Daily Devotions On The Gospel

Hebrews 12:16-17 – The Aching Clarity of Hindsight

Daily Devotion Bible Verse

that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. (Hebrews 12:16-17 ESV)

An act done, can never be undone. We may be able to recant words we’ve spoken, apologize or lessen the consequences of an inappropriate action, but never can we undo what’s been done. At first thought, this is a sobering realization, even frightening. Still now, as we each stand upon the wrong side of poor decisions and wicked deeds, there is One who remains at our side and stood in our place. Jesus lived the life we should have but couldn’t, and for that we can rejoice as through faith in him there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

Esau, however, serves as an example Continue Reading →

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Romans 3:23-24 – The Beautiful Scandal

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (Romans 3:23-24 ESV)

It’s common knowledge that humans are imperfect. Even if one doesn’t hold to the Christian doctrine of man’s depravity (sinfulness) a popular cultural saying is that, “We’re only human”. It’s both an admission and understanding that people fail often and are imperfect. As believers we should understand that this sentiment springs from the reality of sin in every human’s life. Without “the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” we can do nothing but sin (Romans 14:23), relegating us to a life consistently “short of the glory of God”.

Here’s the good news, Continue Reading →

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1 Timothy 2:1-4 – A Call To Prayer

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV)

Living in America can be similar to living in a bubble.  We see all the hurt and problems happening around us, but we are safe in this American bubble. You might not even live in America, but don’t have the problems or war or poverty as many third world countries do.  This can also affect the church as we focus on praying just for ourselves here in America and the problems facing our fellow citizens.  From the perspective of the bubble, we have been seeing turmoil in the Middle East and parts of Africa, and we can’t forget that God doesn’t call us only to pray for those in our culture or nation, but for “all people” and those in “high positions”.

These prayers have a two fold purpose.  The first purpose is to Continue Reading →

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Romans 5:8 – Messy Love

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 ESV)

Most of us can remember a time as children when our parents told us to clean up before dinner. We may have been having company over or simply too dirty from playing to sit at a clean table! But this idea that we need to be presentable gets engrained in us as we grow up, and continues to sink its roots deeper within us. Some high schoolers spend hours in the morning picking out the perfect outfits, applying make-up and straightening hair, or making sure their hats are tilted just like Justin Bieber’s.

We work so hard to present ourselves with a certain image, and it often becomes an obsession. Unfortunately, this doesn’t end in high school or even college. In fact, as we age it frequently gets worse. We move into buying homes, cars and jet skis that we can’t afford simply to impress our neighbors and ourselves.

Even though we may appear put together on the outside, many of our hearts are a mess. But God doesn’t Continue Reading →

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Galatians 5:7-9 – Leaven

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Galatians 5:7-9 ESV)

Leaven is a substance, typically yeast, that is added to dough to make it rise.  It only takes a small amount and the entire lump of dough has been permeated by the yeast and will begin rising.  Throughout the Bible leaven is used as an analogy for evil that creeps into the lives of people.  Jesus tells the disciples to watch out for it (Matthew 16:6) and Paul mentions it again in (1 Corinthians 5:6-7).  Paul is specifically referencing a legalism that has creeped into the Gospel at the church in Galatia, and has actually twisted it, distorting the Gospel’s truth.  We can apply this principle to our lives today.

Leaven doesn’t always equate to legalism.  Leaven can be any bad doctrine that is attached to the Gospel.  We must be careful Continue Reading →

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1 John 2:4 – Lights. Camera. Where’s the Action?: Check Yourself

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, (1 John 2:4 ESV)

“Check Yourself” is part three in the series “Lights. Camera. Where’s the Action?”, and holds the greatest value when read in sequence. You can start at the beginning here.

By ourselves we can do nothing that pleases God (Isaiah 64:6) because every action is tainted by sin. Sin isn’t simply found in a someone’s actions, but within that person. Jesus taught that the problem of sin isn’t due to all of the evil “out there”, but all of the evil “in here” (Matthew 15:11). Without a saving knowledge of Jesus, we cannot hope to truly “keep his commandments”. But a deceitful reality exists: we can have knowledge about God without actually knowing him! Take, for instance, someone’s favorite NFL player; a person can know in great detail the player’s statistics without really knowing the player. Even demons have knowledge of God (James 2:19), but it isn’t saving knowledge.

Examine your life and your claim that “[you] know him”. Does your life match your words? Is the truth really in you? To be abundantly clear Continue Reading →

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