Month: September 2024

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17

Stand Firm With the Helmet of Salvation

Daily Devotion – September 20, 2024

Devotion based on Ephesians 6:17


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When I grew up, my parents would give the children in my family an Easter basket filled with candy. Except, my brother and I didn’t receive woven baskets. Our candy-holder was a souvenir baseball helmet. Every year, a new team was represented. We loved those helmets. When we’d play baseball in the backyard, the batter wouldn’t go without one. I don’t think those souvenir helmets would have saved us from a 90-mph fastball to the head, but it impressed upon us the necessity of keeping your head safe. Lose a limb, and you can live. Lose your head, and you’re dead.

One of the targets for the devil’s schemes is our head. Not only does he fill it with doubts, but he also twists some of God’s cerebral blessings against us. Think of how much the gift of reason often combats the truths of the Bible. For example, it doesn’t make sense that God is three distinct persons and yet only one God. It doesn’t make sense that God is eternal. My mind can’t conceive of someone who is timeless. It doesn’t make sense that a virgin could become pregnant. And the list continues.

When reason and Scripture are at odds, the devil tries to let reason win. But if everything that God is and everything that God does makes sense to our human reason, is he much of a God at all? I don’t want a God who makes sense. I want a God who’s greater than my mind. And that’s the God we have. We have a God who took on flesh so that he could die. We have a God who turned his back on his Son on the cross so that he could welcome us into heaven. We have a God who plants faith in our hearts when he attaches his Word to a little water poured over our heads. We have a God who didn’t wipe this earth clean when we rebelled, rather, we have a God who carried out a plan of salvation on our behalf. And it’s that salvation, that helmet of salvation, that allows us to stand firm against the devil’s schemes.

Prayer:
Lord, when I am tempted to lean on my reason, increase my trust in you and your Word. Amen.

Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16

Stand Firm With the Shield of Faith

Daily Devotion – September 19, 2024

Devotion based on Ephesians 6:16


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“Snow day!” Nothing sends more excitement into a neighborhood than those two words. While snow days off school are intended to keep the children safe, for many children, those two words mean war as a neighborhood snowball fight can commence later in the day. After each side has built their fortresses and stockpiled their perfectly rounded snowballs for ammunition, the fighting begins. Armed with garbage can lids as shields, one troop advances on the other, trying to capture the flag in the other team’s fortress.

If only all wars were as harmless as a neighborhood snowball fight. When the devil advances into our fortress, he’s shooting something at us more dangerous than snowballs. The flaming arrows of the evil one may come in the form of doubts, guilt, fear, laziness, and much more. How do we fend off his attacks? What’s going to keep us safe?

Our first temptation may be to retreat. But he’s going to keep coming. Then, we may tend to look to ourselves. I’m faster. I’m bigger. I’m stronger. This may be true if you’re comparing yourself to the other neighborhood kids, but not when it comes to the devil. When I look to myself as I battle the devil, I see the cracks in my armor. I see the plodding feet. If I look to myself, I will fall. I will not stand firm.

But all is not lost. No matter how intense the enemy’s attack is, our Lord equips us with a shield of faith that is bigger and sturdier than any garbage can cover. We can completely hide behind the shield of faith. Why? Because faith is only as strong as the object in which it rests. And our faith rests on the One who defeated the devil. Our faith rests on the One who invaded the devil’s kingdom of the world and crushed his head. Our faith rests in Jesus. So, stand firm. Stand firm behind a shield of faith that relies on him.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, protect me from the evil one as I find comfort in your promises and protection. Amen.

Stand firm then . . . with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:14,15

Stand Firm With Fitted Feet

Daily Devotion – September 18, 2024

Devotion based on Ephesians 6:14,15


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“There’s nothing more important than a good pair of shoe” That’s what the chiropractor told his patient, who was getting his back treated again. Yet, no matter how often the chiropractor offered that free advice, his patient was too cheap to invest in a good pair of shoes. As a result, he retained the title “patient” for many more years and had to keep returning for treatment.

Many know from experience the importance of a good pair of shoes. So does our Savior. No, I’m not suggesting that Jesus insisted on Birkenstocks for his disciples. Rather, I’m talking about how he equips his people to serve in his kingdom. Our heavenly Father can bless us with our minds and abilities, but to serve the Lord, our feet also need to be “fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

If you consider that the feet are the body’s shock absorbers, there is nothing better than to have the gospel of peace provide the cushion for our souls (pun intended). The good news that Jesus lived and died in our place, assures us that we have peace with God. But this peace isn’t just an internal sense of calm, it’s a dynamic force that equips and motivates us to share that same gospel with others. With feet fitted with the gospel of peace, you, too, will be ready to serve others with the life-saving message of Jesus.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 695)
Lord, take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee. Amen.

Stand firm then . . . with the breastplate of righteousness in place.
Ephesians 6:14

Stand Firm With the Breastplate of Righteousness

Daily Devotion – September 17, 2024

Devotion based on Ephesians 6:14


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“I’m sorry you lost your job.” “I’m sorry, your home has burned down.” “I’m sorry, your loved one has passed.” Every so often, we receive devastating news that pierces our hearts. We’re left not knowing how to react. We’re speechless. But what if you re-read those opening scenarios and added the tag—and it’s your fault. You caused the company to lose millions of dollars. You left the stove on. You ran the red light and caused the crash. Now you’re not just dealing with grief. You’re dealing with guilt.”Shot to the heart” is one thing. “Shot to the heart and you’re to blame,” is another. How are you able to stand firm when that old pop song lyric describes your life?

Guilt is one of the sharpest arrows in the devil’s quiver. And he loves to pull back the string and let that arrow fly to serve as the kill shot when it comes to our spiritual lives. Why is it so effective? Because guilt is real. I am guilty of breaking God’s law, and so are you. We “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Yet, there’s one person who resisted every arrow shot in his direction. There’s one who lived a guilt-free life because he was, in fact, guiltless. That person is Jesus. And in his love, he gives us his perfection and righteousness to wear as a breastplate so when the devil shoots the arrow of guilt in our direction, it bounces off and harmlessly falls to the ground. No matter what you’ve done in the past or how many times you’ve heard, “You’re forgiven,” but forgotten it, be assured that you can stand firm with the breastplate of Jesus’ righteousness.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, when I am battling with guilt, assure me that I am clothed with the robe of your righteousness. Amen.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.
Ephesians 6:14

Stand Firm With the Belt of Truth

Daily Devotion – September 16, 2024

Devotion based on Ephesians 6:14


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“Can you bring my belt?” A few years ago, that was the text I received from a soon-to-be groom. He had already flown cross-country for his upcoming wedding, but he had forgotten his belt. Knowing I was flying a few days later, he asked me to break into his apartment and bring his belt to the wedding. After packing, flying, driving, and a few more texts and phone calls to arrange for the delivery, the groom finally had the item he needed a few hours before he said, “I do.” Why all the effort for a belt? Because a belt is important. It helps keep your shirt tucked in, and more importantly, it holds your pants up and keeps you from being exposed.

Our enemy, the devil, wants nothing more than to have our sins exposed as we stand before our holy God. He has many schemes to get that done, including the first one he ever employed. The first words out of his mouth were, “Did God really say?” And he hasn’t stopped using that tactic. He strives to get us to doubt God’s Word. And when God’s Word isn’t in the picture, our lives soon become untucked. When God’s Word isn’t in the picture, our sins become exposed. And the devil would have us believe, “Look at you. Look how sinful you are. There’s no way you can ever expect to be in God’s presence. There’s no way you can ever expect to have eternal life.” And we become spiritually discombobulated.

But thankfully, our Savior, Jesus, equips us with tools to resist such devilish schemes. And perhaps the greatest tool he gives us to overcome doubt is the belt of truth. In the face of Satan’s lies, hear Jesus declare, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). By fastening the belt of truth around us, we are no longer spiritually untucked. Rather, we can be spiritually secure, standing firm in the reality that Jesus paid for our sins and knowing that one day, we still stand next to Jesus, our heavenly bridegroom.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the truth of your Word. Help me to wear that belt of truth daily to stand firm against the devil’s lies. Amen.

At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”
1 Kings 18:36,37

Praying With Purpose

Daily Devotion – September 15, 2024

Devotion based on 1 Kings 18:36,37


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If you are like me, there is a good chance that, at times, you have prayed for a fortune of money. Especially when I was younger, I had a long list of things I would do with abundant wealth. Of course, I planned to give some of it to others and for charitable causes, but the main point was to take care of myself. Yes, because we are sinful, our prayers are often tainted with improper motivation: selfishness, greed, and pride.

When Elijah prayed, he prayed with a different motivation, for a different purpose. When he confronted the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, he wasn’t there to bring glory to himself. He didn’t pray, “Lord, if this doesn’t work, I’m going to look foolish, and my life will be in danger!” Elijah had just one reason for asking God to consume with fire the sacrifice he had prepared: “…so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

When we are tempted to pray with selfish motives, it is important to look again to the cross of Jesus. See the great selflessness of his love that moved him to sacrifice himself in our place to free us from the guilt of our sin. He gives us more than a fortune of money; he gives us life with God! In response, our prayers give honor to God and reflect his saving will. Like Elijah, we too are moved to pray with a good purpose—that people may know that the Lord is God.

Prayer:
I pray, Lord, that your good news of salvation reaches the many people in this world who need to know Jesus. Use me to be one of the ways that you spread the word that you are the true God. Amen.

Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone.
Mark 7:36

Something Better

Daily Devotion – September 14, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 7:36


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In a world caught up in self-promotion, one might wonder why Jesus said, “Don’t tell anyone,” After he healed a deaf man. Why not spread his message? Why not let everyone be amazed at his power to heal? Why not give the people what they really wanted? Jesus gave the command because he wanted to give the people something better.

It is easy to want Jesus to be something he isn’t. It is just as easy to make him into something he never came to be. Jesus did not come into this world to make our earthly life easier. He came to provide rescue and relief from the burden of sin.

It is tempting to make Jesus into a physician, healing sickness. It is just as tempting to make Jesus into a counselor, resolving personal problems. It is tempting to make Jesus into whatever we want him to be, making life better. There is only one problem. If Jesus didn’t perform to the level of our desire, we would eventually have little use for him.

So, it is important to understand that Jesus came into the world to give us something better. He came to give us forgiveness and free us from the burden of sin’s guilt. He came to offer his life to rescue us from the punishment of death and offer hope. This is what we desperately need, and what Jesus graciously offers.

Jesus proclaimed his reason for coming into this world. It was “to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). Unfortunately, many reject Jesus because he doesn’t live up to their expectations. The Bible leads us to know Jesus and rely on him for what he came to do. When we trust Jesus as our Savior from sin and death, we really do have something better.

Prayer:
O dearest Jesus, I come to you looking for relief and rescue. Give me the perfect help and healing you came to provide. Forgive my sins. Release me from the fear of death. Bless me with the hope of life in heaven. Amen

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God. . . they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Acts 3:6-10

All Praise to God

Daily Devotion – September 13, 2024

Devotion based on Acts 3:6-10


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He positioned himself at a busy part of the temple. Maybe someone carried him there, or perhaps he crawled. He could not walk. He spent his days begging for money. He begged from two of Jesus’ disciples, Peter and John. They didn’t have any money. They had something better.

In the name of Jesus, Peter takes the man by the hand and helps him up. Instantly, bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles that hadn’t worked before miraculously could. Everyone watched in amazement as this man went with Peter and John, praising the God who had healed him, his Savior, Jesus.

It was a fairy tale ending made real life for that man. He could walk. But is it always a fairy tale ending for every believer in Jesus? The troubles in their lives don’t miraculously disappear all the time. The cancer diagnosis turns into a funeral. The financial hardship ends in bankruptcy. The relationship falls apart.

And yet, believers continue to trust in God whether he provides a miracle for them or not. God uses those hardships to strengthen their faith in him. Their perseverance becomes an example to others as they watch their unwavering faith in God. They are reminded that this earthly home is only temporary, and the joys of heaven are not worth comparing to present sufferings. So, they set their eyes on something greater than a physical miracle. They set their eyes on Jesus.

With wonder and amazement, Christians give thanks to Jesus for his sacrifice on the cross. That sacrifice means that believers won’t have a fairy tale ending. Instead, it will be a real life beginning—the beginning of their eternal life with their Savior, Jesus.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, no matter my circumstances, keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and the eternity he won for me through his sacrifice. Amen.