Author: Kerry

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.

Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
Isaiah 35:4

Be Strong, Do Not Fear

Daily Devotion – September 12, 2024

Devotion based on Isaiah 35:4


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Around the year A.D. 156, a man named Polycarp was arrested during a time of Christian persecution. He was the leader of the church in Smyrna. His arrestors urged him to renounce Christ and to make a small offering to the Roman Caesar. They didn’t want to see this old man put to death. In their minds, they were asking a small thing.

“Curse Christ, and you will live!” said the Roman ruler. But Polycarp remained steadfast. “Eighty and six years have I served him, and he has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” Polycarp replied.

Astonished and incensed, the Roman ruler threatened to burn Polycarp to death. Polycarp replied that his fire would last an hour, but the fires of hell would last an eternity. And with that, Polycarp was burned at the stake.

Through it all, Polycarp’s faith did not waver. He was not afraid of what men would do to him. Why? Because he knew God had come. Polycarp knew Jesus had already saved him from something far worse. Without fear or trembling, Polycarp stood firm to the end.

Over and over again, God tells his people not to be afraid. The reminder is necessary because people are sinners who deserve the wrath of God. And yet, God shows that he is not eager to punish or to threaten and terrify. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Instead, he wants to bring peace and hope, forgiveness and life.

That’s why God sent Jesus to save you. He sent Jesus to take away your guilt and shame that causes you to fear God’s wrath. Jesus tells you to be strong and not fear because he has made things right between you and God.

No matter what trials and temptations you face, you can be strong and not fear. Your God is on your side. Jesus has come, and he has saved you.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you are with me in every situation. Give me courage to stand firm in my faith no matter what. Amen.

Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Mark 7:36,37

More Than a Miracle Worker

Daily Devotion – September 11, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 7:36,37


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It sounds odd that Jesus instructed people not to spread news of the miracle he had just performed. It seems like the type of thing he would want people to know about. He had made a deaf and mute man hear and speak! Bring your sick, blind, deaf, and lame. Jesus can heal them. Like a doctor with a miracle cure, didn’t Jesus want to help all those people?

The people would have been perfectly happy with Jesus as their miracle worker, the one who could make their lives better right now. Jesus performed many miracles. They transformed the lives of the people he helped. But everyone Jesus healed had a much bigger problem, a sin problem. Those sins separated them from God.

The people wanted a miracle worker, but Jesus came to give them something much better. His work as the Messiah, the anointed and chosen one of God, was not to make life on earth paradise. Rather, he was preparing people for paradise by pardoning their sins.

His goal wasn’t to be popular; his goal was the cross. He planned to lay aside his power and submit to death, separation from God, the punishment all sinners deserve. Jesus did this so that all who believe in him as their Savior would be rescued from death and experience ultimate healing and restoration in eternity.

Maybe you’ve prayed to Jesus, asking for a miracle. And perhaps you haven’t gotten the answer you wanted. You wonder why he lets you suffer. But you don’t ever have to wonder about his love for you. Jesus’ willingness to suffer and die for your sins shows his love for you. And his suffering demonstrates that God brings incredible good from suffering.

Jesus healed many, but he didn’t heal all. However, Jesus did suffer for all, dying for the sins of the world so that whoever believes in him will have eternal life. Earthly suffering is temporary, but the peace, joy, and restoration Jesus promises is for eternity.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for taking care of my biggest problem, my sins. Help me always put my faith in you as my Savior. Amen.

After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.
Mark 7:33-35

Jesus’ Personal Touch

Daily Devotion – September 10, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 7:33-35


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We don’t know if the deaf man brought before Jesus knew who Jesus was, but Jesus knew him. And Jesus knew exactly what that man needed. The first miracle Jesus performed was getting the deaf man away from the crowd. Then, very lovingly and gently, Jesus showed the man what he would do for him. He touched the man’s deaf ears and mute tongue. And then he looked up and sighed. How many times had that deaf and mute man done the same thing out of frustration from not being able to communicate? Jesus showed his love, compassion, and understanding.

With one word, “Ephphatha!” Jesus opened the man’s ears to hear and loosened his tongue to speak. Jesus gave the man not just hearing and speaking but vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. His opened ears meant he could hear the call to repentance and the voice of Jesus teaching about the kingdom of God and the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ miracle didn’t just change this man’s life, but his eternity. Jesus took the time to meet his individual needs.

Jesus knows exactly what you are feeling and going through, too. He knows your needs and desires. He knows your pain and weaknesses. He sighs with you. And Jesus comes to you the same way he came to that deaf man, through his Word.

The powerful word Jesus used to heal this man is the same powerful Word in the Bible. Through this Word, Jesus opens spiritually deaf ears to hear life-giving forgiveness of sins. Through this Word, Jesus resurrects spiritually dead hearts to a new life of faith and brings comfort and peace.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to me in your Word. Amen.

Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.
Mark 7:31,32

The Impact of One Witness

Daily Devotion – September 9, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 7:31,32


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In 1929, Dr. William Leslie returned home. He had spent 17 years working as a medical missionary in the jungles of Africa. He built medical clinics and ministered to people’s diseases. He taught the Bible and shared the love of Jesus. But he felt like a failure. He did not see any immediate results from his missionary efforts.

In 2010, a team of missionaries made an astonishing discovery. They went to the same remote area of the Congo where Dr. Leslie had worked. They didn’t expect to find evidence of Christianity, but when they arrived, they found a network of thriving Christian churches.

The missionaries were bewildered. The local people explained what had happened. Christianity was taught to them by a man they called William generations ago. The missionary team discovered that the William they referred to was Dr. William Leslie. His work was no failure.

When Jesus went to Decapolis, it was not his first time. The first visit ended in what may have looked like a failure. The people asked Jesus to leave after he healed a demon-possessed man, and then the demons killed a herd of pigs. Jesus told the man that he healed to stay in the area. That man spread the wonderful news of what Jesus had done for him.

When Jesus returned, they did not drive him away. Instead, crowds came to him, bringing their sick, begging for his help. The witness of one man changed the attitudes of the people.

You might never see the impact your Christian witness makes. But when you share the gospel, the good news of sins forgiven in Jesus, you give the Holy Spirit a chance to work in someone’s heart. Your witness is powerful, not because of your strength, but because God is working through it.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, give me courage to share the wonderful news that you have forgiven my sins and the sins of the whole world. Give me opportunities to share the gospel. Amen.

Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Isaiah 35:4-6

Welcome Changes

Daily Devotion – September 8, 2024

Devotion based on Isaiah 35:4-6


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Have you ever met one of those people who can brighten up every room they enter? If the conversation is dull, they liven it up. If everyone is gloomy, they bring cheer. If the mood is tense, they replace it with calm. Such welcome changes! Their arrival makes you want to shout for joy!

The scene Isaiah describes in his prophecy is not that much different. Only Isaiah is not describing a friend who will come to brighten up a room, he is describing our God who “will come to save you.” And what welcome changes this Savior brings! Isaiah prophesied that at our Savior’s arrival, he would open the eyes of the blind; he would unstop the ears of the deaf; he would make the lame leap like a deer; he would cause the mute tongue to shout for joy. When Jesus, our Savior, appeared in this world, he did just that. His miracles made so many shouts for joy.

But in reality, such miracles only served as a taste of a greater joy. Our Savior did not just come to save a few select individuals from their physical problems. He came to save the entire world from our spiritual problem—our spiritual problem of sin. We were spiritually crippled by our wickedness, but Jesus has healed us through the perfect life and innocent death that he accomplished in our place. Because of what he did, we will one day see our God face to face and walk in his holy presence forever.

What welcome changes the Savior brings. Your God has come to save you. Shout for joy!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, fill my heart with shouts of joy as I ponder the depth of your love for me and all people. Amen.

[Jesus replied] “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the human traditions.”
Mark 7:8

Don’t Let Go!

Daily Devotion – September 7, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 7:8


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“Don’t let go of the ‘Matchless Mine.” These were Horace Tabor’s dying words to his wife. Unfortunately, she took those words to heart and died a penniless recluse.

“Don’t let go of the traditions of the past.” These were the teachings of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law in Jesus’ day. For those who put their trust in those traditions, they lost the comfort of God’s Word and the promise of the Savior.

“Don’t let go of the commands of God.” These are the words of a loving Savior. Jesus wants me to know and understand the blessing of following those commands, as well as the danger of letting go of them.

“Don’t let go.” It is an exhortation we need to hear regularly. There are many competing messages in the world which vie for our attention. “Follow your heart.” “Trust your instincts.” “Rely on your understanding.” All are appealing. All sound reasonable. All are deceptions of the devil and lead to death.

“Don’t let go.” In the commands of God we have the true guide for life. And Jesus reminds us, “his commands are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). We are led by Jesus and his great love for us to follow God’s commands. For in his faithfulness as our Savior, Jesus fulfilled every requirement God set before us. And in his great love, Jesus went to the cross to suffer the punishment that we deserved for failing to live up to God’s holy will expressed in his commands. The salvation that Jesus accomplished is our comforting assurance that, nothing will ever separate us from the love of God.

“Don’t let go.” This is Jesus’ desire for our lives. Even though there are many appealing paths and philosophies we could follow, nothing will ever offer the certainty or the peace of following by faith in Jesus what God commands. So, don’t let go!

Prayer:
O gracious Lord, your Word gives life, and it is my life. Keep me faithful to studying your Word and following your commands. In the end, keep me from letting go of those truths you have brought into my life. Amen.