DAILY DEVOTION, March 7, 2022

Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 11:2, NET).

I don’t know if this is true, but I read an article that said baby chicks always follow the first animal or person they see. If they see a cat, they assume the cat is their momma, and so they follow. Hopefully, they see mama hen first! Maybe the Barbs can enlighten me as to the truth of this story.

Who are we following? There are many voices in our society bidding us to follow their lead. Among those voices is Jesus. He says, “Follow me.” Our text tells us that we need to keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus. As we do so, our faith is born and perfected. The KJV says that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. If you want to be a strong Christian with solid faith, keep your eyes upon Jesus. We do not literally see Him today, but we do possess His teachings, and in our hearts, we can focus our attention on Him and follow. We listen to many voices in our society. Don’t let other voices crowd out the one most important voice.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Is He speaking to you? Are you following Him?

Father, please help me to keep my attention focused on Jesus. I want to follow Him as the Good Shepherd. I know I can’t go wrong as I listen to Him and obey. Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, February 6, 2022

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).

This single verse defies full explanation in a short devotional. So, let’s hit the highlights. First, Paul came to faith in Jesus Christ after spending several years persecuting Christians. Faith is the keyword to understanding this verse. When we trust in Christ, we are crucified with Christ. That is, we enter into the benefits of Christ’s crucifixion. Our sins are forgiven, and Christ takes up His residence within our souls. Paul makes it clear that being crucified with Christ does not end his life. It is the beginning of a new life. Second, this new life is lived by trusting in Jesus. The Christian life is not trying harder to be faithful to God. It is living each day with faith in Jesus. As we make decisions daily, trusting in Jesus to guide us, our faithfulness grows. Growth does not happen because we are trying harder but because we are trusting more. Finally, we are motivated to embrace the Christian lifestyle because we understand that Jesus loves us and willingly gave Himself to redeem us. We love and trust Him because He first loved us. There is the entire Christian life in a nutshell.

Gracious Father, the idea that You would love us and send Your Son to redeem us defies human logic. We have trampled Your will underfoot. Why would You love us? But You do love us. You did send Jesus to redeem us. He does dwell within our souls by faith. Father, I believe He was crucified for me and that He lives with my heart. Thank you, thank you, for Your amazing love. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, March 5, 2022

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself (Philippians 2:3).

We live in a competitive society. Many are striving to advance themselves above others. Even pastors sometimes are driven by ambition. Serving a larger church was often on my mind in my younger days. The above verse is easier to follow in old age! I hope I have matured beyond selfish ambition! Christians should never see themselves in competition with others. We should never strive for more influence over others. Instead, our goal is to serve others in humility. Paul says we should look upon others with higher honor than we give to ourselves. Is that easy? No, but it is the will of God.

Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:44, 45). Jesus is the Son of God, but He never pulls rank on us. If anyone should be served by us, it is Jesus. He had the right to demand our service. Yet, in His earthly ministry, He came to serve others, even to the point of giving His life for us. Let’s follow His example.

Father, You often ask us to do hard things. You want us to lay aside ambition and relate to others with humility, always looking for ways to serve others. I confess that I need Your help if I am to live as You command. Guide me by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

DAILY DEVOTION, March 4, 2022

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes (Ephesians 1:4, NLT).

Theologians and Bible scholars differ on the meaning of “chose us.” Whatever those words mean in terms of election or predestination, the Bible is clear that our salvation is linked to Jesus. We are to believe in Him to receive salvation (John 3:16. Etc.). The latter part of the verse is also puzzling. Who can measure up to that standard if we are chosen in Christ to be holy and without fault?

While Christians strive to be holy and without fault, we always fall short. The good news is that when we trust in Jesus, God considers us as righteous, faultless. Consider Romans 4:5: “But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.”

Faith in Jesus brings forgiveness of sins. Paul says that faith also makes us righteous in the eyes of God. Our attempts to satisfy God by our works forever fall short. However, those who trust in Jesus receive His righteousness as a gift. Our performance (works) is never faultless. However, when God sees our faith in His Son, our sins are forgiven, and God considers us faultless. Don’t attempt to achieve perfection by your efforts. Trust in Jesus.

Father, Your plan to redeem me is amazing! I am an ungodly person, but when I trust Your Son, you consider me godly. I owe everything to Your love and the sacrifice of Your Son. Praise be unto You, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 

DAILY DEVOTION, March 2, 2022

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “, ‘Has God indeed said You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”(Genesis 3:1).

The serpent is Satan. “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world…” (Revelation 12:9). Satan gets into the mind of Eve by causing her to wonder if she had understood God: “Has God indeed said…” I find it interesting that Satan uses the same tactic today. He constantly strives to persuade us that the Bible is not trustworthy.

I was taught repeatedly in seminary to doubt the Bible. “The Bible contains ideas of ancient people. We cannot accept it as relevant for us today.”  John’s Gospel was a particular target of “progressive” theologians. It was regarded as entirely untrustworthy. For several years I assumed what I was taught in seminary was true. As a result, I doubted the Bible, and I doubted Jesus. I scoffed at the idea that His shed blood had anything to do with me. Satan had done his work on me: “Has God indeed said…”

Don’t allow Satan to get into your head and cause you to doubt the Bible. It will ruin you spiritually.

Father, I thank You that You have spoken to us in Scripture. While there are things in Your book hard to understand, may I never doubt that Your Word is true. When I stopped questioning and began believing, the Bible led me straight to Jesus, my Savior and Lord. May His holy name be honored forever, Amen.