Month: April 2023

April 19th – Deuteronomy 31:6

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Deuteronomy 31:6

Throughout the Bible we read of people who despite feeling afraid accomplished great things for God. Joshua is one such person. He followed Moses for forty years and witnessed the awesome miracles the Lord performed through Moses. Then it was announced after Moses’s death it would became Joshua’s turn to lead. Imagine the fear and panic that ran through his head knowing that now it was him in charge of over two million people. And not just any people, God’s people. But Moses gave Joshua some simple yet sage advice. “Be strong and courageous.” Just as God was with Moses, so He would be with Joshua. Leading the way and making it clear. When we are in the grip of fear, we can break free by applying the words of Moses to our own lives. “Be strong and courageous.” For God will go before us as well leading the way to victory.

April 18th – Acts 2:1-2

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Acts 2:1-2

In the current climate, there is more than enough hate to go around. And it’s easy to get caught up in the anger and turmoil of the day. But as the church, as Jesus’ representatives on earth, shouldn’t we strive to do better? To be better? Shouldn’t we want to get back to the same rejoicing, generosity, togetherness, and worship demonstrated by the early church? Shouldn’t we have hearts which share God’s will to be beacons of light in a dark world? If that is indeed our will, the Holy Spirit is the way. For the more we walk in His power, the more the fruit of the Spirit becomes evident in our lives. So let’s get back to being the church the Lord established on that glorious Day of Pentecost. May each of us, out of love and joy, let the fruit of the Spirit flow abundantly through us to others. And may the Lord’s church be so powerful a witness that Jesus can add to the number daily, “those who were being saved.”


April 17th – 2 Corinthians 4:17

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2 Corinthians 4:17

The apostle Paul and his fellow Christians suffered many hardships and difficulties in their ministry. They knew firsthand the cost of following Jesus and spreading the Good News. And although John acknowledges that trials can be painful to endure, he reminds us they only last but a moment. And so he councils us during times of difficulties to focus on the eternal perspective. For these troubles are temporary and are ultimately leading to a greater reward in heaven. Likewise, no matter what we suffer it’s minor compared to the eternal glory awaiting us. So as hard as it may be, Paul urges us to see our sufferings in light of the bigger picture. And to persevere through them knowing that they are not in vain. Most of all Paul wants us to trust that even in the midst of trials and hardships, we can find hope and comfort in the knowledge that God is working all things together for our good and for His glory.

April 16th – Nehemiah 6:11

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Nehemiah 6:11

Relationships take work. Whether it’s our relationship with God or others, they need a foundation of trust, honesty, love, and repentance to stand strong. Satan is in the business of tearing down, not building up. And he loves nothing more than to form cracks in those foundations through harsh words, misunderstandings, and unforgiving spirits. So when we flee from our problems instead of dealing with them head on, it opens the door for the Enemy to do his worst. When Nehemiah was facing an assignation threat, his friends advised him to hide out in the temple. But he wasn’t about to run away. Because Nehemiah understood that as believers, instead of sinning against God by fleeing, we should always face every problem head on. Standing firm in the faith that the Lord will uphold the righteous. And believing He will give us the power to confront each one in courage and wisdom.

April 15th – James 4:4

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James 4:4

The Bible tells us that the Christian walk is made up of two paths. Daily we must make the choice of either following the path of godly living or the path of worldly living. For as James reminds us, we can’t walk with God and hold hands with the devil. We live in a society which encourages us to live for our individual glory. It tells us that it’s not wrong to pursue a life dedicated to pleasing the lust of the flesh. We are fed lies that say we are god in our lives and it is us who deserves worship. And if we don’t agree with the sinful and destructive ways of the world, we are laughed at, ridiculed, and in some parts of the world even tortured and killed. So how do we stand strong against the pressure from the world? “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will resist you.” (James 4:7) The enemy loves nothing more than to see God’s people weak both in mind and spirit. But we can withstand whatever he throws our way by submitting ourselves to the Lord and walking hand in hand with Him.

April 14th – Proverbs 19:2

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Proverbs 19:2

Missionary Jim Elliot once said, “God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.” Even the best of us fall victim to making choices in haste and without first seeking God. And more times than not, these choices lead to mistakes which in turn lead to unpleasant consequences. That’s why Solomon warns that having strong desires or ambitions without having knowledge or understanding isn’t a good thing. This means that it’s not enough to just  want something. We also need the know how and understanding necessary to make good and wise decisions that line up with the will of God. Because rushing or acting too quickly can lead to mistakes and missed opportunities. So to stay on the right path, and avoid the mistakes of life, we need to check everything with God first. Through prayer, reading His Word, and following the prompting of the Holy Spirt, we can rest assured we are making the right choices.

April 13th – Numbers 23:19

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Numbers 23:19

We’ve all heard it said that people will let you down, but God never will. We are fallen beings living in a fallen world. That means at some point in our lives, we will be hurt, betrayed, and disappointed by other people. And we too will do our share of hurting others. But in good times and bad, joy and sorrow, we can turn to God. Because our Lord will always be there to perfectly love and comfort us. Unlike our sinful humanity which lies, and changes its mind, God is faithful and reliable. Never will He hurt or betray us. The words He speaks are always honest and true. And when the Lord makes a promise, He will always act on and fulfill it. Even when we face times of doubt and uncertainty, God remains true. And when others walk away from us, He remains steadfast in His love. Unlike humans who are fickle and unreliable, we can forever trust in God’s goodness and character.

 

April 12th – Psalm 61:4

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Psalm 61:4

It’s easy to fall into a state of worry and fear. Because it’s natural to want to feel safe and protected; to worry for our safety and the safety of our loved ones. But fear is a weapon of the enemy. Satan fills our mind with “what if” scenarios that all result in defeat. But as Christians we have the power to overcome fear. We can claim the promises of God who says that those who trust in Him and not the world, can live in peace and joy. And when we shelter under the wings of the Lord, not even the strongest storm can rattle our calm. The world is rapidly becoming more dangerous by the day.  And although we have no control over what happens around us, we can control how we react. We can either cower and hide, living a life of worry and fear, or we can trust in God who promises to be a, “tower of strength against the enemy.” (Ps. 61:3)

April 11th – Ecclesiastes 1:9

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Ecclesiastes 1:9

Solomon was the greatest and richest king of all time. He had the world at his feet. Yet he still grew bored with the humdrum of life. He found nothing new to see, to do, or worthwhile at all. But Solomon’s lack of luster for life came as a result of his lack of luster for God. Because Instead of turning to the Lord to heal the emptiness in his heart, he tried to fill it with the trappings of the world. But far from making him happy Solomon found the more of the world he had, the emptier he felt. We were created for fellowship with the Lord. And nothing this world offers can ever can fill the place reserved for God alone. So if we aren’t walking with Him, life can become a boring cycle of wash, rinse, and repeat. Like Solomon we’ll find ourselves in the doldrums; stagnant and depressed, just going through the motions. But God never intends our life with Him to be a dull one. And if we let Him, God will do wonderful, exciting, and meaningful things through us and for us.

April 10th – Hebrews 13:8

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Hebrews 13:8

In a constantly changing world, it’s good to know that there is one we can always rely on. One whose character and teachings are consistent across time. And whose message and actions remain relevant and important for all generations. That One is Jesus Christ. The same yesterday, today, and forever, the Lord is our reliable and constant source of hope, guidance, and strength. And as such, we can rely on His teachings, sacrifice, and love, both in this life and in the next. Most wonderful of all, because Jesus never changes, His work on the Cross remains available to all who seek redemption and forgiveness. This means that anyone who calls on Jesus as their Savior can be assured of eternal life. And we can trust that no matter what challenges or difficulties we face in life, Jesus will always be there for us. Because His love and grace will never diminish.