Short Daily Bible Devotions

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
(Mark 1:16-18 ESV)

The modern media’s portrayal of the “lone wolf” seems to be growing more and more popular. From movies where the hero is mowing down hundreds of bad guys by himself, to books about “maverick” politicians standing against the grain and defying the status quo, it would seem as if we love a stand alone hero. But how realistic a notion is this one man versus the world mentality? And have we tried to adopt this model into our spiritual walk?

Even a cursory examination of Jesus’ first interactions with his disciples should be sufficient for the realization that we were never intended to go it alone. In fact, if we take it way back, Continue Reading…

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 ESV)

Most relationships are based upon the notion of “give and take”. For example, Jeff holds value to Pete, because Jeff knows everything there is to know about electronics. So, all too conveniently, Pete calls Jeff to ask him about which home theater system to buy, but feels guilty about only calling to get information from him, so he asks him to coffee as an afterthought. While this isn’t necessarily bad, it can exemplify the shallowness of many of our friendships.

Let’s take it a step further: Continue Reading…

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV)

Have you ever felt like God has quit speaking? Maybe sermons are losing their impact, times of genuine worship in life are growing more scarce, and overall, you’re coasting on spiritual memories and past times? Whatever the reason, there are times in life in which we feel disconnected from God and alone.

But have you considered that Book you’ve been neglecting? Continue Reading…

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. (2 Thessalonians 1:3 ESV)

Have you ever said to yourself, “I need to increase my faith”? Maybe you have read a book or listened to a sermon series that gave you steps or ideas to increase your faith. Most of the time these are great ideas and steps, but don’t necessarily focus on the outward expression of our faith, which is love. Do you look at your life and say I am not loving others enough, therefore my faith is lacking? Faith isn’t simply head knowledge of the Bible or Jesus. Think of it this way, even Satan and his demons believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead (James 2:19).

We must realize Continue Reading…

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. (Nehemiah 9:17 ESV)

The Israelites time and time again were saved by God through miracles as they were in and leaving Egypt. But they continually rebelled from God. Reading these accounts in Scripture can easily make us feel competent and prideful. Our minds are filled with the notion that if we had seen the miracles the Israelites saw, we would never have forgotten them. Generally, we could rightly assume that none of us reading this has ever seen a sea part, a river turn to blood or mana from heaven. But, we think that if we did, we would never act faithlessly as the Israelites did toward God.

What if we are looking at this scripture and others similar in the wrong way? Continue Reading…

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25 ESV)

In prayer, many of us tend to simply rattle off a list of things we have done wrong for the day or week, and ask God to forgive us for them. This usually constitutes all the forgiveness we believe is needed during our prayer time. This isn’t necessarily wrong, but as this verse points out, there is something we should be doing before we ask God to forgive us of our multitude of sins. Continue Reading…