25 Thursday Aug 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
Tags
If we never grow up, we will never be able to fend for ourselves. The same goes for our spiritual growth. Hebrews 5:14 says, But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. The more mature we grow spiritually, the more we can distinguish the difference between right and wrong. When we are young we make simple mistakes, but as we grow older, we should not be making the same silly mistakes we made in our youth.
13 Saturday Aug 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
At the end of this letter to Titus, Paul give some final instructions starting with Titus 3:1-2, 1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. Our obedience to God comes first, but after that we are to be subject to those in authority over us. We may not agree with them, but we are obligated by God to obey. More importantly, Paul also reminds us to be Christ-like and to love others and show consideration to all. We are to be a reflection of Christ.
21 Thursday Jul 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
Tags
As we finish the book of Acts, Paul finally made it to Rome and was able to share his experience and the truth about Jesus. Some heard and believed, while others heard and did not believe. In Acts 28:26-27 Paul quotes from the prophet Isaiah 6:9-10, 26 ” ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” 27 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ “ Paul’s example of obedience shows us it is our job to share the gospel of Christ, not to convince people or to judge them if they don’t believe. Only God can change a person’s heart.
16 Saturday Jul 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
In today’s reading we see that life does not have to be fair. Paul remains in prison for over two years, not because of his guilt, but because of politics. God never promised us life would be fair, but He does command us to trust in Him. His plan is perfect and in the end He will be glorified His will be done.
14 Thursday Jul 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
There are times we do all the right things and people still respond poorly to us. In Acts 22 Paul did everything right, but in the end the people chose to believe something else. This is how it is sometimes. We are called to obedience and to love others. It is not our job to force others into submission or to judge them for their lack of faith in the truth. Love God, love others: that is our calling.
06 Wednesday Jul 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
How arrogant are we to ever think that God requires anything from us? God gives to us, not the other way around. In Romans 11:35 Paul says, Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? So many people approach their relationship with God trying to give Him their obedience as payment for salvation. Instead, our obedience is supposed to come as a result of Him giving to us. God requires nothing from us other than our faith and trust in Him.
01 Friday Jul 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
Tags
Doing the right thing is sometimes hard. We all know right from wrong, but sometimes, for various reasons, doing the wrong thing is just easier. In Romans 7:15 even Paul says, I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Without the Holy Spirit working in us, sometimes it is nearly impossible to force ourselves to do the right thing. But through obedience and trust, the Holy Spirit works in us to do the right thing.
23 Thursday Jun 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
Most of us, especially Americans, feel life is not successful unless we get a lot out of it. In today’s reading Paul feels what he puts into life is far more important than what he gets out of it. In Acts 20:24 he says, However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. This life is temporary and we will get very little out of it unless what we put into it is our focus. Nothing is as fulfilling as doing the will of God and knowing it has an eternal impact.
22 Wednesday Jun 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
As we come to the end of the second letter to the Corinthian church, Paul gives them some final instructions in 2 Corinthians 13:11, Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Notice how Paul tells them to “Aim” for perfection. He does not say “BE” perfect. God does not want our perfection, He wants a heart that aims for it. In the process we must realize we are weak and God is the only source of power that can give us the strength we need. We will never be perfect on this side of eternity, but we must never stop striving for it. It is through our striving we seek His strength and His perfect plan for our lives.
15 Wednesday Jun 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
Tags
When we work to alight our lives with God’s purpose and will for our lives, it leads us to repentance of sin that separates us from salvation that bridges the gap. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 7:10, Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. When we allow ourselves to live in sin, and do nothing to resolve it, nothing exists but sorrow. Only through a relationship with God and acknowledgement of our sin do we find true salvation and reconciliation. Let us not find comfort in our sin because nothing good can ever come from it, only separation from God and death.
Daily Devotion 