He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:4

Truly Better

Daily Devotion – November 9, 2022

Devotion based on Revelation 21:4

See series: Devotions

Our daughter came home from school and asked for tape that would not hurt her bedroom door. A few hours later, we noticed what she had taped to the door. It was written in marker on construction paper, and it was words from the last book of the Bible, Revelation. Her sign said, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.”

It touched us that out of all the Bible passages she could have chosen, our daughter chose this one. She felt things deeply, both good and bad, and we knew she did not enjoy crying when bad things happened. Because she knew Jesus, because she knew she was going to heaven, she was already looking forward to a place without crying and tears.

Later she asked us an interesting question. “Could someone sin in heaven and start all of the pain all over again?” We reassured her that the passage taped to her bedroom door was God’s promise that it would not be like that. “There will be no more death.”

Right now, there is a certain order of things. People die, and people mourn. But a day is coming when the old order of things will pass away, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. God speed that day.

Prayer:
Lord, lead me through this world of tears to the place where I will simply rejoice in your presence. Amen.

[Jesus said] Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.
Luke 6:21-23

It Will Get Better

Daily Devotion – November 7, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 6:21-23

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I’ve had back pain. I can usually get into a position where there is some relief. However, once there wasn’t any position that would relieve the pain, so I went to the hospital. It turned out that the pain was from a kidney stone. I didn’t know when or how the pain would go away. But it finally did, and it was a great relief when it was finally gone.

Jesus told his disciples that they would feel pain. They would be hungry, sad, hated, excluded, insulted, and rejected. Those things would happen because they were his followers.

Jesus assured them that the pain would be real but temporary. He even called them blessed because relief was on the way. They would not always be hungry; eventually, they would be satisfied. They would not always weep; eventually, they would laugh. Jesus told them they could even leap for joy because they knew that heaven was coming through faith in him.

Christians can find relief before they go to heaven because they know heaven is coming. Even when following Jesus causes pain and persecution, God provides relief through faith in his promises.

Prayer:
Almighty God, relieve my pain during my time on earth and teach me to cling to your promises until I join you in heaven through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We know that we live in [God] and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:13-18

The Love God Has for Us

Daily Devotion – November 5, 2022

Devotion based on 1 John 4:13-18

See series: Devotions

The Bible assures us that God loves us. But it is so easy to doubt this, especially when we think about how often we have disobeyed him and done the very things he tells us not to do. How can we be sure God loves us when our own hearts are filled with doubt?

The apostle John answers, “because he has given us of his Spirit.” Instead of looking inside at our own feelings, John shows us God’s action. God gave us of his Spirit’s power, wisdom, gifts, and fruit. That Spirit keeps on testifying that we are the children of God.

By the Spirit we have seen God’s love! “The Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world…we know and rely on the love God has for us.” The Son washes away all our sins. That love gives us boldness for judgment day. Since God is love on judgment day, we will experience nothing but the fullness of his love.

Experience the end of terror about standing before God. Know what it means that God sent his Son. Believe that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him (you and I included) will not perish but have eternal life.”

Enjoy the love God has for you!

Prayer:
Gracious, loving Father, by your Spirit drive out the doubt in my heart. Through your Son drive out the fear in my heart. Amen.

“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
Jeremiah 31:33

Proper Motivation

Daily Devotion – November 3, 2022

Devotion based on Jeremiah 31:33

See series: Devotions

The language of the covenant God made with the Old Testament people of Israel was full of “you”: You shall have no other gods. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. You shall not covet. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

The problem with all those “you shall” and “you shall not” was that God’s people proved they could not keep up their end of the bargain. By the time the prophet Jeremiah wrote today’s verse breaking the covenant had become habitual.

The people had shown that the law’s commands could not properly motivate them to be obedient. They needed a new covenant. This new covenant would be different from the old covenant.

It would not be a list of obligations chiseled by God’s finger into stone tablets. It would not be full of “you shall” and “you shall not.” Instead this covenant would be written by God’s Spirit onto human hearts, and it would be full of I’s: “I will make … I will put … I will write … I will be their God.”

The old covenant told people what to do, but the new covenant would be all about what God did to save everyone from their sins and make a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. God made that covenant when he sent his Son into the world to do the work of salvation.

Jesus’ perfect life, innocent death, and glorious resurrection are all we need. There are no “you shall” and “you shall not” required to get into heaven. The new covenant puts God’s law in our minds for us to follow—not so that God will make us his, but because he already has.

In other words, Christians do not serve God because they have to. Christians serve God because they want to!

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for being my God. Help me to live for you. Amen.

Jesus replied “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. . . So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:34,36

The Son Has Set You Free

Daily Devotion – November 1, 2022

Devotion based on John 8:34,36

See series: Devotions

Jesus always told the truth. So, when he introduces a statement by saying, “Very truly I tell you,” he is emphasizing how truly important his next words are. And make no mistake, the truth here is very important.

It is awful because it reveals the harsh reality of the human condition: “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” We all enter this world with a sinful nature that convinces us that freedom means doing whatever we want.

But freedom to follow your sinful nature does not make you free. You are a slave to your sins: fear, despair, envy, anger, lust. Sinners suppose they have found freedom, but all they have found is more slavery.

The thing about slavery is that you cannot free yourself from it. Someone else has to take action and free you. Thank God that the awful truth of our sinfulness is answered by the important truth of God’s forgiveness: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

How did he do it? Jesus said to the God the Father, “What they deserve, give to me. What I deserve, give to them.” And that’s what happened. Jesus embraced the awful truth of our sinful condition. He became sin for us. He was punished for our fear, despair, envy, anger, and lust. He was damned with our damnation, receiving in his own body what we deserve.

Our freedom was not free and wasn’t even cheap. Our freedom cost Christ everything. The Son willingly gave his life on a cross to free you. And the One who was dead now lives again forever! The resurrection is God’s promise to you: “You are free!” You don’t belong to sin. You belong to the Son, and when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, protect and comfort me in all temptations with the truth that you have set me free. Thank you. Amen.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”
John 8:31

Stick to the Playbook

Daily Devotion – October 30, 2022

Devotion based on John 8:31

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Are you a fan of American football? Even if you aren’t, you can understand that in football, as in any team sport, the coach has a playbook. The playbook guides players to take the right number of steps, make the right cuts, throw the right passes, attack the right angles, all to defeat their opponent and win the game. Training camps and practice after practice drill those plays into the athletes, so they become second nature during the game. Imagine the disappointment of the coach when his players don’t follow the playbook!

Imagine the disappointment of God when his people don’t follow his Word! Indeed, the Bible is so much more than a playbook. God hasn’t given his Word to drill the right steps to take and tell you the decisions you need to make, but the Bible does present a message of victory for you.

Jesus teaches you of the victory you have in him. Even though you have taken the wrong steps, attacked the wrong angles in your life, and disappointed God, Jesus teaches you that you are forgiven. Jesus teaches you that he is your Savior. He stepped onto the gridiron of this world and faced the fiercest opponent. Jesus faced death itself for you, and he won. He gave up his life on the cross for your forgiveness but then rose again in victory over the grave.

That’s why his teaching is so important. It’s why he tells you, and all who follow him, to hold on to it with such a grip that no opponent can ever force a fumble out of your hands.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, teach and strengthen me to hold firmly to your Word of Truth. Help me to boldly live my life as your disciple. Amen.

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.
Deuteronomy 10:17,18

The God Who Helps

Daily Devotion – October 28, 2022

Devotion based on Deuteronomy 10:17,18

See series: Devotions

When I was in grade school, and teams were being picked for kickball, basketball, or baseball during recess, I regularly witnessed what I think is the typical playground experience when choosing teams: the captains always chose the strongest first and made their way down to the weakest. They chose the individuals whose talent or skill could provide the most help to the team.

God doesn’t do the same thing. Time and again in the Bible, when God chooses the individuals, he will associate with, he regularly chooses the individuals who need the most help or feel the most invisible. “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow,” Moses reminded Israel.

There are people who have had to walk through life without father, whether that father left by their own choice or was taken from them by death. There are many people who walk through life as a widow, living each day without the comfort of companionship they formerly enjoyed. There are many people who aren’t fatherless or widowed yet walk through each day feeling rejected, unlovable, or invisible.

But we are never invisible to God. This is the God who chose Israel—the smallest nation—to bring the Savior into the world. This is the God who chose Moses—not the greatest speaker or bravest man—to deliver Israel from slavery. This is the God who chose David—an afterthought even in the minds of his own family—to defeat a giant and lead as a king. This is the God who chose to save all of us, though he is very familiar with all of our sins, by forgiving those sins entirely through the perfect life and sacrificial death of the one truly “good” person—Jesus Christ.

God doesn’t choose the people who are better than most. He chooses people who need him the most.

Prayer:
Gracious God, thank you for helping me so completely and perfectly through my Savior, Jesus. Amen.

A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.”
Luke 18:18,19

Faith Rejoices

Daily Devotion – October 26, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 18:18,19

See series: Devotions

The young man who spoke with Jesus that day isn’t the only person to wonder what a good life looks like. We do the same thing when we look at ourselves.

This is challenging for us because some days we don’t feel good about our lives. It’s easy to look at our lives and remember the times we weren’t good to spouses, parents, children, or friends. On some of those days, it may even be easy to wonder if God could ever love someone like me.

The problem with that line of thinking is that it finds us guilty of doing the same thing this wealthy young man did—focusing our primary attention on ourselves. Jesus gives us a better way to live: Instead of spending so much time looking at our lives, look at his. Instead of focusing so much on what you have or haven’t done, focus on what Jesus already did.

This young man walked away from Jesus sad when he could have stayed right where he was and found the true wealth his life was missing. The type that will never disappoint you for any reason; the wealth we already have in Jesus, who shed his blood over all the bad in our lives so that we could be forgiven and washed clean of every sin. And therefore, have absolutely nothing in our heart, soul, or mind that isn’t “good” according to God’s definition.

The way we live our lives might not make us good fits in God’s kingdom. But the life and death of Jesus does. You’re good. That’s what the cross of Jesus means. He has made you good—by God’s own declaration.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the forgiveness that makes me a “good” fit in God’s kingdom. Amen.

A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’” “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.
Luke 18:18-23

Faith Is Fully Dependent on Jesus

Daily Devotion – October 24, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 18:18-23

See series: Devotions

By all appearances, he was a wealthy and successful young man who genuinely wanted to do good things. He seemed to say and do all the right things. In case there was something good he hadn’t done, he asked Jesus for guidance. All in all, he appeared to be a good man who did many good things.

But appearances can be deceiving. He still lacked the one thing that can truly make a person good in God’s sight–a recognition of his sin and trust in Jesus as his Savior.

We can learn much from this young man and his interaction with Jesus. The seeming goodness of our lives is not what makes us a good fit for God’s kingdom. It is only the perfect goodness of Jesus, his complete sacrifice for our sins, and his enduring desire for our salvation that makes us a perfect fit for God’s kingdom.

What must you do to inherit eternal life? Place your trust in what Jesus has done to save you and follow him to the heaven he won for you.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to rest daily in your good and perfect love for me. Amen.

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.”
Genesis 32:24-28

Wrestling with God

Daily Devotion – October 22, 2022

Devotion based on Genesis 32:24-28

See series: Devotions

God doesn’t always give us what we want, at least not right away. Have you noticed this? You pray and pray and pray for something, but there seems to be no answer. Sometimes we become discouraged or angry with God because it appears that he’s not listening. We might even conclude that God doesn’t love us!

To accuse God of not loving us is a sin of the highest order. God is love. He showed that love when he sent his Son to die on a cross as payment for our sins. God’s love for us is greater than any other love we can imagine.

So, why doesn’t God give us what we want when we want it? Sometimes he gives us the opportunity to exercise our faith by being persistent in prayer. Wrestling with God in prayer is a way to demonstrate that we trust he will do what is best for us, in his own time and in his own way.

We won’t wrestle God physically the way Jacob did in this unusual story from the Bible. But we do wrestle with God spiritually in our prayers. Like Jacob, be bold and persistent in asking for God’s blessing. Then, trust that the God of love will answer in whatever way is best for you.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, give me the faith to trust you completely. Give me a spirit of persistent prayer that knows you will do whatever is best for me. Amen.

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.”
Luke 18:6-8

Patiently Await

Daily Devotion – October 20, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 18:6-8

See series: Devotions

We’ve come to expect instant gratification. It’s not that we want it fixed, but we want it fixed now. When we begin to feel aches and pains, we expect the doctor to offer a solution after one visit. When a home appliance malfunctions, we want it repaired that day. And when we order something online, we expect to have the item in hand within a day or two. We want it, and we want it now.

Our world of modern convenience has duped us into becoming impatient, and in many cases, sinfully so. That’s not conducive to developing and enriching the life of Christian prayer because patience and persistence are essential ingredients to having one. If we expect immediate results, we’ll become easily frustrated and give up.

Jesus understands what it takes to have a healthy prayer life better than anyone else could. Not only is he true God who hears and understands the prayers of his people with deep compassion and perfect timing. He is also truly human, who during his days on earth “offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears” (Hebrews 5:7). Yes, to this day, he continues to pray for us at his Father’s right hand. If Jesus’ prayers don’t get instant results, why should ours? And if he hasn’t given up praying and pleading for us every day. Why would we?

Why? Because we’re impatient! Because we don’t get the immediate results from our prayers that we expect. But Jesus reminds us today: the results are coming; we just need to be patient! “Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you; he will see that they get justice, and quickly.”

When you find yourself impatient for God to answer your prayers, remember that you are one of God’s chosen ones, washed of your sins in the blood of Jesus and adopted into God’s family. Be patient and persistent in prayer. God hears you. And, in his time, he will answer you.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me to be like you in prayer, patient and persistent. Amen.

[Jesus] said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’”
Luke 18:2,3

The Necessary Art of Pestering

Daily Devotion – October 18, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 18:2,3

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Children are masters at it, even without much practice; it just comes naturally—whining, begging, pleading, pestering.

Young children have an advantage over adults; without as many earthly cares, they can get away with having one track minds. The child who wants Mom and Dad to buy them something at the store asks and asks and asks again. And why? Because they understand the power of persistence, especially when their parents are in the habit of giving in.

But it has to make God wonder about his own children. Why don’t they utilize the necessary art of pestering him? Why is it that, if they even think to ask their heavenly Father for something, they only ask once or maybe twice and then give up?

Could it be that in their heart of hearts, they think that prayer is powerless? Could it be that in the back of their minds, they’re wondering whether they’re making their request to someone who doesn’t actually exist? Could it be that they’ve convinced themselves that, even if there is a God, he’s a miserly ogre and not a gracious and loving Father?

If God has this impression of you, can you blame him? After all, when was the last time you engaged in such unceasing, persistent prayer that you were actually concerned that your heavenly Father might get fed up with you and respond, “Enough! I’ve heard you already!” Truth be told, it’s more likely for sinners like you and me to go many days without offering up even one sincere, heartfelt prayer, much less pelt the throne of God’s grace with one request after another.

And still, our heavenly Father patiently waits and listens. Because of Jesus’ saving work, our sinful lack of persistent prayer is forgiven. It’s as if we have lived lives of perfectly persistent prayer. And we get a fresh start. Let’s take advantage of it! Live a life of persistent prayer starting today!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, grant me the spiritual persistence and stamina I need to offer you my prayers relentlessly. Amen.

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
1 John 5:13-15

Confidence

Daily Devotion – October 16, 2022

Devotion based on 1 John 5:13-15

See series: Devotions

“Are you sure?” Satan still asks, as he tries to rob you of your confidence.

John, disciple of Jesus, points out two things that will deepen your confidence.

First is the sure knowledge that eternal life is yours. You have this confidence because “you believe in the name of the Son of God.” His given name is Jesus, which means “savior, rescuer.” A worthwhile study would be to search out as many of the Bible’s titles and descriptive names for Jesus, you could find. His “name” includes all that he has done for you. It is a revealed fact, then, that God’s Son came into the world as true man and accomplished his mission perfectly. The payment of his life, death, and resurrection for the sins of the world was accepted by the Father as payment in full. Trusting in Jesus and everything his names tell you about him, you may know that you have the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

Next, the wise old apostle teaches you about a second key to confidence. It regards your prayers to God: “If we ask anything according to his will.” God’s will is what God wants. The Bible reveals what God wants us to believe and do as far as we need to know it. And for the things only God knows, Jesus teaches us to trust as he trusted, saying, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Since we are praying for God’s good will to be done, “We know that we have what we asked of him,” whether his answer be “yes,” “no,” or “wait patiently.”

That’s God-given confidence.

Prayer:
Lord, keep me sure. Amen.

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9:10,11

The Blessing of Giving

Daily Devotion – October 14, 2022

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 9:10,11

See series: Devotions

A seed is a small thing, the size of our fingernails at most but often much smaller. And yet from that tiny seed can come large plants and great fruits. The apostle Paul uses the picture of seed and harvest to instruct us on how to give generously. Paul tells us that God supplies the seeds to us and makes the harvest grow. When it comes time to sow again, God will provide the seeds again and again.

An amazing thing happens when Christians sow with the seeds God provides. When they give generously of their material wealth, it spreads and grows into thanksgiving to God. It’s part of a harvest of righteousness.

Maybe you’ve seen the videos of Christians receiving Bibles for the very first time. A remote tribe that never had the Bible translated into their own language before receives the gift of Bibles written in their own language. The whole village shows up dressed in their best. They rejoice, pray, sing, dance, and give thanks to God for the gifts of generous Christians who helped make it possible.

There is great power in the simplest acts of generosity. For the price of Grande latte, we can help put God’s Word in the hands of families who have never owned a bible before. That generosity produces gratitude in the recipients of the gifts. And the recipients of the gifts pray for the ones who have so generously given.

Paul reminds us that the motivation for this giving doesn’t come from compulsion but rather through the confession of the gospel—the good news that our sins are forgiven in Jesus. As God has given so generously to us, so we give so joyfully to others.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, give me a cheerful heart to be generous as you are generous to me. Amen.

As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
Luke 17:12,13

Jesus Have Mercy

Daily Devotion – October 12, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 17:12,13

See series: Devotions

When did he know? When did he know that the red, irritated skin wasn’t going to get better on its own? Was it when the lesion started spreading? Was it when he noticed it on both of his arms or legs? Maybe it was when his hair started to fall out. Or perhaps when he pinched his hand in the door and realized there was no pain. Did he try to cover it up and hide it so no one would notice? When did he know that he had leprosy?

Leprosy was worse than a death sentence. It meant you had to live like you were already dead. You were traumatically ripped away from your family and friends. You were cut off and forced out of your city or village. You existed on the fringes. It was like you were invisible.

When did you know? When did you feel the pain in this life? That you were missing something? Your condition isn’t leprosy, but it is even more dangerous, even more isolating. It’s the infection of sin. Sin corrupts everything in this life. Your relationships. Your health, mental and physical. And it separates you from God.

“Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” That’s all the ten lepers could say to Jesus. It was their only hope. All you can say to Jesus is the same, “Jesus, have mercy!” And he does. Just like Jesus had mercy on those lepers, he has mercy on you. Jesus forgives you your sins, restores and redeems you.

Jesus told the lepers to show themselves to the priests. That’s it. No big show. No theatrics. But each one went, and each one was healed.

Forgiveness comes in the same way: No big show. No theatrics. Your believing heart trusts the words, “You are forgiven.” And God sees your sins no more. You’re clean and no longer separated from God because Jesus does have mercy.

Prayer:
Lord, give me faith to trust your words of mercy and forgiveness. Amen.