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Tuesday: April 7, 2020
MY REDEEMER LIVES
Scripture
JOB 19:25, KJV
For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
Devotional
For the average person, life is anything but a bed of roses. As a matter of fact, to some it may feel more like a bed of thorns. The painful hits in life can come so quickly, like the sudden downpour of a torrential rain. The battery of raindrops comes in fast and hard, one hit after another, making it hard to recover from one before another strikes. The overwhelming punches can knock us down and take us out. We find ourselves knocked to our knees, down for the count. Although the position may not feel good, being on our knees may be the best place to experience the protection and victory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
It’s on our knees that we can echo the words of today’s Scripture spoken by Job: “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:’ We can be encouraged by these words today and boldly proclaim, “There is a day of victory!” Job’s faith remained in God and, likewise, so must ours. In the same faith, we too can be strengthened to know that in any situation, whether life or death, we have a Redeemer who lives. He lives to justify us. He lives to restore us. He lives to avenge us.
He lives. He lives. He lives!
We can be confident this day and know, like Job, that in the latter day there is a glorious end that awaits us that cannot be compared to the troubles we face now. Not only is there hope for the future, but there is hope for today. Our Redeemer is present and near to help (Psalm 145:18). We do not have to be troubled. We can rest in assurance because the Word of God tells us that no weapon formed against us shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
Whether life feels like a bed of roses or a bed of thorns, the one comfort we can remain strengthened by is that we have a Redeemer who lives, and His name is JESUS!
Prayer
Father, I thank You for Your redeeming power-Your redeeming power to love me, save me, restore me, and keep me in the palm of Your hand. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Monday: April 6, 2020
I AM HATH SENT ME
Scripture
Exodus 3:14 KJV
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you
Devotional
There was a movie about a young writer who was experiencing a bad case of writer’s block. He was frustrated, insecure, and destitute. To make matters worse, his fiance left him. He ran into his former brother-in-law who introduced him to a wonder drug that made him super efficient and sent his IQ sky high. He became highly successful. Of course, it had horrible side effects. The drug gave him a false sense of being limitless. The good news is that we know someone who is without limits. When we seek Jesus, He helps us excel!
In the passages preceding our text, the once overly self-confident Moses has been living a simple life in contrast to the life he led in Pharaoh’s house. For forty years, he has been a humble shepherd and family man. Suddenly, God calls him out of obscurity and assigns him to lead His people out of bondage. He tells the now reluctant Moses to speak to them in the name of “I AM:’ This wondrous name means He is the self-existent, always present, living God with absolute power at all times and throughout all time.
Throughout the Scriptures, “I AM” demonstrates His absolute power and willingness to use it when caring for His people. In the Old Testament, God miraculously feeds multitudes, brings water out of rock, and defeats mighty armies. In the New Testament, Jesus heals the sick, gives sight to the blind, and restores life to the dead. He calms the raging sea, walks on water, and commands money from a fish’s mouth. He is limitless, and there is nothing He cannot do for us!
Today, we are more than conquerors through Him that loves us, and we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. He causes us to overcome every obstacle. There are no limits to His power. Know that “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him’ ‘ (2 Chronicles 16:9).
Our God is forever the Great I Am!
Prayer
Thank You, Father, for Your powerful presence and daily help in my life! Amen.
Friday: April 3, 2020
BE AWARE
Scripture
COLOSSIANS 2:8, KJV
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ
Devotional
Why do we put locks on our doors and alarms on our cars? Isn’t it to protect our families and the things that we have worked hard to obtain? If we didn’t, thieves who have no regard for our hard work would easily harm us and carry away our possessions. For this same reason, merchants train their employees to recognize counterfeit money so their goods and services are not stolen in exchange for worthless currency. Most people take measures to protect the people and things we care about.
As Christians, we know we are God’s prized possessions. He bought us, not with silver or gold but with the precious blood of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The curse of the law, sin and death held our eternal lives for ransom. But Jesus did the work, paid the price, and bought us back! We have been rescued by faith in Him alone. He has made us kings, priests, and joint heirs with Christ. The value that God places on us and His gifts of grace, mercy, and truth are priceless.
Now the Scriptures teach us to be aware of deceit. The world seeks to steal and destroy God’s work in us-by any means necessary. The word “spoil” in our text means to carry away. We are warned of lies and humanistic views that purpose to carry us away from our walk with God. There are opinions and secular philosophies that are not Christ-centered or founded on God’s Word. There are sinister forces working often through people and various forms of media to ambush our faith, harden our hearts, tempt our flesh, and steal our hope.
God protects our faith because He loves us. He has taken measures to guard and mature us by giving us the indwelling guidance of the Holy Spirit, the written Word, prophets, pastors, and teachers. We need them all to discern His truth from worthless counterfeits. Like the disciple Mary, let us sit at His feet and learn that “which shall not be taken away” (Luke 10:42).
Prayer
Father, I seek Your face and ask You to guide me daily by Your truth in Christ. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Thursday: April 2, 2020
STAYING FAITHFUL
Scripture
DANIEL 11:32, KJV
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
Devotional
When facing a dilemma in our lives, staying focused on a sound solution makes our problems seem not so bad. We learn to endure it all, realizing that this test is just for a moment, and that it is designed to make us over again-garnished with new courage and new strength.
When Daniel was challenged because of his commitment to God and his refusal to bow down to pray to King Darius, he was thrown into the lions’ den. Biblical reports state that he did not fret. Instead, Daniel kept praying unto God Almighty (Daniel 6:7-11). He trusted God through it all. His new “roommates” not only made him pray harder and praise louder, but he also became stronger and mightier.
God heard Daniel’s prayers and praise. The mouths of the lions remained closed, and Daniel walked out of the den untouched and better suited for the mission ahead. Like Daniel, after we have been in battle for so long, we can be assured that God has transformed us for a reason, making us stronger-mentally and spiritually-than ever for His glory.
We can be assured that our heavenly Father is a very powerful sustainer in times of trouble. When we are faced with unusual circumstances, unexpected nuances, or troubling situations that are out of our control, know that God often creates or allows such occurrences to come about. Remember that sometimes He does His best work through us and in us when we are backed against the wall as Daniel was. God wants us to be totally dependent upon Him.
We become worthy vessels after it’s all over; and, like Daniel, we become stronger and much wiser after being thrown into the “den of difficulty:’ Yes, our faith will be tested, but our belief in God’s plan for our lives will become much clearer. Our heavenly Father knows how to give us new power and might for the battle ahead.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for renewing my strength today. With You, I can win any battle no matter how deep the pit or how hot the flames. I will serve You all the days of my life and trust in You always. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Wednesday: April 1, 2020
SOMEBODY PRAYED FOR ME
Scripture
EPHESIANS 3:16, NKJV
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.
Devotional
Have you ever asked anyone to pray for you? Most of us are willing to ask for prayer. Sometimes we do it glibly, almost out of habit. Sometimes, our situation forces us to ask everyone we know for prayer! But where do we turn when we feel that we can’t get a prayer through, when we don’t know what to ask, when we don’t even want to think about the situation?
Perhaps the saints in Ephesus were at that point when they received a letter from Paul. He had lived among these Gentile Christians for three years. He knew that they had turned their backs on idolatry and denounced friends, family, and tradition to follow Jesus. He also knew that every day they were hearing of Christians who were being tortured and murdered for professing Christ. Paul knew they were wondering when they would meet the same fate.
That’s when they got Paul’s letter! Despite the fact that he was in jail for preaching the gospel, Paul reminded them that their faith was anchored in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Even though he, too, might soon be killed, he reminded them that they were heirs of God’s innumerable blessings and that, even at that moment, they possessed the riches of God’s grace and mercy (Ephesians 3:6).
And then Paul prayed for them-a prayer they had probably heard him pray. He knew they were afraid, but he didn’t pray for courage. He knew they were confused, but he didn’t pray for understanding. He prayed that they would be strengthened in the inner core of their spirits.
Paul’s prayer is preserved in the Bible to remind us that whatever besets us, our Christian response must come from the inner strength that arises from the riches of God’s glory to help us hold on. As Christians, our knees may get weak as life hits us hard; but, like the Ephesians, every once in a while, we need to remember that somebody named Paul prayed for us to be strong in the Lord.
Prayer
Lord, in my weakness, let the riches of Your strength give me the power to pray for others and to ask others to pray for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Tuesday: March 31, 2020
THE REALITY OF KNOWING
Scripture
1 JOHN 5:13, NIV
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Devotional
When was the last time you saw a child go near a hot stove?
Did you grab the child or call out in warning? That’s because you believed what was about to happen and you knew that the child was in danger. After the tenth warning, the child probably believed something would happen, but he or she didn’t know what it was. But if the child got to the stove before you got to the child, the heat would turn believing into knowing as she or he finally understood your cry.
Sometimes, our understanding of God is like that child’s understanding of the heat. We believe God, and we believe God can “fix it:’ We believe in prayer, and we believe God will answer. But is our believing abstract, or do we know God so well that it redefines our reality?
From his isolation on the Isle of Patmos, the apostle John, now an old man, writes to the saints and calls them “little children.” He wants them to believe in Jesus so strongly that, despite the persecution and torture they were experiencing, they would know that eternal life is real.
John spoke out of experience. He had believed Jesus from the moment Jesus called him from his father’s fishing boat (Matthew 4:21-22). He had believed the miracles he witnessed in those three years of ministry. But his believing had turned to the certainty of knowing as he stood outside the open tomb (John 20:1-9). The reality of knowing had grown stronger as he was hunted, imprisoned, boiled in oil, and finally banished to the Isle of Patmos. John’s experience had turned believing into knowing with an assurance that could not be shaken.
John called the saints “little children” because they (like us) are like that child and the stove. Sometimes, the certainty of knowing comes from the heat of life’s struggles. But when “Why me? becomes the question of the day, John’s words remind us to hold on to our belief in Jesus, knowing for certain that we have eternal life.
Prayer
Lord, I believe. Help me to know, even in the time of trouble, that the heat can’t stop my faith. Amen
Monday: March 30, 2020
RECOGNIZING JESUS
Scripture
JOHN 1:33, KJV
And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
Devotional
Romantic movies often have two people meet for the first time in some public place. The audience is aware that the two will know each other in the crowd by some prearranged sign of what they will wear or carry. That first meeting will be a turning point.
That is sort of how God instructed John to recognize Jesus, the Messiah for whom Israel awaited. John had been ministering for a long time. His message was simple: “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). John knew his message was true and clear regarding the coming of the Messiah. While John’s instructions were to baptize and call for repentance, he was also told that there would be no missing the Messiah in the crowd because the Spirit of God would visibly rest on Him. John was so confident that the Messiah, who had been expected for centuries, was soon to come that he told everyone, even the Pharisees who questioned him about the One who was to come (John 1:19).
That leads us to a question: How did we recognize the truth of Jesus in the crowd of competing ideas? Society is awash with philosophies that question God’s relevance for our world, or even whether He exists. We battle against a humanistic view that places God on a back burner and says that Jesus is irrelevant to our times. But, the Lord in His infinite mercy saw fit to show us Jesus.
Perhaps that encounter was during a time of stress when a prayer or a sermon seemed to come at just the right moment. Some people were taught to look for Jesus by parents or grandparents who attended church. Whether we were running from Him or chasing after Him, our first encounter with Jesus was life-changing because, like John said, He is the One who baptizes with the Holy Ghost.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for allowing me to know You and for the change salvation has made in my life. Amen
Friday: March 27, 2020
TRUST THE LORD
Scripture
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord , hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psalms 9:10, KJV
Devotional
Leadership is an act of faith. It takes faith to believe God for a vision for a group of people and to trust God to carry out His own purposes. God is faithful to entrust leaders with insight, wisdom, and direction; but ultimately, the leader must trust God. In Psalm 9, David bears out this truth. King David wrote this psalm in thanksgiving for the Lord’s righteous judgments against the wicked surrounding nations. These nations were enemies of Israel that at every turn threatened Israel’s security. We can only imagine how David, the King of Israel, felt shouldering the responsibility for securing his kingdom. Yet, David knew he had to ultimately trust God for the nation’s safekeeping.
David praised God for rebuking the nations, for destroying the wicked, and for eliminating their name from succeeding generations (Psalm 9:5). As if to contrast the fickleness of the nations with the steadfastness of God, David extols the name of the Lord. Whereas the nation’s name or reputation would be destroyed, David declares that the Lord will stand forever (v. 7).
In the Bible, a name often speaks to the character of that person or nation. David could trust God because of the steadfastness and reliability of God’s very nature. In other psalms, David had praised God for being his rock, fortress, and deliverer (18:2). He had declared the Lord to be both his high tower and strong tower (61:3; 144:2). No matter the threats or wickedness of his enemies, David declared that his trust would be in the Lord.
This is a grand reminder for us today. Many of us lead in various contexts-some in corporations, others in government, a few in community agencies, and many in our homes. Yet, each of us can admit that we are, at times, threatened by economic woes, health challenges, or other menacing situations. Let’s face it! The enemy of our souls will use anything to knock us down. Yet, like David, we can declare today that we know the Lord’s name. We know His character and His trustworthy nature; therefore, we place our trust in Him.
Prayer
Gracious Father, thank You for Your protection and providence. You are faithful, and in You I put my trust.
Thursday: March 26, 2020
THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL TEACH US
Scripture
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:26, KJV
Devotional
There are those of us for whom good grades in grammar school and high school came easily. But when we arrived on the college campus, we hit a roadblock. Throughout our earlier academic years, we were able to learn the lessons and pass the tests, and we had always been successful. Most notably, we did not need to study hard. Our teachers were impressed by how well we were able to handle the homework, classwork, and tests.
When we arrived on campus, however, for many students the story changed. We needed help. The work was no longer easy, and we needed a tutor. Because it is rare to find a tutor who is astute in all subjects, it is usually best to get an expert in the subject(s) that we struggle with the most. We may have felt a little downhearted because learning had come so easily for us before and this new challenge was difficult to accept. Our parents were encouraging, and the teachers offered helpful incentives because they could see our potential and knew we just needed a little guidance. When we finally accepted the help, we saw great improvement and the rebuilding of our confidence.
Similarly, the Lord knows that we need help, so He sent the Holy Spirit as our Helper. Unlike a tutor who may have helped us with a particular subject, but was limited in how much help he or she could provide, the Holy Spirit leads and guides us into all truth and teaches us all things. There is nothing that we encounter that the Holy Spirit will not instruct us on how to handle. When we are in a bind and can’t remember what we were taught, we can ask the Holy Spirit to bring it back to our remembrance. God has given us the Holy Spirit, who will help us when we encounter difficulty so we know how to handle it.
Prayer
Father, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to teach me all the things that I need to know to live a life that is obedient to Your will. Amen.
Wednesday: March 25, 2020
WHO ARE YOU FOLLOWING?
Scripture
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
PSALM 1:1, KJV
Devotional
Who are you following? Is it a person on Instagram or Facebook?
In today’s society, we have so many vehicles for advice self-help books, television talk shows, podcast, and the list goes on and on. People are inundated with information twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, and overloaded with ways to enhance their lives. This information is readily available whether we want it or not. Our culture is advertisement-driven; millions of dollars are spent to get our attention.
Although it is great to receive information so we can be in a better situation and make informed decisions, we need to be careful about where we get our counsel and to whom we are connected. Today’s passage instructs us about the wisdom of following God’s righteousness. Our friends and confidants need to be those who are walking according to the Word of God and not those who mock or criticize Him. This advice helps us to be consistent in our relationship with God. Therefore, we do not walk, stand, or sit with the ungodly. Where do these wise people get their wisdom? They delight in the Word of God and use God’s Word for living instead of the ideas of the surrounding culture. There are people in our lives from whom we can seek counsel because they are walking according to the Word of God, and there are those we should clearly stay away from because they are not obeying the Word. The Bible is our manual, and we can go to it as often as we like. The more we read, pray, and listen for God, the better we will be able to hear and know how He speak to us individually. Obedience to His instructions allows us to reap the benefits of a fulfilling life in Christ.
Prayer
Father, I will continuously seek Your ways. Your Word instructs me and keeps me on the right path. When I am looking for advice, I will wait to hear from You before I make a decision. I understand that by walking in Your counsel I will be blessed.
Tuesday: March 24, 2020
WE’RE ENLISTED
Scripture
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
ROMANS 12:2, NLT
Devotional
When men and women enlist into the armed forces, they are, in a way, giving up their freedom so others can have freedom. They must change the way they dress, talk, and behave and learn a new way of living that will not only benefit themselves but also benefit others. Although they are still a part of the world, their assignment requires more discipline in their daily routines. They receive new guidelines for eating, exercising, sleeping, and working. They submit to the identified authority because it is their means of survival. In order to prepare themselves, they have to cut themselves off from the rest of the world. They are insulated from the things that could cause danger. Some even enlist to get away from the dangers of their home environment. By enlisting, they often can provide a better lifestyle for themselves and their families.
Well, we are enlisted in a different type of armed force. We are armed with the Holy Spirit and charged to leave behind the customs of the world. The Holy Spirit leads us and changes our way of thinking. We also find new ways of living as we learn to rely on the Holy Spirit’s leading and trust that He will equip us. He equips us as we read, meditate, and live by the Word of God. Instead of worrying, we learn to acknowledge God, knowing that He will give us clear direction. Instead of trying to please man, we seek to please God. Instead of complaining and gossiping, we learn to pray. We also learn to react to trials with the right attitude, not allowing them to overtake us but understanding that they come to make us stronger. When others observe us, they will notice a change taking place in our lives. We will not take credit for the change but acknowledge the work that the Holy Spirit is doing in us, because we’re enlisted in God’s army.
Prayer
Lord, I thank You for calling me into Your family and enlisting me into Your service. Teach me to live as I submit to You.
Monday: March 23, 2020
POWERFUL FAITH
Scripture
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
HEBREWS 4:12, NKJV
Devotional
Have you ever been in a fight, as a child, with the school’s bully?
Do you remember how scared you felt, how you just wanted to run, how you wished someone could make this person go away, or how angry you were at yourself for being afraid? Sometimes, when we are in bad situations or threatening circumstances, our first emotion is one of being overwhelmed, anxious, or afraid. Many times, we are overwhelmed with the possibilities of what could happen. The facts may even reveal that the outcome does not look good. But how many of us know that, whenever we are in a fight, the truth of God’s Word always prevails over what the facts may reveal? Our victory in these situations is determined by our willingness to believe and trust in the Word of God.
Our faith in God, and in what God has said, is the deciding factor in whether we win or lose. The logos, or written Word of God, is full of power and full of life. That’s what the writer to the Hebrews was impressing upon first-century believers. The Word of God is actively responsive in our every situation!
When we choose to believe the Word of God, and not waiver in our hearts, that life-changing Word confessed becomes the standard by which we live. We no longer allow any other voice to become the final authority in our lives. By following the Word, we create a new
lifestyle, walking out the Word of God as a way of life. The authority of God’s Word builds up our spiritual being and causes the thoughts of the natural person to become subject to the Word of God. The more we believe and live according to the Word of God, the more
victorious our lives become as we live by faith
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your Word and its power to change the course of my life. Your Word is the most powerful force in my life. Your Word is the most powerful force in my life. I will trust Your leading as I seek to follow You and live by faith. Amen.