Devotionals

“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found'” (Luke 15:31-32). Read Luke 15:11-32. Too often we see men and women who are living like the older brother in this story, and we can’t even tell there’s a problem. These people are in church. Some of them may even teach Sunday school, volunteer to help run vacation Bible school, or host a small group. The older son is really not that different from his younger brother. Both sons wanted what their father could give them, but neither was truly invested in his relationship with him. The younger son chose the more direct approach. He essentially told the father to drop dead so he could have his inheritance ahead of schedule. The older brother was more patient. He chose […]

“For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet” (Psalm 47:2-3). Psalm 47:1 says: “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” Most people have no problem clapping and shouting for their favorite sports team, but when it comes to church, they become tongue-tied, merely mouthing the words. Some don’t even do that. They come to praise God, but they never do. They keep their mouths shut. Today, in every corner of the globe, God’s people are suffering at the hands of persecutors who falsely accuse them simply because they believe in Jesus. The police chase them like criminals. In every corner of the globe, Christians are being muzzled and intimidated, even in the West. Psalm 47 reminds us that the day is coming when we are going to reign and rule with Christ in the universe. The day is coming […]

“And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day” (2 Timothy 1:11-12). Have you ever been ashamed of the Gospel? It’s not something Christians like to admit, but we all have experienced this feeling at some point. Sometimes it’s easier to hide our faith than to stand up to the pressure around us. We may keep quiet when non-believers criticize Christianity or the church. We may back down from our stand on sin when someone calls us narrow-minded or judgmental. We may feel embarrassed when our godly lifestyle sets us apart from our peers. Even Jesus’ disciple Peter succumbed to the temptation to publicly hide his faith in the face of antagonism. After […]

“There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light” (Revelation 22:5). Throughout the Bible, we see God leading and comforting His people with the presence of His holy light. In Exodus, the ninth plague upon the Egyptians was one of darkness so great that the people could not see one another. However, the children of Israel had light in their homes (see Exodus 10:21-23). Christ Jesus, the Light of the World, shines not only in the hearts and minds of those who follow Him, but also in their homes and dwelling places. Once Israel was released from Egyptian bondage, the Lord led them out: By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, . . . Neither the […]

“The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26). Martha’s brother Lazarus had been dead in his grave for several days. Although Martha had seen Jesus heal many in the past, she was doubtful that Jesus would raise Lazarus to life in the present. However, there is no “too late” for the Lord Jesus. In the very presence of a dead man, Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), declaring that this resurrection was not just a future hope, but a present reality. Soon after, Jesus called Lazarus forth from the grave, demonstrating His power over death. In the moment when resurrection was needed most, Christ proved that He was the only way for this man to be revived. Not long after He made this claim, Jesus endured the cross and then rose from the grave Himself. He proved […]

“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 18:30). With so many people and influences trying to mold us into their version of “truth,” how are we to withstand their pressures and continue to reflect the light of Christ? We need to lean on the Word of God. Paul said, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Whatever encounters we face with the ungodly, we can find wisdom and guidance and comfort in the Bible. When we share the Good News, the Bible will equip us with the Truth. When we experience rejection, the Word of God will comfort and soothe our wounds. When we fear persecution, God’s promises will give us the strength to overcome our anxieties. When we begin to […]

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). When Elisha looked into the widow’s situation, he immediately told the woman about three conditions under which her jar of oil could become her miracle. Today we will look at the first condition. The first condition was this: Get lots of empty jars. “Go around and ask your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few” (2 Kings 4:3). What are these borrowed vessels? These borrowed vessels represent her capacity to receive from God. The more vessels she had, the more she was going to receive. For, every jar she gathered in faith would be filled—the oil would continue to pour. The moment the widow ran out of empty vessels, the oil stopped flowing. God blesses you to the capacity that you make yourself available for Him to bless. If you close off […]

  “The earth is filled with your love, Lord; teach me your decrees” (Psalm 119:64). Praise opens our eyes and ears to God. When we focus on the Lord in praise, we are much more likely to hear what He has to say to us. Praise opens us up spiritually to hear God’s commands. In fact, that Truth helps explain why praise is often so difficult for us: Praise demands that we make changes in our lives, and most of us do not welcome the prospect of change. It takes courage to reexamine what we believe to be true about ourselves and about God and to realize what we need to change about our lives. Sometimes the change God commands will require us to confess and repent of a sin and to make adjustments in how we live, especially in how we think of others and relate to others. We cannot harbor anger, resentment, or hatred toward others and at […]