"Prayer Changes Everything" Devotion for Today

April 19, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Choosing to Be at Peace"

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

New International Version

18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

We need reconciliation. Because of sin, we need to be reconciled to God, yet there is nothing we can do to bring this about. It is God, by His incredible grace, who reconciles us to Himself. We are reconciled to God when we place our faith in Him. And because of His gift of reconciliation, we too can be reconciled to others. Choosing to be at peace with others is one of the ways we choose the things of God. For He has given us a great message to the world of forgiveness and reconciliation. It is not a normal, human response to conflict, yet, through the ministry of Christ, we can be reconciled to others, relying on God alone to do the work of redeeming even the most broken relationships.

April 18, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Choose Life in Him"

Deuteronomy 30:15-16

New International Version

15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

As we reflect on Jacob’s life, we find one central theme: choosing the things of God over the things of the world. God continually gave Jacob opportunities to choose the things of God and reject the desires of the flesh and the ways of the world. Sometimes, Jacob did choose the things of God. Other times, he turned to his own devices and worldly ways for his deliverance. But like Jacob, we are continually faced with these choices; it is a daily decision. Today, we can set aside idols, false gods, desires of the flesh, and self-reliance and instead choose to follow God, finding blessing, protection, and fulfilled promises in Him.

Every day we have the opportunity to choose the things of God over the things of the world. And no matter how many times we have chosen disobedience, we can still turn back to the God of promise and choose life in Him.

April 17, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"God Has in Store for You"

Luke 16:10-13

New Living Translation

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

We have no idea what God has planned for us. He may be preparing you now for great responsibilities in the future. He may be shaping your character to put you in a position of authority, whether in a career, in ministry, in your family, or in your church. May we choose to be faithful to Him no matter how small or insignificant our present task seems. We never know what He has in store!

April 16, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Unseen Realm Is Eternal"

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

The Passion Translation

We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity. We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison, because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal.

When we are faithfully serving God, we will face persecution. Those in leadership or positions of authority can be certain that they will face opposition as God’s chosen leaders. Yet, even in the midst of suffering, nothing can nullify God’s purposes. No amount of opposition, persecution, hardship, or suffering can alter God’s plan. He protects His own, and His calling on your life cannot be altered.

April 15, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Blessed Is the One Who Perseveres"

James 1:12-13

New International Version

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

When we are not experiencing a time of testing, we must recognize that God has placed a unique calling on our lives as believers in Christ. We can successfully resist temptation if we have spent time preparing, growing in our faith and relationship with God and developing the conviction that all good things come from Him and not our own efforts. God is faithful to use trials and temptations in our lives as He prepares us for what He has planned. All blessing is from Him, and He is faithful to reward the obedience of His people in His perfect timing.

April 14, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Promise Keeper"

Genesis 46:2-4

New International Version

2 And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. 3 “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. 4 I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”

God had previously appeared to Jacob in dreams at significant moments in his life: at Bethel, confirming His calling on Jacob’s life (Genesis 28:10–22), and in Paddan Aram, when God instructed him to return to the land of his fathers (Genesis 31:1–3). And, once again, God appeared to Jacob in a dream to give him instructions and confirm His promises as he was on his way to Egypt. In Egypt, God would continue to build Jacob’s family into a great nation. He also promised to bring Jacob’s family out of Egypt and back into the land He promised to give them.

God may lead us to places we don’t expect or present us with circumstances we do not understand. In these moments, we can depend on the promise-keeping character of our God. He is the one who makes the promise, and He is the one who is faithful to keep it. May we cling to His promises and trust His timing and His character, no matter what.

April 13, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"A Gift Opens the Way - Wisdom"

Proverbs 18:15-17

New International Version

15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. 16 A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. 17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

God ensured the survival of His chosen family through Joseph’s wisdom. Throughout his life, Joseph continually chose the things of God, acting in wisdom beyond his years. Even from the earliest recorded action regarding his father’s flocks, Joseph acted wisely. God used all of the circumstances in Joseph’s life to develop wisdom in him, His chosen leader. While tending his father’s flocks, managing Potiphar’s house, interpreting dreams, and saving a nation and his own family from extinction, Joseph displayed wisdom. Joseph spent his life seeking wisdom from God, and, when it mattered most, the wisdom he gained helped him save many lives.

Joseph would be a model for kings and leaders to come. His leadership was an example to the nation of Israel of how to lead with God’s wisdom. If God’s chosen people were to survive, their leaders needed to serve and lead with great wisdom.

Today, Joseph’s life still serves as an example for both those in positions of leadership and those submitting to their authority. Leaders must continually seek God’s wisdom and allow Him to direct their steps. Similarly, as God’s people, we must submit to the authorities God has appointed, whether national leaders like Pharaoh, or leaders in our local church. Those who lead with wisdom will indeed find blessing from God, and those who humble themselves before God’s chosen leaders will find life and peace.

April 12, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"He Has Specific Plans and Specific Future"

Psalm 139:16

New International Version

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Joseph received a double portion of blessing, as Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons as his own. The faithfulness of Joseph allowed him to be blessed abundantly by God. In the same way that sinful actions can disqualify people from leadership, God entrusts these positions to those who are praiseworthy and responsible. Even though these words were directed specifically to the sons and descendants of Jacob, we can find much encouragement and instruction in them. We are reminded of the way God knows our past, present, and future and of His intimate involvement in each.

God has specific plans and a specific future designed for each of us. Will we submit our lives, desires, and plans to God, trusting He has the perfect future prepared for us? As we seek to live lives that honor Him, may we begin each day by entrusting our future to the One who has known all our days before any of them came to be.

April 11, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"God Is Sovereign"

Genesis 50:19-20

New Living Translation

19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

In Joseph’s life, God used a great evil to bring about a great good. His brothers had thrown him into a well and sold him into slavery. He was persecuted and falsely accused, thrown into prison without a trial. Even in all this evil, God would bring about His good purpose. Joseph not only allowed God to direct his steps and use his life for His purposes, but He recognized the sovereignty of God in bringing about good from intended harm.

God’s sovereignty remains unchanged. While it may often seem that evil is triumphant in the world, God is always bringing about His good purposes. Nothing is beyond His reach. Nothing goes unnoticed by Him. As we endure an evil world, we can be confident that no matter the circumstances, God is sovereign and is always working out His good purposes for His kingdom, for His people, and for the world.

April 10, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"His Goodness Never Fails"

Habakkuk 1:2-4

New International Version

2 How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? 3 Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. 4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous so that justice is perverted.

The beauty of our faith in Christ is that we can live simultaneously in both; we can accept our pain and the brokenness around us and yet be joyful because we know what is and who is to come. When we acknowledge and accept the brokenness of our world, we are more poised to recognize the gravity of what Christ has done for us.

Habakkuk was a prophet in Israel. He presented his honest questions to God, wanting to know what God was doing and why. He was overwhelmed by the evil around him, and he wanted God to intervene.

Habakkuk cried to God for help, asking God why so much injustice and destruction was taking place around him. He knew the only person he could go to for help was the Lord.

April 09, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Trust The Timing"

Psalm 94:14-15

New International Version

14 For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance. 15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.

What we desire may be good, whether it be the demise of evil, peace in our nations, restoration of our relationships, or healing for our bodies, but it may not yet be His perfect timing. We may feel like God does not see the wickedness or pain around us; He does. He sees us today just like He saw the oppression the Jews faced in the first century. He is working.

The Psalmist reminds us that God is the one who gives us the knowledge of what is just. We would not recognize injustice if not for the wisdom He gives us. If God reveals to us what injustice is, can we not be confident that He, being perfectly just, will also deal with it rightly? God does not forsake or abandon His people—He intervenes. He helps. He soothes our worry. He protects and shelters us. He destroys the wicked. Let’s trust the timing, the justice, and the power of our God and wait expectantly for Him.

April 08, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Promises of God"

Luke 1:76-79

The Passion Translation

And to you I prophesy, my little son, you will be known as the prophet of the Most High. You will be a forerunner, going before the face of Lord YAHWEH, to prepare hearts to embrace his ways. You will preach to his people the revelation of salvation, the cancellation of all our sins, to bring us back to God. The splendor-light of heaven’s glorious sunrise is about to break upon us in holy visitation, all because the merciful heart of our God is so very tender. The word from heaven will come to us with dazzling light to shine upon those who live in darkness, near death’s dark shadow. And he will illuminate the path that leads to the way of peace.”

What was promised will surely be fulfilled. Zechariah stopped and praised God when John was born. He saw God’s mighty hand, and He praised Him. When we see God moving in our lives, even if it is not the exact result or outcome we had hoped for, may we be people who will stop and praise Him for what He is doing and how He is working. For He is always with us, and He is always restoring.

April 07, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"The One Who Makes a Way"

Isaiah 35:9-10

New International Version

9 No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there 10 and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Our God is all-powerful. He strengthens His people, and He avenges those who have been wronged. He makes the deaf hear, the blind see, and the lame leap. Our God brings water to a barren wasteland and creates a way for His people to return. He delivers from bondage, He ransoms His people. Our God crowns them with joy and overwhelms them with happiness.

You may not be in a season marked by overwhelming joy. But no matter what, the character of God remains the same. He is still the God who restores, fulfills promises, and crowns you with joy and happiness. You can trust Him, no matter what, we do not need to fear, cower, or hide when we face suffering. By God’s grace, we can live joyfully even in the midst of pain. We can proclaim His goodness even when our world seems to fall apart.

As you conclude your time in God’s Word today, ask Him to fill you with renewed joy. He is with you in whatever you are facing, and He knows exactly what comfort you need. Turn to Him. Seek Him. Ask Him. He is the One who makes a way, and He is making a way for you today. Let Him overwhelm you with joy in this season of waiting.

April 06, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Praise Him Even More"

Psalm 113 :1-2

New International Version

1 Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord. 2 Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.

This psalm was recited by generations of Israelites, reminding and exhorting them to praise the Lord in all circumstances. He is worthy of praise, He is exalted, and nothing can compare to Him. He sits on high, but He bends down to look at the earth, to care for His people. He lifts the poor from the dirt and puts them in places of honor. He turns barrenness to fruitfulness. God is worthy of praise. Whether or not we’ve seen God answer prayers in miraculous ways like Hannah did, or we’re still waiting for God to answer, He is worthy of praise. He pays attention to us, His people. The Redeemer we are waiting on. While we wait, we praise His character, faithfulness, and love.

We praise Him for what He has already done in our lives and rejoice that one day, when all His promises are completely fulfilled, we will praise Him even more.

April 05, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"From Generation to Generation"

Luke 1:46-50

New International Version

46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

Today, we are still waiting on the coming of the Lord. We still find ourselves in a world with arrogant, prideful people, a world of suffering, war, loss, death, and pain. But even in this, we have joy! We have joy because we know what is coming. We can rest and rejoice in all He has done and all He will do, and we can trust Him to provide what we need. He manifests in the flesh to die for us, and to rescue us from sin and death. And, when He returns, He will reign as King, establishing His justice and removing pain and brokenness from the world once and for all. May our souls exalt the Lord!

April 04, 2024

Daily Devotion:

“He Will Fulfill His Purposes"

Luke 1:25

New International Version

25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

We will see over and over again the deity and humanity of Christ and the way He fulfilled His purposes to bring eternal redemption to His people. And as we do, we will also see how He never overlooks us, even in our darkest, most desperate moments. He goes out of His way to heal, redeem, and restore. As we get to know Jesus better through this study, let’s be expectant of the ways He will show His redeeming and restoring power, even in our own lives and circumstances.

April 03, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Unwavering Faith"

Luke 1:68-71

The Passion Translation

“Praise be to the exalted Lord God of Israel, for he has seen us through eyes of grace, and he comes as our Hero-God to set us free! He appears to us as a mighty Savior, a trumpet of redemption from the house of David, his servant, just as he promised long ago by the words of his holy prophets. They prophesied he would come one day and save us from every one of our enemies and from the power of those who hate us.

We will never be fully free from longings, mistakes, disgrace, or unbelief until we are in heaven But what we see beautifully displayed in Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s lives is the way God not only redeems all these things but also uses them for His glory. Their community knew they had been unable to have a child, and they knew Zechariah had been disciplined for his unbelief. When they saw God’s mercy on this family, they all rejoiced.

God undoubtedly saw Zechariah and Elizabeth in their years of pain and longing. He was merciful despite their mistakes and used both to encourage their community and make His name great. He is the same God today. What might He be working to restore in your life, even in your longing or momentary unbelief?

April 02, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Our Salvation"

Luke 4:18-19

New International Version

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[a]

The salvation we are given in Christ is astounding. He offers us Good News. He will release us from all bondage, whether spiritual or physical, some of it now, but all of it in heaven. He gives sight to the blind, both the physically and spiritually blind. And He offers freedom to the oppressed—those under physical, systemic, or emotional oppression and those under spiritual oppression from sin. The time of God’s favor is upon us. Jesus has brought full and complete salvation to all those who believe in Him.

We are not limited by our standing, as we proclaim Christ to the world, we must also remember that His salvation extends even to those we may call our enemies. May we proclaim Christ with the same love and generosity He offered us when we were still His enemy.

April 01, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"He sees; He knows; He cares"

Luke 5:24

New International Version

24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

We may often find ourselves asking God for something we deeply desire only to find Him giving us something we need. We may not even know we need it, but God graciously meets our needs. He may even do so in a way that allows many others to come to Him.

When it feels like God is giving us only what we need and not what we want, or when we feel used by God but not fully seen by Him, may we remember this paralyzed man. God gave him what he desperately needed—forgiveness—and He used his life to bring many to Jesus, and then He did even more. Jesus also gave this man what he truly desired: the ability to walk.

That is who Jesus is. He is all-powerful, fully able, and full of compassion. His love for you is the same. He sees; He knows; He cares.

March 31, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Great Compassion"

Luke 7:16

(ESV)

16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!”

Jesus performed two miracles. These miracles were very different, involving almost opposite situations. But the circumstances did not matter. What mattered was who Jesus is and what He was willing and able to do.

A centurion whose slave was very sick had heard of Jesus. He knew Jesus had healed many, and he believed Jesus would do the same for his slave. This man was a Gentile and a Roman military officer. He did not go to Jesus himself, but he sent Jewish elders to ask Jesus to heal his slave. He displayed great faith by insisting that Jesus didn’t even need to come to his house to perform the miracle. He knew all Jesus had to do was speak and his slave would be healed. Jesus healed the slave and commended the centurion for his faith.

A widow had lost her only son. Unlike the wealthy centurion, this woman had no social standing and, in that time and culture, no means of providing for herself without a man in her family. She was without protection or provision. This woman did not ask Jesus to heal her son, but, when Jesus saw her, He had compassion for her. He healed her son because of His great compassion, not because of any great faith on her part. The people who witnessed this resurrection gave glory to God. They recognized that only God Himself has the authority and power to perform such a miracle. The people also recognized that He was more than a prophet, Jesus had great compassion for this woman, and He did a miracle for her. God truly had come to help His people.

Whether we are broken by loss or grief, or whether we can display incredible faith, God has come to help us. Regardless of how we approach Him, how we present our needs, or what our future holds, He has compassion for us. He has come to help you, and He sees exactly where you are today. Let Him overwhelm and surprise you with His great compassion and care for you.

March 30, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"The New Covenants"

Luke 10:27

The Passion Translation

The religious scholar answered, “It states, ‘You must love the Lord God with all your heart, all your passion, all your energy, and your every thought. And you must love your neighbor as yourself.’

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus described a man from Samaria who was willing to help a Jewish man who had been beaten by robbers. Both a priest and a Levite passed the man and refused to help him. Jesus explained how loving one’s neighbor meant showing mercy and compassion to those who need it most, regardless of their status, nationality, background, or ability to repay. The Samaritan man, the unlikely hero in the story, was the one who displayed love to his neighbor. His actions set the standard for how we are to love others.

When Jesus entered Martha’s house, she welcomed Him as a guest. This meant she prepared a meal for Him and a place for Him to sleep. Martha displayed the same attitude of love toward her neighbor as the Samaritan had in Jesus’ parable.

Jesus did not scold Martha for her service, for her service to Him was vitally important to the kingdom of God. Jesus corrected Martha for misordering her priorities and for wanting Mary to stop sitting with Jesus and help her with the preparations. Jesus blessed Mary for her desire to learn from her Lord. Mary displayed a heart, soul, strength, and mind that were fully in love with her God. She understood that even though there was much to be done, her priority was to spend time listening to Jesus.

Mary is the example of how we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. She went to Jesus first and was not distracted by other tasks. The Samaritan shows us how we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, taking care of a man who could give him nothing back. When our hearts are aligned with God, our service to others will overflow out of our love for Him.

March 29, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Arise and Go"

Luke 17:17-19

The Passion Translation

“So where are the other nine?” Jesus asked. “Weren’t there ten who were healed? They all refused to return to give thanks and give glory to God except you, a foreigner from Samaria?” Then Jesus said to the healed man lying at his feet, “Arise and go. It was your faith that brought you salvation and made you whole.”

Jesus made three statements about following Him concerning others: He warned His disciples against putting a stumbling block before anyone else, He instructed the disciples to rebuke one another if they sinned, and He commanded them to forgive without limit. Jesus also gave two instructions about what it means to have a relationship with God: to have true faith and to have the humility of a servant. On their way to Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples passed a group of ten men suffering from leprosy. Like many people Jesus healed in Luke’s Gospel, these men were outcasts of society, banished from normal life because of their disease. Jesus told the men to show themselves to the priests, and, while they were on their way, they were healed. Luke includes these events directly after Jesus’ instructions about living as a true disciple to show Theophilus and his later readers how they could practically live out Jesus’ instructions.

Only one of the ten lepers returned to thank Jesus for what He had done. Only one man displayed true faith, and that faith healed him spiritually as well. This “faith the size of a mustard seed” didn’t have to do with the quantity of faith, but rather the quality. This man may not have had a lot of faith, but what he did have was genuine and pure. He believed Jesus could heal him, and afterward he understood that it was Jesus alone who had done it.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus performed miracles for many people who were sick. However, only those who had genuine faith in who He is would believe and find eternal life in Him. Being a true follower of Jesus means we follow His commands. But, without faith, it is impossible to follow those commands and walk with Him. True faith recognizes Jesus for who He is: the Messiah.

March 28, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Seek and Save the Lost"

Luke 19:10

New International Version

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. His purpose was not to gain power or fame but to find those who were lost and needed a Savior. The religious leaders rejected Him, but those who seemed less likely to be considered righteous, like beggars and tax collectors, were the ones to display true faith and receive salvation.

No matter what you face today, no matter your losses, pains, heartbreaks, struggles, sins, or flaws, Jesus sees you. He sees you even when you can’t see Him. Whether you are blinded by your pain, or whether the world is blocking your view, Jesus still sees you. He has come to save you, and nothing will stop Him. He is the Messiah, and He has already given everything to save you.

March 27, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Your Faith Has Healed You"

Luke 18:38-42

New International Version

38 He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.

What a privilege for us to have access to Luke’s Gospel account so we can see the humanity of Jesus. From His temptation in the desert to His sorrow and anguish in the garden, we can know that our Savior truly knows and understands our pain. It is made clear that He sees our pain and cares for us by the way He continually went out of His way to heal the sick, especially those on the fringes of society. He performed miracles for His people even though they had nothing to give Him in return. Our King cares for us. He has the power, authority, wisdom, and compassion to meet our needs. He truly knows our pain, and He heals us. Jesus wept over the lost in Jerusalem. He came to save the lost, but many still rejected Him. What about you? Jesus will not stop seeking you until you place your faith in Him. What is holding you back from trusting Him with your salvation today? And, if you have already trusted Him to forgive your sins and give you eternal life with Him, what is holding you back from fully trusting Him with whatever you are facing today?

March 26, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"We Are Witnesses"

Luke 24:42-45

The Passion Translation

They handed him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb. And they watched him eat. Then he said to them, “Don’t you remember the words that I spoke to you when I was still with you? I told you that I would fulfill everything written about me, including all the prophecies from the law of Moses through the Psalms and the writings of the prophets.” He supernaturally unlocked their understanding to receive the revelation of the Scriptures.

Jesus is who He says He is. He is reliable and trustworthy, and so is His Word. We have the privilege of being able to read the accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, as well as being witnesses ourselves of what He has done in our own lives. Like Luke shared with Theophilus, we can—and must—tell others who Jesus is and what He has done. We are witnesses of these things. Let’s proclaim the gospel to all the nations.

March 25, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Love and Saved by Grace"

Luke 7:47–50

NRSV

47 Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” 48 Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

An unnamed, uninvited woman approached Jesus. She poured expensive perfume on His feet and wiped the dirt and dust off His feet with her hair. All of this was an outpouring of love to her Lord, the One who forgave all her sins. What her sins were or what her past looked like no longer mattered when she met Jesus. He had forgiven her, and she loved Him.

Jesus is powerful. He has the power to forgive sins and turn hardened hearts to Him. He is also full of love, care, and compassion, and He fully and completely welcomes us when we turn from our sin and follow Him. The Pharisees did not love Jesus because they did not believe they needed forgiveness. But the woman knew she needed to be forgiven, and it drove her to love and worship Jesus with abandon.

We must continually ask ourselves how we respond to Jesus and the forgiveness He offers. Do we see our need for forgiveness and therefore come to Him in love and worship, or do we deny that we are sinners and then criticize His grace and mercy for others? May we be like this woman, acknowledging that we are loved and saved by grace, enabling us to extend love and grace to those around us.

March 24, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Miracles After Miracles"

Luke 8:25

The Passion Translation

Then Jesus said to them, “Why are you fearful? Have you lost your faith in me?” Shocked, they said with amazement to one another, “Who is this man who has authority over winds and waves that they obey him?”

Today’s bible verse includes four incredible miracles of Jesus, miracles that displayed His power and authority over nature, demons, sickness, and death. These miracles showed not only Jesus’ power but also His care and concern for individuals.

First, Jesus calmed a storm on the Sea of Galilee. The boat was filling up with water and the disciples were in danger. Jesus rebuked the wind and waves, and immediately it was calm. The disciples had been with Jesus for some time, and they had witnessed Him perform many miracles. Still, Jesus had to question them, saying, “Where is your faith?” Even after spending so much time with Jesus, the disciples had weak faith.

Soon after, Jesus healed a man who was possessed by many demons. He wanted to follow Jesus, but instead, Jesus instructed him to remain in his city and declare what God had done for him. This man displayed faith in who Jesus is, recognizing both His power and care for Him.

Jesus then encountered a man whose daughter was sick. Jairus displayed faith by seeking out Jesus, knowing only He could heal his daughter. On His way, a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years reached out and touched Him. Her faith was so great that she knew all she needed to do to be healed was touch the edge of His robe.

Jesus healed the woman and restored her by allowing all those who were with Him to see what He had done. Continuing, Jesus came to Jairus’s house where many were mourning his daughter. But Jesus went in and restored the girl to life. He displayed His power over death, proving that no matter what, He has the final word.

The disciples witnessed all of these miracles. They not only saw Jesus display His power, but also His incredible care and compassion for those in need. His power is not limited by a circumstance, a situation, or even our faith. His power is greater than our needs.

How does Jesus’ power relate to your circumstances? In what areas of your life may He be asking you to trust Him? Ask Him today to strengthen and increase your faith.

March 23, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"No Big Deal with Him"

Luke 9:15-17

The Passion Translation

After everyone was seated, Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, and gazing into the heavenly realm he gave thanks for the food. Then, in the presence of his disciples, he broke off pieces of bread and fish, and kept giving more to each disciple to give to the crowd. It was multiplying before their eyes! 17 So everyone ate until they were filled, and afterward the disciples gathered up the leftovers—it came to exactly twelve baskets full!

God can provide food for two people on a journey through ordinary means, or He can choose to feed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish. Every answer to prayer, no matter how insignificant we feel it is, is still the God of heaven bending down to care for His people. We do not need to worry about whether it might be hard or easy for God to answer our prayers. What is extraordinary for us is no big deal for Him, the Almighty One.

March 22, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Endless Love of God"

Romans 5:3-5

The Passion Translation

But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!

The hope we have in Christ did not come for free. Christ suffered and died so that we could have this hope. As we follow Him, we too will experience suffering, but this suffering is cause for rejoicing! Suffering causes, us to gain endurance, learn what it means to keep going, trusting God when our circumstances tell us to give up. That endurance builds character in us, reminding us of God’s faithfulness as we endure suffering again and again. And finally, this character becomes hope, a joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.

God gives us hope because of His great love for us. He didn’t have to tell us His plan for Christ to return and for us to be with Him forever. But He told us so that we could live in hope, in the expectation of good that is to come, even while we experience suffering. We may grow weary, but our hope doesn’t change because our God doesn’t change. Whether in joy or sadness, we always have a hope that will never disappoint.

March 20, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Walking with Him"

Psalms 119:49-50

The Passion Translation

Lord, never forget the promises you’ve made to me, for they are my hope and confidence. In all of my affliction I find great comfort in your promises, for they have kept me alive!

Hope in God’s holiness drives us to obey His commands and walk in His ways. The more we follow His commands, the more we come to know Him. The more we know Him and His promises, the more we trust Him. We know His promises are true because if He is holy, He cannot lie. His holiness comforts us, revives us, and gives us the confidence to wait on Him when we don’t know the future.

Our hope is based on who God is. Every aspect of God’s character—His love, faithfulness, truth, goodness, power, and holiness—give us hope for the future. Hope in Him leads us to obedience and increases our faith. When our hope is in the character of God, we will want to follow His commands because we are convinced that there is nothing better than walking with Him.

March 19, 2024 

Daily Devotion:

“Resurrection Hope”

1 Corinthians 15:16-19

The Passion Translation

If the dead aren’t raised up, that would mean that Christ has not been raised up either. And if Christ is not alive, you are still lost in your sins and your faith is a fantasy. It would also mean that those believers in Christ who have passed away have simply perished. If the only benefit of our hope in Christ is limited to this life on earth, we deserve to be pitied more than all others!

This resurrection is the foundation of our Christian faith. Without the resurrection of Christ, we have nothing to hope for. Paul explained that if Christ has not been raised from the dead, then there is no resurrection for us after we die. Paul even went so far as to say that if we have hope in Christ only in this life and not in eternity, then we are to be pitied more than those who have no hope at all.

The basis of our hope in Christ is what He has done on the cross and what He promised to do in eternity. If our hope doesn’t reach beyond death, then we have no hope. Our hope is unfailing because it is eternally secure: Christ has promised to raise our bodies to never-ending life. If there is no resurrection, we have nothing to hope for. If there is no eternity with Christ, then there is no purpose or meaning to our lives.

We put our hope in what is real and lasting because anything else is worthless. Our hope is our Lord Jesus Christ today and also in the fact that we will one day be with Christ in eternity. This is what is real and lasting and this is the hope that gives us joy and life. Our hope is grounded in God’s promise. We can live in confident expectation of eternity with Christ because He is the one who holds the future.

March18, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Hold On, Pain Ends”

 (HOPE)

1 Peter 1:8-9

The Passion Translation

You love him passionately although you have not seen him, but through believing in him you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory. For you are reaping the harvest of your faith—the full salvation promised you—your souls’ victory!

Our hope is not based on our circumstances. It is based on the work of Christ. It is based on the truth that He was raised from the dead. And it is based on His promise to return and restore all things.

Even though we cannot see the object of our faith today, we can still have joy. Faith and hope bring us unfading joy, reminding us that our God always keeps His promises.

March 17, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"His Purpose and Promises Are Always for Eternity"

Hebrews 11:16

New International Version

Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews chapter 11 describes the faith of many of God’s people. God gave them incredible promises and told them how He planned to bless them and their families in the future. God did incredible things for and through His people, and He kept all of His promises to them. God’s people walked and lived in faith because they believed God’s promise was greater than their circumstances.

Though God’s people lived in faith, many of them died without receiving what was promised. God’s purposes and promises are always for eternity, and we cannot see the fullness of these promises on this earth. But we should ask God for the same faith of these saints, being sure of what they could not see but confident that God was always working to keep His promises.

God’s people knew their hope would not be fully realized in this world, but that it would be in the one to come. God loves our faith. When our hearts are fixed on Him and His promises, we show Him our faith. He knows what we are facing and He wants us to trust Him and keep our hearts fixed on His promises, no matter what. We have the ultimate promise to look forward to—Christ’s return and eternity with Him. We can put all our hope in this promise. Yet, as we wait, are we also willing to believe His other promises? Like those of His provision, care, presence, protection, power, and willingness to give us the desires of our hearts?

If He is willing to give us the greatest good, won’t He also give us these things? Hope in His return is the starting point for all our hopes. For though we may not see all His promises fully fulfilled in this lifetime, we can join with generations of God’s people who look forward to their heavenly home and the fulfillment of all His promises.

March 16, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"With God Nothing is Impossible"

1 Samuel 1:15-16

New International Version

15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

What seemed impossible for Hannah was possible for God. Hannah prayed so desperately that the priest thought she was drunk. Her faith was not overshadowed by her grief; in faith, Hannah asked God for the greatest desire of her heart.

After Hannah cried out to the Lord, she no longer looked sad. She found peace in pouring her heart out to God, to the only One who could change her situation and give her what she hoped for. Hannah’s hope in God’s power, character, and kindness led her to pour out her heart to Him. Her desire was for a child, and her hope was rooted in the One who could meet her desire. If our hope is in our desire being fulfilled, we will often be disappointed. But if our hope is in the One who meets our desires, we can continue to have hope no matter the outcome of our situation.

A faith that believes God will merely meet our needs is one thing, but a faith that believes God also desires to give us good gifts is another. Hannah did not have a faith that expected God to give her only the bare minimum needed for survival. She trusted in God’s ability and willingness to give her abundantly good gifts out of His generous grace. Let’s put our hope in Him and His gracious answer, no matter what it might be.

March 15, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Run with Endurance"

Hebrews 12:1-3

New International Version

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

As we continue in our race of faith, we too must endure. But we will not be asked to endure anything that our Savior has not already endured. He endured suffering, rejection, and shame so that we could be reconciled to God.

Because of His endurance, we now have an advocate seated at the right hand of God. When we remember what He has done for us, it gives us endurance and strength to continue in hope.

To live in hope and continue in our faith, we need to rid ourselves of what hinders us, run with endurance, and keep our eyes on Jesus. We leave sin behind, evaluate our choices based on Scripture, and get rid of anything that pulls us away from God. Whatever is hindering your faith, throw it off. We run with endurance by not giving up. No matter what we’re facing, we cling to God’s promises as we suffer so that we build endurance in our faith. And we keep our eyes on Jesus. By focusing our lives on Him we remember all He has done for us. Keeping our eyes on Jesus helps us when we grow weary and want to give up. We do this by reading Scripture, remaining constant in prayer, and living in community.

Jesus endured suffering for our sake. We are only able to endure suffering because of what He has done for us. Without His sacrifice, we would have no reason to hope. As we endure, we display our hope in God’s character and His promises. We are witnesses to the world of faith and hope. May we faithfully endure and show the world the reason for the hope that we have.

March 14, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Total Reformation" Romans 12:2

The Passion Translation

Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.

As believers in Christ, we are not our own. We belong to God and our lives are to be a continual sacrifice to Him. We do this by not allowing ourselves to be influenced by the world. Instead, we are to continually renew our minds so they are focused on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

When we keep our minds focused on the things of God, we are better able to discern and understand His will. This does not mean God will tell us the future, but He will give us wisdom and discernment as we go about our days. He will help us make choices that honor Him and others.

When our minds are renewed by the Spirit, when we pray for spiritual wisdom and understanding, God will lead us in the right course of action. Even though God does not give us specific commands in Scripture concerning every decision we face in life, He promises to guide us as we walk in obedience to His revealed will in the Bible.

Sometimes, we hope for one thing and God brings about something else. We may be hopeful that a relationship will lead to marriage, but even if it doesn’t, God will use the experience to grow us through it and to strengthen our faith. Perhaps we are hoping for a new job, but instead, God works through us to change a co-worker’s heart. We could be hoping for a clean bill of health, but as we endure physical suffering and rely on God, a relative comes to know Christ. Hope is being confident that we will see God’s goodness in our lives whether through the outcome we desire or some other good gift.

No matter the outcome, true hope will always lead to rejoicing. It will always give us the strength to endure suffering. It will always drive us to persist in prayer. Hope will always lead us to rejoice in the goodness of God. As we renew our minds, becoming obedient to His revealed will in Scripture, He will enable us to know what He wants us to do in specific situations. As we do, we keep our hope anchored in His promises and not in the outcome of our situation.

March 13, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Steadfast Hope"

Hebrews 6:19-20

The Passion Translation

We have this certain hope like a strong, unbreakable anchor holding our souls to God himself. Our anchor of hope is fastened to the mercy seat in the heavenly realm beyond the sacred threshold, and where Jesus, our forerunner, has gone in before us. He is now and forever our royal Priest like Melchizedek.

What a joy it has been to grow in our understanding of hope over these past few weeks. We have seen how hope is the confidence to wait on God for good when we cannot see the future. We’ve discovered that endurance is continuing to place our hope in the goodness of God when our circumstances tell us to give up. And, we’ve learned that when our hope endures and remains steadfast, our faith in God’s promises is strengthened.

God is asking us to remain steadfast in hope until the end. That is both the end of our season of waiting and the end of our lives as we continue to walk with Him and trust Him with our salvation. Through endurance, we will see the fulfillment of all of God’s promises. God has graciously given us examples to follow of those who remained steadfast in hope, enduring through suffering and doubt, to encourage us to do the same. What a blessing that our God does not leave us guessing about what He has planned for us. Like He told Abraham what He would do, He has given us unchanging promises so we can find encouragement as we endure. What a joy to rest in the truth that our God never changes and that He always keeps His promises.

This hope is our anchor. Like an anchor keeps a boat from drifting out to sea, from being tossed about by the current or the winds, hope is the anchor that keeps us tethered to Christ. He keeps us from drifting, from being tossed about by fear, doubt, or lies. We are anchored in Him by our hope.

When our anchor is Christ, it will not fail. He cannot fail because He is the One who has given us these promises. In Him, we have salvation, freedom from sin and death, a relationship with God, abundant life, and good gifts. May we endure no matter what the world or our fears tell us. May we remain steadfast in hope, anchored in Him no matter what comes.

March 12, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Keep Trusting in the Lord"

Psalms 37:3-7

The Passion Translation

Keep trusting in the Lord and do what is right in his eyes. Fix your heart on the promises of God, and you will dwell in the land, feasting on his faithfulness. Find your delight and true pleasure in YAHWEH, and he will give you what you desire the most. Give God the right to direct your life, and as you trust him along the way, you’ll find he pulled it off perfectly! He will appear as your righteousness, as sure as the dawning of a new day. He will manifest as your justice, as sure and strong as the noonday sun. Quiet your heart in his presence and wait patiently for YAHWEH. And don’t think for a moment that the wicked, in their prosperity, are better off than you.

Have you ever sensed that God was about to do something big? Maybe you’ve seen Him move in ways you never thought possible, and you are expectant for Him to reveal Himself to you in new ways. Perhaps you’ve seen Him begin to answer a prayer that you’ve prayed for years. Or maybe, you sense Him stirring something in your heart, preparing you for a specific calling. We serve a God who will always act on behalf of His own. And, sometimes, in His grace, He may let us know when He is about to do something big in our lives.

Let’s remain alert to what God is stirring in and around us. For He is a God who is always working, who will always work for good in the lives of His children. May we trust Him and expect Him to act.

March 11, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Do it for the Lord”

Colossians 3:23-24

The Passion Translation

Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others. For we know that we will receive a reward, an inheritance from the Lord, as we serve the Lord YAHWEH, the Anointed One!

What has God put on your heart in this season? God is always working, always preparing us for what He is doing in our lives. How can you be faithful to what He has given you to do right now? What is your responsibility as you wait? What do you need to let go of and let God do as you prepare in other ways? God is always faithful to us, and He asks for our obedience and faithfulness. He has set work for each of us to do.

May we be faithful to work with enthusiasm, remembering that we are working for the Lord and that there is a rich blessing in doing that which He has given us to do.

March 10, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"God is my Helper"

Psalm 54:3-5

New International Reader's Version

3 Enemies who are proud are attacking me. Mean people are trying to kill me. They don’t care about God. 4 But I know that God helps me. The Lord is the one who keeps me going. 5 My enemies tell lies about me. Do to them the evil things they planned against me. God, be faithful and destroy them.

When we face opposition, we need to remember God’s faithfulness. He will help us accomplish the work He has given us, and He will guard and defend His people until His will is done. It doesn’t matter who opposes us. God may not immediately remove the opposition we face, but He is always faithful to give us endurance as we continue in His good work.

March 09, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"A Small Act of Faithfulness"

Luke 16:10

New International Version

10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

God may not make us governors, but He has assigned to each of us places of service. May we be faithful with what He has given us, even if it seems small. It can be hard sometimes, especially when our ambitious nature craves the more important roles of position, honor, and influence. May we remember the words of our gracious Lord Jesus who says that God sees and is pleased even with the small acts of faithfulness that no one else might notice. May we serve exactly where God has placed us, with the people He has put around us. Whether He plans to keep us here or to use us in ways beyond what we can currently imagine, let’s stay faithful no matter what.

March 08, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Words and Our Heart"

Psalms 119:10-11

The Passion Translation

I have longed for you with the passion of my heart; don’t let me stray from your directions! I consider your Word to be my greatest treasure, and I treasure it in my heart to keep me from committing sin’s treason against you.

If we ever receive counsel that contradicts God’s commands we should not follow that instruction, no matter how sound it may seem. God will never give us instructions that violate His Word. But for us to know if the counsel we receive is from God or not, we need to know His Word. We must store up God’s Word in our hearts, committing it to memory so that when the test comes, we will be ready.

March 07, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Growing as One Body"

Acts 2:46-47

The Passion Translation

Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility. They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.

Today, we have a different reason for preserving and protecting God’s people. We do not need to preserve a specific race or nationality, but as believers in Christ, we guard the church because it is the body of Christ. The early church is an example to us of how we can preserve and protect God’s people. These believers cared for one another by sharing their possessions. They worked hard for unity and community, focusing more on one another than on status or possessions. They gathered together and praised God, growing as one body and increasing in number. When we guard and protect the people of God today, we do so not to keep unbelievers out but to show the world what it means to believe in Jesus. When the body of Christ lives in the way God designed—in unity and community, encouraging, exhorting, and uplifting one another—many more people will be drawn into this loving fellowship.

March 06, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"The Sword of the Spirit"

Romans 8:1-2

The Passion Translation

So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One. For the “law” of the Spirit of life flowing through the anointing of Jesus has liberated us from the “law” of sin and death.

The Word of God is powerful and effective, and it changed the hearts of the people. They repented, but they did not need to remain in their guilt and neither do we. God has given us the gift of salvation. God’s just law gives us awareness of our sins. This is necessary to drive us to Christ, our Savior. Once we have honestly confessed our sins to Him, He will forgive us completely, and we should not continue to feel condemnation and guilt.

How do you respond when you read the Word of God? Do you feel guilt and shame, or are you able to accept His grace and receive His forgiveness with joy? God’s Word shows us His incredible, unending love for us. It is not enough to just look into ourselves and grieve over our sins. God wants us to receive His grace daily. Today, look away from your sins and failures to Jesus, your gracious Redeemer. Rejoice in the freedom and grace through Him. When we accept His gift of salvation by placing our faith in Jesus, we will know what it means to have the joy of the Lord as our strength.

March 05, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Redeem and Restore"  

1 John 1:9

New International Version

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

As believers in Christ, we have the privilege of having the Holy Spirit living inside of us. When He alerts us to our sins and we are convicted, we need to stop and repent, cry out to God, and worship Him. Like the people of Jerusalem, we must be humble enough to confess our sins to God. Making excuses won’t do it—He knows our selfish thoughts, hurtful words, and unloving actions. He is a faithful God who always promises to redeem and restore when we return to Him. We should be eager to keep short accounts with our heavenly Father, not letting any sin darken our relationship with Him, but confessing it as soon as we become aware of it. And may He help us confess our sins as readily to other people when we have sinned against them.

March 04, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"A Blood of a New Covenant"

Luke 22:19-20

The Passion Translation

Then he lifted up a loaf, and after praying a prayer of thanksgiving to God, he gave each of his apostles a piece of bread, saying, “This loaf is my body, which is now being offered to you. Always eat it to remember me.” After supper was over, he lifted the cup again and said, “This cup is my blood of the new covenant I make with you, and it will be poured out soon for all of you.

God’s people recognized their sins, repented, and turned back to Him. Part of their commitment to Him was signing a binding covenant together as a people, initiated by the leaders. They signed their names, committing to walk with God and obey His laws once again.

A covenant was a significant commitment. God used covenants throughout the history of His people to make promises to them, promises He kept regardless of their faithfulness. When the people of Israel and Judah violated their covenant with God and were sent to exile, God promised to make a new covenant with them when they returned to the land. Here, the people committed to this covenant once again by signing their names.

Establishing a covenant was referred to as “cutting” a covenant. When a covenant was “cut,” animals would be slaughtered symbolically, showing that a covenant was costly and that both parties must keep their promises. When the people of Jerusalem cut this new covenant, they signed the document showing they had counted the cost and were willing to set aside their idolatry and walk with God once again.

Though the Jews entered into this covenant with God, there was still the ultimate New Covenant to come. God sent Jesus as the minister of the new, everlasting covenant. Jesus established this new covenant, and He was slaughtered in the keeping of the promise. This covenant cost Jesus everything; He offered Himself so we could have freedom from sin and death.

March 03, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Have Faith"

Nehemiah 11:1-2

Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten of them to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns. 2 The people commended all who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.

The people of Jerusalem signed their names on a document to remember the covenant they made with God. They were renewing their hearts by remembering what God had done for them as a nation and then they committed to following Him.

Today, we remember the covenant God has given us by participating in the Lord’s Supper. When we take the elements, the bread and wine, we remember the covenant Jesus made with those who believe in Him. We remember that He has done all that is necessary to uphold this covenant and that all we need to do is place our faith in Him.

March 02, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"The Greatest Treasure"

Matthew 6:21

The Passion Translation

For your heart will always pursue what you esteem as your treasure.

We are often pulled away from our loving God by things that appear to be more attractive than Him. We can keep Him as our ultimate treasure by looking away from the world and back to Him, getting to know Him better, reading and thinking about the things He said and did, and asking Him to open our eyes afresh to His beauty and worth. He truly is the greatest treasure we could ever seek, nothing in this world compares to Him.

March 01, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"Delight Yourself in the Lord"

 Psalms 37:3-4

The Passion Translation

Keep trusting in the Lord and do what is right in his eyes. Fix your heart on the promises of God, and you will dwell in the land, feasting on his faithfulness. Find your delight and true pleasure in YAHWEH, and he will give you what you desire the most.

How often do we stop to celebrate when we see evidence of God working in our lives? When a prayer is answered or when God performs a miracle in our lives, we often continue without celebrating. It can be easy to forget the wonders God has done for us when we don’t take the time to stop, thank Him, and rejoice in His goodness.

This is not an unimportant matter, for we are commanded to “rejoice in the Lord” (Philippians 3:1) and to “delight yourself in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4). God wants us to find our highest joy in Him.

How can we learn to rejoice more in God? It is hard to do when we fill our minds with other things, especially worldly entertainment—things we watch on TV or scroll through on our phones. We must fight against everything that diminishes our joy in God. We cannot delight ourselves in God when our minds are not engaged with Him. Neither can we rejoice in Him when we can’t see how glorious and wonderful He is. But we can—and should—ask Him to reveal more of Himself to us when we read the Bible and meditate on His Words and promises. For “in [His] presence, there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).

February 29, 2024

Daily Devotion:

"The Breath of God"

2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Passion Translation

God has transmitted his very substance into every Scripture, for it is God-breathed. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness. Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.

Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.

God had chosen Israel as His people. He led them out of slavery, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land. The people were to remain His, and they were not to intermarry with anyone from the nations surrounding them, especially the Ammonites and Moabites. Both of these nations opposed Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness, and the Moabites even hired Balaam to curse Israel.

The purpose for keeping God’s people separate from the surrounding nations was because God knew that His people could easily be led astray and fall into idolatry. However, if a Moabite or Ammonite turned from their pagan ways and followed God wholeheartedly, they were welcomed into the people of God.

Ruth is a prime example of this, turning from the ways of her people and choosing to follow Naomi’s God. Ruth became the ancestor of the greatest king of Israel and was held in great honor among God’s people because of her faithfulness.

This was not the first time the exiles had to repent of this particular sin. They had intermarried and been led astray by the idols of other nations before. Nehemiah 9:2 and 10:28 show previous instances where the people repented and turned from this sin. The events in chapter 13 took place about thirty years later, showing that even though they had repented, the next generation had disobeyed again. Yet, God was faithful, and His Word did not return void. When the people read it, they responded, repenting and turning from their sins. Even though they had fallen back into a pattern of sin, God had compassion for His people. His Word was effective and led His people to repentance.

The same is true for us. Even when we fall into sinful patterns, God is faithful and patient with us. He will use His Word to call us to repentance.