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Compassion International Daily Devotional

Monday, April 17th (2023)

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. - Matthew 19:13-14

Do you believe that all people are important to Jesus? Does Jesus care about a person’s ethnicity, race, or age? This section of Matthew contains a delightful picture to illustrate a time when Jesus blessed a part of society that many people in the culture thought were insignificant.

In this passage, parents were bringing their children to Jesus so He could pray for them. The disciples, in accordance with the worldly assumptions of that time, thought children shouldn’t take up Jesus’ time. They rebuked the children. They even tried to send the little ones away.

Jesus’ response is a beautiful message—He is accessible to everyone. “Let the little children come to me.” Jesus welcomed the children in their vulnerability and weakness. He expressed a special invitation to those who come to Him in humility and simplicity, no matter their age.

Adults can learn a lot from children. As we grow into adulthood, the world often hardens our hearts, making us callous to the things of God. In contrast, children are often humbly open to the salvation message.

This passage teaches us many important lessons. 1) Jesus values children and welcomes them. He calls us to do likewise. Rather than seeing children as irrelevant little ones, Jesus asks us to welcome them into His family. 2) Jesus touched the children with compassion and served as their protector. Likewise, we are called to value, love and show compassion to children.

How can you make children a priority in your life? Will you make time to care for a child who has been hurt or marginalized? Let that child know what he or she has in the eyes of Almighty God and in our eyes too.

This devotional is provided by https://www.compassion.com/

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Compassion International Daily Devotional

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. - Psalm 127:3-5

Do you truly believe that children are a gift from God? The Bible says that God created the family and that offspring are a reward. Due to this, we can trust that God cares deeply about how children are cared for.

How can we leave God’s wisdom as an inheritance to our children? God commanded the Israelites to teach their children about their history and pass on the accounts of all God had done for them. He said the greatest inheritance they could leave for their children is godly wisdom!

God’s Word is clear that children are a blessing. In our culture, they are often looked at as an inconvenience. Counter to culture, God declares that children are a reward from Him. Unless God builds your family, “they labor in vain who build it.” Your children could be in every activity, sport or educational event, but if God is not the foundation, you labor in vain.

It doesn’t matter if your quiver has one or 20, set God as the foundation. Seek to leave a godly inheritance to your children and those around you.

This devotional is provided by: www.compassion.com

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Compassion International Daily Devotional

May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor. - Psalm 72:3-4

Most scholars believe that Solomon wrote these words early in his reign as king. He eagerly asked God for help because he desired to judge the people fairly and in a God-honoring way.

Solomon was serving as God’s representative. He was ordered to lead in a way that brought honor to God and also to the law. This verse points out that his duties included defending the afflicted and helping the children of the needy. He was called to hear their cries and defend them.

Solomon also called for those people who oppress others to be crushed. Why? So they are unable to continue hurting the less fortunate. It is their punishment. A God-honoring king held this responsibility.

Is this just the king’s responsibility? Are we off the hook? No, God places justice high on His priority list. It is important to Him. Elsewhere in Scripture, we learn that God blesses advocates who are generous to the needy and those living in poverty.

Ask yourself: how I can glorify God in this matter? Do I see physical needs around me? Do I see emotional or spiritual needs around me? Reach out today and bless a child. Help meet the needs of their heart.

This devotional is provided by: www.compassion.com

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Compassion International Daily Devotional

And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’ - Zechariah 7:8-10

These verses share two positive commands and two negative commands. All of them are important to our relationships, both friends and family, and distant neighbors.

First, the two positive relationships: 1) administer true justice; 2) show mercy and compassion to one another. God commands that magistrates administer justice fairly and impartially. They weren’t to give special treatment to those who had higher social status. We are called to show mercy and compassion to all people too.

Then the writer addresses the two negative commands: 1) do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor; 2) Do not plot evil against each other. God calls us to stand up for the most vulnerable among us—those who are most vulnerable to being oppressed or taken advantage of. We are not to plot evil against each other, like plotting revenge or thinking hateful thoughts. Are you standing up for the most vulnerable around you?

This devotional is provided by: https://www.compassion.com/

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Compassion International Daily Devotional

Devotional for July 4

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. - Psalm 9:9

Do you see God as your refuge? Do you view Him as your protected safe place when you are oppressed? This verse says you can run to God and be saved from trouble. What an incredible promise!

The idea of a refuge gives the visual image of a high, rocky location that is safe from enemy attack. God says the oppressed are called to flee to Him—to His protection and away from their enemies.

This comes with trust! We can rely on God to be our refuge no matter what situation we encounter. We can trust that He is in control. Proverbs 18:10 reiterates this thought: “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.”

This doesn’t mean that we are always protected from trials. Difficult circumstances are a part of life. However, this proverb says that we can have confidence that God walks with us through the difficult times. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” God is our protector.

When difficult times come, run to God and be safe. He wants to be your refuge and your stronghold. Your refuge is waiting for you.

This devotional is provided by: www.compassion.com

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Compassion International Daily Devotional

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done." - Proverbs 19:17

Everyone craves a reward from God and this verse tells us how to receive it. This verse is the key! Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord. The Lord will reward them for what they have done. In a sense, God repays generous people for their kindness.

We aren’t given the circumstance of the kindness. Perhaps there had been a loan from one neighbor to another. Or maybe it was a generous act of friendship. What we do know is that when we see the plight of someone in need and step in to help, there is a reward from God.

Oftentimes, the poor cannot repay us, but that should not impact our willingness to help. God has infinite resources and the reward comes from Him. It is important to note that this verse is not talking about salvation; we are not working to earn our salvation. Jesus died and rose to pay for our sin. The reward mentioned in this verse is a reward for obedience; it may be given in this life or in heaven.

The kindness mentioned in this verse is an act of compassion. Love is the key. We are not helping for selfish gain, but out of the love of Christ. When we give compassion to others, God considers it as if it were done to Him. It isn’t for temporary earthly praise. God’s blessing is far greater than any praise we could receive here on earth.

This devotional is provided by: https://www.compassion.com/

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Compassion International Daily Devotional

Thursday, August 6, 2020

"Then Jesus said to his host . . . When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." - Luke 14:14

This verse provides a great example of genuine humility. In Bible times, it was important where a person sat at a banquet. Oftentimes, the table was set in a U shape, with the host sitting at the base. Next to the host, were the honored guest. Most often, they were last to arrive to the party.

In these verses, people wanted the seats next to the host—the seats that were saved for the honored guests. Jesus instructed us to not sit at those places of honor because we may be asked to move to a lesser seat when someone more important arrives.

Jesus’ parable also commands us to serve those who can’t repay us. The examples given here are the physically disabled and the blind. When we give freely to others, without expecting anything in return, we honor God and exhibit humility. We’re called on to give graciously—following Jesus’ ultimate example. He didn’t cater to the rich and powerful. Instead He called the children, the poor, and those who couldn’t never repay. That is ultimate compassion.

This devotional is provided by: www.compassion.com

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Compassion International Daily Devotional

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." - James 1:27

How would you define religion? Many people would say, “A growing church, a thriving children’s ministry, impactful worship.” James describes it very differently. He defines it using two examples.

To start, James explains that “true religion” is to look after orphans and widows. Why? Because God places special concern on those among us who are vulnerable or marginalized. God knows that these people are at risk of exploitation. Deuteronomy 19:18 explains that God “executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.” James places that responsibility on us as well and uses it as a descriptor of true religion.

Next, James describes God’s second definition of religion: to keep ourselves from being polluted by the culture around us. Faith enters the culture without being polluted by it. He doesn’t command that we remove ourselves completely from the world, but instead he says to stay pure within it.

Is your religion defined by these two factors? What a blessing to care for the vulnerable and share Jesus’ love with them through our lifestyle. Let’s share that God is the greatest defender of all.

This devotional is provided by: https://www.compassion.com/