Marie’s daily verse: Psalm 9:9: The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

DAILY DEVOTION, May 28, 2024

“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:14).

The Christian life is wonderful but incomplete. God’s will is never entirely done on earth as in heaven, although we pray for it. Sickness and death strike us all, Christian or not. Wars are ever with us. Deadly shootings in our country seem to have reached an epidemic level. When will God’s will be done on earth as in heaven?

We await Jesus’ return to usher in His eternal kingdom, anticipate our bodies’ resurrection, and look forward to heaven. One day, the heavenly trumpet will sound, the dead in Christ will rise, the living shall be transformed in the twinkling of an eye, and we shall rise to meet our Lord. That event will signal that we are now ready to enjoy God’s promises for all eternity fully.

The solution to all the evil in the world is the glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. In the meantime, we do our best to follow Jesus and be a positive influence in the world. We hope and pray that He will come soon. Come, Lord Jesus!

Father in heaven, we know that Jesus is coming even though we do not know when that will happen. Grant us patience to live in a fallen world where evil is ever with us. We await the return of our Savior. In His name, we pray, Amen.

Marie’s Daily Verse: 

My soul, wait thou only upon God; For my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defense; I shall not be moved (Psalm 62:5-6).

DAILY DEVOTION, May 22, 2024

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only (Matthew 4:10).

I hate it when three or four people speak at once. Sometimes, on TV talk shows, that happens. It sounds like gibberish. We are all subject to many voices. Hopefully, they do not speak at the same time! Jesus was subject to many voices. In our text, he hears the voice of Satan. Satan wants Jesus to worship him, and He will receive all the kingdoms of the world. Satan offered Jesus that which He already possessed!

Jesus heard another voice, the voice of God. He met Satan’s temptations with, “It is written.” Three times, Satan tempted Jesus, and three times, Satan heard, “It is written.” There is a lesson here for us. Satan wants to drag us down to hell with him. He dangles temptations before us. Do we know enough Scripture to respond, “It is written?” The more God’s Word is stored in our minds, the better we can resist Satan’s darts. Don’t be defenseless. As my seminary dean used to say, “The secret to spiritual success is to” read, read, read!” The more we read the Bible, the better prepared we are to confront temptation.

Father, I know the voice of Satan comes to me in various ways – – – through books, TV, other people, etc. I know he wants to lure me away from You. Help me to use the Bible as my shield of faith that I might not sin against You. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ²because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2). 

DAILY DEVOTION, May 20, 2024

All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made (John 1:3).

The above verse is part of John’s prologue in his Gospel. He is speaking of Jesus. Who is Jesus? Is He a great prophet and teacher? Yes, but He is much more. Is He a human being like us? Yes, but He is much more. Our verse says He is the creator of the heavens and the earth. All things were made through Him. Nothing in creation exists apart from His creative power. He is the Word of God who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). If Jesus created everything, as John says, that makes Him God. Yes, in the mystery of the incarnation, Jesus, God the Son, took on human flesh and dwelt among us. He walked upon the earth which He created. He was rejected and crucified by men He had made. The humility of Christ is almost beyond comprehension.

Many Christians and non-Christians struggle to understand this doctrine clearly stated by John. How can a man be God? Well, admittedly, it usually doesn’t happen that way. All of us born as human beings will die as humans, with one exception: Jesus. He is the unique Son of God who took on human nature for one purpose: to redeem us. He accomplished this at Calvary. He is man and God united in one person. Those who believe in Him receive the forgiveness of sins and the gift of everlasting life. Those who stumble over His nature and cannot believe in a man who is also God do not benefit from what He accomplished.

Our Father and our God, it does stretch my mind to the limit to grasp the idea that God became man. But that is what the apostles witnessed and testified to in Scripture. I believe their testimony. I believe in Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness (James 3:17-18).

DAILY DEVOTION, May 19, 2024

So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. (Luke 17:3).

Notice that repentance and forgiveness are linked in this verse. If another person has hurt us, let them know what has happened. Rebuke is a harsh word. The basic idea is to have an open and honest conversation about the pain they have caused you. If they repent – – – if they are truly sorry for the pain they have caused – – – forgiveness is required. Without repentance, forgiveness is impossible. If a person becomes defensive and denies the pain they have caused, no forgiveness is possible.

It is the same with God. We are required to repent, to admit that our behavior has offended God’s holiness before He can forgive us. If we hold on to our sins and give excuses for our bad behavior, even God cannot forgive us. He is ready and willing to forgive once we own up to reality by repentance. If we say to God, “Forgive me, but I haven’t really done anything so terrible,” this lack of repentance cancels out forgiveness. When you pray for forgiveness (a daily practice!), don’t forget repentance.

Father, it hurts me to think I have hurt You. My sins drove Jesus to the cross. I am so sorry and want to live according to Your will. Please help me – – – please walk with me. I repent, and I receive Your forgiveness with deep gratitude. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: The Lord your God in your midst, 

The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). 

DAILY DEVOTION, May 16, 2024

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. 

We are accustomed to instant gratification. Patience is not a word in our vocabulary! I am as guilty as the next person. I am not always a patient individual. In our relationship with God, patience is required. The Psalmist reminds us of that truth. He prays, and then he waits patiently! The problem is that our wisdom is limited. God’s wisdom is infinite. He knows what is best for us. He is always working for our good but on His timetable. Patience is faith extended out in time.

As we wait patiently for God to respond to our prayers, He draws near and assures us that He hears us. If we pray and then give up after a few days, we demonstrate our lack of patience and also show our lack of faith. God’s Word tells us to pray and then wait patiently. In His time, He will respond to those whose faith is demonstrated by their patience.

Father, I confess that sometimes impatience gets a firm hold on me. Forgive me, and teach me the virtue of patience. Help me to wait patiently for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.