Daily Devotion – Your Reward

“I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me, to repay all according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” – Revelation 22:12-13 NLT

Each of us has been given 24 hours a day. And God has given each person different gifts and resources as well as unique opportunities to use those gifts. Every day, we must make choices about how we spend our time and what we do with our resources.

Many people make decisions primarily based on what seems important at the moment. They’re not concerned about the future but about what feels best right now.

How easily we forget that even if we solved every problem today, we would face new challenges tomorrow. While no moment of pleasure lasts forever, our actions have eternal consequences.

The Bible urges us to realize that our lives are like a vapor, a blink of an eye. Yet many people focus on this vapor and forget that today’s choices will impact them throughout their lives and into eternity.

Yes, we are saved by grace alone through faith. But the Bible reminds us that the choices we make here and now will help determine how we spend eternity.

Jesus said that when He comes again, He will bring His reward with Him. What rewards will He bring for you? You can help determine your rewards based on your decisions and actions today. Stay faithful to Him. Keep sowing seeds into His kingdom from your time, talents, and treasures. Remember, you will reap what you sow – in this life and into eternity.

Prayer

Father, give me Your perspective on my life. Help me to be faithful with the gifts You have given me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading

Revelation 22


Daily Devotion – How Great Thou Art

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.” – Psalm 145:3 KJV

One day in 1885, Carl Boberg was caught in a thunderstorm in his native Sweden. Looking around after the storm passed, Boberg became overwhelmed by the brightness of the sun and the sound of birds singing. In awe, he fell to his knees and gave thanks to God. To commemorate this unforgettable moment, he wrote a poem.

In the following years, this poem developed a life of its own. Boberg himself was surprised when he heard a congregation sing his poem to the tune of a Swedish folk song. Swedish immigrants later brought this song to America. In 1925, E. Gustav Johnson made the first English translation with the title “O Mighty God, When I Behold the Wonder.”

The hymn had also been translated into German, and then into Russian. In 1933, S.K. Hine and his wife heard this Russian version while serving in Ukraine. Moved, they decided to translate it into English. As they translated, they were inspired by the sight of the Carpathian mountains.

Hine published the hymn as “How Great Thou Art,” the name by which it became widely known. The story behind this hymn reminds us of the ways people have been affected by God’s greatness. Join people who seek to praise Him. Consider the world His hands have made. Think about the stars and the rolling thunder. Realize that His power is displayed throughout the universe.

Let your soul sing “How great Thou art!”

Prayer

Father, I am overwhelmed by Your greatness. Thank you for giving me life and for sending Jesus to take away my sin. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading

Psalm 145


Daily Devotion – Successful Strategies

“Our struggle is … against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 6:12-13 NASB

It was no accident that Paul used military terms to describe the Christian life. He knew that our interactions with Satan are not a game, but a real war with serious consequences. Paul also knew that we needed careful preparation for spiritual warfare if we want to be victorious.

To understand this warfare, we can consider the insights of military historian Bevin Alexander. He discovered that many great military generals are successful because they avoid direct attacks. Instead, they attack an “enemy’s flank or rear.”

This strategy can catch an enemy off guard and distract them, make them lose their “confidence and sense of security.” It cuts them off from their supplies and reinforcements.

Like the strategies of these generals, Satan often attacks believers where we are vulnerable and least prepared when our defenses are weak.

If we want to be victorious, we must remember that Satan is the “father of lies” (John 8:44). A master of deception, he can strike at our minds and emotions, planting misleading ideas. He can appear harmless and trustworthy and disguise himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Be sure to be prepared for battle. Put on the whole armor of God. Stand on the truths in the Bible. Focus on the Gospel. Take on the shield of faith that can provide a sure defense. Attack with the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word. And dedicate yourself to persistent prayer.

Prayer

Father, help me to be ready for the attacks of the enemy. Thank You for victory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading

Ephesians 6


Faithful Unto God

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” – Hebrews 11:13 NKJV

Havergal Brian’s life has been called a strange phenomenon. Born into a working-class family on this day in 1876, no one would have imagined that he was destined for a career in music.

Leaving school at age twelve, he worked in a coal mine, for timber firms, and for a carpenter. Yet, despite limited experience, he felt called to be a composer. His music attracted some attention, but the dominant reaction was rejection.

Many thought he was an eccentric. But some saw something satisfying. His champions included influential conductors but, in spite of their friendship, few performances were arranged. He could continue composing only because of the support of a wealthy businessman.

Even though he didn’t have tangible successes, Brian kept writing – piece after piece, for eighty years. It was called “one of the longest creative careers ever.” Yet not a note of his music was issued commercially during his lifetime. We can imagine how discouraged he felt at times. Only after he died in 1972 (at the age of 96) did his work begin attracting the acclaim he missed in his lifetime. His music finally was recorded and played in concerts.

His experience reminds us of Biblical principles. Whether or not we get attention or praise, we are to be good stewards of the resources God gives us. Always be faithful. Always work as unto God, trusting the results to Him.

Prayer

Father, help me work as unto You. Help me to be a good steward. May You be pleased with my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading

Hebrews 11


Daily Devotion – Weight of Heavy Burdens

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” – Psalm 55:22 NKJV

David faced serious problems. He admitted being “restless” and in “turmoil” (v. 2 CSB). But God showed him how to respond. He could not find relief by holding on to or dwelling on his burdens. David needed to give them to God. As the Hebrew word indicates, he had to literally throw them. This meant aggressively committing every burden to God. David was seeking Him in earnest prayer and praying until he found answers.

David recognized that God was his only hope of finding relief. Trusting Him gave him the strength and release he needed. Through this process, David could find peace to be freed from the burdens weighing him down.
Echoing a similar conclusion, Peter wrote, “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God.” Peter, too, learned to cast his worries on God, confident that He cares and is ready to help (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Do you have burdens that seem too heavy? A physical need? An economic challenge? A worry or relationship crisis? Do you face a crossroads? You may be worried or afraid and have trouble sleeping. You may feel confused or frustrated and not know what to do.

No matter the circumstances, if you truly trust in the Lord, He promises to sustain you. Confess your needs to Him. Then give Him your burdens. If they return, keep giving them back to God. The Bible says that He will take away your fears and worries.

Prayer
Father, I cast these burdens on You: ______. I know You will sustain me. Thank You for caring for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading: Psalm 55
 

Daily Devotion – January 25th, 2021

“They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.” – Psalm 105:40-41 ESV

From our perspective, Israel’s exodus from Egypt seems inevitable and even easy. But we know it was anything but easy. Everything about the journey was perilous. With overwhelming needs, they faced a constant stream of dangers and unknowns.

They must have had constant questions that needed answers. Moses might have given them promises from God, but they still had doubts. How would they escape the mighty Egyptian army? With no clear signposts, how would they know where to go? How would they find food and water in a barren wilderness?

Each of us has our versions of experiences like these – problems that seem impossible to solve, difficulties that seem too great, uncertainties, and questions. These are moments to remember all that God did for the Israelites.

Over and over, He did what seemed impossible. To people with no resources, He provided silver and gold. When there seemed to be no food, He fed them with quail. He didn’t just give them some bread, but an abundance. In a place without water, He provided water that gushed out of a rock, flowing “like a river.”

Why did God do these things? He was keeping His promises and the covenant He had established with Abraham.

Remember, nothing is impossible with God. You can trust Him. Stand on His Word. Believe that He will make a way for you even when there doesn’t seem to be a way.

Prayer

Father, I stand on Your Word. I believe nothing is impossible for You. I trust You for everything I need. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading

Psalm 105


Daily Devotion – The Right Priorities

“Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded … and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?” – 1 Samuel 2:29 NKJV

Eli had been a dedicated priest, faithfully serving God and His people. Then, something changed. Something so serious that God removed his family from the line of priests. What happened? As people chosen to be His priests, Eli and his family had been given specific responsibilities. They were called to represent God, speak His words, and enforce His standards.

But the Bible says that Eli’s sons had become “corrupt” (v. 12). They took advantage of their role as priests for personal gain, committed “very great” sins, and “abhorred the offering of the Lord” (v. 17). The sad conclusion? “They did not know the Lord” (v. 12).

This was unacceptable for men chosen to be God’s representatives. Yet Eli continued to tolerate their behavior and “honor” his sons more than God Himself (v. 29).

The Bible declares that God wants us concerned about our families. He certainly wanted Eli to care about his sons. The problem was that he had the wrong priorities. He had failed in his responsibility to be “a faithful priest” who would do what was in God’s heart and mind (v. 35).

Any of us can be guilty of mistakes like these. This is why we need to be sensitive to the Spirit, careful to obey God’s Word. Let’s be people of prayer, seeking to please God. Seek first His kingdom. Be committed to being His representatives, always serving Him.

Prayer

Father, serving You is my highest priority. Purge me of selfishness and sin. May others see Jesus through me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading

1 Samuel 2


Daily Devotion – January 19th

“Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes. People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.” – Proverbs 19:2-3 NLT

Standing in a courtroom, a celebrity refused to acknowledge the jury’s verdict. He didn’t think he could possibly have been guilty. From his perspective, the fault was with society and the motives of his accusers. The judge and jury were biased. He demonstrated a common response to problems: blaming others for things we have done, painting ourselves as victims.

We see this pattern when children blame their parents for problems they experience later in life. Workers blame managers for company troubles. Students blame teachers for poor grades. Politicians blame opponents for society’s ills.

Among history’s examples, Roman Emperor Nero (incorrectly) blamed Christians for the fire that burned much of Rome in 64 AD. Adam blamed Eve for his sin, and Eve blamed the serpent (Genesis 3). As an ultimate expression of this pattern, many blame God for their problems and problems in the world.

The Bible encourages us to be honest with God about things we don’t understand. But we always must remember our responsibilities and the impact of our decisions and what happens when we ignore God’s Word. When we fail to remember the fundamental rule, we reap whatever we sow.

Remember, you can do things His way or go your own way. Commit your challenges to Him. Seek to be guided by His Word and led by His Spirit. Always embrace your responsibilities. Ask God to give you discernment.

Prayer

Father, give me wisdom. Help me to make the right decisions. I trust You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading

Proverbs 19