Daily Devotion - Jeremiah 16:10-11 - DistractionsPeople across the world are “staying home” due to the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. My daughter and I have been home together for the last 17 days or so. I'm trying to work from home and also be “teacher” as I help her with the assignments from her real teacher.As it’s been a season of unexpected change for all of us, my daughter and I are trying to manage as best as we can. I'm also trying to give grace, as we are all navigating this new sense of loss of so many things. I still try to keep her on a routine. It's not perfect, but it gives us both a sense of structure and normalcy in what we are each facing. Part of that routine is spending the earlier parts of the morning doing school work. Her escape has been watching YouTube. Because it gives me time to focus on my work, I've allowed it. That and I recognize that we each take our mental breaks differently.On this particular morning, I was asking her to do some schoolwork and she found a way to complain about every bit of it. I’d spent quality time with God that morning and managed to remain calm during all the whining and hysterics; however, I took her tablet from her, telling her that until she focused on what she needed to do she wasn’t getting it back.She went back to her assignment but was still crying and playing with her fake boot (don’t ask... long story). As I told her that if she didn’t resume working and stop playing with her boot, I was going to take away anything that distracted her. I felt my heart instantly convicted and had to say out loud, “Lord have mercy.” My heart had indeed been convicted.God is a jealous God and doesn’t want anything competing for our attention. I know He’s telling me that He’ll remove anything from my life that is distracting my thoughts from Him. I wonder if this is what this difficult season is about? I know I’ve been learning some lessons in Jeremiah 16, and as I’ve seen how it applies to what we’re experiencing in today’s world, I know there's a portion that talks about God not being willing to share our attention with any other gods.Read Jeremiah 16: 10-11 NIVRead the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-jeremiah-16-10-11-distractions/
Dec 7, 2020
21 min
Daily Devotion - Matthew 10:29-31 - God CaresRead Matthew 10:29-31Concentration ruined his attention jerks toward ear-splitting squawks—and a flash of emerald. Then like a vapor in the wind, they vanish. After intermittent disruptions, he sneaks in for closer inspection. The noisy culprits? Wild parrots.As my son regales me with tales of his crazy bird sightings and the rumors sustaining his theory, I think he must be mistaken. So I google “Wild parrots in California.” Instead of finding no evidence, I find a 1960’s newspaper report of an extensive fire in Bel Air revealing that many panicked residents released their pets to save them. Especially the birds.They seem to be attracted to the palm trees surrounding my son’s office. Maybe their genetic programming propels them to the site since jungles are a bit scarce—at least the tree kind of jungle in Cali. So, the next time we have a patio lunch date, I watch for these abrasively noisy yet fascinating birds. They fly in large flocks yet pair off in twos upon landing. It's apparent even in nature, a need for companionship and special relationships exist. Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.God relishes our company, yet he created us for companionship. So we strive to forge a bond of two, but to secure a bond of three—increases our chance of survival in our fight to soar above life’s storm clouds without a crash. Scripture tells us again and again of God’s love for us, but if you need a human tripod be proactive. Call a friend, volunteer, join a book club, or a bible study to broaden your circle. But if you can’t follow Solomon’s advice during this Covid trial, take heart. If you feel alone in the melee and pushed to the margins of a world spinning backward, don’t despair. Our Lord adores you and watches over you day in and day out. So no matter if you feel more like the drab brown sparrow than the colorful verdant parrot, God loves you more than even those. Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-matthew-10-29-31-god-cares/
Dec 2, 2020
18 min
Daily Devotion - 2 Corinthians 5:7 - Trust in the LightHave you ever driven down a highway at night?I grew up in a very rural part of Western North Carolina. I remember how easy it was to get lost on those country backroads at night. If you didn’t know where you were going, you had no business being on the road after dark.Alone at night on a country highway, the only lights you have comes from the headlights of your car. You can only see about twenty feet ahead of you, which was just enough time to stop if you need to.If there was danger far out ahead of you, there was rarely any warning. You had to trust the light and be prepared. It’s funny because sometimes life is like driving along on one of those country roads on a winter night. You never know what to expect. All you can do is trust the light. I know you want to know what’s coming. I understand things are scary right now and everything is uncertain. But if you knew what was around the corner, you might turn back. Part of living by faith means you have to move without clear evidence. In other words, sometimes you have to go, and trust the Light will show you what you need to know at the right time. Sometimes walking by faith means you have to act on urges or promptings that other people can’t see. You will find yourself in a position where you have to trust the process and not the way things look right now. Trust in the Light for GuidanceIt takes guts to live by faith. It requires you to address your beliefs about what you need to know in life. You come face to face with who you are when you’re under pressure. You can settle for a life of certainty. But certainty can only provide comfort for so long. Eventually, it gets old, and you start seeking novel experiences to add variety to your life. Or you become so fearful of new experiences that you slowly die inside. Jesus didn’t promise his followers certainty in life apart from his presence.When you’re lost and have no idea what to do, trust in the Light to show you where to go.For we live by believing and not seeing. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NLTRead the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-2-corinthians-5-7-trust-in-the-light/
Nov 30, 2020
20 min
Daily Devotion - Choosing Gratitude in a Difficult SeasonThis may be the most unusual Thanksgiving season you’ve experienced. After a year of difficult changes that have affected everyone around the globe, it may be harder than ever to truly be grateful. But with God’s help, we can choose gratitude during Thanksgiving 2020.This year has been a year of losses for many. Lost loved ones, jobs, and health. Lost opportunities to gather, celebrate, and worship. Loss of traditions, belief in institutions, and trust.God knows our losses. He has been close to you when you suffered, whether you felt it or not. He collected every one of your tears in 2020 (Psalm 56:8) because you are precious to him.But it is His will for you to give thanks in all circumstances, even the ones that are unusual and difficult.Why is giving thanks God’s will for you? This directive in 1 Thessalonians 5 is part of a list of traits for Christian living. Paul writes that as Christians, we are to be sanctified (set apart and made holy) for God’s glory.Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESVWhen we act in ways that are contrary to the world, relying on the Holy Spirit to empower us, we demonstrate that we are different from everyone else. Our gratitude in 2020 can speak volumes to the unbelieving world. It can be your most powerful way to witness this Thanksgiving.Take a few minutes to reflect on the losses you experienced this year, no matter how small. What did they teach you about God? About yourself? About the way God wants you to live? Can you find a reason to be thankful, despite the difficulty you faced?You can choose gratitude in this difficult season too. Invite the Lord into your reflection time. Ask him to help you see areas where you have been stretched for his glory. Name the reasons you are thankful for what you learned in 2020, in spite of all the difficulties.And be sure to tell someone what you’re thankful for. You just may inspire someone to learn more about Jesus this Thanksgiving, due to your gratitude.Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-choosing-gratitude-in-a-difficult-season
Nov 25, 2020
19 min
Daily Devotion - Hebrews 11:1 - A Call to Persevere in FaithThere are times when we all need a little encouragement. The pressures of life are real, none of us are immune, and on occasions, we can feel weary or discouraged. Encouragement is defined as giving someone the courage and confidence to do something. This is often thought to be with kind and supportive words, or maybe even practical help, which are all a blessing. But true encouragement, or exhortation, is found by drawing closer to God. It is there that we find our ever-present help, our refuge, and our strength. Let us build ourselves up ‘in the faith,’ with the courage and confidence to trust in God, through times of great need. One way of strengthening our faith is by remembering all that God has done for us – to remind ourselves of His faithfulness.The scripture reading today is a call to draw near to God and to keep on persevering in faith, through remembrance of the reconciling work of Jesus.We have been given this boldness and confidence to approach God, through faith in Jesus Christ. He has made the way, by His death and resurrection, for us to be reconciled to God. We can come to an approachable and relational God, who is attentive to us, because of Jesus’ sacrifice. In the Old Testament, the sprinkling of water was used as a symbolic and ritual act of cleansing in the Temple. The imagery here, though, is of our hearts being sprinkled, that by faith we are cleansed from sin, and all guilt removed. We no longer have a guilty conscience; we are free from condemnation. There is no arrogance in full assurance of righteousness, when it is founded in faith, from believing in Jesus’ all-sufficient sacrifice.In the New Testament baptism closely followed conversion – the decision to believe and become a follower of Jesus. We follow that pattern, believing in the symbolism that baptism depicts, that through faith we are united with Christ through his death and resurrection. The power of sin over our lives has been broken.“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIVRead the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-hebrews-11-1-a-call-to-persevere-in-faith/
Nov 23, 2020
24 min
Daily Devotion - Hebrews 13:1-2 - Whose Life Matters?Ever felt like the odd man or woman out? You know, the person who no one notices or sees? The one who’s alone in a crowd? Maybe even the one who’s shunned or even jeered?That was me during my growing-up years. I was the kid who was shunned by the “cool” crowd. I was the kid who nobody wanted on their baseball team. I was the boy who not only couldn’t get the girl—but was picked on by the girls!In other words: I didn’t matter.That’s exactly why Paul was so special. He was handsome, smart, and popular—a “most-likely-to-succeed” type. And yet he noticed me. He befriended me. He listened to me. He treated me with respect. He refused to count me as a “reject” like many of my other high school peers.To him, I was definitely someone who did matter.All Around Us are Lives that MatterAll around us are people whose lives “matter” yet are never noticed. They file in and out (or drift from church to church) every week without anyone acknowledging them. They carry hurts; they carry sorrows; they carry fears. They also carry God’s heart, God’s calling, and God’s anointing. And yet they may never be released from their darkness and into their calling. Why? Because we’re too busy with our own agendas, our own circle of friends, and our own world to notice them.Let People Know They MatterIt was through Paul. It was through other Jesus-followers like him whose paths I crossed as a young college student. To these dear saints, Jesus wasn’t a religion. He was their life. And because He mattered to them, I mattered to them. Because of them, I am where I am today.Next time you go to church, find the person who wouldn’t normally “matter” to you. Seek him or her out. Go out of your way to greet them—not at the “scheduled time in the service,” but spontaneously. Ask their name. Ask a non-threatening question or two. Heck just smile at them!Let them know they matter.And hey, why stop with church? Let your neighbor know he or she matters. Let your co-worker who may not look or think like you know they matter.Because when you come right down to it, every life matters.Read Hebrews 13:1-2Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-hebrews-13-1-2-whose-life-matters/
Nov 18, 2020
23 min
Daily Devotion - Psalm 73:28 - God’s Presence Is My Good“But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all you do.” (Psalm 73:28 CSB)When life gets difficult, it is quite easy to slip into a negative cycle of thinking, viewing ourselves as victims and our life as a series of bad events. When a tragedy darkens our world and casts a black shadow on our future, it is tempting to become blind for the good in our life.In moments like that, when I feel my life devoid of any good, struggling to go on through the day, the last words of Psalm 73 breathe fresh hope and help me shift my perspective: “But as for me, God’s presence is my good.”God’s presence is my good. On one side there is the devastating loss, the uncertain future, the hard days full of overwhelming grief and pain, and the stressful transition to another kind of life – a life that I don’t want nor I would have chosen for myself. And on the other side is God’s presence and this is my good that nothing and nobody can take away from me. God’s presence with me and in me is all that matters. It means that I am loved all the time and for eternity. I can rest, I can stop striving, I can stop worrying, I lack nothing because He is my Shepherd.God’s presence means comfort and security. By His indwelling, the Holy Spirit comforts us in all our troubles. There is nothing that compares to the comfort of God. In fact, Jesus said blessed are those who mourn because of the comfort they will receive from Him. (Matthew 5:4) God comforts us by the truths in His eternal Word that stands forever and by His promises for a glorious future incomparable to our present troubles. His comforting presence imparts fresh revelation and brings healing to every wound no matter how deep it is.God’s presence brings joy and peace too. Yes, it is possible to feel simultaneously sorrow and joy, doubt and confidence, anxiety and peace. This is the paradox of living life in the flesh on this earth. Peace and joy in the Lord are not just fleeting emotions, they are deeply rooted confidence in the goodness and love of God, and His purpose and plan for our lives.Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-psalm-73-28-gods-presence-is-my-good/
Nov 16, 2020
21 min
Daily Devotion - Romans 5:8 - Easily Loving OthersLoving others can often seem challenging or downright impossible some days. From attitudes, lifestyles, or blatant bad choices, loving others can be incredibly difficult.Jesus Loved OthersBut when I read about Jesus' life, I am reminded that He kept it simple. However, simple doesn't always mean easy, but He is such a perfect example.Think of how He lived. Jesus lived in service to others. Our service often shows our love. Jesus loved us to the point of giving His life for us, even while we were still sinners.This is the simple part; Jesus loved us even though we didn't have it all together. He didn't die just for the people that cleaned up their act or lived right. He died for sinners, while they were still sinners. He didn't shout at the men that hung Him on the cross. He didn't name and number their transgressions. Instead, He asked His father to forgive them.Loving Others Is Rarely EasySimple, but not always easy. As followers of Christ, we are called to love others. We see this command in the scripture several times over. Love others. But what if they... what about... but remember when...Except, that isn't the language of Jesus. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." - Luke 23:34 NLTJesus' grace and mercy covers you, even when you do not know what you are doing. Even when you sin. He is beckoning you to love others sacrificially and without recording their wrongs for His review. He didn't even record their wrongs for His own review.Today, I challenge you to serve someone you wouldn't normally. Serve someone difficult in your life. Choose an act of kindness, an act of love, an act of worship, and bless someone that is difficult. Ask Jesus to guide you to the person and to the service, and honor Him in this simple, but not always easy, way."But God showed us his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8 NLTRead the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-romans-5-8-loving-others/
Nov 11, 2020
21 min
Daily Devotion - James 1:2-4 - Joy in the Trials"Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4 HCSBIn the book of James, he says, "WHEN" we face trials, not IF we face trials. In other words, we will face trials during our lifetime. We have all endured trials. Some of us are enduring trials right now.Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. We will all have trials again, and again.When we do face trials, James says we should count it all joy. When our world is upside down in suffering and pain, this idea seems crazy to our human mind and body. But true joy does not stem from our circumstances, but rather from our trust and relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. James is not saying we have to pretend there is no pain in the trial. But, he is saying we should practice patience in action and look for the positives in the situation.What is God revealing in the situation?Many times God is trying to teach us something specific through our trials:We can learn and nurture patience through trials.We can realize our true character under pressureWe can grow in our faith. We can learn to nurture our time with God.We can cultivate a stronger prayer life.God can reach and teach others through our trials. Think about Paul’s time in prison. In 2 Corinthians, Paul reminds us of how he endured the hardship of being in prison. He took that bad situation and made it good. He made it for God’s glory. Paul looked beyond his trial and beyond himself. He saw the prison guards despair. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, he sang praises to God. He encouraged the guards and shared the gospel. He led them to Jesus! That is counting it all joy in action, my friends.Let’s count our joys and always reflect our Light.Like Paul, we should look for ways to demonstrate our faith regardless of our circumstances. We are lights for Jesus. There is a testimony within our trials.Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-james-1-2-4-joy-in-the-trials/
Nov 9, 2020
21 min
Daily Devotion -Proverbs 16:3 - Divine AppointmentsHave you ever made plans only to have them changed into something better than you could have imagined in your wildest dreams? A day after my daughter turned five, she asked to go to Elmo’s World, known to the rest of us as Sesame Place, for her sixth birthday. In case you haven’t picked up on it by now, my daughter got her planning gene from me. The truth is, we both can plan for things years in advance.Throughout the course of the year, she reminded me that for her sixth birthday she wanted a trip to Elmo’s World. So, when we were a few months out, I started planning the logistics. I bought tickets for a set date and then began figuring out how to get there as I don’t like long drives.A few weeks before my daughter’s big day, I noticed online that tickets were now cheaper than what I’d pay for them. There was also another reason I needed to change them. I called the box office, even though I knew I’d purchased non-refundable tickets. I laughed and talked with the young woman who’d answered, and despite the non-refundable clause on my tickets, she gave me the better price.On the day of the party, I took an Uber for the first time. I don’t like new adventures, so I planned for several days in advance how to take my first Uber. It was a fifteen-minute drive from the train stop in New Jersey to Sesame Place. The Uber driver was friendly and open, sharing things that I usually never share with strangers. But as I listened to her discuss her life, I opened up and shared some very personal experiences and lessons I'd learned the hard way.When I was about to leave the car, I asked if I could pray for her. By the time I was finished, we were both in tears.Upon walking into Sesame Place, I knew I’d just had a divine appointment, one only God could have arranged. Sometimes our divine appointments are for others to help us. Sometimes they’re for us to help others.Let us not miss those blessings because we’re too self-focused or angry because things didn’t work out as we’d originally planned.Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 NIVRead the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-proverbs-16-3-divine-appointments-2/
Nov 4, 2020
18 min
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