Month: February 2024

Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Mark 9:8,9

Down From the Mountain

Daily Devotion – February 14, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 9:8,9


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Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. Christians begin Lent by remembering the cost of their sins. Some churches will smudge ashes, in the form of a cross, on people’s foreheads as a symbolic reminder that they are dust and to dust they will return because of their sins.

It’s a stark difference between the mountaintop Transfiguration experience and Ash Wednesday. Like the disciple Peter, it’s easy to want to stay on top of the mountain, skip the parts of Jesus’ story that make us sad, and just enjoy the radiating brilliance of Jesus. We don’t like to think about our sins or the awful price it cost to take them away.

But Jesus came down from the mountain. He knew there was still work to be done. Before Jesus could fully enjoy his rightful kingly crown again, he was going to first endure a crown of thorns. Before he climbed a mountain of glory again, he would climb a hill called Golgotha, the Place of the Skull—the spot where Jesus was crucified. Instead of being flanked by Moses and Elijah, Jesus would be killed between two common criminals. Instead of the brightness of the Transfiguration, there would be the darkness of death and damnation as God the Father turned his back on his one and only Son.

Lent can be an overwhelming season when we think about the guilt of our sins. But that is not the goal of this season. The goal is to get us to look at Jesus and all he did to save us from those sins. Let that be your focus and comfort this Lenten season.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, give me joy in Jesus this Lenten season. Amen.

And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
Mark 9:4

The God of the Living

Daily Devotion – February 13, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 9:4


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It’s hard to imagine what Jesus’ disciples felt on the Mount of Transfiguration. Not only was Jesus changed before their eyes, but immediately, two other men appeared with Jesus: Moses and Elijah. These two men weren’t just former religious leaders but also heroes of their culture and nation. The earthly lives of these two men had ended hundreds of years ago, and yet here they were, alive and talking with Jesus. For Americans, it would be like seeing George Washington and Abraham Lincoln appear.

The disciples were shocked and amazed by who and what they saw. We can’t blame them for not processing at that moment what was happening. God the Father was verifying that his Son, Jesus, is the fulfillment of what Moses and Elijah each represented.

God delivered his law through Moses on top of Mount Sinai and Jesus came to fulfill every one of those laws. Jesus kept each law perfectly, never once stumbling or making a mistake. Jesus did what we never could when he kept the law of God delivered through Moses.

Elijah was one of God’s greatest prophets. On the mountain, he represented all the prophets and what they had said about the coming of the promised Messiah. Over 300 prophecies were made about the Messiah, and Jesus fulfilled every one of them. All God’s plans and purposes to save his people came together in Jesus.

The disciples saw Elijah and Moses alive. That had to be amazing. But soon, they would see something even more amazing. Jesus alive and risen from the dead after a brutal crucifixion. Even more proof that Jesus is the perfect Savior and the promised Messiah.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you are the God of the living, not the dead. Thank you for giving me life. Amen.

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.
Mark 9:2,3

See Jesus Clearly

Daily Devotion – February 12, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 9:2,3


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I had a problem when I was in third grade. I was a decent student, but my grades were slipping. Thankfully, I had a caring and observant teacher, and it didn’t take her long to realize the problem. I kept squinting at the blackboard. My vision had changed, and I could no longer see clearly.

That meant a trip to the eye doctor. He asked me to identify letters on a distant wall. Then he set before me an intimidating-looking machine. I didn’t know it then, but it’s called a phoropter. The doctor worked the lenses on the machine and asked me which was better, “One or two, three or four?” I noticed that I could start to identify the letters on the wall. Instead of being blurry, the letters became clearer and clearer. Finally, I could even read the tiny letters at the bottom.

Jesus took his disciples, Peter, James, and John, up the mountain because Jesus wanted to clarify to them who he really was. They had seen his miracles. They had heard Jesus preach and teach with authority. But Jesus still looked like one of them. He was the son of a carpenter from insignificant Nazareth. Jesus was human in every regard the disciples could see.

But up on the mountain, something changed. Jesus was transfigured before them. He no longer looked like a mere human but divine. The disciples’ view of Jesus was no longer blurry but clear. Standing before them was God himself. They had seen glimpses through the miracles and Jesus’ teaching, but now there was no doubt.

The more time you spend with Jesus as he reveals himself in the Bible, the clearer you will see him. Like an eye doctor cycling through lenses, Jesus reveals more and more of himself to you, helping you see him clearly as your Savior—both true man so that he could die and true God so that his sacrifice could count for your sins and everyone else’s.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for revealing yourself as true man and true God. Help me see you clearly as my Savior. Amen.

Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
Mark 9:8

You Are Never Alone

Daily Devotion – February 11, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 9:8


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Jesus’ disciples must have been disappointed. One moment, they saw a glimpse of heaven. Jesus allowed his glory as God to be seen. Moses and Elijah miraculously appeared. God the Father’s praise majestically echoed from the cloud. The next moment, everything was gone. All that remained was the familiar form of Jesus.

You may have experienced something similar. For a brief moment, everything in life seemed wonderful. There were no problems, no conflicts, and everything made sense. You were content because God was good, and his blessings were clearly evident. Suddenly, everything changed. Your life was filled with chaos, and you felt very alone.

Although you may suffer disappointment, loneliness, and emptiness, with Jesus, you are never alone.

You can be certain of his presence in your life because he said, “I am with you always.” This tells you there is never a time when you are alone. He is always there to guide you with his Word. He is always there to comfort you with his love. He is always there to encourage you with his promises.

Even more convincing is the work he completed to assure you that “nothing will ever separate you from his love.” Jesus secured his Father’s approval to free you from the tyranny of your sin-stained life. Jesus accepted his Father’s just judgment to release you from the verdict of separation and punishment. Jesus endured the attacks of the devil and the horror of the grave to claim you as his own.

When you remember Jesus’ faithful promises, his precious work, and his undeserved love, you can live with complete certainty and peace. With Jesus, you are never alone.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 783)
I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still if thou abide with me.
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me! Amen.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:30,31

Renewed Strength

Daily Devotion – February 10, 2024

Devotion based on Isaiah 40:30,31


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Little children like to run everywhere. It doesn’t matter how short the distance. It can simply be from one side of the room to the other. The three-year-old is more than likely going to run that distance.

Part of the reason they do this is that they have short legs and need to take way more steps to cross the room than fully grown people. But they also run because they just have lots of energy.

Yet even those children with seemingly endless energy grow tired after a while. Eventually, they grow into adults, and their levels of energy decrease, and weariness sets in more quickly.

What a beautiful promise from the Lord that he will give us renewed strength! To “run and not grow weary”—it sounds too good to be true. Yet, it’s a promise from the Lord, so we know it is true.

Those who know that Jesus is their Savior, who treasures the forgiveness that is theirs because of his death on the cross, can walk with an extra spring in their step. The pressing weight of sin and guilt does not slow them down. They know that their relationship with God is defined by his love and will last forever.

When that relationship is enjoyed inside the gates of heaven, then their youth will truly and fully be renewed. None of the physical problems, none of the aches and pains that seem to grow more severe with age will be present there. Knowing that day will come gives the believer in Jesus a little extra energy in life as well.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you know that I am tired. Keep my eyes focused on the eternity in heaven that your Son, Jesus, won for me through his death on the cross. There I know that my strength will be renewed and will never grow weary again. Until I get there, give me strength and energy as you have promised. Amen.

Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:27-31

Renewed Strength

Daily Devotion – February 9, 2024

Devotion based on Isaiah 40:27-31


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Scottish athlete Eric Liddell ran in the Paris Olympics in 1924. The organizers scheduled the heats for the 100 meters, his favorite distance, on a Sunday morning, but he chose to attend worship instead. He was disqualified from that event. He went on to win the 400-meter race, held on a weekday.

The story of his Olympic campaign was told in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire. It includes a scene in which he was asked to speak in church and read the verses from Isaiah quoted above. It is especially moving to hear a trained athlete talk about encouragement from the Lord whose strength never fails.

After the Olympics, Eric Liddell returned to China, where he had been born to Scottish missionary parents. He served there as a missionary himself, bringing people to know Jesus as their Savior. He remained in China until his death in a Japanese internment camp in 1945.

On one occasion, he was asked if he ever regretted his decision to serve as a full-time missionary rather than a full-time athlete. He responded, “It’s natural for a chap to think over all that sometimes, but I’m glad I’m at the work I’m engaged in now. A fellow’s life counts for far more at this than the other.”

In 1991, the University of Edinburgh erected a memorial headstone for Eric Liddell at the site of the Japanese internment camp where he died. The inscription on the headstone is from Isaiah 40: “They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary.”

Prayer:
Lord, when my values are threatened, give me strength to persevere and testify to your glory. Amen.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

Cares

Daily Devotion – February 8, 2024

Devotion based on 1 Peter 5:7


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There had been an ice storm, but I had agreed to meet my friend at a restaurant and didn’t want to disappoint him. I arrived first, and the server was glad to seat me. I was the only customer, so we chatted as we waited for my friend.

“Did you have any trouble getting to work today?” I asked.

“Oh, yes,” she answered. “My husband had to bring me, and we went very slowly, but there were still times when we slid on the road. We were both pretty anxious.”

As we talked, I realized she was a Christian and sensed that I could offer some reassurance. “You know, don’t you, that the Lord sends his angels to care for us in these difficult situations.”

“Yes, I know,” she answered. “Every night, I take my little bundle of worries and lay it at the foot of the cross.” Then after a pause, she added, “The problem is that every morning, I go back and pick it up again.”

Everyone I meet has some anxieties and worries and cares. It just seems to go along with modern life. I want to reassure them, and I always have to start by reminding myself to leave my cares at the foot of the cross of Jesus. He has taken care of my eternal life and promises to take care of my everyday life as well.

When I am tempted to return to my cares after turning them over to God, he reminds me that he cares for me as his own dear child and that he will never leave me to deal with my anxiety alone.

Prayer:
Lord God, keep me safely in your hands because of your Son, Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. . . And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:6,7,10

In Due Time

Daily Devotion – February 7, 2024

Devotion based on 1 Peter 5:6,7,10


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Are you at a time in your life when things are going well, or are you suffering?

If you are at a time when things are going well, give thanks to God for his many blessings. Use your clear mind and good health to read and meditate on God’s truths in the Bible. Encourage other people with your words and actions.

If you are suffering, don’t give up. God’s protecting hand is keeping the suffering from being worse. He will not let your suffering go on forever. Instead, in due time, he will lift you up and restore you. It is not easy to be humbled by suffering, but God is full of grace. He will give you eternal glory in Christ. He promises it.

The first week of February can be a difficult time of the year. Other times of the year are easier for many people. Knowing those times are coming can give people hope.

The same can be said for the suffering we endure in this life. It is never pleasant. But let the knowledge that God will one day restore you make you strong, firm, and steadfast.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I know that you suffered for me. When I suffer, make me patient. Teach me perseverance to long for your final salvation and rest secure in your house forever. Amen.