​8-31-23
To live is to die

Today's devotion is based on Matthew 16:25, which says "For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it."

This statement from Jesus can be quite startling as it goes against our natural instincts to want to save our lives. However, it is only when we surrender our lives to Jesus and make ourselves available to Him that we can truly experience the fulfilling and adventurous life that He has planned for us, both in this life and in the next.

Let's pray together: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for sending the Holy Spirit into our midst. We recognize that we need Him to open our eyes to who You are and what You have done for us. Help us to grow in discernment and courage to speak the things of God rather than human thinking. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Today’s devotion is based on Matthew 16:21-23, “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Have you ever recognized how something you have said just may have been you speaking Satan’s words aimed to hinder someone or yourself from following Jesus’ plan because you thought your plan was better?  We are all guilty of being a helpmate of Satan. It does not have to be that way if we yield our lives to Jesus, making ourselves available to Him as we submit to his plan for our life.
 
Please pray with me the prayer for today:  Holy Spirit I desperately need your training and equipping, for I am blind to your will. Renew my vision. Cause me to grow in using discernment that you give, and the courage to speak the things of God rather than the things of human thinking. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.

​8-29-23
Passing on the Good News
 
Today’s devotion is based on Romans 10:15-17, ‘How can the message be proclaimed if the messengers are not sent out? As the scripture says, ‘How wonderful is the coming of messengers who bring good news!’ But not all have accepted the Good News. Isaiah himself said, ‘Lord, who believed our message?’ So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ.”

The good news of Jesus Christ came to you by a long line of people: pastors, teachers, family, friends, a Bible someone printed, maybe even with the help of modern technology. The point is that God doesn’t just zap the truth into people’s minds. He sends his good news via various messengers. How can others learn about Christ? They need to hear. They need to be told. You are God’s messenger, the bearer of good news!

Please pray with me the prayer for today. Lord God, use me to share the wonderful, good news of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection with those who do not know of God’s love toward them. I pray this through Jesus’ blessed name. Amen.

​8-28-23
Knowing Your Identity
 
Today’s devotion is based on Romans 9:23-25, “And he also wanted to reveal his abundant glory, which was poured out on us who are the objects of his mercy, those of us whom he has prepared to receive his glory. For we are the people he called, not only from among the Jews but also from among the Gentiles. This is what he says in the book of Hosea: ‘The people who were not mine I will call ‘My People’.”

People who spent their childhood years moving from place to place, especially if some of those places are foreign countries often suffer from not knowing where they belong. They lack a clear national identity.

I don’t know if you ever thought of it, but as a Christian even if you have a hard time knowing your identity, can know that because God has called you to be his in your baptism you live in his kingdom. That is your identity no matter where you live.

Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, whenever I am confused as to my identity, remind me that I belong to you through Jesus your Son. Amen.

​8-27-23
There is only one way to God
 
Today’s devotion is based on Romans 10:1-4, “My friends, how I wish with all my heart that my own people might be saved! How I pray to God for them! I can assure you that they are deeply devoted to God, but their devotion is not based on true knowledge. They have not known the way in which God puts people right with himself, and instead, they have tried to set up their own way; and so they did not submit themselves to God’s way of putting people right. For Christ has brought the Law to an end, so that everyone who believes is put right with God.”

We live in a time where the common belief is that many paths lead to the same God. Please don’t believe a word of it. Paul’s urgent tone today confirms that many people are misled and on the path to destruction rather than the narrow path to God.

The truth is that Jesus is the only way to God. He is the only path because he forgives the sins of sinners and imparts God’s righteousness to all who believe in him. He has placed you on this path. Pray for those who have yet to be enlightened. Point them by your words and actions to Jesus, the only path.

Please pray with me the prayer for today: Spirit of God, lead me on the path Jesus has prepared for all people. Please help me to be bold in proclaiming his promises to others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

​8-26-23
God never quits loving you
 
Today's devotion is based on Romans 8:31-39: "Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death? As the scripture says, 'For your sake, we are in danger of death at all times; we are treated like sheep that are going to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!"
While it's true that promises can be broken in this world, God's love for us is steadfast and unchanging. Even when we feel unworthy or unloved, we can trust that nothing in all creation will separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus. He is the rock-solid cement that binds us to God's heart, and we can rest in His love and grace.
Let us pray together: Heavenly Father, thank you for your steadfast love for us. Help us trust your promises and rest in your love and grace. Free us from all doubt as you assure us of your love. All glory and honor are given to you. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

8-24-23
Great faith does not depend on our worthiness or unworthiness.  
 
Today's devotion is based on Matthew 15:22, "Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly."

Throughout this week, I will share my insights on what it means to have strong faith. While great faith requires the things I have listed, there is one thing that great faith does not require. We find it in the strange twist in this account of Jesus and the Canaanite woman. Jesus gives her an answer she does not want to hear. He tells her that she is not worthy of Jesus answering her prayer. But then he answers it. Her daughter is healed.

We learn in this twist that great faith does not rely on our worthiness, but it is also not stopped on our unworthiness. Great faith depends upon the grace of God toward us. Nothing more. Nothing less.
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Let us pray together: Dear Lord, I humbly admit that I cannot do everything alone. I am plagued by sin, a desire to control others, and a lack of forgiveness. My faith is weak. I don't fully trust in you, as I should. I give up too soon when I need your help. I forget that my life depends entirely on your grace toward me. Please have mercy on me, and may my faith in you grow stronger daily. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

​8-23-23
Great faith is persistent
 
Today's devotion is based on Matthew 15:22, "Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly."
Throughout this week, I will share my insights on what it means to have strong faith. Great faith requires persistent trust. When you read the account of the Canaanite women, who had a great need, and who knew who to turn to for help, would not be deterred by the disciples or Jesus? Even though Jesus ignored her. He doesn't answer her, at least at first, but she keeps trusting that he will help her in her time of need. She did not give up but persisted.
Let us pray together: Dear Lord, I humbly admit that I cannot do everything alone. I am plagued by sin, a desire to control others, and a lack of forgiveness. I need you, Lord. Please have mercy on me, and may my faith in you grow stronger daily. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

​8-22-23
Great faith comes from knowing who can meet your need.
Today’s devotion is based on Matthew 15:22, “Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.”
Throughout this week, I will share my insights on what it takes to have a strong faith. Today, I want to emphasize that a strong faith rests on knowing who to go to meet your need. The story of the Canaanite woman is a perfect example of this, as a demon gravely tormented her daughter, and her desperation led her to seek Jesus, who she had faith in him to  meet her need.
Great faith requires knowing who will fill our need for help. There are many people in our world, maybe some of you hearing my message today, who know they need something. But don't know what they need. They try this and that, but nothing seems to satisfy their need. The truth is that each of us has what I call a hole in our heart that can only be filled by Jesus. We try to fill it with all kinds of things, but in the end, nothing works. We need Jesus.
Let us pray together: Dear Lord, I humbly admit that I cannot do everything on my own. I am plagued by sin, a desire to control others, and a lack of forgiveness. I need you, Lord. Please have mercy on me, and may my faith in you grow stronger daily. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
 

Today’s devotion is based on Matthew 15:22, “Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.”

Throughout this week, I will share my insights on what it takes to have a strong faith. Today, I want to emphasize that a strong faith rests on a strong need. The story of the Canaanite woman is a perfect example of this, as a demon gravely tormented her daughter, and her desperation led her to seek Jesus.

The Bible contains many examples of people who possessed great faith due to their dire circumstances. Jesus even pointed out that those who are "poor in spirit" will inherit the kingdom of heaven. To have great faith, we must acknowledge that we cannot solve our problems alone, whether it's personal issues or the world's troubles. Only through our desperation and need for Jesus can we develop a strong faith.
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Let us pray together: Dear Lord, I humbly admit that I cannot do everything on my own. I am plagued by sin, a desire to control others, and a lack of forgiveness. I need you, Lord. Please have mercy on me, and may my faith in you grow stronger daily. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.