God’s Open Doors
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Posted:Feb 21, 2024 4:47 am
Last Updated:Feb 21, 2024 4:48 am 1983 Views
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Today's Devotional
Read: Revelation 3.7–11
Bible in a Year: Numbers 1–3; Mark 3
See, I have placed before you an open door. Revelation 3:8
At my new school near a large city, the guidance counselor took one look at me and placed me in the lowest performing English composition class. I’d arrived from my inner-city school with outstanding test scores, excellent grades, and even a principal’s award for my writing. The door to the “best” writing class in my new school was closed to me, however, when the counselor decided I wasn’t right or ready.
The church in ancient Philadelphia would’ve understood such arbitrary setbacks. A small and humble church, its city had suffered earthquakes in recent years that left lasting damage. Additionally, they faced satanic opposition (Revelation 3:9). Such a disregarded church had “little strength, yet,” as the risen Jesus noted, “you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (v. 8. Therefore, God placed before them “an open door that no one can shut” (v. 8. Indeed, “what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (v. 7).
That’s true for our ministry efforts. Some doors don’t open. With my writing for God, however, He has indeed opened doors, allowing it to reach a global audience, regardless of one counselor’s closed attitudes. Closed doors won’t hinder you either. “I am the door,” Jesus said (John 10:9 kjv). Let’s enter the doors He opens and follow Him.
What doors has God opened for you? How does your ministry and life flourish when you wait for His openings?
When doors close to me, dear God, may I turn to You, the Holy Door, and walk where and how You say to go.
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God’s Wise Purposes
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Posted:Feb 20, 2024 5:47 am
Last Updated:May 1, 2024 8:27 pm 1955 Views
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Today's Devotional
Read: Psalm 13
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 26–27; Mark 2
How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? Psalm 13:1
The United Kingdom brims with history. Everywhere you go, you see plaques honoring historic figures or commemorating sites where important events occurred. But one such sign exemplifies the droll British sense of humor. On a weathered plaque outside a bed and breakfast in Sandwich, England, a message reads, “On this site, Sept. 5, 1782, nothing happened.”
Sometimes it seems to us that nothing is happening regarding our prayers. We pray and pray, bringing our petitions to our Father with expectation that He’ll respond—right now. The psalmist David expressed such frustration when he prayed, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1). We can easily echo those same thoughts: How long, Lord, before you respond?
However, our God is not only perfect in His wisdom but also in His timing. David was able to say, “I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation” (v. 5). Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us, “[God] has made everything beautiful in its time.” The word beautiful means “appropriate” or “a source of delight.” God may not always respond to our prayers when we’d like Him to, but He’s always working out His wise purposes. We can take heart that when He does answer, it will be right and good and beautiful.
When have you prayed for something and felt that perhaps God was ignoring your requests? What lesson might you have learned in that time of waiting?
Loving God, please help me to learn a patience in prayer borne of trust in You.
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Prompted to Pray
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Posted:Feb 19, 2024 6:11 am
Last Updated:Feb 19, 2024 6:19 am 1993 Views
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Today's Devotional
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:12–18
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 25; Mark 1:23–45
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
A coworker once told me that her prayer life had improved because of our manager. I was impressed, thinking that our difficult leader had shared some spiritual nuggets with her and influenced how she prays. I was wrong—sort of. My coworker and friend went on to explain: “Every time I see him coming, I start praying.” Her time of prayer had improved because she prayed more before each conversation with him. She knew she needed God’s help in her challenging work relationship with her manager, and she called out to Him more because of it.
My coworker’s practice of praying during tough times and interactions is something I’ve adopted. It’s also a biblical practice found in 1 Thessalonians when Paul reminds the believers in Jesus to “pray continually . . . give thanks in all circumstances”
5:17–18. No matter what we face, prayer is always the best practice. It keeps us connected with God and invites His Spirit to direct us (Galatians 5:16) rather than having us rely on our human inclinations. This helps us “live in peace with each other” (1 Thessalonians 5:13) even when we face conflicts.
As God helps us, we can rejoice in Him, pray about everything, and give thanks often. And those things will help us live in even greater harmony with our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
What relationships do you need to pray about more frequently? How can prayer help you follow God’s leading versus your human tendencies?
Heavenly Father, please help me remember to pray continually as I seek to live in harmony with others.
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In God’s Loving Hands
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Posted:Feb 18, 2024 4:39 am
Last Updated:May 1, 2024 8:27 pm 1993 Views
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Today's Devotional
Read: Psalm 90:1–6
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 23–24; Mark 1:1–22
Before the mountains were born . . . from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2
After another health setback, I feared the unknown and uncontrollable. One day, while reading a Forbes magazine article, I learned that scientists studied the rising of the “Earth’s rotation velocity” and declared that the Earth “wobbled” and is “spinning faster.” They said we “could require the first-ever ‘drop second’—the official removal of a second from global time.” Though a second doesn’t seem like much of a loss, knowing that the Earth’s rotation could change seemed like a big deal to me. Even slight instability can make my faith feel wobbly. However, knowing God is in control helps me to trust Him no matter how scary our unknowns or how shaky our circumstances may seem.
In Psalm 90, Moses said, “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (v. 2). Acknowledging God’s unlimited power, control, and authority over all creation, Moses declared that time cannot constrain God (vv. 3–6).
As we seek to know more about God and the wonderful world He made, we’ll discover how He continues perfectly managing time and all He created. God can be trusted with every unknown and newly discovered thing in our lives too. All creation remains secure in God’s loving hands.
How does knowing God is in control of time and all creation help you trust Him when facing the unknown? How can you honor God with the time He’s entrusted to you today?
Unchanging Creator, thank You for securing every second of my life in Your trustworthy hands.
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Growing Up in Jesus
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Posted:Feb 17, 2024 5:34 am
Last Updated:May 1, 2024 8:27 pm 1979 Views
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Today's Devotional
Read: 2 Corinthians 12:6–10
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 21–22; Matthew 28
My power is madeerfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
As a , I viewed grown-ups as wise and incapable of failure. They always know what to do, I’d think. One day, when I’m grown up, I’ll always know what to do too. Well, “one day” came many years ago, and all it has taught me is that, many times, I still don’t know what to do. Whether it’s illness in the family, problems at work, or conflict in a relationship, such times have wrested all delusions of personal control and strength, simply leaving me one option—to close my eyes and whisper, “Lord, help. I don’t know what to do.”
The apostle Paul understood this feeling of helplessness. The “thorn” in his life, which may have been a physical ailment, caused him much frustration and pain. It was through this thorn, however, that Paul experienced God’s love, promises, and blessings as sufficient for him to endure and overcome his difficulties
(2 Corinthians 12:9). He learned that personal weakness and helplessness don’t mean defeat. When surrendered to God in trust, they become tools for Him to work in and through these circumstances (vv. 9−10).
Our being a grown-up doesn’t mean we’re all-knowing. Sure, we grow wiser with age, but ultimately our weaknesses often reveal how truly powerless we are. Our true power is in Christ: “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (v. 10). Truly “growing up” means knowing, trusting, and obeying the power that comes when we realize we need God’s help.
What trials make you realize your own helplessness? How can you obey God’s leading?
Heavenly Father, thank You for being my help and strength.
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Loving Like Jesus
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Posted:Feb 16, 2024 4:35 am
Last Updated:May 1, 2024 8:27 pm 2030 Views
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Today's Devotional
Read: John 15:9–17
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 19–20; Matthew 27:51–66
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13
He was loved by all—those were the words used to describe Giuseppe Berardelli of Casnigo, Italy. Giuseppe was a beloved man who rode around town on an old motorbike and always led with the greeting: “peace and good.” He worked tirelessly on behalf of the good of others. But in the last years of his life, he had health problems that worsened when he was infected by the coronavirus, and he eventually died in the hospital. A friend who knew him for more than twenty years said he would’ve given up his potential spot in the intensive care unit for another younger patient if he could have. This reveals the character of a man who was loved and admired for loving others.
Loved for loving, this is the message the apostle John keeps sounding throughout his gospel. Being loved and loving others are like a chapel bell that tolls night and day, regardless of weather. And in John 15, they reach somewhat of a zenith, for John lays bare that it’s not being loved by all but loving all that’s the greatest love: “to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (v. 13).
Stories of those willing to offer sacrificial love always inspire us. Yet they pale in comparison to God’s great love. But don’t miss the challenge that brings, for Jesus commands: “Love each other as I have loved you” (v. 12). Yes, love all.
Loved by all and love all. Do you get those mixed up sometimes? Why or why not? What might sacrificing for a friend look like today?
Loving God, please help me to love as You love me.
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Humility’s Perk
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Posted:Feb 15, 2024 4:47 am
Last Updated:May 1, 2024 8:27 pm 2049 Views
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Today's Devotional
Read: Proverbs 22:1–5
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 17–18; Matthew 27:27–50
Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
Proverbs 22:4
Like many teachers, Carrie devotes countless hours to her career, often grading papers and communicating with students and parents late into the evening. To sustain the effort, she relies on her community of colleagues for camaraderie and practical help; her challenging job is made easier through collaboration. A recent study of educators found that the benefit of collaboration is magnified when those we work with demonstrate humility. When colleagues are willing to admit their weaknesses, others feel safe to share their knowledge with one another, effectively helping everyone in the group.
The Bible teaches the importance of humility—for much more than enhanced collaboration. “Fear[ing] the Lord”—having a right understanding of who we are in comparison with the beauty, power, and majesty of God—results in “riches and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4). Humility leads us to living in community in a way that’s fruitful in God’s economy, not just the world’s, because we seek to benefit our fellow image bearers.
We don’t fear God as a way to gain “riches and honor and life” for ourselves—that wouldn’t be true humility at all. Instead, we imitate Jesus, who “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2.7) so we can become part of a body that humbly cooperates together to do His work, give Him honor, and take a message of life to the world around us.
What does humility mean to you? How have you seen someone’s humility benefit others?
Dear Jesus, I surrender my pride to You.
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Motivated by Love
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Posted:Feb 14, 2024 5:16 am
Last Updated:May 1, 2024 8:27 pm 2014 Views
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Today's Devotional
Read: 1 Corinthians 13
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 15–16; Matthew 27:1–26
If I . . . do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3
Jim and Laneeda were college sweethearts. They got married and life was happy for many years. Then Laneeda began to act strangely, getting lost and forgetting appointments. She was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at forty-seven. After a decade of serving as her primary caregiver, Jim was able to say, “Alzheimer’s has given me the opportunity to love and serve my wife in ways that were unimaginable when I said, ‘I do.’ ”
While explaining the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul wrote extensively on the virtue of love (1 Corinthians 13). He contrasted rote acts of service with those overflowing from a loving heart. Powerful speaking is good, Paul wrote, but without love it’s like meaningless noise (v. 1). “If I . . . give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing” (v. 3). Paul ultimately said, “the greatest [gift] is love” (v. 13).
Jim’s understanding of love and service deepened as he cared for his wife. Only a deep and abiding love could give him the strength to support her every day. Ultimately, the only place we see this sacrificial love modeled perfectly is in God’s love for us, which caused Him to send Jesus to die for our sins (John 3:16). That act of sacrifice, motivated by love, has changed our world forever.
How have you tried to serve others without love? How can a love for God and others inspire your actions today?
Loving God, thank You for loving me. May my actions flow out of a loving heart today.
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Jesus’ Blood
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Posted:Feb 13, 2024 4:41 am
Last Updated:Feb 13, 2024 4:42 am 2048 Views
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Today's Devotional
Read: Isaiah 1:15–20
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 14; Matthew 26:51–75
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Isaiah 1:18
The color red doesn’t always naturally occur in the things we make. How do you put the vibrant color of an apple into a T-shirt or lipstick? In early times, the red pigment was made from clay or red rocks. In the 1400s, the Aztecs invented a way of using cochineal insects to make red dye. Today, those same tiny insects supply the world with red.
In the Bible, red denotes royalty, and it also signifies sin and shame. Further, it’s the color of blood. When soldiers “stripped [Jesus] and put a scarlet robe on him” (Matthew 27:28 these three symbolisms merged into one heartbreaking image of red: Jesus was ridiculed as would-be royalty, He was cloaked in shame, and He was robed in the color of the blood He would soon shed. But Isaiah’s words foretell the promise of this crimsoned Jesus to deliver us from the red that stains us: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (1:18.
One other thing about those cochineal insects used for red dye—they are actually milky white on the outside. Only when they are crushed do they release their red blood. That little fact echoes for us other words from Isaiah: “[Jesus] was crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5).
Jesus, who knew no sin, is here to save us who are red with sin. You see, in His crushing death, Jesus endured a whole lot of red so you could be white as snow.
How do “sins . . . like scarlet” stain your life? How might Jesus restore you and make you clean again?
Dear God, thank You for Your , Jesus, and the saving grace of His shed blood.
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Loving Our Enemies
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Posted:Feb 12, 2024 2:32 am
Last Updated:May 1, 2024 8:27 pm 2092 Views
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Today's Devotional
Read: Matthew 5:43–48
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 13; Matthew 26:26–50
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Matthew 5:44
With the American Civil War spawning many bitter feelings, Abraham Lincoln saw fit to speak a kind word about the South. A shocked bystander asked how he could do so. He replied, “Madam, do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” Reflecting on those words a century later, Martin Luther King Jr. commented, “This is the power of redemptive love.”
In calling disciples of Christ to love their enemies, King looked to the teachings of Jesus. He noted that although believers might struggle to love those who persecute them, this love grows out of “a consistent and total surrender to God.” “When we love in this way,” King continued, “we’ll know God and experience the beauty of His holiness.”
King referenced Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in which He said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44–45). Jesus counseled against the conventional wisdom of the day of loving only one’s neighbors and hating one’s enemies. Instead, God the Father gives His the strength to love those who oppose them.
It may feel impossible to love our enemies, but as we look to God for help, He’ll answer our prayers. He gives the courage to embrace this radical practice, for as Jesus said, “with God all things are possible” (19:26).
Who is your enemy? If you feel conflicted about loving those who oppose you, how could you submit those feelings to God?
Loving God, You’ve made me—as well as those who hurt me—in Your image. Help me to see them as You do.
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