Month: February 2023

February 28th – Galatians 5:26

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional / By

Galatians 5:26 

Society today glorifies wealth, fame, power, and aggression above all else. This makes it a real challenge for Christians to live by the Spirit rather than the flesh. For temptation is everywhere we turn. And the sins of conceit, provoking others, and envy, are easily given in to. Especially when we ourselves are hurting, suffering or wanting. But we can guard ourselves against these negative attitudes by instead cultivating the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. Fruits including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And fruits that keep our focus off ourselves, and our own desires. Putting them instead where they belong, on God and others. Allowing us not only to live in love, joy, and peace, but build healthy relationships with others and most of all, honor God.

February 27th – Romans 12:10

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional / By

Romans 12:10

I love the saying humility doesn’t mean thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. And there’s no better example of this than Christ. From start to finish Jesus, in humility and obedience, always put the will of the Father before His own. Never once seeking His own glory, His joy was found in serving God and others. As His followers, it is our job to cultivate that same kind of humility in our own lives. Because no matter how bad our circumstance, there is always someone worse off. And nothing takes our mind off our own troubles than helping someone else with theirs. Proverbs 22:4 says, “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” As Christians we are to put others before ourselves, and show love and respect to everyone we meet. And by doing so, not only are we bringing blessings into our own lives, we are reflecting the love of God and helping to make the world just a little more loving.

Deuteronomy 15:11

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional / By

Deuteronomy 15:11

God cares deeply for the poor and the needy and expects His people to reflect that same care and compassion. That means it’s not just enough to simply acknowledge the existence of poverty. We must also actively work to alleviate it by helping those in need. Jesus loved unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. He loved the poor, the sick, the outcasts, and the sinners. Never withholding His awesome generosity from all who called on Him in faith. And He commands us to do the same. We can follow His example by loving others regardless of their background, social status, or behavior. The Lord calls us to love our neighbors. To practice Christlike, unconditional love, forgiveness, compassion, humility, and sacrifice. By doing so, we can become more like Him and make a positive impact on the world around us.

February 25th – John 8:12

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional / By

John 8:12

Following Jesus means no longer do we walk a path of darkness. Nor do we live for ourselves and the world. Instead all we do is for the Lord and to walk in His brilliant light. And part of walking in God’s light is letting Him shine brilliantly through us to others. We do this by practicing love, humility, mercy, and forgiveness. John had a joyful relationship with the Lord. A joy made complete by leading others to having the same kind of relationship with Jesus. We too can have joy with the Lord by leading others to the Light of the world. And how could we not? For once we experience God’s grace and love, our hearts burst to tell others about the Lord! This world grows darker every day. And now more than ever, people need to hear how they can flee the darkness and receive the Light of life. A Light that will never grow dim, nor ever be extinguished!

February 24th – Mark 16:15

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional / By

Mark 16:15

Jesus gives each of us a command to go out and proclaim the Good News of His saving grace. But witnessing isn’t always easy. And if you’re anything like me, you can come up with a million reasons why it’s better to leave that job to others. But then I watched a video by Penn Jillette from the magic duo Penn and Teller. Talking about Christians sharing the gospel he said, “How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate someone to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?” It isn’t our job to save souls, but it is our job to plant the seeds. And although God hasn’t given everyone the calling of being a preacher, He has given us all the calling of sharing our stories. And there is no greater testimony than when we share our hearts, our love for  God, and all that He has done in our lives.

February 23rd – Luke 6:35

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional / By

Luke 6:35

The world is full of difficult people. And the last thing we want to do is love them, do good things for them, and pray blessings into their lives. Yet that’s what Jesus calls us to do. To love our enemies as He loves us. So how do we get past our hard feelings? First, by bearing one another’s burdens. (Gal. 6:2) Second, by remembering we all fall short of God’s glory. (Matt. 6:23) Third, by never giving up on doing the right thing. (Gal. 6:9) All Jesus did wasn’t for His benefit, but for ours. For once we too were poor, in need, and enemies of God. Having a debt we could never pay, Christ came to ransom His life for ours. And out of thankfulness for His unmerited grace, He wants us to pay it forward. To extend the same to others. Continuing to sow seeds of love and goodness, remembering God promises what we give will be given back to us. (Luke 6:38)

February 22nd – 1 Corinthians 16:14

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional / By

1 Corinthians 16:14

Proverbs 16:2 says, “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.” Nothing is hidden from God. As our Creator, He knows us better than we know ourselves. That includes the motive behind every thought and action. The Pharisees bragged about being righteous in the Lord’s sight. But their actions were based on pleasing their own egos, instead of pleasing God. And repeatedly, Jesus called them out as hypocrites. One of the greatest characteristics of the Lord is His unmerited and unconditional love for all. So true followers of His follow His example and base everything they do in love. This is only possible when we are willing to die to self, allow the Spirit to  work in our hearts, and let Christ’s love flow through us to others.

February 21st – Romans 13:12

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional / By

Romans 13:12

Think back over the last few days. How much of what you did was based on the thought of the coming of the Lord? If you’re like me, you’ll have to admit, “Not much.” Because often I get caught up with day to day life, forgetting the big picture. That picture being Jesus is coming, and I should be living each day in light of that great future event. For Paul warns the time is near, and Christ’s return is coming closer with every passing moment. So we need to be alert, awake, and armed with the weapon of the Light of God’s truth. Meaning each day intentionally walking in obedience, sharing the Gospel, and most importantly of all, living in love. Time is ticking. Soon the darkness while be forever overcome by the Light. But until then, we must make good use of the time left, pointing others to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

February 20th – 1 John 3:11

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional / By

1 John 3:11

In the New Testament we are commanded no less than 13 times to love one another. That’s how important it is to Jesus for the children of God to cherish each other. But for fallen people living in a fallen world with a fallen nature, that’s a tall order. Nevertheless, it’s what we called to do. Thankfully, God doesn’t ask us to do the impossible. That’s why the moment we receive Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit indwells us and gets busy. Instantly He begins the work of transforming us into the image of Christ from the inside out. Tenderly God’s Spirit remolds and reshapes our hardened, worldly hearts, into ones softened by the love, mercy, and grace shown to us by our Lord. He does this so that we might be set apart from the world. Loving others with the same enthusiasm, abundance, and joy that, “by this everyone will know that you are My disciples.” (John 13:35)

 

February 19th – 1 Peter 2:17

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional / By

1 Peter 2:17

Did you know that life coaching is the second fastest growing industry in the world? There are over a million certified life coaches in the United States alone. Businesses and people alike are spending over a billion dollars a year for their services. But as Christians we have access anytime, anywhere to the greatest life coaching there is. And the advice is free. All we have to do is open our Bibles and read the Word of God. For in it contains everything we need to live happy, successful, productive lives. Peter gives us God’s commands as to how we, as citizens of heaven, are to live while here on earth. First we are to show respect to all. Second we are to love the church. Third, we are to show deep reverence to God. And finally, honor those God has placed in authority over us. By following theses rules in faith and obedience, not only will we save ourselves a lot of money, but we’ll get the best advice, guidance, and truth out there!