Category: Daily Devotions

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the Lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.
2 Timothy 4:16-18

God Will Rescue You

Daily Devotion – August 21, 2024

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:16-18


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You thought you were a team. You thought you were all in this together. You thought that you would all support each other through thick and thin. And then someone went and broke that trust. Maybe your spouse did not take your side in a dispute with an acquaintance. Perhaps your teammate didn’t stick up for you when the coach wrongfully called you out for something you didn’t do. Or maybe your associate didn’t put in a kind word for you when you were trying for the promotion at work. Whenever people fail us, it is discouraging and demoralizing.

The apostle Paul experienced something similar when he was on trial for preaching and teaching about Jesus. There, he was on trial before the Roman Emperor—the most powerful man in the world—and no one came to his aid. His friends weren’t there to encourage him. His co-workers were not present to speak on his behalf. No one stepped forward to defend him.

Jesus knew all about that. He, too, was arrested and put on trial and was led to the cross, where he was put to death for sins he did not commit. And where were his friends through it all? One betrayed him. Another denied him. The rest fled for their lives and left him to fend for himself. But Jesus stayed the course and endured it all so we could be saved and assured of a place in his heavenly kingdom. Through faith in Jesus, heaven is yours. And in the meantime, whatever you are dealing with, God will rescue you like he did Paul. The Lord is with you, even when it seems like no one else is.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for never leaving me or forsaking me. When others fail, comfort me with the promise that you never will. Amen.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my Lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed.
2 Kings 6:15-17

Do Something!

Daily Devotion – August 20, 2024

Devotion based on 2 Kings 6:15-17


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“Do something!” We have all heard or maybe even spoken those frantic words. Maybe the doctors and nurses were not moving fast enough to care for our distressed loved one in the hospital. Perhaps the teacher was not acting quickly enough to address an issue to enable us to receive the much-needed scholarship. It could be that the attorney was not fighting hard enough to advocate on our behalf before the judge. Desperation often leads us to plead to anyone who will listen: “Do something!”

The man in today’s Bible verses found himself in a frantic situation. He was in trouble and afraid for his life and cried out, “What shall we do?” Even though this event took place many centuries ago, his question seems to be an American one. We all tend to feel like there is no situation we can’t get ourselves out of. We believe that ‘where there is a will there’s a way.’ Yet sometimes, there is nothing we can do to fix the situation.

The man of God reminds us that often, the best thing we can do is nothing. “What shall we do?” is often the wrong question. A better question is: what can God do? Elisha sought to encourage the man to put his trust in God. And so he prayed.

The man soon learned that God had the situation under control and already had a solution all planned out. So often in life, the best thing for us to do is nothing. Instead, put our trust in God, who has already done all things for us. In sending Jesus to die in our place on the cross, God has removed our sins and has given us the free gift of eternal life. This same God is always with us whether we see it or not.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, when the circumstances in life make me frantic, help me to trust in you. Help me to turn to you in prayer and trust your loving care. Amen.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my Lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:15-17

Loving Protection

Daily Devotion – August 19, 2024

Devotion based on 2 Kings 6:15-17


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“Oh no, my Lord!” Have you ever felt surrounded? Have you ever taken a look around and seen so many things stacked against you—things that were so overwhelming that you instantly were filled with fear and cried out to God or anyone who would listen? Like the man in our Bible reading today, we can feel cornered. We can feel so overwhelmed by all the circumstances stacked against us.

Perhaps you woke up one morning to find yourself surrounded by a host of difficulties: the creditors were lining up to collect overdue payments; the medical tests kept coming back positive for various health issues; the text updates from family members kept informing you that your loved one’s condition is worsening by the minute; and the guilt from what you did or said kept getting heavier. We feel surrounded by trouble, and we, too, are led to cry out: “Oh no, my Lord!”

In such times, God seeks to open our eyes. The man in our Bible reading today was enabled to see angels all around him, keeping him safe. We may not see those same angels with our physical eyes, but God wants us to know they are there. More than that, he wants us to see Jesus. To see our Savior who died for us to take our sins away and who lives to make us his own and to keep us safe. Our Savior, Jesus, is alive and is constantly watching over us. He will keep his promise and send his angels to guard us in all our ways.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, when I feel surrounded by the troubles in life, help me to see with the eyes of faith. Help me to trust in the loving protection that you provide. Amen.

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says. “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”
Proverbs 9:1-6

Wisdom’s Warm Invitation

Daily Devotion – August 18, 2024

Devotion based on Proverbs 9:1-6


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What is the wisest piece of advice anyone has ever passed along to you? Did you follow it? Were you blessed by it? The first nine chapters of the book we know as Proverbs are a warm invitation to obtain wisdom and then to live wisely. In Proverbs chapter 4, we are told that “wisdom is supreme.”

True wisdom is a wonderful thing. You can drink deeply of it, dwell in it, pass it along, and give it away freely without worrying that you will run out. Perhaps most wonderful of all, the Proverbs tell us that wisdom is ours for the taking. “Come,” wisdom calls out; “eat…and drink.”

It is like ordering the best meal at the finest restaurant and finding out that it comes “all you can eat” at no charge. The wisdom of God found in his Word is there for the taking. There is such a thing as a free meal, and there is an exception to the rule that says, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” The Word of God is food for the soul, and at the center of that Word is Jesus, the Bread of Life.

That we sinners can be freed from sin and enjoy a place at the banquet feast of heaven sounds too good to be true. But it is true! When we “walk in the way of understanding,” knowing and believing that Jesus lived his life to give us life and died his death to release us from death’s grip, then we are feasting on the wisdom that grants eternal life.

Prayer:
Lord God, turn my heart and mind daily to the wisdom that comes from you. Lead me to feast on the Word that gives eternal life. Bring me to Jesus, the Bread of Life, so that I live now and forever with you. Amen.

Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35

The Bread of Life

Daily Devotion – August 17, 2024

Devotion based on John 6:35


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In our lives, there is a constant tension between the physical and the spiritual. Some say physical is for the body, and spiritual is for the soul. Others say that our physical natures are concerned with current matters, but our spiritual natures look to the future. Jesus’ encouragement was not to work for food that spoils but to work for food that endures to eternal life—spiritual things.

All of us, by nature, care more about physical things than spiritual things. In Jesus’ ministry, individuals came to him looking for help with physical concerns. Some of them wanted food or to be healed of different diseases. Others looked to Jesus to help their friends or family members. Jesus was happy to help.

The problem was that many individuals came to Jesus caring only for their physical needs. They wanted him to be a Savior who would make this world a better place. They didn’t even consider the world that was yet to come. They tried to fill their physical needs but didn’t consider their spiritual needs. We can do the same thing. If we think Jesus is only a God who will help us pay the rent or mortgage, buy groceries, and maybe get the car we want, we don’t understand his true purpose for coming to the world.

Jesus’ mission was a spiritual one. By coming to this world as true God and true man, Jesus began his work as our Savior. He lived a perfect life and gave his life to pay for our sins. He rose from the dead as proof that God has forgiven us. Now, he offers us every spiritual gift we need and forgiveness for the times we have done wrong. He offers God’s love even when we don’t deserve it.

God has made you both a physical and spiritual being. Remember that Jesus is truly the “Bread of Life” who takes care of every need that you have.

Prayer:
Jesus, Bread of Life, I praise you for answering all my spiritual needs. Keep me from worrying about the physical needs that I have in life, confident that according to your good will for me, you will answer them, too. Amen.

“For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:33-35

Bread from Heaven

Daily Devotion – August 16, 2024

Devotion based on John 6:33-35


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In some cultures, people eat rice every day and nearly every meal. In those cultures, if you don’t have rice—you will probably starve.

In the culture where Jesus was born, people ate bread every day and nearly every meal. In that culture, if you didn’t have bread—you would probably starve. When the people of Jesus’ culture were wandering in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land, God provided them with daily manna, calling it bread from heaven.

When Jesus called himself the bread of life, he was making some profound statements. He was saying that he came from heaven, like manna. People were supposed to realize that they needed him every day, and what he said was the most nourishing thing that people could possibly hear.

It’s the same today in every culture. Without Jesus, people starve spiritually. With him, people gain eternal life. While we talk through the wilderness of this world and head toward the Promised Land of heaven, God is providing us everything we need in the person of Jesus. He is the Bread of Life.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for satisfying us so we will never be hungry or thirsty again. Amen.

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
John 6:26-29

Work That Is No Work at All

Daily Devotion – August 15, 2024

Devotion based on John 6:26-29


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Religions made up by human beings always include something for a person to do in order to advance to the next level or earn salvation. It’s just a natural way to think about life improvements. Do the right thing, and you’ll be rewarded.

So when Jesus talks about working for food that endures to eternal life, the people listening to him understand him to be revealing some secret set of works that might lead to salvation. They ask Jesus to explain what work God requires.

Jesus corrects their misunderstanding. He invites them simply to believe in him. He identifies himself as the Son of Man who will accomplish everything necessary for salvation. He explains that the miracles he performs are simply to validate that he is the Savior, the one whom God the Father sent.

Do you want to go to heaven? Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. When you understand that a person is not rescued from God’s punishment by doing good works but by faith in Jesus Christ, you’ll realize that the work of God is no work for you at all.

Prayer:
Lord, keep me from trusting my own works for salvation. Lead me to instead trust in my Savior, Jesus. Amen.

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:12,13

The Current Temptation

Daily Devotion – August 14, 2024

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 10:12,13


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It is a great comfort to know that you will not be tempted beyond what you can bear. When temptations seem so common and powerful, it is good to know that God will provide a way out.

In the section before our Bible verses today, the apostle Paul recalled how the ancient Israelites were tempted to grumble about their life circumstances, to eat and drink until they were out of control, and to commit sexual immorality, all while having the miraculous presence of God among them.

You may feel the same temptations. How will God provide a way out for you? He reminds you of his special presence in your life. When you are baptized, God has chosen you to be a member of his family. When you take the Lord’s Supper, he has been present with you in a miraculous way for the forgiveness of your sins.

Every time you hear the words of the Bible, God is providing his special presence for you, and he intends to do that into eternity. The current temptation is to pay attention to immediate things and forget about what is eternal. Don’t fall into that trap. Instead, rejoice in God’s presence in your life. That’s your way out!

Prayer:
Stay with me, Lord, and provide a way out of every temptation, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of the manna until morning.” However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them. Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. He said to them, “This is what the LORD commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’” So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it.
Exodus 16:19-24

The Lord Provides for Us While We Rest

Daily Devotion – August 13, 2024

Devotion based on Exodus 16:19-24


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Since my heart surgery, I have taken a daily walk on a treadmill. The doctor told me it was a good idea, and it seemed like a healthy habit to me. But one day a week, I refuse to use the treadmill. I did not get this idea from the health experts who recommend taking at least one day off from a daily workout routine each week. I got the idea from the way that the Lord taught the Israelites that he was the one who provided their daily bread.

Six days a week, the Lord provided manna. On those days, the manna spoiled if kept overnight. But on the seventh day, the Sabbath day, the Lord did not provide manna. The manna gathered the day before, on the sixth day, did not spoil overnight. It was still good on the seventh day.

The Lord provides us with food, even on the days we rest. The Lord provides us with health, even on the days we rest. Resting each week is a good way to acknowledge that the Lord provides us with all our blessings. Our Lord Jesus has done all the work that needs to be done.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for all gifts of life and health and rest through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’” The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.
Exodus 16:15-18

The Lord Provides for Us While We Work

Daily Devotion – August 12, 2024

Devotion based on Exodus 16:15-18


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I know a one-year-old who helps her daddy in the yard. When he mows the grass, she gets out her plastic toy mower and does the same. When he weeds the garden, she picks up the pulled weeds and puts them in and out of the bucket. When he harvests the berries, she harvests and eats them too. She takes great delight in helping. Her daddy is doing the work.

When the Israelites needed food while wandering in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land, God provided a type of bread from heaven. In the morning, there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. The Israelites had not seen it before, and the words they spoke to ask what it was sounded like—manna—which is how it got its name.

God gave them work to do, gathering the manna. But to demonstrate that he was actually the one doing the work, God made sure that no matter how much they gathered, they had just enough.

When we pray, “Give us our daily bread,” we acknowledge that God blesses us with everything we need for our bodily welfare on the way to the Promised Land. Sometimes, we are tempted to think that we earn those things by our work, but then we realize that those things are really blessings from God. Our work is something that God provides to keep us busy while he blesses us.

Prayer:
Our Father, give us today our daily bread, and let us all be clothed and fed. Amen.