Get a Lock On It4/3/2020 Main Idea: Disciples of Christ are to hold on to the truth of God’s Word above all else. 2 Timothy 1.13 (CSB): Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Devotion: We have access to unlimited information via the internet. Anyone can upload information to the web—whether it is true or not. That means that we can see “facts” that are not true. For instance, at the start of 2020, the “news” broke that the US Government was going to reinstate the Draft. That was never the case. However, the “news” quickly circulated around the country. With all the information available to us, we may find it difficult to know what to believe and not believe. While we may think that we can never know what the truth, the reality is that God has revealed the truth to us through, creation (Rom. 1.18-20), His Word (2 Tim. 3.16-17), trusted leaders (2 Tim. 3.14), and through the person of Jesus. In fact, Jesus said that he is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14.6). In today’s passage, Paul told Timothy to hold on to “sound teaching.” Timothy was able to detect false teaching because he was holding on to what was true. Dear friend, we can know what is true, too. So, be like Timothy. Make it a point to get a lock on the truth of God’s Word. Study the Word. Pursue the truth. Hide it in your heart (Psalm 119.11). For Reflection... -Do you believe that truth changes? Why or why not? -Who/What do you believe is the source of truth? -What are some ways that you can hold on to the truth of God’s Word? -Pray and ask God to help you hide the truth of His Word in your heart so that you might not sin against him (Ps. 119.11). You had better get a lock on the truth that is revealed in God’s Word.
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Be an Encourager4/2/2020 Main Idea: Disciples of Christ are to seek ways to encourage one another as we follow Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5.11 (CSB): Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing. Devotion: Do you like to give to others? I know I do. I get a great deal of enjoyment from giving to others. In fact, giving is a way for me to be a blessing to those I encounter. Sometimes, a simple word of encouragement is the best thing you can give. Understand that an encouraging word does the heart good. Solomon explained it like this: “Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up” (Proverbs 12.25). Honestly, we are exposed to situations and circumstances that can cause our hearts to be filled with care, anxiety, and worry—all of which lead to discouragement. The cure for that, is a “good word.” In today’s passage, Paul told the Thessalonian church to continue their work in encouraging one another. When we encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are helping advance the Kingdom of God. As Disciples of Christ, we are to be a people who are, by nature, an encouraging people. Remember, God can use you to encourage many different people. Ask him to show you how to be an encouragement to those you know. For Reflection... -Do you consider yourself to be an encourager? Why or why not? -Have you been in a season of discouragement lately? Pray and ask God to encourage you through His Word and to send you an encourager in your life? -Pray and ask God to show you who you can encourage and how you can encourage them. We can come alongside each other in some of life’s hardest challenges and highest peaks and say, ‘”Don’t give up, you can do it. I’ll be with you and help you.” Determined to Grow4/1/2020 Main Idea: To grow in our faith, we must be committed to studying God’s Word. Ezra 7.10 (CSB): Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statues and ordinances in Israel. Devotion: Many of us have discovered that we have some extra time on our hands. Since things have slowed down, we have time to do things that we wouldn’t normally do (exercise, read, clean, etc.). Personally, I have begun to incorporate different exercises into my daily routine. For instance, every morning and evening, I do stretches, sit-ups, and push-ups. In the morning, I read my Bible, drink coffee, get ready, wash dishes, and then come to the office. I do these things because I recognize that there is an immediate benefit (cleanliness when I wash dishes) and a long-term benefit (strengthened muscles when I exercise). Just as there is a tangible benefit for keeping to a routine, there is also a “benefit” to keeping a spiritual routine. As we pursue the Kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matthew 6.33), we must be determined to “study the Law of the Lord, obey it, and teach it” (Ezra 7.10). As we do these things, we will see growth in our walk with the Lord Jesus. The growth may not be noticeable in the short-term, but it is always notable in the long term. Friend, don’t neglect the opportunity for growth in this season. Be like Ezra and make the determination “in your heart” to study, obey, and teach the Word of God. For Reflection... -Have you been committed to growing in your relationship with Jesus or have you been sitting back to see what happens? -What can you do to grow in your walk with Jesus? Faith is like a muscle...it only gets stronger as you work it. Daily DevosFind daily devotions for Students. Archives |