Category: Daily Devotions

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.
Amos 5:14

Godly Advice for Troubled Times

We live in troubled times, but that has been a fact throughout the history of nations. Permanent peace doesn’t exist on earth, although in 765 B.C. the ten northern tribes of Israel thought they had it. Once a part of the great Kingdoms of David and Solomon, Israel was now divided. The ten northern tribes, still known as Israel, had fallen into open idolatry and immorality. Judah, the two tribes to the south, wasn’t doing much better. Injustice was rampant in Israel. One writer describes Israel at that time as “politically secure and spiritually smug.”

Our holy God was justly offended by the sins of Israel, and threatened imminent destruction by the hand of enemy nations, which ultimately did happen. But ironically, at this point Israel still asserted that the Lord God Almighty was with them.

God chose a shepherd/farmer to announce impending judgment. Yet, Amos also offered a message of grace and hope from God: “Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.”

That seems overly simplistic: “Seek good, not evil.” How would you apply this to your life? How would you define those simple words?

“Evil,” perhaps, is most easily defined, but maybe not so much when our sins include complacency and smugness regarding our relationship with God.

“Good” is a profound word in the context of the holy will of the Lord God Almighty. In his holy eyes nothing short of perfection is good. Yet, the forgiveness of sins won for us by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, his Son, is GOOD NEWS, the gospel of salvation for sinners. Now, as redeemed children of God, “good” includes everything that describes the life of faith to which we are called and to which we are guided by Scriptures. It involves living and growing in faith, eager to share our faith in Jesus with those who need to hear the GOOD NEWS.

How do we “seek” good? Since the Holy Spirit creates faith in us by the gospel, the “seeking” begins there. None of us can be perfect till we are in heaven. Therefore, “seeking good” is a part of humble daily repentance. Trust in Jesus, plus “seeking” the guidance of the Scriptures in Bible study and worship, asking the blessing of the Holy Spirit, define “seeking good” for every facet of our lives.

That’s godly advice from Amos, in troubled times, and all the time!

Prayer:
Dear Holy Spirit, graciously help me to seek the good of the gospel that I may live now and forever with you, the heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus the one, true “Lord God Almighty!” Amen.

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.
Hebrews 3:1

Focus Your Attention on Jesus

Do you ever find it difficult to pay attention? If so, you are not alone. According to a recent study the average American attention span has fallen to 8 seconds. 8 seconds! Professional marketers have noticed this trend and are reacting accordingly. YouTube videos and internet news articles are getting shorter. Twitter and other social media platforms limit the amount of characters users can include in their posts. Everything is sound bites and video clips.

Counter to this fast-moving culture with little or no attention span, these words from Hebrews Chapter 3 tell us: fix your thoughts on Jesus. With these words God is asking us to think very carefully about Jesus, to focus our attention on him. This involves investing more than 8 seconds of our time.

That is easier said than done, isn’t it? It is so easy to lose sight of Jesus, especially as we swipe from page to page on our cell phones in mere seconds and scroll down our social media feeds as hundreds of images flash before our eyes. But even when we put our devices away, we struggle with focus. We are distracted by sin and temptation. We think about so many things during the day that must get done. We dwell on decisions that must be made, and we bounce from one thing to the next in our hectic lives. Somewhere in all the chaos, we lose sight of Jesus. We lose our focus on the One who truly matters.

Thank God that our Savior focused his attention on us. As our Savior lived in our place on earth and journeyed toward the cross, he never lost sight of you and me. His love for us and his dedication to God’s saving plan kept him focused. He did not let himself get distracted. He fixed his eyes on the goal and he laid down his life as our substitute. His death in our place has removed all our sins, even our sin of failing to give him and his Word our attention. We are forgiven and as our verse says, we now share in the heavenly calling. We are going to heaven through faith in Jesus!

In this fast-paced world, Jesus has given us something to focus on: himself. He wants us to reach our heavenly goal. He knows that when we focus our attention on him, we will reach that goal.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for focusing your attention on me. Thank you for going to the cross to pay for all my sins. Help me always to focus my attention on you and your Word, that I may not lose the heavenly home that you have prepared for me. Amen.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Mark 10:23-27

Money becoming your god

You need money. There’s no way around it. You need a job to make money. You need to perform at your job to keep receiving money. You need to plan and budget to manage your money. And you need to work with your spouse and family to communicate how to spend your money.

You can’t live without money.

So why does Jesus say that being rich is so dangerous? Doesn’t he understand that we need to pay our bills? Why does he say that having a lot of money could keep us from entering the kingdom of God? Wouldn’t life be easier if we just had more money?

Not necessarily.

Money is a good thing. But money becomes a bad thing when we make it our ultimate thing. Money can easily become our functional god.

When we look to money to give us ultimate happiness, money has become our god.

When we look to money to give us a sense of peace and security, money has become our god.

When we give all our time and effort to making money, we are worshiping money like a god.

We have all done this. At one time or another, we have looked to money to give us what only God can. If money has become our god, how then can we possibly be saved?

Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Jesus did the impossible. He left the riches of heaven to be a poor human. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, you, a poor human, have become spiritually rich. Trusting in Jesus as your Savior, you are a child of God, an heir of the King. Now, instead of worshiping your money, by God’s grace, honor God with your money.

Prayer:
God, my Father, thank you for providing all that I need for my body and life. God, the Son, thank you for giving me the riches of your grace and forgiveness. God, the Holy Spirit, lead me to treasure what is truly valuable in your eyes. Amen.

Jesus said to his disciples, … “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.”
Luke 17:3-6

Increase My Faith

Speaking to his disciples, Jesus addressed the issue of faith. His lesson focused their attention on the importance of this precious gift from God. As I listen to Jesus’ lesson, I find myself saying the same thing the apostles did, “Lord, increase my faith!”

It is a challenging situation. Is more faith needed to forgive someone, or is more faith needed to tell a tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea? Jesus’ point is not to decide which requires more faith. Rather, he stresses the importance of faith in a person’s life.

While some may maintain faith is unnecessary or it is only for the weak, Jesus provides a completely different perspective. It is possible for me to forgive someone who “sins” in a general way. It becomes a completely different situation when a person sins against me. Then it would be easier to tell a tree to be uprooted. However, faith makes what may seem impossible, possible.

Jesus emphasizes the power of faith. It not only trusts the words and promises of God, it puts them into practice. Faith takes hold of me, a sinner, and changes me. I receive sight to see what is pleasing to God. I receive new life to rejoice in being called a child of God. I even receive the ability to willingly do what God commands.

This is why I join the disciples in their prayer. I recognize my weakness to please God. I also recognize my hesitancy to trust and practice what he desires. Yet through faith, I can rejoice in what my Savior has done for me, and desires for me. No wonder I daily pray, “Lord, increase my faith!”

Prayer:
Dear Savior, I thank you for the gift of faith which brings me peace through the forgiveness of my sins and leads me to delight in doing what you desire. In humility and confidence, I ask you to increase my faith. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

Join with me in suffering for the gospel.
2 Timothy 1:8

No Greater Honor

Many tourists in Rome will tell you that it is one of the most difficult sites to find. The site that is difficult to find is the Mamertine Prison, the traditional place where the apostle Paul awaited his execution. Over the years, countless tourists have walked right past it without recognizing what it was. This is understandable, because the Mamertine Prison does not resemble our idea of a prison. Rather, it is simply an ancient cistern divided into two rooms, one on top of the other.

On the floor of the upper room is a hole. And through that hole is where prisoners were either lowered–or dropped–into the lower room. This lower room was called the Tullianum.

According to an ancient historian, this lower room, the Tullianum, was 12 feet underground. In his words, it was “disgusting and vile by reason of the filth, the darkness and the stench.” The room itself measures 6 ½ feet high, 30 feet long and 22 feet wide. This was where prisoners waited to die, either by execution or by simple starvation. An iron door at the end of the room opened into the city’s main sewer, where dead bodies are said to have been dumped into the river.

It was in this lower room—the Tullianum—this bottom half of an old cistern, where many believe Paul spent his final days. If that’s the case, then this was also where the Lord moved him to write his final letter. In that letter, the Holy Spirit empowered Paul to look beyond the dank, foul walls of his dungeon and to speak to his friend, Timothy. He also speaks to you and me.

Across the years, Paul says, “Join with me. Join with me in suffering for the gospel.”

The Lord may not call upon us to endure the darkness and misery of the Mamertine Prison. But as you and I carry the Good News of Jesus through this jagged, broken world, there will be all kinds of moments when we will endure difficulties and hardships of every description. For the sake of the gospel we will suffer.

And that’s all right. In fact, it’s more than all right. For as you and I join with Paul in suffering difficulty and hardship for the sake of sharing the gospel—for the sake of sharing the message of full forgiveness through faith in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—there is no greater honor. None.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in those moments when I suffer difficulty for the sake of your gospel, remind me of Paul. And refresh me in your forgiveness. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

[Jesus] said to [the Eleven], “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Mark 16:15

A Big Job

My wife and I assign different jobs to our children based on their age. The six-year-old is responsible for setting the table and clearing the dishes. The four-year-old needs to pick up her toys. With the two-year-old, we are just happy if he can brush his own teeth with limited assistance. We give our children different chores because we know it would be disastrous if the two-year-old tried to set out the glasses for dinner, and we want our six-year old to be able to do more than just brush her own teeth.

Before he ascended back to heaven, Jesus’ final instructions were given to a group of disciples who just weeks earlier had abandoned him. These were the same disciples who over their last three years had often been slow to believe and listen, but quick to doubt and interject. Yet it is to these same disciples that Jesus gives one of the most significant tasks the world has ever known: preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Jesus’ instruction to us is still the same today. We are to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Wherever we find ourselves in life, we are to intentionally bring the good news of Jesus who was crucified and raised to life, for the forgiveness of sins and life with God. Like the disciples we are to make this our mission, and like the disciples we are woefully unqualified for it.

We might be tempted to think this is a recipe for disaster, like asking a two-year-old to set the table. We may say, the job is too big and we are too small. However, Jesus never gives us a task without equipping us for that task. Jesus never gives us a command and then leaves us alone. Instead he provides for what he commands. Yes, the work of being Christ’s witnesses in all the world is nothing short of monumental. But in every circumstance Jesus gives us everything we need to share his gospel of salvation.

So, we go out into the world, wherever it is that we go, and we do this magnificent thing of bringing the good news of Jesus with us.

Prayer:
Jesus, be with us as we take your gospel to the ends of the earth. Motivate us, strengthen us, equip us, and enable us to be your witnesses in all the world. Amen.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20

Point Them to Jesus

There are currently around 7.6 billion people in the world. If you counted one person per second, it would take over 239 years to count them all. What is true about each and every person on the face of the earth? They are all born sinful and needing a Savior. By nature, every single person is headed straight toward eternal punishment in hell.

It’s terrifying and heartbreaking to see so many people living unaware of the consequences of sin, rejecting the truths of God’s Word, and living apart from God. The Bible says that unbelief condemns to an eternity of suffering. God didn’t create the world to condemn it. God did’t make everything for the sole purpose of seeing it brought to ruin.

Your heavenly Father wants only what is best for his creation and wants everyone to receive the benefits and blessings of heaven. That’s why he sent Jesus—to pay for your sins to rescue you from an eternity in hell and give you an eternal paradise of heaven.

God’s Word teaches that through Jesus, you are forgiven. That is good news, the best news! God doesn’t hold you accountable for the guilt of what you have done wrong. He doesn’t punish you, because he punished Jesus in your place. What does God command you to do with this good news? Bring it to others. Go and tell others the good news of forgiveness in Christ. Share your joy of peace. Through his Word and through Baptism, God creates and strengthens faith in the Savior. Through faith God welcomes you and others into eternal life. While you do this work, Jesus promises he is always by your side, protecting and encouraging you every step of the way.

7.6 billion people—that is a lot of people! Jesus calls on his believers to take up the work of reaching them with the good news of salvation. With his Word and with Baptism he equips us for bringing his saving message to the ends of the earth.

Prayer:
Gracious Savior, use me to tell others about you, that they also may enjoy forgiveness and eternal life. Amen.

Moses brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the Tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him.
Numbers 11:24-25

Listen Up

I wonder what God sounded like?

Moses heard him. The leaders of the people Moses invited around the worship tent in the desert certainly heard him. A few others throughout the pages of the Bible heard the voice of the Lord on those rare occasions when he allowed human beings to listen to him speak. I wonder what it was like? Was his voice loud, deep, and thunderous like the movies depict? Was it frightening? Was it soothing? Was it awe-inspiring? Whatever God sounded like, I wish I could have heard him.

Then again, even if I could hear God’s voice that doesn’t mean I would always listen to him! In this account recorded in the book of Numbers, there were two elders of the people who didn’t come to listen to the Lord. They didn’t gather with the other 68 elders at the worship tent with Moses. They didn’t follow God’s instructions even though they should have known better.

I should know better too. We should all know better! We understand that we are supposed to listen to God’s Word and follow his instructions, but we are inconsistent at best. At worst, we are belligerent and rebellious, prone more often to do whatever we want instead of what God wants. I’m not so sure I would want to hear the tone of voice God would use if he were to speak to me!

But he does speak to me. And he speaks to you too. We don’t hear his voice audibly as he talks from heaven, but we do “hear” his voice in a very real way through the pages of the Bible. And when he speaks, he isn’t angry or bitter or disappointed. He speaks with a softness and with a compassion that comforts our hearts. “You’re forgiven,” he says. “I have sent my Son Jesus to bear the brunt of the punishment you deserve and have cleared you of any offenses by his cross. I love you because you are my child through faith and I will always be your caring Father.”

What a relief! What a message! What a pleasure to hear the voice of our God!

Prayer:
Lord, help me listen to your voice through your written Word. Amen.

Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
Hebrews 2:11

Photograph

This past June, the world of commentary lost one of its most elegant writers. When Charles Krauthammer died, people across the political spectrum knew they had lost someone special. They may or may not always have agreed with his opinions, but the thoughtfulness and eloquence of his columns were beyond dispute. For his writing he received the Pulitzer Prize.

In the wake of Krauthammer’s death, admirers began to share with each other some of his most beloved columns. A piece his fans mentioned repeatedly was the one he wrote about his brother, Marcel, when Marcel died in 2006. To read it, do an online search: “Marcel, My Brother.” Of this article one reader wrote, “I’ve never read any other column—from anybody else—that resonated so deeply.”

When Charles wrote about his brother, he wrote about their years growing up. Marcel was four years older than Charles and a magnificent athlete. But in his column, Charles remembers how his big brother always included him in everything he did. Every summer they were inseparable. And even though, as Charles says, “four years is a chasm [when you’re young],” all of Marcel’s friends knew Marcel’s rule whenever they got together for a neighborhood game. Marcel’s rule was, “Charlie plays.” And so, Charlie did.

Perhaps the most poignant portion of Charles’ piece on his big brother comes near the very end. He writes, “There is a black-and-white photograph of us, two boys alone. He’s maybe 11. I’m 7. …In the photo, nothing but sand, sea, and sky, the pure elements of our summers together. We are both thin as rails…dressed in our summer finest: bathing suits and buzz cuts. Marcel’s left arm is draped around my neck with that effortless natural ease—and touch of protectiveness—that only older brothers know.”

When the living Word of our God tells us, that Jesus is our brother, perhaps it happens too often that you and I do not stop to take in what that means. The Son of God became a human being, yes. He lived a holy life on our behalf, yes. His suffering and death washed away our every wrong, yes. He rose from death and lives, yes.

But as he lives, he watches over us not simply as if we were some divine assignment he needs to protect. He’s our brother. He’s been where we are. He knows how hard and lonely life can be. He understands.

Remember the photograph of Marcel and Charlie? Marcel’s arm draped around little Charlie’s neck says it all. Remember that picture when you think of Jesus’ love for you.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are my brother. I’m sorry how often I forget that. But your arm is around me always. Thank you. Amen.

Some Pharisees came and tested [Jesus] by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
Mark 10:2

Arrogance

The Pharisees came with a deviously devised test for Jesus. Even though they themselves could not agree on an answer, they believed Jesus would take one side or the other. In this way they could subject Jesus to accusation and disgrace. It was nothing more than arrogance on their part, and Jesus revealed their sin for what it was—a rejection of God’s Word.

There is a sense of indignation which wells up in me. How could they do this! How could they reject God’s Word! How could they be so arrogant! Before I convince myself that I would never do anything like that, I need to look at myself honestly and humbly.

I can be just as arrogant as the Pharisees. It surfaces not only regarding beliefs on divorce and marriage, but in every aspect of my life. God’s Word is clear in its commands and prohibitions. I, however, think I know better. I try to convince myself that my situation is different. I might even believe this really doesn’t apply to me. There is no other way to describe my thoughts than arrogance. And God will hold me accountable.

In sincerity, I turn to the cross of Jesus my Savior. At his cross I receive the assurance of my forgiveness for arrogance and all other sins. I also receive the will and the desire to accept all that God commands. Instead of arguing my position with the Lord, I accept his. In humility, I submit to his will.

Honestly, I know from sad experience that I will always struggle with the Lord’s will for my life. I will rely on rationalizations, justifications, or just weak excuses. I will even argue that his accusations are untrue. This is nothing more than the arrogance of my sin-stained heart. It is why I pray daily, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

Prayer: Psalm 51:10-12
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.