-
Christian Devotional – November 25, 2014
Read Matthew chapter 21 VERSE: Matthew 21:13–“It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.'” TRUTH: Jesus came and confronted those who held a wrong view of God’s house. How do we view God’s house? Are we using it as a house of prayer? Are we focused on reaching others and sharing the message of Christ? Or, do we see church as only a gathering place or a place focused on raising money? What does our church look like and how are we helping to make it a house of prayer? RESPONSE: Father, Your…
-
Christian Devotional – November 24, 2014
Read Matthew chapter 20 VERSE: Matthew 20:28–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. TRUTH: Jesus came to serve and to sacrifice. He had a purpose in doing both. As He has called us and sent us to be like Him, we also are sent to serve and sacrifice. Does our life reflect that calling? We realize that God has given us the example to follow. Will we? RESPONSE: Father, make my life a life of service and sacrifice for You. I desire that You would give me the strength and endurance to follow…
-
Christian Devotional – November 23, 2014
Read Matthew chapter 19 VERSE: Matthew 19:14–Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” TRUTH: Do we ever try to hinder people from coming to God? Have we ever looked around us at various people and just assumed that they wouldn’t want to know more about God or wouldn’t be interested in knowing more about God? That’s what was going on here; the disciples assumed that because they were children, they wouldn’t be interested or understand. Instead, Jesus indicated that they understood, probably better than the disciples themselves. When we see people, we must…
-
Christian Devotional – November 22, 2014
Read Matthew chapter 18 VERSE: Matthew 18:20–For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. TRUTH: We have power in the authority of Jesus Christ, and we also have great power when we are with others together with Christ. Do we share with others and pray for and with one another? We have such a potential for seeing God’s power and authority work in our life if we will simply work together with other believers. RESPONSE: Father, thank You for the friends I have and the power You give as we meet together in Your Name and for Your purpose. Keep us focused on You…
-
Christian Devotional – November 21, 2014
Read Matthew chapter 17 VERSE: Matthew 17:6–When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. TRUTH: I find it interesting that this is the point where the disciples fall down. It wasn’t when they saw the glory of Jesus or even when Moses and Elijah appeared and started talking to Jesus. Only later, when God’s voice comes from heaven do they fall down terrified. What does it take for God to get our attention? Do we miss God at work? What is God doing in our life today that we need to thank and honor Him for? RESPONSE: Father, I praise You and bless You. I pray…
-
Christian Devotional – November 20, 2014
Read Matthew chapter 16 VERSE: Matthew 16:25–For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. TRUTH: It seems counterintuitive, yet Jesus here explains that in order to find true life, we must be willing to lose our lives for Christ’s sake. Often the things we try to hang on to the most are the very things that seem to slip through our grasp. However, if we are holding on to Jesus and all that He promises us, then we will see that we will lose our old life along with our preconceived notions of what life will be like.…
-
Christian Devotional – November 19, 2014
Reach Matthew chapter 15 VERSE: Matthew 15:18–But the things that comes out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. TRUTH: What thoughts actually slip out of our mouths? When we say thins we are voicing the innermost beliefs and ideas that we have. These are the things that show what our hearts truly believe. If our hearts are sinful, our words will mimic that. When we say evil and mean things, we are simply reflecting the evil and mean thoughts we have held in our hearts. What will our words reflect about us today? RESPONSE: Father, I praise You and desire that my words reveal…
-
Christian Devotional – November 18, 2014
Read Matthew chapter 14 VERSE: Matthew 14:16–Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” TRUTH: How many times when forced with a difficult situation, have we come up with a solution, only to have God say, “No, not that way. Do it this way.” So often, when we think we have things figured out, God changes the plan on us so that He receives the glory. Are we open to God’s plans? Do we trust that He knows exactly what He is doing, even when at first glance, we can’t figure out His plan. Trust Him today; He has a plan. RESPONSE: Father,…
-
Christian Devotional – November 17, 2014
Read Matthew chapter 13 VERSE: Matthew 13:44–The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hit it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. TRUTH: Would we be willing to sell everything we have in order to obtain one thing of great value? What is worth that much to us? Jesus indicates that the kingdom of heaven is worth everything we have and we should be willing to gladly trade all that we have to be able to obtain it. Will we trade all that we have and know in this lie in…
-
Christian Devotional – November 16, 2014
Read Matthew chapter 13 VERSE: Matthew 13:36–But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. TRUTH: How do we use our gift of speech? Our ability to communication is truly a gift that we have been given by God and one day we will be held accountable for all that we have said and all that we haven’t said. Are we using our gift of communication in a way pleasing to God? RESPONSE: Father, allow everything that comes out of my mouth to be pleasing to You. Keep my word full instead of empty and allow…