Daily Devotion

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How to Grow Old
February 26, 2016

Read: Isaiah 46:4-13 | Bible in a Year: Numbers 15–16; Mark 6:1-29

I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:4



“How are you today, Mama?” I asked casually. My 84-year-old friend, pointing to aches and pains in her joints, whispered, "Old age is tough!" Then she added earnestly, "But God has been good to me."

“Growing old has been the greatest surprise of my life,” says Billy Graham in his bookNearing Home. "I am an old man now, and believe me, it's not easy." However, Graham notes, "While the Bible doesn't gloss over the problems we face as we grow older, neither does it paint old age as a time to be despised or a burden to be endured with gritted teeth.” He then mentions some of the questions he has been forced to deal with as he has aged, such as, “How can we not only learn to cope with the fears and struggles and growing limitations we face but also actually grow stronger inwardly in the midst of these difficulties?"

God will care for us throughout our life.
In Isaiah 46 we have God's assurance: "Even to your old age and gray hairs . . . I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you" (v. 4).

We don’t know how many years we will live on this earth or what we might face as we age. But one thing is certain: God will care for us throughout our life.

Lord, please teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (See Psalm 90:12)

Don't be afraid to grow old; God goes with you!

INSIGHT:


Isaiah presents a stark contrast between the chief gods of Babylon—Bel (or Baal) and Nebo—and the God of Israel. The Babylonian gods needed their worshipers to care for and protect them (Isa. 46:1–2). But the God of Israel would care for, carry, sustain, and rescue His worshipers even when they were old and gray (v. 4).

 

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Lifeblood
February 29, 2016

Read: Hebrews 9:19-28 | Bible in a Year:
Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Hebrews 9:22



Mary Ann believed in God and His Son Jesus, but she struggled with why Jesus had to shed His blood to bring salvation. Who would think of cleansing something with blood? Yet the Bible says, “The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood” (Heb. 9:22). That, in Mary Ann’s opinion, was disgusting!

Then one day she had to go to a hospital. A genetic condition had altered her immune system, and doctors became alarmed when the illness started attacking her blood. As she was in the emergency room she thought, If I lose my blood, I will die. But Jesus shed His blood so I can live!

Jesus made His sacrifice our sacrifice, His life our life, and His Father our Father.
Suddenly everything made sense. In the midst of her pain, Mary Ann felt joy and peace. She understood that blood is life, and a holy life was needed to make peace with God for us. Today she is alive and well, thanking God for her health and for Jesus’ sacrifice on her behalf.

Hebrews 9 explains the meaning of the Old Testament blood ritual (vv. 16-22) and the once and for all offering of Jesus that brought animal sacrifice to an end (vv. 23-26). Bearing our sin, He willingly died and shed His blood to become our sacrifice. We now have confidence to enter God’s presence. How could we ever thank Jesus enough for making His sacrifice our sacrifice, His life our life, and His Father our Father?

Lord, I thank You for Jesus and for the shedding of His blood for me. I want to live my life in gratitude to You.

The blood of Christ washes away our sins.

INSIGHT:


The writer of Hebrews compares the old covenant initiated by Moses (9:1–23) with the new covenant initiated by Jesus (9:24–10:18). As High Priest and “mediator of a new covenant” (9:15), Christ did not offer the blood of animals (v. 19) that could not take away sins; He sacrificed Himself “once for all . . . to do away with sin” (v. 26).

 

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"...you fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?" - Luke 12:20

DON’T BE A FOOL!
February 29, 2016

Jesus Christ tells of someone who acted like a huge fool. “A certain rich man was very productive and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do since I have no place to store all that I have?’ He decided to tear down his barns and build larger ones and then store all his grain and goods. Then he said, ‘I have many goods laid up for years to come; now I’ll take it easy and eat, drink, and be merry!'”

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is required of you and now who will own all that you have?’ So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Question: When are you going to pause long enough from pursuing bigger barns and dreaming of how to fill them up, to start thinking about your soul? All that counts is “Do you know God?” and “What have you done for God and your fellow man?” Quit acting foolish and get things right with God through Jesus Christ. And do it today!

 

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"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1

YOU WON’T BELIEVE UNTIL YOU SEE?
March 1, 2016

We are a society that seems to say, “I can’t just have ‘faith’ that something is there. I need a sign. I won’t believe in it unless I can see it.'” Well, obviously, that’s not really true, because every single day of our lives, we do things that require faith. Things as simple as walking on the floor of our homes, having faith that the builder did the job well enough that we won’t fall through. We drive across bridges with the faith that they will hold us until we get across. How about this – these are the words posted on a sign at a local church: “Well, you have been asking me for a sign! – God.” I had to laugh as I drove by that one! Now be honest. Are you one of those folks that have said at different times in your life, “You know, if I could just see a sign; if I could just see a miracle, I’d believe in God. I’d get my life straight.”

I hate to disappoint you, but that’s just not true! Look at all those plagues in Egypt. How did Pharaoh and the Egyptians respond? Their hearts just got harder. And look at what happened with the miracles of Jesus. People witnessed Him raise a man from the dead and all they could think about was how to get rid of Him. Most didn’t change; their hearts just got harder and harder. Throughout history, people’s hearts haven’t changed because they saw or experienced a miracle. Miracles simply reveal if a person is hard-hearted toward God or if they have any inkling of faith.

Are you waiting for some sign or miracle to appear to give you the “proof” you’re looking for to believe in God? Remember, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for.” The evidence for God’s existence is everywhere. What you have to decide is if you’ll be open-minded enough to see it, see Him, then change your mind and believe.

 

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"...but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" - Genesis 3:3

DO YOU TRUST GOD ENOUGH TO OBEY HIM?
March 2, 2016

One of the many great mysteries in the Bible is why God put that ONE tree in the Garden of Eden from which man was not to eat. Have you ever wondered why? God provided man plenty to eat, but He put that one tree in the middle of the garden and told Adam that he must not eat from it.

Well, the reason is very simple. God loves us and He created us to have fellowship with Him. There is not true love in a relationship unless we are free to reject that love. God gave man a free will to decide if we love Him enough to trust Him, and trust Him enough to obey Him. To love God is to obey Him. It’s a choice. If we have no choice, we have no opportunity to love. Instead, we’re robots or puppets.

But, what is really amazing, God’s love is so great that even though we all choose to disobey Him more often than we’d like to admit, He gives us a way to be forgiven, changed, and empowered to love Him through Jesus Christ. Why don’t you choose Christ in faith and you’ll be forgiven and made right with God. It’s a relationship like none you’ve known before!

 

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For His Time
March 4, 2016

Read: James 1:2-4 | Bible in a Year: Numbers 31–33; Mark 9:1-29
My times are in your hands.

Psalm 31:15



When South African pastor Andrew Murray was visiting England in 1895, he began to suffer pain from a previous back injury. While he was recuperating, his hostess told him of a woman who was in great trouble and wanted to know if he had any counsel for her. Murray said, “Give her this paper which I have been writing for my own [encouragement]. It may be that she will find it helpful.” This is what Murray wrote:

“In time of trouble say:

God will keep us by His love. By His grace, we can rest in Him.
First—God brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place. In that I will rest.

Next—He will keep me in His love and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.

Then—He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.

Last—In His good time He can bring me out again—how and when He knows.

I am here—by God’s appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time.”

We want the instant solution, the quick fix, but some things cannot be disposed of so readily; they can only be accepted. God will keep us by His love. By His grace, we can rest in Him.

Dear Lord, it’s hard to endure times of illness and suffering. Comfort me and help me to trust You.

When God permits suffering, He also provides comfort.

INSIGHT:


James saw himself as a servant of Christ (James 1:1), even though he was Christ’s half-brother (Matt. 13:55). He did not come to faith until after Jesus’s resurrection (John 7:3–5; Acts 1:14; 1 Cor. 15:7) and eventually became a leader in the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13). In writing this letter to Jewish believers who had been scattered because of persecution, he focuses on Jewish thinking and values: It is highly practical, intensely candid, and wisdom-oriented. Because of its practical application, it has been referred to as the “Proverbs” of the New Testament.

 

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With Respect
March 7, 2016

Read: Ezra 5:6-17 | Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 3–4; Mark 10:32-52
If it pleases the king, let a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon to see if King Cyrus . . . issue[d] a decree.

Ezra 5:17

The citizens of Israel were having some trouble with the government. It was the late 500s bc, and the Jewish people were eager to complete their temple that had been destroyed in 586 bc by Babylon. However, the governor of their region was not sure they should be doing that, so he sent a note to King Darius (Ezra 5:6-17).

In the letter, the governor says he found the Jews working on the temple and asks the king if they had permission to do so. The letter also records the Jews’ respectful response that they had indeed been given permission by an earlier king (Cyrus) to rebuild. When the king checked out their story, he found it to be true: King Cyrus had said they could build the temple. So Darius not only gave them permission to rebuild, but he also paid for it! (see 6:1-12). After the Jews finished building the temple, they “celebrated with joy” because they knew God had “[changed] the attitude of the king” (6:22).

God is in control of every situation.
When we see a situation that needs to be addressed, we honor God when we plead our case in a respectful way, trust that He is in control of every situation, and express gratitude for the outcome.

Lord, help us to respond respectfully to situations around us. We need Your wisdom for this. May we always honor, trust, and praise You.

Respect for authority brings glory to God.

 

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"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8

GOD HAS NOT MOVED – HE’S ALWAYS THERE
March 7, 2016

My wife and I enjoy seeing other parts of the world, and years ago, we had the privilege to visit the base of the Matterhorn in Switzerland on a beautiful day. It has to be one of the most majestic sites on earth. When we woke up the next morning, I walked out of our room to view the Matterhorn once again and it was gone! Absolutely no evidence it was there. The clouds had rolled in. When the clouds lifted, it was obvious the mountain had not moved.

Sometimes it’s like that with God. We come to experience Him in an awe-inspiring way. But later the clouds of life roll in: disappointment, rejection, suffering. It’s like God is nowhere to be found.

But remember, He has not moved. He’s as sure and as near as the Matterhorn was to us that day in Switzerland when we could not see it. So, when the clouds move in, it’s time to show God you really do have faith. For in time, the clouds of life will lift and you’ll see that God has not moved – He was there all along.

 

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Please Come In
March 9, 2016

Read: Hebrews 10:19-25 | Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 8–10; Mark 11:19-33

Let us draw near to God . . . with the full assurance that faith brings.

Hebrews 10:22



Jenny’s house is situated on a little country lane, which is often used in rush hour by drivers who want to avoid the nearby main road and traffic lights. A few weeks ago workmen arrived to repair the badly damaged road surface, bringing with them large barriers and “No Entry” signs. “I was really worried at first,” said Jenny, “thinking that I would be unable to get my car out until the road work was finished. But then I went to look at the signs more closely and realized that they said ‘No Entry: Access for Residents Only.’ No detours or barriers for me. I had the right to go in and out whenever I liked because I lived there. I felt very special!”

In the Old Testament, access to God in the tabernacle and the temple was strictly limited. Only the high priest could go in through the curtain and offer sacrifices in the Most Holy Place, and then only once a year (Lev. 16:2-20; Heb. 9:25-26). But at the very moment Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, showing that the barrier between man and God was destroyed forever (Mark 15:38).

Because of Christ's sacrifice, all who love and follow Him can come into His presence.
Because of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, all those who love and follow Him can come into His presence at any time. He has given us the right of access.

Lord, thank You for paying such a price to enable me to have unrestricted entry into Your presence!

Access to God’s throne is always open.

INSIGHT:


The letter to the Hebrews contains images and ideas that would have been very familiar to the Jewish recipients of this epistle. The Most Holy Place (Heb. 10:19) was the holiest part of the temple in Jerusalem. The curtain (v. 20) refers to the temple veil that was torn in two when Christ died (Matt. 27:51). The great priest (Heb. 10:21) is Jesus, who succeeds in perfectly taking us to God—something that the human priesthood could not do. While this imagery would have been particularly meaningful to the Jewish readers of this letter, it also reminds us how wonderfully the Scriptures are put together. The practices of Old Testament Judaism create wonderful portraits of the person and work of Jesus.

 

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If you have food and covering, with these we shall be content." - 1 Timothy 6:8

BE THANKFUL IN THE SMALL THINGS – EVERYTHING ELSE IS GRAVY!
March 9, 2016

In spite of the recent financial troubles that have run rampant in so many of our lives, somehow we still find the need to have more “things.” In our rush to acquire wealth and possessions, shouldn’t we be asking ourselves, “Just how much is enough?” Simply put, God’s Word tells us: When you see that God is meeting the basic necessities of your life, be content. Be thankful. The apostle Paul says, Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

In other words, the apostle Paul understood. He could be content with little. He could be content with much! Let’s learn to follow his example. Because Christianity is most of all a relationship, when we are in a right relationship with God through Christ, one of the many by-products is contentment.

So, as long as the basic necessities of life are being met, be thankful. Everything over and above is just extra blessings!

 

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Don’t Quit!
March 11, 2016

Read: Hebrews 12:1-11 | Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 14–16; Mark 12:28-44
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Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2



In 1952 Florence Chadwick attempted to swim 26 miles from the coast of California to Catalina Island. After 15 hours, a heavy fog began to block her view, she became disoriented, and she gave up. To her chagrin, Chadwick learned that she had quit just 1 mile short of her destination.

Two months later Chadwick tried a second time to swim to Catalina Island from the coast. Again a thick fog settled in, but this time she reached her destination, becoming the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel. Chadwick said she kept an image of the shoreline in her mind even when she couldn’t see it.

Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
When the problems of life cloud our vision, we have an opportunity to learn to see our goal with the eyes of faith. The New Testament letter to the Hebrews urges us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (12:1-2). When we feel like quitting, this is our signal to remember not only what Jesus suffered for us but what He now helps us to endure—until the day we see Him face to face.

Dear Father, sometimes the challenges of life seem insurmountable. Help me to fix my eyes on You and trust You. I’m thankful You are bringing about Your good purposes in me.

We can finish strong when we focus on Christ.

INSIGHT:


Using the metaphor of a marathon and a stadium of cheering supporters, the writer of Hebrews encouraged persecuted Christians to persevere and to remain faithful. The constant call of Scripture is: Don’t give up! Keep your eye on the finish line! Finish the race! (1 Cor. 9:24–27; Phil. 3:13–14; 2 Tim. 4:7; Heb. 12:1–2).

 

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My Personal Space
March 14, 2016

Read: Luke 8:40-48 | Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 23–25; Mark 14:1-26


We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses. Hebrews 4:15

An industrial design graduate from a Singapore university was challenged in a workshop to come up with a novel solution to a common problem using only ordinary objects. She created a vest to protect one’s personal space from being invaded while traveling in the crush of crowded public trains and buses. The vest was covered with long, flexible plastic spikes normally used to keep birds and cats away from plants.

Jesus knew what it was like to lose His personal space in the commotion of crowds desperate to see and touch Him. A woman who had suffered from constant bleeding for 12 years and could find no cure touched the fringe of His robe. Immediately, her bleeding stopped (Luke 8:43-44).

Jesus’ question, “Who touched me?” (v. 45) isn’t as strange as it sounds. He felt power come out of Him (v. 46). That touch was different from those who merely happened to accidentally touch Him.

While we must admit that we do sometimes wish to keep our personal space and privacy, the only way we help a world of hurting people is to let them get close enough to be touched by the encouragement, comfort, and grace of Christ in us.

Lord Jesus, I want to be near You and know You so that when I’m in contact with others they can see You through me.

A Christian’s life is the window through which others can see Jesus.

INSIGHT:


Luke recounts several miracles in quick succession. First, Jesus calms a storm while out in a boat on the sea (Luke 8:22–25). Then when the boat reaches the other side of the sea, Jesus heals a man possessed by demons (vv. 26–39). Finally, Luke records that while going to heal the daughter of Jairus, a synagogue leader, Jesus heals a woman who had been suffering from bleeding for years (vv. 40–48). In the end, Jesus brings Jairus’s daughter back to life (vv. 48–56). This series of miracles shows that nothing—nature, spirits, health, even life and death—is outside of Jesus’s power and authority.

 

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"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life." - James 1:12

JESUS NEVER SAID IT WOULD BE EASY – QUITE THE OPPOSITE
March 14, 2016

There’s an African proverb that goes like this: “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” Have you ever thought of life that way?

All of us want things to go our way all the time, but we have to admit that life doesn’t work like that. Hard times come. Relationships are damaged. Financial worries plague us. There are even times of war. Yes, the clouds and the storms really do come.

Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble.” But the good news is, He didn’t stop there. He also said, “Take heart. I have overcome the world.” Yes, trouble is a fact of life. But Jesus has given us a means of finding victory–the real victory–even in hard times.

Won’t you allow Him to provide all you need to face the good times and the bad? He’s willing and able to provide triumph, even when things look the darkest. And it’s usually through the storms of life that we learn our most valuable lessons. Put your trust in Jesus Christ.

 

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Full Sun
March 21, 2016

Read: Ephesians 5:1-16 | Bible in a Year: Joshua 7–9; Luke 1:21-38
Live as children of light.

Ephesians 5:8



I know better, but I still keep trying. The instructions on the label are clear: “Needs full sun.” Our yard has mostly shade. It is not suitable for plants that need full sun. But I like the plant. I like its color, the shape of the leaves, the size, the scent. So I buy it, bring it home, plant it, and take really good care of it. But the plant is not happy at my house. My care and attention are not enough. It needs sunlight, which I cannot provide. I thought I could make up for lack of light by giving the plant some other kind of attention. But it doesn’t work that way. Plants need what they need.

And so do people. Although we can survive for a while in less-than-ideal conditions, we can’t thrive. In addition to our basic physical needs, we also have spiritual needs that can’t be met by any substitute.

Jesus invites us to be a part of His story.
Scripture says that believers are children of light. This means that we need to live in the full light of God’s presence to thrive (Ps. 89:15). If we try to live in darkness, we will produce nothing but “fruitless deeds” (see Eph. 5:3-4, 11). But if we are living in the light of Jesus, the Light of the world, we will produce the fruit of His light, which is good, faithful, and true.

Dear Lord, thank You for redeeming me and giving me new life. Help me to live as a child of the Light.

Children of the Light walk in His light.

INSIGHT:


One of the great things about light is that it allows us to see where we are going. As believers in Christ, we are “children of light,” and we can clearly see the way we are to walk. Those in spiritual darkness stumble and fall. It is no simple turn of phrase that following Jesus is called “walking in the light.”

 

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"Pilate said to them, 'Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?'" - Matthew 27:22

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS?
March 21, 2016

It’s a story that has been told thousands of times over the years. And the answer to the question remains the same. Over 2,000 years ago, a man named Pilate asked the most important question in life. Standing before him was an itinerant preacher. There was nothing remarkable about His looks. He had attracted a large following but few committed followers. He had no wealth – not even a home of His own. Yet He was the object of an unmitigated hatred from a mob. Pilate asked, “What shall I do with this man?” As the mob cried for His execution, the man, Jesus Christ, stood silently as Pilate cowardly sentenced Him to death on the cross.

The question Pilate asked is ultimately one all of us have to ask. What shall I do with this man Jesus?

He loves you, even when you could care less about Him. He cared enough to pay the penalty for your sin. What will you do with Jesus? Your eternal destiny hangs in the balance by how you respond.

 

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"Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded." - John 13:1-5

JESUS HAD A SERVANT’S HEART
March 22, 2016

When the world thinks of greatness, it tends to think of those that have extraordinary talent combined with the incredible drive to succeed, leading them to experience extraordinary accomplishment and achievement. But the Word of God is very clear that God evaluates greatness from a very different perspective. And that perspective in which God evaluates greatness comes down to one word and that is service. Service in the kingdom (the world) and service in the body of Christ is how it exemplifies what greatness is in the kingdom of God.

It was the Passover. Jesus had gathered with His disciples, the men He wanted to be with, the men He had poured life into over the last three years. Yet, He was incredibly burdened, because He knew what was coming – His death on the cross. In the middle of this dinner, Jesus gets up from the table. He takes off His outer robe. He takes a towel and puts it around Him, like a slave would do. And then He took a basin of water and He began to wash the disciples feet. Now, this was not just the job of a slave. It was the job of a Gentile slave! The men were stunned. They didn’t know how to respond.

Peter argued with him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” How could he let his Lord wash his feet? Yet, Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” That’s stout. That’s strong. No arguing about it. A lot more was discussed in that room, but this particular incident is to show us the importance of having the heart of a servant. Because here, Jesus, the Savior of the world, of all mankind, who will reign forever and ever at the right hand of God the Father, stoops to the level of a servant and washes the dirty, grimy feet of His beloved disciples. In reality, Jesus is the ONLY man whose importance in this universe is so mighty that He could easily have skipped this gesture of love. But He didn’t. What about you? Do you have a servant’s heart? How are you doing when it comes to the example of Jesus?

 

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"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!" - Luke 24:5b-6a

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!
March 27, 2016

What is the one single act that defined Christianity? The virgin birth? The revolutionary philosophies of Jesus Christ? The great miracles – feeding of the 5,000, turning water into wine, healing the sick? While all of these acts of Christ certainly set Him above any other person who has ever walked the earth, nothing compares to His death and resurrection from the dead. Through His death, Jesus gave His life to pay the penalty of my sin. Through His resurrection, He conquered sin and death, and gives us that power, as well. And today, we celebrate this wonderful moment and the joyous consequences that stemmed from it.

When I contemplate the amazing grace that exploded from His resurrection, I find myself humming, then singing some of the words to one of the classic hymns, He Lives!

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me; He talks with me along life’s narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives,
He lives within my heart.

Happy Resurrection Day!

 

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God of My Strength
March 29, 2016

Read: Judges 7:1-8 | Bible in a Year: Judges 7–8; Luke 5:1-16
I will strengthen you and help you.

Isaiah 41:10



No one could have mistaken the ancient Babylonian soldiers for gentlemen. They were ruthless, resilient, and vicious, and they attacked other nations the way an eagle overtakes its prey. Not only were they powerful, they were prideful as well. They practically worshiped their own combat abilities. In fact, the Bible says that their “strength [was] their god” (Hab. 1:11).

God did not want this kind of self-reliance to infect Israel’s forces as they prepared to battle the Midianites. So He told Gideon, Israel’s army commander, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me’ ” (Judg. 7:2). As a result, Gideon discharged anyone who was fearful. Twenty-two thousand men hightailed it home, while 10,000 fighters stayed. God continued to downsize the army until only 300 men remained (vv. 3-7).

I will strengthen you and help you. (Isaiah 41:10)
Having fewer troops meant that Israel was dramatically outnumbered—their enemies, who populated a nearby valley, were as “thick as locusts” (v. 12). Despite this, God gave Gideon’s forces victory.

At times, God may allow our resources to dwindle so that we rely on His strength to keep going. Our needs showcase His power, but He is the One who says, “I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10).

Dear God, I am thankful for Your strength. You carry me when I am weak. Help me to give You the credit for every victory in life.

God wants us to depend on His strength, not our own.

INSIGHT:


Gideon’s life clearly illustrates God’s strength and man’s frailty. God used Gideon to accomplish a great military victory and through him brought 40 years of peace to Israel (Judg. 6–7). But this story also teaches us about the danger of pride. The circumstances surrounding Israel’s victory over Midian clearly show that God, not Gideon, was responsible for Israel’s success. Yet Gideon’s pride led him to accept gold and to erect a monument in his own honor that would later become an object of worship and a snare to him and his family (8:22–27).

 

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"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him shall never perish." - John 3:16

JESUS IS SPEAKING TO YOU AT THIS MOMENT
March 29, 2016

Having completed a weekend of acknowledging Christ’s death on the cross to cover our sins and His glorious resurrection, making it possible to spend eternity with God, there is something on my mind I must share with you. I simply can’t share it enough. My friends, there are some of you who have never made the decision to follow Jesus. I want you to know that everyone who has been reading this daily devotional has been introduced to Jesus. Just by reading this today, you have been introduced to Jesus. Realize that Jesus has been reaching out to you, long before you’ve reached out to Him. Jesus is speaking to you at this moment and it is time for you to respond, regardless of the newness of your acquaintance.

But many others of you know a lot about Jesus. You’ve come to understand more about Him, yet you’ve still been hesitant to step out in faith and follow Him as your Savior and Lord. I assure you, He’s trustworthy. He’s the One you’ll want to follow, because He knows where He’s going. He’ll get you to where you need to go which is, ultimately, heaven. If you’ve been reluctant to follow Jesus, let today be the day that you step out on faith and decide to follow Him, knowing that Christ has great plans for your life. Christ sees more potential in you than anybody on this earth. You don’t want to miss out on your eternal destiny.

 

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Follow Me
March 31, 2016

Read: Mark 2:13-17 | Bible in a Year: Judges 11–12; Luke 6:1-26
It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

Mark 2:17
Health clubs offer many different programs for those who want to lose weight and stay healthy. One fitness center caters only to those who want to lose at least 50 pounds and develop a healthy lifestyle. One member says that she quit her previous fitness club because she felt the slim and fit people were staring at her and judging her out-of-shape body. She now works out 5 days a week and is achieving healthy weight loss in a positive and welcoming environment.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus came to call the spiritually unfit to follow Him. Levi was one such person. Jesus saw him sitting in his tax collector’s booth and said, “Follow me” (Mark 2:14). His words captured Levi’s heart, and he followed Jesus. Tax collectors were often greedy and dishonest in their dealings and were considered religiously unclean. When the religious leaders saw Jesus having dinner at Levi’s house with other tax collectors, they asked, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (2:16). Jesus replied, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (2:17).

Jesus came to save sinners, which includes all of us.
Jesus came to save sinners, which includes all of us. He loves us, welcomes us into His presence, and calls us to follow Him. As we walk with Him, we grow more and more spiritually fit.

Read Acts 9:10-19 and see how one man obeyed God and welcomed someone who was considered spiritually unfit. What were the results? How can you reach out to those who need the Savior? How can you help your church become a more welcoming place for the spiritually unfit?

Jesus’ arms of welcome are always open.

INSIGHT:


Mark 2:13–17 and Luke 5:27–32 both tell the story of Jesus calling a man named Levi to be His disciple. It appears that Levi was employed by Herod Antipas to collect tolls (travel taxes) from those outside of his territory who passed through Capernaum. There is almost universal agreement that the Levi in Mark 2 and Luke 5 is the apostle Matthew, since Matthew is identified as a tax collector and his own calling mirrors the calling of Levi (Matt. 9:9-12). After Levi started his new life as an apostle, he was called by his Greek name—Matthew—which means “gift of God.”