Weekday Devotions

A Great Minute To Start Your Day

[weekdaydevotions]

Hope In Injustice

In His Words

Read Psalm 52

My Thoughts

What a contrast of the beginning of the Psalm and the end.

It starts off with vile toward those who do evil rather than good. They practice deceit and plot destruction with their words. Then the end of the Psalm, it speaks of God’s unfailing love and having hope in God. What a weird contrast.

As a father of two young boys, they live with a lot of “injustice.” They complain all the time of things being “unfair.” Woe is me that one son gets a few minutes of television time while the other is at soccer practice. Instead of living in their own righteous, they wail in the wrongdoing around them.

But David does not, instead of wailing, he say’s I will have hope and I will praise His name among the faithful. As we await the coming of Jesus, we live in a place of deceit, of evilness, of hateful words, but our God has not changed. His love is unfailing, and we need to continue placing our hope in Him, today and forevermore.

Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

[weekdaydevotions]

Taking A Break

I wanted to let you know that I am taking a break from writing devotions for the month of June. I took a new ministry in Seattle Washington and am in the process of closing down at my current ministry and moving my family to the west coast.

There might be a sporadic devotion here or there in June, but nothing consistent.

Feel free to check out some of the previous posts and we have over 800 devotions.

Please pray for safe travels and easy transition

Thanks and God Bless

[weekdaydevotions]

Who Is The Lord’s Counselor?

In His Words

Read Romans 11:33-36

My Thoughts

Sometimes I forgot about God’s wisdom.  I seek advice from others, to get their input.  This isn’t bad, and I am glad that there are so many wise people in my life to get input.  But I can’t forget that God is available to me every moment of every day.  

I can’t counsel Him, but He can give me understanding and wisdom.  But that doesn’t mean that I should only seek God, instead, I should seek Him first and then others. 

Something To Ponder

Do not forget that God is there for You.  Ask Him daily. 

Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

[weekdaydevotions]

Our God Is Never Tired Nor Weak

In His Words

Read Isaiah 40

My Thoughts

I am not an old man, but I am also not youthful anymore.  I am in the weird middle age part of my life, where my body becomes more and more disgruntled.  I remember a few years back; I was playing a video game with my legs crossed, which is my typical way of sitting while enjoying a good game.  I wasn’t playing for extremely long setting, maybe an hour at the most.  When I was done, I got up, and I completely collapsed on the ground.  My legs where tingling in pain, and I realized my body isn’t young anymore.  

Thank goodness, our God doesn’t grow weary in His old age.  And He is as active today as He was in the past.  Our God is everlasting youthful. 

Something To Ponder

No matter if you are tired, God isn’t.  Regardless of if you are weak, He is strong.  So when you are tired and weak, go to Him for your strength. 

Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

[weekdaydevotions]

Colossians Bible Study Week 10

Click here for the previous studies

First Things First

👏 Pray for revelation from God during your this time

📕 Read all of the book of Colossians, so read it all again

🤔 Reflect on Verses 1:16

Looking Closer

Watch a quick video about Pi (trust me it’s interesting) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHxY41iDvzs

When I see that video, I am completely amazed that people do not believe in a Creator.  Maybe you don’t believe in the Creator in the Bible, but how can someone think that this world is accidental? 

What are things in this world (visible or invisible) that show you that a Creator exists? 

Paul say’s in vs. 16 that all things were created through and for Jesus.  Creation was created for Christ to rule over lovingly.  That is the Creator in the Bible.  

What does that mean to you? 

Stepping Back

How would our world look differently if believers and nonbelievers believed in the world being created by and for Jesus?  

Wouldn’t you think we would take better care of the planet?  Wouldn’t you think we would treat each other better?

Hopefully that gives you something to think about. 

Prayer

For those who are reading this study, I pray over them and ask for your blessing to be with them as they grow closer to You. Amen

[weekdaydevotions]

Open To Listening

In His Words

Read Acts 17:16-34

My Thoughts

When it comes to preaching the gospel of Christ, I can be discouraged when someone doesn’t accept the call of hope.  It’s discouraging because I know how following Christ can change your life for the good.  

I know it’s their choice, and I can’t make someone believe, but at the least they gave me the opportunity to share the good news with them.  And just having the opportunity makes me grateful for someone who is willing to listen, even if they don't believe it to be true. 

Something To Ponder

Not everyone is going to believe in the good news of Jesus Christ, but don't stop talking about how God has changed your life and be grateful for friends and family who are open to your faith. 

Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

[weekdaydevotions]

God Is Always There

In His Words

Read John 11:17-37

My Thoughts

Have you ever felt alone?  Have you ever felt abandon? 

If you have, you know that feeling is gut-wrenchingly awful.  Sometimes we can feel like God couldn’t have done something.  We might say, “If only God would have answered my call, this wouldn’t have happened!”  

The feeling of God being distant happens to even the most faithful believers.  But it is only a feeling.  Feelings are not truth, they come and go.  God, though is there even if we don’t know He is with you.  God is there to be your comfort. 

Something To Ponder

You may be feeling alone or abandon today, but know that the feeling is only temporary.  But God has something greater; He offers you eternity.  A place where aloneness does not exist.  That is a great hope and a great comfort.

Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

[weekdaydevotions]

I Have Concern For His Holy Name

In His Words

Read Ezekiel 36:16-38

My Thoughts

Election season in the U.S., makes me embarrassed by the actions and comments of Christians in this country.  I am shocked how they are willing to sacrifice their values for national security.  I am shocked how they seek provisions from the government because they allowed the money to be their masters.  

Then they fight online and speak horrible words to each other with such vitriol to people who have difference of opinions.  And the worse part about this is they do this as strong, mature Christians. 

I think God has concerns for His holy name being misused over politics, and I hope they allow the Holy Spirit to convict them to remember who is in control and to follow only Him. 

Something To Ponder

Take time and reflect on your attitudes during this election season.  Have you been reckless of your faith with your opinions on political matters? Why should you do next? 

Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

[weekdaydevotions]

Jesus Is Everyone’s Good Shepherd

In His Words

Read John 10:1-21

My Thoughts

Jesus loves us all.  He loves the ones who love Him back, but also the ones who refuse to acknowledge Him.  Jesus loved us so much that He was willing to die for us all, both the believers and the unbelievers.  The idea of dying for my wife and children is a no brainer.  I would sacrifice myself for them because we have a bond of love.  There are many people in this world that I have no bond with at all, and I don’t know if I would sacrifice myself for them.  I just don’t know, and I think I would but when push comes to shove, I don’t know. 

But Jesus did, and He did it for you, me and everyone that has walked this planet. 

Something To Ponder

Think of people that you would sacrifice yourself for them?  Why them? Think of people that you don’t know or wouldn’t sacrifice yourself for them?  Why not them?  

What does it mean to you that Jesus died for everyone? 

Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

[weekdaydevotions]

Sunday Worship

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm0O_1Xqn5o)

[weekdaydevotions]

Colossians Bible Study Week 9

Click here for the previous studies

First Things First

👏 Pray for revelation from God during your this time

📕 It’s been awhile since you read all of the book of Colossians, so read it all again

🤔 Reflect on Verses 1:15

Looking Closer

In verse 15, Paul talks about the image of God and how Jesus is God’s invisible image. Think back to the creation of humankind. (Gen.1:27) 

If we didn’t sin, what would we look like in your life today? 

Jesus is the embodiment of the perfect image of God that was created in the Garden before sin entered this world. Being an image of God is not only a status that was given to us at the beginning of creation, but also how we are supposed to act in this world. 

What does that mean to you? 

Paul also speaks of Jesus being the “firstborn.”  Saying, Jesus is the "firstborn" Paul’s way of saying the even though it has been many years since the beginning, Jesus was there. How can Jesus be there?  Because Jesus and God are one and the same.

Stepping Back

Thinking about Jesus being the image we were supposed to be, should make us strive to be better than we are right now.  For many years, people thought it was impossible to break the mile under four minutes.  Then on May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister, broke the mark.  And since then the record has been broken 18 times!  

Jesus showed us how to live the impossible life almost 2000 years ago, and it is time to stop saying it’s impossible and instead live for the life that was intended for us to live. 

Prayer

For those who are reading this study, I pray over them and ask for your blessing to be with them as they grow closer to You. Amen

[weekdaydevotions]

God Loves Us So Much

In His Words

Read Psalm 8:1-8

My Thoughts

Psalm 8 is my favorite psalm.  It poses questions of our smallness compared to God’s greatness, although God is so great, he considers us favorable.  We are ranked higher than any creation on this planet, and he created us just a little bit lower than heavenly creatures. 

Do we deserve this position?  No.  We have done horrible things in our short time on this planet, but God still has fondness and love for us. So much that He came to this Earth as Jesus Christ and physically died for our sins, to only be resurrected three days later, so we can have the everlasting laugh.

Something To Ponder

What kind of thoughts came to your mind after reading Psalm 8?

Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

[weekdaydevotions]

Churches For Us?

In His Words

Read 1 Kings 8:1-21

My Thoughts

We don’t build churches anymore for a place to encounter God.  We build churches for a man to have a comfortable seat during worship services. Now I know that building isn’t a holding cell for God, which God is everywhere.  Yes, I am aware, but how many times do churches build for comfort instead for reference.  

Reverence is something that we are missing in the churches in the U.S.A.  We have padded seats, pop star microphones, fancy stage lighting, expensive soundboards, etc... for God?  I don’t think so; it’s for us.  It’s so we can look the best and sound the best, instead of focusing on worship!  God doesn’t need that junk, we do!! 

Yes, Solomon build a massive building with a lot of elaborate enhancements.  But there is one big difference, the Spirit of God lived in the temple.  Now the Spirit of God lives in you, and the temple is no longer needing those enhancements. 

Something To Ponder

What would your community look like if your church spent more money in the community and less money on the building? 

Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

[weekdaydevotions]

Fighting For A Blessing

In His Words

Read Genesis 32:22-32

My Thoughts

There are some pieces of scripture that come out of left field and are merely odd.  Genesis 32:22-32 is one of those scriptures.  Why did God come down as a human form to wrestle with Jacob?  Why at night? Why can’t he stay for breakfast?  It’s a puzzling piece of text. 

But one thing that strikes me is that Jacob is fighting for a blessing.  He isn’t asking God or bartering to Him for one; He is physically fighting Him. 

In our entitled culture (the U.S.A.) we expect to receive things just because?  If we don’t, we whine and complain and say life isn’t fair like we are children again. Instead, we can take an example from Jacob and go out there and fight for those blessings instead of expecting to receive them. 

Something To Ponder

What would our communities look like if we fought for blessings instead of waiting to receive them?

Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

[weekdaydevotions]

Daily Living Dependent On God

In His Words

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

My Thoughts

Our daily life should be a reflection of the faith that we profess to have and we should always strive to live a life that is a reflection of our faith.  One of the ways is to live a life not dependent on others.  Why?  Because we are dependent on others, it takes away our dependence on God.  

Something To Ponder

What are things that hold you back from being completely dependent on God?  Is there something you can do about it? 

Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

[weekdaydevotions]

Can You Prove The Resurrection?

In His Words

Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

My Thoughts

The Christian faith hangs in the balance of the resurrection.  You want to disprove Christianity, focus on that sole event in history.  As Christians, the resurrection is something that every Christian needs to know how to defend.  

Whether you are a Christian or someone who wants to disprove Christianity, I want to encourage you to read “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel http://amzn.to/1Xxt4Li.   It’s a person who thoughtfully ponder the last moments of Jesus life on Earth and the decision to follow Christ after his discoveries.  

Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

[weekdaydevotions]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz1vGNMvQOU)