[Jesus said] “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
John 3:14,15

Cast Your Eyes on Jesus!

Daily Devotion – May 30, 2024

Devotion based on John 3:14,15

See series: Devotions

Things didn’t go as planned when God rescued his Old Testament people from their slavery in Egypt and promised to settle them in a land flowing with milk and honey. But that change of plans wasn’t God’s fault; it was entirely the fault of his stubborn people, who refused to trust him. As the situation deteriorated—and the people began to complain angrily against God and his servant Moses—the Lord sent venomous snakes among them to teach them an important lesson.

But while some of the Israelites died from poisonous bites, the lesson God wanted to teach them wasn’t so much about his punishment for stubborn wrongdoing. He wanted to teach them about his love, forgiveness, and salvation. So when the people cried out for mercy, what did God do? He sent them a savior! He told Moses to fashion a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole. The Lord told him that “anyone who is bitten can look at it and live” (Numbers 21:8). And as he always does, God kept his promise. “Cast your eyes on the bronze snake and you will live!”

We may never be bitten by a snake, but each one of us is snake-bitten by our sin. From the moment we took our first breaths, our brokenness has been our faithful but deadly companion. Left to ourselves, we could never escape sin’s poisonous and deadly venom.

Enter Jesus, the world’s only Savior from sin and death. Jesus explained how God showed his love by sending him. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” In other words, while our sin is indeed deadly—and we’re unable to save ourselves from its consequences—our Savior God has sent his Son to do what we could never do, to give us life and salvation forever.

What do you and I need to do? Absolutely nothing. Cast your eyes on Jesus! Trust him. He saves.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me cast my eyes on you and to trust you for all things now and forever. Amen.

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”
John 3:4,5

God’s Hidden, Saving Power

Daily Devotion – May 28, 2024

Devotion based on John 3:4,5

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Jesus had told his visitor Nicodemus that he needed to be born again to see the kingdom of God, that is, to see and understand how God works and rules in our broken lives to save us forever. The problem was Nicodemus didn’t understand. Born again? “How can someone be born when they are old?” he scoffed. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

It’s no wonder he reacted the way he did. How else can a person be “reborn”? Like us, Nicodemus naturally figured that God always works and saves in ways we can see with our eyes. His kingdom is certainly visible, right?

In some ways, yes. The psalmist David once marveled, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge” (Psalm 19:1,2). In other words, we can certainly see God’s kingdom—his ruling power—in the vast, starry heavens. We can feel God’s kingdom in raging winds and blustery storms. We can spot God’s kingdom when a tiny seedling explodes into a flowery burst of color.

But God works most powerfully in ways we can’t see with our eyes. Take baptism, for instance. It’s a splash of water and a few simple words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Yet that combination works the forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and bestows eternal salvation on all who believe its promise!

Jesus explained, “no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” He was pointing specifically to the hidden power of baptism, but he had an even greater lesson in mind: God works powerfully to save us in ways our eyes can’t fathom.

What’s left for us to do? Nothing. Just trust him.

Prayer:
Jesus, remind me daily how powerfully you’re working to save me in ways I simply can’t see. Amen.

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.
Romans 8:15

No More Slavery to Fear

Daily Devotion – May 26, 2024

Devotion based on Romans 8:15

See series: Devotions

An Oscar-winning film, “The King’s Speech” is based on the true story of Albert Windsor, a shy, stammering member of the British royal family. Albert had a severe stammering problem all his life, and the very idea of giving a speech in public filled him with terror. Then, the unthinkable happened. His older brother, the King, abdicated his throne in the 1930s. Albert was the next in line. Duty demanded that he accept the crown. Not long after, World War II broke out. Suddenly, the stammering man who feared public speaking more than anything had to give a radio speech broadcast to millions of people.

By a seeming miracle, he did it. In fact, he did it with hardly a stammer. The secret was his speech therapist. Over time, his speech therapist had removed much of Albert’s fear of public speaking. When the paralyzing fear left, Albert was able to do what needed to be done.

The day the Holy Spirit brought you to faith in Jesus was the day you didn’t have to be afraid anymore. But the devil hopes you won’t remember that. Satan hopes that you’ll still stay paralyzed in your old fears, your old guilt, your old regrets, your dark memories of past failures. After all, if he can get you to forget what you have in Christ, he’s won the battle for the day.

Today, give the devil a bad day. Remember the forgiveness you possess in the Son of God. Stop and recall that you are a child in God’s family by faith. Take your old fear and have it washed away in the blood of the Lamb.

When you do, you can live free of the old slavery to fear. And fluently with your life, you can do some of the wonderful things God desires for you to do.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, apart from you I am afraid. In you, however, I have nothing to fear. Empower me by your Spirit to remember that. Use me to do your good work. Amen.

“We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Acts 2:11-13

The Wonders of God

Daily Devotion – May 24, 2024

Devotion based on Acts 2:11-13

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If you’ve ever walked through a busy international airport terminal, you’ve been bombarded with the discord of multiple foreign languages. The words you cannot understand sound like gibberish. And when you hear your native tongue, it is a welcome relief.

Foreigners crowded the streets and temple in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Harvest. Different languages and dialects filled the air. Suddenly, those foreigners could understand someone speaking to them in their language.

It was amazing to hear their own language. It was also perplexing because the ones speaking were from Israel, not from all over the ancient world. But what was truly refreshing was the message they heard. The disciples of Jesus were declaring the wonders of God. They shared the good news of God sending the Messiah, Jesus Christ, into the world. They spoke of the many proofs of Jesus’ divinity, culminating with his death and resurrection from the grave.

As is always the case, though, there were some who rejected this message. It was gibberish to them, and they excused this miraculous event as drunkenness.

There will always be some who reject the wonders of God. Without the Holy Spirit, those words will always be gibberish. But there will be others who hear the wonders of God and to them, there is no greater relief or comfort. The Holy Spirit comforts them with the message of the forgiveness of sins. The Spirit reassures them of God’s grace and love for them. The Spirit helps them to delight in God’s law and commands. They never tire of hearing of God’s wonders.

When you hear the wonders of God, may they be a welcome relief to you. May you find comfort and reassurance in Jesus—the Savior from your sin.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, come and make known the wonders of God to me. Help me always to delight in your Word and work. Amen.

[Jesus said] “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”
John 15:26,27

The Spirit of Truth

Daily Devotion – May 22, 2024

Devotion based on John 15:26,27

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When you look at a photograph of yourself, you flash back to that moment in time. One feature of storing photos digitally is you can get an automatic flashback notification on your phone. For example, Amazon Photos or Google Storage will show you pictures you took a year ago, five years ago, or however long it’s been. You can relive that day through the pictures you took.

On the Day of Pentecost, Jesus’ disciples had a flashback. Jesus had promised his disciples that he would send them the Advocate, a helper. This Advocate was the Holy Spirit, who came upon the disciples in power on Pentecost. They remembered that Jesus had promised to do this for them.

Jesus had also told the disciples what the Holy Spirit would do. He would testify about Jesus. And the Spirit would help the disciples to do the very same thing. With the help of the Spirit, the disciples recalled the life of Jesus, the words he spoke, and the deeds he did. Guided by the Spirit, they wrote about Jesus and his teachings. These writings make up the New Testament of the Bible. They testify about Jesus.

It’s always interesting looking at a photo with others who were also in the picture. You remember different things, different details. You help each other to fill in the memory blanks.

The Holy Spirit would make sure the disciples would record and remember everything about Jesus’ life we needed to know. They testify so “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

Because Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, we can be sure that God’s Word is the truth. We can be sure that the same Holy Spirit will work through that Word to create and strengthen faith, to forgive sins, and to give new life.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit on the disciples. Help me to trust the testimony written about you in the Bible. Amen.

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
Ezekiel 37:9,10

The Word of Life

Daily Devotion – May 20, 2024

Devotion based on Ezekiel 37:9,10

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This chapter of the book of Ezekiel sounds like a spooky story. The Spirit of God leads the prophet Ezekiel to a valley of dry bones. But these aren’t animal bones; they’re human bones. Femurs, rib cages, vertebrae, and skulls—these bones were lifeless and dry.

What happened to these people? What caused them to become a lifeless valley of bones? Unlike our spooky stories, there was no fast-spreading, deadly virus. It was neither a magical incantation nor a catastrophic natural disaster. No, the reason for this death was sin.

Sin is so powerful that it makes people spiritually dead. All of us come into this world spiritually dead. We are dry bones. And dead, dry bones can do nothing. Ezekiel could have walked up and down that valley for 100 years, and those bones never would have shown any signs of life.

But God intervenes. He tells Ezekiel to speak. But not just any words—no, God gives Ezekiel the words to say. And the faithful prophet carries out his work. He speaks the Word of the Lord. Bones come together. Flesh comes onto bones, but the bodies are still lifeless until God commands Ezekiel to call breath into them. And miraculously, those once dry bones become a living, breathing people, a vast army.

In a similar fashion, the only thing that can save us from spiritual death is the Word of the Lord. The Word is powerful, even more powerful than sin and death. Through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit attaches bone to bone. He puts flesh on the bones and breathes life into us. God’s Word is the Word of Life.

God wants us to hear and use his Word so that we can see how much he loves and cares for his people. He doesn’t want us to remain a valley of dry bones. He wants to give us life.

Prayer:
Dear God, cause me to hear and speak your Word. Amen.

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:59,60

Have the Strength of Stephen

Daily Devotion – May 18, 2024

Devotion based on Acts 7:59,60

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Stephen has the distinction of being the first Christian martyr. Illegally arrested, tried, and convicted by enemies of the Christian Church, Stephen was dragged outside the city of Jerusalem and pummeled with stones until he died.

Wouldn’t you like to be like Stephen? I’m not suggesting that any of us would revel in the idea of facing injustice, pain, and death. What I am suggesting is that any of us would revel in the idea of facing injustice, pain and death with the kind of strength Stephen displayed: “While they were stoning him…” While the stones bruised and cut his flesh, Stephen prayed for those throwing the stones. What did he pray? He prayed that Jesus would forgive them.

Whom do you have to forgive? Is it a relative, friend, or neighbor? Is it a teacher, student, or co-worker? Are you thinking, “I can’t forgive him for that?” What has the person done that is worse than stoning you to death? Stephen could forgive because he knew he had been forgiven. He knew he was no more deserving of God’s forgiveness than the men killing him were. And he knew he didn’t need to get even with them. It was in Jesus’ hands. He could trust Jesus to do what was right and just.

You have that same security. You don’t have to hold on to those grudges and that anger. Jesus is alive and well. Easter assures you of this. You can forgive those who have sinned against you, knowing that Jesus has forgiven you. You can forgive those who have sinned against you, knowing he is perfectly capable of doing what is just and right for those who have hurt you.

Wouldn’t you like to be like Stephen—strong enough to stand firm when persecuted and forgive those who persecute you? You are like Stephen. You have the same living Lord he had. And Jesus will give you the strength you need.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I come to you in prayer because I know you are alive and ruling all things. Grant me the strength you gave your servant Stephen that I may stand firm against those who oppose you and that I may forgive those who hurt me. Amen.

When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at [Stephen]. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Acts 7:54-56

Showing Us He’s in Control

Daily Devotion – May 16, 2024

Devotion based on Acts 7:54-56

See series: Devotions

What is your favorite way to picture Jesus? Is it baby Jesus lying in a manger? Miraculous Jesus walking on water? Loving Jesus sacrificing his life on the cross? Victorious Jesus exiting a tomb? Many biblical pictures of Jesus may bring us comfort at various times of our lives. When I am troubled by my sins, the image of Christ paying the price on the cross brings relief. When I’m attending a funeral, Jesus walking out of the tomb helps to dry the tears. But what about when you’re being persecuted? What Jesus do you want to see when your co-worker gives you the jab of being a Jesus freak? When your Easter Instagram or Facebook post gets a nasty comment? When your relatives are “furious” or “gnash their teeth” at you because of your religious convictions. What Jesus do you want to see, then?

We may not find it very comforting to picture a swaddled baby when we’re being attacked for our faith. But King Jesus? Well, that’s a different story. And that’s a picture the Bible gives us of Jesus right now. Right now, Jesus is “standing at the right hand of God.” Right now, Jesus is in a position of authority, ruling all things for your benefit. Right now, Jesus has every enemy of his people under his feet. When we feel we are being overcome by this broken world, remember what Jesus showed Stephen: he is in control. May that truth reign in your heart.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 695)
Take my heart it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne. Amen.

The Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables . . . [We] will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
Acts 6:1,2,4

Dedication to God’s Word

Daily Devotion – May 14, 2024

Devotion based on Acts 6:1,2,4

See series: Devotions

“The devil can’t affect our teaching, but he can affect our relationships.” That’s what one veteran Christian said as tensions were beginning to boil at a congregational meeting. He understood that personality wedges between people can cause the collapse of a group of Christians. It’s a great tool for the devil to employ. Knowing that God’s will is for Christians to encourage one another as they gather together regularly, it’s no surprise then that the devil would set his sights on people. When they’re bickering or complaining against each other, they’re less likely to encourage one another with the promises of God’s Word.

So what’s the solution when there are complaints among God’s people? What’s the solution when there is bickering between believers? Should we just “get over it”? No. Should we set up mediators who listen to each side and declare the “winner”? No. Oh, don’t get me wrong. Turning the other cheek and Christian mediation can be God-pleasing solutions. But they aren’t the first solution.

There is one place to turn. The more people complain and bicker, the more we need to turn our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word. It sounds so cliché, “Having problems? Read your Bible.” It’s anything but cliché. Only in the Word will we find the motivation to love and forgive one another, just as in Christ, God forgave us. In the Word, we find the motivation to speak well of another and not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths. Only through the Word will we be led to serve others instead of wanting to be served first.

Granted, it’s difficult to turn to God’s Word when we’re turning against our neighbors. But God hasn’t left you to do this alone. In his grace, he provides godly leaders who devote themselves to the Word and prayer so that they, in turn, can redirect us there. What a blessing!

Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 695)
Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. Amen.

[Jesus prayed] “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”
John 17:14,15

The Heavenly Father Protects You

Daily Devotion – May 12, 2024

Devotion based on John 17:14,15

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The world is not our home. Heaven is our home. Jesus knew this better than anyone. Jesus knew from personal experience how difficult it is for God’s people to live in a world ravaged by sin and under constant attack by Satan. That is why Jesus prayed for his disciples the night before he went to his death. He knew his disciples would face temptation, persecution, poverty, and imprisonment.

Knowing this, we might expect Jesus to pray for his disciples to be delivered from this world. Why not just ask the Father to whisk them right to heaven so they could avoid all the evil and opposition that the devil throws against Jesus’ followers? But the reason he prayed as he did was because Jesus had work for his disciples to do. They would take the good news of forgiveness and eternal life to the ends of the earth. So, rather than ask the Father to take them out of this world, Jesus prayed that his Father protect them.

Jesus asks his Father to do the same for all of his followers, including you. He knows about every temptation you are facing, every trial you are undergoing, and every trouble you are enduring. He knows that temptations, trials, and troubles are part of living in this sin-filled world. But he does not ask his Father to take you out of this world. There is work for you to do. You have people to love and serve. You have God’s good news to share.

Your heavenly Father will answer Jesus’ prayer. He will give you strength to do this work and protect you from the devil until your Father does, in his time, take you home to heaven.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I humbly ask you to protect me from the evil one that I may carry out the important work you have given me to do. Amen.

And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
1 John 4:21

Loving Others

Daily Devotion – May 10, 2024

Devotion based on 1 John 4:21

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Growing up with siblings can be fun. Brothers and sisters can create good memories. Things like family vacations, playing in the backyard, watching movies, building forts in the basement and snowmen outside are all things that make having siblings fun. It is easy to love our brothers and sisters in moments like those.

However, it is not always so enjoyable. Living in close proximity with our siblings can provide ample opportunities for unloving behavior. Arguing, fighting, tattling, pushing and shoving, and insulting each other are all too common among siblings.

But it does not change much when we grow up and live around roommates, classmates, and coworkers. While there can be good times with these relationships, there can also be friction. It is difficult to love those who don’t love us back. It is a challenge to love others when they ignore us, insult us, or are so self-absorbed that they pay no attention to us. Why should we love them?

Thank God that he did not view us that way. God easily could have convinced himself that we were not worth loving. Thankfully, God’s love for us did not depend on our behavior toward him. Knowing that we would never perfectly show love to him or to others, God still put his love into practice and offered up his only Son to die on the cross in our place. Even though he knew that we would not always love him, God demonstrated his love for us. Thank God for his faithful love to us!

One of the best ways we can return that love to him is by loving others. We can love others by showing patience when treated poorly. We can love others by showing kindness in the face of rudeness. We can love others with acts of generosity that expect nothing in return. As we love others this way—our love for God will come shining through.

Prayer:
Dear Lord God, thank you for the love you show to me each and every day. Move me to love the people in my life, even if I may not receive the same love from them. Amen.

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:11

Share God’s Love

Daily Devotion – May 8, 2024

Devotion based on 1 John 4:11

See series: Devotions

Imagine turning on your television to watch the NCAA basketball tournament. You have been waiting all year for this. Just as you settle in, the game breaks for the first round of commercials and, of course, they go right to a political ad for the upcoming election. You brace yourself for a harsh, critical presentation where one candidate blasts the other. But, to your surprise, that is not what you see. Rather, you see the two nominees complimenting each other, shaking hands, and telling America how much they like each other. The commercial ends with the two opposing candidates giving each other a big hug and promising to get together soon.

Does that seem far-fetched? Of course it does. That is not the world we live in. We live in a world where political candidates sling mud at each other through all forms of media. We live in a world where citizens threaten each other on various social media platforms. We live in a world where people swear at each other in traffic and ignore each other as they pass through the halls at the office.

God says we ought to love one another, but often, we fail in doing that. Thankfully, God has loved us without fail. Even though we could not perfectly show our love to others, God demonstrates his love in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God is different. He loved us even when we did not love him back. In Jesus, our sins are forgiven. Our imperfect love for others is forever washed away.

So now, as forgiven and loved children of God, we are free to love others. To be different from the world we live in. To show love in our thoughts, words, and actions, regardless of whether someone else shows the same love to us. To share the love of Jesus in how we treat others.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, forgive me for my imperfect love toward others. Thank you for forgiving those sins. Empower me and encourage me to live a life of love toward others in this unloving world. Amen.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7 (ESV)

Loved by God

Daily Devotion – May 6, 2024

Devotion based on 1 John 4:7 (ESV)

See series: Devotions

Do you feel loved? It feels great to be loved. It feels wonderful to be hugged by our grandkids, comforted by our spouse, and cared for by our parents. But what about the other times? The times when our spouse is too preoccupied with work to pay attention to us? The times when we work so hard to take care of our kids, and they don’t even acknowledge it with a thank you or a hug as they head out the door to their next activity? The times when the boss fails to recognize our contributions to the company? The times when we look in the mirror and don’t love what we see?

It is not easy to feel loved in this world or even love ourself. In fact, it is far easier to feel unloved, unappreciated, and unnoticed. These feelings can quickly spiral downward and lead us to despair, depression, and feelings of worthlessness.

In moments like these, remember that God loves you. The people in our lives may pay us little attention or give us no outward affections of love, but the God of all creation not only knows us, but says we are objects of his love. And he showed his love to us in a way that no one else ever has or ever could. To demonstrate just how loved we are, God sent his Son, Jesus, into the world to live and die for us. Jesus gave his life in our place on the cross and paid for all our sins, forever removing the eternal punishment they deserved. He did all this because God loved us and did not want us to be lost forever.

So regardless of how others may feel about you, take comfort in knowing that you are loved by God. And that will never change! God’s love for you is always constant in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, thank you for loving me and sending Jesus to die in my place. Enable me to now live in your love. Amen.

[Jesus said] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5

Connection with Jesus

Daily Devotion – May 4, 2024

Devotion based on John 15:5

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Lately, I seem to be getting frequent reminders that I am not as young as I used to be. The latest was a notice in the mail that my twentieth high school class reunion will be held this summer. Indeed, those twenty years can go by very quickly. Also, a lot can happen in twenty years, making it hard to stay connected with classmates. Life happens. We get married and have children. Jobs take us all over the country. When we go so long without seeing people, it is easy to lose the connections we once had with them.

It’s also easy for that to take place with Jesus. Life happens. We get married and have children. We fill our schedules up with work, sports, and school activities. We have family and community obligations. We take vacations and try to make the most of life. Before we know it, we are losing our connection with Jesus. This happens gradually, just like with high school classmates over twenty years.

Losing a connection to a high school friend is one thing. Losing our connection with Jesus is another thing altogether. Jesus makes it clear in John chapter 15 that without a connection to him, we are in trouble: we can’t produce spiritual fruit and be saved from our sins. Ultimately, no connection with Jesus means no getting into heaven. It means getting tossed out with the other dead branches into the eternal burn pile.

The good news is that Jesus will never sever his connection with those who are joined to him by faith. He is always ready and waiting in his Word to remind us of his love and to draw us closer to him.

Perhaps, for you, now is a good time to reconnect with Jesus and take steps to remain in Jesus. Recommit yourself to regularly attending worship. Join a Bible study. Expand your devotional life.

We may or may not want to attend a class reunion, but we never want to miss out on eternal life with Jesus!

Prayer:
Dear Savior, thank you for always being there for me in Word and sacrament. Bless my efforts to remain in you now and forever. Amen.

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
1 John 3:19,20

Love Is a Struggle

Daily Devotion – May 2, 2024

Devotion based on 1 John 3:19,20

See series: Devotions

The ancient Greeks considered their stomachs to be the seat of their emotions. It was their way of expressing that emotions come from deep inside us. Today, the bodily organ commonly associated with emotions like love is the heart. We imagine our hearts bursting when they are full of love and breaking when they aren’t. It is interesting that we tend to associate our emotions with bodily organs that are so easily upset and unsettled.

Your love for others is evidence of your faith in God’s love for you. Yet how often don’t you demonstrate the truth of Jesus’ statement when he said, “the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” In your heart, you know that you have not loved your neighbor as yourself or have not loved others as God has loved you. As a result, in your heart, you imagine yourself condemned.

Perhaps it is because we associate love with organs that are so easily upset and unsettled that we imagine ourselves so easily condemned. Thankfully “God is greater than our hearts.” God is not easily influenced by your struggle to love others that his love for you becomes upset or unsettled. He proved his love when he gave his son, Jesus, to pay for those sins that should have condemned you and that can still make you feel condemned. When you feel this way, remember that your forgiveness does not depend on how you feel but on what God has done to save you. Thank God he is greater than our hearts!

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, when my heart tries to condemn me, keep me from despair and comfort me in the knowledge that you have forgiven all of my sins, even when I don’t feel forgiven. Amen.