Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

DAILY DEVOTION, Oct. 17, 2021

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesian 1:7).

I am a forgiven sinner, a phrase we ought to repeat over and over. I am a forgiven sinner. Our status has nothing to do with our spiritual achievements. Our “good works” do not enter into the equation at all. We are redeemed because Jesus shed His blood for us. We are forgiven because God decided to be gracious to us. I have spoken with a few Christians over the years who struggled with the idea that they were forgiven. I hope you don’t struggle with the concept. God declares that we are forgiven. Why would anyone want to doubt their forgiveness? Yes, if we had to earn forgiveness, we would have reason to doubt. But forgiveness is God’s gift to us earned by the sacrifice of Jesus. God forgives all who trust in His Son. Believe it – – – repeat it over and over until it works down deep in your soul. I am forgiven! I am forgiven!

Our Father and our God, how wonderful it is to know I am forgiven. Thank You, Jesus, for Your unbelievable sacrifice. Thank You, Father, for being gracious to us. Blessed be Your name and the name of Jesus. Amen.

DAILY DEVOTION, October 16, 2021

I am the Lord Your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear (Isaiah 41:13).

In our Wednesday Bible study, we learned that when John Wesley came to America, the ship encountered a terrible storm. Wesley was terrified, but the Moravians who traveled with him seemed confident and unafraid. When he asked them about it, he learned that their faith in God was so strong that they did not fear death. They must have believed Isaiah 41:13. They believed they were being held by the hand of God, and so they were without fear. Whatever happened, they knew God was with them.

When we are afraid, we need to remember that God is holding our hand. We may not experience His presence, but by faith, we believe it is so. If God is with us, we have nothing to fear. Even death, our last enemy, need not cause us to fear. Death leads us into our eternal home. I remember several years ago listening to a Chinese Christian. When the authorities came to her home and threatened her, she responded, “If you let me live I will continue to preach Jesus. If you kill me, I will be with Jesus forever. I can’t lose!” A similar sentiment was expressed by one of my church members in Decatur who had cancer. Either he would be healed, which would be fantastic, or he would not be cured and go to be with Jesus. He was unafraid.

The point? We have nothing to fear. God is holding our hand.

Dear God, my heavenly Father, forgive me when I doubt Your love and Your presence with me. When I dwell on my problems, fear arises. However, when I focus on Your love and presence with me, fear vanishes. Forgive me when I become too self-absorbed. May I always hear You whispering to me, “Do not fear.” In the blessed name of Jesus, I pray, Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, October 15, 2021

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out (John 6:37 NKJV).

We learn elsewhere in Scripture that the Father gives to the Son all who believe in Him. As Paul expressed it, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). When we listen to God who speaks to us in Scripture and believe what we read, faith is born. Faith basically believes what God says, and when we believe what He says about Jesus, saving faith is born. Sometimes we wonder, “How can Jesus accept me? I have done some big-time sinning. I just don’t feel worthy.”

Who among us is worthy? The good news in our verse is that those who come to Jesus will never be rejected. When I believe the good confession that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and I trust Him as my Savior and Lord, that is faith. And when we come to Him with faith, we are always welcome.  It is not about how good we are but how good God is to receive sinners who come to Him in faith.

Father, I thank you for the gift of eternal life given to all who trust in Jesus. I know how unworthy I am, and I thank You that Jesus washed away my sins on the cross. I rejoice in the promise that all who come to Him will never be turned away.  In His name, Amen.

DAILY DEVOTION, Oct. 14, 2021

The greatest among you will be your servant ( Matthew 23:11).

Often the teachings of Jesus are in opposition to the ways of the world. That is certainly true in the above verse. When we humans think of greatness, we think that those who have many underlings doing their bidding are the great ones. The President of the United States has hundreds of servants who do his bidding. Does that make him great? The CEO of a large corporation is surrounded by servants who will always respond, “Yes sir.” Does that make him great?

Jesus defines greatness in terms of servanthood. Those who are great in the eyes of God serve others. Jesus is the premier example. Yes, He is the Son of God. Yes, he has many servants. However, His greatness is revealed in His service to others. His greatness is revealed in the cross.

In God’s kingdom, greatness is measured by the service we perform. You may be regarded as very ordinary by the world, but as you serve others you are considered “great” in the kingdom of God. When you feed the hungry, when you share Jesus with another, when you give a few dollars to help a missionary, you are one of God’s great ones.

Father, You certainly have a way of turning things upside down!  I know I will never be considered great in the eyes of the world, and that’s okay. By your definition, greatness is when we serve others. So help me to be a person who sees needs and reaches out to help. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

DAILY DEVOTION, Oct. 13, 2021

May grace and peace come to you from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness, so what he has shown can be trusted. He was the first to rise from the dead. He rules over the kings of the earth. Glory and power belong to Jesus Christ who loves us! He has set us free from our sins by pouring out his blood for us (Revelation 1:5).

Who is Jesus? We learn much about Him from this one verse. His witness to God is faithful, reliable. We can always depend on what He says. He is the one Person we can trust 100%. He is alive.  He rose from the grave, verifying that He is who He claimed to be, the Son of God. He is in charge of the world’s nations and their leaders. Kings, Presidents, Potentates, Chancellors, Dictators – – – whatever the title, all rule under the authority of Jesus. Those who rebel against Him make a terrible mistake. All will answer to Him. And what a blessing it is to know that He loves us. Those who trust in Him live under the umbrella of His love. And finally, He has set us free from our sins on the cross.  He poured out His blood for us. We are forgiven. Who is Jesus? He is our wonderful Savior. You can’t go wrong when you trust and follow Him.

Gracious Father in heaven, we have no words to express our gratitude for Jesus adequately.  He is our everything. May we serve Him freely in response to His love. Amen.