Luke

January 23rd – Luke 1:25

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Luke 1:25

Year after year Elizabeth and her husband prayed for a child. And year after year their prayers went unanswered. Yet as the years passed and the waiting continued, never did Elizabeth gave up on God or on her life serving Him. Instead she continued walking in obedience and trusting in whatever plans He had for her life. And as He so loves to do, God rewarded Elizabeth’s faithfulness. At the age of around 60, she became pregnant with a son. Not just any son, but the promised messenger of God. The one who would proclaim the soon to be born Messiah and prepare the way of the Lord! (Isaiah 40:3-5, Malachi 3:1) Because of her great faith and obedience God not only blessed Elizabeth with a child, through her, He fulfilled a promise made to Israel hundreds of years before her birth. Isn’t that just like God! He loves to bestow upon His children blessings far greater than we could ever imagine!

January 23rd – Luke 1:25 Read More »

January 19th – Job 11:18

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Job 11:18

The world today is in great need of hope. Everywhere we turn, we are inundated by news of tragedy, horror, and violence. As in the days of Noah, (Luke 17:26-27) people are openly sinning against God with no fear of the consequences. And although Christians around the world are sounding the alarm of the Lord’s soon return, the world mocks the message and the messengers. Yet as the world spins out of control, and people panic over the darkened days, we as followers of Christ have all we need to lead lives of encouragement and joy. For as Job 11:18 reminds us, “You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.” One day very soon God will pour out His judgements on this wicked and rebellious world. Yet we can rejoice because those who put their faith in Christ, will never taste the bitterness of His wrath.

January 19th – Job 11:18 Read More »

January 14th – Luke 16:13

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Luke 16:13

Jesus often taught earthly stories with heavenly meanings, called parables. And usually the stories He told were clear in meaning. But the parable of the “Unjust Steward” upon first glance appears to find the Lord commending a crook. For in it we find Jesus seemingly condoning the dishonesty of an unrighteous manger. Yet in truth, Jesus uses the story to teach the importance of caring about our futures, and to warn against the worship of wealth above God. Each of us are God’s stewards. And the wealth He blesses us with, whether it be in the form of money, the ability to teach, a tender heart, or a giving spirit, He expects us to be faithful in managing for the glory of His kingdom. To be just stewards, joyfully and faithfully continuing to go about the Master’s business. And as we do remembering, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Col. 3:23-24)

January 14th – Luke 16:13 Read More »

December 24th – Luke 1:45

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Luke 1:45

We all want to be chosen by God to do great things. But if He did appoint a task for us alone to fulfill, how would we feel? I often imagine how Mary must have felt hearing the glorious news she was to carry the Savior of the world. Was she scared, excited, overwhelmed? Did she laugh, cry, or stand frozen in shock? Of the many emotions Mary must have felt, the one she didn’t feel was disbelief. For after asking how this miracle would come to be and hearing, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35), Mary simply replied, “may it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) The example of strength and obedience shown by Mary is something to behold. Her unshakable faith led to God to bless her greatly. And just as He did for Mary, God will bless our faith as well!

 

December 24th – Luke 1:45 Read More »

December 12th – Luke 1:14

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Luke 1:14

In ancient times, reputation was everything. And those without the blessing of children meant God’s favor had turned away from them. Zacharias had always wanted a child, but his wife Elizabeth was barren. Many assumed it was a punishment from God. But not so. For when Elizabeth was 60 years old, an angel of the Lord came to Zacharias and told him not only was his wife going to get pregnant, but it would be a boy! I’m sure there were plenty who scoffed at the thought. But when God makes a promise, we know He will always deliver! God blessed Zacharias with his son John whose great work would be to prepare the hearts of the people to receive the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. The world can laugh and mock the promises of God. But we as Christians can rejoice. For we know each and every one will come true!

December 12th – Luke 1:14 Read More »

December 10th – Luke 1:45

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Luke 1:45

When I think of Mary, a young girl of 12 or 13, I’m always blown away by her faith and obedience. The angel Gabriel came to her saying she would soon become pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. And without blinking an eye, she believed and obeyed. Because of her faithful actions, Mary received God’s great blessing of being the one to bring His precious Son into the world. We too will have times when God calls us to do something great. And our response is everything. Because our heavenly Father wants to bless us as greatly as He did Mary. And all we have to do is have the same faith as a young girl, believing and obeying. As followers of Christ, like Mary, we too are favored by God. So with the heart of Mary, be brave, faithful, and open to His calling. Because if we are, watch how God, through us, will do awesome and amazing things! Things greater than we could ever imagine.

December 10th – Luke 1:45 Read More »

Sharing The Gospel – Mark 16:15

Leave a Comment / Bible Study /

Mark 16:15

In Mark 16:15, Jesus commands His disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” This is a command He gives to us as well. 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. …

Sharing The Gospel – Mark 16:15Read More »

Sharing The Gospel – Mark 16:15 Read More »

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

I am thankful when all have heard the gospel, Jesus will return for His bride

Knowing Jesus was about to leave and return to the Father, let the disciples discouraged. Yet Jesus comforted them saying that He went to prepare a place where all who love Him will dwell with Him forever. (John 14:1-3) And when the time was right, Christ would return for His church. This wonderful event is known as the rapture. A time when we will hear the Lord’s call. And in the twinkling of an eye, we who are living will join those who have already passed in the sky. Together we will receive new, glorified bodies and be with the Lord forever! How awesome is that! And what’s truly exciting is there is no Bible prophecy that has to be fulfilled for the rapture to happen. When the last person has had a chance to hear the saving message of Jesus, He will return to bring us home!  It could literally happen at any  moment! So “lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 Read More »

November 8th – Mark 16:15

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Mark 16:15

I’m thankful for the privilege of being able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ 

Never once did Jesus stray from fulfilling God’s will. He followed the Father’s plan to the letter, no matter the cost to Himself. And before He ascended to the right hand of God, Jesus passed down the commission to share His gospel throughout the earth. This command was given not only to His disciples, but to us as well. The mission of saving souls is a serious one. It was the reason Jesus, “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” (Phil. 2:7) His entire ministry was dedicated to evangelizing the world. And when He ascended into heaven, His work on earth ended and ours began. Now it’s up to us to go out throughout the lands and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. And knowing that each soul saved brings great joy to God, (Luke 5:10) how wonderful it is to be able to spread the Good News of His everlasting mercy!

November 8th – Mark 16:15 Read More »

October 21st – 2 Corinthians 9:8

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

2 Corinthians 9:8

God’s Promise – “I will meet all your needs so you can overflow with good works.”

There is a Chinese saying that goes, “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” In Luke 22:26-27 Jesus makes it abundantly clear that the greatest in God’s sight are those who humbly serve others. And so important is helping one another, that God equips us with everything we need to carry out His work. 1 Peter 4:10 tells us that each of us has received a special gift. And we are to, “employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Jesus performed the ultimate good work with His death on the Cross. And now because of His sacrifice, we receive the grace of God. So out of thankfulness for our Lord, how could we not take every opportunity of every day to share God’s grace through a good work for another!

October 21st – 2 Corinthians 9:8 Read More »