Devotions

Have you noticed that people’s morals and language have taken a downward trajectory over the last few years? Language has become more angry and insulting, and people’s focus has turned toward inward pleasures. We now live in a time where divisiveness and conflict are the norm. A disciple of Jesus Christ is called to live differently.

‭‭EPHESIANS‬ ‭5:3-4

“But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”

The Apostle Paul had been all over the known Roman Empire. He had seen different cultures and behaviors. He has to remind Christians that they are not to emulate the culture. They are to stay away from immorality and impurity, prevalent in places like Ephesus and Corinth. Worshipping at the Roman & Greek Temples often included sleeping with a temple prostitute. Living for Jesus made you stick out like a sore thumb in these places.

No one will argue the importance of teachers in the lives of children. They pour into the children of a nation, teaching the basics necessary to become an adult. Most families emphasize education. Often we diminish the importance of learning Scripture. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, your heart needs to plead, “Teach Me Your Way Lord.”

‭‭PSALMS‬ ‭86:11-12

“Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.”

A recurring theme in the book of Psalms is “Teach me your ways.” The Psalmist signaled to God that they wanted to learn God’s lessons. The Psalmist asks God to teach him how to walk in truth and glorify His name. David was famous for having this heart. He wanted to learn from God and grow closer to Him. We need to replicate this model in our lives and churches. In a world where everyone wants to be an expert, we need more disciples begging God to teach them His ways.

My wife has been a thrift store shopper since I met her. She can find expensive, well-made clothes for just a few dollars. Now she has my oldest daughter hooked, and they often go shopping together. When they get home, they want to show me all of their new finds and tell me how much they spent. Choosing to follow Jesus is putting on a new life.

‭‭EPHESIANS‬ ‭4:22-24

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

You receive a new life when you put your faith in Jesus Christ. You have to take off the old one to put on that new life. It’s much like putting on a clean outfit and taking off the old dirty one, except this new outfit comes with more than any of your others. When you put on the new life, you are filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ righteousness is deposited into your heart, and you start the transformation of looking more like Jesus. Only Jesus offers this.

All of us have that loud relative that says what everyone is thinking. They liven up family parties and often spark controversy. Jesus had a cousin like that, John the Baptist. People thought he was crazy by how he dressed, and he never shied away from confrontation. God used him to be a voice in the wilderness and to prepare the way for Jesus. He declared that the Messiah had come. Point people to the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.

‭‭JOHN‬ ‭1:29

“The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Jesus went by many names. His favorite to refer to himself as “Son of Man.” Here, John the Baptist proclaims in front of everyone, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” To the Jewish people, the correlation of a sacrificial lamb given for the sin offering and Jesus might have been odd. John was declaring what Jesus’ primary role was going to be on earth, the perfect sacrifice to take away everyone’s sins. Jesus’ primary purpose wasn’t to be a moral teacher or a champion for the poor. He did all of those, but He came to die on the cross to appease God’s wrath.

Imagine inventing this incredible product that changes millions of lives for the good. It’s hailed as revolutionary, stores can’t keep it on the shelves, and Amazon can’t deliver it in two days. Your face would be on social media feed, and people would be begging for you to come on their TV show, podcast, or YouTube channel. Jesus created the world, came as a light for lost people, and the world did not know Him. He is able to enlighten your life.

‭‭JOHN‬ ‭1:9‬-10

There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.

Some asked if John the Baptist was the Messiah. He had a fiery personality and was willing to stand up to Herod. The Apostle John sets the record straight by saying he was not the light but came to testify to the light. There was a light that came into the world to enlighten your life. That was Jesus Christ. Sadly, the world doesn’t know Him. The solution to every problem people have is being ignored by those who need it most.

What does it take to really change? It doesn’t matter what you want to change. There are some principles that need to be in place for permanent change to take place. First and foremost, it starts with your heart. You’ve got to be willing to sacrifice temporary pleasure to see new habits formed. For the disciple, it starts with surrendering your heart to Jesus Christ. Stop striving and let the Spirit do His work.

‭‭GENESIS‬ ‭32:28

“He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.”

Jacob gets his name changed by the Angel of the Lord, which is pre-incarnate Jesus. He goes from being called a “scoundrel,” which is what Jacob means, to Israel, which means “contend” or one who strives with God. Of course, this is where the nation of Israel got its name, from the father of the twelve tribes. Jacob had the strength to strive with God throughout the whole night, and he had striven with his Uncle Laban for years to marry the woman he loved and get a start for his young family.

What makes some people accomplish great things for God, while most people fall short of what is possible? Some might say it is faith, while others argue that it is talent. The Apostle Paul presents another option. Are you thinking too small for a God who can do more than you can dream?

‭‭EPHESIANS‬ ‭3:20

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,”

Look at how Paul combines the words “able to do far more abundantly beyond.” He is trying to convey God’s ability in a way that we can understand. We can’t possibly ask or even think more than what God can do. Ponder that for just a second. God’s power is infinite, and He has placed that inside of you. While you can use it like a magic wand, you can ask the Holy Spirit to activate it for the purposes of the Kingdom.

In old western movies, the good guy had what they called a silver bullet. It was a magical solution to cure everything. That has become a figure of speech for an easy solution to solve a problem. They often call a medical solution or miracle drug that because it’s all you need. The Bible tells us that the Lord is all that you need.

‭‭PSALMS‬ ‭84:11

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
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This verse is packed with incredible promises! First, the Psalmist says the Lord is your sun and shield. The sun brings both light and life. Without sunlight, nothing would live or grow. The Lord is also your shield. He protects you from the fiery darts of the enemy. (Eph 6) Second, the Lord gives grace and glory. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve. God loves to give gifts to His undeserving children. Finally, the Lord doesn’t withhold from those who walk uprightly. If you have a heart after Him and obey His commandments, he showers you with good things.