Marie’s daily verse: And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32)

DAILY DEVOTION, April 18, 2024

Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin” (John 19:10, 11).

My, how politicians love power! (Greek, exousia, or authority) They love to flaunt it over us lowly commoners. Modern-day lovers of power (authority) would do well to listen to Plato’s advice. “Only those who do not desire to have power are fit to hold it.” In other words, if you lust after power, you are unfit to hold it. If all our politicians who desired power were suddenly to leave the stage, we would have few politicians!

Jesus corrects Pilate. He does not possess power by right. He possesses power because God gave it to Him. God gives us what we have, and it is up to us to use it wisely. Unfortunately, Pilate went down the road of far too many politicians – – – he abused his power and had the Son of God crucified. You may possess some power or authority over others. God has placed you in that position. Please don’t mess it up!

Father, if you have given me even the slightest bit of power, help me not abuse it. Help me to use all You have given me wisely. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken (Psalm 16:8).

DAILY DEVOTION, April 18, 2024

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever (1 Chronicles 16:34).

Today, we encounter another fantastic promise. The ancient mythical gods of the Greeks, Romans, and the neighbors of Israel were capricious. They might do you a favor today but turn against you tomorrow. They were unreliable. One god had to be pitted against another. You were never sure if you picked the right god!

Here, we encounter the One true and living God, the God of Israel, the Father of Jesus Christ. We can give thanks to Him daily because He is good. He is always good. He is never evil or capricious. Goodness is His very nature. He will never surprise you and have a bad day! A God who is always good is a God we can trust.

The true God is also merciful. How often do I need mercy? Annually, monthly, weekly? I need God’s mercy daily, and His mercy endures forever. His mercy was revealed in all its glory when Jesus went to the cross to atone for our sins.

A God who is good and merciful is a God we can trust. He is a God we want to be close to throughout life. He is there for you.

Our good and merciful Father, there are no words we can speak that will adequately thank You for who You are. We can always count on You to relate to us in good and merciful ways. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: He who guards his mouth and his tongue guards himself from troubles (Proverbs 21:23).

DAILY DEVOTION, April 15, 2024

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).

Prayer is the most powerful tool we possess as Christians. While we can only be in one place at a time, our prayers can travel worldwide. While I cannot personally do anything for my former church family in Decatur, IL, my prayers can travel to Decatur with no problem. I cannot do much personally for my children who live far from me, but my prayers can reach them.

James presents us with a qualification. Effective prayers come from a righteous person. In one respect, I think this leaves me out! I do not see myself as a righteous person. I pray for forgiveness regularly. I habitually partake of the Lord’s Supper, which reminds me of my need for forgiveness. Here is my hope from the words of Paul. “…and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith…” (Philippians 3:9). If I have faith in Christ, God declares me righteous! Those who trust in Jesus are forgiven and said to be righteous in the eyes of God.

That means I am eligible to offer powerful and effective prayers. All who trust in Jesus have this same privilege. Let’s use it!

Father, thank You for allowing me to participate with You in changing the world. Thank You for the privilege of prayer. Remind me regularly to use this tool to bring blessings into the lives of others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:10-11).

DAILY DEVOTION, April 1, 2024

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age…(Titus 2:11-12).

Yes, we are saved freely by the grace of God, but when God’s grace enters our hearts, it changes us. That is Paul’s point in Eph. 2:10 and Titus 2:11-12. Grace brings salvation freely to all who accept the grace of God by placing their trust in Jesus, but grace also inspires in us a desire to do good works. Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness. Grace teaches us to live righteous and godly lives. Grace brings the Holy Spirit into our lives, and His presence changes us. In short, grace teaches us to follow Jesus as faithful disciples.

Some make the mistake of thinking that God’s grace saves us but leaves us to live life as we see fit. No, God’s grace changes us and also gives us a new desire to follow Jesus. We are both saved by grace and transformed by grace. We are taught by grace to live a new kind of life.

Father, I thank You for the saving grace of Jesus. I know I have received grace by my desire to live as a faithful disciple of Jesus. I pray in His name, Amen. 

Marie’s daily verse: For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. ⁵The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love (

Psalm 33:4-5).

DAILY DEVOTION, March 19, 2024

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).

Whatever we face as Christians, Paul says we are more than conquerors. We cannot be defeated no matter what trials or opposition we face as we live, trusting in Jesus! “More than conquerors” is one word in Greek. It means that those redeemed have the overwhelming power to overcome anything. Christ dwells within the hearts of those with faith, and his presence and power cannot be defeated. So, whatever we are going through, we must learn to look at life in the light of Romans 8:37.

In context, Paul lists several factors that might come against us. However, none of them can overpower us. First, of course, we must face our problems with faith, applying our faith to specific issues. When life tries to knock you down, Jesus will lift you. Those who trust Him will always be “more than conquerors.”

Thank You, Father, that the power of Jesus is at work in my life. Please help me to apply my faith to every issue that life throws my way. I want to know Your overwhelming power daily. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.