Category: Daily Devotions

“As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.”
Daniel 7:9,10

A Time of Optimism

Maybe it’s because the days are getting noticeably shorter at this time of year or because we tend to have more cloudy days, but this never seems like a very optimistic time of year. All that it takes is a little bad economic news, or you start to catch a cold, and you get down. You watch the news and see the way the world seems to be getting more and more evil, and don’t you begin to wonder? When will it end? What do you do to get out of that funk?

At first glance, Daniel knew just what that was like. He was standing before a holy and perfect God who would be his judge! How could he, an imperfect human, possibly stand before a perfect and righteous judge?

Daniel knew he could only do this by being perfect himself. But Daniel was far from perfect! God, the Ancient of Days, had promised him to send a solution to that problem. That solution would make it possible.

We have the same solution, but we have information Daniel never had. The solution to that problem is Jesus. His righteous life is given to us to make us righteous in God’s sight, so we can stand before a holy God without fear. Through faith, it doesn’t matter how bad the economic, political, or weather news is. We have the solution to the biggest problem we will ever have. His name is Jesus. What a time to be optimistic!

Prayer:
Lord, you created the seasons and the order of the earth. At this time of year as daylight hours grow shorter, keep us from letting gloom rule our lives. Help us to be optimistic, trusting all that is happening around us is in his perfect hands. Amen.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

Peace

Our minds and hearts strain for peace by trying to remove the things that cause stress and hurt. If we get sick, our distress is removed when we are well again. If we find ourselves in serious financial trouble, the stress weighs heavy on our minds, and we are not relieved until the red ink turns black. We tend to equate peace in our lives with an absence of adversity.

How different is the peace of God that we have in Christ! God’s peace far surpasses our understanding of peace. The peace that God gives exists in the midst of difficulties. It settles and flourishes in the minds and hearts of believers. Though we experience all kinds of troubles and struggle to overcome many challenges, we have peace in the midst of everything. The peace of God is founded on what he has already accomplished through Jesus. He charged his Son with the guilt of our sin and inflicted Jesus with the suffering and death we deserved.

True, lasting peace is knowing with our minds and believing with our hearts that our sins have been forgiven by our heavenly Father and that we will spend eternity surrounded by his glory and filled with his blessings. Instead of condemning us to hell, God has promised us heaven. Instead of separation from God, he promises to hold us near and dear to him. God has made us his own through Jesus and will not forsake us. He guards us by his power so nothing can separate us from his love for us in Christ. As God’s own people, we can confidently face every situation—no matter what it is. We have the peace of God through Jesus.

Prayer:
Fill me, O God, with the peace of knowing that in Jesus you love me and are guiding me on the course that keeps me close to you. Amen.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:6-9

Don’t Get Caught Up in the Calendar

Well, here we are—the day after Thanksgiving! Maybe you’re extra full of food. Or you’re reminiscing about the days of midnight shopping on what sometimes appears to be the American holiday: Black Friday.

Maybe you’re looking ahead to Christmas. The alarm bells of anxiety are going off—probably more than you want them to.

You just looked at the calendar, and there’s no free time in the month until Christmas Eve.

You just looked at your bank account, and it is not what you hoped for heading into Christmas.

You see those beautiful scenes of family gatherings in holiday advertisements and movies, and this Thanksgiving once again proved that you don’t have that. And Christmas promises nothing better.

Your heart and mind are convinced, “I guess it’ll be another Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year that I’ll just try to make it through.”

Or not. Listen again to these promises in our Bible reading for today: “The God of peace will be with you.” And “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Through all of it—whatever happened yesterday and whatever comes between now and Christmas and beyond—the peace of God is guarding your heart, and he’s using Jesus to do it. Right now, you possess peace even amidst all these things; your heart is whole because the God of peace is with you.

Prayer:
God of peace, help me embrace the peace you promise. Give me the strength to offload my anxiety to you. I can’t carry it, but you promise you can, and you invite me to present my requests to you, in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. Amen.

Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” . . . “How great you are, Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.”
2 Samuel 7:18,22

More Than Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! That phrase will be said millions of times today in America. But stop and think: if you say, “Happy Thanksgiving!’ today, what are you actually saying?

“Have a good time giving thanks today!” That’s perhaps the most literal meaning.
Or perhaps you mean, “Have a happy day of being off work, a happy holiday!”
Or, “Enjoy all the food today—and don’t let that turkey put you right to sleep!”
Or perhaps, “Have a great time with your loved ones today!”

What’s the common denominator there? The person’s action: enjoy, have a good time, a great day.

And let’s be clear: there’s nothing wrong with that. But there’s an even better part of Thanksgiving for the Christian. It’s more than ThanksGIVING—it’s about the giver himself. And I don’t merely mean, “If you’re a Christian, you get to direct your thanks to someone.”

No—Christians get to sit in the love and blessing of the Sovereign (in control of all things) Lord. They get to say like David, “Wow, Lord—who am I, that you’ve blessed me so much?” (By the way, David was the king—he was definitely someone).

The Christian gets to say, “There is no God like you, no God but you—the God who’s taken me, a nobody, and made me a somebody you’ve adopted me into your royal family.”

What a great day this is—maybe you’ll enjoy food, maybe friends and family, maybe a day off of work. But there’s no maybe about this: God has brought you this far and promises to bring you all the way to eternal life.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, Thank you for being one-of-a-kind great. Thank you for wanting me to be in your family and choosing to adopt me and paying for me with the blood of Jesus. Who am I? Your royal child. Amen.

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
Matthew 25:14-18

Put God’s Wealth to Work

Call it what you want: calling, vocation, talent. Every single one of us has it. No matter who you are! God has given you abilities—more than given them, he’s entrusted them to you. Maybe he’s entrusted a little slice of his knowledge, grace, kindness, encouragement, money, time, energy, or some other piece of his wealth.

And I promise—he’s entrusted it to you. Do you know how I know? Because you’re here. You’re alive. God hasn’t taken you to heaven yet. You’re here to serve because God serves the people of this world through you.

You can do this by sharing the wealth of the gospel: “Jesus loves you. He paid your debt. The Father’s face lights up when he thinks of you because of Jesus’ work for you.”

And you can use God’s gifts in other ways as well, whether it’s your abilities, time, or treasures. You can give a hug, an encouraging text message, a phone call, or a handwritten letter. Or you can simply look someone in the eye and listen to them.

In Jesus’ story today, he uses the illustration of a man who gives bags of gold to his servants. While he’s away, he wants the servants to put that gold to work. In the same way, God has given each of us gifts. And, like the man in Jesus’ story, God wants us to put those gifts to work serving others.

God bless you as you put his wealth to work.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, you’ve blessed every single one of us—including me—with the privilege and responsibility of being the tools with which you love the world. Thank you for entrusting me with that wonderful task. Amen.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Romans 12:1

Is That Logical?

Which is harder? Loving your spouse one day or one hundred days in a row?
Obeying your parents one day or one hundred days in a row?
Forgiving someone once or forgiving that same person one hundred times?
Putting the needs of others before yourself once or one hundred times?

I think you know the answer. But why do I ask? Because doing those types of things is what Paul, the writer of the book of Romans, says is the way you worship God. More than that, he says it is your true and proper worship. A more literal way to say it would be your logical worship. “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,” he says. Not a one-time sacrifice that is burned up and gone and done, but a living one, one that goes on day after day after day. Paul says that is the only logical thing to do with your life!

How? How could that be logical? That doesn’t make any sense at all!

Au contraire! For two reasons:
Paul addresses you as brothers and sisters. And he didn’t learn this from a DNA testing service. The blood of Jesus needs no test. Jesus’ blood is the ink that signs and seals all the adoption documents. It’s done. You are God’s child, just like Paul.

And he says, “in view of God’s mercy.” As you ponder what God was willing to do for you, his willingness to sacrifice his own son to save you from your sins against him, you are moved to be sacrificial as well. You can give your whole self into his service. This is how you worship your merciful God.

Prayer:
Jesus, because of your sacrificial living, death, and resurrection, enable me to offer my whole self as a living sacrifice to the people around me, day in and day out. Amen.

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18

How Could He Do That?

The 17-year-old girl opened the side door as quietly as she could. She exhaled as she looked around. No one was awake. She knew there was no hiding the situation, but she didn’t feel up to dealing with it at this hour. It could wait until morning. She slid her shoes off and tip-toed to her room, slid into bed, and closed her eyes.

And then she opened them. There was no way she could sleep. She was too busy reliving and worrying about the crash she had caused, driving later than she was supposed to and faster than she should have. The car limped home, and it sat in the street. She was safe. But she worried about the ramifications and consequences from her parents. After shifting around for hours, she drifted off to sleep.

“Knock, knock.” Here we go, she thought. What will he say? Bracing herself, she squeaked, “Come in.” Her dad came through the door, walked to her bed, and held out his arms. As they hugged, he whispered, “I’m thankful you’re safe. Now let’s go get you a new car.”

I hear your thoughts: “What? How could he do that? She’ll never learn!”

The devil cries the same words when he hears the prophet Isaiah’s words for our devotion today—how could God say our sins will not be held against us? But he does say so. He takes sin-stained people—like you and me—and declares us pure. Clean as the driven snow. Not a blemish on us. He’s settled the matter once and for all. How? By becoming our substitute in the person of Jesus Christ. By giving us credit for the perfectly pure life he lived. By going to the cross and paying the price we owed for our sins.

So, do not lose another moment of sleep because of your sin. Rest easy in the loving embrace of your heavenly Father.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for settling the matter. Thank you for deciding to forgive my sins. To clean me and make me pure. I ask you to continually settle my heart because you’ve settled the matter. Amen.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

Worry

Don’t worry! That’s what God says in his Word for us today. But we wonder how we can put aside all our worries and every instant of our anxiety. There are so many dangers that surround us, so many things that stress us out, so many people who are hurting and some of them are very dear to us. Not to worry seems impossible.

It is impossible to stop worrying if our attention is riveted on the problems and predicaments of life. But a wonder of God’s love for us is that he teaches how much greater he is than the worrisome circumstances we face daily. He assures us that he is in control of all things. He is the almighty, all-knowing God who knows our every need and is capable of fulfilling all of them.

He took away our greatest worry; he freed us from the damnation we deserved as sinners. And he lavished his love on us by giving us life with him that will last forever. So our heavenly Father, who loved us so much to send Jesus to be our Savior, promises to provide for our life and protect us from danger.

Thankful for his saving love, we can turn from our inclination to worry and turn to him with our concerns and burdens. We can confidently address him in prayer, knowing that he listens and will answer according to our best interests. Since God has secured our eternity through Jesus, we know that according to his love, he will care for us now and always.

So, there is no reason to worry and every reason to pray.

Prayer:
Teach me, Lord, not to worry. Remind me of your great love and power that I can trust in times of need. Accept my prayers through Jesus, my Savior, and help me according to your wisdom. Amen.

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3

Be Ready

The apostle Paul used the phrase “the day of the Lord” to point to the time when Jesus will return in great glory and almighty power on the Last Day to judge all mankind. We can’t predict when that day will come, because the Bible tells us that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

If Jesus were to come back today, are you and I ready? As we consider our lives, perhaps we’d say, “It sure doesn’t look that way.” I try hard to live in a way that is God-pleasing. I try hard to love God and to love others. I try hard to be patient and kind, faithful and forgiving. Instead, I often see myself exhibiting impatience, bitterness, selfishness, and other behavior that I know God is not pleased with. That doesn’t sound like someone who is ready to stand before Jesus. I don’t feel ready at all!

But that’s the reason Jesus came. He came not because I was a good person but because I’m a horrible sinner who needs a Savior. Jesus came to this world for the express purpose of saving me, saving you. That’s why he was born humbly, lived perfectly, died innocently, and rose victoriously. Believing in him as our Savior, you and I have the assurance that he rescued us from the destruction, the eternal damnation we deserve for our sins.

Whenever Jesus comes back, you have nothing to fear. Your sins are forgiven, and by faith in Jesus, you are at peace with God. Yes, you are ready. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Prayer: (Psalm 33:20-22)
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you. Amen.

Awake, awake, Zion, clothe yourself with strength! Put on your garments of splendor . . . Free yourself from the chains on your neck, Daughter Zion, now a captive. For this is what the LORD says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”
Isaiah 52:1,2,3

Sleepwalking

Are you or is someone you know a sleepwalker? Sometimes, sleepwalking can result in some funny things happening. One time, my grandmother found my father sleepwalking, and he was trying to water the plants in the house! Sometimes, sleepwalking can be dangerous, like walking out into the middle of the street.

Spiritual sleepwalking is always dangerous. The people of Israel were spiritually sleepwalking through life. It was what brought them into captivity in Babylon. And for many, the lesson wasn’t yet learned. Many looked at their situation as strangers in a foreign land, unable to return home, as a reason to continue to sleepwalk through their spiritual life. Many thought God would not keep his promise of deliverance (even though he told them exactly how long it would be).

Friends, captive Israel is a picture of you and me as we wait for God to deliver us from the “captivity” of this sinful world and, at last, bring us home to heaven.

As you wait, watch out for spiritual sleepwalking! Be on your guard against sleepily stumbling through life because of the sorrow of living in this sinful world. Awake, and keep watch against the devil’s empty promises, which lure us into wandering into the path of destruction.

Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord calls out to his sleepwalking people, “Awake, awake! Rescue is coming! In fact, it is already yours, even though you do not see it. I have given you garments of splendor because I have washed away all your sins. I have redeemed you, buying you back to myself without money. Not because you have no worth but because the price of your immortal soul is priceless. So I have sent my Son to purchase you with his precious blood. Only I can and will rescue you from your captivity. Only I can and will bring you home. Awake!”

Prayer:
Lord, in your mercy, wake me from my spiritual sleepwalking that I may be ever watchful for the day of your Son’s return. Give me the assurance that I already wear forgiveness as garments of splendor. Amen.