Compassionate5/21/2020 Idea: God teaches us to be compassionate as we grow. Coloassians 3.12 (CSB): Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion... Devotional: I was in small group one evening when I was a high school senior. I don’t remember what we were talking about, but I do remember saying that I wanted to be more compassionate and understanding toward others. I also remember CR (one of the leaders) saying that God would teach me in due time—she was (and is) right. Throughout scripture, we are told that the Lord is compassionate (Mt. 9.36; Ps. 103.13) and that we, too, should be compassionate. However, because of our sin, we are often everything but compassionate. Compassion is when you are confronted with the suffering of others and are motivated to relieve that suffering. When God created Adam and Eve, they knew no suffering. However, by their own doing, they embraced suffering by choosing to sin against Holy God. When God saw this, he was moved with compassion and provided a solution. God sent his one and only Son to make you and me right with Himself (John 3.16). When we have experienced the compassion of God, we are to extend compassion to others. We are to bear with and forgive one another (Col. 3.13). Thought it’s not easy, God does help us in the process. He helps to be compassionate and understanding by teaching us, growing us, and reminding us of his work in our lives. As we journey the Disciple’s Path, may we remember to clothe ourselves in compassion, as we imitate Christ in all aspects of our lives. For Reflection… -How has God been compassionate to you in your life? -How can you extend compassion, forgiveness, and patience to others in your life? -Pray and thank God for his abundant compassion. Ask him to help cultivate a character of compassion in you. Allow God to continually soften your heart so that it beats for what his heart beats for—people. — Christine Caine
0 Comments
Be Redemptive5/20/2020 Idea: We can be redemptive because God has redeemed us. Pslam 111.9 (CSB): He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awe-inspiring. Devotional: I once heard that the four most powerful statements are: “I love you”, “Please forgive me”, “I forgive you”, and “Dinner is ready.” Supposedly, these statements communicate love in powerful ways, and I can certainly see how and why. These statements speak to our most basic needs: Love, Reconciliation, and Food. To be loved is amazing. To be reconciled is sweet. To be served is a humble blessing. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking a great deal about redemption. Specifically, my continual need for redemption and my calling to be a conduit of God’s redemption in the lives of others. It’s not always easy to be a redemptive force with others, especially when we were denied what we genuinely needed or hurt by the ones we love. Nonetheless, we are to be a people of redemption because God has redeemed us. We are to extend redemption to others because God has extended it to us. So, what exactly is redemption? In short, to redeem something is to buy it back. Put like this, God has redeemed us from the power and penalty of sin—he has set us free from the bondage of sin (Galatians 5.1). Friend, all people need to experience redemption in Christ and we all need to experience daily redemption. God is still redeeming you and me. He’s still working on us and sometimes we get in the way. Even so, he continues the work. As he redeems you, be a conduit of redemption in the lives of others. For Reflection… -In your own words, describe redemption. How have you experienced it in your life? What areas of your life need to be redeemed today? -Pray and thank God for redeeming you. Ask him to help you lay down those areas in your life that need to experience his redemption anew and afresh. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above. A Continual Victory5/19/2020 Idea: The Gospel is our hope because it always prevails. John 1.5 (CSB): The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Devotional: Kayla and I were playing Rummy a few weeks ago. After ten hands, she lost by 225 points. While she lost with class, I do not know of anyone who likes to lose; I know I don’t. I like to win and I know many others who like to win, too. Sadly, the reality is that we won’t always win. There will be times that we fail miserably. But, while we may experience failure and defeat, it does not change the reality that we are victorious. Today’s verse demonstrates just that reality. John opened his Gospel by telling us a great deal about Jesus and the reality that Jesus is eternally victorious. Think about it like this: “God sent his light into the world, but mankind did not understand it, could not grasp it. But the world will never be able to defeat it” (Holman NT Commentary, John, 11). Satan tried to cause him to sin, but failed. The Jewish leaders tried to stop him, but couldn’t. They tried to kill, but discovered that no grave could hold him. Jesus has never been defeated, nor will he ever be defeated! Therefore, our hope is in Christ—who never fails! He has not been overcome by any scheme of the Devil. James put it like this: In Jesus, there is no variation or shadow cast by [his] turning (James 1.17) because he is totally pure. Today, find your hope and confidence in the one who is always victorious. Remember, our only victory and hope is Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Cor. 2.2)...not a deck of cards, our talents, or abilities... Only Jesus. For Reflection… -What do you think it means to have victory in Christ? Where can you find examples in the Bible? -Praise God for the victory that Christ has provided. Thank him that we are victorious because Christ is victorious. Remember, you are not fighting for victory, but from victory, for Jesus Christ has already defeated Satan! His Grace is Greater5/18/2020 Big Idea: God's grace sustains us, even in the toughest battles. James 4.6 (CSB): But he gives greater grace. Therefore, he says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Devotional: Paul wrote, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! (2 Cor. 5.17, CSB). While it is true that we are a new creation and are no longer who we once were, we still have remnants of our old self. Those remnants of the flesh (greed, idolatry, selfish ambitions, envy, hatred; See Gal. 5.19-26), still cause us problems. Specifically, the old nature wars against the new nature that God has given us. At times, the battle can seem unbearable, and we can feel like we are loosing not only the battle, but the war. What’s the solution when this happens? Well, a couple of things. First, we want to set our mind and attention on things above (Col. 3.2; Phil. 4.6-8). Secondly, we want to submit to God’s authority (James 5.7). Thirdly, we want to embrace God’s grace. In the immediate context of today’s verse, James told us that conflict comes from the passions that wage war within us (James 5.1b). It’s that old nature fighting against the new nature and visa versa. As our Pastor reminded us yesterday, we are in constant spiritual warfare. As we face the battle, may we embrace the reality that God’s grace is greater than any temptation we face and is far greater than anything tactic that the flesh may use against us. His grace is far greater and in every moment of every day, the light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it (1 John 1.5). For Reflection… -In what areas of life do you need the strength and power of God’s grace today? -Pray and ask God for the grace to submit to him and to accomplish the things that he has called you to do. Praise the Lord, His mercy is more. Stronger than darkness, new every morn’, Our sins they are many, His mercy is more. An Attitude of Gratitude5/15/2020 Big Idea: Give thanks in the midst of all things. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (CSB): Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Devotional: How does your family express thanks? When I was younger, my family would gather in a circle and say what they were thankful for before we ate Thanksgiving Dinner. Today, we gather and I read a passage of Scripture and then ask the blessing before we eat. Being thankful must be a part of who we are and not just a one-day event because it’s God’s will for our life! So, what did Paul mean when he said to give thanks in everything? First, he did not say to give thanks for everything, but rather to give thanks in everything. We give thanks in everything by acknowledging who God is and the fact that he has not left us or forsaken us, is continuing to strengthen and to protect us, and is growing us. Granted, the situations we face may make it difficult to thank God. However, there is always something to thank him for...even if you have to search it out. And there are times when the only thing that you’re able to give God thanks for is his unchanging character and nature. What are you experiencing today? How are you giving God thanks? As you give God thanks, you’ll find that he’ll give you a clearer perspective on what’s going on, and more times than not, a clearer perspective of him. Thank him today and praise his holy name! For Reflection… -What are you thankful for today? Can you list five things? -Is there anyone that you’re thankful for? Call them and tell them. -Pray and thank God for who he is and the blessings that he has given you. Thank him for the ways that he has grown you, too. Gratitude produces deep, abiding joy because we know that God is working in us, even through difficulties. —Charles Stanley Fact: According to Harvard Health Publishing, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness and improves emotions and health, helps you relish good experiences, cope with adversity, and build strong relationships.
One Day At A Time...5/14/2020 Idea: Be faithful to the task that God has called you to today. Matthew 6:34 (CSB): Therefore, don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Let me ask you a question...do you have too much or too little time in your day? Unfortunately, many people (myself included) feel as though there is too much to do and not enough time to do it. However, the truth is that you don’t have too much or too little time in a day. You have 24 hours and its all about how you use it. When I choose to play video games, there are an infinite number of other things that I could be doing but am not doing. The same goes for you. When you choose to read this devotion, you are choosing to not do a number of other things that you could be doing in the few minutes that this will take you. You have 24 hours in a day and therefore, you must prioritize your day. Sadly, I fear that some may get so focused on what comes tomorrow rather than being focused on today. We become overly concerned with how something is going to playout a year down the road and miss out on what’s happening today. When we become consumed with tomorrow, we miss God’s blessings for today. So, what is before you? What do you need to focus on for today? I encourage you to focus on the task(s) that God has laid before you for today. Be faithful, today, to his calling and tomorrow will take care of itself. For Reflection… -How do you view your time? Do you have too much or too little of it? Why? -What has God called you to do today? How are you going to answer that call? -Pray and thank God the blessings of today. Ask him to focus your attention on the tasks at hand for today. Worrying about tomorrow will rob you of today’s joy and blessings. Infinitely More...5/10/2020 Idea: God’s character & power is greater than we can imagine. Ephesians 3.20-21 (CSB): Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— (21) to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Devotion: For the most part, I am not a numbers guy. However, I have become much more able to work with numbers in the last five years. One of the things that peaks my interest about numbers is that they do not end. Literally, the number of real numbers is infinite. In fact, the largest number with a name is Googolplex (Give it a Google). It is a 1 followed by 100 zeros! I have seen the number written out and still cannot fully comprehend its magnitude. In a similar way, how God works is much more amazing and powerful than we can ever imagine. In today’s passage, Paul had just finished writing out a prayer for spiritual power for the Ephesians (3.14-19). Paul got so excited at the end of the prayer that he broke out in a moment of praise. He realized that God could do much more than he asked him to do and he was prompted to praise. Know that we serve a God who has abilities and power that we cannot comprehend or even imagine! His glory will be seen through all things and through his church...his glory will be shown through your life and my life. God is infinitely greater than we can ever imagine. He is infinitely good, wise, loving, and present. Embrace him today. For Reflection… -Read Ephesians 3.14-19 and list the things that Paul prayed for the Ephesian church. -The things you listed...Are those things present in your life? Do you want them to be present in your life? Why or why not? -How would explain God’s power and majesty to a friend? -Pray and thank God for his power, majesty, and character. Pray that God would give you spiritual power in all aspects in your life. The infinite God cannot by us, in the present limitation of our faculties, be comprehended or conceived. Do You Know It?5/8/2020 Big Idea: Memorizing Scripture is a beneficial discipline. Deuteronomy 31.14 (CSB): But the message is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may follow it. Let’s go back to the days before cell phones...Bob lived in a big city, eight hours from the rest of his family. He received news that his dad had a massive heart attack and was in the hospital but was not doing well. Concerned and eager to get home, Bob hopped in his car and began driving home to see his dad and his family. He didn’t know if his dad would make it or not, so time was a factor. Obviously, Bob was distressed about his dad’s situation. He was emotional and worried. As Bob recounted this story, he noted that the Holy Spirit began to recall different Scriptures to his memory. He couldn’t read his Bible and drive, but the Holy Spirit did remind him of what he had already read and memorized. Today’s verse is given in the context of God setting two choices before his people: Life and Death. While they were free to chose either, they were not free to chose the consequences. Choosing to follow God can appear to be an impossible task, but it isn’t. God has told us how to follow him by providing the Bible to us. Likewise, God told his people that they could chose life because they already had the message in their hearts and in their mouths. What about you? Do you have the Word of God hidden away in your heart? The Holy Spirit cannot recall something to your mind that you have never read before. As we memorize Scripture, we are better able to better resist temptation, offer an encouraging word, and serve others. For Reflection… -Have you ever considered Scripture Memory to be important? Why or why not? -Commit to memorizing Scripture. Here are some suggestions: Gal. 2.20; Phil. 3.10; Rom. 12.1-12; Matt. 28.18-20; Col. 3.17; Heb. 10.24-25 -Pray and thank God to help you commit Scripture to memory and recall it when it is needed. If every Bible in the world was destroyed tomorrow, what could you contribute to recompiling the Bible? Behold His Glory5/7/2020 Big Idea: God moves and works in order to reveal his glory. Ecclesiastes 3.14 (CSB): I know that everything God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of him. Devotional: My favorite movie (and book) is Jurassic Park. If you have not seen the original trilogy, then you need to watch it. When we are introduced to the island and the dinosaurs, Dr. Grant (the main character) is taken back by what he sees. He literally falls to the ground in awe and shock of the sight of living dinosaurs. Isn’t it amazing how things can create within us a sense of awe? Yes, Jurassic Park is a movie. However, haven’t you been taken back because you are delightfully surprised by what you’ve seen? Just last night, for instance, I was outside and got a glimpse of the Moon. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. It was clear, big, bright, and pure white. I found myself holding the stare for a few seconds and saying: Oh my...that’s beautiful. The Moon was created by God and reflects his creativity and his glory. Likewise, everything in the universe has been created by God and reflects his glory, too. We are moved to awe and worship when we see what God has done. Sometimes, it’s the sunrise or sunset. Beautiful weather. A cool, spring day. At other times, it’s God working in marvelous ways that we would have never imagined. Understand that what God does will last forever and will always prompt us to worship and praise him. For Reflection… -What in nature prompts you to worship God? -How has God worked in your life that prompted a response of worship and praise? -Pray and thank God that he works through all things to reveal himself and his glory. For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the water covers the sea. Daily DevosFind daily devotions for Students. Archives |