Marie’s daily verse: James 1:12Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

DAILY DEVOTION, November 3, 2022

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the LORD our God (Psalm 20:7).

Hundreds of books have been written with a similar message. “Believe in yourself.” I even once owned a book with that title. Norman Vincent Peal’s book, “The power of Positive Thinking” encourages self-confidence. Is that a good idea for Christians? In our text God reminds Israel not to trust in their military might but to trust in God. In fact, the Bible has little to say about self-confidence and much to say about God-confidence.

The word “confidence” is a combination of two Latin words: con (with), and fides (faith), so “Self-confidence” means “with faith in yourself,” and that is misguided faith. Our faith should be in Christ. What we need is not self-confidence, but Christ-confidence. Self-confidence is good if it remains in second place to Christ-confidence. When self-confidence is king, watch out. The truth is that no matter how puffed up you are with self-confidence there will be times when trust in yourself will let you down. The Nazi’s produced a film entitled “The Triumph of the Will.” Hitler believer in the power of his own will (self-confidence) to overcome all obstacles. How did that work out? Positive thinking is fine unless it overshadows faith in Christ. Trust in Christ will never fail you. Fill your mind with the words of Jesus and live by them.

Father, I don’t need more faith in myself. I need more faith in Your Son. I want to live my life, not trusting in my fallible self, but trusting in You. Help me, I pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because he always lives to intercede for them. HEBREWS 7:25

DAILY DEVOTION, November 2, 2022

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith

(2 Timothy 4:7)

Paul knows that his life on earth will soon end. He has spent his time fighting for the Gospel. For Paul, the fight was difficult. Many opposed him but he continued the fight. He never abandoned his faith in Jesus. Now the race is over and he is prepared to meet the Lord in heaven. As I reflected on his words I wondered if I would be able to say something similar? What about you?

Like Paul we are called to fight the good fight, pouring our energy into serving Jesus. Like Paul, the day will come when we have finished the race. Hopefully, we can face death and declare “I have faithfully fought a good fight. I have kept the faith.” Some will be greeted by the Lord Himself who will declare, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Will I be among them? Will you?

Father, I do want to faithfully serve Jesus Christ my Lord. Please forgive me when I fall short in my service to the Master. Help me to be more faithful. In His name, I pray, Amen.  

Marie’s daily verse: 2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

DAILY DEVOTION, November 1, 2022

^“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

How glorious it is to be at peace. I am old enough to remember the end of World War 2 and the joyous celebrations around the country when the war finally ended and peace had come. Jesus spoke these words when He was planning on leaving His disciples. The cross loomed before Him, followed by His resurrection and ascension into heaven. How could they survive without Him?

He promised them a gift, the gift of peace.  The peace that followed World War 2 was short-lived. Soon after came the Korean War, the VietNam War, etc. The world’s peace is never long-lasting. When we trust in Jesus, and our faith is actively applied to our daily lives, Jesus gives us peace. He does not want us to live in fear. Trust Him to give you His peace, that peace of God that passes understanding. His peace is not temporary. It is permanent. Are you experiencing that peace today? This is a good verse to memorize. When fear creeps in, close your eyes and repeat this verse, receiving the peace that Jesus gives.

Dear heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of peace. Help me not to be anxious and worried about things going on in the world. I want Your peace to rule in my heart, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Romans 1:16). 

DAILY DEVOTION, October 31, 2022

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His anointed (Psalm 2:2).

What is happening in our country? It seems clear there are many who are fulfilling Psalm 2. Numerous national leaders want to drive Christianity into oblivion. In a classic statement in The Humanist Magazine, a humanist educator said this:

“I am convinced that the battle for humankind’s future must be waged and won in the public school classroom by teachers who correctly perceive their role as the proselytizer of a new faith; a religion of humanity … for they will be ministers of another sort, utilizing a classroom instead of a pulpit to convey humanist values in whatever subject they teach, regardless of the educational level—preschool, day care or large state university. The classroom must and will become an arena of conflict between the old and the new—the rotting corpse of Christianity, together with all its adjacent evils and misery, and the new faith of humanism” (quoted from D. James Kennedy).

Adolf Hitler said, “Let me control the textbooks and I will control Germany.” If opposition to God and to Christianity continue, there are hard days ahead for America. We need to make sure our government leaders understand they are not dealing with a “rotting corpse” but with a living God. Be ever faithful to Jesus, and pray for our country.

Father, while many oppose You and Your Son, they are fools who fail to understand that You will never be defeated. May I be a faithful witness to the truth of Jesus, praying always that thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In His name, Amen.

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Marie’s

daily verse: Ephesians 2:8-9: 

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.  Not of works, lest anyone should boast.

DAILY DEVOTION, October 30, 2022

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one (Colossians 4:6)

It is said that first-century Jewish rabbis referred to wisdom as “salt”; something that is both a preservative and is tasty. Be that as it may, the first part of the verse is very clear. Paul refers to how we are to speak as Christians. He gives us a hard lesson to follow. Whenever we speak our words should be covered with grace – – – gracious. Paul uses the word “always.” Couldn’t he have said “most of the time?” No, inspired by the Holy Spirit, he tells us to constantly mind our words. May they always be gracious.

When a waitress is rude or forgetful, speak graciously to her. When someone insults you, respond with gracious words. When your spouse fails to meet your expectations, speak graciously. When things don’t go your way at a board meeting, be gracious. This is a difficult command to follow. We seem to regularly encounter situations which call for angry words. Bite your tongue! Solomon wrote in Proverbs that a soft answer turns away wrath. We need to always remember; God has been gracious to us. Let us be gracious to one another.

Father, You have been so gracious to me. When my sins called for my condemnation, You graciously sent Your Son to redeem me. May the words of my mouth always be gracious. I pray in Jesus’ holy name, Amen.