. We can’t have a relationship with someone that we don’t pursue and spend time with.
If finding time to seek God is hard for you, I challenge you to set your alarm 15 minutes earlier this week. Spend your first 15 minutes with God, and if you need to go to bed 15 minutes earlier so you’re not losing any sleep. Starting your day off with Him will make all the difference.
Application:
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How does it make you feel when you read this passage?
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Do you think that you are seeking God the way that He wants you to? Is God your number one priority?
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What is heavy on your heart that you need to confess to God? Ask God for forgiveness and repent of that sin.
Devo Plus:
Read Luke 15: 11-32. When I read this passage, I think of how much God wants to restore us even when we have done the unimaginable. Take a moment to read this story and let God remind you of His love and grace for you.
Prayer:
God, thank You for how merciful You are. Thank You that You desire a relationship with us. I pray that You would soften our hearts and give us a yearning to seek You. Help us when we feel overwhelmed and busy to still make You the priority. Help us to repent when we need to and to run back to You. Thank You for the way that You love us. Amen.
Matthew 3:1-12 (NLT)
In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
Explanation:
I am a list maker. I have lists for everything. My husband may even argue that some of my lists have lists. I like to be prepared. We are currently in the process of moving 700 miles away. My lists are in full swing- I have made lists, labeled boxes, and organized and re-organized our moving totes so that I can be as strategic and prepared for this event as possible.
In Malachi 3:1, it was prophesied that the messenger would prepare the way for Jesus. That messenger was John. I think that if John was around today, he’d appreciate my lists. Maybe not. Maybe he’d tell me to throw out the lists and make sure my heart was prepared. Make sure it was ready for Jesus. Make sure that Jesus wasn’t just a check box on one of my lists.
You see, John was a bit of what we’d call in modern times a “wilderness man,” fashioned in a camel hair garment and a leather belt, eating bugs and wild honey to survive. He didn’t care about anything but preparing a way for the Messiah. He didn’t care if you were a king or a peasant, rich or poor; he wanted to prepare your heart. He spoke the truth to everyone about getting your heart right with God and repenting of your sins. John called out the religious leaders for trying to “check a box” on their lists. They came for baptism, but they still had a heart condition— the condition of a hard heart full of sin. John called them out and spoke against them, saying that God wasn’t impressed with their title or lineage— He saw through all of that and into their sin.
A friend that I’ve known since I was very young was called into ministry during his teen years. I remember one of his first sermons when he addressed the adult congregation at their church on a Sunday morning with a powerful message about repentance. My friend’s sermon was titled, “Get Right, or Be Left.” It reminds me of how John implored people to live a life of true salvation and make a way for Jesus. Friends, I don’t want you to be left behind when Jesus comes to call us home. It’s time for you to make a way for Jesus.
Application:
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We read in today’s passage about John’s appearance. This is significant because he looked a lot like the prophet Elijah in the Old Testament. In 2 Kings 1:8, it says that Elijah “wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather around his waist.” John preached in Judea, a wilderness and desert region, much like Elijah had. Both were very blunt in their teachings, telling everyone they encountered to turn from their sin. When you look at this correlation, how do you see God’s plan of redemption forming over time from Elijah to the cross?
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In order to live a life of salvation, we must turn from sin and follow Jesus. Have you made the commitment to really follow Jesus? Have you asked Him lately what work He wants you to do to make a way for others to know Him?
Devo Plus:
What can you do to make a way for others to know Jesus? We’ve been given some instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18. Read this passage today and jot down 4-5 “action items” from this Scripture. Set out this week to focus on at least one of them, and in future weeks continue to build on those items as you live more purposefully.
Prayer:
Lord, we come to You with humble hearts. We are sinners. We ask for Your grace and forgiveness of the sinful patterns that corrupt our lives. Show me the work You want me to do today, and help me live in a manner that shines a light for You. Allow others to see Jesus in me and help me live among others in love and humility. Thank You for Your redemption plan— for making a way in the garden when humanity fell that would cover even someone like me thousands of years later. Thank You for the hope that You provide to us all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Isaiah 40:3-8 (NRSV)
A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.
Explanation:
During the time period in which Isaiah was written, if a monarch was heading out to travel, a group of people would be sent ahead to “prepare the way.” These individuals would open up difficult passages, level out roads, and do anything they possibly could to make the monarch’s travel as quick, easy, straight, and safe as possible. And as we see in this passage, Isaiah is declaring a prophecy that someone is coming who will prepare the way for the Lord, the King of Kings, the person we know now to be Jesus. The person Isaiah is referring to is John the Baptist.
John the Baptist came to live out these words. He went ahead, before Jesus, to prepare the hearts of people. He spoke of the coming King, the one who would forgive sins, and help people turn from their evil ways to follow Him instead. He spoke these words to encourage them to repent and be prepared for the Messiah was coming. He was calling them to straighten out their lives, be made new, so they would be ready.
This message is still the same message for us today. Just as the people in the Old Testament prepared the way for the monarch, and John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, we too must be prepared for the coming of our King, Jesus. One day He will come again to win the war, to make all things new, and claim the final victory. But will you be ready? Are you walking in a manner that is preparing for His second coming? We have to repent and turn from our evil ways. To cut off anything that would lead us astray and continue to walk the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life. This earth and everything in it will fade away, but the Lord will stand forever. Be purposed to be prepared and prepare the way for Christ’s return.
Application:
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What are some of the things you do when preparing for a big trip, life event, or occasion? (Make a list, get in shape, buy necessary items, etc)
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Why is good preparation so important?
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What are you doing to “prepare the way” for God?
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What needs to change in your life so you are better prepared for the coming of the Lord?
Devo Plus:
Read Luke 3:4-18 to see this prophecies fulfilled in the person of John the Baptist.
Prayer:
God, I want to be prepared and ready for Your return. I know my time on this earth is short in comparison to heaven, and I want to live it out well. I ask that you lead and guide my heart, my thoughts, and my steps so that I’m not only prepared for your return, but that I also can continue to walk on the straight and narrow path before me. I know this is only possible with Your help and leading. Amen.
Malachi 2:17 – 3:5 (ESV)
You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”
“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.
Explanation:
I would not consider myself to be a clumsy person, but I do occasionally misjudge steps. Steps are my nemesis. I constantly have mishaps on stairs, like hitting my head on stairwell doorways, slipping going up and down steps, or completely misjudging the number of steps. It can be quite frustrating, especially the hitting the head part. Seems like nothing can take me to rage monster mode faster than hitting my head.
This isn’t the only thing that I misjudge. It’s sad to say, but I do occasionally misjudge God. I think you can probably relate, but let me explain. In arrogance I can find myself thinking that God is doing something wrong. That He has mistimed something, that He has forgotten about something altogether, or even that He has done something that is entirely not the way I would have done it. That is tomfoolery on my part. Who am I to judge what God is doing?
This is somewhat of the frustration that was being expressed by the prophet in our reading today. The people of God were looking to the world and entirely misreading the way that God was operating. They saw all these men prospering in their evil ways and just determined that it was God was mishandling it. That He was not harsh enough in His judgements of evil. Therefore, they almost demanded that God respond.
What they did not consider is the evilness of all men, their own hearts included. Therefore, God informs the people that He will in fact respond. In His graciousness He will send a messenger in Jesus and John the Baptist prior to Jesus, who will call for repentance. He will look, however, to Israel first to respond. They are the privileged ones who have a relationship with God and should be more aware of their sins than any.
God humbles them in their arrogance to not forget the depth of their own evil and sins. They are not any less at fault for not walking in the ways of God. If they truly want justice, they will get it. If they continue in their evil ways and not “purify” themselves first, judgement will come on them in the same way that it will fall on all people who choose to not follow God. This is a clear reminder for all of us to look inward before we judge outward.
Application:
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In what ways have you found yourself misjudging others at times?
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What do these misjudgments tell you about your heart?
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Why must we first look to the evilness/sins of our own lives before look to others?
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What does repentance look like for you right now in this season?
Devo Plus:
Read Matthew 7:1-5. How is the message of Jesus in these verses similar to that of our reading in Malachi today?
Prayer:
Jesus, You came to give us a way to purify ourselves before God. I know this requires me to humble myself and repent from the sins of my life. I can find myself misjudging others and even You at times, God. Holy Spirit, help me not to see my sins as any less offensive to You than others. I am sorry if I have wearied You in any way. Jesus, thank You for Your love and preparing a way for us to be pure before the Father again.
Luke 9:23-25 (NLT)
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?
Explanation:
How do you follow Jesus?
✔️You look for Him.
✔️You willingly renounce your right to design your own life.
✔️You honor His Lordship in every area of your life.
✔️You are deliberate in choosing to hear Him and respond.
To identify completely with Jesus’s message and be willing to suffer for His cause will include the opposition of friends and relatives, learning dependence on God, complete obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit, proclamation of an unpopular message, and pouring out your life for others. It also involves grasping a hold of life that is life indeed with an eternal reward. There are no small print exceptions, clauses, or hidden expiration dates. Jesus is clear about what He needs from you to change the world, and it is personal. Jesus is calling you to follow Him.
If you resist, you are essentially dancing an intricate life waltz with no partner.
Skip and I took dance lessons for some fun, and the first thing I learned was to release myself into Skip’s leading. If two people try to lead while dancing, it becomes an awkward, clumsy spectacle. I now watch beautiful choreography on TV and marvel at the synchronicity, all because one person chooses to follow.
With our surrender to Jesus, we are saying, “I choose to let you lead, and I will follow because I trust you know how and where to lead me, for the very best results in any area of my life.”
Accomplished dancers get to a point where they don’t have to have planned choreography. The one following knows just by certain movements what the lead is getting ready to do next. Their bodies are so in tune that the smallest movement signals the next response. How lovely it is when we feel Jesus nudge, and we know exactly what our response will be…an excited YES!
If not, we lead vacant, hollow lives of superficial lip service.
Jesus is like the wise parent who trades a toddler a toy for the dangerous thing in their hand. It’s a happy exchange as the child releases their grip to grab what the parent is offering.
Jesus regularly practices this with us as He holds out His will while we hold onto ours. Once we get a glimpse of His will, releasing floods our reflexes, and we can take hold of His will, His way, and His want.
Application:
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The best life hack I can give you is to assure you that you will make better decisions when He is leading.
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What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your soul?
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Leading your own life is exhausting. Are you tired?
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He has already told us that He is the one who is hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned (Matthew 25). When you care about what He cares about, you see Him. How do you follow Him to where He has so plainly told us He is?
Devo Plus:
I realize “taking up our cross” may sound strange or vague at first, but for me it’s meant breaking old habits to create space in my heart for new growth. It’s meant moving beyond a plastic Christian checklist … Go to church. Read the Bible. Don’t cuss. Be nice. Pray… and letting God mess with any and every area of my life. Lysa TerKeurst
Prayer:
Jesus, I believe. Help my unbelief.
Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Explanation:
As Jesus nears the end of the Sermon on the Mount in the beginning of Matthew, He gives a series of ways in which His followers should live. Specifically, Jesus is pointing to himself and His teachings as the narrow gate. In describing the wide gate, He says it is easy and leads to destruction. The wide gate is able to be taken by many people and has opportunity for many different choices. When talking about the narrow path, He says that the way is difficult and leads to life, emphasizing that from a worldly perspective it will be more difficult, but ultimately is the path to eternity with Christ.
It is so important to look at this scripture and see the difference between a gospel worldview and a worldly perspective. We need to be able to look at life through the eyes of Christ, with the mentality that what we do on Earth is important but is not the final destination or the goal. As we go about our lives, Jesus’ words call us to pursue a life of righteousness in Him even though it may lead to difficulty here on Earth. When this world seems to pull us down the same wide path as others, we must shift our focus and our gaze upon Him.
Application:
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Why is it so easy to want to go down the wide path even when we know the narrow path is greater?
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What are ways you can change your perspective to view difficulties in light of the Gospel?
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What are some areas in your life you can challenge yourself to change the path you are on?
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What are some practical ways you can encourage yourself in a season of difficulty?
Devo Plus:
And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’
Luke 13:23-25 (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for loving us enough to offer us eternal life, for walking alongside us and showing us the way of life and righteousness. We ask that You continue to challenge our hearts to look more like You and to lead us in our decisions. Thank You for being a God of love, grace, and correction. God, we pray that You would continue to teach us, and that You would move supernaturally in our lives. Thank You for what You have done, what You are doing, and what You will do. Amen.
Matthew 19:3-9 (NLT)
Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
“Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
“Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?” they asked.
Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery-unless his wife has been unfaithful.”
Explanation:
Understatement of the week: divorce is hard to talk about. For anyone but Jesus. In this passage, Jesus had finished teaching in Galilee and was headed to Jerusalem when the Pharisees (who considered themselves the religious experts of the day) tried to test Him with a loaded question about divorce. Jesus saw this as a teachable moment, even if His listeners weren’t that open to actually listening. He responds to them in a conversational manner, and attributes the quotes within the quotes directly to God. How’s that for an authoritative source?
At first look, it’s a fair question. If divorce is not acceptable in God’s eyes, why then did Moses, God’s chosen leader of the Israelites, allow for a procedure whereby a person could prove their marriage ended justifiably?
Once again, Jesus looks past the question at hand and speaks right to the heart of the matter: divorce is a man-made solution to deal with something that God never intended to happen. It came along with all other sin that entered His perfect world with Adam and Eve’s original sin; however, nothing less than absolute unity and oneness was God’s standard for marriage at Creation. God designed the spiritual, emotional, and physical changes that take place when one leaves their parents’ household to last for the earthly life of those making the commitment, and none of that original intention was changed by Moses’ decree.
Jesus uses marriage to explain to us that He is after our hearts, both individually and once we join together in “holy matrimony.” God changes the status of the relationship from single to married, but also from two to one. This is no longer just another human relationship; it is a covenant between a husband and a wife, and made jointly with God Himself. Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms that this union is broken when divorce occurs.
Does He still love us when divorce has affected our lives? Of course! But as a loving Father always does, He wants better for His kids. He wants us to know that marriage for life was His original plan for us, and when we choose to submit our marriages, former and current, to Him, He alone can lead to healing like no other human attempt can.
Application:
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This passage acknowledges that the presence of sin in the world means that some marriages will be irreparably damaged. We also know the impact of divorce reaches far beyond just the individuals divorcing, to their families, their friends, and their communities. Have you seen divorce affect lives in this way? Knowing what Jesus says about divorce, can you reconcile how a good and loving God would want His people to avoid it at all costs?
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I so wish I would have truly read and understood this Scripture when I got married. Not that I was thinking about divorce on my wedding day, but despite being married in a church and having all of the outward appearances of a Christian wedding, I still selfishly thought that day was all about us. Maybe this is the case for you also; if so, thank God right in this moment for His great forgiveness and commitment to changing our lives to reflect Him, even if it takes a lifetime. How does it make you feel that God is never finished working in our hearts?
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Once again, we see that the goal of God’s confrontation in our lives is always redemption. Sin is easier than obedience, but blessing follows obedience every time with God. This will always be His Way for our lives, no matter the subject matter!
Devo Plus:
For a more complete understanding of Jesus’s words in Matthew, read the Old Testament scriptures He references:
Matthew 19:4-Genesis 1:27 (God created man and woman)
Matthew 19:5-Genesis 2:24 (words of God pertaining to marriage)
Matthew 19:7-Deuteronomy 24:1 (law requiring a written notice of divorce)
First Peter 3:7 says that a marriage must be in good standing, or a couple’s prayers will be hindered. One of the most powerful things a married couple can do is pray together. Bringing God to the forefront of your marriage changes things on a supernatural level. Not only does it allow God to guide you toward what He already knows is best for you, but you are jointly acknowledging His Sovereignty in your life and in your marriage. I encourage you to pray with your spouse daily, but especially when big decisions are to be made; God will bless this unity!
Prayer:
Father God, once again, You show us clearly in Your word how big and beautiful and perfect Your original plans were for our lives. On behalf of all humanity, we are so sorry for our part in messing that up. Help us to repent and move away from that which once defined us. Your redemption is a gift that is so great, we will never fully understand or appreciate it. Thank You also for Your Son, the perfect, straightforward answer to all that we need in this life. Please remind us this week that Your grace truly is enough for us. In His Precious Name. Amen.
Deuteronomy 30:11-20 (NKJV)
“For this commandment which I command you today is [a]not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.
“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
Explanation:
Growing up in the church, as a child, I always heard of people seeking revival in different parts of the country. They would speak about a move of God on the east coast, and people would seek God's blessings over their lives by traveling hundreds of miles to be a part of some movement. The same thing would happen in different parts of the country, and the same sort of spiritual migration would happen in these other parts of the country.
It wasn't this way for everyone, but some people were sometimes too caught up with the move of God in certain parts of the country that they forgot to focus on the move of God that was supposed to be happening in their own living rooms in their own houses.
God's commandments and God's promises are not far from us. Too many times, people go through life searching for faith in all the wrong places. They visit place after place in search of revival by the presence of the Most High God, but they forget to visit the very throne room of God, the Spirit of whom should have been resting on the mercy seats of their very own hearts.
They might have felt as if God's presence was out of reach, or that His commands over their lives were too far away. The word has been made very near and dear to us; His commandments have been made accessible to us. We are commanded to be obedient to His word with our whole minds and beings (Deuteronomy 30:2). Along with those commandments come all of His abundant blessings in turn for our obedience, as well as His curses in turn for our disobedience to Him. We are at a fork in the road, and we need to make a decision to follow in Christ's footsteps.
Application:
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Read the Ten Commandments in the Bible this week at least once to refresh your memory of them.
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Think about the most important commandments, which Christ reminded us of.
A. Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.
B. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Devo Plus:
Make God's word a part of your daily routine. Get an easy-to-understand version of the Bible. Set an easy goal, maybe 15 minutes a day, and read through it. You can sacrifice 15 minutes of TV a day for God's presence. He is closer than a brother to you, even now. Start loving Him with all of your being. Start applying His precepts that you find throughout your reading of the scriptures.
Prayer:
Most High God, Your presence is very near to me. Lord, Your blessings are abundant, and You love me more than I can comprehend. I choose this day to obey Your commandments. I will meditate upon Your precepts. I will seek Your presence in the morning and I will give You thanks in the evening. I want to be close to You. I want to be obedient to You, Lord…above all. Help me follow You above all else, Lord. Amen.
1 Kings 11:1-11 (NLT)
Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.
In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David, had been. Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; he refused to follow the Lord completely, as his father, David, had done.
On the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, he even built a pagan shrine for Chemosh, the detestable god of Moab, and another for Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. Solomon built such shrines for all his foreign wives to use for burning incense and sacrificing to their gods.
The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord’s command. So now the Lord said to him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants.”
Explanation:
Oh, Solomon. If you could see what we see when we read about you, you’d know why we shake our heads. You were a man who had so much potential and promise. You started out strong, and then got derailed. Let’s start with bad relationship decisions. God told the people of Israel not to marry the crazy women outside of Israel because they would lead you away from God and into worship of false gods. You couldn’t resist, though. You went after the “bad girls,” and the enemy knew how to get to you. You turned your heart away from God, and your misplaced love was given to false gods.
Now let’s talk about us. Have you ever made a bad decision that caused you to misdirect the love that should have been directed to God? Your priorities get mis-aligned because something “important” came up during the time when you usually read your Bible, attend church, or just spend time with God. Suddenly, that “priority” becomes an idol, and you are turning your heart, little by little, away from God. We may not worship “false gods” in the sense that Solomon did, but what about those things that we make a priority over God in our lives today? They are the false gods of our time.
Application:
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What can you do to make sure that false gods don’t steal your heart from God?
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What are you making a priority in your life today?
Devo Plus:
Read the story below and reflect on how decisions you’ve made in your life reflect the ones made by both Solomon and the woman in the story. How can you relate this to the times that you’ve tried to make an exception “for something important” in your life? Do you think Solomon had a similar mindset when he chose to pursue the women that God forbade?
A lady kept a raccoon as a pet, and unknown to her, they go through a glandular change at about 24 months. After that they often attack their owners. Since a 30-pound raccoon can be the same as a 100-pound dog in a fight, her friend, who happened to be a zookeeper, felt compelled to tell her of the coming change. She listened politely and simply said, "It will be different for me, Bandit would never hurt me, he just wouldn’t." Three months later the lady underwent plastic surgery for facial lacerations sustained when her adult raccoon attacked her for no apparent reason. She had to learn the hard way to listen to wise counsel.
Prayer:
Lord, I ask today for You to remind me of my focus. Help me always put You as the priority, and not allow false gods to creep into my life. Teach me to always look to You, regardless of what I believe is important, and remind me that You are the primary God of my life. Thank You for being God of my heart
Exodus 34:10-16 (NLT)
The LORD replied, “Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the LORD—the awesome power I will display for you. But listen carefully to everything I command you today. Then I will go ahead of you and drive out the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
“Be very careful never to make a treaty with the people who live in the land where you are going. If you do, you will follow their evil ways and be trapped. Instead, you must break down their pagan altars, smash their sacred pillars, and cut down their Asherah poles. You must worship no other gods, for the LORD, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.
“You must not make a treaty of any kind with the people living in the land. They lust after their gods, offering sacrifices to them. They will invite you to join them in their sacrificial meals, and you will go with them. Then you will accept their daughters, who sacrifice to other gods, as wives for your sons. And they will seduce your sons to commit adultery against me by worshiping other gods.
Explanation:
Jealousy is a double-edged sword that can cause destruction or preservation, depending on the intent of the heart. If focused outwardly, as we see in this passage, jealousy can defend and protect what we hold precious in our lives. The Apostle Paul speaks of a “godly jealousy” he has for believers, that they would not be lured away by false teachings (2 Corinthians 11:2-3).
Contrast this with the inward jealousy described in Galatians 5:20, which is lumped in with selfishness and all manner of evil that God condemns. Jealousy, like anger, is an emotion we can use for good or evil, and the only way to discern the difference is to walk so closely with God that we can hear when He checks the heart. Too often, the attractions of this world keep us from spending enough time with God to hear Him clearly when He speaks.
To that end, it’s worth noting that God went beyond simply warning the Israelites not to worship false gods; He commanded them to destroy every article associated with idol worship. Today, our nation ignores this command, but only because the people ignore it. Even among Christ followers, think about how close to the edge we dance with our worldly pleasures and pursuits. Some of us like to keep one foot planted in the thing God wants us to destroy.
Application:
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Do you have any idols in your life?
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Would your loved ones agree with your answer?
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Is it possible to have true peace with God if He is not first place in your life?
Devo Plus:
Along with jealousy, the Bible also condemns envy and covetousness. How do these three emotions differ, and why does only jealousy have a component that could be biblically justifiable?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, search my heart today and reveal to me anything I am putting ahead of You with my time, attention, and finances. I want the perfect peace that comes with keeping my life devoted to You first. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Malachi 2:10-16 (NLT)
Are we not all children of the same Father? Are we not all created by the same God? Then why do we betray each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors? Judah has been unfaithful, and a detestable thing has been done in Israel and in Jerusalem. The men of Judah have defiled the Lord’s beloved sanctuary by marrying women who worship idols. May the Lord cut off from the nation of Israel every last man who has done this and yet brings an offering to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Here is another thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure. You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.
Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. “For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”
Explanation:
I heard Oprah say in an interview once that the reason she doesn’t follow the God of the Bible is because when He described Himself as a “jealous God,” she looked around and said, “What kind of a God would be jealous of me?” It made me sad to know she had fundamentally misunderstood that God wasn’t referring to being jealous of anything she owned, He was referring to her heart! He is the One God, God Almighty, and will not share His worship or glory with anyone or any thing else.
I began to understand this concept on a whole new level when I married my husband. I am a giving person, and love to make special gifts for others, to share of my time and my energy and finances. But the one thing on earth I am not willing to share...is my husband! I am inherently jealous for his heart, not only because I want to remain the sole object of his affections, but also because I know that loving me and investing in our marriage can only end in his blessing and betterment! We try to share what is on our hearts with each other first before we speak with anyone else, and to guard our emotions and hearts diligently. To celebrate each other’s victories big and small, to hold each other up through sorrows, to speak forth life and not foster our fears. To never complain or speak badly of each other to a third person, but to be patient with each other’s shortcomings and pull each other up again when we fall. To offer grace and not choose judgment. To be the truest reflection of the heart of God to each other.
God calls us to faithfulness in marriage, all the while knowing that marriage wouldn’t be easy, and would reveal just how flawed we really are to each other! No one else sees our repeated blunders, experiences our selfish natures firsthand, has to put up with our shortcomings, and sees how we look first thing in the morning quite like our spouse! But God asks for our faithfulness to each other as a reflection of His relentless faithfulness to us even in light of our sin, flaws, and many mistakes. Just like in marriage, He asks for our hearts to hold only Him on the throne of our affections, and to not share our worship with anyone or anything else. We are in a covenant relationship with the One, God Almighty! And His grace will cover all our sins and mistakes through the blood of Jesus Christ, but He is asking for our loyalty and our faithfulness to Him, our spouses, and our families in return.
Application:
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Have you ever made the decision to give your heart completely to Jesus Christ, and Him alone? If not, all you need to do is pray right now, with faith in your heart, letting God know you are trusting in His Son Jesus Christ. Ask God to take the throne in your life!
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Unfaithfulness often starts small, in our thoughts and emotions, before they manifest in our actions. Are there any seeds of unfaithfulness trying to take root in your heart, to your spouse or in your relationship with God?
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Today, choose one way to invest in your spouse (or in God, if you’re not married) and increase the outward evidence of your internal faithfulness.
Devo Plus:
Are you giving God any reasons not to accept your worship? Spend some time in prayer today, searching your heart to see if there is anything the Holy Spirit is asking you to change.
Prayer:
Lord God, thank You that You are so perfectly faithful to me. You show me how to be faithful by how You love me every day. Help me, God, to guard my heart diligently, and remain wholly loyal to You and to my spouse. Show me how to be more like You! In Jesus’s name. Amen.
1 Peter 2:4-10 (ESV)
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”
and
“A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Explanation:
Peter places emphasis on the intentionality of the Gospel, that Jesus Himself was chosen by God, and held a high value like a precious stone. But even more precious is that He is a “living stone,” unique in that He was rejected by man, put to death, and rose from the dead, fully alive. This was setting the cornerstone to the perfect foundation needed to build the house of Christ followers. Jesus laid the example and then left the Holy Spirit within us, making us the chosen living stones to continue the foundation, building a spiritually strong house of the Lord. But those who disobey and reject the foundation being laid before them find Christ, the cornerstone, to be a stumbling block on their pathway. Their plans are futile and will perish.
As Christians, we are chosen to build upon Christ’s work on the cross, setting a solid spiritual pathway directly to God, living a spiritual eternity in His praise. He has chosen you, even from darkness, to reflect His marvelous light.
I absolutely love the unity that Peter introduces by declaring we “are a chosen race.” He didn’t mean race as in skin color, ethnicity, country of origin, or family; he was labeling the church, the body of believers, as a chosen people. Together, we are a living stone, a piece of His kingdom foundation, illuminating the way to bring others from their darkness.
Application:
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Thinking about Jesus as a cornerstone, do you find yourself connected to His start of a firm foundation? Or do you find yourself stumbling over it because your sights are set where He isn’t calling you?
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Does knowing that God has chosen you to be a part of building His kingdom give you a different perspective of the path you are currently on?
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What action steps do you need to be obedient to today that will help strengthen this foundation, keeping you from stumbling over Jesus in disobedience?
Devo Plus:
Here is a blog about several times God has chosen certain people or nations throughout the Old Testament, and how that is connected with Jesus loving and choosing all people and nations in the New Testament and why. You are chosen, too!
https://bibleproject.com/blog/who-has-god-chosen/?utm_source=web_social_share&medium=shared_blog
Prayer:
Jesus, I put my trust and faith in the work You did on the cross. You set a way for me to live a full life on earth and an eternity in heaven. May You continue to cause me to stumble over You when my eyes are overlooking the foundation You have set before me. Help me to recognize that You have chosen me to be a part of eternity with You. Amen.
Acts 5: 1-11 (NIrV)
A man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, also sold some land. He kept part of the money for himself. Sapphira knew he had kept it. He brought the rest of it and put it down at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, why did you let Satan fill your heart? He made you lie to the Holy Spirit. You have kept some of the money you received for the land. Didn’t the land belong to you before it was sold? After it was sold, you could have used the money as you wished. What made you think of doing such a thing? You haven’t lied just to people. You’ve also lied to God.”
When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. All who heard what had happened were filled with fear. Some young men came and wrapped up his body. They carried him out and buried him. About three hours later, the wife of Ananias came in. She didn’t know what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me. Is this the price you and Ananias sold the land for?” “Yes,” she said. “That’s the price.” Peter asked her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! You can hear the steps of the men who buried your husband. They are at the door. They will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at Peter’s feet and died. Then the young men came in. They saw that Sapphira was dead. So they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. The whole church and all who heard about these things were filled with fear.
Explanation:
In the above passage we enter into a scene where Ananias and his wife Sapphira had sold a piece of their property and were going to bring all the money they received for the land to give to the church. However, before he gives the money, he and his wife decide they are going to hold some money back and not tell anyone about it. Peter calls him out, and instead of telling the truth, Ananias keeps lying. Peter questions him in front of the whole church, and says you chose to follow satan and lie to the Holy Spirit and us. When Ananias hears this truth, he dies. His wife comes 3 hours later and keeps the lie going as well, not knowing her husband just died because of it, and Peter confronts her as well and the same happens to her.
You might think to yourself “WOW… that is harsh”, but lying to God is a BIG deal. This was a young church, and they had to address dissention in the room, or it would take down the church. Lies are from satan, and God knows the destruction they can cause. One little lie has to be covered up by another lie and then another and another until they are out of control. God cares so much about your heart that He needs to address the lies with you.
When I was in high school I once asked my mom if I could go swimming at my friend’s house after school. She said no but I did it anyways. She didn’t find out right away because I tried to cover it up, but she caught me in my lie. I am so glad God put in her heart to know when I was lying so it could be addressed and fixed in my young life. I know it is hard to be called out sometimes, but if you are God’s kid, He is always going to call you out because He wants the best for you.
Application:
- What lies are you keeping that are destroying your life?
Last week we taught on lying to Tree Church Kids. Here are their tips that they were taught:
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When you are about to lie, go to God first.
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Then choose honesty
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Lastly, be brave and tell the truth.
Devo Plus:
Read John 8:42-47.
Prayer:
Father, help me to come to You when a lie is starting to come out of my mouth. Holy Spirit, nudge me to tell the truth even if it will get me in trouble. Change and heal my heart to know that the truth is always better. Help us to become a church that is following You with all of our hearts. Love You Father!
Ephesians 5:5-7 (ESV)
For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them.
Explanation:
I sometimes turn on episodes of old TV shows like “Fantasy Island” in the evening after dinner. (For those who were not alive in the late 1970’s/early 80’s, Google it sometime. It’s a classic!) The premise of the show is that people pay a man named Mr. Roarke, the “owner” of a tropical island, for an opportunity to make their dreams come true over the course of 48 hours.
In one episode, a wealthy elderly man asked Mr. Roarke to allow him to see his family for “their true selves” so that he knew which family members to leave his fortune to. He wore a disguise and asked probing questions to the family members about the old man. One by one, everyone in his family had their motives revealed. In the “real world” they acted sincere and true toward the old man, knowing that he was aging and they stood to gain a huge inheritance. Behind closed doors, however, their behaviors were corrupt and greedy. Eventually the teenage granddaughter, often thought of as the “outcast” of the family because she acted differently than the others, was the one who the man chose to inherit his fortune. He revealed to the others that because their closed-door behaviors were immoral, they didn’t meet his standards.
In the text leading up to this passage, Paul gave examples of negative behaviors that we should avoid. In the same way that the old man in the TV show was seeking out true and sincere behavior, God is asking the same of us. Paul reinforced that God’s children are to live for the good of the church, and that these negative things are not the image that God wants us to portray of him. It’s not enough to put on a good “outward appearance” and hope that will give you the eternal benefit. If we call ourselves God’s children, then our thoughts and actions must reflect how God would have us live, and do so consistently.
Application:
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Have you ever put on an “outward appearance” to disguise a flaw? When you peel away the mask, what remained?
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When you think about eternal inheritance, what images come to mind?
Devo Plus:
Read more about our heavenly inheritance in 1 Peter 1:3-5. There are four key qualities to reflect on in this passage in regards to our inheritance: it is imperishable, undefiled, unfading, and reserved in heaven for you.
Prayer:
Father, today I thank You for Your grace. I thank You that when You look beneath the surface, You expose my true feelings and behaviors to lead me to repentance. It is my desire to earn the inheritance You have set aside for me, and I ask You to guide me each moment as I walk through this life. Forgive me of my sins and shortcomings and give me the strength to be bold and courageous in Your name. Thank You for all that You’ve done to help me shine brighter for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Psalm 115:1-11 (NIV)
1 Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. 2 Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3 Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. 4 But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. 5 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. 6 They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. 7 They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. 8 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. 9 All you Israelites, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. 10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. 11 You who fear him, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield.
Explanation:
This is a Hallel psalm of praise (Hallelujah), and it has been sung in joy on Jewish holidays since the days of Jesus. In fact, Jesus sang these words not twenty-four hours before He was to be crucified. “Not to us” is repeated for emphasis. God deserves all glory.
Verses two through four show non-believer mockery toward the God of Israel. They didn’t understand how Israel could worship a God they couldn’t see. Believers then chant in response that their God is in heaven doing exactly whatever He wants. They see the shiny idols of the non-believers, powerless and empty because they were made with human hands.
Verses five through eight explain the emptiness in idol worship (eyes cannot see, mouths cannot speak, ears cannot hear). I mean no disrespect, but Mr. Potato Head came to mind. In 1949, when George Lerner was home with his bored children on a rainy day, they added toothpicks and buttons to potatoes. Mr. Potato Head became a huge success! In 1952, Hasbro did what no other toy company had done. They advertised on television and reached approximately eight million people. One million units were sold in the first year. But with all his success, he is still a hollow, plastic shell. No matter how much he changes or what shiny pieces are added to his costume, he is just as empty as ever. He can’t guide, counsel, heal, or save. He is useless. The psalmist instructs us to trust in the Lord. We put our lives and salvation into the hands of who and what we worship, so we must be careful and purposed. False hope is dangerous. It matters where we turn in chaos. If we make idols, we become like those idols. Worshiping God means abandoning false hopes, no matter how shiny they are.
Verses nine through eleven are calls to look to God as a help and shield, again repeated for emphasis. The house of Israel, the house of Aaron (high priests), and those who fear the Lord (Gentiles who honored God but did not formally convert to Judaism) are addressed. The psalmist cries out to all to remember, big or small, He will be our shield. A soldier’s shield provides protection and can be interlocked with the shields of other soldiers to fortify the position. We are the body, and God has given us His shield. We must have faith and hold the line.
Application:
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Make a list of your idols. Have you been worshiping hollow shells? What do you put your time and energy into? What are you all-consumed by?
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Look around your community this week and pay attention to idol worship. Does this apply to your life?
Devo Plus:
Research what the Soviets said about God during the Space Race in the 1960’s. How does this relate to Psalm 115:2?
Read Matthew 26:30.
Prayer:
God, help us identify the idols in our lives and reject them. Remind us of Your sovereignty, patience, and grace. Let us be in awe of only You. You are so far beyond our comprehension. We don’t understand Your realm, but You have provided us with shields to fortify Your line. Thank You for Your protection and love. Amen.
Ezekiel 14:1-8 (NLT)
Then some of the leaders of Israel visited me, and while they were sitting with me, this message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests? Tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and fallen into sin, and then they go to a prophet asking for a message. So I, the Lord, will give them the kind of answer their great idolatry deserves. I will do this to capture the minds and hearts of all my people who have turned from me to worship their detestable idols.’
“Therefore, tell the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent and turn away from your idols, and stop all your detestable sins. I, the Lord, will answer all those, both Israelites and foreigners, who reject me and set up idols in their hearts and so fall into sin, and who then come to a prophet asking for my advice. I will turn against such people and make a terrible example of them, eliminating them from among my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
Explanation:
I was in a social setting when another person mentioned that if we eat anything with sugar at night, we wake up ravenous. I did not know that.
I started paying attention and realized sugar revved up my appetite whenever I ate it. Then I learned something else. My taste buds regenerate every ten days and can be reset. After eating healthy things, my body started craving healthy food, and what was once appealing became unappealing. I also realized that certain foods left me feeling satisfied for long periods. The correction began with one piece of good information that I contemplated and implemented.
Did you know idols are like sugar? One idol in your heart rearranges the dynamics of your heart in such a way that it throws off your spiritual balance, and soon more cravings begin. Using an idol to quench spiritual hunger will lead to a pattern of using props to try to satisfy your soul, and you will feel the emptiness.
Idols can’t nurture or fill what only God can. Do you know what has to be created in order to demolish idols?
Hunger for God.
When you hunger and long for God your heart is not satisfied with imposters.
If I were to hold you under water for an extended period of time, it would soon become very evident what you longed for: oxygen and only oxygen. Eventually you would fight with all your might to free yourself from whatever was keeping you from getting oxygen. There are needs in our spiritual hearts that can only be filled with God, as plainly as our lungs need oxygen.
Creating hunger started small for me. I set my alarm early to give myself time to tell God I loved and needed Him, read a few verses in John, meditated on what I read, and then listened to worship music as I dressed for high school. Then I found myself hungering for more. I bought a study Bible, and my conversations with God matured as I began the practice of enjoying His presence. Here I am 50 years later still longing and living in the reality that only Jesus can satisfy my soul.
Examine the thoughts and desires that captivate you. That’s where you’ll find answers to sin and failure in your life. Don’t be deceived into thinking that you need more willpower.
What you need is more of God.
Application:
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As only oxygen works for our lungs, only more of God works for our spiritual lives. We are tempted by idols when it’s God's presence we are really hungry for. When you hunger and thirst for righteousness…you will be filled (Matthew 5:6). Are you ready?
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Your heart will be full of something. Why not Jesus?
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Ezekiel 14:3b above says “They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin.” How does this illustrate the need to be spiritually preemptive?
Devo Plus:
When we fail to believe the truth about who Jesus is and miss the impact of His astounding work in suffering and dying for our sin, it will be impossible to resist the allurement of the gods of this earth as they whisper their promised pleasures to us. - Elyse M. Fitzpatrick
Prayer:
God… I need YOU. I feel wonky and anemic in my spiritual life. Give me eyes to see what I don’t see. Give me ears to hear what I am missing. I’m exhausted by my wandering, and I long to be close to Your heart. Draw me in and free me from the tentacles of idols in my heart. I invite Your Holy Spirit to set my spirit free. Amen.
Numbers 25: 1-13 (ESV)
While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. And the Lord said to Moses, “Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them in the sun before the Lord, that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.” And Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you kill those of his men who have yoked themselves to Baal of Peor.”
And behold, one of the people of Israel came and brought a Midianite woman to his family, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the whole congregation of the people of Israel, while they were weeping in the entrance of the tent of meeting. When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose and left the congregation and took a spear in his hand and went after the man of Israel into the chamber and pierced both of them, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. Thus the plague on the people of Israel was stopped. Nevertheless, those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand.
And the Lord said to Moses, “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy, Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace, and it shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.’”
Explanation:
As we see in the above passage in Numbers, breaking God’s commandments has serious consequences. I remember reading this account of the Israel leaders executing God’s judgement on the Israelites and thinking, “Wow…. that was really extreme, did I read that correctly?” You may be thinking the same thing, especially because it is a story that not many of us are familiar with. However, it is in the Bible, so that means it is important for us to learn from and also get a better understanding of who God is and what He wants from us.
A quick backstory is that God commanded His people the Israelites to remain “set apart” or segregated, and not arrange marriages with the other tribes that were living in and around their promised land. In many instances God told them to conquer, destroy, and drive out the inhabitants when they entered a new territory. This may sound crazy to us now, but there were specific reasons why the sovereign God commanded this of His people, one being the pure bloodline that would eventually lead to the genealogy of Jesus. In any case God knew that if His people were tempted by the worship of other gods, such as Baal (the Canaanite fertility god), they would be less likely to pursue a relationship with Him, the only real God that could help them. God does not need anything from us but offers an invitation for us to follow and trust Him. The Israelites did not just want God; they wanted to worship many gods. Several key points can be learned from this unusual event.
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Phinehas was the only one who saw what God said was wrong and acted on it immediately. One person’s just action can save others.
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Phinehas was zealous for what made God jealous, “in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them.” The word zealous means showing a strong and energetic desire to get things done; passionate; spending a lot of time or energy in supporting something they believe in.
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God takes our worship of idols very seriously. This can be anything that takes our time from Him.
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God can become jealous of our worship of other things, including our jobs, relationships, hobbies, and possessions.
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There can be severe consequences from bad choices we make. Sin leads to death both physically and spiritually.
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God remembers when we obey Him and can show blessings to us over generations. “Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace, and it shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of a perpetual priesthood.”
What we do with our time matters to God. As a loving Father who wants what is best for His children, God will not take a back seat to anything else. He deserves all the glory.
Application:
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You probably don’t have an idol or statue of Baal in your house, but what do you have in your life that take your time and energy from God?
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What changes can you make today that will help rid you of distractions so you can focus on God and the plans He has for you?
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Think back to a time you were zealous for God. What changes can you make to regain that mindset?
Devo Plus:
What similarities are there in this Bible story in Numbers and the story of the worship of the golden calf in Exodus 32?
Prayer:
Holy Father, You are good and I thank You for all that You have given me. I want to make You the main priority in my life. When distractions come and life gets busy, help me slow down and seek Your presence. I want You to have my time and attention. You deserve my worship! Amen.
Exodus 32:19-29 (NRSV)
As soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses’ anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets from his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. He took the calf that they had made, burned it with fire, ground it to powder, scattered it on the water, and made the Israelites drink it.
Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?” And Aaron said, “Do not let the anger of my lord burn hot; you know the people, that they are bent on evil. They said to me, ‘Make us gods, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ So I said to them, ‘Whoever has gold, take it off’; so they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!”
When Moses saw that the people were running wild (for Aaron had let them run wild, to the derision of their enemies), then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. He said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Put your sword on your side, each of you! Go back and forth from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill your brother, your friend, and your neighbor.’” The sons of Levi did as Moses commanded, and about three thousand of the people fell on that day. Moses said, “Today you have ordained yourselves for the service of the Lord, each one at the cost of a son or a brother, and so have brought a blessing on yourselves this day.”
Explanation:
As we read the Old Testament, in many passages we see that God’s chosen people, His children, sinned a lot. There are so many stories where we see time after time, they are disobedient and allow the culture around them to dictate their lives. Today’s passage is no different. The people of God were allowing the culture around them that worshipped many gods to dictate their actions. They made a golden calf they began to worship and lived in a manner that was not pleasing to God. They were God’s chosen people who were supposed to be set apart, and yet they were not living in a manner that was pleasing to Him. There are always consequences to our sin, and this passage is a great reminder of this.
Yet as I read today’s scripture it caused me to pause and think about how often I do the same thing. No, I don’t have a golden calf displayed in my house that I worship, but there are so many things that can become idols when I put them before God. Just like the Israelites, the voice of culture is always right there screaming in my ear, too. Whenever I feel the temptation to sin, to make idols, I must be purposed to go back to what I know God’s Word says. His Word says that I have a higher calling for my life, that He chose me, designed me, and created me to live out His purpose. I have to remember that I am set apart to live in a manner that brings honor and glory to God. I don’t want to be like the Israelites. I want to be someone who lives out a life that leads others to God. I want to live a life that is different and points the world to a better way. I need to depend on God to teach me, lead me, and guide me every step of the way.
Application:
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What was your initial response to today’s Scripture reading?
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What are some of the idols you struggle with in your life?
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What does it mean to be set apart?
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What do you need to do to put God back as the number one priority in your life?
Devo Plus:
Take some time to listen to the song “Nothing Else” by Cody Carnes. I think this song is a great reminder for us when we begin to see other things taking precedence over God. May this song remind us that the most important thing we need is more of God in our lives.
Prayer:
God, it is so easy to look at the Israelites and judge their actions. Yet we do the same thing. We put other things above You and often do not live our lives in a manner worthy of You. Today we want to cast down our idols and lay them at Your feet. We want You to be the One we worship and live our lives for. Help us as we continue to walk in faith. Amen.
Hebrews 13:15-16 (ESV)
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Explanation:
In Greece, there is a place called Delphi high in the mountains of Peloponnesus, where the most famous ancient oracle of the Greek god Apollo was located. This oracle was built around a crack in the mountain where smoke and natural gases came up to the surface, and in ancient times people thought Apollo touched the earth here and could give them a word or prophecy for their futures. Grecians of all walks of life would make this long uphill pilgrimage to the oracle of Delphi, and would pay their respects to their god with elaborate sacrifices and gifts. Even the richest people from all over the world would travel to Delphi, bringing gold statues and jewels to the imposing marble treasury where the sacrifices were stored, hoping to get a word from this oracle. I will never forget this testament of how hard the ancients searched for something to worship, and how far they traveled to get a word from something they thought was higher than themselves.
The concept of sacrifice is lost on us today. We’ve gotten so accustomed to a God who lives inside of us once we put our faith in Jesus Christ, who we can talk to at any time of day and under any circumstance, a God who never sleeps and never slumbers, and who asks for nothing more than our hearts in return. We have the word of God for free in over 50 different translations and a myriad of languages at the touch of a button. We don’t need to offer sacrifices to placate an unknown god, or bring something costly for a prophecy or some wisdom for our futures. Our God doesn’t require any of these things. He is a good and personal and loving God!
… Yet, how often we take for granted the goodness of our God! The definition of sacrifice is “the offering of something precious to God as an act of gratitude.” How much more than the ancient Greeks should we strive to offer our gratitude to this amazing Almighty God, who loved us so much He gave His Son to die for our redemption so we could have a relationship with Him? We have a God who deserves the very best we have to offer of our lives, our hearts, and our devotion!
Application:
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How important is it to you to please God?
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We often operate in the delusion that we have a long, complicated, costly list of things to accomplish before God is really pleased with us. This passage is very clear: continually praising Him, doing good, and sharing what we have are the sacrifices that please God!
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What fruit have your lips been producing lately?
Every sentence that comes out of our mouths produces an outcome with the potential to reproduce. When we give voice to our anxiety and fears, it affects the atmosphere to perpetuate doubt and trepidation for those listening. When we let out complaints and griping, it creates the fruit of discontent. But when we speak forth praise, it creates awe in the spirit of the hearer, spreading the honor of God and acknowledging His goodness. Keep watch over your lips today and see what fruit you are really producing.
Devo Plus:
Listen to “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake. One of my favorite lines says, “I know it’s not much, but I’ve got nothing else fit for a king, except for a heart singing ‘Hallelujah, hallelujah.’ So I’ll throw up my hands, and praise You again and again...”
Prayer:
Lord God in Heaven, You are El Elyon, the Most High God, the Sovereign and Almighty God, and the great I AM. You are the only true God, and the world in all its fullness is Yours. Yet all You require from us is a sacrifice of thanksgiving, a heart that glorifies You, lips that produce praise. Help us to never take Your goodness for granted, but to continually offer up sacrifices of praise all our days! In Jesus’s precious and holy name. Amen.
Mark 7:6-7 (NLT)
Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,
‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’
Explanation:
For a large part of my life, I thought worship was only what happened during the song portion of church. I was raised by Pentecostal pastors and actually lived a holy roller childhood.
I LOVED it.
We had an insider phrase called “singing the power down.” As kids, we knew when the adults sang something over and over again we were headed for the power falling, which meant there would be no sermon and the saints were going to run the aisles. I loved a good Jericho march around the sanctuary, the tambourines banging, saints dancing in the Spirit, and people loudly calling on the name of God. Some of my fondest memories are the altar calls, joyful hand clapping, and hankies waving as the music stirred spiritual emotions.
However… My saddest childhood memories include two of the most demonstrative parishioners making Mom cry and Dad extra quiet with their flare for gossip through the week. Their tongues praised God on Sunday and divided His church on Monday. They were exactly what Jesus called out when He quoted Isaiah. Hypocrites. To worship means to make God known and to give God the glory, no matter where I am, who I’m with, what I’m doing, or how I am feeling. As much as I love a strong drum, a thumping woofer, riffs, close harmonies, and soaring melodies of praise, I can’t call it a day when I walk out of the sanctuary. I have to worship God with my mouth, my actions, and my inner heart every day/all day. I am married to a powerful worshipper. Skip is full of the Holy Spirit, and the proof is his love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. He worships God with his life so consistently, and God has lovingly used him to help me comprehend the fullness of true worship.
I’ve come to a place where I embrace the physical response to worship music I developed in my childhood AND understand the power of worship in my daily disciplines. Skip is a runner. It melts my heart that for years, at the end of every run, he bows on one knee and sings:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
God must eagerly anticipate my husband's runs, and delight in his sidewalk sanctuary.
Application:
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David danced his clothes off, Moses removed his shoes, Job stood silent, Noah built, Paul and Silas sang hymns, John fell on his face, Isaiah said “send me,” Mary wept and washed His feet, the healed went “walking and leaping and praising God,” Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego refused to bow, Elijah recognized the whisper, and Daniel defied a king. There are as many expressions of worship as there are people, but the true test of worship is if God is exalted and glorified. Does your response pass the test?
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Our smallest moments of surrender can be our loudest acts of praise. How can you praise Him today?
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We worship God because He is God. Period. How does that affect your feelings or lack of feelings?
Devo Plus:
Worship is to honor with extravagant love and extreme submission. (Webster's Dictionary, 1828)
Prayer: God, I want to live a life of worship. I am asking Your Holy Spirit to soften my heart, strengthen my resolve, and renew my emotions. I want to live in excessive submission to You. Help me.
Micah 6:6-8 (NLT)
What can we bring to the Lord? What kind of offerings should we give him? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Explanation:
Micah, like Malachi, is a prophet from the Old Testament whom God appoints to deliver a similar message to Israel: the Lord is coming, so you better get to repenting. The Bible never mentions exactly when Micah was called as a prophet, only that “the word of the Lord came to him” (Micah 1:1). God’s words through Micah are clear: my people keep asking what more they can do for Me, but I want them to get back to the basics. Forget the extra stuff. Never mind the ridiculous, over the top offerings and promises. The only offering I am interested in is their hearts.
By His example in Jesus, God has shown us what is good in His sight. Through His Holy Spirit, He even offers us help with recognizing these things. True mercy is going out of our way to be caring, understanding, and compassionate to EVERYONE, not just those that show us grace in return. In fact, the real test is to show mercy in the face of criticism, correction, and discipline. God wants us to love the concept of mercy so much that it pours out of us regardless of the situation.
And as for our daily walk with Him, I found it interesting that in every translation I studied for this devotion, the word “humbly” remained the same. This shows just how important our humility is in following God. When we feel His conviction, it comes from His great love for us, and we are to honor Him by accepting this because of who He is. It is when we truly lower our opinions of ourselves that we have a genuine chance of experiencing His love in earnest.
To do these things is a choice we must make every day: will I run ahead of God and hope He catches up with my plans at some point, or will I knowingly lag behind, secretly hoping He will ignore my disobedience? These verses show that what He wants most is for us to walk alongside Him every moment of our present and in doing so, He promises to redeem our past and guide our future.
Application:
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Aren’t justice, mercy, and humility what we desire in all our human relationships? Why, then, do we consider our relationship with God so differently?
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In Micah’s time, sacrifice was often seen as an entry fee, not an invitation to a deeper relationship with God. Have you thought about the things you have “given up” for God in this way before? If so, God wants to remind you that your sacrifices are only a pathway to your heart, which is what He truly desires.
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The Message version titles this passage “What God is looking for.” Does this present tense make these verses more significant to you that what God was looking for in the Old Testament is what God is still looking for in us today?
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So often we try to complicate hearing from God. But a wise Pastor (Pastor Phil) often tells your children that if you want to know you are hearing from God correctly, simply ask yourself: is it something that pleases God? Such an easy way for us to understand, and these Scriptures prove it really is all God wants!
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Make a list of all the different roles in your life, and spend time asking God to show you how He wants you to “do good” in each of these relationships, including your relationship with Him.
Devo Plus:
Here are other examples in Scripture of what God desires instead of meaningless offerings:
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1 Samuel 15:22 - for us to “obey and listen” to Him
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Isaiah 1:11-17 - for us to “learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression”
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Hosea 6:6 - “steadfast love and the knowledge of God”
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Matthew 23:23 - “justice, mercy, faithfulness”
Prayer:
Dear Lord, so often we try to complicate the things we think You want us to know and do. But You tell us in Your Word that all You desire is more of us. When we choose to look for Your Love daily, we can’t help but pass along all You have shown to us: mercy, forgiveness, commitment. You are such a good Father, and we humbly ask for Your help in staying near You when You promise to do the same for us. Thank You for offering to show us what is right, and please open our ears and eyes to hear and see it today. Amen.
Isaiah 58: 1-7 (NIV)
Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins. For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. Why have we fasted, they say, and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?
Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Explanation:
When I first saw the title of my assignment for this devotion, it made me pause and think about its significance. The title “Real Fasting” should make us all think that if there is a real way to fast, then there must be a wrong way to fast.
In this passage, there is a warning to the Jews that they need to fast for the right reasons. While preparing to write this devotion, I read that fasting combined with sincere prayer can help you prepare yourself and others to receive God's blessings. As you read in verses 4-5, the people's fasting is described in very selfish ways: you do as you please, you exploit others, and cause quarreling and strife. I don't think any of those things sound pleasing to God.
Verse 6 shows us what the Lord wants to do for us when we humbly fast and pray before our God. He wants to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke. In other words, God wants us to be freed from the bondage of sin and heartache that accompanies a life focused only on ourselves.
If God calls you to fast and pray for a specific reason, do it with all humility and sincerity. Don't do it for selfish reasons. God loves us so much and truly knows the condition of our hearts and our motives.
Application:
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This life is not about us. It is all about Jesus and giving Him the glory and honor and praise. Do you live your life in this manner?
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Do a self-check of your motives for all you do each day. Are you doing things for your own recognition, or are you wanting people's attention to be drawn to our Lord?
Devo Plus:
If you want to know all the Bible says about fasting, go to the website www.bible.org and type in fasting. You will find an immense amount of information and scripture references regarding fasting.
Prayer:
Father God, You have set up for us guidelines as to how to best live our lives. Through the Bible and the fellowship and teaching of other believers, we can learn to live and grow to be more like Jesus. We are broken humans who still sin and do things for selfish reasons. Help us to change our motives so that we are more centered on Jesus Christ, who is our only hope for a joyful life while here on the Earth and for life eternal. I pray these things in the precious name of Jesus. Amen!
Jeremiah 7:1-11 (ESV)
The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all you men of Judah who enter these gates to worship the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place. Do not trust in these deceptive words: ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.’
“For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.
“Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—only to go on doing all these abominations? Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the Lord.
Explanation:
I sit here very sobered by the words we read today in Jeremiah. As we will discover in our look at the book of Malachi, a very similar message was communicated about how irreverently the people of God treated their relationship with God. God says they would claim that the temple of God, a place of worship and God’s presence, was truly the Lord’s temple. Yet their deeds would communicate otherwise. An authentic worship of God would not only convict their hearts, it would motivate them to pursue changing the things that did not honor God. They claimed to have a genuine sanctified (set apart) life that worshiped and followed their God, yet they were not reflecting His loving nature in any way. They would walk in many sinful ways and refused to make amended (corrected) steps to walk once again in the ways of God.
The sobering truth is when I take these words and then apply them to my life, I can instantly see very intensely some similar behaviors and attitudes. Sometimes I have a lack of reverence for God, both in my worship and my deeds. Now that I am a temple of God, a place I desire for His presence to dwell, I must alongside the grace of Christ, dedicate my heart, mind, and strength to submitting to the ways of God. This is a true act of worshiping God with my whole life. Without a doubt, there will be the mercies of my Lord and Savior when I get this wrong, but then the message of God to return once again to Him still stands.
Application:
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What attitudes and behaviors do you find yourself at times sharing with the people of God in today’s verses?
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What would a humble, submissive response to this rebuke from God look like in the life of anyone claiming to be in relationship with God?
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Why does it matter that our worship of God is authentic and not false, as we become a temple of God, a place that is called by God’s name?
Devo Plus:
Read Malachi 2:17-3:5. How is this message similar to what was communicated in today’s reading?
Prayer:
God, I come first seeking Your forgiveness for how I can irreverently treat my relationship with You. You are worthy of all my heart, soul, mind and strength, and at times I do not worship You with these things. I can find myself worshiping so many other things, and not being a place where Your presence can dwell. I desire to be a place that radiates Your presence. Help me to see what things need amending, and strengthen me to walk in Your ways.
Malachi 1:6-14 (NLT)
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name!
“But you ask, ‘How have we ever shown contempt for your name?’
“You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar.
“Then you ask, ‘How have we defiled the sacrifices?’
“You defile them by saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect. When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you! But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all?” asks the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and I will not accept your offerings. But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it’s all right to defile the Lord’s table. You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the Lord.
“Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!
Explanation:
The whole nation of Judah, including its priests, was corrupt and deceitful in their worship. It’s one thing to cheat God out of what is rightfully His, quite another to plead ignorance that such behavior is wrong. Here we see the main reason why studying scripture and applying God’s truth to our lives is crucial for spiritual growth—God put in writing His expectations for pure worship; none of us can claim we did not know that God gave us His best and expects us to give our best to Him.
“Try giving gifts like that to your governor…” On the other hand, everyone understands that ignorance of tax laws does not exempt us from paying what we owe. The government puts its expectations in writing and it’s our responsibility to comply. The difference here is that Uncle Sam demands payment, while God requires nothing out of compulsion—He loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Giving our best through tithes and offerings is part of our worship, and should come from a heart that gives willingly and thankfully, not grudgingly and miserly. If Jesus says we should tithe and we should do so with the right attitude (Matthew 23:23), then we must check our hearts daily to ensure our worship is acceptable in His sight.
Application:
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Based on today’s passage, how pleased do you think God is with your attitude toward giving to His Kingdom?
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When it comes to giving to God’s Kingdom, what does it mean to give Him your best?
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We are not required to give out of compulsion, so what’s the correlation between how much we give and our heart (attitude) on giving?
Devo Plus:
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Prayer:
In your quiet time with God, ask Him to reveal if your heart toward giving is tainted with reluctance or disobedience to what you know God is calling you to do.
Romans 12: 1-2 (NLT)
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Explanation:
Paul is urging Christians to respond to God’s mercy, His forgiveness of our sin, and His inclusion of us in His family. The appropriate reaction would be offering to Him our entire lives as a form of living, breathing sacrifice. The only rational response to God’s mercy in giving us eternal life is to give Him our lives to use for His kingdom right now. The world tells us to look out for ourselves and to be self-serving. Paul is reminding us that as Christians, we should be transformed in our way of thinking because we are in relationship with a merciful God.
When I read this verse, I instantly thought of giving. This is such a counter-cultural concept. God commands us to give our first ten percent to Him, trusting that He can provide more with the rest of the ninety percent than I could with one hundred percent. This is completely counter-cultural, and when I first heard this, I was like “What?” But when you test God on this, He always comes through. I remember thinking that it sounded a little crazy, but I trusted that this is what God was calling me to do, so I started tithing each week. God came through every single time. During this time, we were just getting by financially, so it was not easy, but each week God changed the way that my husband and I viewed money. We started to view it as God’s money, and God changed our heart to want to be more generous, which led to us giving more than ten percent. This led to us giving to friends in need, which led to us paying for people’s dinner anonymously when we were out on a date.
God’s love for us deeply changed our way of thinking! We also have a more sensitive heart towards the Holy Spirit. We are more aware of His voice because we deeply want to serve our merciful God. This is an on-going process, and sometimes it is easy to get pulled back into what culture is doing. God wants to bless us and wants us to have an abundant life. God wants us to look at life with a new question: What does God want for me? What is a truly good, acceptable, and perfect use of my life for His purpose and not just for my own?
Application:
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When you read this verse, what behaviors of the world do you think that you may be copying? Write those behaviors down and ask God to change the way you think towards them.
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Is there an area in your life that God has transformed your thinking in? (For me, it was tithing and generosity.) Take a moment to meditate on where you were, and where God has taken you. Give thanks to God.
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I think it is hard to not copy the ways of the world when we have social media, TV, and the news in our faces every day. I challenge you to take some time away from one of those things and use that time to spend some time with God.
Devo Plus:
Spend some time in worship. These are a few of my favorite worship songs that remind me of God’s love for me and how merciful He is.
Jesus Paid it All – Passion featuring Kristian Stanfil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rWXUqF_BFo
Too Good to Not Believe – Cody Carnes and Brandon Lake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH0PmaKxOtA
How He Loves – Kim Walker Smith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP5icHZtbvk
Prayer:
God, thank You for how merciful You are. Thank You for sending Your Son to die on the cross for our sins. Remind us today how much You love us and that You are for us. Help us to not to be conformed to the ways of this world but give us strength to be more like You. Change our way of thinking and give us a godly perspective. Help us to be selfless. We give You all the glory and we wait expectantly on our requests. Amen.
Psalm 51:15-17 (ESV)
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Explanation:
X-ray technology is simply amazing. The fact that we can take a picture of the inside of a human body is beyond cool. The radical advances in medical technology during my lifetime are astounding. However, even with all the advances in technology that we have, all we can see is still just the physical. As I am sure you have discovered, we are not simply just physical beings. Though we might get a visual of the inside of the human body, we still fail to truly see the complete person.
Since we only see man in limited form, we often judge an individual by their physical works. We are quick to categorize a person based on what they can produce. If someone is good at what they do, we may be tempted to esteem and value them above others simply because they demonstrate to us what we see as a worthy contribution. We may even do this with our own selves, based off whether we think we add value to the world around us. A question we may ask ourselves is, “Am I really doing enough?”
We can fall into this same trap at times when we view our relationship with God. We expect God to give us value based off what we produce for Him. This can throw us right into the mode of being focused on the works of our lives, more than the heart that is driving our lives. Unlike humans, God does not lack the ability to see the full person’s heart, mind, body, and soul. We read in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke that Jesus, when asked what the greatest commandment was, said that loving Him with our full selves was truly the greatest commandment. This gives us insight that God sees us more profoundly than we or others might see us.
This same truth is conveyed in our reading today. We cannot fool God by going through the motions. God sees the authenticity of our hearts and the whys behind our actions. Trying to please God in an unauthentic way is not pleasing to God. He desires a genuine worship that flows from a humble heart fully aware of our brokenness and the need for God in our lives, not a prideful heart that seeks to earn God’s favor and love.
Application:
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Why is it important for us to know that God fully sees us?
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Describe a time when you believed God was more impressed by your physical acts of worship rather than a genuine heart of worship.
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When we find ourselves trying to please God through our physical acts, what are some steps we can take to get ourselves back to authentic worship of God again?
Devo Plus:
Read Matthew 22:36-38. What do these passages reveal about how clearly God sees every part of us?
Prayer:
God, please forgive me when I make my worship anything other than genuinely worshiping and loving You with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I desire to worship You in this way. Would you soften my heart to see my need for You and in turn help me declare Your praise? I long to glorify You.
Joel 2:12-17 (The Message)
But there’s also this, it’s not too late— God’s personal Message!— “Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!” Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here’s why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he’ll do it now, maybe he’ll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all’s said and done, there’ll be blessings full and robust for your God!
Blow the ram’s horn trumpet in Zion! Declare a day of repentance, a holy fast day. Call a public meeting. Get everyone there. Consecrate the congregation. Make sure the elders come, but bring in the children, too, even the nursing babies, Even men and women on their honeymoon— interrupt them and get them there. Between Sanctuary entrance and altar, let the priests, God’s servants, weep tears of repentance. Let them intercede: “Have mercy, God, on your people! Don’t abandon your heritage to contempt. Don’t let the pagans take over and rule them and sneer, ‘And so where is this God of theirs?’”
Explanation:
When you are dealing with God… you are never without hope.
In the midst of the most excruciating circumstances, He always offers hope, comfort, wisdom, direction, strength, and power.
BUT if you are in pain because of sinful choices, He offers hope in the form of repentance, followed by cleansing.
To be cleansed is exhilarating! Do you remember that fresh feeling you had when you initially repented and accepted Christ?
True repentance exceeds an “I’m sorry.”
If I steal your lunch, you will need more from me than “sorry.” You will need me to stop stealing your lunch. Repentance is a call to make a radical turn from one way of life to another. That call can crescendo in the form of consequences which, while agonizing, are mercy for your soul if they move you past forgiven to changed!
We love God's comfort when we are feeling bad.
But His judgement makes us flinch when reality dawns that our situation has been caused by our own disobedience. How grievous is it when our response is a stiffened spiritual stare?
What is not repented of takes us one step closer to becoming a stronghold instead of a forgiven release.
Like scar tissue that limits healthy functioning wherever it grows, unrepentant hearts become encased, tough, and constrained.
Verse 13 pinpoints our sometimes cavalier approach to repentance. Israel had a custom of tearing their clothes to demonstrate they were in a period of repentance. Joel warns of the folly of the outward show that doesn’t reach the heart and influence lives.
Because conviction is such a tender gift from the Holy Spirit, we must beware of a seared conscience that becomes adept at feeling bad and then moving on. We begin to suffer conviction fatigue when we don’t authentically turn around. Instead, we slide into a life of shame that is lacking the energy that forgiveness grants.
At some point you will realize you are living a cycle of remorse that cocoons you and renders you weak and debilitated because you didn’t repent and accept the power that comes with it.
Sadly, as Joel points out in the last verse, it causes us to reflect our emptiness to the world. They are not easily fooled. It is lives of depth in Jesus that draw people to Jesus, and we only have that if we stay current and fresh in the life-cleansing offer of true repentance.
Application:
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Are you in a season of denial, or do you have a sobering realization that gut level change needs to take place?
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Why is remorse so draining?
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Why is true repentance energizing?
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Repentance doesn’t mean anything if you keep doing what you are sorry for. What will change your outcome?
Devo Plus:
“Regret is not a proactive feeling. It is situated in disappointment, sorrow, even remorse. It merely wishes things were different without an act to cause a difference. However, repentance is different. Repentance is an admission of, hatred of, and turning away from sin before God.” Monica Johnson
Prayer:
This is David’s prayer after he committed adultery. The complete prayer is in Psalm 51. I have chosen select verses due to space constraints. It is applicable to any sin you want freedom from.
“For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. “
Matthew 23:23-28 (ESV)
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Explanation:
We have a word for someone who acts one way in public and another in private: hypocrite. It is a word commonly used by Jesus when referring to the religious leaders. More than just having inconsistent religious lives, they did not understand God. They thought that because they tithed, because they went to temple, and because they practiced ceremonial cleanliness, they understood the heart of God. Their religious practice blinded them to the reality of their own situation, and Jesus’ complaint was that they were trying to lead people to a place they had not gone themselves. Like the “couch expert” who has never worked on a car but has “watched some YouTube videos” and wants to show you how to fix brakes, the religious leaders were trying to lead people to the heart of God without ever having experienced it themselves. They missed the main point… actually living out of and embodying God’s values.
To be clear, Jesus does not fault them for doing the religious practices; He says they are important. Jesus simply says those are not the purpose, and you can practice them without ever finding the point of doing them: loving like God and living lives that embody His values. I think God would say to us, “You can go to church, do a daily quiet time, tithe, and still miss My heart. But if you are seeking My heart and embodying My values, those other things will be important too.”
Application:
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Have you ever met someone who seems to talk the talk and yet you know they are just not a nice person? Maybe unloving or rude?
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How does it strike you when you see that?
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Are there ways and times when you notice that loving like God becomes less of a priority than doing things for God?
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Do you estimate “how you are doing with God” based on any other measurement other than how you love?
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What needs to happen for your perspective to change on that?
Devo Plus:
Meditate on Psalm 82:3, Isaiah 1:17, and Micah 6:8.
Prayer:
God, doing religious practices is a ton easier than loving the person in our lives whose personality rubs us the wrong way. Going to church is far easier than caring for someone who is different than us. It requires us to be uncomfortable, and we aren’t sure what it will cost us to love the way You loved. I pray that You give us what we need to bear Your heart for this world to this world. Help us to walk in righteousness and love. When we fail, forgive us, and help us to seek restoration. Let us not be content to just bear Your name but help us also to bear Your heart. Amen.
Hosea 6:4-6 (NLT)
“O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?” asks the LORD. “For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight. I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces— to slaughter you with my words, with judgments as inescapable as light. I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.”
Explanation:
God is cutting to the chase in this passage of scripture. Although there are some poetic words used, the message from God is direct:
I don’t know how else to make this clear to you. I don’t want your religious sacrifices without your heart.
God seems like a dad speaking to His children in this passage. God is not being condescending to the Israelites but is passionately explaining what He wants from them. The passage references that the Israelites’ love vanishes quickly. They seek after God for a time, and they know how their behavior should represent God, but those actions cease after a time. God has tried to make this point clear to them, and has sent prophets to reveal truth and help open up the Israelites’ eyes. Yet they didn’t listen.
It must be frustrating being God. I say that kind of jokingly, but there is truth in that statement. God wants the Israelites (and us) to recognize what is truly important in life. While it is important to bring a sacrifice before God, the real change should be a heart that is operating out of love and mercy. A heart of love and mercy reflects the true heart of God. It reveals a heart that is seeking after God and desiring to be close to Him. Going through the motions of “religion” without a true heart change is pointless. This passage so beautifully represents God’s desire for the Israelites and us. He wants His love for us to propel us to know Him more and to live a life of love and mercy.
Application:
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As stated above, the Israelites love for God seems to vanish quickly. Even though they know the truth of who God is, after a time their actions cease to reflect that truth. Have you ever found yourself in that same cycle?
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Can you recognize any religious practices you do just “going through the motions?” How can you change those actions to become a reflection of your heart? For example, maybe you go to church each week out of obligation, not really applying the truths you hear to your life. To change that, you can choose to take an action step this week based off the truth you hear this Sunday.
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Do you feel that God just wants you to “do religious stuff,” and that by doing those things you are seeking after Him? How does this passage show you that God really desires your heart?
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What action step can you take this week to show that you are seeking after a heart of love and mercy? For example:
• Choose to think the best of someone in your life.
• Choose to say an encouraging word to someone.
• Serve someone this week out of a heart of love.
• Instead of grumbling and complaining about a situation or a person, take that moment to thank God for a specific blessing in your life.
Devo Plus:
Read Romans 12:1-2. Think of some practical things you can do to renew your mind so that you can become more like Christ.
Prayer:
God, thank You for being our Father. Thank You for correcting us when we go astray. I know I need reminders and correction, and I am thankful that You do it in an eye-opening yet loving way. Help us to not just go through the motions of religion, but to have TRUE life change because we are in relationship with You. Please give us the strength that we need to make changes in our life. Amen.
Isaiah 1: 13-20 (NLT)
Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath-- and your special days for fasting—they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings. I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them! When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims. Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
Explanation:
I once heard a pastor say that we should worship God in the way that we live. Our worship is more than just songs of praise; it’s about how we live and serve Him every day. Isaiah wanted to communicate that message to the people of Israel. They had become ritualistic, and their worship and sacrifices had no meaning because they weren’t coming from the hearts of the people. When God spoke through the commandments, He commanded us to love our neighbors. The Israelites were disregarding this command, and abusing their neighbors. They had discovered a way of living that was self-focused, and thought that if they occasionally gave a small token, they were still “following the rules.”
Isaiah uses this passage to level-set with the people. They weren’t genuinely worshipping, and they were only serving themselves. They were saved from the wilderness so that they could serve each other as a worship to God. There’s no need for piety or politics: we are all liberated slaves, doomed to eternal death. Our love and service to others demonstrates that liberation and our love for God. When we choose to live our lives as worship to God, it isn’t ritualistic or trivial - it’s something that is meaningful to God, and He will bless us as a result of our worship.
Application:
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Have you ever found yourself just going through the motions of life and not thinking about what it means? How is that different than living intentionally—with love for your neighbor and service at the forefront?
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How can you make your worship meaningful today?
Devo Plus:
Reflect on this statement: “Worship is bowing down to give up.” Read the following Scriptures to gain further understanding and define what worship means to you: Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Let’s look at some Hebrew and Greek words that appear in the Bible that we commonly translate as “worship” in English.
In the Old Testament, we have the following Hebrew words: “Shachah” - Genesis 22:5; means “bow down” “Minchah” - Genesis 4:3-4; “a gift, offering, tribute or sacrifice.” This word appears about 40 times in the book of Leviticus when describing how to sacrifice and bring offering to God.
In the New Testament, the Greek word: “Proskyneo”- Matthew 2:2; the wise men told Herod they came to worship/proskyneo the new King
Prayer:
God, today I ask You to forgive me for the times that I am trivial in my worship and service to You. Help me to see that I need to be intentional in my daily life and walk with You, putting Your commandments first. Help my worship to be meaningful to You and not just a token like the Israelites were giving You. Help me to continually see opportunities to show love for others and to better serve You. Thank You for Your grace and forgiveness that sustains me through each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Amos 5:21-27 (ESV)
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
“Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You shall take up Sikkuth your king, and Kiyyun your star-god—your images that you made for yourselves, and I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the Lord, whose name is the God of hosts.
Explanation:
Have you ever heard the saying “going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than going to a garage makes you an automobile?” Okay, I know it is pretty cheesy, but there is a lot of truth packed into it and that is the truth we are going to unpack in today’s passage.
The people of Israel so often were so busy going through the motions or looking the part that they missed the mark. They figured that if they took part in and observed the rituals associated with Jewish law that they were covered. This thought, however, is far from the truth and from what God wants. God is not concerned with our religious ceremonies and practices. He is concerned with our hearts, with our obedience, and with the way we conduct our lives. God calls us to walk in obedience, to be purposed in how we treat others and the way we conduct our lives. He wants us to spend time in His word, go to church, and take part in spiritual disciplines, but not so we can simply check it off our list. He wants us to take part in those practices so that they draw us closer to Him. He knows that the more time we spend in His presence, the more we will grow and walk out our lives in obedience. Looking the part is not enough; there has to be a change and action that goes with it.
God wants a truly abandoned heart. God wants us to be people with a heart on fire for Him. A heart and a life that live in complete surrender to God.
Application:
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Have you ever found yourself going through the motions and doing “religious practices” just because? If so, what was this like for you?
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Why isn’t God concerned with our “religious feasts and practices?”
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God is more concerned with our hearts, our character, and our relationship with Him. What do you need to change today to truly surrender and allow God to move and work in your life?
Devo Plus:
I encourage you to take some time today or this week to pray, journal and truly reflect on your life. Here are some questions to help you as you reflect on where you are in your faith journey and walk with God.
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How is your heart?
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Which category would you put yourself in: A. On fire for God (my walk and relationship are growing every day)
B. Somewhere in the middle (I’m not going through the motions, but I could be doing more to grow in my faith and relationship with God)
C. I am going through the motions/looking spiritual but not really growing (similar to the Israelites in the today’s passage)
D. 3. Sit in quiet and pray for 30 minutes. Asking God to lead, guide you and help you grow in whatever area you currently find yourself in. A great way to start is to ask Him to renew your passion for His word, worship, prayer and anything that would help you draw closer to Him.
Prayer:
God, it is so easy to go through the motions. As humans we often get so stuck in the everyday routines that we forget how important our relationship with You truly is. Will You give us a greater passion for You? We don’t want to be people who simply “play the part;” we want to be people who are on fire for You, living out and walking in You every day. Please lead, guide, and challenge us today. Amen.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NKJV)
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Explanation:
I remember growing up in school having a terrible problem with public speaking. I would be so afraid to address the class that the instructor would allow me to turn around and face the wall to give my speeches. It would be so bad at times that I would feel as if I could pass out. It took some time to get over this fear of public speaking, and I was very nervous about it for a while.
What Paul is declaring in the passage above, however, is we do not have to worry about possessing a natural ability for public speaking or having the most wisdom in the room in order to declare to others, with authority, Christ's hand in our lives. We can look to God to provide us the strength to boldly declare His saving grace, the grace He has blessed us through Christ's crucifixion on the cross.
When you come into your relationship with Christ, you know what He has done for your life. You know where you were headed without Him. You know sometimes life gets you down, and sometimes things in this world don't make sense. But when you shut the door to your prayer closet, and you get down on your knees and you pray to the Living God who hears your voice and sees your tears and has the answers, you know mountains are going to move for you. You know situations are going to be influenced by the Holy Spirit. You know He hears you. You know He loves you. And knowing this, you can begin to speak with a new kind of authority that is gifted to you from the Spirit.
Paul didn't rely on eloquence or human wisdom to preach the gospel. He simply depended on the power of God to move on his behalf.
Application:
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Over the next week, ask God to help you see how the Spirit is moving on your behalf in your life.
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Invite God into a deeper relationship with you by asking Him to strengthen your trust in Him.
Devo Plus:
This week, try to read Christ's words in red in at least three different chapters in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. This will help you understand how the Spirit moved through Christ as He preached the gospel.
Prayer:
God, thank You for the strength You give me to be able to speak Your words with boldness. Thank You for choosing me to advance Your kingdom. Thank You for the authority You have given me over the enemy, and thank You for the breath You give me in order to live for You. Amen.
1 Corinthians 1:22-31 (NIV)
Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the LORD."
Explanation:
When Paul wrote his letter to Corinth, it was the commercial center of Greece and four times the size of Athens. It was the richest city in the Roman Empire, with a population of approximately 400,000 people. It was also riddled with immorality, division, and dysfunction. It was nicknamed Sin City, Carnal Corinth, and Vanity Fair. To be “corinthianized” was to be corrupted, as a rite of passage or badge of honor of sorts. Sound familiar? What happens in Corinth stays in Corinth? Sounds like an amusement park of sin and seduction. Paul wanted to provide Corinthians with guidance toward truth, and for new Christians to shine light into the cyst they were trapped in.
There were two very different cultural and moral mindsets of that time. The Jews were well-trained in living a moral and religious life. The Greeks were trained in philosophy and lived an immoral lifestyle. They were religious versus intellectual points of view. Jews wanted evidence of a Messiah. They wanted a colossal miracle, a sign like manna falling from the sky. They didn’t trust. The Greeks wanted a philosophical explanation for the mysteries explained in human terms. The Jews were not content to hear prophesy fulfilled, even though they were familiar with the Scriptures. Jesus fulfilled the prophesies day after day, but they wanted an outrageous sign. On the other hand, Greeks studied the great philosophers. They believed God was unknowing and not a personal God. Paul said Jesus is the only hope. There is only one truth.
Imagine how difficult it must have been for the Corinthians to understand. Why is Jesus the only hope? The death of a poor carpenter, executed as a criminal, is supposed to be what saves us? God’s ways seemed foolish to the human understanding. Paul reminded people that God showed them the message of the cross, and God’s perceived nonsense is wiser than any man’s wisdom. His perceived weakness is mightier than any man’s might.
It helps to remember that in our weakness, God’s power is magnified. God deliberately chose the weak and embraced the broken, and His ways seem upside down. Humans have never been able to provide hope or peace of mind. Think of death. Death and life after are mysteries. No scholar or philosopher can explain them. We don’t have the understanding, and we have no business boasting in ourselves. We are broken and undeserving. If we must boast, let it be in Him. Let us boast in our weaknesses instead of fronting our self-righteousness like roosters before a fight. God works through us. We are merely vessels, and we must continue to walk a life in faith.
Application:
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It is important to think of salvation as an ongoing process of habits. The Gospel is not only useful to us when we die. We need an ongoing walk in faith.
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Think of some examples of how God has worked through you. Share those examples with a friend this week.
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Talk to a neighbor about belief in the unseen.
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Demonstrate obedience to your children and family members by walking in faith.
Devo Plus:
Perfect Peace // Morning EP // Fresh Life Worship - YouTube
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, remind us of Your power. Remind us that faith, belief, and obedience come before understanding and reward. At times, Your ways may seem foolish, but give us strength to continue to walk in faith, remembering human wisdom does not bring people to You. Help us have a Christ mindset rather than worldly mindset.
2 Corinthians 6:4-10 (NLT)
In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
Explanation:
A few years ago, I walked through what was probably one of the most difficult seasons of my life. A major curveball was thrown my way that left me with a choice on how everything would play out. I remember so clearly at the beginning of that season telling a friend, “I want to do all I can to walk through this season with integrity, but also to where God gets the glory.” I knew the season would be hard. I knew the season would bring about a want to give up, throw in the towel, or to even act out in my anger and pain. But every step of the way I had that focus in mind, the desire for God to get the glory. Don’t get me wrong, there were days I wanted to give up, but I kept enduring; I kept going because I was confident God was moving and working. I truly think it set the course for all God would be able to do and accomplish because of my faith and trust that His way was better. I could make a really long list of all the things God was able to accomplish and do because of the choice I made to endure through the hardships.
This is what Paul is reminding and encouraging us to remember in this passage. We will face trouble, turmoil, hardships and difficult seasons, but God can and will do amazing things in those seasons if we choose to have faith, be a person of integrity, and walk the path that leads toward righteousness. Just like Paul, as difficult as that season was in my life, I look back…and my faith is stronger, my character developed and grew, my life is better, and God continues to be glorified because of it.
Don’t give up! Keep on going! Make the choice today to endure through the hardship, to live through it as a person with character, so at the end of it, God can be glorified and others might come to know Him.
Application:
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What hardship are you facing right now?
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Why is it so much easier to throw in the towel instead of persevering?
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One of the best ways to endure through hardships is to remember times when God has been faithful before. Make a list of five ways you have seen God’s faithfulness come through in difficult seasons.
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How does this list of God’s faithfulness encourage you to keep going?
Devo Plus:
I know when I’m struggling, listening to worship music is what helps me to focus on Jesus and to keep enduring. I have made a list of some songs I hope will encourage you as you walk through the pain, the struggle, and the hardships you are facing.
“You’re Gonna Be Okay” by Brian and Jenn Johnson
“King of my Heart” (The version done by Bethel Music is my personal favorite.)
“Promises” by Maverick City Music
“It is Well” by Bethel Music
“Surrounded (Fight My Battles)” by UPPERROOM
Prayer:
God, today we are asking You to meet us in the middle of the hardships we face. We know it is only through Your supernatural presence and help that we can endure the struggles we face. Help us to keep our eyes focused on You, focused on eternity, focused on enduring and running our race well. We want to walk through our difficulties with character, so You will receive all of the honor and glory. We know this is only possible with You, so we are asking that You meet us today with Your strength, Your guidance, and Your help. We are so thankful for all You are going to accomplish and do. Amen.
Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV)
1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Explanation:
This passage comes from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, and this particular group of verses is known as “The Beatitudes,” from the Latin word beatus, which means “blessed, happy.” This “happy” describes more than a temporary emotion; it describes a constant state of well-being that can only come from a relationship with God. Jesus is speaking to His disciples, who have already made a commitment to Him as the Messiah, as distinguished from the crowds, who were merely curious about this teacher whose ideas turned the teachings of Jewish leaders upside down. They believed that lineage, power, and ritual set them apart, but Jesus tells them here that it is their need for God, their vulnerability, that does so.
Jesus’s purpose was to impress upon His disciples the tension of knowing the power and presence of God, and living in our everyday lives. Each verse is an example of trading something in the here and now for something better in eternity. He points every one of the above people groups back to their need for God. The “poor in spirit” are simply those who recognize they need God’s help, “spiritual beggars” as one source put it. “Mourners” are those who suffer spiritual, emotional, or financial loss from their own sin, but then recognize the need for God’s forgiveness and healing. The “meek” are the gentle souls who humbly trust in God to direct all of their outcomes, instead of forcing their own. Those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” acknowledge that God is the ONLY source of justice; they are satisfied with this relationship and trust God will handle everything perfectly as only He can. He reminds us that “mercy” goes both ways, and that the “pure in heart” pursue uprightness in every aspect of their lives. “Peacemakers” promote God’s shalom peace, which is total well-being personally and communally. God is pleased when the “persecuted” put Him above all else; this takes courage and commitment amid opposition, but God WILL remain faithful to His promises. Jesus Himself was no stranger to persecution, and He warns His disciples (and us) that we can expect the same. But instead of “bearing down” or “getting through” these life situations, He tells us instead to “Rejoice!” Our reward in heaven will come, and it’s going to be beyond anything we could ever imagine. That is a trade I am willing to make every time.
Application:
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Which of the Beatitudes do you most identify with? Which do you struggle to relate to? Think about why that is (pride, misunderstanding, ignorance), and ask God to help you see these verses His way. Then ask Him for renewed courage and confidence to rely on Him in every life situation.
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How does the eternal perspective Jesus speaks of in these verses make you feel about your present troubles? Does it help that no matter how difficult your situation, Jesus has spoken that “You are blessed”?
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Have you ever been persecuted for your faith? If so, Jesus tells us to “Rejoice!” If you aren’t sure you handled the opposition the way He would want you to, ask Him for help the next time. If you’ve never been persecuted for your faith, ask the Holy Spirit to prepare your heart, mind, and response in the event that you are.
Devo Plus:
Verse one tells us that “he sat down,” which was a common posture of Jewish teachers in Jesus’s day. But I also think He takes this posture with us because He really wants us to get this. Parenting coaches often suggest getting down to a child’s level before disciplining them so as not to appear condescending or demeaning; Jesus does the same here. Even though heaven is our ultimate goal, He knows we have to live here now, and He wants us to do it well.
For a beautiful rendition of the above verses in song, listen to Jon Guerra’s song “Kingdom of God.”
For more verses on: Mourning and godly grief: 2 Corinthians 7:10 Meekness and peace: Psalm 37:11 Persecution: Any of Paul’s letters
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You so much for being patient while we understand our need for You. This is never an easy realization for us, but we pray that the deeper we grow in our relationship with You, the more we can learn how much we need You. You are our perfect example of how to live, and we humbly ask for Your help in becoming more like You every day. Help us to always keep You and Your teachings at the forefront of our minds. Thank You most of all for loving us so; we are truly blessed to be called Your children. Amen.
Philippians 4:10-13 (NLT)
How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Explanation:
Have you ever known someone who, regardless of what’s thrown at them, still have a smile on their face in the midst of it all? I’m talking about the folks who are really in the thick of it all. They are the making of a bad country music song; they lost their job, broke their leg, their house was condemned, the spouse ran away with the mail carrier, their truck broke down, and even the dog doesn’t like them anymore. Still, through all of that, they are smiling.
That example is extreme, but I think you see its intent. Our friend Paul was experiencing similar circumstances. He was in prison, had been beaten, spat upon, and stripped of all of his earthly possessions. In this letter, written from prison, he calls out that he has learned to be content. What’s his secret? He had confidence in God, regardless of the circumstances. It wasn’t about “inner strength” or “will power.” Nothing Paul could do could give him this contentment.
Paul knew that his source of strength and contentment, regardless of the circumstance, was in the Lord. He knew that without Jesus, he could do nothing. In fact, he reiterates that truth when he tells the Philippians that through Christ he can endure anything this world throws his way, and so can we!
Application:
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Philippians 4:13 is often quoted as a “perseverance” scripture that people use when they are struggling to “get to the other side” of the storm. For a moment, put on the lens of contentment that Paul had in his situation. He wasn’t trying to escape the storm, rather he was content with the season he was in. Does that give you a different perspective about this verse and what it means in situations when you are struggling?
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What is an area of your life where you struggle with contentment?
Devo Plus
Reflect on this quote by Jeremiah Burroughs and what it means in your current season: “Our contentment does not consist in getting the thing we desire, but in God’s fashioning our spirits to our conditions.”
Prayer
God, I come to You today with a heart of humility. Help me to understand that regardless of my season, You’ve called me to be content. Help me to place the struggle in Your hands, understanding that You are the keeper of eternity, and through You, I can be content with all things. Give me the strength I need to see past the storms of life, and the endurance to dance in the rain while the storm is raging. I thank You for giving us this comfort and for giving us a savior, that through His love and sacrifice, we can have this peace and contentment.
2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (NLT)
This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell you about visions and revelations from the Lord. I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.
That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Explanation:
Suffering is an amazing gift, for those who are in Christ. It offers layers of intimacy with God.
I am drawn to the suffering that inspired some of my favorite hymns, none more famous than “It Is Well With My Soul.” When “peace like a river, attendeth my way” flows out of you when looking at the very spot where your four daughters drowned, that clearly is intimacy with God.
Olympian means very powerful, large or impressive. Paul was an Olympian sufferer. He was superbly weak.
If the clouds are the first heaven, the stars the second, and the place where God dwells is the third…Paul had been caught up there. Because it references a time 14 years before, when Paul was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19), even Paul isn’t clear how he ended up in the very presence of God, but he remembers it vividly. What he experienced was real and tangible, so much so that it became his power source in comprehending the potential of suffering, and accepting that God's grace was going to be his bedrock while enduring the thorn in his flesh. The beauty of what he learned was releasing himself into the grace of God so as not to strive against the painful situation and lose spiritual stamina. Instead, the Holy Spirit helped Paul to reframe weakness as power, and we have been trying to grasp the same since he wrote this.
Actually, it will be hard for us to get it because we are living with first world problems. It is hard for us to totally lean into and upon Jesus because we can solve so many of our problems ourselves. But when you are gifted with an “unsolvable” …you may just come to know it as one of the best gifts of your life.
One profound moment in my life was at a red light in Detroit, in 2004, when absolutely every prop I had used to define my life was gone and I had no resources. After singing and believing that Jesus was all I needed most of my life, I asked out loud to myself, “Is Jesus all I need?” He heard that question, and even though I didn’t end up in the third heaven, I came to know to my bones that when I am weak, totally dependent, fragile, and debilitated…He is all I need to be strong.
Application:
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When Paul begged God three times for relief from his present suffering, Jesus clearly answered him no. Was God still good? Why?
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There is a price to pay to have the power of God work through you. Only you can decide whether to endure the process or skip the reward.
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Just as a drowning person must relax to allow the lifeguard to save them, you must relax into God's grace to overcome. Why?
Devo Plus:
My very favorite hymn is “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” It was written by Louisa Stead after she witnessed the death of her husband as he tried to save a drowning boy in the sea. From the beach, Louisa and her four-year-old daughter watched both their husband/father and the boy drown.
Left destitute and consumed with grief, she penned these words. What amazing strength in the weakest moment as she accepts God’s will.
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word; Just to rest upon His promise, And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er; Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease; Just from Jesus simply taking Life and rest, and joy and peace.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Him, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end.
Prayer:
Lord, it is so easy to read others’ stories and be moved. I want to transverse beyond reading to knowing. I ask for the power to release myself into Your grace and to trust You more. Help me surrender to Your strength. Amen
Job 2:1-10 (NLT)
One day the members of the heavenly court came again to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. 2 “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan.
Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”
3 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”
4 Satan replied to the Lord, “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. 5 But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!”
6 “All right, do with him as you please,” the Lord said to Satan. “But spare his life.” 7 So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.
8 Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes. 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”
10 But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.
Explanation:
After we are born again, we like to think that nothing bad will happen to us now because we belong to God, and the Bible promises He will protect us from all harm (Psalm 121:7). Today’s passage is proof that bad things happen to good people. The same God who protects us under the shadow of His wings also allows us to experience enough affliction and heartache to crush our spirits.
Notice in verse three, it is God who points out Job and offers him up for the enemy’s attacks. It may take years of faithfulness to Christ before we understand that God’s plan for our lives is not to continually bless us with comfort and security, but to bring glory to Himself. And if taking us through some grief-stricken events will magnify His name, we have to trust that He knows what is best for our lives, even when we can’t comprehend it.
The story of Job underscores the fact that nothing comes our way—whether blessings or calamity—without God’s approval. If you’ve ever heard someone say that God will never allow us to suffer more than we can handle, here is the reality we must come to terms with: our capacity for suffering does not depend on how much we can bear, it depends on God’s infinite supply of grace to walk us through it, so that our response glorifies His name (v.10). In other words, God will not allow us to suffer more than He can handle.
Application:
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Think back to when you accepted Christ as your Savior. What was your understanding of God’s protection over your life?
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How has your understanding changed as you’ve matured in your faith?
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In verses four and five, how does Satan’s response to God reflect the attitude of some Christ followers?
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Where do you think people got the idea that God will never allow us to suffer more than we can bear? The Bible doesn’t say that. Do you think Job would agree with that statement? Do you agree with it?
Devo Plus:
Read Job 1 and 42. How do the events in both chapters glorify God?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I lift up everyone who is going through a season of suffering and ask that You surround them with Your comfort on every side. Give them a measure of grace above and beyond what they need to persevere faithfully in their afflictions. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Matthew 18: 21-35 (ESV)
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,] until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Explanation:
I remember this scripture from when I was a child. For so long, I thought this passage gave me permission to keep a tally of how many times I had to forgive that annoying kid on the school bus who called me “shrimp” and pulled my hair. Oh how I dreaded the morning bus ride! I knew every day a boy named Jared was going to be there, calling me names and pulling my hair. To add insult to injury, our bus driver assigned seats alphabetically. My last name was “Johnson” and his was “Michel”. We lived in a rural area of southeastern Ohio, so there were no other names between us. For six long years, Jared sat behind me on the bus, tormenting me.
Do you have any idea how disappointed I was when I learned at youth group that this passage wasn’t about keeping a tally, and that when I got to the magical number 78 I couldn’t put Jared in the category of “unforgiven”? That was a tough lesson. Jesus wasn’t trying to set a limit on forgiveness: He was telling us that we have to forgive until we lose count of how many times we’ve forgiven.
The parable of the talents reinforces the definition of forgiveness. Forgiveness in this passage isn’t about collecting what’s owed or punishing someone even when they deserve it. Forgiving someone also doesn’t mean that everything is healed and we have a clean start. Forgiveness means beginning on the path to healing, and learning from the experience. It means that we are humble, remembering the grace that has been given to us each and every time we sin.
Application:
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When you read this passage, how do you define a “working definition” of forgiveness?
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What would it be like if God kept a tally of each time He’s forgiven our sins? Are there more than 78 on your list? I know my list is much longer.
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Is there someone that you are withholding forgiveness to that God is calling you to extend grace toward?
Devo Plus:
Christian singer and songwriter Matthew West has a song entitled “Forgiveness.” Give it a listen today. I’ve copied the lyrics below for you to read and reflect on. It's the hardest thing to give away And the last thing on your mind today It always goes to those who don't deserve It's the opposite of how you feel When they pain they caused is just too real Takes everything you have to say the word Forgiveness, forgiveness It flies in the face of all your pride It moves away the mad inside It's always anger's own worst enemy Even when the jury and the judge Say you've got a right to hold a grudge It's the whisper in your ear saying set it free Forgiveness, forgiveness Show me how to love the unlovable Show me how to reach the unreachable Help me now to do the impossible Forgiveness, forgiveness Help me now to do the impossible Forgiveness It'll clear the bitterness away It can even set a prisoner free There is no end to what its power can do So let it go and be amazed by what you see through eyes of grace The prisoner that it really frees is you I want finally set it free Show me how to see what your mercy sees Help me now to give what You gave to me Forgiveness, forgiveness
Prayer:
Lord, Thank You for not keeping track of my sins. Thank You for sending Jesus to model what forgiveness is supposed to look like. Help me to not fall into arrogance like the man with the talents did in today’s passage. Teach me to have grace in the moment and to forgive endlessly like You have taught me. Thank You for your grace and patience with me as I navigate these tough situations. Give me the perseverance to stay the course and live the way You would have me to live. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Romans 12:9-18 ESV
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Explanation:
In the first half of these verses, we are faced with 13 ways we are to live. Paul is using this to verbalize the way love is supposed to look. He starts by saying love should be genuine. Turn away from evil, staying true to what is good. Live a life of love for one another and have a servant's heart, striving to serve the Lord. The purpose is not only to live a life dependent on hope and trust in the Lord, but also to love and serve in ways He did.
The second half of these verses continues to tell us how we should live. They focus on the relational side of how we should act toward others…how we should love those around us, and live in unity.
It is so important to think of each of these expectations, and to form our lives around them. We must remember it is not to lift up ourselves, but to bring glory to the Father. The more we allow these mindsets to be our norm, the more it becomes our way of life, and allows us to show people the very love and grace we have been shown.
Application:
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Why is it important to see each of these things as a mandatory part of our lives?
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How will living this way show Jesus?
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What are some areas in your life where you struggle to live in these ways?
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What are some practical ways you can show love?
Devo Plus:
Read 2 Corinthians 8:8, 1 Peter 3:10-11, and James 2:15-16 to get more insight into this passage.
Prayer:
Lord, we take this time to thank You for the love and mercy You continually show us. We thank You for giving us Your word and for showing us the way to live. God, we ask that You would empower us to love in a way that, without question, shows You to people and leads them to eternal life. Give us the opportunity to be Your hands and feet, Lord, and help us to see it and act upon it. Lord, we love You and thank You for all You are. In Your Name we pray. Amen.
Philippians 2:1-4 (NLT)
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Explanation:
Christ will provide us:
✔️Comfort from His love ✔️Fellowship in the Holy Spirit ✔️Tender hearts full of compassion
What Christ asks in return is that we respond to his work in our hearts by learning to prevent friction, turn offenses around, and generate cooperation. Paul is teaching “people skills” with the added infusion of the Holy Spirit.
Knowledge isn’t power until it is applied, and Christ knows the secret to our success: humility. Paul isn’t saying we should consider everyone to be more gifted or capable than we are. It is a false humility that depreciates any knowledge of your gifts. True humility is evident when you do or create something amazing but would be just as pleased if an acquaintance had done the same. To pretend not to have abilities we know we have is not humility but hypocrisy. To esteem others is to want everyone else to have preferential treatment.
Paul asked the Philippians to learn to agree wholeheartedly, which means to be of one thought. That is impossible without a divine heart change and feelings of love and regard for each other. If you don’t believe me, gather 25 people and ask for opinions on a topic… something as simple as what color should we paint this room.
As a culture we have seen selfish people who live to impress end up with lonely, dead-end lives.
I worked in Adult Protective Services for a few years. Part of my job was the initial interview with the person to ascertain needs. I witnessed lives that had not served others and now were self-focused and alone. It was so sobering to try to help someone that never had it occur to them that THEY were responsible for the fabric of their lives. In their younger years they had not started building layers of relationships by loving and serving and looking out for the needs of others to have that tapestry of life that holds strong to the end.
I’ve never known a person who was truly humble, that was always thinking of others and looking out for the interests of others that was not living a relationally rich life, loved, and cared for. Seriously.
Love begets love and if you don’t give it…you certainly will face emptiness.
2 Corinthians 9:6 (NET) says “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
Application:
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How does looking out for the interests of others require you to approach this day, this week, this month? Who needs you?
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There are two kinds of people. One who walks into a room and says, “Here I am” and the other who says, “There you are.” Which one represents the heart God wants?
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Why do you think looking out for the needs of others would be the perfect antidote for loneliness? Remember, it must be sincere to bear fruit.
Devo Plus:
“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you.” Dale Carnegie
“Any fool can criticize, complain, and condemn—and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie made his fortune in the 1930’s teaching interpersonal skills and promoting kindness to help his readers relate to people in a way that makes them feel valued and respected, even in – or especially in – difficult circumstances and situations.
Prayer:
Lord, help all the things from Your heart that my brain grasps to lodge, plant, and grow in my heart. Help me make spiritual eye contact with someone who needs my help today. Amen.
1 Peter 5:1-5 (ESV)
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Explanation:
The ability to follow instructions is vital to everyday life. We are constantly bombarded with directions on how to do most everything. Some directions are easy to follow, and you can quickly achieve success within a matter of minutes. Other directions take time, suffering, thought, and perseverance that may last an entire lifetime.
The apostle Peter composed a letter to be circulated to church leaders in Asia Minor. In this message, he explains the role of the elders, who are entrusted with the spiritual health of the community. Peter was a fellow elder, but his witness to Christ made him an authoritative advisor. The directions were quite simple:
Shepherd willingly. Do the work without personal gain in mind. Serve as a humble example to the congregation.
Application:
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Do you take shortcuts while following directions?
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Do you get the same result if you cheat the guide?
Devo Plus:
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Acts 20:28 (ESV)
From the book, “The Carpenter”, by Jon Gordon
“Always remember that your greatness as a leader will not be determined by how much power you accumulate. It will be determined by how much you serve and sacrifice for others to help them become great. Great leaders don’t succeed because they are great. They succeed because they bring out the greatness in others.”
Prayer:
Dear God, give us patience and wisdom to carefully follow Your manual for our life. Keep our hearts humble, and our eyes open to Your glory. Amen.
1 Peter 3:1-9 (The Living Bible, TLB)
Wives, fit in with your husbands’ plans; for then if they refuse to listen when you talk to them about the Lord, they will be won by your respectful, pure behavior. Your godly lives will speak to them better than any words.
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on jewelry, or beautiful clothes, or hair arrangement. Be beautiful inside, in your hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit that is so precious to God. That kind of deep beauty was seen in the saintly women of old, who trusted God and fitted in with their husbands’ plans.
Sarah, for instance, obeyed her husband Abraham, honoring him as head of the house. And if you do the same, you will be following in her steps like good daughters and doing what is right; then you will not need to fear offending your husbands.
You husbands must be careful of your wives, being thoughtful of their needs and honoring them as the weaker sex. Remember that you and your wife are partners in receiving God’s blessings, and if you don’t treat her as you should, your prayers will not get ready answers.
And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God’s help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it.
Explanation:
In this book of the New Testament, Peter is addressing the persecuted Christians. He has already addressed submission to governing authorities in 1 Peter 2, and now he is addressing behaviors in personal relationships, specifically marriages. The husband and wife relationship is by far the most difficult and the most work. We have to regularly die to ourselves, our own wants and desires, and be submissive AND loving. Peter tells the wives that a gentle, quiet spirit will reflect more beauty and attraction to her husband than chasing after outward appearances. He reminds the husbands that they are partners with their wives when receiving God’s blessings.
When our lives reflect that we trust God and treat others with the mind frame that we are preparing our hearts for heaven, we give the best opportunity for God to be accepted by unbelievers. Have you ever heard the phrase “actions speak louder than words”? When we set our hearts to align with God’s will, our actions will reflect it. What others see from us is more impactful than the words we share with them. The most loving thing you can do is keep God as the highest priority in any relationship. Trust that He placed you in the marriage, the church, the job, the family that He did, and be fearlessly loving and submissive.
I love the way Peter addresses all relationships in the last few verses. I can’t help but feel the conviction in my own heart when I think about how I tend to react to negativity. I’m reminded that first going to prayer for anyone or anything that is in opposition to me will bring God’s blessings. It will be difficult to be submissive in some situations, but remember that how you submit accomplishes greater things. We are all called to love our neighbors. When we prepare our hearts to make kindness a natural reaction, submission doesn’t seem like as big of a challenge.
Application:
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Do you find it difficult to be submissive to non-Christians? How do you typically react?
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Being a Christ follower, would others recognize you as such if they saw you outside of church? Would your spouse, family, and/or friends see a “gentle and quiet spirit”?
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Think about the different relationships in your life and the people who would be dramatically impacted if they knew Jesus. Write their name(s) and pray for them.
Devo Plus:
Take extra steps to show kindness to EVERYONE you come into contact with. Be intentional to honor those around you. Make your first step to pray for each person, and ask to see them from God’s perspective.
Prayer:
Jesus, first of all, thank You for pursuing us in relationship, and giving us a guide to know how to be in relationship with others. I want to exemplify the love You have not only for me but for all those around me. I want to be eternity minded with all interactions. I am submitting all of my relationships to You, and asking for Your discernment and strength in my demeanor toward them. Amen.
Ephesians 5:21-33 (NRSV)
Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior. Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind—yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, because we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church. Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband.
Explanation:
There is hot debate about Paul’s use of Household Codes in scripture, such as the one we have above. Many of them have been used throughout history for the subjugation and domination of other people. The Household Codes have been used to justify slavery, sexism, and abuse of women and children throughout much of history. But it is my opinion that this use of scripture stands in opposition to Paul’s intentions when he wrote the Household Codes. It seems rather than Paul giving justification for the subjugation and dominance of others (or a strict hierarchy to be followed), he was giving practical ways in which love played out in the everyday lives of the believers in his churches.
For Paul, loving others was the way new life in Christ played out. Loving others meant often giving up your own desires and preferences for the other – or said differently, submission. It meant honoring the other, and treating them with dignity and respect. It meant doing what it takes to care for the needs of the other. This was the way all believers were to act toward each other (5:21), even husbands and wives. Every relationship was to reflect the type of love Christ embodied and modeled. Because Christ submitted, we submit. Because Christ sacrificed for others, we do the same. You will never have Christian love without these qualities…no matter how unpopular they will be. But they are to be freely given, out of a desire to be like Christ…not something demanded or forced. Whenever it comes to forcing someone to adhere to this principle or needing to be forced, I think both parties may be missing the heart of Paul. Instead, we strive and desire to love the way Christ loved us.
Application:
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Submission is a difficult topic in our culture. How does Paul’s call to include submission in relationships hit you?
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Is submission a challenging idea for you? If so, take some time to reflect on why that is. Have you experienced abuse at the hands of someone? Or is it that you don’t like being told what to do? Spend some time reflecting.
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Is there a situation right now that is calling you to sacrifice your own desires for the good of another? How can reflecting on the way Jesus loves you change your perspective on this?
Devo Plus:
Read John 13:1-20 and reflect on the love Jesus exemplified to His followers.
Prayer:
Father, there are certain things that You ask us to do that fly in the face of our culture and even what seems natural to us. But You ask us to trust You, and to live and love the way You do. That seems impossible at times. Help me. I want to love the way You love. I want to treat others the way You treated me…even when they don’t deserve it…even when I don’t feel like it. Help me to submit. Help me to trust You in that, knowing I often submit myself to imperfect people. Protect me as I follow You. Amen.
Luke 9:23-26 (ESV)
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Explanation:
The above words are Jesus speaking to His disciples, telling them that if they want to follow Him, it is not always going to be easy, and often times it will require much sacrifice. He reminds them that pursuing God should be the most important relationship in their lives. Whoever lives a self-centered life focused on worldly gain will not find eternal life with God. Jesus also gives a sobering reminder that whoever rejects or denies Him as their savior, the same will be true when Jesus comes back for all believers.
These words from Jesus are still true today for all Christians. If you want to be a disciple of Jesus, it is going to be tough at times. You will have to make sacrifices with your time, energy, resources, and finances. Denying yourself is not only giving up certain things, but also giving up personal control of many decisions in your life. It is also about putting others’ needs before your own. Submission to God’s Spirit and His word is also an important part in one’s faith walk.
When Jesus tells us, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me,” He is telling us that walking in our faith is a daily commitment. To believe in God, but not submit to or follow His commands, is not an authentic faith. We don’t just do it once and then arrive; it takes a lifetime to deny our wants and desires and put others first. Following God is the narrow path that not everyone finds. It takes service and sacrifice, but all of this is worth it to have a relationship with Your Savior!
Application:
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Every human desires to be in meaningful relationships; however, sometimes those relationships require a lot of work. Why is it difficult at times to deny yourself and submit to others’ needs?
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What do you think it means when Jesus says, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it”?
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Being ashamed of someone or something is not a good feeling, and can be devastating to any relationship. However, we have a good Father who gives grace and forgiveness when we make mistakes. If you have ever been quiet when you should have spoken to someone about your faith, don’t dwell on it. Ask for forgiveness and for other opportunities to share your faith. Be bold.
Devo Plus:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 (ESV)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and sacrificing Your Son to take away my sins. Show me the things You are asking me to give to You. Give me wisdom in the areas I need to change, so that my desires align with Your will. Help me to be submissive to Your calling in my life, and give me opportunities to deny myself to serve others. Amen.
2 Timothy 1:1-5 (NLT)
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus. I am writing to Timothy, my dear son. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace. Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.
Explanation:
Paul wrote this letter to Timothy while he was waiting execution in Rome. Timothy was not Paul’s biological son, but his son in the faith—his protégé, his understudy, and now the one who was going to carry on the work that Paul had started. Can you imagine how overwhelmed Timothy must have felt? How many of us today would have looked at that insurmountable task and said, “Nope. I’m out. Someone else can run with this.”
Paul knew that Timothy was timid by nature, and he encouraged Timothy to go forward. Timothy was likely feeling unqualified for ministry. Paul reminds Timothy that if God has called him through the gospel and given him new life in Christ, then he must run the race. Eternity is just around the corner, and you’ve got to faithfully carry the torch like our forefathers did.
Paul persevered through incredible trials, disappointments, loss, persecution, and even death. He was not perfect, by any means, but he walked in reality before God, confessing his sins and walking in love. He knew that he would have to give an account of his ministry before God, and implored Timothy to work to please God in the work that he was doing. Paul was leaving a legacy behind in his work, and encouraged Timothy to do the same.
Application:
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Do you think that when Timothy read Paul’s letter, it gave him the courage to serve boldly? How would you react if Paul had written these words to you?
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Paul wasn’t just encouraging Timothy; his words were meant for us as well. How can you better serve God and spread His truth in your daily life?
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Why is it important for us to serve?
Devo Plus:
Here are some scriptures that discuss the importance of us leaving a spiritual legacy: Proverbs 13:22, Deuteronomy 6:5-7; Ephesians 6:4; and Exodus 20:5-6.
Prayer:
Take some time today to ask God how you can serve Him better and more boldly in your daily life. Ask for guidance in your choices, and thank Him for allowing you to have the opportunity to serve Him.
Hebrews 12:7 – 11 (ESV)
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Explanation:
I recently had a conversation with my daughter where I referenced the very words that you read today. I was trying my best to teach her a very special godly truth, and you want to know what her response was? When I told her that discipline is necessary for us at times, she responded by saying, “That does not make sense.” To which I replied, “I understand, but…” and went on to explain what I am about to explain to you.
Believe me, if I had my choice, I would have chosen not to be disciplined by my earthly parents or my Heavenly Father. Just as my daughter was wrestling with it, I too understand that discipline can be very uncomfortable. However, it is necessary. It’s necessary for many reasons, but the one that I am going to focus on today is this: we need correction. To assume that we are always doing the right thing and knowing the right way to live is stupidity.
It is very foolish of my kids to assume that they are automatic experts at living the “best” way. They seem to think they know best at times, but they simply do not. Not until they are taught by their mother and me. We are not experts either; however, we can give them all we know to be true about God and what we have experienced with Him thus far.
I was not raised in a Christian home, and although my parents did well to discipline me and teach me manners when I was little, I still lacked a relationship with God. Knowing what I know now, I desperately want my kiddos to know God relationally. To not just know the facts about God, but to be personally connected to Him each and every day. This does not come easy. Like us adults, kids are very prone to operate apart from God. We are far from perfect, but we are striving more and more to be purposed to help them develop a love for God and the life that He brings to us when we follow Him. This at times requires us to discipline in hopes that it will point to them in the right direction and correct behaviors that are damaging. God will do this for us, and we want to model that for our kiddos.
Application:
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How has discipline from God and others played a part in your life in helping you correct damaging behaviors?
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When was the last time you received discipline, and how has it reshaped the reason for your discipline?
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Who has God designated as earthly role models for children?
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How does a parent’s relationship with God impact their children’s relationship with God?
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Why does God call parents to discipline their children?
Devo Plus:
Let’s take a glance at the discipling of Jacob: look through the story in Genesis 25:19 – 35:15. How did God use discipline to shape Jacob’s character?
Prayer:
God, I may not always be receptive to Your discipline, but I know that I need it to live more like You in every area of my life. I need Your grace and forgiveness for my disobedience, and I want to have a soft heart to hear how You are guiding me. I know that You discipline me in love, help me to endure, repent and live the new life that You offer. (FOR PARENTS: Guide me as a parent to know how to best discipline my child(ren). I know that I am a model for my children on how to live in a relationship with You. I want to desire to live for You above anything else, so that my child(ren) can see how amazing You are.) Amen.
Ephesians 6:1-4 (NLT)
Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
Explanation:
Neither the Ten Commandments nor the Bible commands us to love our parents.
The Bible does, however, command us to love our neighbor, to love God, and to love the stranger. The Bible understands that there will be someone who, for whatever reason, does not love a parent. Therefore, it does not demand what may be psychologically or emotionally impossible. But the Bible does demand that we show honor to our parents. And it makes this demand only in regards to parents. There is no one else whom the Bible commands us to honor. The greatest opportunity for honor is when age makes their needs your responsibility. You will never regret doing the right thing, even if you have had a challenging relationship.
My dad made it easy for me to obey and honor him because he was honorable, he lived a life that honored Jesus every day, and he was so authentic and steady. His consistency made it easy to know where the boundaries were because he made them clear, they stayed the same, and nothing depended on the mood he was in or who was around. He didn’t say one thing and live another. He treated the hobos we fed on the front porch as kindly as he treated his boss. Because Dad did not provoke me with hypocrisy, I was receptive when he shared instruction or disciplined me.
It takes so much more than a “want to” to be a godly parent. Most of us try a hybrid approach of throwing out the things we disliked that our parents did only to replace them with our own unique mistakes.
You are going to need two things to be a godly parent: 1. A source outside of yourself (books, classes, counseling) that can train you in solid techniques, and 2. The power of the Holy Spirit.
Something that many parents forget is that their children have ears and eyes.
✔️They hear your phone conversations ✔️They observe your responses ✔️They listen from the back seat ✔️They see what you watch ✔️They comprehend your priorities ✔️They know the company you keep ✔️They are absorbing your values in real time for 18 years!
The most provoking thing you can do to your children is live a “do as I say, not what I do” life.
What will impact them is living a godly life worth imitating, in front of them, day in and day out.
Application:
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Our goal in parenting is to remove obstacles our children could trip over and lose faith in God. What would cause you to trip?
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When someone is provoked, their heart becomes hard and closed. Why do you think it is so essential to understand the power that provoking has in repelling our children away from God?
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It is hard to not repeat bad parenting. If you were imprinted by bad parenting, and need help, The Tree Church offers parenting classes three times a year as well as mentoring and professional counseling. Sign up today!
Devo Plus:
I was a Children’s Pastor for 30 years. Hands down the question I was asked most was, “Should I make my children attend church?”
The answer is “Yes.”
You absolutely should bring all your children with you to church.
We make our children do lots of things they don’t want to do, and then they end up loving it. My boys were furious with me at one point in their lives when I forced them to shower and brush their teeth. I’m quite confident none of them go a day without doing so now… because they love feeling clean. We don’t give our children options about attending school because we know they need to learn, and we are setting them up for success by giving them knowledge. We know what they need, and the same goes with church. Every time they are in church is one more time for the Holy Spirit to touch their heart, to learn one more thing of Jesus' love, one more time to feel His presence, and one more time to learn something from the Word that the Holy Spirit can bring to their remembrance in adulthood. I am so very grateful my parents made me go to church, and I learned to love my church family and God’s special presence in a corporate worship experience. No matter how deep I got in rebellion as a teen, the reality was I knew God was real from those experiences, and I could never outrun the reality of God.
Plus…the church is another layer of support for you as a parent. When they hear their Youth Pastor telling them the same thing you are telling them, it’s a win/win.
Prayer:
Jesus, You made us with spirits and souls and bodies. During this busy time of parenting, I pray You would help me find time to receive refreshment from You. You have such compassion for weary, hungry people. Lead me beside still waters; restore my soul. Amen.
Proverbs 22: 6 (NKJV)
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Explanation:
On the surface, we may think this verse is saying that if we raise our children to love God and put Him first in everything, they will follow Him all the days of their lives. But we know that’s not realistic, and even the author of this verse proves it isn’t true. King Solomon was raised to fear God and keep His commandments, yet turned his affection away from God toward the end of his life (1 Kings 11: 1-13). So, if life-long devotion to God is not in view here, then what takeaway can godly parents lay hold of? I can give you one good answer from personal experience: never stop praying for your children. From the day I was born, my mom prayed that I would grow up to be a godly man. I accepted Christ when I was 17, but one year later I walked away from my faith. Broken-hearted, my mom prayed even harder. With every decision I made and every consequence I faced, I never forgot the truth about Jesus Christ that was engrained in my heart from childhood. I rejected that truth for 18 more years, but it was always close by as a reminder that God loves me and wants me to return to Him. When I had my fill of this world and had nowhere to run, I embraced the One who saved me.
My mom passed away when I was 20, so on this side of heaven she didn’t see God’s redeeming work in me. But in the spirit realm, the power of her prayers did not end when she died. God continued to pursue me and honored the request of His faithful servant. I am where I am today because of her prayers, and she is where she is because of her mother’s prayers.
Never stop praying for your children.
Application:
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If you have children, are you praying for them every day?
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In what ways are you setting good examples of faithfulness to God for your children to see?
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In what ways are you not setting good examples of faithfulness to God?
Devo Plus:
Psalm 103: 17 & 18 are excellent verses to pray out loud for your children and grandchildren.
Prayer:
Lord God, I lift my children and grandchildren up to You, knowing that only You Who created them can convict them of their need for Jesus. As I commit to living a holy life that they can see, I ask that You never stop protecting them with Your grace while pursuing them with Your love. Amen!
Psalms 78:1-8 (NLT)
A maskil of Asaph
O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past- stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generations might know them- even the children not yet born- and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew in God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors- stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.
Explanation:
In its superscription (a fancy word for heading), this Psalm is called a maskil. The Hebrew root of this word is “sakal,” which means “to have insight, to teach.” We can best understand a maskil in this context as a teaching song ascribed to Asaph, who was one of a number of singers or musicians at the Jerusalem Temple during the reigns of David and Solomon.
The Psalmist focuses on the importance of remembering past events from Israel’s history to show how God preserved His people even when they disobeyed Him repeatedly. We could read this as kind of a downer, but it is actually great news for us as it helps guide us and our future generations away from unbelief and rebellion. The writer is clear that these aren’t secret teachings or riddles, but instead things God wants us to know and remember through His Word. Without Israel’s past, us Gentile Christians would never be part of the story of God; there would be no people for us to be a part of. The stories recounted are not just for the Jews; HE CHOSE US to share His revelation, and entrusts us to pass it on to others. It is a beautiful thing to be trusted, but it is not to be taken lightly. The worst thing we can do is forget all He has done! The wisdom given here is for believers as a whole: we all have an obligation to share these stories with each generation. It is our responsibility, and we are not to assume that someone else will do it.
So what exactly are we supposed to tell the coming generations? Two things: 1) to set their hopes on God, never forgetting just how powerful He is and always has been, and 2) the importance of obeying God’s commands as the best way to live. These both have to do with our hearts. If we genuinely do these ourselves, we can use our lives as testimonies that God would consider “steadfast” and “faithful,” which is the story I want to be told about me.
Application:
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Think about your own story: the high points (praise God for them and tell someone else about them!) and the low points (forgive yourself or others if need be). If right now is a low point, offer it up to God’s capable and loving hands; at any point, He can change your story to become part of His for future generations!
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How often do you try to fix it yourself instead of turning to God for His help? Use this Psalm as a reminder that His patience never runs out, no matter how often we run to Him for help. In fact, this is exactly what He wants us to do! We never have to go it alone when we chose to walk with Him.
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Renew your commitment to tell future generations (I would also include older ones that need to hear!) about all God has done for you. This is the most important gift we can give our children and their children, and in doing so, we are obeying God’s commands for our lives!
Devo Plus:
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Read other examples of historical Psalms like Psalms 105 and 106.
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Listen to “We Will Remember” by Maverick City Music. While the above Psalms focus on what Israel did (or didn’t) do, this song focuses on what God did for us in sending His Son to bear what we should have given our history. It is a beautiful version of the most important part of our story when we chose to follow Him:
“We remember, we won’t forget How You took our lives from the pit We remember, we won’t forget Look at where we are now Look at where we were back then.”
Prayer:
Holy God, we thank You so much for giving us this wisdom in Your Word. You could have included anything, but You chose to help us learn from the past, which is a beautiful way to guide our future. We are grateful for the opportunity to share these stories with our families and ask for Your help in doing so often. And should opportunities to do so pass us by, we humbly ask that You bring them back to us in Your time. Your patience is so gracious, and we can never thank You enough for loving us so. Amen.
Deuteronomy 4: 9-10 (NIV)
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.”
Explanation:
This scripture is a warning that Moses was giving to the Israelites. The people were so quickly forgetting the promises and blessings they had received from God after being freed from Egyptian slavery. The Israelites had wandered 40 years, afraid to take over the Promised Land. Moses commands them to remember, and to make sure that each generation coming after them understands the importance of trusting God.
I love working on genealogy. Many years ago, my mother started compiling notebooks on the history of my ancestors. I then started researching my husband's family history, and have started new notebooks, and have added more documentation to the many printed pages I inherited from my mother. I have a closet that is very full of research, and I continue to add to it. During the process of learning about my ancestors, I found out that you must be careful to get every fact accurate, to write it down, back it up, and correct possible mistakes so that my descendants will be able to pass along the correct information about our family's past.
We must do the same in our Christian walk while on the Earth. We are all fallen humans. So were the Israelites. It is our natural tendency to ignore, forget, disobey, bend the truth, change things to fit our narrative, etc. We cannot do that with God's Word – the Bible. Be sure you are passing on the truth to those around you and to all your descendants. This is something we must take very seriously.
Application:
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Have you ever found yourself wanting to change what the Bible says so that you can justify the actions you are taking? Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and help you to see the truth that God has laid out for you. Step out in faith knowing God will guide you.
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We all have a huge responsibility to instruct the next generation. Are you doing all you can to ensure that happens in your family?
Devo Plus:
My husband and I were part of a worship band years ago. We played and sang this song by Sarah Groves called “Generations”. It speaks volumes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev9x4izogI0
Prayer:
Lord, help us to pass on the blessings of Your written Word – the Bible. Help us to have the faith to believe and share what is true so that our descendants will not forget all that You have done and will continue to do. We want to be found faithful when we stand before You, God. Remind us that Your Word is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.
Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (NIRV)
The Lord your God has directed me to teach you his commands, rules and laws. Obey them in the land you will take over when you go across the Jordan River. Then you, your children and their children after them will honor the Lord your God as long as you live. Obey all his rules and commands I’m giving you. If you do, you will enjoy long life. Israel, listen to me. Make sure you obey me. Then things will go well with you. The number of your people will increase greatly in a land that has plenty of milk and honey. That’s what the Lord, the God of your parents, promised you. Israel, listen to me. The Lord is our God. The Lord is the one and only God. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength. The commandments I give you today must be in your hearts. Make sure your children learn them. Talk about them when you are at home. Talk about them when you walk along the road. Speak about them when you go to bed. And speak about them when you get up. Write them down and tie them on your hands as a reminder. Also tie them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses. Also write them on your gates.
Explanation:
In this scripture, Moses is telling the Israelites to obey God’s commands, rules, and laws, and to love the only true God with all their heart, soul, and strength. They then needed to teach these commands to their children, so that generation after generation would know and love the one true God. The same is true for us now. God loves us so much, and He knows what is best for us. He wants us to follow His rules, to love Him with everything that is in us, and then to teach it to our children. This is the foundation we need to get through this world.
I grew up in a family that would pray about every situation. So that has become my normal: to love God with all my heart. A couple weeks ago, my son was having a bad day at school, and he had to call me and tell me what he had done wrong. Immediately, I felt like I needed to ask God to help me with this situation. A couple of my friends prayed for me, also. God helped provide me with the right words and actions throughout the whole situation. That night while I was putting my son to sleep, we talked about asking God to help him at school. At first, he thought it was silly, but then he realized that I had asked God for help before I talked to him that afternoon. It showed him that I rely on God to get through tough things, also.
I must keep telling my son about God, bringing him to church, and showing him what God does for us so that it becomes his normal. Then, when he has kids of his own, he can be reminded that God is all we need in the middle of any situation. Maybe you’re not a parent yet, or you didn’t grow up with God and learning about Him. Don’t give up! Keep going to Him in the good times and the bad, and trust with everything that is in front of you.
Application:
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Is God in everything you do? If not, what have you taken Him out of that He needs to be put back into?
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Have you been talking to your kids about God? What is stopping you?
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Ask God to help you find a devotional to do with your kids this week.
Devo Plus:
Take a minute and listen to the song “God I Look to You” by Bethel Music.
Prayer:
Father, Let me see Your love for me today and show my love back to You. I am so thankful for the things You have given to me. Help me to look different to this world, and when they ask why, let me show them back to You. When something feels out of control, let me come straight to You, Father, and trust that You have it all planned out. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Romans 8:5-8 (ESV)
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Explanation:
Have you ever made a decision, and then been frustrated you made that decision? I have. Maybe you wonder why you did an action, but then you recognize it is because that is what you had been thinking about or processing in your mind for weeks? Our minds are powerful. What we think about and focus on leads us to make decisions based off those thoughts. The Bible has many verses that tell us what we think about is of major importance, and the passage of scripture above is one of them. What we set our minds on determines our actions. When we set our minds on the flesh, our flesh will be reflected in our lives. When we set our minds on the Spirit, the Spirit will be reflected in our lives.
Why is this important? Well, our flesh causes us to do stupid things. Our flesh causes us to turn from God. Unfortunately, because of sin, we are naturally bad people. We don’t have to work on being bad, it’s just who we are. Sorry to bring you such discouraging news! But here’s the good news…when we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are redeemed and made righteous. When we ask, the Holy Spirit enters us and dwells within us. That’s amazing! When we set our minds on the things of the Spirit (including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control), we will experience true life and true peace. A mind that is focused on the Spirit is a mind that is taking in the truth of God’s word and living it out. It won’t just naturally happen; we must be proactive to FILL our minds with truth (the Bible). This can come through reading the Bible, listening to solid teaching about the Bible, and worshipping God in praise.
Let’s be proactive to take steps to renew our minds, so we can live out a life that reflects the Spirit!
Application:
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Evaluate what you spend the majority of your time thinking about. Does that fall under pursuing the “flesh” or the “Spirit”?
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Have you had a time in your life when you were spending quality time renewing your mind through reading scripture, listening to teaching of scripture, and spending time in God’s presence? If so, how did your actions in life model that? Did you find it to be beneficial?
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What’s preventing you from spending quality time filling your mind with truth (God’s word)?
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Set a goal this week to spend time in God’s presence. I would suggest starting with something attainable (for example: 5 minutes a day for 3 days this week). See if you notice any changes in your thought patterns or actions.
Devo Plus:
If you are reading this devotion on The Tree Church app, you can also listen to Bible studies that some of the pastors teach. Pick one of the Bible studies to listen to as you get ready for the day, while you are doing lawn work, while you drive to work/school, or as you make dinner. (Can you tell what I do when I’m listening to them?!) This is a practical step to filling your mind with truth.
Prayer:
God, thank You for not leaving us in our sin. Thank You that You redeem us through the sacrifice of Jesus. Help us to take practical steps to fill our minds with Your truth. Help us to take time throughout our day to spend with You. We want to make decisions and live a life that reflects You and Your love. Help us as we work to do this! We are so thankful for Your love to us.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (ESV)
Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Explanation:
Although this passage might not make it onto Google’s top 10 list for Bible verses on comfort, for me this is one of the most deeply comforting verses in the whole Bible. When I am feeling down for my latest screw-up, wondering why I still get angry after warring with my temper for so long, or when I’m battling discouragement, this passage reminds me that my every temptation is common to humanity, and I am not alone in my struggle. It reminds me that God is constantly and actively faithful toward me! Whether I’m having a great day and acing every challenge, or whether I’m feeling besieged and down and tempted to throw in the towel, His eyes are always on me, strategizing to hand me the victory. The minute I’m faced with temptation, God has already provided an escape for me from it! I just have to look for it, and actively choose to take the better way He is offering me.
He has already provided our escape route. He provides us gentleness when we are angry, strength when we are weak; He pours out peace for the spirit of frustration, joy for our discouragement. When we are tempted to cradle our hurt or pain, He provides us the ability to forgive and let go. Whatever the temptation you are facing, there is a different choice you can make. Look for the escape route that He has ALREADY provided!
And when we inevitably fall, He has already provided a way. God sent His Son as the sacrifice for our sins, to pay our debt and set us free. We are rescued from sin’s grasp through Jesus Christ, and He clothes us in His own righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). So, when we feel entrapped in our guilt and tempted to wallow in darkness, God points us to our ultimate escape and His ultimate providence…His Son and our Savior, the Christ. When the voice of the accuser rises against us, God points to the cross, where He ALREADY provided for us, and offers us grace and a fresh start.
So, the next time you feel temptation coming for you, look for the better way God has already provided for you. Shift the focus away from yourself and your needs and inadequacies, and onto God’s unfailing faithfulness to you. Allow Him to fill your vision and provide all you need. When you are tempted, there is always a SECOND CHOICE. Look for the escape route that He has ALREADY provided for you!
Application:
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What temptations have been coming your way recently? Identify the specific ways the devil has been tempting you off the best path God has for you in this season.
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Remember that the devil is not creative, but a duplicator of the same root sins (1 John 2:16). How do your answers above fit into these three categories?
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What are some of the escape routes that God specifically offers you? What have you been missing or ignoring lately that is causing you to fall?
Devo Plus:
Proverbs 16:18 says “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” How does this verse reflect onto verse 12 in our passage for today? In what ways do you personally struggle with pride? Take some time to consider any areas where you believe you are standing, but are more vulnerable to temptation than you might want to admit.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am so thankful for Your unfailing faithfulness toward me. Thank You that Your eyes are always on me, to help me succeed daily. Help me, Lord, to look for and identify the second choice You’ve placed in front of me the minute I feel temptation. Give me the “want to,” the will, and the strength to run down the escape route, Lord! I want to live better each day for You; You’ve done too much for me not to be victorious! Bless me, Lord, and help me fill my vision with You today. In Jesus’s matchless name! Amen.
James 1:13-18 (NLT)
And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
Explanation:
How do you get close to a God you don’t trust?
One of the most crushing of human experiences is to realize you have been deceived. From the first friend who blabbed a secret they promised to keep, to realizing your life savings have been embezzled….any form of deceit sucker punches you in the heart and sets you on a path of distrust proportional to the level of your deception.
Likewise satan. satan’s full time assignment is to deceive, and he starts by putrefying the all-consuming love of God. With his smoke and mirrors approach, he lodges the “God wants to punk you” lie in mankind’s heart, and effectively blurs the clarity of God's undying love for you. He tempts you to think that “Our Father Who Art in Heaven” is nothing more than a divine John Quinones playing “What Would You Do?”
If you have seen that show on ABC, you know it consists of elaborate fake situations to tempt unsuspecting people. It will make you wince when someone totally fails. I am here to unwaveringly tell you that God is not staging anything, plotting anything, or rigging life against you. In fact, He has only your success in mind. James specifically says that God never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He isn’t moody, evasive, or a mind-game God. He is true to his word, full of light, and you are His prized possession.
God will not tempt you with sin because He is good and no evil is found in Him. Jesus is ever interceding for you, has made you more than a conqueror, and He is for you!
James points out that desires have to be fed to stay ravenous. Temptation takes preemptive measures to head off, and the Holy Spirit NEVER fails to warn you and intervene and reveal what you can do to avoid being enticed.
Have you ever heard the whisper of anything like this to your soul?
• Turn it off • Go to bed when accountability goes to bed • Quit stocking the tempting food • Take that app off your phone • Don’t drive to the store you can’t afford • Don’t Facebook stalk yourself into discontent • Cut up the credit card • Make the apology • Withdraw from the gossip mill • Put the phone away • Go to physical church • Go to Connect Group
It is the Holy Spirit working to set you up for success.
Application:
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Why do you think Paul warned us not to blame God when we are tempted? Why would reinforcing that distorting lie affect you spiritually?
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Temptation isn’t a sin, but once it morphs from temptation to desire…action is next. How do you pour water on the fire of desire?
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Temptation is everywhere, but so is God. Jesus taught His disciples (us) to pray “lead me away from temptation.” Why is it easier to avoid temptation than resist it?
Devo Plus:
• God is not satan’s opposite.
• God’s goodness far exceeds satan’s evil.
Prayer:
Lord, you told us to “Watch and pray so that we will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)
I’m praying today…that you will empower me through the Holy Spirit’s power to overcome in ways I’ve never dreamed possible. I want victory, and I’m asking for Your help. Amen.
Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10 (NLT)
Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
Explanation:
We have all been in this position at some point in our lives. We feel torn and confused, we need to make a decision, and we aren’t really sure what to do. Many times, we will move forward or make a decision based on our own wants, desires, passions, and feelings. But this is not always what will lead us to do the right thing, to walk the path toward God, or even to make the decision that truly will be best for us. Sometimes our emotions and desires can lead us toward a path of destruction. We need assistance; we need someone else to help us in the process. Someone who is good, who is wise, who always does what is right. We need God to help us, to lead us, to guide and direct us so we can walk the path that leads to righteousness. The path that leads us closer and closer to Him.
So, what does this look like? It begins with a humble heart, a heart that says “My perspective is limited, but I know God is where I need to turn.” I can humbly go before God and know I may not have it all figured out, but He does. I may not fully understand what He is asking me to do or where He is calling me to go, but I can trust that He sees a bigger perspective and knows what will be for my good. To make wise decisions, I need to seek His wisdom, His truth, His leading, and His guidance. When I seek Him, I will find Him. He will answer and be with me along the way. I can trust God because He will never lead me toward a path of destruction, only toward a path that leads to life.
Application:
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When you have decisions to make, where do you typically turn to help you?
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What is a decision you are trying to make right now that you need God’s guidance and help?
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Why can’t you fully trust yourself to make this decision?
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Why can you trust God’s guiding instead?
Devo Plus:
I encourage you to take a moment and re-read this psalm as your prayer today. In fact, I encourage and challenge you to start every day this week by reading this psalm as your morning prayer. Ask God to lead you, guide you, and continue to help you walk in His ways.
Prayer:
God, I am so thankful that when we are faced with challenges and decisions, we can turn to You because You are a God who is first of all good. But You also are full of wisdom, truth and love, and You know the best path for our lives. Help us to humbly seek You and to be obedient to the ways You are leading us. We want to continue to walk the path that You have laid out for us, the path that leads us closer to You. Amen.
1 Samuel 15:10-23 (NRSV)
The word of the LORD came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the LORD all night. And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.” And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed be you to the LORD. I have performed the commandment of the LORD.” And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?” Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the cattle, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; but the rest we have utterly destroyed.” Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me last night.” He replied, “Speak.”
Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And the Lord sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go, utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?” Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But from the spoil the people took sheep and cattle, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” And Samuel said,
“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obedience to the voice of the Lord? Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is no less a sin than divination, and stubbornness is like iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”
Explanation:
The main point of today’s passage is pretty self-explanatory; if we aren’t willing to be fully obedient, we aren’t really being obedient. The thing that intrigues me, though, is the reason Saul gives for being disobedient. He claimed he was being disobedient so they could worship God!
Saul attempted to sanctify his disobedience!
Saul wanted to be lord of his own life but keep God in tow. He did what he wanted to do, but thought that worshiping God made it ok.
I could tell you story after story of times that I did the same thing as Saul. The biggest struggle recently has been taking a Sabbath. I keep justifying disobedience by saying that I am doing the Lord’s work. I am disobeying to obey. Well…really, I am disobeying because I was undisciplined in my time, or I said “yes” to too many things and I am afraid people will be upset with me. There are a lot of reasons we can justify disobedience, but the point is…God wants our hearts to be fully His, to fully trust Him in what He leads, and there is no level of “sanctification” we can try that will make up for or cover over our lack of trust.
Application:
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What is one thing that stood out to you in today’s reading?
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What are some of the reasons you have given for disobedience? Many times it starts with the phrase… “God would never want me to______(i.e., be unhappy…you fill in the blank).
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Spend some time today asking God to show you where He wants you to take steps of obedience.
Devo Plus:
Saul’s story is a tragic one. It can be easy to think that God rejected Saul because of one act of disobedience. The reality of Saul’s life was a pattern of distrust of God and desire to cover for his insecurities. Read 1 Samuel 13-15 to recount some of Saul’s lifetime of disobedience.
Prayer:
Father, You are gracious, loving, and slow to anger. Your posture toward us is ever one of grace and acceptance. Yet, You also call us to trust You and walk in Your ways. We try to justify keeping ahold of the reins of our lives by thinking through all the ways we can honor You more if we disobey. But You don’t want actions, sacrifices, or holy words; You want our hearts, and You want us to put our complete trust in You. So please help us to entrust our lives to Your hands, nothing more and nothing less. Amen.
Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Explanation:
Jesus urges His disciples to seek life by entering through the narrow gate that runs counter to the way of the world. The way of the world is commonly traveled, but its end is destruction and ruin. Jesus wants His disciples to know that following Him is not easy, but it will lead to life and blessing. If we choose the wide and easy path of the world, we will be disappointed and left feeling empty.
The gates are not a once-and-for-all decision. Jesus will later tell His disciples to daily take up their cross to follow Him (Luke 9:23). Following Jesus is a choice we must make hour by hour. Every decision we make will lead us to either destruction or life.
I always tell my kids that they can do hard things. Sometimes they can become filled with fear or insecurity, and will start to question if they can do it and if it is worth it. I will give you an example. My youngest daughter started playing soccer this year for the first time. She is naturally timid when it comes to trying new things and meeting new people. Her first couple of practices and games, she was timid and insecure. I continued to speak life into her and encourage her, and now she is more confident and really enjoying it. As a parent, it is so fun to watch your kids conquer their fears and accomplish the hard thing. I picture God doing the same thing. He knows what we are capable of, and I picture Him celebrating when we finally decide to trust Him and do the hard thing.
This is what we must do daily. We must fight through whatever obstacle is in our way to keep on that narrow path. We must pick up our cross every day and choose to be obedient. My daughter will have to keep doing this in her life. She will continue to have to fight through fear and insecurity every day to accomplish what she wants to accomplish and what God has in store for her life. The good news is that God is with us through all of it, and He always blesses our obedience. He is on our team, He knows exactly what we need, and He knows exactly what we can handle.
Application:
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Spend some time in prayer. Ask God if there is an area in your life where you are on the wrong path.
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Whatever God reveals to you, ask Him for help. He will meet you right where you are.
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Sometimes I feel that social media and news can be destructive paths that can lead me away from God. If that is you, spend some time fasting from social media and the news. Give your heart and brain a break from the things of this world, and use that time to read scripture.
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God wants us to rest. Spend 15-20 minutes just sitting in God’s presence. Listen for His direction, and talk to Him about the fears and insecurities of your heart.
Devo Plus:
Romans 12:2, 1 John 2:16-17, John 14:27
Prayer:
Lord, I pray for the courage to choose the narrow path every day. I pray that You would give us strength when we feel incapable. I pray that You would give us hope when we feel hopeless. I pray that You would remind us that You want us to have abundant life, and that Your ways are always better than our own. Help us to direct our attention to all things eternal, and not become distracted by the things of this world. Amen.
Genesis 3:1-7 (NLT)
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Explanation:
Most of us learned at an early age that our choices have results; in the most negative outcomes, those results are consequences. We may have decided to sneak a piece of candy into the classroom and received detention, stayed out past curfew and got grounded, or went faster than the speed limit and received a ticket and a fine. Regardless of the poor choice, there are always associated consequences.
Adam and Eve’s unfortunate choice started a snowball effect that would impact us all. When they introduced sin into the world by choosing to disobey God, there were immediate consequences. Genesis 3:17-19 tells us the first consequence was that their work would go from something satisfying to something full of hard labor and disappointment. Another consequence was that Adam and Eve’s relationship was affected. The innocence that God had instilled in them turned to shame and self-consciousness. We know that their bad decision caused humanity’s relationship with God to be broken.
It’s important to understand that the consequences of our choices are not always immediate. There are times when we make decisions and fail to see how they will affect those around us, or even ourselves. We sometimes decide to do what is right in our eyes to satisfy our own appetites and desires. When we finally see the consequences of our bad choices, the result may be devastating.
It’s for this reason that God began a redemption plan after Adam and Eve’s fall in the garden. He doesn’t want to see us separated from Him. He wants to be our Father. He wants us to pursue Him and His will for the choices we make. He will guide us on the right path if we are willing to set aside our desires. We have to trust Him enough to allow our human desires to take a back seat to what God desires for our lives.
Application:
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Think of a decision you made that had a negative consequence. How would the outcome have been difference if you decided to seek God’s will before you made that decision?
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If Adam and Eve could give you advice right now, what do you think it would be?
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Is there a decision in your life that you need to make, but you haven’t asked God about it yet? Take some time today to seek His will, and ask Him to help lead you in your decision.
Devo Plus:
Read more about how God initiated a redemption plan. It started with a covenant, with Abraham’s decision to trust God. (Genesis 12-15)
Prayer:
God, today I come to You asking for forgiveness for bad decisions I’ve made, and the consequences that have hurt You and hurt others around me. Help me to look to You and Your will to guide me in my future decisions. Make my path clear, so I know that it’s Your will I’m following, and not my own. I thank You for Your redemption plan that allows me to live eternally with You, and not be separated by the sin of this world. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
John 14:15-17
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
Explanation:
“Be willing to be misunderstood.”
Do you know what that sentence is?
It is a life altering truth that the Holy Spirit led me into that caused me to emerge from a devastating circumstance of life, closer to God, safe, and free of bitterness. It taught me something supernatural about God.
Do you know how I knew it was from the Holy Spirit? Because it came from a source outside of myself, and it lined up with scripture. I’m not smart enough to know this truth without the power of the Holy Spirit’s advocacy and guidance.
Through embracing that truth, I came to fully comprehend how God fights for us. Before I understood that, I felt it was my job to defend myself and correct misrepresentations. But when I turned to God's Word, I saw scripture after scripture backing up the concept of not fighting my own battles but instead resting in the reality that God fights for me. I was able to release and put all of my energy into rebuilding my life and charting a new course. I emerged with my heart still soft, and God was free to bless my life because I trusted Him and got out of the way. Wow, did He ever fight for me! He lovingly guided me, made a way for me, defeated my enemies, protected my mind and heart, provided for my material needs and gave me incredible hope for my future… all because I embraced the truth the Holy Spirit led me into. If I had ignored the Holy Spirit's leading, I have no doubt I would have wrecked my life and ended up consumed with draining thoughts of revenge, hate, conniving, jealousy, and bitterness. I would have been that robotic outward shell with an inward heart of rottenness, better known as “creepy christian.”
We must make choices to listen to the Holy Spirit and invite Him to lead us in our everyday nitty gritty. Must!
Think about what having an advocate denotes. It is a personal, spiritual bodyguard. God does not set us up for failure but instead gives us our very own personal assistant to guide, bolster, deliver, and surround us with care. We are not alone, but instead are surrounded by the Holy Spirit at all times. Jesus did not leave us aimless, anemic, vulnerable, and bewildered. Instead, He sent us a full time, highly skilled comforter, guide and teacher.
Application:
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The Holy Spirit is the true representative of the living God on earth today. Jesus died and rose again to pay the penalty for our sins, and then He returned to the Fathers right hand and sent the Holy Spirit to us to lead us into all truth. That is a lot of power and help. What attitude, stronghold or situation in your life can only be resolved if you get supernatural help? Look for Him.
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My grandson recently asked me what super power I would want? It made me smile. Inside I knew… I HAVE a super power residing in me. The Holy Spirit is available to all who will receive Him. Does that reality fill you with hope?
Devo Plus:
Six scriptures out of over 100 stating you can relax because God will fight for you; truth that the Holy Spirit led me into.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Psalm 20:6 Now I know that the Lord saves his; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand Proverbs 20:22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
Isaiah 30:15 For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
Psalm 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.
Psalm 44:3 For not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit… thank You for Your surrounding presence and power in my day today! Amen.
Psalm 1 (NIV)
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Explanation:
Psalm 1 is a wisdom psalm, offering instructions regarding good and evil. We can be blessed or cursed depending on the path we choose. The main idea here is that happiness is found through living a life according to the guidelines set by the Lord. The way to destruction is to lead an evil, lawless life.
This sounds simple, doesn’t it? Just follow the word of God and be happy. Not so fast. This comes with a lot of saying, “No.” It takes discipline, self-control, and purposeful determination. We need to remain in constant prayer and seek Him in all things. When we get wrapped up in the chaos of life, we sometimes forget. We become complacent. This can actually be dangerous. We need to be vigilant in our walk with Christ. Are we surrounding ourselves with godly people? Are we getting godly counsel? Or are we getting bad advice from sinners, mockers, and scorners? It’s okay to keep company with sinners, but it’s not okay to stay long. Jesus kept company with the broken, but not to be like them. He did it to show the broken His example. Psalm 1 teaches us to be careful of who and what we listen to. If we associate with mockers and scorners, we run the risk of letting evil seep in.
Another message of Psalm 1 is whatever we are serious about is what we are going to immerse ourselves in. We should be ruminating in the word. Delighting in the word is the path to true happiness. We need to consciously, actively engage it. Don’t simply read it. Savor each word and turn them into action.
A tree really is the best metaphor here. Are you seeking the water? Do you have roots, or are you simply standing? Will you blow over in the storm, or are your roots strong? Seeking the word daily will provide muscle memory, which will result in strong roots and fruit. If you find pleasure in the law of the Lord, you will seek Him. When you seek Him, you will begin to trust Him. When you trust Him, you will be blessed, because the Lord watches over the righteous. Trust in the Lord, no matter what is going on around you.
If you have ever been through any kind of emotion, the book of Psalms has you covered. Take time and delight in His word.
Application:
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What is your passion? What are you serious about?
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Think of times when you have kept the company of mockers and scorners. How did that work out?
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What are some ways you delight in the Lord and build muscle memory?
Devo Plus:
Watch this video on Psalm 1: Rooted In The Word
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, break our hearts wide open to delighting in and living by Your word. Help us understand the way to happiness is through living life according to the guidelines You have set for us. Remind us to cherish Your word, so we may grow roots and be the ninety-nine.
Isaiah 48: 17 – 18 (ESV)
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
Explanation:
Have you ever been lost? I mean really lost. There was a day when GPS and Mapquest was not a thing. For me, getting lost at some point when traveling was a fairly common occurrence. Once my wife and I got lost on our way home from a school event. We somehow ended up on a road with a very alarming name, something along the lines of “Deep Knife” road. I remember very vividly looking at my wife and saying, “Let’s get off this road as fast as possible!”
When you got lost, as we were that day, the only options at the time were stopping to ask for directions from someone who was hopefully more familiar with the area than you are, or pulling out the ginormous paper map that was stuffed in your glove box. I can’t quite remember how we found our way home that day, but since I am here writing this devotional, we must have figured it out.
Some of the same principles apply when we find ourselves spiritually lost. As we have discovered so far through the Naive sermon series, we may even be lost and not be aware of it. So, the question that we must ask is, “what must I do when I am lost or where do I look to determine if I am going in the right direction?”
Let me start by saying it is not that warm fuzzy feeling you get in your stomach or heart that is going to give you the best direction. In fact, sometimes our feelings and emotions can be very little help in determining how to live a life that is honoring God.
Our best life comes when we listen to God’s voice. Two ways we can hear His voice is through His Word, the Bible, and through His Holy Spirit. Like the passage tells us, when we are profoundly seeking His voice through these two things, we can find ourselves with peace like a river and godliness in the way we are living. Doesn’t that sound amazing!?!
Application:
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When you find yourself spiritually lost, what are your go to things to help you find direction? Have any of those go to things been more harmful than good?
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Why do you think the prophet Isaiah tells his audience how much better things would have been if they/we would have paid more attention to God’s voice?
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How have you found God’s voice being different than your own emotional voice?
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What can you do from this day forward to pay closer attention to the voice of God?
Devo Plus:
What is something that God is speaking to you today? What would it look like to follow His voice today?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I take a moment now to just pause. I desire to hear Your voice. I know it is peace and power to my life and I recognize how much I need You. Please forgive me for the times I did not seek Your voice and listened to some other directions beside Your own. Today I want to start to honor You more by seeking Your leading
Proverbs 6:20-23 (MSG)
Good friend, follow your father’s good advice; don’t wander off from your mother’s teachings. Wrap yourself in them from head to toe; wear them like a scarf around your neck. Wherever you walk, they’ll guide you; whenever you rest, they’ll guard you; when you wake up, they’ll tell you what’s next. For sound advice is a beacon, good teaching is a light, moral discipline is a life path.
Explanation:
Listening to sound advice is the first step to gaining wisdom. If we don’t listen, we can’t take the next step, which is to follow wisdom as a path for our lives. Wisdom is prioritizing what we know to be right and true over what we feel we want. It is why the book of Proverbs places so much emphasis on adultery, as this is an example of when the “feeling” side of our brain overrides the “thinking” part of our brain, disregarding known consequences.
In this proverb, “father and mother” do not only mean our parents. The writer is instead referring to anyone who possesses godly wisdom, as evidenced by the use of “good” and “sound” advice as qualifiers; we know that not all advice is sound advice. Once identified as good advice, we are then instructed to clothe ourselves in it, to bundle ourselves up in it and wear it like winter wear.
When I was little, my mom loved visiting lighthouses. I didn’t appreciate them then (I even faked being sick once so I didn’t have to go up and see the same view yet again,) but I now recognize there is such power in a lighthouse as a beacon, steady and constant, calling ships out of storms and other dangers. This is the advice we should seek, that which consistently pulls us from darkness. At times, the wise have already walked through what we are walking through, and sometimes, they are just removed enough from our situations to see them clearly. This is why the proverb tells us sound advice can guide us, guard us, AND tell us what’s next. Who wouldn’t want this for their life?!
We should always look to God’s advice, through His Word and His Spirit, but do not neglect the fact that He can and will use all types of people as beacons in our lives. And when we follow their advice, it acts as a light, a lamp, a way to see through the darkness and pull us to safety, just like a lighthouse does for ships. We can still choose to flip off the light switch or unplug the lamp and go it alone, BUT God will never allow these beacons to burn out and will continually use them to attempt to draw us in. Wisdom from others is a protection from God, and it is a beautiful gift!
Application:
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Think about your “life path.” Does it look the way you hoped? If it does, think about the people who helped direct your path, and thank God for their wisdom in your life. If it doesn’t, what advice can you seek and what changes can you make to redeem the course you once set for yourself?
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The King James Version of the Bible trades the word “walk” (“wherever you walk”) for the word “roam.” This word signifies a meandering in direction, not having an idea where one is going. Is there somewhere you are roaming, either physically or emotionally, that you recognize and need help setting a new goal for where you want to go? Ask God to show you who can help with that goal.
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If you are struggling for godly wisdom in your life, I encourage you to join a Connect Group. Some of the wisest and most sound advice I have gotten over the years has been from peers in my Connect Groups. God may have someone there who is ready, willing, and waiting to impart wisdom to you…after all, discipline is really the act of disciple-ing!
Devo Plus:
In case we doubt our calling from God to give and receive His wisdom, remind yourself of this: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for trusting us with Your wisdom. You could have chosen to create us and take us straight to heaven, but instead You gave us this beautiful life to share with others. Help us to use our words and experiences with care and direction from You; it is a daunting task to make ourselves vulnerable in this way, but we know we share in Your Kingdom plans when we do. Be with us this week as we learn to accept Your provision from others in our life. Amen.
Jeremiah 17: 7-10 (NKJV)
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
Explanation:
One of the most popular phrases this world offers to hurting or confused souls is, “Follow your heart”. However good one’s intentions are in dispensing this advice, the result of following what the heart says will never bring the kind of success that honors God.
Why is that true? It’s true because we are born with a heart that gravitates toward sinful behavior — which promises fulfillment but always leaves us empty. Our default setting is to keep choosing sin, hoping every time the outcome will be different. Deception is the oldest, and only, trick in the book. Eventually it becomes impossible to discern truth when our hearts are layered with the enemy’s lies — the biggest one, of course, being that we know better than God how to run our lives.
God is doing the talking in this passage and He asks mankind a legitimate question. Only our Creator can know the most intimate details about us. The Bible makes no distinction between the mind and the heart; both represent our thoughts and will. The testing of one will confirm the condition of the other. But the provisions God made through Christ Jesus will transform our hearts from wicked to righteous and from deceitful to transparency. Only when we trust God to guide us through each day will we enjoy the blessings described above that flow like a river.
Application:
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Fear and anxiety are mentioned in this passage. How are these emotions linked to a wicked heart?
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Describe in your own words what it means to keep producing fruit in the middle of a drought.
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Is there any sinful habits or thoughts that you try to hide from God?
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Based on this passage, why do we keep thinking we can get away with that?
Devo Plus:
Read Jeremiah 17: 5 & 6 to see what happens to those who trust in man for guidance.
Prayer:
God, I come to You in prayer asking You to lead me in every circumstance and every decision I need to make. You alone know what my future looks like, so I trust You to go before me and protect me from anything that does not line up with Your plan for my life. Amen.
Deuteronomy 30:17-20 (NLT)
“But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
Explanation:
Did you know that the average adult makes more than 35,000 decisions per day? Some of those are simple, like choosing if you want to wear your hair up or down, or if you wear your shirt tucked or untucked. Other decisions are extremely stressful and can impact many other people, like decisions about changing the direction of your business. The choices are truly overwhelming. There’s even been a term coined for when we are so overwhelmed by the amount of decisions we make in a day that we can barely decide what pajamas to wear—it’s called “decision fatigue.”
In this scripture, Moses was appealing to the people, calling them to make a decision. He emphasized that there was a promise of blessing for obedience, and a miserable, cursed existence for disobedience. The people needed to decide what life they wanted to live. He called on them to decide “today” and not wait or ponder the decision. They were being called to love the Lord and obey His commandments.
Fast forward to 2021. When you read these words from thousands of years ago, do you hear the plea? You’re being called to make the same decision that Moses implored the people to make. Choose life TODAY. It’s not like any of the other 35,000-plus decisions you’re going to make today. This one is the game changer. Will you follow? There is no in-between—it’s either life or death.
Application:
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What similarities do we in 2021 have with the Israelites that Moses was addressing in this passage?
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From this short passage, what do you think the Israelites chose? (See the devo plus reading to learn what happened after Moses’s plea.)
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Today, you’re called to make a decision. If you’ve never made that choice before, please say the prayer below now.
Prayer:
God, today I want to make the decision to choose life. Please help me set aside all of the other unimportant, earthly decisions and set my sights on the most important decision of my life, and that’s to follow You. Forgive me of my sins and shortcomings. Help me to set my eyes on You and turn to You for every decision, allowing You to be the author of my choices. I know that I will have failures on this journey, and I ask You to encourage me to re-set my eyes on You every morning, and know that each day is a new opportunity to learn more about You. Thank You for loving me, for not turning Your back on me, and for giving me the strength to choose life eternally with You.
*If you prayed this prayer today for the first time, please reach out to info@thetree.church or call us at (740) 654-5894 and someone will connect with you. We want to join you on your walk with God and provide you with resources to help you!
Devo Plus:
Read about the choice the Israelites made after Moses tells them they have to choose a path. (Deuteronomy 31:16-20, 26-29)
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Explanation:
Sometimes, I find it hard to let go of my own control when I run into circumstances in everyday life. I have a job with a moderate to high stress level that requires much attention to detail.
During my job, at times it is easy to become overwhelmed with the workload. I often find myself trying to do several tasks at once, which further adds to the stress. When it gets busy, it isn't until I take a moment to refocus my attitude and decide to delegate that I find respite from my anxieties that can often lead me to destructive scheduling catastrophes.
I have to give up the weight of my burdens, and I have to shift some of responsibility onto a coworker and trust that he or she will perform my requests to my standards. Ninety-nine percent of the time, people come through for me and make my job much more stress free. How much more able is our God to come through for us than a fallible coworker?
When we decide to shift our burdens to the Lord, He is willing and more than able to lead us into a better and a more fulfilling life in Christ, and our lives become much less stressful and much more enjoyable. He will surely direct our path, and lead us to green pastures and still waters.
We can acknowledge His hand on our lives, and trust that He will guide us, and in doing so, we will find rest from carrying the weight of a burdensome load.
Application:
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When your stress builds up this week, take a moment to stop worrying. Take a few deep breaths in and out. Take a moment to acknowledge God and His sovereignty during that moment. Acknowledge His omnipotence and His omnipresence. Recount His love for you, and remember that His thoughts toward you are more numerous than the sand. Ask Him to direct your path from that moment on regarding what you were worried about. Cast all your cares upon the Lord, for He cares for you.
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This week, ask God to send you His Holy Spirit to help you, and to impress upon you just how much He cares for you.
Devo Plus:
This week, read Psalm 139:17-18. Then read Psalm 23.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for all You do for me. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to place my trust into Your caring hands. I thank You that when I place my trust in You, You are leading me in the right direction. Thank You for seeking me out and reminding me that You are bringing me new life, and bringing me into a new direction. Amen.
Luke 21:29-33 (ESV)
And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
Explanation:
This scripture takes place as Jesus arrives in Jerusalem for Passover.
At the end of a gloomy winter season, we have the promise of new life. Trees sprout new leaves, stems poke through the soil, and the earth awakens with a sweet freshness. We can look forward to this cycle with certainty and truth.
Luke recalls Jesus telling the parable of the fig tree with the same confidence. Our God created a beautiful reminder of His kingdom. Even when our lives are disturbed or uncertain, God’s word remains steadfast. Jesus reminds us to look for the signs of what is true, and to apply that truth in the decisions we make. Life will end, the earth will die, but Jesus has provided the timeless promise of His presence in His word.
Application:
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How well do you read the signs of what is permanent and what is temporary?
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If you were a tree that did not bloom this spring, how would you ask for a second chance to blossom?
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How are you preparing to face Jesus?
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What are the “things” that trouble you? Lift those things to God.
Devo Plus:
Isaiah 40:6-8, Matthew 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-29
Prayer:
God, You have created a universe full of beauty and life. We recognize those things are temporary, and that the true beauty of life revolves around Your everlasting love. Help us to look for the signs you are giving to pursue a life of blessings and value. Father, we pray for those who do not produce fruit, and ask You to strengthen their branches in the next season. In His name we pray. Amen.
Psalm 119:41-48 ESV
Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules. I will keep your law continually, forever and ever, and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts. I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.
Explanation:
The beginning of these verses is almost a pleading for the very love and salvation God has for us, saying that only when these things are obtained do we have an answer for those who come against us. This is because of the trust to be had in God’s word. Then the emphasis is placed in the word of God and the way it should be treated and upheld. The law shall be kept continually forever and walked in daily. The word of God will not be put to shame, and we shall find delight in and love the law of God. Our hands should be lifted toward His commandments, and we shall dwell on them all the days of our lives.
This psalm accurately portrays the way we should plead for the word of God, trust in the Word of God, and live continually within the Word of God. The praise for God should be great, and should be the very thing that fuels us in our pursuit of the life Jesus called us to live. We can find our joy and our answer when we submit to His steadfast love, His promise of salvation, and His word.
Application:
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Why is it important to ask the Lord for His steadfast love and salvation?
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In what ways does the word of God transform our lives?
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What are some areas in your life where you struggle to walk in His commandments and to listen to His word?
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How can you listen and meditate upon His word more?
Devo Plus:
Read Luke 2:28-32, Psalm 69:16, and James 1:22-25 to get more insight into this passage.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for giving us Your steadfast love, Your salvation, and Your word when we don’t deserve any of it. Allow the word of God to dwell in our hearts and to be the loudest word in our minds. Help us to walk in Your commandments, to meditate on Your word day and night, and to ultimately seek after You continually. Show us the areas in our lives where we need to grow, and continue to help us to be more like You. In Jesus’s Name. Amen.
Proverbs 4:20-23 (ESV)
My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Explanation:
King Solomon is sharing such great wisdom with his son. If his son only took this understanding away from all of the wisdom his dad could share, he would experience life at its fullest. Have you ever been on the edge of your seat listening to a story, or watching a movie or play? Leaning in to be sure you don’t miss one detail? This is exactly what Solomon is asking his son to do. He wants his fullest attention because what he has to say will help his son through any circumstance in life. His wisdom is life-giving.
Solomon had previously warned to actively avoid evil and those who practice it (Proverbs 4:14-15). He is now telling his son to “keep” his words in his heart. Solomon is guiding him to take care of his heart, to maintain it by focusing on his truths. Don’t fill it with things that potentially lead to destruction. The things he is guiding his son on are meant to be cherished, not tolerated.
We have a tendency to adapt to our surroundings, whether they are good or bad. If we are vigilant about how we nourish our minds, we will store those things in our hearts, and ultimately they guide our actions. If we want to experience life the way we were created, then we need to fill our hearts with the truths of the Bible, so we can walk in obedience and healthy design.
Application:
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Can you think about a specific moment in your life when it was so impactful that you will never forget it? What stuck with you, and why?
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Do you have perimeters set up in your life to care for your heart and mind? If not, what things do you think you need to change to do so? If yes, what are they?
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Take steps this week to notice what you actively choose to do. Make adjustments to the things that don’t bring you to health.
Devo Plus:
Dive deeper into the wisdom of Proverbs with this podcast. https://bibleproject.com/podcast/proverbs-lady-wisdom-lady-folly/
Prayer:
God, thank You for being a relational God. Thank You for equipping us to be able to receive and experience the fullness of life You designed. Guard my heart to hear and keep only what is pleasing to You. Use me in a way that Your glory flows freely from my heart. Amen.
Romans 15:4 (NLT)
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
Explanation:
When I moved here in 2005, I was asked to start a children’s ministry at LCC. I had spent 25 years in inner city children’s ministry and was excited at the prospect! I began the planning and wanted to launch with a series, “Sin Will Make You STUPID!”
I would use Samson (strongest man in the world who lost everything), Saul (once God’s anointed who died by falling on his own sword), and Sapphira (once a vibrant contributor to the local church who ended up dropping dead in church because she lied). I could envision the set with the three big “S’s” and all the drama involved with those three characters from the Bible. I wanted the kids to know how important listening to God was.
Then…. I was told I could teach the series, but I just couldn’t use the word stupid.
Turns out it is a children’s swear word in Ohio. It’s a funny memory now, but since I am writing for an adult audience, let me say to you…
Sin will make you stupid because it shuts out the voice of God in your decision-making.
THANKFULLY it doesn’t have to be that way. God can make you WISE!
In the Bible, we have brilliant stories, concepts, principles, guidelines, nuggets, and lessons pulsating through every page for our good. It is this smorgasbord of encouraging, hope-filled wisdom that, IF absorbed, can make your life extraordinary because it has been proven and tried and comes from the living God!
Imagine life, if all prior instructions and teaching disappeared? What if every cook had no standard measuring ability or recipes? every doctor had to guess… pharmacists had no studies… carpenters had no blueprints… mechanics had no manuals… airline pilots had no simulators… teachers had no books… and puzzles had no pictures…
You can see how wacky our world would be. Knowledge is cumulative and passed down, saving the next generation so much time, pain, and loss. Knowledge passed down aids our ability to thrive and prosper.
The Bible is God’s knowledge passed down for generations. Your logic and reasoning skills only serve you well when they are saturated in God’s word.
To ignore the Bible is to: ✔️sabotage your spiritual growth ✔️practice abysmal decision-making ✔️absorb devastating losses ✔️experience painful consequences.
Application:
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In all reality, trying to find hope and encouragement without the plumb line of God’s word is as outrageous as never using Google again. If you Google reviews before you pick a restaurant, surely you can see the value of going to God’s word for input into decisions that affect the course of your life.
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Let God reorient your thinking by exposing your mind and heart to His word. Open yourself up to a new way.
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Otto von Bismarck said: “Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.” Why do you think this would apply to the Bible?
Devo Plus:
Speaking of Samson… Some of the saddest words in the Bible describe him after experiencing soaring power and honor by God. He began to repeatedly refuse God’s wisdom and made a decision that would lead to total devastation.
Then Delilah cried out, “Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!”
When he woke up, he thought, “I will do as before and shake myself free.” But he didn’t realize the Lord had left him.” Judges 16:20 (NLT)
Prayer:
Lord, let it not be said of me that I squandered the ability to find answers, wisdom, and protection in Your word. Draw me in and renew my mind as I live by Your words of hope and encouragement. May I be found ready when You return. Amen
Joshua 1:8-9 (ESV)
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Explanation:
Joshua 1:9 is one of those famous coffee cup verses. The promise of God’s presence in moments that are hard or scary is a tremendous promise that Joshua was called to remember, and we should remember as well.
Just as important as the promise to trust God’s presence was the call to always keep the Law in front of him. For Joshua, the Book of the Law (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) was the covenant God had made with the nation of Israel. It was God’s promise to be their God, and the instruction on how to live within the bounds of that relationship. Keeping the words of the Law constantly in front of them, meditating (thinking) on them and practicing them were the ways they found life, hope, and joy. Not because the words were magical or a formula, but because they reminded the Israelites of who God was, what He had done for them, and what He would ask of them. It was in these words that they would find all the promises and stories of God’s ability to come through for them. It reminded them that God could be trusted to come through for them. So when they forgot, became scared, and lost motivation to do what God was asking, the Law was there to remind and inspire. It is what kept them on the path toward life…toward God.
Application:
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Do you have a regular rhythm of reading God’s word? If not, what are the things that keep you from having one?
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What is your favorite story of God coming through?
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Is there a situation in your life where you need God’s promises?
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Do you think remembering God is present and will come through for you, help you deal with that situation?
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Do the Devo Plus today.
Devo Plus:
With the answer to question number three in mind, go to Open Bible Topical Bible online, and look up passages that pertain to the topic you need to hear God speak about. Find two or three scriptures that you can write down and keep in front of you.
Prayer:
God, reading Your word isn’t a magic trick or a formula that automatically makes our day go ok. But in Your word, we find You…and where we find You, we find life, hope, and peace. Will You please help us to keep Your word in front of us, whether it be in praise of what You have done, or in promise of how You will help us face a difficult time? Thank You for not leaving us to guess that You are near…You give us Your word so we can always keep in front of us Your promises and Your love for us. Amen.
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Explanation:
In this verse in Hebrews, we again see imagery used as a way to help the reader better understand what God's word is saying to us. The author is using the idea of a two-edged sword to make his point clear. The original Greek word translated "sword" in this passage is often used to describe the blade wielded by Peter in Gethsemane (John 18:10). Peter's weapon was less of a soldier's sword and more of a large fisherman's knife meant for cutting flesh—unlike true military swords, which were tougher but less razor-sharp. I think this kind of knife imagery gives us a better understanding of what this scripture is saying, and how the Holy Spirit wants to work in our lives.
When we read and engage in God's word, it should change us to our core. God's message through the Bible is for us to be challenged to live in a way that mirrors Jesus’s' life each and every day. In order to live that way, we have to be willing to let our lives be dissected to the most minute things we do and say as we live on this earth. That can really hurt sometimes, and be very difficult to do. Yet this is what we are called to do as followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We must listen and obey. One day when we stand before the Lord to give an account of our lives, I think we all want to feel that we have done all we can to be able to hear the Lord say, “Well done thy good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).
Application:
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Do you read the Bible in a way that allows you to be open to God's leading, or do you read without really thinking about how the scriptures may be challenging you to change?
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Feeling challenged to change can be hard. You may need to talk other people about your difficulties. Don't hesitate to reach out to someone in your Connect Group or to the church.
Devo Plus:
It is possible to read the Bible and yet fail to follow God's will. This can be due to rebellion (2 Peter 3:16), or perhaps pride (John 5:39–40).
Prayer:
Father, help us to be willing to let Your word speak to our hearts. You inspired the words in the Bible, and it is for our instruction. Help us to be open to allowing You to reach to the depths of our being, cutting away what should not be there and molding us into a better example of who Jesus wants us to be. Thank You, Lord, for Your strength to do these things. Amen.
2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Explanation:
Have you ever wondered what God would say to you when you’ve had a difficult decision placed in front of you? Have you sought advice or wisdom from someone because you valued their opinion? Well, you’re in luck, because the Creator of all things is available to everyone, at any time.
When we pick up the Bible or pull out our Bible app and begin reading passages, we are engaging with Yahweh, our eternal God. The scriptures that we read was given and inspired by God through different writers, who recorded what His Holy Spirit told them. The same Spirit that breathed life into our bodies gave us God’s Word. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21, ESV). Everything included in our Bibles is there because God chose for it to be there. Scripture is complete in the sense that no new information will be found in the future that will contradict God’s Word. Scripture can be trusted to guide our lives by the lessons and stories we read in the Bible.
In the above verse, the Apostle Paul is speaking to his young protege Timothy about leading/pastoring a church. Paul is reminding him that “all scripture” is useful for instruction, and he specifically tells Timothy four things it can be helpful with: teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. Let’s take a quick look at what scripture can do in each one.
Teaching: can instruct us on the right way to live, and shows us what is true. When we seek Jesus, He will always direct us toward the truth in all situations.
Reproof: can rebuke us by pointing out our sin, and exposes where we fall short. Jesus will show us our sin so we can recognize our error and our need for Him.
Correction: can be helpful for correcting ourselves and the mistakes of others. The Bible gives us the morally correct way to live and receive grace through faith.
Training in Righteousness: helping us to do what is right and live by God’s standard. God uses scripture to prepare and equip His people to carry out His will here on earth.
When we read the Bible, God speaks to us, and we are shown His true character and wisdom. We learn who God is and how much He loves us. We discover how much He desires a close relationship with us, and how we are to imitate Him by making disciples.
Application:
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Paul stresses the divine origin and authority of all scripture. Knowing this truth, how can seeking God in His word give you wisdom and clarity in difficult situations?
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God has given us scripture for us to constantly be growing and maturing in our faith. How has your understanding of scripture changed, and what else would you like to know or learn from the Bible?
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We believe in an awesome God who has the power to change our situations (and also bring clarity/understanding). What can you ask God to reveal to you through His word?
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Paul tells us that we are “equipped for every good work” when we read and study the Bible. How can this encourage you to talk to people and tell them how Jesus changed your life?
Devo Plus:
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, You are the ultimate authority in my life that I live by. Help me to see Your truth when I’m struggling and seeking answers. I ask You to forgive me of my mistakes and failures in my life, the times that I did not represent You well to others. Renew my desire to know Your word well, so when difficult times come, I can always refer back to the truth. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus! Amen.
Psalm 37:1-7 (NIRV)
Don’t be upset because of sinful people. Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong. Like grass, they will soon dry up. Like green plants, they will soon die. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live in the land and enjoy its food. Find your delight in the Lord. Then he will give you everything your heart really wants. Commit your life to the Lord. Here is what he will do if you trust in him. He will make the reward for your godly life shine like the dawn. He will make the proof of your honest life shine like the sun at noon. Be still and wait patiently for the Lord to act. Don’t be upset when other people succeed. Don’t be upset when they carry out their evil plans.
Explanation:
Have you ever been in a situation where someone easily gets what you have been desiring? This was true for me: all I wanted was to be a mom when my husband and I got married. Sounds simple, right? In our case, however, it wasn’t, and everyone around us was getting pregnant. I remember with each friend’s pregnancy, I was getting more and more jealous and longing for what they had. I kept thinking God had forgotten about us, when in reality He had an amazing plan in the works.
Throughout this time, frustration distracted me from all the blessings around me. God knew the plan, and He wasn’t surprised or mad. He just wanted me to trust Him. Eight years ago we were picked by our birth mom to adopt her baby. It was the most amazing plan that only God could orchestrate.
God’s ways are not like the world’s. We can’t compare our situation to others’ and think God is going to do it exactly like theirs. Just like the scripture, be still and let God fight your battles, fears, and worries. When sin like jealousy, bitterness, anger, and worry begin to stir up inside, instead of giving into those sins, go to God with them and ask Him to help you.
Application:
Take some time to talk to God through these questions:
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What desires have you not received yet?
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What person are you jealous of?
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What are you not trusting God in?
Devo Plus:
Turn your worries over to the Lord. He will keep you going. He will never let godly people be shaken (Psalms 55:22 NIRV).
Prayer:
Father, You are so good. Help me today to see the things that You’ve blessed me with while I wait on You. Forgive for my sins (jealousy, anger, frustration, or fill in the blank). Remind me how much You love me and want to be in relationship with me. Love You, Father! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (ESV)
Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but within the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Explanation:
Have you ever had someone tell you that God won’t give you more than you can handle? Those words are extremely comforting when you are struggling, but there’s a problem… the Bible doesn’t say that. Today’s passage is often taken out of context. Let’s dig in and see what Paul was trying to relay to the people of Corinth and to believers today.
Paul spent the first part of this chapter encouraging the believers in Corinth to be prepared to be tempted, and to resist it through spiritual self-discipline. He speaks about the temptation of the Israelites in the wilderness who ultimately disobeyed God and never made it to the promised land. He provides us with a “tool kit” that tells us what to do when we are tempted instead of just giving in and making a bad decision:
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Keep your guard up. No one is too strong to fall into sin and temptation, and we are all vulnerable.
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Understand that your temptation is not unique—there’s no temptation that will come your way that hasn’t been experienced in some way by other humans throughout history.
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Look for God’s escape plan. He has promised that He will always be faithful to us if we put our trust in him. He won’t allow any temptation that is too great for us to resist. He’ll provide a way out if we look to Him.
Now let’s recall that adage that you’ve heard when you’re struggling and put it into the appropriate context: God will never allow us to be tempted to sin beyond what we can resist. Take comfort in the fact that when we are unable to deliver ourselves, God is able. When we can’t take the heat, God will provide the strength for us.
Application:
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Think of a time you were tempted and succumbed to sin. How did you feel afterwards?
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Using that same example, imagine that during your time of temptation, you called on God to deliver you and put your trust in Him to bring you out of that situation. What do you think the outcome would have looked like?
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How can you take Paul’s “temptation tool kit” and put it into practice in your life?
Devo Plus:
Listen to the song “Lord I Need You” by Matt Maher. The lyrics are printed below so that you can reflect on them as you listen.
Lord I come, I confess Bowing here, I find my rest Without You, I fall apart You're the one that guides my heart Lord, I need You, oh I need You Every hour, I need You My one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more Where grace is found is where You are And where You are, Lord I am free Holiness is Christ in me Lord, I need You, oh I need You Every hour, I need You My one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You So teach my song to rise to You When temptation comes my way And when I cannot stand, I'll fall on You Jesus, You're my hope and stay Lord, I need You, oh I need You Every hour, I need You My one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You You're my one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You My one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You
Prayer:
God, I come to You today knowing that Your promises are true. I know that there are many times that I have failed You by giving in to temptation and not trusting You as I should. Help me to use the tools that Paul teaches us in today’s Scripture to lean on You when things get hard and temptations arise. Help me to remember that especially when I can’t handle a situation, You are the ultimate Deliverer. Thank You for Your promises, and for loving me and delivering me from the evils of this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Proverbs 18:1-3 (NSAB 1995)
He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind. When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn.
Explanation:
In this Proverb, the writer warns against ignoring wisdom by separating oneself. He does so using a Hebrew word that can mean someone who is both “reclusive” or “divisive.” It is interesting that the same word can have such a passive and an active meaning. Here, the writer is not simply talking about someone who is shy or introverted, but instead one who willfully separates themselves to pursue their own ends, a self-professed “loner”.
The problem is that the Bible gives no examples of a loner Christian. In fact, the Bible tells us the opposite, that we were created to be a part of God’s larger community of believers. He has placed people in our lives specifically to be the voice of reason at any place or time. That voice can be His own, or the appointed voice of any one of His people. We have seen over and over in the Bible and our own lives that He can use ANYONE to accomplish His purposes, but we MUST be willing to listen!
Listening leads to the next part of the Proverb when active, compassionate listening and understanding are contrasted with simply biding time until the next permissible opportunity to express one’s opinion. This “fool” confuses his patience in not interrupting another with “listening,” but in reality has no intention of keeping an open mind to any position other than his own. This refusal to listen is supported by one-sided arguments with no room for discussion or discourse, and the Proverb is clear that this position is unwise at best and evil at worst.
Once wicked intentions do rear their head, this fool does not take it as a sign of destruction and immediately change course; instead, he lets wickedness fester until it breeds full blown contempt. The same is true for a singular act of dishonor: when ruminated upon, it leads a person to label an entire life shameful. These adjectives of finality are NEVER from God; they are instead warnings showing us that we always have a choice. We can either heed these loving warnings and wisely follow the examples Jesus so beautifully gave us: of grace, peace, and forgiveness, or go the way of the loner, who is always right and justified in their own mind and position. Again, there is no such thing as a Christian loner and therefore, no such thing as a Christian loner’s ways!
Application:
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The King James Version of this passage even goes so far as to say that an isolated person only revels in their own “heart”, showing that God considers our hearts and minds connected. This means whatever is going on in our hearts will eventually spill over into our minds (and words and actions, but that is a Proverb for another day.) Take time to ask God to show you any patterns of thinking in your own life that have the potential to lead to purposeful defiance of wisdom and common sense.
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Next, ask God to help you change these patterns with specific steps toward others, whether they be recognition, repentance, or forgiveness… He knows your life and your struggles, so let Him lead the way!
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The writer makes clear that it is foolishly prideful to discount the dangers of isolation. Have you thought about intentional separation this way before? Can you see what a slippery slope this thinking can lead to?
Devo Plus:
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In case you are not convinced, go all the way back to the beginning of the Bible to when God Himself spoke these words: “It is not good that the man should be alone.” (Genesis 2:18)
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Even if you realize you’ve separated yourself from God and/or others, remember that NOTHING “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 8:39)
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Listen to “No Weapon” by Pat Barrett to put down your weapon of separation and surrender to God’s Love instead… nothing will serve you more in your walk with Him!
Prayer:
Father God, I thank You for creating me with community in mind. When I have a desire to think only one way or express my thinking without concern or compassion for others, hem me in and gently remind me that is unwise. Humble my heart and let me see and hear others as Your children, all working toward the same goal of learning to live life in You. Surround me with encouragement and let me do the same for others. Thank You for Your Word, and for loving us enough to guide our ways. In Your Precious Son’s Name, Amen.
1 Kings 12:1-19 (MSG)
Rehoboam traveled to Shechem where all Israel had gathered to inaugurate him as king. Jeroboam had been in Egypt, where he had taken asylum from King Solomon; when he got the report of Solomon’s death he had come back.
Rehoboam assembled Jeroboam and all the people. They said to Rehoboam, “Your father made life hard for us—worked our fingers to the bone. Give us a break; lighten up on us and we’ll willingly serve you.”
“Give me three days to think it over, then come back,” Rehoboam said.
King Rehoboam talked it over with the elders who had advised his father when he was alive: “What’s your counsel? How do you suggest that I answer the people?”
They said, “If you will be a servant to this people, be considerate of their needs and respond with compassion, work things out with them, they’ll end up doing anything for you.”
But he rejected the counsel of the elders and asked the young men he’d grown up with who were now currying his favor, “What do you think? What should I say to these people who are saying, ‘Give us a break from your father’s harsh ways—lighten up on us’?”
The young turks he’d grown up with said, “These people who complain, ‘Your father was too hard on us; lighten up’—well, tell them this: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. If you think life under my father was hard, you haven’t seen the half of it. My father thrashed you with whips; I’ll beat you bloody with chains!’”
Three days later Jeroboam and the people showed up, just as Rehoboam had directed when he said, “Give me three days to think it over, then come back.” The king’s answer was harsh and rude. He spurned the counsel of the elders and went with the advice of the younger set, “If you think life under my father was hard, you haven’t seen the half of it. My father thrashed you with whips; I’ll beat you bloody with chains!”
Rehoboam turned a deaf ear to the people. God was behind all this, confirming the message that he had given to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah of Shiloh.
When all Israel realized that the king hadn’t listened to a word they’d said, they stood up to him and said,
Get lost, David! We’ve had it with you, son of Jesse! Let’s get out of here, Israel, and fast! From now on, David, mind your own business.
And with that, they left. But Rehoboam continued to rule those who lived in the towns of Judah.
When King Rehoboam next sent out Adoniram, head of the workforce, the Israelites ganged up on him, pelted him with stones, and killed him. King Rehoboam jumped in his chariot and fled to Jerusalem as fast as he could. Israel has been in rebellion against the Davidic regime ever since.
Explanation:
Many of us anguish over moments of our lives when we were at a juncture but made the wrong decision. We emotionally cringe over some, and bear the consequences of others. We would give anything for a “do over” but there is no moment in the past that we can bring back by longing for it. We only have the present to build and create, as we learn wisdom and the past withdraws.
The great news is wisdom can be learned. Our reactions can be modified. Our impulses can dissipate. Our thought processes can mature. Our track record can improve. And our ability to listen to wise counsel can happen!
We can’t rewrite the past, but we can rewrite the future based on what we learn and begin to practice.
Eight characteristics of a good decision: Good decisions acknowledge history… Good decisions positively impact others. ... Good decisions foster opportunity. ... Good decisions include others. ... Good decisions are executable. ... Good decisions are accountable. ... Good decisions are pragmatic.
Rehoboam’s decision was not good: It ignored the history of his father. It hurt others. It destroyed his opportunity to lead well. It ignored wise counsel. It was executed at the expense of lives. It flaunted unaccountability. It was stupid because it was unsustainable and fostered rebellion.
The thing that stands out is he didn’t learn from the history of his father, and he ignored the profound truth and sure way of success the people and elders laid out for him. They hadn’t played some guessing game with him. They had clearly communicated their need and assured him of their response. It was a win/win that arrogance caused him to annihilate.
“They said to Rehoboam, “Your father made life hard for us—worked our fingers to the bone. Give us a break; lighten up on us and we’ll willingly serve you.”
One of the traits of a good boss is their ability to lead with kindness while securing loyalty. It was a nugget of wisdom laid right out before Rehoboam that he was too power-hungry to absorb, causing those under him to despise him. He had no grasp on how to handle power or listen to wise counsel. Consequently, he lost everything.
With wisdom, his story could have had such a different outcome.
While Rehoboam threw his life away, you can learn from him and take a different approach. Allow God to teach you new ways.
Application:
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Why do you think Rehoboam ignored the plea of the people and the advice of the elders? How does a person become that blind to wisdom?
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Have you ever blatantly ignored sound counsel and paid a high price? Consequences are a big deal. What did you learn that you will never do again?
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What could possibly numb someone so deeply from the feelings of others?
Devo Plus:
This summation is from Andy Stanley's book Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets; 5 Questions to Help You Determine Your Next Move
“Five Questions:
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The Integrity Question. Am I being honest with myself, really? Decision #1: I will not lie to myself even if the truth makes me feel bad about myself.
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The Legacy Question. What story do I want to tell? Decision #2: I will write a story I’m proud to tell one decision at a time.
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The Conscience Question. Is there a tension that needs my attention? Decision #3: I will explore rather than ignore my conscience.
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The Maturity Question. What is the wise thing to do? Decision #4: I will take the past, present, and future into consideration
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The Relationship Question. What does love require of me? Decision #5: I will decide with the interests of others in mind.”
Prayer:
God, it is so easy to feel defined by my mistakes and their consequences. Help me start writing new chapters in the story of my life as I learn to stop, look, and listen for Your leading and listen to wise counsel. Help me catch my spiritual breath, and may your Holy Spirit flood my being with hope as I trust in You. Amen.
Proverbs 12:15 (ESV)
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Explanation:
Although my daughter is only six years old, we are in a season where she thinks she is always right, and we are wrong. In her six years of being alive, she thinks she knows all, and way more than her parents do. If you are a parent, you know the struggle. As we try to train her and guide her, I realized this is not just a normal thing for children, but it is ingrained in all of us. Due to sin and the fall, we are all born with this desire to be right and not listen to the council of others.
Just as I am trying to teach my daughter, this is not the way God calls us to live. Yes, we want to be right, but often someone else knows more and is wiser. When I tell my daughter she can’t have candy all day every day, it is because I know it is not healthy for her in the long run. The same is true when others give us godly wisdom and counsel for our life. They know that God’s way is better. They have experience and are doing all they can to help us live life to the fullest, and how best we can serve God. When we choose not to listen to the godly advice of others, we choose to be a fool and live life only for ourselves. But when we allow others to speak truth, wisdom, and love into our lives, it is so much better. As Solomon states in today’s passage, a wise person will seek out advice from godly counsel, but a fool will continue to do what they feel is right. Pride says “I’m right and I will do what I want.” Humility and wisdom instead says, “I will seek out godly help and advice so that I can become more like Christ.” Which one do you choose today?
Application:
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Why do we always have this desire to be right?
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Why is it often hard to swallow our pride and allow others to speak truth and wisdom into our lives?
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How would your life, the church, your job, etc. look different if you chose to seek godly wisdom and advice from others instead of always trying to be right?
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What do you need to do to live out a life that is more humble and to accept the wisdom of others?
Devo Plus:
The book of Proverbs is full of so many simple truths. I encourage you to read all of Proverbs 12 to gain more insight on what it means to be wise instead of foolish.
Prayer:
God, we know that so many times in our lives we allow pride and our need to be right to get in the way of truly experiencing life. We do not want to live in a foolish manner, but instead to be full of wisdom. Will You please help us to put on humility, to seek the counsel of others, and listen to their advice? We know that often others are wiser and have more experience that can help us to continue to live a life worthy of Your calling. We long to be wise. Help us each day to do this so we can be more and more like Jesus. Amen.
Proverbs 15:21-22 (ESV)
Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
Explanation:
There is a mentality that we can slip into at times that tells us that independence is the ultimate goal. If one can somehow manage to muster up enough will power to accomplish a task, then they are considered successful by others or in their own eyes. It could be a product of our culture, our upbringing, our own insecurities, or any number of things that contributes to us striving for this.
This is, however, far from what we see encouraged in scripture. When we claim to be “wise in our own eyes”, to borrow a phrase from another passage in Proverbs, we can set ourselves up for some major trouble. Independence can be very detrimental to the life of a Christ follower. It is foolish for us to operate apart from the leading of Christ, and apart from the trusted guidance of those you know to be pursuing Christ as well.
As our reading points out today, “folly” seems like a good thing to those who lack understanding. True understanding. Folly in these verses refer to sin, and sin can seem very wonderful when we fail to see how damaging it is to our lives. True understanding can only be found in and through Christ and those who also genuinely follow Christ. It is in these, and only these relationships, where one can see the error of their sin and gain counsel to succeed in the way that Christ wants them to succeed.
What we gain in these relationships are perspectives and wisdom we most likely don’t have on our own. My friends, if you find yourself in life operating in large part on your own, it is time to press pause, seek God, and let Him guide you in your next steps.
Application:
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How often do you find yourself operating in life apart from Christ?
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Why would God want us to seek Him in our decisions?
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How has your quest for independence in the past gotten you into some trouble in life?
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Describe a time when God or a faithful person of God has helped you navigate a season when you were walking in sin/folly?
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In what areas could you use some wise counsel from Christ and other followers?
Devo Plus:
Read Proverbs 3:7. What does it mean to be wise in your own eyes?
Prayer:
Jesus, help me in my arrogance and ignorance. Whenever I find myself in a position where I try to do things on my own, may Your Holy Spirit guide me in the right direction. Amen.
Proverbs 7:1-27 (ESV)
My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words. For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness. And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait. She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him, “I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows; so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you. I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen; I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home he has gone on a long journey; he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home.” With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.
Explanation:
Much of the book of Proverbs deals with two contrasting characters: personifications of Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly. The writers of Proverbs cast Lady Wisdom as the woman worth pursuing. Seeking her leads to a path of life, joy, and peace. On the flipside is Lady Folly. She is a seducer who tempts others to embrace her and her path with the illusions of a full life, pleasure, and ease. Both characters stand as a metaphor for the choices that we face.
In today’s passage we see the Teacher observing how many walk by Lady Folly and fall for her temptations. The greatest web that she weaves comes in verses 19-20: the temptation that you can get away with giving in to her ways. Sometimes our greatest temptation is to not avoid the things we should avoid because we think there will not be any consequences for our actions. We are unhealthy because we think our bodies can sustain it, or that we can work it off later. We choose not to take a sabbath because we think we are tough and do not need a rest. We think we can give into lust and that it will not hurt anyone.
The Teacher reminds his audience that only one path awaits those who keep giving into Lady Folly’s temptations: her way leads to the “chambers of death” (Proverbs 7:27).
Application:
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Is there something you know is the good and right thing to do but you keep putting it off because you think it’s not hurting anything?
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What are the fears that hold you back from following Lady Wisdom?
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What are the temptations that are pulling you towards Lady Folly?
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How do you think you can fight the temptations of Lady Folly?
Devo Plus:
Read Proverbs 1-6.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, will You please help us to trust that Your path is the way to life. Remind us that wisdom sets the guard rails for that path. Help us to fight off temptation as we encounter it, and help us to remember that there is no action hidden from Your sight. Help us to trust Your loving kindness and walk in Your ways… even when it’s hard.
1 Peter 4:7-11 (ESV)
The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Explanation:
Recently, I’ve been having conversations with different groups of friends about a variety of subject matters (parenting, loving others well, marriage, exercising), and a common theme is to “keep at it.” While all of these things I listed are wonderful, it takes perseverance and the commitment to stay focused on goal in order to succeed. To me, this passage of scripture is such a great reminder to do this exact thing: keep at it! Keep loving others well, keep showing hospitality, keep stewarding our gifts and abilities well, keep serving others. Do all of these things for God’s glory!
Paul is telling the Romans (and us) to keep loving people well. I appreciate how he tells us that love covers a multitude of sins. That is a simple phrase, but oh so true. When we choose to love others, even when they may give us reason to be upset or frustrated, that brings glory to God.
Paul tells us to keep showing hospitality. Making time for people and showing them hospitality sometimes is outside our comfort zone, but it’s something that God calls us to do. It may mean a little gift or note to encourage someone. It may mean making time for a phone call, lunch, or having a person over to your house for a meal. These things go a long way in showing God’s love to others.
Paul tells us to use our giftings and abilities to bring God glory. Each one of us has specific abilities given from God. Sometimes those abilities are more in the spotlight, and other times they are serving behind the scenes. All abilities are significant, and we are all responsible for stewarding them well. Don’t let comparison steal your ability to be used by God. We all matter!
Let’s keep at it and work to be faithful stewards of what God has given us!
Application:
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Think about each one of the points that Paul encourages us to do in this passage. Which one do you need to “keep at it” the most?
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What is an action step you can take this week to work toward the area you thought of for question number 1?
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Make a list of traits that describe the person you desire to be in life. Does it line up with the passage above? Look at that list. What areas do you need to change in order to become that person?
Devo Plus:
Read Galatians 5:22-23 where the fruit of the Spirit is listed. Choose one of them, as well as one practical way that you can live it out today.
Prayer:
God, we thank You for today’s reminder of the type of person you desire for us to be and the type of character traits you desire for us to possess. Help us to live this out in our lives. It is not always easy to be this type of person, and we need Your strength. We remember that You are with us and walking through life with us, and we are so grateful for that truth. We love you.
III John 1, 3-8 (NLT)
This letter is from John, the elder, to Gaius, his dear friend, whom I love in the truth.
Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.
Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.
Explanation:
I was raised by two parents whose names could have replaced Gaius in this passage, and I am positive John the Apostle would have felt the same way about mom and dad as he did his friend Gaius. Dad was a pastor who absolutely loved missionaries. He was known among missionaries as a missionary friend, and they loved him. Consequently, some of my favorite memories are sitting around the dinner table with missionaries. I loved their stories and warm personalities. My dad also taught me to give generously to missionaries. A family treasure is a grainy home movie of me, as my big four-year-old self, walking up the aisle of our church to give my Boys Girls Missionary Crusade offering that I had saved months for. I loved knowing my dimes would make it possible for other kids to hear about Jesus.
Our family value was giving sacrificially to help missionaries. We wholeheartedly embraced verse 6: “Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God.”
When they came, they got the best bed in our home, we used our best dishes and tablecloths, we served our best food, and we did without so that we could give them a great offering. I came to view missionaries as royalty.
I still do. I love missionary biographies, documentaries, and newsletters. They are very important people. It is as simple as this: without missionaries and traveling ministers, the Gospel would not spread.
In the 1980’s and early ‘90’s, before the internet, I made and sold wreaths and jewelry to fund buying books for missionary wives who had no access to books in their respective countries. Few feelings gave me more goosebumps than being able to go to the post office and mail a box of books to someone who was doing the Lord’s work where I couldn’t.
Why, you ask?
When you help someone who is spreading the gospel, you are actively partnering with them to ensure the Gospel continues to be shared.
You and I must care for the Lord's workers!
You can easily do something to help a missionary or pastor, or Paul would never have given it such emphasis. We are commanded to help!
Application:
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He called us to participate in making disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to keep His commandments (Matthew 28: 18-20). There are many ways to be involved with this effort. What is your way?
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How else will they hear?
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Mercy has been extended to us, and mercy is required of us. In Romans 10:14-15 the Apostle Paul says, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?” We must be involved in this effort.
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John reminds Gaius to send them in a manner worthy of God. This isn’t just a friendly farewell, but a high standard of us sharing our material things with those who preach and teach. What will you share?
Devo Plus:
Paul thanked the Philippian church for their contribution to his care (Philippians 4:10-18). Full time missionaries and ministers depend on prayer, encouragement, and financial support to meet spiritual, emotional, and physical needs, so that they can give themselves fully to the work of spreading the gospel.
We have been blessed for a reason.
“To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). We have been given so much – freedom to study the Word of God, and many of us have health and enjoy a level of prosperity not seen in other parts of the world. Are you fulfilling your responsibility as good stewards of all that God has given you?
Prayer:
Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38).
Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35 (NLT)
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
Explanation:
Picture this: you are part of something new, exciting, and spreading like wildfire. Your opportunity is to share a message with eternal promise, a message of the risen Savior. There’s only one problem: the world outside is totally opposed to your mission. You’ve gone radical. It’s counter-cultural to the point that leaders in your group are being thrown in jail and martyred for your cause. How do you react?
In Acts, we read of the reaction of the people to Peter and John’s reports of the condemnation of the church and the Gospel. They united! The Scripture says that these people, all of whom were very different as individuals, came together as one. They shared each other’s needs, shared possessions, and came together as a unified family with one heart to pray for the Church.
The result was nothing short of remarkable. God showered them with blessings, and they experienced a sense of unity that was greater than any they’d experienced before. These people took care of one another, assuring that no one was suffering in poverty. Those who had been both from rich and poor backgrounds came together to focus on their brothers and sisters in an act of love. They lifted one another in prayer and gave generously with open hearts in the name of Jesus.
I think about this story sometimes when I feel the need to tackle mountains on my own. We are part of a community. We are believers that are called to have one heart, and if I am suffering, I have an entire community of people that I can call on to help me. You have the same resource. If you a challenge or burden you are facing that you’re trying to carry on your own, I am called to be your sister and help you in whatever way I can. Sometimes, it just means that I listen and pray and gather other prayer warriors around you. Other times, it may look different. The key is that we are one. One heart, joined together, seeking to edify each other and spread Jesus’s message to all the world.
Application:
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What does it mean to you when you think of the Church having “one heart”?
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When you are facing struggles, what is your default reaction? Do you turn to others, or do you try to tackle it alone?
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How can you demonstrate a posture of “one heart” as a part of the Church body?
Devo Plus:
Read these other scriptures about being unified as one: 2 Corinthians 13:11; Galatians 3:28, Philippians 2:2, and Romans 12:4-5.
Prayer:
Ask God to search your heart today and show you areas where you need to improve with the “one heart” posture. Ask Him to help you when it comes to your own struggles and how you approach them. Spend some time being quiet before God and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you.
Romans 16:1-27 (ESV)
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Explanation:
Paul did incredible things in his life. He planted churches all throughout the Mediterranean region, healed the sick, raised a dead boy, wrote letters that would become scripture. One thing Paul never was shy about was that his work was dependent on the work of so many around him. The churches Paul planted would not be healthy or sustained if the women and men at those churches did not step up and do the work required. His letters would never have been delivered or heard without people like Phoebe delivering, reading, and explaining Paul’s letters to the churches. Without the contributions of the many churches, his mission and the money to care for the needy would not have been there. It took the faithful followers of Jesus doing the work and being generous, willing to contribute their resources to accomplish the mission of God.
Things have not changed since Paul’s time. God still accomplishes His mission, not through individual leaders (though they are important), but by the faithful followers who work together to make disciples and proclaim the good news of the Gospel.
Application:
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If you are honest with yourself, do you feel like you are playing a part in the mission of God at your local church?
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Where have you been generous with your time, talents, resources?
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Where is God maybe challenging you to take an additional step of faith?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Your mission has never been dependent on one woman or man. You have called a people who each have a part to play. You have gifted each of us in such a way that we can contribute to the expansion of the Gospel. Stir up in our hearts the desire to be a part of what You are doing. Stir in us a passion for seeing disciples being made, for the Gospel to continue to go forth, and show us our part in it. You are good and worthy to be praised! Amen.
Romans 15:14-33 (NLT)
14 I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. 15 Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God’s grace, 16 I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. 17 So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. 18 Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them. 19 They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.
20 My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. 21 I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says,
“Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.”
22 In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.
23 But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. 24 I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.
25 But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. 26 For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. 27 They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. 28 As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain. 29 And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.
30 Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. 31 Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation I am taking to Jerusalem. 32 Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other.
33 And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.
Explanation:
Serving the Lord is not for the faint-hearted. What sounds like an upbeat and encouraging message to the believers in Rome is actually confirmation of the truth found in Proverbs 19:21. You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.
Paul was very much looking forward to visiting Rome as part of his missionary journey. However, when he wrote these words, Paul had no idea that God’s plan to get him over to Rome would be as a prisoner in chains, aboard a ship full of felons, bound for a Roman prison where he would eventually die at the hands of a godless emperor! Had Paul known this, would he have remained faithful? In Acts 21, the prophet Agabus warned Paul ahead of his journey of the imprisonment that awaited him. Paul steadfastly declared he was “ready to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.”
It is good to have goals and make plans, but always be ready to adjust your life to where God is working. If you stay in the center of His will, God will use you in ways you never imagined. Paul wanted to preach the good news where it had never been heard. God not only honored that request, He used Paul to reach prisoners and Roman officials who otherwise may never have heard about the love of Jesus Christ.
Application:
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If you were told what Paul was told, would you still serve God wholeheartedly?
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Paul said he was following the plan in the scriptures to speak of Jesus to those who have never been told (Isaiah 52:15). In your day-to-day activities, do you meet people who have never heard of Jesus Christ? How do you react?
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How does today’s passage connect tithes and offerings with serving the Lord’s people?
Devo Plus:
2 Corinthians 6:4-10
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I trust You to lead me and keep me in the center of Your will as I obey the next step You give me. Amen.
Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV)
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Acts 1:8 (ESV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Explanation:
Have you ever had an experience that you just could not wait to share with someone? In excitement, we usually pick up the phone to call or text that person or go seek that person out the next opportunity that we get. Why do we do this? Simply put, we have a God-given desire for commonality and connection with others. We want others to join us in our life journey, and sharing stories about our experiences can be a very powerful tool in unifying us.
Jesus, in His incredible wisdom, was very clear that this idea of sharing stories, or witnessing, was going to be an invaluable method that could be utilized to share the message of His gospel. In fact, it has been a method that God has used from the very beginning. In general, much of our Bible originated from the sharing of stories from one generation to the next. Therefore, it is no surprise that Jesus commanded His disciples and us to be witnesses for Him throughout our lives as well.
As with any exciting experience that we encounter and cannot wait to share with others, our message of how the gospel has changed our lives is an exciting opportunity that has tremendous impact. It is one that can change lives forever. Our excitement for this witness to others blooms out of an active relationship with God. Our faith can be so real and genuine that we cannot help but share it with others. When our lives are fueled by our deep love for God, others see that. We must remember that each encounter we have can be an opportunity to reflect Christ to others. People need the light of Christ that you have in you. Share it, spread it, and go live it!
Application:
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What can hinder you at times from witnessing to others?
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Why is witnessing to others such a valuable tool that Christ uses?
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How have you been impacted by Jesus, and why do others need to hear about it?
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What interactions do you have throughout your day where you could witness to others?
Devo Plus:
Read 2 Timothy 1:8-10. How do these verses remind you of the importance of our calling to witness?
Prayer:
Jesus, You have changed my life and made me a new creation. I know this is the greatest gift that anyone can receive. Help me not to forget that. Holy Spirit, remind me of the value of my story and my relationship with You. Help me not to forget the powerful message of Your gospel and how it can eternally change someone’s life. Make me sensitive this day and each day moving forward to the opportunities that I have to witness for You. I want to make Your name great!
Romans 15:8-13 (NRSV)
For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
“Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name”;
and again he says,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”;
and again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him”;
and again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Explanation:
When God called Abraham to be “the father of His nation,” He also made Abraham a promise. God promised that someday a Messiah would come to set them free. But this Messiah, this Savior, would not only save the people of Israel, He came to save and set free anyone who would believe.
God not only made these promises, but He was faithful to keep them. In today’s passage, Paul refers to many Old Testament verses to remind the people of the promises God had made, and also to encourage them that God is indeed faithful to keep every single promise He makes. Every promise God made in these passages, He was faithful to fulfill. This is why we can trust Him. This is why He alone is where we can find hope. God was faithful in keeping His promises to Abraham, to the people of Israel, and to the Gentiles…and He will continue to keep His promises to us as well. This is where we find true hope. Think about it, we have a God who not only loves us, but who makes promises to us that He will keep. No one else and nothing else will ever be able to live up to that reputation. But our God can and He will. When we trust God and place our hope in Him, that is where we find true joy, true peace, and true life.
Application:
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What are some things in this world in which you have placed your hope?
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What has the outcome been of putting your hope in worldly things?
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Why is it different with God?
Devo Plus:
Paul uses many Old Testament passages to show God’s faithfulness. Check out the following verses as a reminder that our God truly is faithful to His word and promises: 2 Samuel 22:50-51, Psalm 117:1-2, and Isaiah 11:10-12.
Prayer:
God, we are so thankful that You are a God who keeps His word. What an amazing thing it is to know that You are a promise-keeping God. You are faithful, and because of that, we can put our hope in You. Thank You for being a gracious, loving, faithful God. Amen.
2 Timothy 2:22-24 (ESV)
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil...
Explanation:
We recently returned from a road trip with our family of four. As with any vacation, there can be great times and not so great times. For me, what always creates the most tension during road trips is when someone is not getting along with another. What makes it worse is there is no escape when you are in a car, especially for extended time periods.
On our trip we had a few occasions where our two kids, ages 10 and 6, were quarreling about things they didn’t see eye to eye on. As a parent who is learning how to best parent my kiddos at each stage of their lives, I couldn’t help but find myself annoyed by some of their spats. My aim was to view them in grace, but in all honesty some of the things they were quarreling about were petty and obnoxious. They were often rooted in selfishness and lack of compassion. We had many conversations about why it is important to treat others well.
If you have ever been around another human being, you know that this is not unique to my kids. Even as adults, we can often find ourselves in situations where we are easily irritated with another individual. As we read today, we must be very guarded about the way we handle our interactions with others.
As with Jesus’ time, there were individuals in Paul’s time who loved to stir up those they were around. In the same way that it is easy for us to get pulled in and wrapped up into many different controversies that arise in our culture, Paul was warning his mentee Timothy to be very careful with how he conducts himself around others. Paul encouraged Timothy that Jesus’ way was to be kind to others, to use disagreements as an opportunity to teach others the ways of God, and to not be surprised if others are evil toward you for having a godly perspective. We too must keenly heed these very same truths, for most of us probably know from experience that foolish and ignorant quarrels never bring out the best in us or others. Keep these passages in mind the next time you are tempted to instigate or jump into a quarrel with someone else.
Application:
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When you have been involved in or witnessed foolish and ignorant quarrels in the past, what are some of observations that you have made?
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Why do you think Apostle Paul was so adamant about warning Timothy about his role as a servant of Christ?
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If you approached others with the humility of kindness, willingness to teach rather than condemn, and endurance when they are evil toward you, how might others respond to you better?
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How can you grow in these specific areas?
Devo Plus:
Read Matthew 7:12. If you approached your interactions with others with this heart, how might those interactions change?
Prayer:
Jesus, You model so well what it looks like to live a life full of grace and truth. Your kindness truly led others to repentance. We too want to share in serving others this same way. Enduring evil patiently can be challenging especially when what others say is hurtful. Reinforce us with Your love and grace in these times. Help us to use these times to share with others the true heart of God.
1 Corinthians 8:6-13 (NLT)
But for us, there is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.
However, not all believers know this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated. It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do. But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed. And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.
Explanation:
In this passage, Paul is again focusing on the conduct of believers as it relates to other believers. He uses the example of meat to represent confusion among the new Christians in Corinth; specifically, whether or not a believer was free to eat the remainder of meat that was previously sacrificed to pagan idols.
After writing about love for the past few devotions, these verses come as a punch in the gut. But the reality is, Paul’s words here are even more about loving our fellow believers because this is where love gets hard. He is telling us that anything we do as Christians has the potential to affect another believer’s walk with Christ. He uses the words of “weaker conscience” to simply mean those that are either new or vulnerable in their faith. These believers are contrasted with the actions and decisions of “mature” or “seasoned” Christians and Paul is clear that this responsibility is for all of us.
As The Message version of the Bible bluntly puts it: “When you hurt a friend, you hurt Christ.” Paul makes clear that no behavior is worth the cost of a weak one. God very much cares when we use our found freedom in Christ carelessly, and urges us to steer clear of anything that may trip up a brother or sister in Christ.
I’m not sure about you, but the idea of sinning against others AND Christ Himself just doesn’t sit well with me. I never want anyone to be confused on account of my actions. I want to use my freedom in Christ with sensitivity to what others may have been through or are currently going through. Even if we have peace with a certain area of our lives, we should refrain from doing something if it creates a stumbling block for others. We never know when or with what someone may still be struggling. But God does. Jesus died for YOU and for THEM so don’t forget “THEM!”
Application:
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Food once offered to an idol might seem like an outdated example for us today but what if we replace it with another behavior that could potentially create a stumbling block for another? What do you know you do that could cause another newer believer in the faith to go off track?
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Does this behavior have to be intentional to cause another’s stumble? What does the verse say?
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What are you willing to give up today if it means it could secure another’s eternal destination? If nothing comes to mind, ask God to show you what behaviors or ideas could cause others confusion, and then ask for Him to help you take steps to change them. Anything God asks us to do will always be worth the sacrifice!
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As Oscar Wilde once said: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” Be reminded and encouraged that this goes both ways; it is also possible for people to “see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). Let us be people that cause others to give thanks to God instead of causing them to stumble!
Devo Plus:
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When Paul suggests that our superior knowledge has the potential to “destroy” a weak believer, he uses a Greek word that denotes “eternal destruction.” Let us keep this in mind next time we tell ourselves that our behavior is not a big deal to ourselves or others! See Romans 2:12, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 15:18, and 2 Corinthians 2:15, 4:3 for other examples.
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Listen to “The Bible Project” explain the harder parts of Paul’s Letter in 1 Corinthians.
Prayer:
Dear God, Thank You for creating us to be in this life with Your people. You could have created a lonely world, but that You gave us others to do life with shows us just how important relationships are on this earth. Give us Your Holy Spirit to direct our paths in these often difficult situations. And should we cause another to stumble, help us to recognize it and repent, reaching down immediately to help them back up. We praise You for being a God of peace and never of confusion; teach us Your Ways and thank You for loving all of Your people so. Amen.
Romans 15:1-7 (ESV)
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Explanation:
Swearing was not too big of a deal in my house growing up. It was simply the language we used. But there were moments when we were under strict instructions to not use certain language, such as at my great grandmother’s house. We can go back and forth with whether its ok for one to use colorful language or not, but the point was this: there is a time and a place to exercise the freedom I felt. Grandma’s house was not one of them. We did our best to honor that because we wanted to honor her (and we knew there were consequences if we didn’t).
This is Paul’s heart and instructions to the churches in Rome. Christ’s death and reformed way of viewing the relationship with God was challenging to many who were part of the Jewish community. It abandoned things that were staples in the Jewish faith. The gentile believers had no problem with the freedoms and instructions of the new community of faith, but the Jewish Christians did. Paul instructs the gentile believers to set aside their rights to the freedoms they enjoyed for the benefit and honor of those who were still learning how to walk in these freedoms. For the good of the unity of the Church, for the good of the other believers, for the witness to the power of Christ, they were called to set aside their rights, privileges, and things they enjoyed (agape love fueled by submission). Because while Paul enjoyed the new freedoms found in Christ as much as the next person, loving others and uniting in faith was more important and more glorifying to God than enjoying the good things He had given.
Application:
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Could you identify a freedom in your life that is a hinderance to others?
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Has it ever posed a problem for other people?
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When you are in that situation where you know it’s going to be an issue, how do you process through that?
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Have you ever considered setting aside your preferences and rights in that moment as not to offend the other?
Devo Plus:
Read Galatians 5:13-26.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please help us to keep in mind the things that are most important. You have given us a lot of freedom and the ability to enjoy so many things. But help us to hold tight to the better thing: loving others and creating unity in the body. For Your glorious name! Amen
Romans 14: 13-23 (NLT) So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
Explanation:
When this scripture was written there were jewish religious laws that people had to follow including what to eat and drink, but Paul is telling them that under the authority of Jesus no food is unclean to eat. These verses tell us that if, what you are going to eat or drink would cause your friend to stumble or fall into sin then you should not do it. Think of it as drinking in front of an alcoholic or eating cake in front of someone that struggles with their weight. You would not want to do that, you would want to look out for their well-being.
In this world we live in this scripture can be difficult to follow. We constantly hear “do what is right for you!” “Look out for your own self.” But, by living God’s way we should look different and take care of each other. If your friend comes to you and says, “I can’t take another drink of coffee or it will kill me”. You should slap that coffee out of their hand the next time you saw them with one. The same is true with our actions, if someone told you all of your opinions you write on social media makes them worry, fearful, get angry or gossip then you should stop. Think about what you say, wear, drink or eat. If any of those things are going to cause someone to walk into sin then you should not continue doing them. Build each other up and not create division among believers.
God placed us here to live in harmony and direct others towards Jesus not to tear them down. We would not want any of our actions to negatively reflect the church therefore cause someone to quit pursuing Jesus. This is a hard concept because we want to do what we want to do but God has asked us to reflect Him to this dark world.
Application:
- Who has God laid on your heart that you haven’t carried about them lately?
- What action are you doing in life that could be causing someone else to stumble?
- What action do you keep doing that God has told you to get rid of and you keep doing it because the world accepts it?
Devo Plus:
And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble. 1 Corinthians 9:12-13
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Help me to put my pride down when I want to do things my way. Help me to see my friends and family the way you do. Forgive me for the things that I am doing that would make others stumble. Help me to see those and change them to your ways. Thank you for always loving me and challenging me to be more like You. Love you Father! In Jesus name I pray! Amen
1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (ESV)
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
Explanation:
We hear a lot today about people being offended. In fact, we get offended pretty often these days. Today Paul talks about how careful we must be not to cause someone to be offended in the sense of being able to see Jesus. Have you ever been to a movie, concert, play, or other venue and someone extremely tall (or with a big head) sits down in front of you and blocks your view? Talk about offensive…
We all have friends that are striving to see Jesus. Have you ever thought that the reason they can’t see Jesus is because you keep stepping in front of their line of sight, and your big head is blocking their ability to see? Time for a self-check. Are there things that you do that may be causing your friend to stumble? We are under a microscope, friends, and our actions are being examined by those who are looking to us to be an example of Jesus.
As Christians in a broken society, we must be careful of how we act, react, and speak. We are called in this passage to do everything to the glory of God. If you are going out socially with someone and you know that they are striving to see Jesus, what do you do? Do you go to see the movie that has been taunted to be full of sex, lust, and immorality, or do you choose something different? By making the decision to go, could it cause your friend to think that you can follow Jesus and still keep one foot in the world? We are called to the highest of purposes when we choose to be a Jesus follower. We must constantly question our actions not only for the benefit of our own salvation, but for the good of others as well.
Application:
Are you ever confronted with the “should I or shouldn’t I” decision? Think of a situation, real or hypothetical. Apply these principles:
• Will it give you fellowship with God? • Will it glorify Him? • Will it edify others? • Will it distract others and get in their way of seeing Jesus?
How can you apply today’s passage to your friendships, colleagues, and other relationships?
Devo Plus:
To go a little deeper into today’s passage, read Leviticus 19:18, Romans 15:1, Romans 14:13b, 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 and Colossians 3:17.
Prayer:
Jesus, help me to be a light in this dark world. Keep my big head out of the way of the sight line of others who are looking to You. Give me the wisdom to know when I should or shouldn’t engage in a conversation or activity. Help me to keep from stumbling while I stay out of the way of others. Give me courage to say no to the things that don’t edify You and to be strong in Your Word.
Romans 14:1-12 (NLT)
Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.
In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it's to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.
So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say,
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’”
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.
Explanation:
In the past year of 2020, the culture of the world has been that we all have an opinion we need to share, and if someone doesn’t agree with my particular opinion, they are wrong and I should fight with them over it. We have seen the huge mess this has caused. People have been arguing and fighting over differences in opinions and not facts. Friendships have been lost, families have separated, and so much damage has happened because of this. We have allowed our opinions and the opinions of others to dictate how we will respond to each other. Unfortunately, we have even let it creep into the church and how we interact with other believers.
Like He always does, God gives us a warning and calls us to make sure we live differently than the world. To make sure that how we are acting is a reflection of Him, and not of the world. When I choose to let my opinion be more important than the love I show others, I have missed the mark. When I decide to fight with someone because they disagree with me, I miss out on the opportunity to listen, to learn, to disciple, and to show Christ’s love. That is what Paul is reminding us of in this passage. Don’t get bent out of shape with others just because they have a different viewpoint than you! Instead, choose to love them by how you listen and interact. Don’t get discouraged with new believers because they don’t know everything you do about God. Instead, be open to helping, teaching, discipling, and even learning from them. Don’t let your need to be right or to feel like your voice is heard get in the way of showing love and grace to others.
God is not concerned with our opinion; He is concerned with our hearts. What Christ calls us to do is to be unified, to make disciples, and to show others we belong to Him. How do we care for and show others we belong to God? By the way we choose to love, especially those who we may not agree with.
Application:
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Why do we find it so important to share our opinions with others?
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Can you think of a time when your opinion mattered more to you than being Christ-like to the other person? If so, what happened? How did that effect your relationship?
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What do you need to do in order to grow in this area?
Devo Plus:
There are two Bible verses I have found to be helpful whenever I am trying to decide if I should share my opinion, but also when others may not agree with me. I hope these verses help you process this week.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19 (NLT)
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
Prayer:
God, we live in a world where it feels as though we need to constantly share our opinion, and also to turn away from those who do not think the same as we do. Will You please challenge and help us with this. We know that You call us to be loving, to show grace, and to lead others to the light. We can only do this by being more willing to listen, slow to speak, and patient with each other. Help us today to put our opinions aside and to instead put on Your love, Your grace, and Your compassion. We long to be more like You, Jesus. Amen.
Proverbs 17:19 (NIV)
Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
Proverbs 20:3 (NIV)
It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
Explanation:
Sometimes, I cannot help but notice the strife and the pain that people inflict on themselves simply because they stir up contentions with people everywhere they go. They walk down a path of destruction. Destruction in interpersonal relationships, destruction of their self-esteem, destruction of their marriages, and destruction of their peers.
I have had to cut ties with a friend before because our friendship was too draining on my conscience. He was always getting himself into trouble, always saying the wrong things to people, and treating others poorly. He surely did not know how to respect others or their boundaries. His work life and marriage were total messes. He struggled to keep any friends at all, especially close friends. This person literally stirred up trouble everywhere he went. He was always on the defense, just looking for ways to be offended. He was not afraid to call people out for something when he felt wronged, and he thought he was always right. He was Proverbs 17:19 and Proverbs 20:3, and his relationships all around him showed this so clearly.
We should avoid contention, and if at all possible, live peaceably with all men. We should stop looking for ways to be offended by others. We should truly and humbly avoid strife. This has brought much peace and security to my life in the past.
The burden of strife is heavy, but we can rest in the peace of knowing that we can cast all our cares upon the Lord to help change us from the inside out. We can find rest today by turning away from our insatiable appetites for argument. We can lay down our defenses and humbly seek peace in every circumstance.
Application:
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In what ways can we change our own behavior in regard to gossip, slander, inappropriate conversations, or causing/adding to contention?
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In what ways would modifying our quarrelsome behaviors impact our personal relationships for the better in the workplace, in our marriages, in our families, or with our acquaintances?
Devo Plus:
Every morning this week, start your day by thinking about 3 things for which you are thankful.
Every night this week, thank God for continuing to create in you a clean heart, and for making you more like Him every day.
Prayer:
God, I thank You for what You are doing in my life. I thank You for continuing to change me for Your good. I thank You for the peace that You are bringing me, and the wisdom with which You will continue to bless me. Use me as a vessel for Your peace in my workplace, in my marriage, in my family, and in my friendships. Let my heart always point them to Your abounding grace and mercy. Let my soft answer turn away wrath, and my caring heart show Your love. Make me more like You. Amen.