There are over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus. He fulfilled all of them. The odds of that happening are staggering. The prophet Isaiah spoke many of those prophecies more than seven hundred years before Jesus came. God wanted His people to know that the Messiah was coming and what they could expect. He was sent to proclaim the Gospel.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:18‬

“ THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,”

Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath and opened the scroll of Isaiah and reads chapter 61. After He finishes reading it, He sits down and tells the congregation that, “Today, this scripture had been fulfilled.” He is going to preach the Gospel, heal the sick and blind, and set the oppressed free. This prophecy by Isaiah, seven hundred years earlier, was fulfilled through the ministry of Jesus Christ.

For 400 years, Israel had been spiritually barren. They hadn’t heard a word from the Lord during that time. Then along comes a man dressed in camel hair, eating locust, and preaching repentance. You would think the people would’ve run from him, but the opposite happened. They were so desperate to hear from God that they traveled great distances to hear him. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus to come.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭3:16

“John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

John the Baptist tells everyone what to expect from the coming Messiah. John brought repentance back to Israel through his preaching and water baptism. It was a symbol of dying to the old life and being brought into a new one. Jesus was coming with a different baptism that would empower all of us to live for Him. John was the one who prepared the way for God’s plan of redemption.

What are you known for? Is it your intelligence? Maybe it is a skill you have honed over the years, and people seek you out when they are in need. As a Christian, you should be known for your love for others. Today we see such a person in Philemon. He had a thousand reasons to be known for something else, but Paul commends him on his love for the church.

‭‭Philemon‬ ‭1:5

“because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;”

Philemon was a wealthy man who loved Jesus and the people of the church. He was known for his care of God’s people, and his reputation had reached Paul. This meant a lot to Paul because Philemon could be focusing his attention elsewhere and directing his resources for other causes. He provides an excellent example for all believers.

Fish stories always seem to reach epic proportions. The fisherman tells how he struggled to reel this massive fish, and just as he is about to bring it into the boat, it breaks free from the hook. You can watch videos on YouTube of people showing off their catch only to have a seal pop out of the water and snag it. Whenever I see these, I always think about the verse in Job, which says, “The Lord gives, and He takes away.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭1:21-22

“He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.”

There were very few people in the Bible as successful in life and as devoted to God as Job. His ranch was big enough for all of his grown children to have their own homes. Satan came to God and made the accusation that Job was only faithful because of his wealth and success. God disagreed but allowed Satan to test Job by destroying everything. Job’s response? “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.”

Most Christians are model citizens wherever they live. They abide by the laws, pay their taxes, and subject themselves to the country’s leadership. That lines up with Scripture. We are to be more than a good citizen. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, we are to show His love to others.

‭‭Titus‬ ‭3:1-2

“Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.”

This is quite the list that Paul gives Titus. At first, you would think that he is telling the church to be good citizens, but it is more than that. Paul is telling Titus for the people of the church to be model Christians. When we follow Jesus, these acts should come out of the overflow of what the Holy Spirit is doing in our hearts. If we are following Jesus, then we should desire to subject ourselves to the rulers because that is what Jesus did. Living under Rome’s rule was easy during His time. He just didn’t let it distract Him from His primary purpose.

As I sit and write this devotional, a good portion of California’s forests are on fire. It has turned all of the skies gray from the ashes. It is dark and gloomy, and the air isn’t too great to breathe. It would be easy to get depressed since our summer days have been taken away. God cares for you no matter what the circumstances are, and He is often closer during the most trying times.

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭34:12‬

“As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day.”

Ezekiel, the prophet, brings encouraging words that the people of Israel weren’t getting from the priests. God would care for people wherever they were scattered. By the time Ezekiel is writing this, the people of Israel have been scattered all over the known world. First, the ten tribes were taken away by Assyria, never to return. Then Babylon came and took the people of Judah, and they are scattered all over that kingdom. God wanted the people to know that He knows who they are, and He is caring for them during this challenging period.

One of the best exercises for our faith is to read the testimonies of the saints from yesteryear. People like D.L. Moody, Charles Spurgeon, Hudson Taylor, and Amy Carmichael have biographies that will move you to tears. To hear how God did the improbable in their lives serves and inspiration for ours today. With God, nothing is impossible.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:37

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

In context, this verse is about the birth of Jesus Christ and of Mary’s cousin Elizabeth being pregnant at a very old age with John the Baptist. The angel is telling Mary that with God, nothing is impossible. She will conceive the Messiah through supernatural means, and a womb long barren has been opened. If God can do this, then He can accomplish anything that needs to happen in your life. Do you believe?

I had a friend tell me a humorous story the other day of an urgent message he had to get to his boss. It involved climbing several flights of stairs, getting knocked over by someone who wasn’t watching where they were going and tripping over a box someone had left in the walkway. The problem was that he was out of shape, and by the time he got to his boss, he was drenched in sweat and panting so hard he couldn’t talk. When he finally got it out, his boss replied, “Oh yeah, I just heard that.” The most important message ever delivered was brought by the Angel Gabriel to a humble teenage girl.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:30-31

“The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.”

The story of Christ’s birth never gets old. It all starts with an Angel visiting a humble teenage girl to give her the most important message ever delivered. She had found favor with God. We are not told why she found favor, but Mary was the one that God chose to bear His Son. She was given specific instructions on what to name Him.

As I write this, riots are happening all over the United States. In most big cities, people are destroying property, setting fires to cars, and inflicting bodily harm on police and innocent people. Most of these rioters are young people who are angry at the world. We do a lot of foolish things when we are young, but the Bible encourages us to be a good example.

‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:6-8

“Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

Everyone has a responsibility in the church. The older men and women are to show self-control and mentor the younger people of the congregation. The younger people are to grow in maturity and show the fruit of that maturity through their actions and words. This benefits not only the person but the community as well. Young people, especially men, are to be a good example to those they come in contact.

In the children’s story Little Red Riding Hood, the antagonist is a wolf that is posing as Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother. Riding Hood’s heart is in the right place. She wants to help her grandma, who was home ill. She is suspicious, and her questions finally expose him. There are a lot of wolves in sheep’s clothing in the church. They look innocent, but underneath they are dangerous.

‭‭Titus‬ ‭1:16

“They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.”

Paul has a lot of experience dealing with deceitful people. He has been burned more times that he wants to recount. As he instructs Titus in the church’s leadership, he tells him to avoid those people who profess to know God, but their actions tell you differently. Their deeds are so detestable that they deny God exists. They are worthless because their words and attitude disqualifies them. The tricky part is that they usually have most people fooled.

I heard a story once of a church that split and went to court over who would keep the church building. As the trial progressed, the true meaning as to why the division happened came to light. One of the Elders was upset because, at a church potluck, a boy sitting next to him got a larger piece of ham than he did! This Elder did not have the heart described in Titus. Elders are to be God’s Steward.

‭‭Titus‬ ‭1:7‬

“For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,”

There are two places in the New Testament where you can find the qualifications of an Elder, 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. The reason for this is that Paul is writing the two men he poured into during his ministry as they become pastors of their own churches. They needed to know how to identify men who would serve as overseers in the church. They are the guidelines that churches are to use today when it comes to raising up elders.

All of us have done those exercises where we have to write our epitaph or choose the words we want on our tombstone. Our teaches do that to make us think about how we want our lives to end to take steps to ensure that happens. What would you write on your tombstone? Paul tells Timothy that he has emerged victorious.

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:7

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;”

In Paul’s final words, he tells Timothy that he is satisfied with the work God used him to accomplish, and although it wasn’t easy, he has emerged victorious because he has kept the faith. All you have to do is read 2 Corinthians 11 to see all that Paul has endured. He kept fighting against the resistance within the church and the attacks of the enemy. He is at the end of his life, knowing full well that he finished well.

Do you remember some of your favorite teachers from school? They were able to hold your attention during class while at the same time letting you know they cared about you. The same can be said for some of your favorite preachers. There are some teachers out there you need to be aware of. They are the ones who are more interested in entertaining than instructing.

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:3

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,”

Paul is telling Timothy that there will come a time when people won’t listen to strong Biblical teaching and will reject Scripture’s sound doctrine because it doesn’t fit their lifestyle. I don’t think that has been more true than in the times we are in. When the church is surveyed, it is always astonishing what people believe the Bible says. God’s Word is both true and without error.

The Apostle Paul tells us multiple times in the New Testament to walk in the Spirit. What does that mean? It means that we are to follow His leading in our daily walk. We are to respond to His conviction and operate in His power. This new 31 day devotional encourages and instructs you on how to do that. Add this to your morning devotions and start your day inspired to be used by God. You can purchase it here or you get it in any ebook format you read here. All of your purchases of our resources help continue the ministry of Daily Walk. I thank you in advance.

When Jesus was on trial before He went to the cross, He had an encounter with the chief priest. He asked Jesus, “Are you the Christ?” and today’s verse was Jesus’ response. Jesus let the chief priest know who He was and what He was going to do. One day Jesus will return.

‭‭Mark‬ ‭14:62

“And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”

The version of the Bible that I’m using for this devotion is the New American Standard. I love how it uses all caps with certain words Jesus spoke. Jesus tells the chief priest that he will see Him sitting at the Father’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven. Those are some powerful words to speak to the chief priest, but they both truthful and prophetic. Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1) and will one day return on the Clouds for His church (1 Thess 4:17). The question is whether we believe it or not?

Several times a month, our church feeds close to 200 families with enough groceries for several days. We have been doing it for over four years, but when COVID hit, the need went through the roof. We started handing out food every Tuesday and on the last Friday of the month. We typically get a line of cars 40-50 lined up down the street. Our incredible team of servants can get them all taken care of in a matter of hours, but it’s about more than the food. It’s about our people being the Salt and Light of Jesus.

‭‭Mark‬ ‭14:7‬

“For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me.”

Sometimes we can be so servant-minded that we miss the presence of the one we truly serve, Jesus. It is essential to feed the hungry and serve the poor, but if we go to them without Jesus, it will just be charity. Jesus addresses this issue with the crowd that was criticizing the woman who anointed Jesus. They said that the oil should’ve been sold and given to the poor. Jesus replies that you will always have the poor, but I won’t always be with you.

Have you heard the story of the dog who waited for his owner to return on the train every day? This faithful dog would meet his owner at the train station every day after work. Sadly, his owner died in the 9/11 Twin Towers tragedy, but it didn’t stop his dog from showing up every evening when the train arrived. He remained faithful for years until he died. Did you know that Jesus stays faithful even when we don’t? God won’t change who He is.

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:11-13

“It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”

By the time Paul is writing this to Timothy, people are dying for their faith. He tells him that if we die for Jesus, we will live with Him in eternity. If we endure the persecution, we will also reign with Him during the millennial reign. Those are promises that Jesus proclaimed and that upon which we can stand. He is faithful and will not forsake His people.

Jesus was questioned by the Sadducees and Scribes right before He went to the cross. The subjects they challenged Him on covered almost every area of the Jewish faith. They were hoping to catch Him is some doctrinal error, but His answers not only answered, but astounded. One of the final questions came from the scribes asking Him the greatest commandment. He gave them two.

‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:30‬

“AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.'”

This command was first given in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy. It is known as the Shema. Jews were to write this on a scroll of paper and then put it into a tiny box and nail it to their house doorpost. It was to remind them of what was most important. Jesus uses this to tells the Jews the greatest commandment. He summarizes the first four commandments into one.

I have a friend who's dad is a retired ironworker. He had built huge buildings and bridges over his career. Just recently, they called him out of retirement to help with a project that had gotten out of control. It was a high rise building four inches out of plumb by...

Were you very good at drawing within the lines? I wasn’t. It not that I was trying to be a rebel; I just had too heavy of a hand on my crayon. I know it is hip today to draw outside the lines because it supposedly expresses creativity. That can get us into trouble in other areas. When we stray outside the lines of doctrine, it gets us in trouble. Paul tells Timothy to follow the pattern.

2 Tim 1:13-14

Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

As the Apostle Paul begins his final letter, he gives some sound advice to his protege, Timothy. He tells him to follow the pattern of sound words he has heard and guard the good deposit the Holy Spirit has installed in him. To follow the sounds words means to stick to the teachings in which he was taught. Timothy followed Paul around for years, and Paul is telling him to follow his example. All of that good teaching needed to be guarded against unsound doctrine.