Become Humble

DAILY VERSE

And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Luke 16:15

 

DEVOTION

It is important for each of us to strive every day to please God. So many people desire a fancy home, an expensive car, or expensive jewelry, to gain the admiration of others. God expects our hearts to be transformed and for our focus to be on Him. God is asking us to be servants, not peacocks. The humble and those with changed hearts are the ones who will draw future believers unto Him.

God is With You!

DAILY VERSE

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Isaiah 41:10

 

DEVOTION

There are times when I can let a situation well up anxiety in me. I can stand strong, but it’s when I take my eyes off of God or let my worldly time frame dictate my situation that anxiety creeps in. We all can suffer from these moments. This is when I ask for forgiveness, put my head down, pray, and press on. It’s never God’s lacking, it’s mine. Always remember that God is with you!

Be Content

DAILY VERSE

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

1 Timothy 6:6-7

 

DEVOTION

We live in a world swimming with a culture of more: more money, more things, more notoriety… It’s the opposite of how Jesus lived and who He expects us to be as believers. The key to being an effective representation of Jesus Christ is becoming deeply content, joyful in your faith, and confident in your reliance in God. It doesn’t happen overnight, but we should be yearning for “more” of Him.

Unto Us…

DAILY VERSE

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:11

 

DEVOTION

Foretold throughout the Old Testament, Jesus’ coming ushered in the New Covenant with God that restored a relationship that was broken by Adam and Eve in the Garden. Jesus conquered death. As we go into the Christmas weekend, let us all be thankful for the amazing gift of salvation. May we draw closer to God, love our families, friends, and strangers with the same grace we’ve been given.

In Human Form

DAILY VERSE

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 1 John 4:9

1 John 4:9

 

DEVOTION

The Trinity is a difficult thing for the human mind to grasp. But one thing is certain: God came down to this earth in human form as the man Jesus Christ to reveal His loving nature and reconcile the sins of mankind for those who believe. This is the time of year where gratitude is overflowing as we remember His sacrifice and the fact that we have eternal life available to us because of God’s mercy and grace. May we be this joyful and thankful all year round.

Get Out of the Way

DAILY VERSE 

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.

Romans 7:18

 

DEVOTION

I’d like to think that I’m a good person, but the good in me comes from Christ alone. We all have a selfish human nature, but allowing the Holy Spirit to shine through us is what draws others to Christ, allows us to love the unlovable, and live a life serving others. All we have to do is get out of the way, God can use each of us to do great things!

Out of Reach…

DAILY VERSE

And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,

Revelation 20:2

 

DEVOTION

Are you afraid of dogs? Those who are steer clear of them even when they are on a chain. That’s how you need to think of Satan. God has bound him, chained him up in the backyard, he can only go so far. He can tempt you and cause chaos, but he cannot do anything too extreme. When we stumble, many times it’s a temptation we’ve succumbed to. Know this: God has the power to thwart the devil’s advances and so do you! Dwell in the area outside of the chains reach, under God’s protection.

Release Your Burdens

DAILY VERSE

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, “and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Psalms 32:5

 

DEVOTION

You know, all too often we sin and ask for forgiveness, yet we harbor an enormous amount of guilt. It’s as if God’s forgiveness isn’t enough, we feel that we deserve the guilt we bear as punishment. But God didn’t sacrifice His throne in heaven so that you would have to bear this. God banishes your sin as far as the east is from the west. We don’t have a license to sin, but when we ask for forgiveness, in Jesus’ words, “It is finished.”

God’s Abundance

DAILY VERSE

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8

 

DEVOTION

God desires for us to want for nothing, he wants to fulfill our needs. The key is to rely on Him solely and place your complete trust in Him. One of the hardest things we can do is let go and place that control in His hands. To see the fullness of God that’s what is required. Fully surrender and you will experience God’s abundance.

Reach Out…

DAILY VERSE

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 15:22

 

DEVOTION

There are many times when people purposefully avoid the advice of friends and family because, honestly, the advice wouldn’t be what they wanted to hear. When you’re young you can fall into the trap of thinking you know at all, that all too destructive pride. Luckily, as we grow older, we realize that doing the right thing takes careful consideration, prayer, and the advice of others you trust. Don’t let pride get in the way, help can simply be a phone call (or a prayer) away.