Devotions

When I was growing up, if I were uncertain about something, my dad would always reply with, “It will put hair on your chest.” His “boomer” way of saying it will make a man out of you. I couldn’t see how eating liver would put hair on my chest, let alone make me a man. As a believer in Jesus Christ, you will go through something they call tribulations. These are intense times of trials that seem to last forever. Fortunately, you have been given peace by Jesus, and your hope does not disappoint when you trust Him.

‭‭ROMANS‬ ‭5:3-5‬

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Chapter five of Romans tells you about the peace you received when you put your faith in Jesus Christ. Because you have that peace, you can endure the tribulations that come into your life. That peace takes your tribulation and produces perseverance and character in your life. Those serve you well as you mature in your faith. So Paul tells us to rejoice in our tribulations because Jesus is doing a work in your life.

There are a few things that I own that I would consider a prized possession. They are family heirlooms or gifts that have been given to me. They

The early months of a baby’s life are precious. Watching them grow is truly one of life’s miracles. What stimulates that growth is a baby eating a diet of their mother’s milk. It is the best thing for them at that stage. New believers need to feed on the Word of God if they are going to grow spiritually.

‭‭1 PETER‬ ‭2:2

“like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,”

So many Christians are satisfied with watered-down or imitation spiritual food. As long as it is entertaining or sweet to their ears, they eat it up. What they don’t see is that they aren’t growing and are spiritually weak. Babies need pure milk to grow healthy, and new believers need the Word of God to grow with respect to salvation. Peter hits it on the head by telling all of the new Christians in the church to feed on the word. He wants them to mature in their faith.

The church I pastor just sold our building and bought a new one after a three-year delay in the project. We had someone come to us wanting to buy our building, and another group comes to us wanting us to buy theirs. It made sense, and God seemed to be behind it until the buyer for our building dropped out. It was a blessing in disguise because COVID came up. Then another buyer popped up, and the process started all over again as we are coming out of quarantine. Waiting on God’s promises is a hard thing to do, but He is always faithful.

‭‭ROMANS‬ ‭4:20‬ ‭

“yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,”

Abraham was a man of faith. He believed in God’s promise to make his descendants as many as the stars in the sky or the sands on the sea. That’s saying something considering he didn’t have his son Isaac until he was 100 years old. Paul tells us in Romans that Abraham never wavered in unbelief but grew strong in faith. Do you have the perseverance to grow strong in faith? Are you willing to wait years for God’s promise to come true? Even more, are you willing to give God the glory while you wait? Abraham was fully convinced that God was able to do what He promised.

Who did you want to be like when you were growing up? Was it an athlete or musician? Maybe it was one of your parents? Whoever it was, you probably emulated their moves and figures of speech. As Christians, God wants you to be like the Holy One, His Son Jesus.

‭‭1 PETER‬ ‭1:14-16

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ” YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.””

Peter was concerned about how the Christians in the early church carried themselves in public. He wanted them to pray for their leaders and submit to their authority. He also wanted them to live as peace with their neighbors as much as possible. At the heart of all that is his desire to see them church strive for holiness. Jesus was holy while He walked the earth and as His disciples they were to do their best to be holy as well. God most predominate characteristic is holiness. Sin cannot exist in the same space because God is holy.

When I plan my days, I find that they tend to go better than those where I don’t. Most of the reason for that is that I get more done, which makes me feel better. However, there is one danger that can make my day go sideways when something interrupts my plans. These are some of the reasons Peter tells you to prepare your mind for action.

‭‭1 PETER‬ ‭1:13

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Most Christians are unaware and unprepared for what faces them when they walk out of their door each day. They are focused on getting to work or whatever needs to be done and are not ready for what Satan throws their way. Peter lets believers know that they need to prepare their minds for action and be aware of what’s going on. Unfortunately, what may seem like a minor distraction can be the enemy’s plan to sidetrack your day and get your mind off of what Jesus wants you to do. I am well aware of this ploy when I commute to work.

Has God ever moved in your spirit to do something? Maybe there been a stirring in your heart for work He wants to do? Don’t be afraid to follow that leading. God is using you to do His work. He has done it through the generations and continues to do so through the church today.

‭‭EXODUS‬ ‭35:21

“Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD’S contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments.”

When Moses got ready to build the tabernacle, he took a freewill offering from amongst the people. He told them if God stirs their heart and their spirit was moved, they could contribute to the tent of meeting and all of the holy utensils. There was no pressure, and it wasn’t a requirement, but the people responded in an incredible way. It got to the point where Bezalel and Oholiab told Moses to ask the people to stop because they had brought more than enough. What a testament to the giving of God’s people. God spoke it, and the people responded.

Most people have multiple options when it comes to health care. They can go to a doctor or hospital when they get sick and be treated by trained

I’ve been to some of the poorest parts of the world. Places where I make more in one day than they make in one year. I’ve been to churches that consist of four walls, a roof, and dusty floors with no electricity or water. It is in these places where I have found the richest and most powerful praise and worship. They praise the Lord with all of their heart.

‭‭PSALMS‬ ‭135:3‬

“Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.”

When you come into the House of the Lord you need to be ready to praise Him. Even before you leave your house you need to prepare your mind and heart to give Jesus all the glory. This is the model that David get forth in the Psalms and it should continue today. Worshipping the Lord is more than singing, but if you can’t sing praises to Him in a church surrounded by people doing the same thing, then you probably aren’t worshipping Him anywhere else.

I met a pastor once who was motivated and charismatic. He had grand plans for his life and how God was going to use him on an international stage. There was only one problem, while he looked the part and had a great personality, he wasn’t very humble. He also wasn’t willing to put the work in where God had him and eventually left the ministry frustrated that no one recognized his potential. Confidence is important, but God is looking for a humble heart.

‭‭JAMES‬ ‭4:10

“Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

There is no more important character trait for Christians than being humble. In a world that screams “promote yourself!” the Bible counters with “humble yourselves and let God exalt you.” This is a struggle for many because they want to be noticed and appreciated, to feel like they matter. For a Christian, humility shows the world “He who is greater in me in greater than he who is in the world.”