Daily Devotion

[boldstardex]

LOVING WITHOUT CONDITION
May 30, 2022
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” – Ephesians 5: 25
We talk about love in many ways: romantic love, erotic love, and friendship love.

The word love used in the biblical description of family calls husbands to choose to love their wives – no matter what. Now, what does this mean, to choose to love?

This kind of love is a commitment to love, no matter the response. It’s always easy to love someone who loves us back. When someone shows us kindness and offers words of encouragement and affirmation, they are easier to love.

But, to love someone in the midst of conflict, in disappointment, even when it hurts – well, that is tough love.

In the biblical description of “family,” the husband is called to be committed to his wife. To be respectful. To love and to forgive, no matter what. In the first century, this was radically counter-cultural.

Now, just as the Word of God applied to the first century, the Word of God applies to the 21st century. It is timeless.

Remember, the major responsibility for “marriage-working” lies with the husband. We’re called to love our wives as Christ loved the church. And Christ died for the church.

This is a tall order because as sinful, imperfect beings, it is an overwhelming challenge to love our wives as Christ does His church. Think about His death on the cross – for you, for me “while we were still sinners, Christ died.” Talk about loving without condition!

So, ask God to help you choose to love, even when it hurts.

Start today. Just as Christ faithfully loves us day in and day out without condition, ask Him to help you begin to love with His love.


Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

[boldstardex]

SUBMITTING
May 31, 2022
“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.” – Colossians 3:18-19
Submit – to be under the authority of another.

This is actually a military term, used in the biblical description of the family.

Here, we see wives called to submit to the leadership of their husbands.

Now hold on, wives. Stay with me and let’s break down what this looks like according to God’s Word.

First of all, I want to be very clear. The Bible does NOT teach that women are to submit to men in general.

The submission that Paul refers to happens in the context of a loving, Christ-centered marriage.

But the question remains: Why are wives called to submit? Are men and women unequal? Are men better?

Absolutely not. In Genesis 1, we see that mankind is made in the image of God, male and female.

We are all equal before God.

Still, this is not an easy verse. It is radically counter-cultural. And besides, we are all sinners. Meaning, that all wives are married to – yep, sinners. So, husbands will make mistakes. And…wives are sinners, too.

Is there a time when you’re not called to submit to your husband? Yes, there is. If your husband is drunk, on drugs, mentally ill, or just sinful and is urging you to go against God’s Word, then the leadership of the husband has been forfeited. If he is physically abusive to you or your children, then absolutely, there is a need to seek shelter from that relationship.

At the same time, the teaching is very clear that wives are to submit to their husbands’ leading because “it is fitting to the Lord.” It’s not because he is smarter or better. It doesn’t mean we guys are deserving.

No guy is that deserving.

It’s because the Christian marriage is to be an example of Christ’s relationship with His bride, the church. The bride, the wife, is called to submit to her husband as the church is called to submit to Jesus (Ephesians 5:22-24).

And think about this: The ultimate act of submission was Christ voluntarily taking on the guilt and sin of mankind and dying on the cross to restore our relationship with God. He did this out of submission to His Father’s will.

The word “submit” is a radically counter-cultural word. Yet, what Jesus did with His Father, husbands are to love as Jesus loves, and wives are to submit to Christ by submitting to their husbands.

Ask God to change your heart towards this word – submit.

Start with your relationship with Christ. In what areas are you not submitting to God’s will for your life?


Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

[boldstardex]

Love God. Love Others.
Sign In

SUPPORT

BOOKMARK
0:00
iTunesDownload MP3

June 1
Giving Out of Love
Bible in a Year:

• 2 Chronicles 15–16
• John 12:27–50

Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:4
COMMENT
JOURNAL
SHARE
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Matthew 6:1–4
Every day, Glen purchases his morning coffee at a nearby drive-through. And every day he also pays for the order of the person in the car behind him, asking the cashier to wish that person a good day. Glen has no connection to them. He’s not aware of their reactions; he simply believes this small gesture is “the least he can do.” On one occasion, however, he learned of the impact of his actions when he read an anonymous letter to the editor of his local newspaper. He discovered that the kindness of his gift on July 18, 2017, caused the person in the car behind him to reconsider their plans to take their own life later that day.
Glen gives daily to the people in the car behind him without receiving credit for it. Only on this single occasion did he get a glimpse of the impact of his small gift. When Jesus says we should “not let [our] left hand know what [our] right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3), He’s urging us to give—as Glen does—without need for recognition.
When we give out of our love for God, without concern for receiving the praise of others, we can trust that our gifts—large or small—will be used by Him to help meet the needs of those receiving them.
By: Kirsten Holmberg
Sign in to track your progress!
SIGN IN


Reflect & Pray
How have you benefited from someone’s anonymous giving? How can you give more “in secret”?
Father, thank You for using me to meet the needs of others and for meeting my needs through them. Help me not to seek credit when I give but to do so in a way that gives You the glory.

 

[boldstardex]

Love God. Love Others.
Sign In

SUPPORT

BOOKMARK
0:00
iTunesDownload MP3

June 3
Spotting Rainbows of Hope
Bible in a Year:

• 2 Chronicles 19–20
• John 13:21–38

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him.

Psalm 42:5
COMMENT
JOURNAL
SHARE
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Psalm 42
During an October vacation, another battle with chronic pain forced me to spend the first few days recovering in our room. My mood became as overcast as the sky. When I finally ventured out to enjoy sightseeing at a nearby lighthouse with my husband, gray clouds blocked much of our view. Still, I snapped a few photos of the shadowy mountains and dull horizon.
Later, disappointed because a downpour tucked us in for the night, I skimmed through our digital pictures. Gasping, I handed my husband the camera. “A rainbow!” Focused on the gloominess earlier, I’d missed out on God refreshing my weary spirit with the unexpected glimpse of hope (Genesis 9:13–16).
Physical or emotional suffering can often drag us down into the depths of despair. Desperate for refreshment, we thirst for reminders of God’s constant presence and infinite power (Psalm 42:1–3). As we recall the countless times God has come through for us and for others in the past, we can trust that our hope is secured in Him no matter how downcast we feel in the moment (vv. 4–6).
When bad attitudes or difficult circumstances dim our vision, God invites us to call on Him, read the Bible, and trust His faithfulness (vv. 7–11). As we seek God, we can rely on Him to help us spot rainbows of hope arched over the darkest days.
By: Xochitl Dixon
Sign in to track your progress!
SIGN IN


Reflect & Pray
When have bad attitudes negatively affected your vision? How can you make sure your hope is centered on God?
Loving God, thank You for refreshing my spirit and turning my plea for mercy into hope-filled praises.


https://bit.ly/3McGBHD

 

[boldstardex]

Love God. Love Others.
Sign In

SUPPORT

BOOKMARK
0:00
iTunesDownload MP3

June 6
The Kindness of Candor
Bible in a Year:

• 2 Chronicles 25–27
• John 16

The pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.

Proverbs 27:9
COMMENT
JOURNAL
SHARE
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Proverbs 27:1–9
“My dear friend, sometimes you sound holier than you really are.”
Those words were leveled with a direct gaze and gentle smile. Had they come from someone other than a close friend and mentor whose discernment I highly valued, my feelings might have been hurt. Instead, I winced and laughed at the same time, knowing that while his words “hit a nerve,” he was also right. Sometimes when I talked about my faith, I used jargon that didn’t sound natural, which gave the impression that I wasn’t being sincere. My friend loved me and was trying to help me be more effective in sharing with others what I genuinely believed. Looking back, I see it as some of the best advice I ever received.
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted,” Solomon wisely wrote, “but an enemy multiplies kisses” (Proverbs 27:6). My friend’s insights demonstrated the truth of that counsel. I was grateful he cared enough to tell me something I needed to hear, even though he knew it might not be easy to accept. Sometimes when someone tells you only what they think you want to hear, it isn’t helpful, because it can keep you from growing and developing in vital ways.
Candor can be kindness when measured out with genuine, humble love. May God give us the wisdom to receive it and impart it well, and so reflect His caring heart.
By: James Banks
Sign in to track your progress!
SIGN IN


Reflect & Pray
Why is it difficult for us to sometimes receive good but hard advice? How has someone been candid with you in a helpful and loving way?
Abba, Father, thank You for speaking truth to me through Scripture. Please help me to receive and give advice well by relying on You to lead me.

 

[boldstardex]

Love God. Love Others.
Sign In

SUPPORT

BOOKMARK
0:00
iTunesDownload MP3

June 7
Jesus Is Here
Bible in a Year:

• 2 Chronicles 28–29
• John 17

[Teach] them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28:20
COMMENT
JOURNAL
SHARE
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Matthew 28:16–20
My elderly great aunt lay on her sickbed with a smile on her face. Her gray hair was pushed back from her face and wrinkles covered her cheeks. She didn’t speak much, but I still recall the few words she said when my father, mother, and I visited her. She whispered, “I don’t get lonely. Jesus is here with me.”
As a single woman at the time, I marveled at my aunt’s proclamation. Her husband had died several years earlier, and her children lived far away. Nearing her ninetieth year of life, she was alone, in her bed, barely able to move. Yet she was able to say she wasn’t lonely.
My aunt took Jesus’ words to the disciples literally, as we all should: “Surely I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). She knew that Christ’s Spirit was with her, as He promised when He instructed the disciples to go out into the world and share His message with others (v. 19). Jesus said the Holy Spirit would “be with” the disciples and us (John 14:16–17).
I’m certain my aunt experienced the reality of that promise. The Spirit was within her as she lay on her bed. And the Spirit used her to share His truth with me—a young niece who needed to hear those words and take them to heart.
By: Katara Patton
Sign in to track your progress!
SIGN IN


Reflect & Pray
How are you encouraged by the reality that Jesus is with you today? How have you experienced the comfort of the Holy Spirit?
Thank You, Jesus, for sending Your Spirit as my comfort and companion. Remind me of Your presence throughout this day.

 

[boldstardex]

Love God. Love Others.
Sign In

SUPPORT

BOOKMARK
0:00
iTunesDownload MP3

June 8
Generosity and Joy
Bible in a Year:

• 2 Chronicles 30–31
• John 18:1–18

The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord.

1 Chronicles 29:9
COMMENT
JOURNAL
SHARE
Today's Scripture & Insight:
1 Chronicles 29:1–9
Researchers tell us there’s a link between generosity and joy: those who give their money and time to others are happier than those who don’t. This has led one psychologist to conclude, “Let’s stop thinking about giving as a moral obligation, and start thinking of it as a source of pleasure.”
While giving can make us happy, I question whether happiness should be the goal. If we’re only generous to people or causes that make us feel good, what about the more difficult or mundane needs requiring our support?
Scripture links generosity with joy too, but on a different basis. After giving his own wealth toward building the temple, King David invited the Israelites to also donate (1 Chronicles 29:1–5). The people responded generously, giving gold, silver, and precious stones joyously (vv. 6–8). But notice what their joy was over: “The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord” (v. 9, italics added). Scripture never tells us to give because it will make us happy but to give willingly and wholeheartedly to meet a need. Joy often follows.
As missionaries know, it can be easier to raise funds for evangelism than for administration because believers in Jesus like the feeling of funding frontline work. Let’s be generous toward other needs as well. After all, Jesus freely gave Himself to meet our needs (2 Corinthians 8:9).
By: Sheridan Voysey
Sign in to track your progress!
SIGN IN


Reflect & Pray
Why do you think generosity and joy are connected? What “unexciting” need could benefit from your generous giving?
Father God, thank You for the joy found in giving. Give me a generous heart even toward ordinary needs.

 

[boldstardex]

DEEP DOWN – ARE YOU THIRSTY?
June 08, 2022
“Jesus said to her, everyone who drinks from this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The woman said to him, sir give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” – John 4: 13
It was a quick rest stop.

Sitting by the well, Jesus waits as His disciples run into town to find lunch. That’s when she arrives. A woman from the nearby town has come to draw water. At this time of day, in this heat, most avoid the well. But for this woman, she prefers it this way. Quiet. Alone. No one to condemn and no one around to judge. You see, she is well known around town – but not in a good way. Her reputation and her story are full of shame.

Pretty soon we discover that this woman is thirsty, but not just for water – something more. Deep down she feels empty, unsatisfied. We learn that she’s been searching for satisfaction in others – in relationships. Over and over again, she’s tried to find what she believes will satisfy her heart and soul – but it all turns up empty. Her story is full of broken dreams and shattered hopes, baggage, and pain.

To Jesus, this comes as no surprise. He knows her story and He lays it all out. Five husbands and the man she now lives with is not her husband. Nothing is hidden from Jesus. There are no secrets here. And what does she do when she realizes that Jesus knows her story? Does she run or hide? Just the opposite. She’s excited. She wants to know more. It’s as if she’s somehow been set free.

But, how can this be? How is it possible that revealing all of her baggage before Jesus could possibly lead to feeling satisfied and filled?

One word – Grace.

Instead of being judged or condemned, she is loved. And that right there is the Gospel of Jesus Christ – grace covering sin and love replacing shame. Only when we experience the love and grace of Jesus Christ will our hearts and souls be truly satisfied. No longer will we need to run and hide, because all that we’ve done has been covered by all that Jesus did. Finally, the deepest longings of our hearts can be filled.

If shame is the driving force of your life, you will never be satisfied. If you’re struggling with shame and unworthiness because of your story, stop running. Come before Jesus with your story and see what happens when your shame meets His grace. This is the satisfaction and joy our souls long for.

This is the good news of the Gospel!


Adapted from a sermon by George Wright, Senior Pastor, Shades Mountain Baptist Church

READ OTHER DEVOTIONALS

 

[boldstardex]

PAY IT FORWARD
June 09, 2022
“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3
Pay it forward.

In simplest terms, it means to pass along a blessing.

You take something given to you and then you pass it along to someone else.

Imagine you are sitting in a drive-thru line to pick up a quick lunch. You reach the cashier window and you are told the person in front of you already paid for your order! Wow, what a treat. An example of ‘pay it forward’ would be to replicate the act of generosity for the car behind you. (Hopefully, it isn’t a family of eight!)

In today’s scriptures, Abraham is called to a brand-new land and is promised God’s blessing. Not only that, but his blessing will become a blessing for the entire world!

God’s design was for the heirs of Abraham, the Jews, to be a light to the nations. Along the way, they began to be proud of their “chosen-ness” rather than remembering they were blessed in order to be a blessing to those who do not know God.

God still calls each of us with the promise of His blessing. And He doesn’t bless us to hoard them. Our blessings are to be shared with others. Christians have the same issues as their forefathers: God blesses us with salvation, forgiveness, eternal life, and Christian fellowship.

Then, what do we do? We forget to pass the blessings along!

So, here’s some sage advice:

Are you blessed with wealth? Bless others.

Do you have a unique gifting or skill set? Bless others.

Have you been blessed with retirement? Find ways to bless others.

And most importantly, have you been forgiven and redeemed by Jesus? Bless others and share the good news.

Pay it forward!


Taken from a sermon by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

[boldstardex]

OUR NEED TO SEE THE EVIDENCE
June 12, 2022
“One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”- John 20-24-25 NLT
We live in a “show me” world.

We have access to so much technology that finding answers to our questions on the internet is only a matter of seconds away. We are inundated with real-time news feeds from all over the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Here is a question to consider; with all of this access to information at our fingertips, has faith become an irrelevant and old-fashioned concept? Should we even care about faith at all? Jesus speaks to these questions in John 20.

Thomas was a devoted disciple of Jesus. The other disciples had already seen Jesus in His resurrected body, but Thomas hadn’t been present at the time. So, when the others told him about Jesus, he was skeptical and wanted to see for himself. Thomas had his doubts and his doubting earned him the name “doubting Thomas,” which has been handed down through the years.

I really think Thomas gets a bad rap. Yes, he had his doubts, but Thomas was willing to speak up and voice his concerns. He had not checked his brain at the door. He was thinking logically and he wanted proof.

In many ways, Thomas is the disciple that a lot of us can relate to. He needs to see the evidence. He does not want to follow blindly, but he wants to know that what he says he believes is true. And then Jesus shows up.

Have you ever had that happen? You know in your mind that Jesus is always there, but your circumstances and lack of faith keep you from truly embracing and trusting Him. Can you imagine how Thomas must have felt when he saw Jesus and saw for himself the holes in His hands and feet from the nails of the cross? What a moment!

• Was he afraid because he had doubted Jesus?
• Was he feeling guilty because he had not believed?
• Was he in pure shock that Jesus was actually standing in front of him?

We don’t know what Thomas was thinking, but we do know how he responds: “Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” There is a lot of meaning in those words he spoke: asking for forgiveness, acknowledging that Jesus is Lord, and gratitude that Jesus had done just what He said He would do. Plus, Thomas knows that if the resurrection is true, it changes everything!

Jesus responded to Thomas with, “…have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” This is an important statement for us to consider. Jesus understood his doubt, but He used this interaction to reveal that it is by faith alone that anyone will be made right with God and experience the gift of His forgiveness and grace. It allows us to live with confidence that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, but apart from faith, it means nothing.

You might be someone who is a bit skeptical, a bit unsure of your faith. You may have a lot of questions. Deep down inside, you want to know God. You want to know for yourself. The risen Lord has something for you. He can turn your skepticism into belief.

Just come to Him with your questions. Come to Him with your doubts. Ask God to open your eyes to the reality of His love and grace. You, too, will be able to say, “My Lord and my God!”


Adapted from a sermon by George Wright, Senior Pastor, Shades Mountain Baptist Church

 

[boldstardex]

WHEN SIN ABOUNDS
June 13, 2022
ought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” Romans 5:20
When I was a kid, I spent hours building the tallest block towers I could.

As my towers grew, they began to wobble. Each new block threatened to topple the whole structure until finally, it crashed to the ground. No matter how many times I started over and rebuilt, there was always a point when my tower couldn’t support another block.

Do you ever feel like sin is piling up in your life like wooden blocks on an already wobbly structure?

You lose your patience and snap at someone you love—another block on the tower. A lustful thought captures your imagination—another block on the tower. Your conversation turns to stinging gossip—another block on the tower.

You know God forgives, but for how long? How much sin is too much? When will he grow weary of your failures? Maybe you’re bracing yourself for the moment when his patience runs out and it all comes crashing down.

Let your heart rest in this truth: there is no limit to God’s love. His patience does not run dry, nor is his compassion soured by your sin. When your sin is piling up, God’s Word says his grace is greater. Where sin abounds, his mercy and forgiveness abound even more. More sin, more grace.

Do you struggle to believe that can be true? Does your heart fill with doubts about God’s love for you when you mess up yet again?

If so, look to the cross. When Jesus died, he paid the penalty for all your sins—not just the sins of your past, but your present and future sins too. God knew every mistake you would make before he even made you. He knew how you’d struggle, rebel, and fail. But he still chose to give his Son for you. Your sin doesn’t come as a surprise to God or change his love for you. If you trust in Jesus to save you, God does not hold your sin against you, because Jesus already paid for all of it.

So the next time you sin, do these three things:

1. Confess your sin to God and ask for forgiveness. Your sin is great, but his grace is greater.
2. Tell a trusted friend about your sin. It doesn’t define you because you’re forgiven, so you are free to be honest. Your friend can pray for you, encourage you, and keep you accountable to grow.
3. Remember Jesus. When those feelings of doubt and shame come rushing back, remind your heart that you are forgiven. God’s grace is greater than your sin.

If you know Jesus, your sins don’t pile up like blocks in a tower; they are thrown into the sea of God’s bottomless grace. Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more.


Written by Joanna Kimbrel, Guest Contributor

 

[boldstardex]

IS THERE PURPOSE IN SUFFERING?
June 14, 2022
“Happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:10
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Happy are the persecuted.

Wait, that can’t be right…right?

Well, the Bible makes it very clear. We will face persecution, hardship, suffering, and struggles in life. But our culture doesn’t really know what to do with the idea of persecution. Don’t get me wrong – we are all familiar with suffering. We just don’t know what to do with it.

In fact, we will do almost anything to avoid pain and suffering.

However, I believe with all my heart that suffering is for a reason. In no way do I claim to know all the reasons behind why someone suffers or is persecuted. But I do believe there is a purpose.

Look at the broken state of the world. Things are not as they should be. Challenges impact believers and non-believers alike. How in the world can we find purpose and happiness in all this? But in the midst of brokenness, suffering helps us recognize true happiness and satisfaction. It opens our eyes and helps us see.

So, what do we need to see?

• We are not God – We hate suffering because we like to think we are in control. Suffering helps us see that we never had control in the first place.
• The beauty of God’s grace – When we become aware that we are not God, we begin to see that we need struggles to help us see the true beauty of God’s grace and our desperate need for Him.
• We were created for more – Suffering loosens our grip on this life and opens our eyes to what God has prepared for those who trust in Him. The Bible describes this ‘more’ as so much greater than we could ever imagine, making even our suffering seem light and momentary.

Now that’s what I call happiness.

How do we find purpose in suffering? It’s all about perspective.

It’s about fixing our eyes on Jesus, recognizing the peace that He has made available, and then holding on.

Remember that for followers of Jesus, the best is yet to come.


Adapted from a sermon by George Wright, Senior Pastor, Shades Mountain Baptist Church

 

[boldstardex]

Love God. Love Others.
Sign In

SUPPORT

BOOKMARK
0:00
iTunesDownload MP3

June 16
New DNA in Jesus
Bible in a Year:

• Nehemiah 4–6
• Acts 2:22–47

Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:24
COMMENT
JOURNAL
SHARE
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Ephesians 4:17–24
Chris had his blood retested four years after his lifesaving bone marrow transplant. The donor’s marrow had provided what was needed to cure him but had left a surprise: the DNA in Chris’ blood was that of his donor, not his own. It makes sense, really: the goal of the procedure was to replace the weakened blood with a donor’s healthy blood. Yet even swabs of Chris’ cheeks, lips, and tongue showed the donor’s DNA. In some ways, he’d become someone else—though he retained his own memories, outward appearance, and some of his original DNA.
Chris’ experience bears a striking resemblance to what happens in the life of a person who receives salvation in Jesus. At the point of our spiritual transformation—when we trust in Jesus—we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus encouraged them to reveal that inward transformation, to “put off [their] old self” with its way of living and to “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22, 24). To be set apart for Christ.
We don’t need DNA swabs or blood tests to show that the transforming power of Jesus is alive within us. That inward reality should be evident in the way we engage with the world around us, revealing how we’re “kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave [us]” (v. 32).
By: Kirsten Holmberg
Sign in to track your progress!
SIGN IN


Reflect & Pray
How has Jesus changed you inwardly? How does that inward reality show in the way you engage with those around you?
Jesus, thank You for making me new and giving me a new life in You.
Read New Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel .

 

[boldstardex]

COMPASSION FOR THE DUSTY
June 16, 2022
“A father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:13,14
Wikipedia informs us that 20%-50% of the dust in our homes is composed of human dead skin cells.

Gross! That fact alone is enough to motivate me to go grab a dust rag.

But before I pick up that dust rag, let me remind us of a valuable spiritual lesson:

We came from dust and one day soon, we’ll be nothing but dust again.

(I know that’s not very encouraging, but bear with me.)

You see, the presence of dust is an ongoing reminder of the brevity and frailty of life. These microscopic particles point us back to how we were originally created by our Creator: “from the dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7).

Yet, one short chapter later, mankind rebels against God, resulting in catastrophic consequences for both humanity and the world at large. Under the curse of sin, the Lord says, “for dust you are and to dust you will return” (Genesis 3:19).

And we don’t have to live very long to experience being dusty, do we?

Each of us has a litany of physical and emotional weaknesses as evidence that we were formed from dirt. Aches and pains, Sickness, Disorders, Anxiety, Chemical imbalances, etc., etc.

On and on the list goes, increasing even more as we grow older.

But most of all, we sense our dustiness spiritually, not just physically/emotionally.

Those of us who are sincerely trying to live a godly life have to face the cold, hard facts. In countless ways, we fall short every day. Frankly, there are gaps, sometimes considerable, between who the Lord calls us to be and who we actually are.

This is our dusty reality.

But there is good news, like really good news.

Our heavenly Father has “compassion” for dusty people, especially on “those who fear Him,” who have reverence for His holy name (verse 13).

Compassion can be translated as “mercy” or “pity” and is used four times in the first fourteen verses of Psalm 103 (verses 4, 8, and twice in 13). It is the very first adjective used to describe the essence of the Lord’s character (verse 8). In other words, He doesn’t reluctantly muster up compassion as if it’s difficult for Him; He leads with it. It is central to who He is.

And isn’t Jesus the very essence of the Father’s compassion toward us? Compassion compelled Jesus to take on dusty flesh, live a sinless life, and hang on a Roman cross for our sins.

He is not surprised by our frailty or our spiritual waywardness. It’s why He came in the first place, to rescue sinful, dust-covered people.

So, how do we respond to the amazing compassion of our God?

• Receive – Take a moment to personally receive His compassion. His compassion isn’t just for everybody else. It’s for you too.

• Celebrate – Cry out with the psalmist, “Bless the Lord o my soul, all my inmost being, praise His holy name!” (Psalm 103:1).

• Demonstrate – Don’t be a container, but a conduit of compassion, carrying and distributing it to others.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some dusting to do.


Written by Jonathan Munson, Executive Director, RFTH

 

[boldstardex]

THE FATHER OF JESUS IS THE PERFECT FATHER
June 19, 2022
“Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.” – John 6:57
Jesus often used the term “Father” when referring to God.

Usually, He used the term Abba (Daddy, Father), but sometimes He used a different Greek term (Pater) that has four meanings: nourisher, protector, upholder, and provider.

When Jesus did this, He described to us the ideal father:

1. Nourisher – that’s one who builds up the family. It’s one who is fair, loving, and encouraging to each family member.
2. Protector – every home wants a father who is strong and loving. The strength is motivated by love in the face of evil.
3. Upholder – the upholder of Godly character and values. The upholder models this as he teaches.
4. Provider – one that meets the material, educational, and physical needs of his family. It’s one who is dependable, responsible and trustworthy.

That’s really what Jesus is teaching us by using the term that He uses for Father. He is a nourisher. He is a protector. He is an upholder. And He is a good provider.

I don’t know if you have an earthly father like this. Those of us who do are truly blessed. But even if you don’t, God is eager to have you as one of His adopted children when you accept His Son in faith. He is the perfect Dad.

Hoping you dads have a great Father’s Day!


Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

[boldstardex]

Love God. Love Others.
Sign In

SUPPORT

BOOKMARK
0:00
iTunesDownload MP3

June 21
God Fights for Us
Bible in a Year:

• Esther 3–5
• Acts 5:22–42

[God] will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Psalm 91:4
COMMENT
JOURNAL
SHARE
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Psalm 91:1–10
A Colorado mother proved she would stop at nothing to protect her child. Her five-year-old son was playing outside when she heard him screaming. She rushed outside and, to her horror, saw that her son had an unexpected “playmate”—a mountain lion. The large cat was on top of her son, with his head in its mouth. The mother summoned her inner mamma grizzly to fight off the lion and pry open its jaws to rescue her son. This mother’s heroic actions remind us of how motherhood is used in Scripture to illustrate God’s tenacious love and protection for His children.
God tenderly cared for and comforted His people as a mother eagle cares for her young (Deuteronomy 32:10–11; Isaiah 66:13). Also, like a mother who could never forget a nursing child with whom she had built an inseparable bond, God would never forget His people nor forever withhold compassion from them (Isaiah 54:7–8). Finally, like a mother bird offering protective cover under her wings for baby birds, God would “cover [His people] with his feathers” and “his faithfulness [would] be [their] shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:4).
Sometimes we feel alone, forgotten, and trapped in the grip of all kinds of spiritual predators. May God help us remember that He compassionately cares, comforts, and fights for us.
By: Marvin Williams
Sign in to track your progress!
SIGN IN


Reflect & Pray
How have you seen the image of God as a parent illustrated in your life? In what ways have you experienced His care, comfort, and protection?
Heavenly Father, as baby birds find protection under their mother’s wings, may I find refuge under the shield of Your faithfulness.

 

[boldstardex]

ENTERTAINMENT ISN’T EVERYTHING
June 21, 2022
“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:8
Entertainment isn’t everything.

But we sometimes act like it is.

The days of only 4 channels and TVs with rabbit-eared antennas are ancient history. These days, we live in an entertainment wonderland. We are privy to an endless buffet of entertainment options at the press of a button- social media, apps, YouTube, video games, sports, Netflix, HBO max, etc. And if we happen to get bored with what’s available today, there are new selections to feast on tomorrow.

So, it’s time for an honest evaluation.

Ask yourself- How much time do I devote to entertainment in a given week?

To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying our favorite form of entertainment, though we certainly must be careful about the kind of content we consume.

But let’s call entertainment what it is – a distraction.

A distraction keeps us from giving our full attention to something else.

Heads up!

The devil loves to distract the sons and daughters of God. Ultimately, the enemy is looking to destroy us. But if he can’t destroy us, then he seeks to distract us to death.

And in today’s digital age, entertainment is his [the devil’s] primary tool of distraction.

Here’s the thing: entertainment often keeps us from what is most important.

And what is most important?

Paul tells us it is knowing, “Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). We can almost hear the passion in his voice as he proclaims, “for whose sake he has lost all things” (verse 8). In other words, Paul found Jesus Christ to be so immensely beautiful, so extravagantly wonderful, so mind-blowingly glorious, that everything on earth paled in comparison to knowing Him.

You see, Jesus Christ was simply too good to keep to himself. He traveled the known world sharing the good news of Jesus with whoever would listen (See Acts 9-28).

Simply put, Paul lived for knowing Christ and making Him known.

Time for another honest evaluation:

Do you share Paul’s passion for knowing and sharing Jesus?

Or has entertaining yourself gradually diverted your attention from what is most important?

The Westminster Catechism echoes Paul’s sentiments, “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

Truth to be told, it’s hard to glorify and enjoy God if we’re always mindlessly staring at a screen.

You see, the older I get, the more I realize how short life really is. We only have one, brief life to know God and help make Him known. Something tells me that we won’t get to the end of our days and say, “I wish I had devoted more time to entertainment.”

Rather, we’ll be on our deathbeds and regret not devoting more energy to glorifying and enjoying God.

So, seize the moment.

Consider dialing back the time you spend on entertainment and spend it deepening your relationship with Christ.

You’ll be glad you did.
Unlike entertainment, Jesus really is everything.

 

[boldstardex]

Love God. Love Others.
Sign In

SUPPORT

BOOKMARK
0:00
iTunesDownload MP3

June 23
Drastic Measures
Bible in a Year:

• Esther 9–10
• Acts 7:1–21

The king . . . renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep his commands.

2 Kings 23:3
COMMENT
JOURNAL
SHARE
Today's Scripture & Insight:
2 Kings 23:3–7
The ornate ceremonial bow and quiver had hung on the wall of our home in Michigan for years. I’d inherited them from my father, who acquired the souvenirs while we were serving as missionaries in Ghana.
Then one day a Ghanaian friend visited us. When he saw the bow, he got a strange look on his face. Pointing to a small object tied to it he said, “That is a fetish—a magic charm. I know it has no power, but I would not keep it in my house.” Quickly we cut the charm from the bow and discarded it. We didn’t want anything in our home intended for the worship of something other than God.
Josiah, king in Jerusalem, grew up with little knowledge of God’s expectations for His people. When the high priest rediscovered the Book of the Law in the long-neglected temple (2 Kings 22:8), Josiah wanted to hear it. As soon as he learned what God had said about idolatry, he ordered sweeping changes to bring Judah into compliance with God’s law—changes far more drastic than merely cutting a charm from a bow (see 2 Kings 23:3–7).
Believers today have more than King Josiah did—much, much more. We have the entire Bible to instruct us. We have each other. And we have the vital filling of the Holy Spirit, who brings things to light, large and small, that we might otherwise overlook.
By: Tim Gustafson
Sign in to track your progress!
SIGN IN


Reflect & Pray
Can you describe a time when a believer wisely pointed out a change you needed to make? What things in your life might be offensive to God?
Heavenly Father, by the work of the Holy Spirit, help me steer clear of anything that’s offensive to You.
Learn about leadership from the kings of Israel.

 

[boldstardex]

Love God. Love Others.
Sign In

SUPPORT

BOOKMARK
0:00
iTunesDownload MP3

June 24
The Message of the Cross
Bible in a Year:

• Job 1–2
• Acts 7:22–43

The message of the cross is . . . the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18
COMMENT
JOURNAL
SHARE
Today's Scripture & Insight:
1 Corinthians 1:18–25
Zhang was raised with, in his words, “no God, no religion, nothing.” In 1989, seeking democracy and freedom for his people, he helped lead students in peaceful protests. But the protests tragically led to the government’s intervention and hundreds of lives lost. For his part in the event, Zhang was placed on his country’s most-wanted list. After a short imprisonment, he fled to an outlying village where he met an elderly farmer who introduced him to Christianity. She had only a handwritten copy of the gospel of John but couldn’t read, so she asked Zhang to read it to her. As he did, she explained it to him—and a year later he became a believer in Jesus.
Through all he endured, Zhang sees that God was powerfully leading him to the cross, where he experienced firsthand what the apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians, “The message of the cross is . . . the power of God” (1:18). What many considered foolishness, a weakness, became Zhang’s strength. For some of us, this too was our thinking before we came to Christ. But through the Spirit, we felt the power and wisdom of God breaking into our lives and leading us to Christ. Today Zhang serves as a pastor spreading the truth of the cross to all who will hear.
Jesus has the power to change even the hardest of hearts. Who needs His powerful touch today?
By: Alyson Kieda
Sign in to track your progress!
SIGN IN


Reflect & Pray
How did you view the message of the cross before you received Christ as your Savior? Who might benefit from hearing your story?
Jesus, thank You for leading me to You through the cross. I would be lost without You!

 

[boldstardex]

Love God. Love Others.
Sign In

SUPPORT

BOOKMARK
0:00
iTunesDownload MP3

June 27
God’s Provision
Bible in a Year:

• Job 8–10
• Acts 8:26–40

Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”

2 Kings 4:2
COMMENT
JOURNAL
SHARE
Today's Scripture & Insight:
2 Kings 4:1–7
Three-year-old Buddy and his mom went to church each week to help unload groceries from the food ministry truck. When Buddy overheard his mom telling his grandmother that the delivery truck broke down, he said, “Oh, no. How will they do food ministry?” His mom explained that the church would have to raise money to buy a new truck. Buddy smiled. “I have money,” he said, leaving the room. He returned with a plastic jar decorated with colorful stickers and filled with coins, which amounted to a little over $38. Though Buddy didn’t have much, God combined his sacrificial offering with gifts from others to provide a new refrigerated truck, so that the church could continue serving their community.
A small amount offered generously is always more than enough when placed in God’s hands. In 2 Kings 4, a poor widow asked the prophet Elisha for financial assistance. He told her to take inventory of her own resources, reach out to her neighbors for help, then follow his instructions (vv. 1–4). In a miraculous display of provision, God used the widow’s small amount of oil to fill all the jars she collected from her neighbors (vv. 5–6). Elisha told her, “Sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left” (v. 7).
When we focus on what we don’t have, we risk missing out on watching God do great things with what we do have.
By: Xochitl Dixon
Sign in to track your progress!
SIGN IN


Reflect & Pray
When has God multiplied your resources in a miraculous way? When has He used you to combine your resources with the gifts of others to meet a bigger need in your community?
Faithful Provider, please help me to be mindful and grateful as I faithfully manage and share all You’ve given me.