Daily Devotion on Psalm 1
Devotion Text: Psalm 1
What kind of God do you believe in?
For many, “god” is nothing more than an unknowable force in the sky. Maybe that god did something to create the universe and maybe that god cares about what happens to us after we die, but he certainly doesn’t care about us on a day-to-day basis. Who would have that kind of time!
For others, “god” is exceedingly powerful and that makes him exceedingly scary. These god-fearers will do anything to appease the angry god they believe in–from counterfeit good works, to over-the-top material sacrifices. While they hope they have done enough, there is never enough comfort that this god will turn aside his powerful wrath.
Still others believe in a “god” in which love, rather than justice, is the overwhelming trait. This god would never condemn any one, regardless of their misdeeds. This god would have no need for hell or demons. This god gave us laws for only civil reasons and those who don’t believe in him will be taken to heaven regardless of what the Bible says.
So, what kind of God do you believe in?
As Christians, we believe in the God that the Bible tells us about. Psalm 1 tells us exactly who God is! He is a God of love–loving his people and blessing them with all of his gifts. Our God, the true God, is also a God of justice–repaying the wrong of unbelievers that have rejected his mercy.
Our God is not far off and he is not unknowable. He is both loving and just. Our God does not demand anything other than what his Son has already accomplished–a perfect life lived and a innocent death in our place. Believe in the exact kind of God our God says he is. There is no other!
Prayer: Lord, you I love with all my heart. I pray you never from me depart–with tender mercies cheer me. Earth has no pleasure I would share. Heaven itself were void and bare–if you Lord were not near me. And should my heart for sorrow break, my trust in you no one could shake. You are the treasure I have sought! Your precious blood my soul has bought! Lord Jesus Christ, my God and Lord, Forsake me not! I trust your Word. Amen. (Christian Worship 434)
Daily Devotion on Hebrews 3:1-6
Devotion Text: Hebrews 3:1-6
Think of some of your fondest family vacation memories.
Maybe it was a long drive to celebrate a wedding or an important lifetime milestone. Perhaps it was that long-promised, never-forgotten trip to Disney World. Or was it that father-son/mother-daughter bonding time at a ball game or the Mall of America?
Whatever it was, isn’t it crazy that some of our best memories from big lifetime events are actually about the journey to get there? See, once we get to that Wedding, or to Disney World, everything is just a blur! Instead, we’re left with the funny stories and touching anecdotes of the games we played on the road and the memorable events we shared with our loved ones along the way.
For the Jewish people, Moses was an extremely central figure to their faith. He had written the first five books of the Bible–the central tenants of their faith. All the rules they followed on a daily basis? Those were handed down to Moses directly from God.
Yet, in our text for today, the writer to the Hebrews points out that Moses was just a memorable stop along the journey. Jesus, the long-promised, never-forgotten Messiah, had come to fulfill all of the things Moses had written about. We can’t keep the Ten Commandments that were handed down to Moses, so Jesus kept them for us and died in our place that we may be co-heirs to the Kingdom of God.
So, today, Christians can still remember all of the great things about Moses, who was “faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” but we rejoice even more greatly in Jesus as we march onward to our final home in Heaven.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for always being with me. You have given your church so many memorable people and events along the way. Thank you for your countless blessings! Most of all, thank you for leaving the perfection of your throne to take my place and die for my sins. As I appreciate every other blessing you have given me, keep my eyes fixed on you, that I may never waver and join you in heaven forever.
Daily Devotion on 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Text: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Freedom is a pretty amazing thing. When is the last time you have considered what your life would be like if you lived in Iran instead of America?
As Christians and Americans we enjoy a double portion of freedom. We have all the liberties associated with America and if that isn’t enough for you we have even greater Christian freedom. As Americans, we are theoretically free to say what we want, free to travel wherever we want, free to work and live wherever we want. As Christians we are free from the condemnation associated with sin, we are free from the demands of the law because it has been fulfilled for us. We are free to use all of God’s creation his glory. We are free to enjoy the blessings God offers through this world.
Paul reminds us today that though we are theoretically free to do as we please, in reality we are bound by the law of love to consider how our choices will impact those around us. For the Corinthians eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols was pricking the consciences of some newer Christians. Paul wrote that even though the strong Christians knew that there was nothing special about the meat because there is only one God they should refrain from eating that meat for the sake of the weaker Christians.
Even though we do not see meat being sold at the Winn Dixie that has been sacrificed to idols we too can learn from this chapter in 1 Corinthians. The broad rule that God establishes here is that we are to avoid offending the consciences of other Christians even though we may be theoretically free to do the offending act. This will look different in every life and in every situation. The overriding rule: Let the love of Christ be reflected in all you do. Never forget that in Christ we are free from sin. We are free to love and serve those around us as Christ loved us. Borrowing from elsewhere in the Bible; consider others better than yourselves.
Prayer: Heavenly Father fill us with the love of Jesus. Let his love for us pour out on the world around us as we seek to bring glory to your name in all we do. Forgive us when we focus too much on what we want. Help us to see how we can help others see your love at work in our lives. We praise you for our freedoms in Christ. Amen.
Daily Devotion on Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Text: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Moses was an extraordinary man of God. Consider all the amazing things he was part of in his ministry: The 10 Plagues in Egypt, Leading 2 million Israelites through the middle of the Red Sea on dry ground, bringing water out of a rock, receiving the 10 Commandments from God on Mt. Sinai, and so much more.
It is no wonder that Moses was and is revered by the Jews. Christians also join in giving thanks for Moses and his great work as a great prophet of God.
But lest the Israelites would forget, Moses reminded them that a greater prophet would come. In fact, he would be the greatest prophet ever. Moses then encouraged the people to wait and watch for this Prophet, and then listen to him.
We too do well to listen to this greatest prophet, Jesus Christ. He is the greater Moses and the greatest prophet of God. He proclaims the truth. He is the Truth. He is the fulfillment of this prophecy of Moses and all of God’s prophecies about a Savior.
Yes, listen to Moses today, and listen to Jesus!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Help me to listen to you speak as the Great Prophet of God. Give me a faith that trusts and believes what you say, and guide my my footsteps each day. Amen.
