DAILY DEVOTION, August 30, 2021

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1, NIV).

Paul describes the Christian as having already been raised with Christ. Our resurrection is sure, and so Paul speaks of it as a present reality. He then speaks of setting our hearts on things above. This implies that there are things below,  things pertaining to this life.  The things above relate to those things which have lasting spiritual value.

If you buy a car, that pertains to this earthly life. If you witness for Jesus, that pertains to things above. If you wander into Walmart, that relates to this life on earth. If you pray for another person, that pertains to things above. If you eat a meal, that relates to this life. If you partake of the Lord’s Supper, that relates to things above. Of course, we need to do lots of earthly things. We don’t want the things of this world to crowd out our sacred duties. The things we do that pertain to this life have no lasting value. The things we do for God in the name of Jesus have eternal value. Paul wants us to have our hearts set on the things above. Don’t neglect the heavenly for the earthly.  Don’t spend all your time on things that have no lasting value.

Heavenly Father, thank You for guaranteeing my resurrection. As a person bound for heaven, I pray that I will set my heart on things above where Christ is seated at Your right hand. I pray in His name and for His sake, Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, August 28, 2021

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).

We continue on the theme of fear. Jesus promises peace to His people. He says that the peace He gives is different from the peace the world gives. The world promises peace when we are successful. If we do the right thing (whatever that may be!), the world gives us peace. If we have lots of money and things, the world promises peace. Guess what? The peace the world offers does not endure. Even the most successful find in time that success does not bring lasting peace.

The only lasting peace is found in Jesus. When we trust Him as Savior and live under His Lordship, we experience real peace, lasting peace. The peace Jesus gives is the permanent cure for a troubled heart. His peace drives fear from our hearts. Jesus desires to provide you with His peace. Will you accept it?Blessed Lord, I thank You for Your gift of peace. Would you please help me to turn to You when I am troubled and afraid? Fear never helps me in any manner, but Your peace brings comfort to my soul. Thank You for the gift of peace. Amen

DAILY DEVOTION, August 27, 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, August 26, 2021

All things are possible with God (Mark 10:27).

This verse encourages us never to give up. We might give up on our own strength to change things, but we should never give up on God. Of course, the verse does not say “all things are definite with God” but “all things are possible.” There is nothing too hard for God. His power is without limit. His love for us is never-ending. We are encouraged to cast all of our cares upon Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

When you pray, you should never doubt God. But, of course, He will never act contrary to His will, and so we pray, “Thy will be done.” But we should never doubt God’s love for His people and His power to accomplish anything. God never says, “I can’t answer your prayer because what you ask is too hard for me.” He may not answer our prayers because we are so full of doubt that our faith vanishes. Or we may be asking for something contrary to His will. Yes, there are reasons our prayers are not answered as we would like, but the reason is never any limitation on God’s part. “All things are possible with God.” Believe it when you pray.

Father, help me to believe that nothing is impossible for You. Yes, I often put roadblocks between my prayers and You. Help me to pray with complete confidence that on Your side, “all things are possible.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.