Daily Devotional

Revelation 21:23

Do you ever think about what heaven will look like? John tells us that the heavenly city is surrounded by twelve gates and filled with precious stones. Its streets are paved with gold, with the crystal clear river of life flowing through its middle. On either side of the river is the tree of life, yielding its fruit every month, and bearing leaves which heal. No temple is to be found, for the Father and the Son are it’s temple. And the glory of God shines with such brilliance, there is no need for any additional light. My mind can barely comprehend the splendor that awaits me as a child of God, and my heart overflows with joy knowing I’ll be spending eternity with the Lord.

Psalm 119:130

What I love most about the Bible is no matter how many times I read it, there is always something new to learn and discover. And the more time I spend in God’s Word, the greater understanding I have of its great and mighty Author. For the Bible is God’s gift to the world. It gives life and light to those who read and believe the truth it contains. It is our guidebook for life, and the means by which God’s Word is unfolded in our hearts. So dust off that Bible, dig into its pages, and get to know the God who gave everything to call you His!

Proverbs 4:18

I love my early morning walks. It’s my alone time with God and often when I experience my deepest moments with Him. As I start the rising sun is just beginning to peek out, yet by the time I’m finished it’s risen rays are filling the sky. That’s how it is with our spiritual walk. When we first set out the light of the Lord is just beginning to rise. But as we continue to follow God’s path, the way becomes illuminated until it shines as brightly as the midday sun!

Matthew 13:43

The pumpkins, squash, and apples of Autumn mark the last great harvest of the growing season. The once full fields now lay bare having given up their bounty.  Soon Jesus will send out His mighty angels to reap from the earth the bounty of His church. And those He gleans from the fields, will forever shine like the sun in the kingdom of the Father. I pray that until that time, I will continue to sow the seeds of the Gospel and growing  in His loving light.

Philippians 2:15

The minute we profess to be a follower of Christ, people start watching. They watch to see if our words line up with our actions. They watch to see if our hearts have changed. And they watch to see if we have something they want for themselves. As ambassadors for Jesus, we need to remember that the world is watching. And we need to be loving, beacons of light, “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.” The days are growing shorter, so now more than ever, shine brightly for the Lord!

John 9:5

I read a news story the other day about a blind man who, after receiving experimental, surgery was able to see again. Besides his great joy at seeing his wife and children for the first time, the freedom he gained through the return of his sight brought him to tears. That’s how it with Jesus. Once we were spiritually blind, living in darkness. But the Light came to the world, healed us from our blindness, and gave us freedom from the penalty of sin. And just like the blind man who is excited for the future, we too can be excited about a future spent with Jesus!

2 Corinthians 4:6

The Word Of God is precious. And the fact that we can pick up a Bible at any time and read is indeed a blessing. The ancient Israelites were only able to know God’s will through Moses, and sadly even today, some people will never have the privilege of having a Bible to read. The Good Book is illuminated with the knowledge of both Jesus Christ, and the glory of the Father. And our great Creator, the Maker Of the sun, moon, and stars, wants to illuminate us as well! Won’t you spend time in the Bible today and let God light up your heart?

Isaiah 58:8

Recently a dear friend shared how she, along with others were fasting and praying for our country. Isaiah taught the people of Israel, who were also fasting for their country, that fasting and prayers needs to go hand in hand with humility and repentance. Once His people walk in obedience and love, God says He will shine His Light upon them, heal their sorrows, and surround them with His righteousness and glory! Won’t you join in prayer for both the leaders of our country and the healing of our land?

Ephesians 5:8

As Christians we know that good works aren’t done to earn salvation, but rather the manifestation of our love for God. For because He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay our sin debt, (John 3:16) no longer are we trapped in darkness. Now we are surrounded by the light of the grace, love, and righteousness that is the Lord. And out of gratitude for that magnificent gift, God asks that we pay it forward by letting our actions be examples for the world of that glorious Light shining within us.