Month: August 2024

“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
John 6:43-44

Stop Grumbling and Trust

Daily Devotion – August 24, 2024

Devotion based on John 6:43-44


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Why were the people around Jesus grumbling? It was because they knew him! They knew Jesus, the son of Joseph of Nazareth. They knew his mom, Mary, too. In Nazareth, they knew his brothers and sisters. They had known Jesus from the beginning of his life. So, they refused to believe his claim about himself.

Then Jesus told the crowds that he had come down from heaven. The picture he used was brilliant. Nearly fifteen hundred years before Jesus spoke these words, God saved his people from death in the desert by miraculously providing bread from heaven. Jesus offers even more. He came down from heaven to save us from our sins. He promises that those who trust in him will live forever.

Rather than grumble that Jesus cannot be who he claimed to be, trust that he was, indeed, sent from the Father to restore our relationship to him. Trust his promise that all who trust in him will be raised back to life when this world comes to an end. Trust his promises and experience the peace only he can provide.

Prayer:
Gracious Holy Spirit, lead me to trust the words of Jesus because they are both the truth and my eternal life. Amen.

[Jesus] saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Mark 6:48-50

Take Courage

Daily Devotion – August 23, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 6:48-50


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Life is exhausting. We spend so many hours working to provide for our families or trying to pay off debt. We race around to all the various activities and commitments the family has during the week. We stress about everything from money to time and our health. We try so hard to do our best, but inevitably, we find ourselves overstretched and worn out. We feel alone and isolated. We feel like we are rowing against the storm and not making any headway.

What impact does this all have on our thinking? When life piles on and we are overwhelmed, we don’t think clearly. We make false assumptions. We believe wrong things about God: we believe he is distant, that he isn’t there at all, that he is someone or something different than he actually is. In their moment of stress and isolation, the disciples mistakenly assumed that Jesus was a ghost. Rather than looking to him as someone to trust and reach out to, in their exhaustion, they mistook him to be someone they should fear.

In moments like this, Jesus comes to us just as he did to them. He says: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” Take heart, for the One who walks on water and controls the storms. is the same One who is in control of your life. This One is none other than our Savior, Jesus, who lived and died and rose again for us to conquer sin, death, and hell. In doing this important work, Jesus forgives our sins and gives us heaven. He makes us God’s children through faith. He has ascended into heaven and is ruling all things for our good. He is in control. The Lord is with us whether we think so or not.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, be with me always. Protect me and save me. Amen.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3

Out of Control

Daily Devotion – August 22, 2024

Devotion based on Psalm 46:1-3


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Take a look around. Does it feel to you like the world has gone crazy? Does it seem like everything is crashing down around you, and you have no control and aren’t sure how much more of it you can take? The economy is a source of stress and hand-wringing. The political scene in our country, which perhaps could best be described as a circus, offers very little comfort or reassurance that everything will be okay. The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East continue, causing unrest and uncertainty. Injustice, hardship, poverty, and so many other issues abound.

Taken all together, it can feel like things are spiraling out of control. The author of Psalm 46 describes a situation just like this. The Bible verses for today describe a world in upheaval. A place where even the forces of nature are seemingly out of control. The words describe the worst catastrophe imaginable.

Even so, the author states that we will not fear. We will not fear because God is with us each and every day. He is our refuge and strength. He keeps us safe in this turbulent world and gives us entry into the next world, which will have no chaos, difficulty, or uncertainty. In sending his Son, Jesus, to be our Savior from sin, God has provided us a way out of this chaotic world and into the heavenly home he has prepared for us. Through faith in Jesus, we will live forever in peace and joy.

And until the day comes when we reach our heavenly home, Jesus promises to be with us always. He is our ever-present help in trouble. The Lord is with us whether it feels like it or not. Cling to the Lord and put your trust in him.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, at times, it feels like things in this world are out of control. Lead me to trust in you and know that you are always present. Be near me, Lord Jesus. Amen.

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the Lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.
2 Timothy 4:16-18

God Will Rescue You

Daily Devotion – August 21, 2024

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:16-18


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You thought you were a team. You thought you were all in this together. You thought that you would all support each other through thick and thin. And then someone went and broke that trust. Maybe your spouse did not take your side in a dispute with an acquaintance. Perhaps your teammate didn’t stick up for you when the coach wrongfully called you out for something you didn’t do. Or maybe your associate didn’t put in a kind word for you when you were trying for the promotion at work. Whenever people fail us, it is discouraging and demoralizing.

The apostle Paul experienced something similar when he was on trial for preaching and teaching about Jesus. There, he was on trial before the Roman Emperor—the most powerful man in the world—and no one came to his aid. His friends weren’t there to encourage him. His co-workers were not present to speak on his behalf. No one stepped forward to defend him.

Jesus knew all about that. He, too, was arrested and put on trial and was led to the cross, where he was put to death for sins he did not commit. And where were his friends through it all? One betrayed him. Another denied him. The rest fled for their lives and left him to fend for himself. But Jesus stayed the course and endured it all so we could be saved and assured of a place in his heavenly kingdom. Through faith in Jesus, heaven is yours. And in the meantime, whatever you are dealing with, God will rescue you like he did Paul. The Lord is with you, even when it seems like no one else is.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for never leaving me or forsaking me. When others fail, comfort me with the promise that you never will. Amen.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my Lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed.
2 Kings 6:15-17

Do Something!

Daily Devotion – August 20, 2024

Devotion based on 2 Kings 6:15-17


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“Do something!” We have all heard or maybe even spoken those frantic words. Maybe the doctors and nurses were not moving fast enough to care for our distressed loved one in the hospital. Perhaps the teacher was not acting quickly enough to address an issue to enable us to receive the much-needed scholarship. It could be that the attorney was not fighting hard enough to advocate on our behalf before the judge. Desperation often leads us to plead to anyone who will listen: “Do something!”

The man in today’s Bible verses found himself in a frantic situation. He was in trouble and afraid for his life and cried out, “What shall we do?” Even though this event took place many centuries ago, his question seems to be an American one. We all tend to feel like there is no situation we can’t get ourselves out of. We believe that ‘where there is a will there’s a way.’ Yet sometimes, there is nothing we can do to fix the situation.

The man of God reminds us that often, the best thing we can do is nothing. “What shall we do?” is often the wrong question. A better question is: what can God do? Elisha sought to encourage the man to put his trust in God. And so he prayed.

The man soon learned that God had the situation under control and already had a solution all planned out. So often in life, the best thing for us to do is nothing. Instead, put our trust in God, who has already done all things for us. In sending Jesus to die in our place on the cross, God has removed our sins and has given us the free gift of eternal life. This same God is always with us whether we see it or not.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, when the circumstances in life make me frantic, help me to trust in you. Help me to turn to you in prayer and trust your loving care. Amen.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my Lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:15-17

Loving Protection

Daily Devotion – August 19, 2024

Devotion based on 2 Kings 6:15-17


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“Oh no, my Lord!” Have you ever felt surrounded? Have you ever taken a look around and seen so many things stacked against you—things that were so overwhelming that you instantly were filled with fear and cried out to God or anyone who would listen? Like the man in our Bible reading today, we can feel cornered. We can feel so overwhelmed by all the circumstances stacked against us.

Perhaps you woke up one morning to find yourself surrounded by a host of difficulties: the creditors were lining up to collect overdue payments; the medical tests kept coming back positive for various health issues; the text updates from family members kept informing you that your loved one’s condition is worsening by the minute; and the guilt from what you did or said kept getting heavier. We feel surrounded by trouble, and we, too, are led to cry out: “Oh no, my Lord!”

In such times, God seeks to open our eyes. The man in our Bible reading today was enabled to see angels all around him, keeping him safe. We may not see those same angels with our physical eyes, but God wants us to know they are there. More than that, he wants us to see Jesus. To see our Savior who died for us to take our sins away and who lives to make us his own and to keep us safe. Our Savior, Jesus, is alive and is constantly watching over us. He will keep his promise and send his angels to guard us in all our ways.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, when I feel surrounded by the troubles in life, help me to see with the eyes of faith. Help me to trust in the loving protection that you provide. Amen.

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says. “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”
Proverbs 9:1-6

Wisdom’s Warm Invitation

Daily Devotion – August 18, 2024

Devotion based on Proverbs 9:1-6


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What is the wisest piece of advice anyone has ever passed along to you? Did you follow it? Were you blessed by it? The first nine chapters of the book we know as Proverbs are a warm invitation to obtain wisdom and then to live wisely. In Proverbs chapter 4, we are told that “wisdom is supreme.”

True wisdom is a wonderful thing. You can drink deeply of it, dwell in it, pass it along, and give it away freely without worrying that you will run out. Perhaps most wonderful of all, the Proverbs tell us that wisdom is ours for the taking. “Come,” wisdom calls out; “eat…and drink.”

It is like ordering the best meal at the finest restaurant and finding out that it comes “all you can eat” at no charge. The wisdom of God found in his Word is there for the taking. There is such a thing as a free meal, and there is an exception to the rule that says, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” The Word of God is food for the soul, and at the center of that Word is Jesus, the Bread of Life.

That we sinners can be freed from sin and enjoy a place at the banquet feast of heaven sounds too good to be true. But it is true! When we “walk in the way of understanding,” knowing and believing that Jesus lived his life to give us life and died his death to release us from death’s grip, then we are feasting on the wisdom that grants eternal life.

Prayer:
Lord God, turn my heart and mind daily to the wisdom that comes from you. Lead me to feast on the Word that gives eternal life. Bring me to Jesus, the Bread of Life, so that I live now and forever with you. Amen.

Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35

The Bread of Life

Daily Devotion – August 17, 2024

Devotion based on John 6:35


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In our lives, there is a constant tension between the physical and the spiritual. Some say physical is for the body, and spiritual is for the soul. Others say that our physical natures are concerned with current matters, but our spiritual natures look to the future. Jesus’ encouragement was not to work for food that spoils but to work for food that endures to eternal life—spiritual things.

All of us, by nature, care more about physical things than spiritual things. In Jesus’ ministry, individuals came to him looking for help with physical concerns. Some of them wanted food or to be healed of different diseases. Others looked to Jesus to help their friends or family members. Jesus was happy to help.

The problem was that many individuals came to Jesus caring only for their physical needs. They wanted him to be a Savior who would make this world a better place. They didn’t even consider the world that was yet to come. They tried to fill their physical needs but didn’t consider their spiritual needs. We can do the same thing. If we think Jesus is only a God who will help us pay the rent or mortgage, buy groceries, and maybe get the car we want, we don’t understand his true purpose for coming to the world.

Jesus’ mission was a spiritual one. By coming to this world as true God and true man, Jesus began his work as our Savior. He lived a perfect life and gave his life to pay for our sins. He rose from the dead as proof that God has forgiven us. Now, he offers us every spiritual gift we need and forgiveness for the times we have done wrong. He offers God’s love even when we don’t deserve it.

God has made you both a physical and spiritual being. Remember that Jesus is truly the “Bread of Life” who takes care of every need that you have.

Prayer:
Jesus, Bread of Life, I praise you for answering all my spiritual needs. Keep me from worrying about the physical needs that I have in life, confident that according to your good will for me, you will answer them, too. Amen.