Category: Devotional

Feet to the Gospel

The Gospel takes feet for it to get out. Isaiah tells us that those who take the Gospel spread the beauty of Christ. The church needs to mobilize and put feet to the Gospel by being the light of the world. When we bring the Gospel, it spreads peace and good tidings. The world needs this more than anything. We are the delivery system.

Isaiah 52:7
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Jesus Started It
Isaiah is talking about Jesus here. He brought the good news (Gospel), proclaimed peace and salvation, and encouraged his followers with glad tidings. The Gospel is a beautiful thing. Jesus opened up a new avenue for us to come to God. We can live for eternity because of the salvation he brought.

Wait Upon the Lord

“Patience is a virtue.” That is what my grandma and mother used to tell me all the time. It was wise counsel that I had a hard time taking because I like to get things done quickly and efficiently. My frustration level rises when I have to wait, and I am not a happy camper. Fortunately for us, God is not as impatient as we are. He chooses to wait so he can be gracious, show us mercy, and most of all, be exalted in our lives. We need to learn how to wait upon the Lord to receive these.

Jesus Provides the Way

Our world is becoming a place where people don’t like disagreement. They don’t want to listen to another point of view, and anyone who disagrees is seen as an enemy. This makes it hard to do the right thing if you know someone is going to be upset. Jeremiah was a person who did the right thing, and God took care of him. When you choose to do the same, Jesus provides the way.

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭39:18

“Indeed, I will certainly deliver you so that you do not fall by the sword. Because you have trusted in me, you will retain your life like the spoils of war. This is the Lord’s declaration.’

This verse is a Word from the Lord that Jeremiah gives to Embed-Melech, who saved his life. Jeremiah was put into a cistern by the king. He sunk up to his knees in mud. Embed-Melech found a bunch of old sheets and made ropes out of them to lift Jeremiah out of the miry clay. When Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem, he took everyone captive back to Babylon, but people like Jeremiah and Embed were saved. Jeremiah told Embed that God would deliver him and he would retain his life.

Motivated by Love

I walked by a store the other day that had a large sign in the window that said, “Love is Love is Love.” I get what they are trying to say, but it’s not true. Love is applied to many things, but I don’t love ice cream the way I love my wife. As Christians,…

Patient With You

Have you ever gotten impatient with God? Did you think that His timing is slower than you would prefer? Maybe God is not being slow to respond; instead, He is being patient so that his entire plan would come to fruition. When we learn to trust Christ’s process, we also learn patience along the way. God…

Walking in the Truth

Let’s be honest. It’s easier to tell others what they want to hear than to be honest. We are afraid to hurt their feelings, and telling the truth can make us uncomfortable if we are honest. Dishonesty was an issue in the early church, as it is today. Paul encourages us to be honest with…

Refresh the Hearts of Others

One of the best acts we can do is refresh the heart of others. You can never fully know the struggles and pain people are enduring. When we come to encourage and strengthen them, it brings a breath of fresh air to their heavy hearts. A simple act of helping them complete a task can…

Resist the Devil

I’ll be honest. Most Christians are clueless about the spiritual warfare that goes on in the heavenlies. They are surprised when they come under attack. In their mind, good people should be left alone, and only those who are really bad should have to deal with demons. James is very clear that we should resist…

Gifts of the Spirit

The gifts of the Spirit are a facet of our faith that needs to be exercised. Paul clearly states that the Holy Spirit gives us gifts meant to build up the body of Christ. Each believer is given certain gifts. They aren’t for our benefit but the edification of others. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 To each…

Boast In the Lord

As I watch my children play basketball, I am surprised by some of the players’ bravado. They make a simple shot, and they have to motion to the bench and bleachers how good they are. You could blame the kids for imitating the pros, but that is too easy. It is in our human nature to brag about ourselves. As a follower of Jesus, we need to Boast in the Lord.

‭‭2 CORINTHIANS‬ ‭10:17-18

“But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.”

The Corinthians were full of themselves and would often tell people about it. The culture was vain, with physical appearance and wealth more important than character or integrity. Unfortunately, this carried into the church, and they were constantly criticizing Paul for his unsightly looks and boring speaking skills. They boasted about how their appearances made them better than Paul. Then he let them have it. He tells them he could brag about all he has done and endured, but he chooses to boast of what the Lord has done.