DAILY DEVOTION, Nov. 22, 2021

You people there are leaders in so many ways—you have so much faith, so many good preachers, so much learning, so much enthusiasm, so much love for us. Now I want you to be leaders also in the spirit of cheerful giving. (2 Corinthians 8:7, TLB). )

Someone has said, “The last thing to be converted is the pocketbook.” Paul praises the Corinthians for their faith, preaching, learning, enthusiasm, and love. High praise from the great Apostle. The Corinthians were wonderful spiritual leaders in so many ways. We know from 1 Corinthians that this was a church with problems. It seems that they had matured greatly in the faith when Paul wrote 2 Corinthians. Their only weakness was in giving. Apparently, they were somewhat stingy when it came to supporting the church financially.

Paul advocates cheerful giving. We Christians are so blessed by God and all He has done for us that we cheerfully share our financial resources to promote the work of Christ. At least that is the ideal. The financial needs of this church are fully met and have been for years. I am thankful for that, but there are so many other Christian causes worthy of our support. If you would like to bless other ministries but are unsure who to support, give me a call. I have a long list of suggestions.

Father, thank you for the way You bless us and meet our needs. Thank You that our little church is well supported by the congegation. Open our eyes to see other Christian causes we might support to increase our faithfulness to Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).

Most of the first Apostles were ordinary men. Several were fishermen. They were untrained and uneducated. They were very different from the highly-trained scribes and Pharisees. They had no formal training in the doctrines of Judaism. Why did Jesus select such men? I wonder if He wanted to encourage ordinary people everywhere to find a place in God’s Kingdom? Christianity is not a religion simply for the educated. Paul, the last of the Apostles, was highly educated. There is room in God’s kingdom for both types.  So, whether you are educated or not, there is a place for you in God’s Kingdom.

The critical issue is the fact that the uneducated Apostles had been with Jesus. Therefore, learning from Jesus is the highest and best education possible. The same is true for the educated Apostle Paul. He had also been with Jesus, and he considered his previous learning as refuse (I believe the Greek word he used was “dung!”)  in comparison. Therefore, the issue is not how educated you are. Those who trust in Jesus and enter into a personal relationship with Him are the wises people on earth.

Father, how grateful we are to know that the least of us can find life and meaning through Jesus. When we trust in Him and live by His teachings, we are the wisest of persons. Remind me daily that I belong to Him, and He is with me always. I want everyone to know that I have been with Jesus. In His name, I pray, Amen.

DAILY DEVOTION, Nov. 20, 2021

All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).

More than any other prophet, Isaiah gives us a clear picture of the coming Messiah. In today’s verse, we learn something about ourselves and something about the Messiah. Unfortunately, what we learn about ourselves is not very flattering. We are like sheep who have lost our way. We prefer our way to God’s way. We have wandered away from our Creator, the God who loves us and wants nothing more than to bless us. We think we can find happiness and meaning in life by following our own rules. We don’t even realize that we have gone astray.

Then we hear the story of Jesus. We learn that He is the Son of God sent to redeem us. In our text, we learn that God has laid upon His Son our iniquities. Why did He do that? Why not just let us follow our own path and end up in hell, forever separated from God? Why did God lay my sins on the back of Jesus? The answer is found in the familiar words of John 3:16. God loves us despite our sins. He wants to forgive us and fit us for heaven. When Jesus went to the cross, He was taking upon Himself the judgment that I (we) deserve. It was an act of love.

Now we have the opportunity to repent of our sins and place our trust in Jesus. All who take this simple step are the recipients of glorious promises. Please examine the four Gospels carefully and then decide whether or not Jesus is worthy of your trust.

Father, I am so grateful that You reached out to me with the gift of salvation when I had wandered far from Your Kingdom. I was like a lost sheep. Thank You, Jesus, for taking my judgment. I will praise Your name forever, Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, Nov. 19, 2021

After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them (Acts 16:7).

This is an interesting verse. Paul and his companions sought to go into Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit said “No,” and they had to change their plans. We are not told how the Spirit directed them. Was it circumstances that changed which they interpreted as the leading of the Spirit? Did He speak directly to their minds? Does the Holy Spirit direct us? Yes, He does. How He does that may vary. As we trust in God, He promises to direct our paths. It may be through circumstances, or it may be a strong impulse He places in our minds.

The more prayerful we are about decisions, the more we can discern God’s direction. On the other hand, if we rely too much on our own brains, we will miss the leading of the Holy Spirit. When we are seeking the leading of God, He will always make a better choice for us. Ask yourself, do I want to be in charge of my own decisions, or do I want to be led by the Spirit? Those who are wise prefer the latter option.

Father, I do want to be led by the Holy Spirit.  I know I can get in His way by preferring to be in charge of my life. Please help me to see the value of asking the Spirit to be in charge. Help me always to seek your will, In Jesus’ name, Amen.