Author: Kerry

[Jesus said] Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John 12:24-26

Life Through Death

Daily Devotion – March 21, 2024

Devotion based on John 12:24-26


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You dig a small hole in the dirt. Carefully, you place a seed inside of it and gently push the soil over the seed. You wait, and all on its own, the seed sprouts. A green leaf pokes through the ground. And that single seed becomes a plant that bears more seeds just like it. Life comes through the death of the one seed.

It seems counterintuitive, right? Life through death. Yet, that was the very core of Jesus’ mission. He came to bring life to his followers through his own sacrificial death. Like a seed planted in the dark dirt, Jesus would be buried in a tomb dug from the earth for three days. After those three days, Jesus would rise to life and promise the same life to all who die believing in Jesus as their Savior.

But Jesus doesn’t just focus on death with his words; he focuses on life, too. A man once reminisced about the pastor he had growing up—he remembered the preacher saying, “You must die every day!” in nearly all his sermons. As a boy, he didn’t understand what the preacher meant. He didn’t want to die! He wanted to live.

He later understood what that preacher meant. Die to your sinful self. Die to selfish desires. Surrender your sinful agenda and submit to God’s love and will. Death to self brings life.

It’s a life full of love for God and the people in your life. It’s a life of peace and contentment. It’s a life with Jesus. It’s not easy. But it is life to the fullest, where Jesus promises his Father’s honor to all who serve and follow him.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you sent your Son Jesus to die so that I may live. Help me to die to my sins every day and live in the life you give. Amen.

Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”
John 12:20,21

We Would Like to See Jesus

Daily Devotion – March 20, 2024

Devotion based on John 12:20,21


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The capital city of Jerusalem was bustling with people visiting for the major festival. Among those visitors were Greek pilgrims. They came to Philip, a disciple of Jesus, with a simple request. “We would like to see Jesus.”

Perhaps they were curious because they had heard about Jesus’ miracles. Maybe they had seen the way Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey to shouts of “Hosanna” earlier in the week. Or it could be their souls were seeking the truth. Whatever the reason, they voiced the desire that resonates with every human heart. They sought God.

The world is full of people like those Greeks. They are searching for truth, hope, and meaning. They may not say it the same way as those Greeks did, but they ache for a meeting with their Savior.

If you are looking for truth, hope, and meaning, if you are searching for Jesus, there is no better place to look than where Jesus has revealed himself. Jesus shows himself to all through the Bible. God’s Word, the Bible, is where Jesus speaks truth, where God gives meaning to life, and where the Savior provides hope to a desperate world.

If you are a Christian, you live among people who wish to see Jesus, though they may not know it. You can show them Jesus not just through your words but through your actions. When you extend a helping hand to the marginalized, you show them Jesus. When you offer a listening ear to the brokenhearted, you show them Jesus. When you forgive those who have wronged you, you show them Jesus. In every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, and every expression of love, you reveal the face of Christ to a world in need.

Those acts of love are a reflection of Jesus, of the one who came to seek you out. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He came looking for you because he loves you.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, show me Jesus. Use me to show Jesus to others. Amen.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 43:2

Through the Waters and Flames

Daily Devotion – March 19, 2024

Devotion based on Isaiah 43:2


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The headline read, Dozens Burned During Motivational Exercise. They were encouraged to walk barefoot over a bed of hot coals. Their inner strength, their self-reliance, their personal empowerment would keep them safe. Except it didn’t. Their burned feet and ankles were all the proof they needed.

What happened? Maybe the people who ended up burnt did not believe in themselves enough or did not have the right kind of inner strength and self-reliance. Not likely. What happened? The coals were burning hot, and their bare feet lingered long enough to be burnt by the coals.

God promises to be with his people when they go through deep waters and fires of life. He does not tell them to trust in themselves or use their sheer willpower to get through those tough times. He promises to be there with them.

God also says when those troubles come, not if. There are no promises that Christians will be spared pain, sorrow, trouble, and toil in this life. But God does promise to be with them.

God’s promise to be with his people is not a guarantee of a trouble-free life. In fact, he acknowledges the inevitability of troubles. Yet, amidst the flames and deep waters, his promise remains steadfast. He does not promise to spare his children from pain and sorrow but assures them of his abiding presence that sustains and comforts even amid life’s fiercest storms.

The burned feet of those in the headline are a powerful reminder of the limitations of human resilience. God calls us not to lean on our own understanding but to trust in his promises. Trust in the promises of God, who walks with us through every trial and guides us with his unwavering love and grace.

Prayer:
Dear God, help me to put my trust in you when I go through the waters and flames of this life. Remind me of your abiding presence in all circumstances. Amen.

But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1

God Puts His Name on Christians

Daily Devotion – Date

Devotion based on Isaiah 43:1


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One of the world’s most famous artists was Michelangelo. One interesting fact about Michelangelo and his works is that he only put his name on one of his sculptures. It’s his work known as the Pieta, a marble statue of Mary holding Jesus after he’s taken down from the cross.

Michelangelo signed that sculpture in an unusual way. Instead of the typical, “Michelangelo made this.” He signed it, “Michelangelo was making this.” It’s like he was saying that he had started this work of art but had not yet completed it.

That’s what life can feel like for Christians. They know that God has made them. Not only did he create them, but he put his name on them, too. And yet, their lives can feel unfinished and unsettled. They can struggle with the same sins they struggled with for years. They can feel incomplete.

It’s likely Michelangelo signed his sculpture as if it were incomplete because he was such a perfectionist. He never felt his work was truly finished. When Christians look at their lives, they see how imperfect they are. But that’s not how God views them.

God sees Christians through the work of his Son, Jesus. His life was a masterpiece of perfect obedience to God. Instead of signing his name on his masterpiece, Jesus signs the names of those who believe in him. Jesus signed “It is finished,” not “was finishing.” God sees finished when he looks at Christians. He sees complete perfection.

Christians live in the tension of the already and the not yet. They are already saved by God even though their lives may not yet look like it. It is a reality that sin will always be a struggle until God calls them home to heaven. But Christians don’t need to be afraid because God knows their names. Jesus has signed his finished perfection over to them.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for giving me your perfection. Help me in my struggle against sin. Amen.

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
John 19:26,27

Our Perfect Savior

Daily Devotion – March 17, 2024

Devotion based on John 19:26,27


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Six weeks after Jesus was born, a man named Simeon said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:34,35). Three decades later, Mary felt the sharp edge of that sword pierce her heart as she witnessed the agony of her son on the cross.

Despite his great physical anguish on the cross and the weight of the all the world’s sin on his soul, Jesus did not forget his mother. He fulfilled his responsibility to see that she was cared for. Jesus instructed the disciple whom he loved—the apostle John—to look after her and provide for her needs as long as she lived. Right up to the end of his life, Jesus continued to keep God’s law perfectly. In his dying breath, he fulfilled the Fourth Commandment by honoring his mother.

That’s the kind of Savior we need—one who obeyed God’s will perfectly and lived completely without sin. Only a perfect Savior could assume our faults and failings, our wrongs and weaknesses, our depravity and immorality. Only the guiltless one could take the place of the guilty and make his unblemished sacrifice count for them. That is the kind of perfect Savior we need, and that’s the kind we have in Jesus!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you are my perfect Savior. In love, you took my sin and suffered the death I deserved. Lead me to honor you and live to your glory. Amen.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins . . . But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:1,4,5

The Giver of Life

Daily Devotion – March 16, 2024

Devotion based on Ephesians 2:1,4,5


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In Ezekiel chapter 37, we read that the Lord took the prophet Ezekiel to a valley filled with dry bones. After leading him back and forth among piles of lifeless bones, the Lord asked him a question, “Can these bones live?”

These images were meant to impress spiritual truths about the people to whom Ezekiel prophesied. Physically, they were alive. Spiritually, they were dead. Today’s Bible reading relates the same spiritual truths without a trip to a valley of dry bones. Ever since sin entered the world, people are born physically alive, yet spiritually dead in transgressions and sins.

When God asked Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?” Ezekiel answered, “You know, Sovereign LORD.” Yes, the Lord knows, and he commanded his prophet to proclaim God’s life-giving Word over that valley. The power of the Word was amazing. The valley of death transformed into a valley of life. The dead were made alive!

Ephesians chapter two shares the same power of God’s Word in our own lives. God, who is rich in mercy, made us spiritually alive with Christ! Our gracious and merciful God wants us to know that he is the giver of life—physical life, spiritual life, and eternal life. Find life and gracious love in God through his powerful Word!

Prayer:
Lord God, you are the giver of life. Use your powerful Word to comfort me with your great love and to strengthen me in the new life you have given me. Amen.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10

God Sets Us up To Do Good

Daily Devotion – March 15, 2024

Devotion based on Ephesians 2:10


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I have been called a lot of things in life but never a Mr. Fixit. Now, I can tell the difference between a hammer, wrench, pliers, or saw. I have even used them from time to time. But for home, auto, or appliance repair, there are many other people I will happily point you to if you needed some help.

One of my friends knows this about me. And so when I offered to help him with a home renovation, probably not wanting to hurt my feelings, he graciously accepted. But it was funny. When I asked him how I could help and what he needed me to do, he pointed me to one of the back bedrooms that needed some new floorboards replaced. When I walked in the room, I saw all the boards had already been cut to size. There were screws counted out by each section. He even marked on the boards where the screws needed to go in. Everything was put out in advance. All I had to do was drill them into place. “Look at me! I’m helping!” the four-year-old inside of me squealed with glee.

Every day, God is setting us up to do good. He guides the paths our lives take, and he gives us opportunity after opportunity to make choices that not only glorify him but point others in our life to him and his love. Like my friend, God sets everything up for us to serve others and do good!

Look around you! As you help that neighbor of yours with his yard work or offer your ear to the person at the office that everyone else wants to avoid getting cornered by, as you love your spouse or spend time with your kids, these are just some of the ways God sets you up to do good. And why do them? Because we are so thankful for the gift of forgiveness that God has given us!

Prayer:
Dear God, open up my eyes to see the many ways I can serve you and others each and every day. Amen.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8,9

Free but Not Cheap

Daily Devotion – March 14, 2024

Devotion based on Ephesians 2:8,9


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I know some people who go crazy for free stuff. Maybe you’re one of them. It doesn’t matter what it is—candy, a pen, a magnet, etc., some people get incredibly excited when they get anything free. To be honest, I’m not one of those people. You see, I’ve been given enough free stuff to see that most of the free stuff isn’t really all that valuable. It’s often cheap and breaks. And, just between you and me, most of the stuff people give me for free often ends in the trash.

You see, I know how the world works. If you want to find something of value, you have to work for it. It can’t just be given to you! People usually aren’t handed paid-for houses, cars, or a college education. Those things have value and are worth something. And to get them, you have to put forward effort. You have to pour your blood, sweat, and time into acquiring those types of things—things that have value. Right?

And yet, that’s not how forgiveness with God works. The Bible tells us there isn’t anything in us that compels God to love us or want us. And there isn’t anything an individual can do to earn their spot in heaven. No, the Bible tells us that God’s forgiveness and eternal life has been given to us because of God’s grace.

We might be tempted to think that this gift is cheap. After all, we know so often through life experiences that anything given for free isn’t worth all that much. But not so with God’s grace. No, this is an expensive gift, and the high price was paid so we could have it. This gift cost Jesus his life. Free, but not cheap!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving your life on the cross so that my sins could be forgiven, and heaven could be my home. Amen.

God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:6,7

The Best Is Yet To Come

Daily Devotion – March 13, 2024

Devotion based on Ephesians 2:6,7


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I am a firm believer that anytime you go to a party and there are appetizers, it is going to be a good party. Appetizers set the stage for what kind of night you’re going to have. If the appetizers are delicious, you think, “Wow, if the appetizers are this good, I can’t wait for the main dish!” On the other hand, if the appetizers are terrible, you think to yourself, “I can’t wait to get this taste out of my mouth with what comes next.” Either way, appetizers get you ready for something better! At least, that’s my theory.

In our Bible verse today, we’re told that what God has in store for us in heaven is incomparable to what we are experiencing in life. That’s amazing! It blows your mind! Just think of it! If you’re saying to yourself, “My life is great! I am extremely blessed! I couldn’t ask for more.” God tells you, “You think that you’re blessed now? You ain’t seen nothing yet! Just wait until you come to heaven! You’re not going to believe what I have in store for you!”

On the other hand, if this week, month, or year has been plagued with problems and heartache, and you’re dying for it to get better, take heart, God assures you, “This too shall pass. The best is yet to come! Just wait until you celebrate at the banquet of heaven!”

All of this is made possible because of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He delivered us from death! He paid for our sins and has secured our home in heaven! May we find his blessing every day, and may God bless us with patience as we wait until he brings us home.

Prayer:
Dear God, continue to assure me with your Word that I am loved by you because of Jesus. And may the promise of my home in heaven lift my heart when times of pain come. Amen.

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:3-5

Saved by Grace

Daily Devotion – March 12, 2024

Devotion based on Ephesians 2:3-5


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Do you compare yourself to other people? Of course you do! When we were in school, we looked at our grades to see how we measured up with our classmates. As we got older, we compared salaries, homes, cars, vacations, etc. We go to the gym and see who is in better shape than us and who isn’t. For most of us, measuring ourselves next to others lets us know where we stand.

I’ll admit that I sometimes do this when I look at how my classmates, neighbors, and coworkers live as well. And when I see them doing something “bad,” a part of me says, “Well, at least I don’t do that!” I’m guessing I’m not alone. Do you ever think that you are better than other people? I’m sure, at times, that thought has crossed your mind.

Here is the truth: God doesn’t judge us by our standards of being a “good” or “bad” person. He judges us by HIS standard, and HIS criterion is perfection. None of us is perfect, however. All of us fall short of measuring up. All of us deserve to face God’s wrath.

But the Bible tells us that God is “rich in mercy.” His heart is overflowing with compassion, and God makes up for our shortcomings and failures. He did that by sending us his Son, Jesus, to live the life of perfection that we can’t live. So, no matter how bad you’ve been or how much better you think you are than your neighbor, the only way anyone can match up to God’s standard of perfection is to be saved by Jesus, saved by grace. Thank God that he has done that for us!

Prayer:
Dear God, I know I am unworthy of you and deserve nothing but your punishment. Thank you for sending Jesus to save me from your just wrath. Amen.