2022
Daily Devotion Archive
“Praying for Righteous Rule”
We must pray for those in authority to have people cross their paths to help shape and mold their decisions that reflect that which is right and that which is good. We must pray for the salvation of those in authority who do not know Christ as their Savior. We can pray and we must pray!
When righteousness is displayed in authority, the people rejoice and flourish. When wickedness reigns, the people mourn. May we pray for righteousness in authority. It’s our duty!
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Proverbs 29:2
“Giving = Gaining”
“Presumptuous Planning”
There is something fresh about a new day, a new month, or a new year. It just feels more fitting to start new disciplines on one of these days. Procrastination is a powerful persuasion the enemy uses that will leave you lacking today and trusting in tomorrow.
Most things we need to begin now are deferred until tomorrow, next month, or next year. We have such confidence in the future and not only the future, but also our willingness to see it through. This is an endless cycle that always leaves us wasting today!
There are spiritual, relational, and physical disciplines that we are planning to start. There are things we plan to take care of and repair. There are even things that we presently do that need to be stopped, and we are going to, tomorrow!
These things worthy to plan for, look forward to, and presume that we will take care of very soon, need attention today. The Bible teaches us that presumptuous planning is essentially presuming on God. You see, God knows tomorrow. He is already there! He has granted us today that we might live for Him and to His glory today. Good intentions hold no weight! Today is the day to begin to give attention where we need to. The day of your presumed new beginning will be filled with so many hurdles that will only cause you to put it off until the nearest new beginning in the future. If it’s worthy to plan a new start, it’s worthy to begin today!
Proverbs 27:1–“1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
“Discerning When to Respond”
There is an abundance of foolishness spewed from mouths & fingertips everyday. It seems like everyone has an opinion and many believe their opinion to be as concrete as the Gospel itself. Sometimes, folk make statements, allegations, inferences, and or innuendos that are just downright foolish. When we hear or read their foolishness, we feel an urge to respond. This is when we arrive at the crossroads of foolishness for our own self. Should we respond? Or should we move right on past it?
Solomon writes in Proverbs 26 some wise words that we need to take heed to. Discerning when to respond is key when dealing with people’s foolish words. There are times when the others foolishness is about us and its so foolish, there is no truth or validity to their comments at all. It’s in these times, more often than not, we should just let their foolishness go. Failing to do so will only drag you into looking foolish yourself.
There are other times when someone makes a foolish comment and it warrants a response to teach them in the error of their way. The key to proper discernment here is seeing that they have a teachable spirit. Do they desire to know and speak what is right? People can speak/post some off the wall things and have the best intention. They want to say something meaningful but their lack of knowledge on the subject is the root of their foolish comments. We must use discernment.
Solomon writes two verses that seem to contradict. Answering a persons foolishness who is off the chain in their ignorance will lead you to the pool of foolishness too. We are better off to stay quiet lest we be mired in their foolishness. Then there are times when choosing to be silent concerning their foolishness only contributes and emboldens them in their foolish comments. Discernment is key. Some people live to argue and will argue points that they themselves do not even believe in. As the old saying goes; “Let that dog lay!” Then there are times when people make foolish statements or take a foolish position and you need to speak to it hoping to turn them from their conceited ignorance.
Whether you encounter such foolishness on social media, an email, out with friends, in church, or at a family gathering; carefully discern when to respond. If it will help, by all means, respond. If it will cannon ball you into looking foolish yourself, keep silent.
“Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness or you’ll be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.”
Proverbs 26:4-5
“Divine Control”
There are many people who believe that they are independent from God. Sometimes, we as Christians believe certain people in power whether by wealth or by politics are independent from God. The reality is this; no one is independent from God. The oldest sin in the book is an attempt to live and make choices independent from God! God told Adam exactly what he could have and what he could not have. The serpent tricked Eve (Adam by her side) by contesting what God really said/meant. The result was devastating! Their choice was independent from God but their consequence was wholly from God!
When we look at world leaders today, including our own; we see a trajectory of downright dark wickedness. The conversations and agenda that we see all across the globe sometimes leaves us wondering; “where is God?”
We must remind ourself of the Sovereignty of our great God! Just as a raging river seemingly out of control can be turned away to make a new path, or a small brook or spring takes a turn into a new direction; God alone, fully Independent, can turn the actions of those in power into something for His glory.
You see, wickedness does not know that it’s already defeated! God is in full control! We do not always understand His ways. We do not always see His hand & footprints of where He has been or where He is going. We must trust His word! God gets exactly what He desires when He desires it and how He desires it. Though wicked leaders act independently to impose wickedness upon their people, they’re really not independent at all. God has everything in the palm of His hand working all things to His glory. We must trust in God. We must trust that He is in control and is subject to no power of any man!
“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”
Proverbs 21:1
“Christian Fellowship”
We do not get to determine what Christian fellowship is. Christian fellowship is what the word of God declares it to be. Fellowship among brothers & sisters in Christ alone is not Christian fellowship. Professed Christian fellowship between you and Christ alone is not Christian fellowship. Apostle John prescribes for us what true Christian fellowship is!
Professing to be in fellowship with Christ while walking in darkness or in a way that is conducive of an unregenerate person makes us a liar. This is not a test for salvation, but rather for abiding and fellowshipping with Christ. We cannot be living in sin while abiding in Christ. The two do not go together and to make the claim that we’re in fellowship with Him while living in sin only proves us to be a liar.
John gives us the clear indicators of a Christian abiding with Christ. To abide in Christ is to walk in His light. Walking in His light will lead us to have fellowship with one another (brothers and sisters in Christ.)
None of us are the exception to the rule. God calls us to have fellowship with Christ and proper fellowship with Christ will always produce fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. The church is the best way for us to cultivate relationships and community as a believer. Not only is it a way, but it’s God’s way! May we learn to put our life and actions against the tried and trusted Word of Almighty God! We need fellowship with Christ, and we need fellowship with our Christian family. You will never have one wholly without the other.
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6, 7)
“Love Makes All the Difference”
So often, today’s culture identifies worth by monetary value. The value of the home doesn’t equate the value within the home. The value of the meal doesn’t equate the value of those sitting at the table. The value of the car doesn’t equate the value of those by which the car transports you to see!
Let this truth be etched into our heart not only during the Holiday season, but let it saturate our heart everyday of our life. The writer in proverbs illustrates this point by using the imagery of the dinner table. If all that is on the table is vegetables and love, that is greater than a table full of vegetables and the best grain fed beef that money could buy. The value of this scene is not found in what is on the table, but rather the love found at the table! God has been so good to us, let us remember His goodness and love one another!
“Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.” Proverbs 15:17
“Don’t Worry, He’s Coming Back”
Our world is so very broken! Hatred and division is rampant across the world! There is a sense of ever changing times with no certainty in anything. There is a sense of vulnerability by all who live. Anything can happen at anytime. Tragedy and brokenness lurk around every corner it seems. Will things ever level off and make sense again?
Could it be that this world will get so miserable that God’s children will be satisfied with nothing but His return? Could it be that this world and all it’s woes will benefit us only by driving us to our knees in hopeful expectation of King Jesus’ return? Lift up your head child of God! He IS coming back!
There are no words more comforting than those spoken by our Lord and Savior in John 14:1–3. Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords tells us to keep our heart from being troubled! He is coming back to receive us unto Himself! All the wrongs will one day be made right! Any and all trouble endured by His children will one day be made perfectly clear! We currently are living in the shortest span of our existence. Eternity awaits us and in eternity, we shall be in perfect peace and harmony with our Savior! Dear brother and sister in Christ, don’t worry, he’s coming back!
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
John 14:1-3
“Rescued”
“Provoke Cheer”
Nothing weighs down the heart of a person like anxiety. There are many things that contribute to a person’s anxiety. Christmas season is one of the key seasons of the year when people’s anxiety is through the roof. It can be from stressing over providing for family during the season. Grief for loved ones no longer with us plays a huge part in the anxiety of the season. The list could go on and on.
We should strive to provoke cheer for those that we encounter daily. We never know where a person is in their heart. They may be on the brink of breaking when we encounter them. How we handle ourselves could impact them in the deepest of ways. May we strive to lift others up with kind words of respectful interaction, and words that are aimed at lifting people up. I know how it makes me feel to receive encouragement; especially when I am at my lowest points. I pray that I too become a vessel of God to lift the spirits of another while they are down.
“Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25
“Breaking Down the Walls within our Mind”
It has been said that the mind/brain is the strongest muscle in the body. Unfortunately, this remains true even when the mind is unhealthy! The thoughts that enter our mind can hold us captive like a prisoner in a maximum-security prison on a remote island in the ocean. The only thing we can see is what is within our mind. The only reality we can live in is what appears in our mind. The only scenario that we can hold onto is the one bouncing off the walls in our mind. This is the worst prison wall anyone could ever be up against.
If we fight the battle of the mind with our carnal flesh, we will lose this battle. It will be a continuous battle; but not only that, it will be a continuous losing battle. This is misery! There is no victory in sight if we attempt to tear down the thoughts that hold us prisoner with our own strength and willpower!
Apostle Paul teaches us to throw these thoughts against the truth of Christ! The key is to believe the word of God. We areto believe God! When the thoughts and voice in our mind does not align with the truth of God’s word, we must cast it on the truth of Christ through obedience to His Word. As my friend, Dr. Jody Jenkins has said many times, “we tend to listen to the voice that is the loudest in our mind.” The loudest voice does not make it truth or reality.
Instead of us living in captivity in our mind, let us bring our thoughts into captivity through obedience to Christ. He is enough! His word is enough! Get into His word and seek Godly counsel to tear down the walls within your mind.
2 Corinthians 10:3—5 “3 For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
“Giving with Gladness”
There are several ways to give to the Lord. We can give of our time and talents. We can give of our materials and money and we can give of ourself in a sacrificial way as Romans 12 speaks of. Did you know that any and all ways of giving to the Lord can be done so in a sinful way? You are probably thinking; how can I give to the Lord in a sinful way? Well, according to scripture, we can!
If we give without directed intent, this is to give as the Bible says, sparingly; this is sinful giving. We should gladly give with purpose and direction. When a person plants a garden, they don’t sow a few seeds of corn here and there and a few bean seeds here and there. No, they plant row(s) of corn and row(s) of beans. Otherwise, you would yield little corn and few beans. Our giving, in whatever form, should be directed with specificity and done so gladly.
Our giving should never be with reluctance or compulsion. To give with reluctance is to give half-heartedly. In other words, we have little to no heart and conviction to give but we do so anyhow; yet, with reluctance. We should never give in any form with compulsion. This is to give in an irrational way. This type of giving is throwing money or time and effort at a need with no heart involved. This type of sinful giving is without love and joy.
Our Lord loves when we give with intent and with our heart. He loves when we “love” to give. If the only reason that we give is out of some “necessity” that we’ve been taught or believe within our heart, we’d be better off to just keep it. May we give of our time, talents, and money with a cheerful heart and open hand. God has a way of blessing us beyond measure in ways we can’t even comprehend. May we always strive to give to the Lord with a glad heart.
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
“When Humility is No Longer a Choice”
Humility is beautiful when we receive it through the humble acts of someone else. Pride is an ugly reality that we all must keep in check as fellow humans. Our nature is to desire exaltation. If no one will exalt us, sometimes we resort to self-exaltation. This is always ugly!
We live in a culture where the “selfie” pics are the norm; the persona of perfection is promoted through social media, and the self-serving comments on everyone’s situation are plenteous. Not enough time and effort is given to work on our humility.
Our Lord Jesus displayed humility like none other. He left the portals of glory and humbled himself all the way to His death on the cross. He loved people, served people, and he served people in truth. His humility took him all the way to bloody calvary and then to the grave. He didn’t stay there though. He arose and will be forever exalted!
Jesus spoke clearly to this subject. He taught, if you are humble, you will be exalted. If you exalt yourself, you will be humbled. We all have a choice in this life to show humility to all kinds of people and situations. How will you find yourself in humility? Will it be by choice, or will it be by His choice? Choose while you have a choice, because when He chooses to humble you, you no longer have the choice to do so yourself. You also have no choice in how He humbles you.
Matthew 23:12—“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
“A Call for Separation”
There is a wide variety of things that causes us to separate from others. We separate over our favorite football team. We separate over political party affiliation. We separate over differing methods in how we live our life; what denomination we belong to, and even our preference of music style in church.
Indeed, the Bible calls Christians to live a separated life. Apostle Paul uses the term “unequally yoked.” To be yoked is an agricultural term referring to yoking a team of oxen together. In Deuteronomy 22:10, the Bible teaches not to yoke up an ox (clean animal) with a donkey (unclean animal.) The two do not go together and do not work well together.
Apostle Paul uses this same imagery when writing to his beloved but yet carnal Corinthian believers. We’re not to be “unequally yoked” with unbelievers. To be yoked is to be in a permanent relationship/partnership. How does this apply to us as Christians?
We as Christians should never marry a non-believer. We should refrain from yoking up in a business partnership. We should refrain from yoking up with those with ungodly ideology and theology. Our closest friends and alliances should never be those who are not following Christ. These are just a few examples of being “unequally yoked.”
There is no commonality between the Christian and the non-Christian. There is an unnecessary division that will hinder the walk of the believer more times than not. We’re to be kind and love everyone. However, we are not to enter in to a permanent partnership with an unbeliever. Trust God’s word. Hide it in your heart and trust the sufficiency of the scripture for all of life’s seasons.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
2 Corinthians 6:14
“To Be In Christ = New Man”
“Ready for Death”
“Heavenly Vision”
One of the more difficult things that comes so natural to us is fixating our eyes and attention on the present. It’s not that everything that we see in the present is bad. We see our family, and we cherish them. We see our friends and we are thankful to have them. We see the many blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon us and we are thankful.
There is a flip side to this natural reaction to fixating our eyes and attention on the present. When things are not so good and sometimes they are downright bad, we fixate our eyes and attention on the those things too. When we no longer see loved ones with us, it becomes a heavy burden that sucks so much energy out of us. Often, we realize many things, people, and norms are no longer as they were and we get fixated on it. These things hurt! This flip side is very difficult to overcome unless we see everything with “heavenly vision.”
Apostle Paul reminds us that everything that we see now, good or bad is temporary. Every single affliction that we endure in this life is “light” in comparison eternal glory. Any good that we attach ourself to in the present or anything that we suffer from in the present is very temporary.
Heavenly vision is looking ahead and fixating our eyes on what we can’t presently see. Heaven awaits the child of God. Reunions with loved ones awaits the child of God! A day awaits us where there is no hurt, harm, grief, suffering, or worry! We may not see it now, but we must look to that day. Any and all emotion we feel now whether good or bad is very temporary. We must not fixate our eyes on the present, but rather fixate our eyes on eternity! To do this is to exercise heavenly vision.
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
“Aiding and Abetting Lostness”
It’s very easy to look around our cities, towns, and communities that we are a part of everyday and see the results of lostness upon people. We see crime rising, depravity shamelessly on display, and the sounds of lostness being uttered from people’s lips.
As Christians, we go to church on Sunday’s; we sit through Bible study’s and small groups during the week; and we surround ourselves with like-minded believers. What’s the harm of not sharing the Gospel? Well, there is no harm in not sharing the gospel to our brothers and sisters in Christ. You see, they are already born again.
When we don’t share the gospel, we are essentially aiding and abetting the lostness and darkness around us. We are doing nothing to light the pathway to those who are lost. Christians have no problem agreeing that lostness is a problem with our world. We hate the pain, destruction, and death that stems from it. The question is this: “Do we have enough hatred for sin and love for sinners to shine the light of the gospel into the darkness? Anything less is our contribution to aiding and abetting lostness.
Apostle Paul teaches us that if we hide the gospel, it is only hidden from those who need it the most. Satan has blinded the minds of all who are unsaved and saturated in darkness. They know no other way. They are lost! Fellow Christian, we must shine the light of the glorious gospel to those that are lost. We must pierce the darkness with the light of Christ’s gospel. May we stop aiding and abetting lostness today. We have truth! We have the Light! Let’s let it shine, shine, shine!
Share Christ with someone today. Invite a lost friend, family member, or co-worker to church with you. Share a Gospel tract with someone! Do something other than aiding and abetting lostness!
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV
“Faith Built on Remembrance”
Sometimes we find it hard to believe that God is going to answer our prayers. We struggle sometimes with this so much that we even cease to pray for our needs. One of the most common errors we make when praying for God to move is our lack of remembrance. We forget the many things God has done for us and the many prayers that he has answered.
On this Thanksgiving Day, may we remember the many blessing sthe Lord has bestowed upon us. When I survey the many prayers that God has answered in my life, my mind fails to remember them all. We must enter prayer to God but enter our prayer with thanksgiving. When we do this, it builds our confidence and faith through remembrance of what God has done. This reminds us of what He still can do! The Lord is good, and His blessings are many. May we never come to Him in prayer and fail to recite and remember the answered prayers He has blessed us with.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Philippians 4:6, 7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
“A Convicting Observation in the Checkout Line”
Christians are commanded by Christ to go and spread His good news! We are not given a pass. None of us are given a pass on sharing the glorious gospel of Christ. I have been in pastoral ministry nearly 20 years now and I must confess, I still need convicting reminders to share Jesus with the unsaved of this world.
This week, I stopped by our local Sam’s club for some items and the store was packed considering it was Thanksgiving week. I grabbed my items and rushed along to the checkout line. There was an elderly lady in front of me patiently awaiting her turn to be checked out. She moved forward to the cashier, and they greeted one another. No sooner than that greeting took place, the elderly woman politely asked the cashier: “May I ask you a question? The cashier replied, certainly. The elderly lady asked, do you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? The cashier politely responded; I certainly do. The elderly woman replied that is wonderful!”
As soon as I witnessed this interaction, the Lord convicted my heart for how complicated I make sharing Christ to others in public. This elderly woman attempted to be a fisher of men with such kindness, grace, and expectancy. How many times every day do we miss opportunities to be obedient to Christ by inviting others to Him.
We cannot use the excuse that we cannot! The word of God teaches us that we have the power to share Christ and be witnesses of Him. Oh God in Heaven, help us to boldly proclaim your good news. I went into the store for a quick purchase, and I received much more. I received a convicting interaction from a sister in Christ!
Jesus said:
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
“Shelter From a Friend”
“Death is Done”
Death is as big of a reality as birth is to every life. From the moment we are born, we are marching towards our final day. We don’t know when that day is, but our eternal God in Heaven does. There are two primary emotions that are associated with death. Dread and grief. We all dread death because it’s the most unnatural desire that any life could ever have. We grieve the loss of our loved ones because life just never is the same after they are gone.
Both death and the emotions that come with it are done for those that are in Christ. Death to the child of God is the welcome center to all of eternity with Christ Jesus. This is true whether it’s the end of our own life or the end of one of our most cherished loved ones. This is hope and comfort like none other and it has been made possible through the resurrection of our dear Lord, Christ Jesus.
Apostle Paul recites some strong words of reality that should rally us to lift our eyes, heads, and hands toward heaven in thanks to King Jesus. Paul speaks of how all the emotion associated with death shall forever be banned, it’s merely temporary in this life. Thank God for the hope and more importantly, the victory that is given to all who are in Christ. If we are in Christ, we shall die in Christ only to live forever!
“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:53-58
“Angry Answers”
“Bad Company”
“The Bedrock of Our Faith”
There are so many things that is attached or associated to our faith as Christians. Church community and fellowship is such a big part of our walk with Christ. Prayer and bible reading is fundamental to Christian maturity. Loving others as Christ has commanded us is a great responsibility of our faith. These are just a few to consider that are closely aligned to our faith as Christians.
“And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”
1 Corinthians 15:14-19
“More Than A Feeling”
Everyone that is saved wants to feel saved. We want to feel the presence of God in our life. We want to feel as if His hand of blessing is upon us. There is nothing wrong with desiring to feel these emotions within our faith. The problem comes when we put more confidence and stock in our feelings instead of the authority and sufficiency of God’s word.
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
“The Perfect Path of God”
Many people search for the best pathway for life. This search can lead you down many paths. Unfortunately, most of these paths do not include God or His way. As Christians, we often develop a path that resembles God’s path but stops short of His way wholly!
God’s ways are perfect for you. He makes no mistake. His way is always right. We must not presume upon the Lord and assume He is ok with our path that we create. Trust the Lord, follow His path which is carved out and illuminated by His perfect word. It’s not always the easiest path. It is not always the most popular path. However, it is the perfect path!
Psalm 18:30—“As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”
“My ALL in All”
God has blessed me with so many wonderful people in my life down through the years. I have always had people that I could count on through thick and thin. I will be forever grateful for these people that God has placed in my life.
Psalm 18:1-2
“Useless Without Love”
There are many believers who are gifted in so many ways. This is what makes the body of Christ so diverse and unique. Not everyone is gifted the same way. Not everyone has strengths like others do. However, we all have our place and part in serving one another through the gifts that the Lord has given us.
Paul speaks a strong word to giftedness and its uselessness if love is absent. We can be gifted in one way or many ways and yet lack love. If we lack love, our gifts are rendered useless. What a shame for our gifts and efforts to be reduced to uselessness if we lack love.
Too often, people within the church perform honorable deeds and share their giftedness in ministry and it ends up being useless! Why? The very people who share their giftedness lack love. Sometimes, we hold on to anger, bitterness, or we hang on to an ought with another Christian all while attempting to serve elsewhere. We can only harbor such ill feelings when there is a lack of love.
Child of God, no matter what your gifts are. No matter how well you can use them. No matter how often you put them into use, know this; if you lack love toward one another, it’s all done in useless vanity. Get things right with God. This will result in you getting things right with one another. Pride is an ugly thing that stomps out love every single time. Let us not gloat over what we can do; let us work ever so diligently with how we do it. Live, walk, talk, and minister in Love! I challenge you not to examine someone else in today’s devotional scripture; instead, examine yourself.
1 Corinthians 13:4–7— “4 Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, 5 is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
“A Thorn Covered in Grace”
Have you ever dealt with something in your life that just seemed to never go away. You pray about it, you have others pray about it, and sometimes you even quote biblical promises at the problem to no avail. This “something” gnaws at you everyday of your life. This something can be physical in nature, emotional, psychological, or relational. Either way, it’s not changing or going away!
By God’s grace, moving forward, I am going to try and see my thorn in the flesh for what it really is;
“A Thorn Covered in Grace.” Jesus sustains me. He will continue to sustain me, and to God be all the glory and praise! My challenge to you is this, don’t look at your thorn as an unanswered prayer request, instead, look at it as the filling station for God’s grace upon you. Be grateful that He graces with the strength to endure and move forward. It very well may be your “Thorn covered in Grace.”
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
“The Lord Reigns Forever “
If we examine the current status of our government’s relationship with the Lord as well as the people’s, we will find ourself moping around dazed and depressed. Our government doubles down on everything that is immoral and against the nature of God. Our nation has plummeted into apostasy!
Psalm 2:1-7
“Escape Route”
Temptation is a thorn in everyone’s flesh. Temptation does not discriminate against age, gender, or ethnicity. Temptation is a constant reality that we all live with. Some people believe the temptations that some people fall into cannot be helped. For instance, the hopelessness associated with addiction is all consuming. Many that are addicted, they want to quit, but they just can’t seem to shake it.
“With Me In The Night”
In my 44 years upon this earth, I have noticed that most everything that is a discomfort to us only amplifies during the long hours of the night. Whether its sickness, recovery from an injury, fear, or the pain of emotional hurt and grief. The night-time is the worst. I have even asked those in the medical field for a text-book answer to this reality and I have never been given a definitive answer.
I challenge you to call out to Him anytime, day or night! He is available! He is our excellent counsel. He is our ability to stomp out fear. God is with us “In the Night.” Thank You Lord for being with me in the night!
“I will bless the Lord who counsels me — even at night when my thoughts trouble me. I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Psalms 16:7-8
“Just Remember, He Saved You”
One of the most trying and discouraging efforts as a Christian is to pray for your lost loved ones and friends to be saved. There are times that we pray for them with such fervor. Something sparks that passion within us once again to see them saved. It may be a sermon we hear that sparks that passion; or maybe a passage of scripture we read within our personal devotion. Sometimes the news of someone else being born again causes that fire within to burn once again for the unconverted within our own family and circle.
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”
1 Timothy 1:15
“Forfeiting Fear”
Fear is an emotion that can be very beneficial to us when exercised in it’s proper place. For instance, if you are hiking through a high terrain and you come upon a ledge on the edge of a mountain and the ledge is steep and very high from the bottom; fear will likely rise up in you. Why? You know that if you slip and fall, you’re going to be hurt or possible even die if you fall. In this scenario, fear is your friend.
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
“Living by Faith”
There are many conflicting views on the subject of faith. Some believe that faith is a leap into the dark or the unknown. Some believe that faith is simply strong willpower to believe. Some believe that faith is the display of obedience to a list of man-made rules mingled with biblical commands. Others place their faith in “their” faith itself. So what is genuine faith? What is saving faith? What is justifying faith?
“Dying to Live”
A recent poll last year revealed that the average American spends $2600.00 to $3400.00 on vacation annually. There is nothing quiet like the weeks and days leading up to that final day of work or school before you you finally get to leave out for vacation. Whether we’re soaking in the sun on a postcard view shoreline, or hiking some beautiful wilderness trail, or maybe walking the downtown streets of a major city for the first time; we are living life to the fullest and relaxing away from work or school. We call that “living.”
Galatians 2:20– “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
“Grown Babies”
Fewer things bring joy to parents like seeing their children grow and mature into responsible adults. Children say the funniest things and their imagination runs wild. It’s so precious seeing kids be kids.
1 Corinthians 3:1—3– “1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, evenas unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”
“I Don’t Care Who I Offend”
There are people who do not care who they offend. It’s a much bigger issue when it is Christians who have this mindset. We lead ourself to believe that we should not care to offend so long as what we are speaking is truth.
As a Christian, we absolutely should care about being offensive to others. I have been in church all of my life and in pastoral ministry for roughly 20 years. There have been times when I doubled down on truth but did so with a carnal spirit instead of the Spirit of Christ. These instances, although filled with passion, have led me to places of regret and relationships strained and sometimes even broken. Had I taken a little more time to prayerfully stand on the same principles of truth but done so in the Spirit of Christ, those relationships would have been far less contentious.
The Bible teaches us that when we offend a brother/sister, it is very hard to win them back over. What words can take just a few moments to say in a contentious way, may take a lifetime of mending to restore the relationship. Those times lead us to eventually desire forgiveness and restoration. Unfortunately, the ball is no longer in our court.
Take extra time to carefully and prayerfully think about your words before you let them roll off your tongue. Once they are released, it will take much more time and effort to win back the person that you offended than it ever took to offend them in the first place. You may not care to offend them initially, but if you are a child of God, He will take you to the woodshed of chastisement and you will care then. After that, when you try to make it right, the Bible teaches us, it may be harder than you think.
You may say: “I Don’t Care Who I Offend!” Well, The Lord does and you should too! You may just just find yourself in a irreparable situation. Lord help us to guard our words with the Spirit of Christ!
Proverbs 18:19 offended is harder to be won than a strong city: And their contentions are A brother “ like the bars of a castle.”
“It Gets Better”
“Slow Down…Cool Down”
“Big Mouth = Big Mess”
There is no one on the face of God’s earth that hasn’t found themselves in a predicament over something they have said. Most of us at some point have been the victim of someone else’s tongue as well. Our mouth can bring about such peace, harmony, and encouragement. The same mouth can bring about destruction, pain, and ruin.
The quickest reactionary member of our body is the tongue. Where does the first sound come from when in pain? The mouth! What is the quickest way we express affection to our loved ones? The mouth! When we get angry, what is the quickest way we respond to our anger? The mouth! My dad used to say to me: “son, your tongue is about 15 minutes faster than your brain.” Wow! TRUTH BOMB…
We must guard our tongue in every aspect of life. Whether we are angry, sad, grieving, happy, confused, or hurt. Guard your mouth! Too often, we allow our mouth to straddle the fence of risqué talk which leads to ungodly and improper thoughts. This type of unguarded talk leads to a Big Mess! James tells us in James 1:17 to “be quick to hear and slow to speak.” James 3:10 also points out a double standard that is found so often with our mouth: “Out of the same mouthproceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
Solomon speaks words of wisdom to us on how to keep our life from destruction. One of the keyways is to guard our tongue with every fiber of our being. Once words come out of our mouth, we can never reel them back in. If I could go back and unsay things that I have said, I would do so in a second. However, I cannot. What we can do is this; start today! Guard your mouth, speak meaningful words, speak words of encouragement, and speak words of truth in love. I have never regretted guarding my mouth, but I sure have regretted letting the words fly out of my mouth more times than I can count. Big Mouth = Big Mess! Guard your tongue!
Proverbs 13:3– “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
“Pray for Everyone…Even those you Dislike”
It’s not so difficult for us to pray for our spouse, children, parents, or siblings. We all have people that are near and dear to our heart who we lift up in prayer often. This is good that we pray for those that we cherish and love dearly. Occasionally, we will even lift a prayer request of another up to the Lord for someone that we do not personally know.
What about praying for those who we don’t care for much? You know, folk that we strongly disagree with. Folk that we have a hard time even liking, let alone loving. There are people that we have such a disdain for that we’re walking a fine line; teetering between strong dislike and hate. Those two are 1st cousins.
Apostle Paul tells us we are to make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and even give thanks for all men! Let’s examine the definition of each of these. Supplication is worshipful prayer. In other words, we’re declaring to God his ability and faithful character as we’re making requests to Him. Prayer is our communication to God in humble adoration. In prayer, we make requests on behalf of others, ourself, and situations for others and ourself. Intercession is an act of mediation; it’s when we petition God for someone else. And lastly, we are to give thanks for those we are lifting up in prayer. The Bible says: “All Men.”
It is safe to say, all means ALL! There is no greater anecdote for feelings of dislike for someone like praying for those people. According to Genesis 9:6, all of mankind is made in the image of God. People that we dislike are fellow image-bearers. Praying for someone that we dislike is like spraying a scorching fire with water. It does not immediately put the fire out, but with enough consistency of water, the fire will be reduced to a smolder, and eventually the fire is completely ceased.
Paul teaches us to pray for kings and all who are in authority. Man oh man is this hard sometimes. Often, we allow our political leanings and affiliation to control our tongue, thought process, and our very demeanor. When someone brags on a political leader that we dislike, we get furious. When an authoritative figure does something that we vehemently disagree with, we get fired up! I know, Im likely more guilty than most. The question is this: Are you praying for those in governmental leadership? Are you even willing to pray for those in authority whether at work, or local, state, and national government?
The word of God commands us to pray, intercede, and give thanks for all men! Even those people that we don’t like. Even those in high positions of authority! Why? We’re to do so to enable ourself to live a quiet and peaceful life. We’re to do so because the Bible says that it’s good and acceptable to God. We are to do so because all people can be saved if they come to the knowledge of truth.
I challenge you today and moving forward; take time to pray for those you love and care about. Take time to pray for those that you don’t care too much about. Take time to lift your local, state, and national leaders up in prayer. Pray for God to put Godly people in their path to help shape and mold their decisions. In the very least, this will change your life and attitude for the better; and who knows, God just may answer your prayer for those very people. He is able!
1 Timothy 2:1–4 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
Church Attendance? Nah, I’m Good
One of the key differences of professing Christians of years gone by and today is Church attendance. Today, church attendance is argued against by so many professing Christians. And from what professing Christians don’t argue against the need to attend, a good percentage of those remaining make their argument by their lack of faithfulness to the church services.
Jesus is the superior example for Christian’s; I mean, it is Christ’s name by which we get our name, Christian. Jesus, throughout the Gospels before the New Testament Church was even founded displayed a faithfulness to the synagogue on the Sabbath. We see this in Matthew 12:9, Mark 1:21, and Luke 4:16. It was in the synagogue that Christ corrected wrong teaching, practice, and belief.
The writer of Hebrews delivers a lesson on the importance of Christians faithfully assembling together. Those the writer is writing to are getting ready to experience a reality check as history reveals to us that Hebrews is written just before the Temple is destroyed. Once the Temple is destroyed, the practices of the Temple such as animal sacrifice and the many rituals could no longer be practiced. The Temple was foundational to the practices of the Old Covenant.
What would they do without the ability to serve and to be served? The writer tells them that those two functions are to be lived out in regular congregating. This is the New Testament Church. Too many Christians struggle with doubt, fear, depression, and sadly, past sins and relapsing into old patterns before salvation. A common denominator in many of these cases is the lack of priority given to faithful community found in the assembling together of the Church.
Hebrews 10:24, 25 gives us the direct benefits of faithfully assembling together as the Church. It is in the church that we watch out for one another and promote love and the many good works associated with our faith in Christ. The central location of the ministry of Christ comes out of His local Church. We are not to neglect the gathering of ourselves together. The writer tells us we are not to neglect the assembling together like some are doing; but rather, we are to encourage one another as each passing day gets closer to our Lord’s return.
We can come up with 1,000 excuses as to why we can’t, we don’t, or we won’t faithfully attend church; but the fact of the matter is this, they are all unbiblical according to the pattern our Savior set forth. They are all unbiblical by the normative practice that we see in the early church found in scripture. And lastly, these excuses will not make the cut when placed beside the clear cut biblical command to “fail not to assemble yourselves together.”
We need one another child of God! We need the encouragement from each other. We need accountability to one another. We need the word of God taught to us, preached to us, and discipled into us. We need to be in God’s house with God’s people! I hope you will find yourself in God’s House this Sunday!
Hebrews 10:24–25 “24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Worldly Opposition
Wickedness Won’t Win
We live in a society where arguing, debate, and fighting is common place. It has become common in the workplace, in public, in ministry, and just about anywhere else you can imagine. Sadly, as Christian’s, we can be the most argumentative with both non-believers as well as our brothers and sisters in Christ!
Mark 9:14-18
Wickedness Won’t Win
It doesn’t take a lot of reading the newspaper, watching cable news, or observation to see that wickedness is all around. It seems as if wickedness is without check and receives reward rather than rebuke.
Wickedness picks up steam and multiplies quickly. In our culture, we are witnessing good being called evil and evil being called good. We’re witnessing a nation coming apart through wicked ideologies. Anger and bitterness is ramped and lawlessness is taking our cities by storm.
What are we to do? We must remind ourselves that everything we see is not the end result. There is a thrice Holy God in Heaven who keeps perfect record of all that is good and all that is evil. It is He who will have the final say and evil will one day come crashing down. I long for the day that we will forever be with our Lord in His Holy and Righteous eternal kingdom! The wicked and their wickedness shall FALL!
Proverbs 29:16— “When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.”
Praying for the Church Pt.3
It’s been often said that the Christian life is like riding a roller coaster. There are constant ups and just as many downs. This has been my experience. When we examine the life of David, and even Paul for that matter, we see a steady flow of ups and downs.
If we cannot change the flow of ups and downs within our faith, how are we to get the upper hand on this reality? Paul prays for strength for the church at Colossae in three distinct measures. Patience, longsuffering, and joy! Each of these are essential to coping with the ups and downs of our Christian life.
Our source of strength is our never-tiring Lord. The Lord never lacks in strength. His strength is ongoing and never gets depleted. As for us, our strength does get depleted, therefore, it’s so important to go to the never-depleted reserve of God’s power. We must remind ourselves, Paul’s first half of his prayer for the church is praying for their knowledge of God and His word. His word is our source of strength. His word is the embodiment of our God & Holy Spirit.
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Patience and longsuffering must be applied in our Christian life, otherwise, we quit or wither away under pressure. We can have patience and longsuffering because we have His word that teaches us that better days are ahead and ultimately, a better DAY is ahead. Patience and longsuffering are closely linked and very similar in definition. One represents perseverance and the other represents patient enduring. There is waiting in one and actively persevering in the other. In other words, as we persevere through the downs, we’re patiently waiting on victories along the way.
When we think of patience and longsuffering, we almost always link them with grinding pain and agonizing endurance. However, Paul adds to his prayer joyfulness. There is joy in serving King Jesus even in the ups and downs. How is there joy? We know from His word all the many promises of His help, presence, and total victory in the future. With this in mind, we are strengthened in our ups and downs, and we can be joyful resting in the promises of God.
Let our prayer be likened to Apostle Paul’s for our church; “Dear God, strengthen us in our Christian walk that we may patiently persevere each day with joyful hearts knowing that the ultimate battle has already been won.”
Praying for the Church Pt.2
Paul’s prayer continues for the church at Colossae with a plea to God that this church may “walk worthy of the Lord!” What does it mean to walk worthy of the Lord? This is how we’re to live our day-to-day life. We are to live our day to day lives patterned by Christ. Paul said in Galatians 2:20— “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gavehimself for me.” We are to die to our self, our desires, and our wants daily.
Paul defines what “walking worthy of the Lord” looks like in our life. We’re to be fruitful in every good work. This is impossible if we’re not striving to live our life on mission through obedience to the Lord’s commands. If we trust Christ for salvation, surely we can strive to live in obedience to His commands. If we’re striving to live in obedience to the Lord’s commands, we will increase in knowledge of God!
Anyone can talk a good talk when it comes to living their life out for Christ. Anyone can claim to have a knowledge of God. Anyone can believe that they have good works that is pleasing to God. The real test is when we put our words to action by obeying His word. We cannot know God without His word; we cannot be fruitful in our works apart from obedience to His word. Paul’s prayer for the church thus far rests on their obedience to the word which leads to knowledge and understanding. Let us not tell what we know and what we believe. Let us live what we believe so we will know who we serve even more.
May our prayer be: “Lord, give me strength to obey your word. Help me to live in out in obedience daily. Help me to know you more intimately each passing day.”
Colossians 1:10—” That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God”
Praying for the Church
The Bible records a pastor named Epaphras in Colossians. Epaphras spoke fondly of his church at Colossae to Apostle Paul. He bragged of their love in the Spirit to Paul. Paul was moved to pray for this church. So often, we pray for everything but our actual church. We know too well that the church is not the building or the location. The church is made up of the saved men and women that attend and serve in the church.
How might we begin to pray for the church? Paul’s prayer is a wonderful outline to navigate our own prayer focus by for the church. May his prayer become our prayer for our local church and the church at large.
Apostle Paul began his prayer focus on the church’s knowledge of God’s will and the ability to have a spiritual understanding of His will. What does this mean? How can the church know the will of God? Short answer: the word of God!
Our prayer for the church should include a desire to see revival in a love and passion for His word. If we pursue the will of God by any other means besides His word, we will veer off track. His word is never separated from His will and vice versa.
Before we can understand His will, we must understand His word. Before we can understand His word, we must have an intake of His word. Fewer things impact the church in a negative way more than biblical malnourishment. My prayer for Strong Tower Baptist Church and the church at large is that we see a resurgence in biblical knowledge and a renewed love for God’s word and a pursuit to understand this precious book He has given us. Will you join me in praying for the church? We need it!
Colossians 1:9— “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding”
Backsliding in our Faith
There has been much talk and interpretation about the term backsliding down through the years. Some believe backsliding is synonymous with losing your salvation. Others believe it’s a total abandonment of ones faith. Then there are those who have never given much thought to it at all.
The Bible defines the term for us. In Proverbs 14:14, the Bible says that “the backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways.” Notice every detail of this verse.
“The backslider in heart!” This reveals that we can put on a good optic show for all who sees us with outward actions and still yet be backslidden in heart. The backslider in heart shall be “filled with his own ways.” This portion of the verse is the definition of the term. There is no Christian who has not went through seasons of their walk with Christ where self-centeredness was not in play. By definition of the scripture, this is backsliding!
“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: And a good man shall be satisfied from himself.”
Proverbs 14:14
The key to a Long & Fulfilled Life
From the beginning of time, man has attempted to find the key to a long and prosperous life. Unfortunately, life ends way too soon it seems for some. For others, life is fulfilling, prosperous, and full of joy.
The life that loves God and seeks Him in everything is a life that is long and full of blessing. No matter the length of days that person has on this earth; you can guarantee that life is full. And better yet, that life is prolonged with no end in sight. To the soul that has their trust in God; that life shall never end! I encourage you to live your life in Godly fear and reverence to His Holy name.
Proverbs 10:27
Getting Started Right
There are certain things that will never turn out right unless it began right. For instance, you can begin construction on a home or building and possess the blueprints and architectural drawings that gives you insight into what the home will look like. There is one crucial thing that must take place for the plans and drawings to come to sustainable life; that is the foundation. If the home does not set on a firm foundation, you can use the best material that money can buy, but one day, the house will show foundational problems. Every purpose of the home rests on the foundation. If that foundation is weak, the entire home is compromised.
Psalm 5:1-3
Safety is found only in the Lord
Most of us attempt to live in safety and security. If this is not true, why do we lock our doors at night? Why do we wear our seatbelt when we drive our automobiles? Why do we schedule wellness exams at the doctor or schedule routine dental exams? The answer to is simple; we do our best to be preemptive concerning our health and safety. It’s a good practice that gives us peace of mind and also demonstrates care and concern for our ourself and our family too.
Psalm 4:8
The Taste of Good & Bad Fruit
The majority of consensus in the medical community agree that the strongest muscle in the body is the masseter muscle located in your jaw. This muscle can produce 55 pounds of pressure with the front teeth and a whopping 200 pound with the molar teeth. That is some serious pressure from such a small muscle.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Proverbs 18:21
Pride’s Path
There is contention everywhere we turn in the day that we live in. Whether it be contention in politics, social disagreements, or simply anything that rubs someone wrong; the contention is very present among us today.
Proverbs 13:10—“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”
