Category: Daily Devotions

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. . . I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’”
Ezekiel 17:22-24

A Promise

Daily Devotion – June 22, 2024

Devotion based on Ezekiel 17:22-24


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Have you ever made a promise and then broke it? That question gets personal when you think of the promises you have made to your spouse, children, or best friend and how many times you have let them down. That question gets more personal when you think of the promises you have made to God, and how many times you have failed him. It is one big reason we struggle with so much guilt.

Did you notice in the reading from Ezekiel, how many promises your Sovereign Lord makes to you? He declares, “I myself will… I will… I will do it.” He promised to raise a small shoot into a great tree that would provide shelter and shade for all who nest in that tree. The small shoot that becomes a great tree is Jesus Christ, your Savior from all sin. The birds who nest in the tree are all the people who come to Jesus for rest from their guilt. The shade and shelter the tree provides is the loving and merciful care that Jesus gives to you.

Now, if you want to see the impact of these words in Ezekiel, look at them this way: For every time you said “I will” to your Lord but didn’t, your Lord said “I will” to you and did. And you can see what he did on another tree. He died for you on the cross. From that tree, there is forgiveness for all your broken promises. From that tree, there is a promise kept that leads to eternal life.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, forgive me for my broken promises to you. Thank you for keeping your promise to me. Thank you for the refuge I have in Jesus. Amen.

[Jesus said] “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”
Mark 4:26-32

Planting Kingdom Truths

Daily Devotion – June 21, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 4:26-32


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A mother left a note for her children, “Have a great day! Don’t forget to take the lasagna out of the freezer. I will be home around 6:00 PM tonight. Don’t forget to take the lasagna out of the freezer. Love you! Mom (p.s. Don’t forget to take the lasagna out of the freezer.)”

Do you get the impression that mom wants the lasagna out of the freezer? Repeating a message is a way to emphasize a message. So your ears perk up when Jesus speaks a couple of times in Mark chapter 4 about planting seeds. Do you get the impression that your Savior wants you to hear his Word?

With words as his picture, Jesus holds up a teeny-tiny seed and says, “A farmer doesn’t know how this seed grows. But it does! And that is what my kingdom is like.” He then reaches for a teenier, tinier mustard seed and contrasts it with the tall plant, like a tree that it would become. Seeds are so little when planted, yet they grow into ripe harvests and large plants.

Just think about what happens in your heart and soul as Jesus fills them with his Word. He isn’t sharing farming examples to broaden your understanding of agriculture but to plant kingdom truths in your heart. The king who died and rose for you wants you to know and trust the power of his Word. God’s Word, like a tiny seed, doesn’t seem like much. But it is the power of God. And through that power of God, he sprouts faith, grows that faith, and fills the limbs of your life with the bounty of his fruits.

Prayer:
Lord God, fill my ears and plant in my heart the precious and powerful truths of your Word and your Son, Jesus. Amen.

[Jesus said] “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
Mark 4:26-29

The Growing Seed

Daily Devotion – June 20, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 4:26-29


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Seeds appear to be just little things that are dry and dead. Actually, they are teeming with life. Inside the outer coat is a root and a shoot just waiting to jump out and start growing, along with a powerful energy supply to keep it growing until it can make its own energy. It’s a simple yet fantastic design that continues to work despite gene manipulation, the production of hybrids, and all the attacks from fungi, bugs, and plant viruses. The human race is only one failed seed season away from starvation. But we don’t worry because we know the seed designer who has promised that “…seedtime and harvest…will never cease” (Genesis 8:22) as long as the earth endures. Seeds work.

So Jesus used the story of a seed to illustrate what the Christian Church is like. In this chapter of Mark, he tells three different seed stories that clearly show the power of the gospel in causing and growing the Church of all who believe in Jesus. It’s the seed chapter in the Bible.

You may have heard this message a thousand times, but it still brings a thrill to your believing heart and makes that faith stronger. It’s been proclaimed worldwide, has caused 2 billion people to say, “I believe in Jesus,” and is still going strong! That’s why you read through the Bible, so your faith will grow along with your knowledge. It’s also why you plant the gospel with as many people as possible so that more people can join us in the kingdom!

Prayer:
Dear Holy Spirit, thank you for putting your power at work in the seed of the gospel. Lead me to hear it and read it so that it can grow my faith stronger. Lead me to plant it in the ears and minds of others so you can bring them into the kingdom of Jesus. Amen.

[Jesus said] “A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.”
Mark 4:26-28

The Seed

Daily Devotion – June 19, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 4:26-28


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Every spring, we see the miracle of growth. It’s not Mother Nature, but the hand of the almighty God, maker and preserver of all things.

Miraculous growth takes place also in the human heart. The growth-maker again is God, specifically the Holy Spirit. The result is the creation and preservation of Christian faith, as evidenced by words and deeds of Christian love.

You can’t see faith, but genuine Christian faith demonstrates itself by its emerging fruits, which look out for others instead of the natural “me-first.” Simple good manners—like saying a genuine “Thanks!” instead of thanklessly grabbing for things, can be a fruit of faith. Seizing opportunities to perform little kindnesses like providing a meal for a fellow Christian, caring
for a hospitalized loved one. It’s serving everyone, even those in the community. Never overlook the daily care and concern of a tired mother untiringly raising her children in the Lord’s nurture and instruction.

Let’s not forget, though, that growth potential lies not in the human heart but in the seed of the gospel planted and watered there. Unlike drought-caused restrictions on watering lawns and gardens, there dare be no withholding of the gracious water of life applied and reapplied to the soul with the gospel. The power to produce fruit lies in the gospel and nowhere else. And, as always, to God’s name be honor and praise!

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, give me eyes and ears of faith to trust that your Word is at work creating a harvest for you. Amen.

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
Mark 4:26-29

Growth Without Effort

Daily Devotion – June 18, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 4:26-29


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Farming is a lot of work. Farmers are some of the hardest-working people that I have the privilege of knowing. They are up before the sun and go to bed long after the sun has set. They plant and harvest. They maintain buildings, equipment, and acreage. They make deals buying what the farm needs and selling what it produces.

However, the one thing they don’t have to do is cause the plants to grow. The farmer cannot will them to grow or find just the right words to say to inspire the seeds to sprout. The farmer can’t pay a bribe to make the plants grow or put in some overtime hours to make the plants grow. The seeds sprout, grow, and produce a harvest all on their own.

It is the same with the kingdom of God. There is much to do in the kingdom of God, and like the farmer, we are to be busy. There are people to love and good works to do. We are to be busy loving our neighbor as ourselves and keeping the commands of God.

However, the one thing we don’t do is cause the kingdom of God to grow. We scatter seed by sharing his Word, but the kingdom of God does not grow by our own will or efforts. It doesn’t grow because I want it to or because I have inspired it. Though we might not know how it grows, it will have a harvest all on its own.

There is much for us to do in the kingdom of God. Yet the growth is not our work or effort, but God’s.

Prayer:
Father of the harvest, keep me busy doing your work and sowing the seed. Yet remind me that it is not my work, but yours. Amen.

“‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.
Ezekiel 17:22,23

Cut off but Not Dead

Daily Devotion – June 17, 2024

Devotion based on Ezekiel 17:22,23


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It had been 480 years of a continual dynasty as one son after another followed his father as king in Jerusalem. There had been long reigns and monarchs who sat on the throne for only weeks. Jerusalem had been home to kings who had followed the commands and decrees of the Lord and also those who were wicked and brought much suffering upon the people. Through all the ups and downs, the great dynasty had continued, but now it was finally coming to an end. Zedekiah would fall and be the last king. All of Zedekiah’s sons were killed, and Zedekiah himself died in captivity, and along with him, the dynasty was over—or so it seemed.

Even as the mighty tree of David’s line fell, God was breaking off a tender sprig to plant in a high and mighty place. It would start small and humble; few would notice or pay attention. However, this humble sprig would become a great tree that would bear fruit and provide rest and shade not just for a single nation but for many people.

That sprig was planted as Joseph and Mary journeyed to David’s hometown of Bethlehem, “and the time came for the baby to be born.” His birth was small and humble, but through his death and resurrection, David’s greatest descendent would bear fruit and provide rest for all people. Not food or physical rest, but the gifts that come from Jesus defeating sin, death, and the devil.

The mighty tree of David’s dynasty would fall. In Jesus, God would plant a greater tree from that same line who would bring true peace and rest.

Prayer:
Thank you for fulfilling your prophecy and sending my Savior. Amen.

[Jesus] also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
Mark 4:26-29

Powerful Seed

Daily Devotion – June 16, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 4:26-29


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Hold a seed in your hand, and it appears lifeless. But plant it in the ground, and from that seed emerges a tender sprout that pushes its way up through the soil and grows into a sturdy plant. We can loosen and fertilize the soil and supply ample moisture, but we cannot empower a seed to germinate and grow. It does that all by itself because that’s the way God created it.

Jesus used the nature of a seed to describe the working of God’s Word. When the good news of Jesus was planted in your heart, the power of God caused faith in Jesus to sprout and grow. This happened because God was working through his Word to give you new life and all the blessings of being a child of God.

You can’t produce saving faith on your own; no more than you can cause a planted seed to grow. God accomplished it completely for you. God loves you so much that he brought you to faith in Jesus and still uses his Word in your life to help you grow in faith. Therefore, you can look forward with confidence to the day of the harvest when Jesus will come to gather you and all his believers to be with him in eternal glory.

Prayer:
As you have used your Word, O God, to bring me to faith in Jesus, help me grow in my faith as you nourish me each day with the good news of my salvation. Amen.

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Genesis 3:15

God Cares

Daily Devotion – June 15, 2024

Devotion based on Genesis 3:15


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“What kind of a God would allow so much suffering in the world? Doesn’t he care? Doesn’t he love?”

Have you ever heard someone say this or something similar? What would you say in response?

Does God love? Does he care?

Look at our Bible verse for today. Adam and Eve, the first people to live on this earth, had willingly and deliberately disobeyed one of God’s crystal clear commands, choosing instead to listen to Satan. By sinning, they had separated themselves from God and brought upon themselves his righteous and just anger. Just like that, our first parents became lost and condemned creatures, doomed to die physically, and they deserved to die eternally. Worst of all, there was nothing that Adam and Eve could do to save themselves. Their situation was hopeless. They had no one to blame, either. The fault was theirs.

Please take note of God’s response. He could have forever turned his back on Adam and Eve, allowing them and all their human descendants to live out their miserable earthly lives and experience a misery of pain in hell eternally. Or, he could have come down at once and annihilated them, like a person stepping on a cockroach.

But that’s not what God did. He cared for Adam and Eve. He loved them as the crown of his creation. He wanted them and all their human descendants to live forever alongside him in heaven. So what did God do? He promised to send a Savior, someone who would be punished in their place, crush Satan, and destroy death. Why? God cares. He loves.

Don’t reject this caring God who loves you. Wrap your arms of faith around Jesus, the only Savior for all people, because he cares and loves you!

Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for caring for me and loving me so much that you sent your only Son, Jesus. Keep my faith strong in him as my Savior. When I’m overwhelmed by my problems and fears, remind me that you will care for me because you love me. Amen.

He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan.
Revelation 20:2

Ancient Serpent

Daily Devotion – June 14, 2024

Devotion based on Revelation 20:2


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It is 2017. Scientists in Europe are conducting an experiment. They are showing a series of pictures to 6-month-old babies. With each picture, the scientists record the dilation of the babies’ pupils. One picture is of a flower. When the babies see the flower, their pupils remain the same. Another picture is of a fish. When the babies see the fish, their pupils remain the same. On the experiment goes.

But then, somewhere along the line, the scientists display the picture of a serpent. When the babies see the serpent, their reaction is different. Even though these infants have no experience with serpents, their pupils dilate, their bodies grow agitated, and they display signs of stress. With this experiment, the scientists conclude in their report that, for some reason, most humans seem to be born with an innate fear of serpents.

Perhaps that should not surprise us. It was the serpent, after all, through which Satan tempted our first parents to sever their relationship with God. It received a curse as a result—destined to crawl and squirm on its belly. Indeed, people have feared serpents for a very long time.

But the image of a serpent is also part of something wonderful. In the last book of the Bible, God’s Word makes reference to what’s recorded in the first book of the Bible. Revelation 20:3 speaks of that ancient serpent—who is the devil or Satan. Someone is seizing that ancient serpent, exerting victorious might. This is possible only because God has fulfilled his promise to send a Savior from sin—the descendent of Adam and Eve who would crush the serpent’s head and destroy the devil’s power.

The ancient serpent, of course, still tries to find ways to frighten, startle, and drive us to despair. When he tries, remember the one who has already come. Remember the one who has lived a holy life in our place and suffered and died for our every sin. Remember the one who lives and reigns. Remember the one who has crushed the ancient serpent. Remember Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when Satan tries to frighten me, remind me that he’s crushed. Remind me of you. Amen.

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Genesis 3:15

First Gospel

Daily Devotion – June 13, 2024

Devotion based on Genesis 3:15


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There is no darker moment in history. Tempted by Satan in the serpent, Adam and Eve have severed their bond of trust with their Creator. Sin has flowed into its place. The effects are immediate. Adam and Eve try to hide from God. When God calls upon them to acknowledge what they have done, all they do is point fingers. Eve portrays herself as a helpless victim. Adam blames his wife and even airily suggests God himself was not very helpful either.

In this moment, it is clear that Adam and Eve are lost. There is no heartfelt confession or repentance. There is no cry to God for rescue. There is only the calloused apathy of sin. In this moment, God has every right to walk away in righteous disgust. He has every right to abandon them in contempt and to the existence they have chosen: an outer darkness apart from God and his goodness.

But God does not walk away. Instead, he gives a promise. He turns to the serpent and tells the devil that someone is coming one day—someone who will be a specific offspring of Adam and Eve and who will undo what has just taken place. “He will crush your head,” God tells the devil. But in the process, the devil “will strike his heel.” He will cause this special person great suffering.

There is not much detail in this promise; more details will come later. But its brevity takes nothing away from its power, impact, and ramifications. What God proclaims within Adam and Eve’s hearing this day is what theologians call the Protevangel—the First Gospel, the first promise of a Savior from sin.

But do not forget the context of the moment. God promises to send us a Savior from sin, not because we begged him, not because we have fallen before his feet, not because we have made some effort to make up for what we have done. He sends a Savior because we need one.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, even though we wanted nothing to do with you, you rescued us anyway. What wondrous love is this, O my soul? Amen.