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Christian Devotional – September 12, 2013
VERSE: Exodus 2:24–God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. TRUTH: The Israelites were in distress and they cried out to God. The most amazing thing happened: God heard their cries. However, He didn’t just hear them and turn away. He heard the cries and remembered His own promises to the leaders of the past. God then purposed to act to bring about change according to those promises. God hears us. God knows His promises to us. He is going to work and move to bring about His promises to us and we never have to feel alone in our sufferings. He…
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Christian Devotional – September 11, 2013
VERSE: Exodus 1:12–But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. TRUTH: The Israelites had done nothing wrong, but yet just the fact that there were several of them resulted in the Egyptians fearing them. We do not always do anything to result in the difficulties that we face, but God is always bigger than those difficulties. Just like the Israelites, He can work so that we flourish and grow even in the midst of the trials and oppressions. God is still with us and still loves us and we can still trust Him to bring us through the…
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Christian Devotional – September 10, 2013
VERSE: James 5:9–Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The judge is standing at the door! TRUTH: Our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ will not always do exactly what we think they should. God speaks to each of us in different ways and sometimes with different timing and we need to be sensitive to that. We must be careful not to grumble or complain against them for they are our family and fellow workers in Christ. We can take our concerns to God and, under His leadership, take them directly to that brother or sister, but don’t be spreading stories of complaining to…
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Christian Devotional – September 9, 2013
VERSE: James 4:10–Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. TRUTH: It sounds so backward from what we are told by the world, yet we are to humble ourselves to others and allow God to be the One who lifts us up. If we go around boasting of our abilities, then those will be the only accolades we receive and will not bring honor and glory to God. However, if we are humble and patient, God will take responsibility for lifting us up at the proper time and in the proper way so that He will receive all the honor and praise for what He has done…
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Christian Devotional – September 8, 2013
VERSE: James 3:18–Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. TRUTH: Do we consider ourselves peacemakers? Are we not just looking for peace, but actively doing all we can to make peace wherever we are? Those people who make peace wherever they go, the Lord indicates that they will receive back a harvest of righteousness. They will receive in abundant supply all that the Lord desires to give them and others will be able to see the righteousness and peace in their lives. What are we sowing and what will we be reaping for the whole world to see? RESPONSE: Father, give me a heart that seeks peace…
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Christian Devotional – September 7, 2013
VERSE: James 2:10–For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking it all. TRUTH: The Bible states in Romans that we have all sinned and here is an explanation of why. Obeying God is an all or nothing thing. Either we are perfect and never do anything wrong in our entire life or, if we fall short just one time, then we are guilty of breaking the entire law. God is gracious and knew we could never be perfect so He created a way to redeem us through His Son Jesus Christ. RESPONSE: Father, no matter how good I think I am…
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Christian Devotional – September 6, 2013
VERSE: James 1:4–Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. TRUTH: How do we become mature? Maturity comes as we allow God to move through our life through struggles. In the previous verses, we learn that facing struggles and situation that test our faith produces perseverance in our lives. Then as we allow perseverance to do and complete its work in our life, we experience the maturity that God desires for us. How do we face trials? Do we allow God to move and work no matter what happens knowing that He knows best in all situations? That is how we have…
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Christian Devotional – September 5, 2013
VERSE: Joel 3:21–“Shall I leave their innocent blood unavenged? No I will not.” The Lord dwells in Zion. TRUTH: The Lord, speaking here, is reminding the people that He sees and knows all that is going on and all the struggles that they are going through. He promises that He is not going to leave the people to deal with the issues on their own. He will not leave the people without a champion. He will be their champion. He will avenge His people. RESPONSE: Father, You are still on Your throne and You still see all that occurs. You promise that You will avenge You people and I will…
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Christian Devotional – September 4, 2013
VERSE: Joel 2:13–Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. TRUTH: The people of Israel had a tradition that when they were in mourning or showing deep repentance, they would tear their robes. Unfortunately, it had come to be just a tradition and not something that actually reached their hearts. God is reminding the people that it is not about the outward signs of repentance, but the inner signs. Do we allow our hearts to be broken by our sin? Are we being genuine in our…
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Christian Devotional – September 3, 2013
VERSE: Joel 1:15–Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. TRUTH: Joel is describing the disaster of God’s judgment on the people. The people knew that the day was near, yet were not preparing for it. The same can be said about the return of Christ. That day is near as well. For those who are not prepared and ready, that day will be a day of destruction. Are we who are ready seeking to help those who are not? RESPONSE: Father, that day of Your return is a day of great anticipation for some and great dread…