fbpx
>
Standard Print

Speak to the People About Jesus

Today's Devotional

Read: Acts 21:27-22:1 | Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 14-15; James 2




Please let me speak to the people. Acts 21:39

Paul had gone to the temple for the Jewish purification ceremony (Acts 21:26). But some agitators who thought he’d been teaching against the Law sought to take his life (v. 31). Roman soldiers quickly got involved and arrested Paul, bound him, and carried him from the temple area—with the mob shouting, “Get rid of him!” (v. 36).

How did the apostle react to this threat? He asked the troops’ commander if he could “speak to the people” (v. 39). When the Roman leader granted permission, Paul, bleeding and bruised, turned to the angry crowd and shared his faith in Jesus (22:1-16).

That was two thousand years ago—an old Bible story that we might find hard to relate to. More recently, a man named Peter was arrested while visiting a jailed friend who believes in Jesus in a country where believers are regularly persecuted. Peter was tossed into a dark prison cell and blindfolded during interrogations. When the blindfold was removed, he saw four soldiers with guns pointed at him. Peter’s response? He saw it as “a perfect . . . opportunity to share his faith.”

Paul and this modern-day Peter point out a hard, vital truth. Even if God allows us to experience tough times—even persecution—our task remains: “Preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). He will be with us and will give us the wisdom and power to share our faith.

How have you or someone you know faced persecution for faith in Christ? How will you “proclaim the gospel” today?

Dear Jesus, please give me courage to represent You with love and wisdom.

INSIGHT

In Acts 21, Paul is accused of bringing “Greeks [gentiles] into the temple” (v. 28). This false accusation relates to how Herod’s temple was divided. The outer court was divided into the court of Israel (only for Jewish men), the court of women (where all Jewish people could enter), and, furthest out, the court of gentiles, the only court where gentiles (all non-Jews) were allowed to worship. These divisions weren’t called for in Scripture but were taken seriously—with threat of the death penalty for gentiles who ventured beyond their designated court.

By |2024-11-20T01:33:09-05:00November 20th, 2024|
Standard Print

Strong Support in Christ

Today's Devotional





Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. Ecclesiastes 4:9

A runner in the London Marathon experienced why it’s vital not to run the big race alone. After months of grueling preparation, the man wanted to finish strong. But as he stumbled toward the finish line, he found himself doubled over from exhaustion and on the verge of collapsing. Before he fell to the ground, two fellow marathoners grabbed his arms—one on his left and the other on his right—and helped the struggling runner complete the course.

Like that runner, the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us of several important advantages that come from having others run the race of life with us. Solomon set forth the principle that “two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). He shed a spotlight on the advantages of joint efforts and mutual toil. He also wrote that partnership can lead to “a good return for their labor” (v. 9). During times of difficulty, a companion is there to “help the other up” (v. 10). When nights are dark and cold, friends can huddle together to “keep warm” (v. 11). And, during danger, two “can defend themselves” against an assailant (v. 12). Those whose lives are woven together can possess great strength.

With all our weaknesses and frailties, we need the strong support and security of a community of believers in Jesus. Let’s press on together as He leads us!

Why is companionship with other believers in Jesus so important in life’s race? How can you improve the quality of your community in Him?

Dear God, please help me build a healthy community in Christ.

INSIGHT

Going on a journey is the metaphorical context for Solomon’s—or the Teacher’s (Ecclesiastes 1:1)—discussion of two being better than one (4:9). They can carry more on their trek (v. 9), they can help each other out of perilous spots along the way (v. 10), they can keep warm during the cold nights (v. 11), and they’re less likely to be assaulted before they reach their destination (v. 12). He concludes by pointing out that three is even better, for all the previous reasons.

Despite the bleak outlook of the Teacher throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, he still finds glimmers of hope and goodness. The strength of companionship along a journey might be obvious, but for those who believe in Jesus, it takes on a richer hue. As we walk this road of discipleship, we’re not alone. Christ walks with us. And He’s traveled the path before and will deliver us safely to His Father’s home.

By |2024-11-19T01:33:20-05:00November 19th, 2024|
Standard Print

Obedience Is a Choice

Today's Devotional

Read: John 14:15-24 | Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 8-10; Hebrews 13




Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. John 14:23

Winters in the Netherlands seldom bring a lot of snow, but it can get cold enough to freeze over the canals. When my husband, Tom, was growing up there, his parents had a family rule: “Stay off the ice until it is thick enough to hold the weight of a horse.” Because horses would leave evidence of their presence behind, Tom and his buddies decided to get some manure off the road. They threw it on the thin ice and ventured out onto the surface. No harm came to them, nor were they discovered, but they knew in their hearts they’d been disobedient.

Obedience doesn’t always come naturally. The choice to obey or not to obey can spring from a sense of duty or fear of punishment. But we can also choose to obey out of love and respect for those in authority over us.

In John 14, Jesus challenged His disciples by saying, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. . . . Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching” (vv. 23-24). It’s not always an easy choice to obey, but the power of the Spirit living within us gives us the desire and ability to obey Him (vv. 15-17). With His enablement, we can continue to follow the commands of the one who loves us most—not out of fear of punishment, but out of love.

In what ways have you been willfully disobedient? Why is it important for you to obey God even when it’s difficult or inconvenient?

Loving God, please soften my stubborn heart to listen to Your instructions. Help me to set aside my own agenda and to faithfully obey You.

For further study, read The (Impossible) Task of Following Jesus.

INSIGHT

Four times in John 14:15-24, Jesus emphasized that obeying Him would be proof of the disciples’ love for Him (vv. 15, 21, 23, 24). They weren’t left alone to obey Christ by their own volition and human strength. God the Father would give them “another advocate to help [them]— the Spirit of truth” (vv. 16-17). The Holy Spirit would remind them of everything Jesus had taught them (v. 26) and show them what’s right and wrong (16:8-13). To love Christ is to obey Him. As we’re “led by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:18), we’ll obey Him and “keep in step with the Spirit” (v. 25).

By |2024-11-18T01:33:17-05:00November 18th, 2024|
Standard Print

Spiritual Fitness

Today's Devotional

Read: 1 Timothy 4:6-10 | Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 5-7; Hebrews 12




Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4:7

Tre is a regular at the fitness center and it shows. His shoulders are wide, his muscles pronounced, and his upper arms close to the size of my thighs. His physical condition prompted me to engage him in a spiritual conversation. I asked him if his commitment to physical fitness in some way mirrored a healthy relationship with God. Though we didn’t go too deep, Tre did acknowledge “God in his life.” We talked long enough for him to show me a picture of the four-hundred-pound, unfit, unhealthy version of himself. A change in his lifestyle had worked wonders physically.

In 1 Timothy 4:6-10, physical and spiritual training come into focus. “Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (vv. 7-8). One’s external fitness doesn’t change our status with God. Our spiritual fitness is a matter of the heart. It begins with a decision to believe in Jesus, through whom we receive forgiveness. From that point, training for godly living begins. This includes being “nourished on the truths of the faith and of . . . good teaching” (v. 6) and, by God’s strength, living a life that honors our heavenly Father.

If you’ve started your journey with Jesus, how would you evaluate your spiritual health? What evidence in your life points to your spiritual fitness?

Heavenly Father, please forgive me when I focus too much on externals. Help me to attend to spiritual exercises like Bible reading, prayer, and loving and serving others.

Make a positive change to your spiritual life with this course.

INSIGHT

When Paul says to Timothy, “If you point these things out . . . you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 4:6), what “things” is he referring to? The apostle opened his letter by saying, “Command certain people not to teach false doctrines” (1:3). Now he returns to that theme: “Some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (4:1). What are the “things taught by demons”? Paul elaborates: “They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods” (v. 3). Several years earlier, Paul had issued a similar warning when he asked the believers in Colossae, “Why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: ‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’ These rules . . . are based on merely human commands and teachings” (Colossians 2:20-22). Beware of false religion infringing on genuine faith.

By |2024-11-17T01:33:15-05:00November 17th, 2024|
Standard Print

Delivering Help

Today's Devotional





Your servant will go and fight him. 1 Samuel 17:32

When Heather’s job took her to Tim’s house to deliver his take-out meal, he asked her to help him untie the knot in the food bag. Tim had suffered a stroke a few years prior and no longer had the ability to untie the knot himself. Heather cheerfully obliged. Throughout the rest of her day, Heather’s thoughts returned to Tim frequently and she was inspired to assemble a care package for him. When Tim later found the hot cocoa and red blanket she’d left at his door with an encouraging note, he was moved to tears.

Heather’s delivery became much more significant than she originally anticipated. The same was true when Jesse sent his young son David to supply his brothers with food when the Israelites “drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines” (1 Samuel 17:2). When David arrived with the bread and cheese, he learned Goliath had been instilling fear in God’s people with his daily taunting (vv. 8-10, 16, 24). David was incensed by Goliath’s defiance of “the armies of the living God” (v. 26) and was moved to respond, saying to King Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him” (v. 32).

God sometimes uses the circumstances of our daily lives to put us in places where He wants to use us. Let’s keep our eyes (and hearts!) open to see where and how He might want us to serve someone.

When has God supplied your needs through another person? How might He want to use you today in the life of another?

Father, please open my eyes to see where You might use me today.

INSIGHT

The Israelites and the Philistines agreed that their battle was to be decided by two representative warriors (1 Samuel 17:8-11). Goliath was a fearsome Philistine champion, nine feet nine inches tall and heavily armored (vv. 4-7). He dwarfed Saul, who “was a head taller than anyone else” in Israel (9:2), possibly six feet tall. For forty days, no Israelites answered Goliath’s challenge (17:16) until David was providentially sent to the battlefront on a food run for his three brothers (vv. 17-19). With no military experience or armor, David slayed Goliath with a sling and a stone in the name of the God of Israel (vv. 45-50).

By |2024-11-16T01:33:25-05:00November 16th, 2024|
Standard Print

Choosing Life

Today's Devotional





Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19

Nathan grew up in a Christ-believing household, but he started to stray from his childhood faith as a college student into things like drinking and partying. “God brought me back to Himself when I didn’t deserve it,” he said. In time, Nathan spent a summer sharing Jesus with strangers on the streets of major US cities, and is now completing a residency in youth ministry at his church. Nathan’s goal is to help young people avoid wasting time not living for Christ.

Like Nathan, the Israelite leader Moses had a heart for the next generation. Knowing he would soon relinquish leadership, Moses delivered God’s good regulations to the people and then lists the results of either obedience or disobedience: blessing and life for obedience, cursing and death for disobedience. “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live,” he told them, “for the Lord is your life” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). Moses urged them to love God, “listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him” (v. 20).

Choosing sin brings consequences. But when we surrender our lives to God again, He’ll surely have mercy (vv. 2-3) and restore us (v. 4). This promise was fulfilled throughout the people of Israel’s history, but also by Jesus’ final work on the cross to bring us into fellowship with God. We too have a choice today and are free to choose life.

In what area of your life is it most difficult to follow God’s way? How can you encourage the next generation to choose life?

Dear Jesus, thank You for making a way to bring me back into fellowship with You.

INSIGHT

The generation that stood on the threshold of the promised land wasn’t present at Mount Sinai when the mountain shook and God called Israel to be His covenant people. The giving of the law, which showed how the Israelites were to relate to God and one another, had been given to an earlier generation (Exodus 19-20). So before entering the land, Moses repeated the law so that the new generation could likewise learn what God had revealed. That second giving of the law is the book of Deuteronomy, which means “second law.”

By |2024-11-15T01:33:27-05:00November 15th, 2024|
Standard Print

Persist in Praying

Today's Devotional





They should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1

Mila, a baking assistant, felt too helpless to defend herself when her supervisor accused her of pilfering some raisin bread. The unfounded assertion and corresponding salary deduction were just two of many wrongful actions from her supervisor. “God, please help,” Mila prayed each day. “It’s so hard working under her, but I need this job.”

Jesus tells of a widow who also felt helpless and “sought justice against [her] adversary” (Luke 18:3). She turned to someone with the authority to resolve her case—a judge. Despite knowing that the judge was unjust, she persisted in approaching him.

The judge’s eventual response (vv. 4-5) is infinitely different from that of our heavenly Father, who quickly responds with love and help. If persistence could cause an unjust judge to take up a widow’s case, how much more can and will God, who is the just Judge, do for us (vv. 7-8)? We can trust Him “to bring about justice for his chosen ones” (v. 7) and being persistent in praying is one way of showing our trust. We persist because we have faith that God will respond in perfect wisdom to our situation.

Eventually, Mila’s supervisor resigned after other employees complained about her behavior. As we walk in obedience to God, let’s persist in praying, knowing the power of our prayers lies in the one who hears and helps us.

When have you felt like giving up on praying? How can you reflect on God’s character as you pray?

Loving God, please remind me of who You are and help me to keep praying, no matter what.

Learn how coming to God in prayer improves our spiritual life.

INSIGHT

The point of Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:1-8 is to emphasize the importance of being persistent in prayer. God isn’t like an unjust judge who gives in to our prayers out of sheer exasperation. In Greek, the phrase translated as “this widow keeps bothering me” (v. 5) is perhaps more literally translated as “she causes me trouble.” The picture painted here is one of persistence that interrupts the life and routines of another. It isn’t simply the idea of going to see this judge once a day; rather, the woman wouldn’t give the judge a moment’s peace. Her persistent request for justice interfered with his life. While our prayers don’t “interrupt” or “bother” God, Christ seems to be suggesting that we’re to steadfastly bring our requests to God. Because of our persistence and His character (vv. 6-8), He’ll take notice and respond.

By |2024-11-14T01:33:26-05:00November 14th, 2024|
Standard Print

Unmeasured Kindness

Today's Devotional





Those who are kind benefit themselves. Proverbs 11:17

Two friends were shopping for a laptop in an electronics store when they ran into basketball great Shaquille O’Neal. Aware that O’Neal recently suffered the loss of his sister and a former teammate, they empathetically offered their condolences. After the two men returned to their shopping, Shaq approached them and told them to pick out the nicest laptop they could find. He then bought it for them, simply because they saw him as a person going through a difficult time and was moved by their kindness.

Millennia before that encounter, Solomon wrote, “Those who are kind benefit themselves” (Proverbs 11:17). When we consider others’ needs and do what we can to help and encourage them, we’re rewarded ourselves. It may not be with a laptop or material things, but God has ways of blessing us that this world can’t measure. As Solomon explained just one verse earlier in the same chapter, “A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth” (v. 16). There are gifts from God that are worth far more than money, and He measures them generously in His perfect wisdom and way.

Kindness and generosity are part of God’s character, and He loves to see them expressed in our own hearts and lives. Solomon summed up the matter well: “Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (v. 25).

How has God shown kindness to you? In what ways can you show His love to others today?

Dear God, I love Your kindness. Please help me to become more like You so that I may share Your love in practical ways.

INSIGHT

Proverbs 11 contrasts the righteous, those in alignment with God’s ways, with the wicked who choose evil and cruelty. This chapter emphasizes that wickedness and evil are self-destructive: “The wicked are brought down by their own wickedness” (v. 5); “the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires” (v. 6); “the cruel bring ruin on themselves” (v. 17). The principle that living as God intended results in flourishing is at the heart of the book of Proverbs. Other portions of Scripture like Job and Ecclesiastes nuance the picture to recognize that often the righteous suffer greatly even as the wicked seem to flourish. But Proverbs emphasizes that pursuing evil is shortsighted and self-destructive. Following God’s ways, however, leads to deep joy and abundance. Proverbs 11:19 puts it this way: “Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.”

By |2024-11-13T01:33:26-05:00November 13th, 2024|
Standard Print

A Handful of Rice

Today's Devotional





In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8:2

The state of Mizoram in northeast India is slowly climbing out of poverty. Despite their lack of income, since the gospel first came to this area, believers in Jesus have practiced a local tradition called “handful of rice.” Those preparing meals each day set aside a handful of uncooked rice and give it to the church. Mizoram churches, poor by the world’s standard, have given millions to missions and sent missionaries around the world. Many in their home state have come to Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul describes a similarly challenged church. Believers in Macedonia were poor, but that didn’t keep them from giving joyfully and abundantly (vv. 1-2). They saw their giving as a privilege and gave “even beyond their ability” (v. 3) to partner with Paul. They understood they were merely stewards of God’s resources. Giving was a way to show their trust in Him, who provides for all our needs.

Paul used the Macedonians to encourage the Corinthians to have the same approach to giving. The Corinthians excelled “in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in . . . love.” Now they needed to “excel in this grace of giving” (v. 7).

Like the Macedonians and the believers in Mizoram, we too can reflect our Father’s generosity by giving generously out of what we have.

Where have you witnessed sacrificial giving? How can you give generously in response to God’s generous giving to you?

Father, I pray for the Mizoram church as they continue to give generously to Your work. 

INSIGHT

 

The churches of Macedonia (in northern Greece) were established during Paul’s second missionary journey and resulted from his response to a nighttime vision from God. A man begged him to “come over to Macedonia and help [them]” (Acts 16:9). Paul had just circumcised and recruited Timothy to help him in his missionary work (vv. 1-3). The apostle and his companions Silas and Timothy immediately left Troas and headed via ship to Macedonia to spread the gospel there. The first to be baptized in the Macedonian town of Philippi were Lydia and her household (vv. 12-15). Later, during Paul’s third missionary journey when he hoped to gather funds to help the poor believers in Jerusalem, the Macedonian church wholeheartedly and voluntarily contributed (2 Corinthians 8:1). Despite a “very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” and “they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability” (vv. 2-3).  

By |2024-11-12T01:33:16-05:00November 12th, 2024|
Standard Print

Loving Our Enemy

Today's Devotional





Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44

During World War II, US Navy medical corpsman Lynne Weston went ashore with the marines as they stormed enemy-held islands. Inevitably, there were gruesome casualties. He did his best to patch up wounded combatants for evacuation. On one occasion, his unit encountered an enemy soldier with a bad abdominal wound. Due to the nature of the injury, the man couldn’t be given water. To keep him alive, Petty Officer Weston administered intravenous plasma.

“Save that plasma for our fellas, Swabby!” bellowed one of the marines. Petty Officer Weston ignored him. He knew what Jesus would do: “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).

Jesus did far more than speak those challenging words; He lived them. When a hostile mob seized Him and took Him to the high priest, “the men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him” (Luke 22:63). The abuse continued all the way through His sham trials and execution. Jesus didn’t merely endure it. When Roman soldiers crucified Him, He prayed for their forgiveness (23:34).

We may not encounter a literal enemy who’s trying to kill us. But everyone knows what it’s like to endure ridicule and scorn. Our natural reaction is to respond in anger. Jesus raised the bar: “pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

Today, let’s walk in that kind of love, showing kindness as Jesus did—even to our enemies.

How do you respond to those who despise or misunderstand you? How does God want you to respond?

Heavenly Father, please help me love others the way You love me.

INSIGHT

By word and example, Jesus teaches us not to lose sight of what’s ultimately important when we find ourselves in uncomfortable situations. Just as Christ wouldn’t be diverted on the front end of His earthly ministry by the temptations of Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4; Luke 4), He passed the integrity test and was faithful to His mission when He was mocked and mistreated (Luke 22:63). The one who said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you” (Matthew 5:11), didn’t get sidetracked. His prayer “Father, forgive them . . .” (Luke 23:34) was consistent with His teaching: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (6:27-28). By His Spirit, all who claim to believe in Him can be empowered to do what He taught and modeled.

By |2024-11-11T01:33:26-05:00November 11th, 2024|
Go to Top