Daily Devotion

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August 9
Humility Is the Truth
Bible in a Year:

• Psalms 77–78
• Romans 10

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

James 4:10
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
James 4:1–11
Reflecting one day on why God values humility so highly, sixteenth-century believer Teresa of Avila suddenly realized the answer: “It is because God is the supreme Truth, and humility is the truth. . . . Nothing good in us springs from ourselves. Rather, it comes from the waters of grace, near which the soul remains, like a tree planted by a river, and from that Sun which gives life to our works.” Teresa concluded that it’s by prayer that we anchor ourselves in that reality, for “the whole foundation of prayer is humility. The more we humble ourselves in prayer, the more will God lift us up.”
Teresa’s words about humility echo the language of Scripture in James 4, where James warned of the self-destructive nature of pride and selfish ambition, the opposite of a life lived in dependence on God’s grace (vv. 1–6). The only solution to a life of greed, despair, and constant conflict, he emphasized, is to repent of our pride in exchange for God’s grace. Or, in other words, to “humble yourselves before the Lord,” with the assurance that “he will lift you up” (v. 10).
Only when we’re rooted in the waters of grace can we find ourselves nourished by the “wisdom that comes from heaven” (3:17). Only in Him can we find ourselves lifted up by the truth.
By: Monica La Rose
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Reflect & Pray
How does pride hinder true prayer and experience of God’s grace? How have you experienced the freedom of humility through prayer?
Loving God, thank You for the gift of life with You. Thank You that I don’t need to be more than I am. Thank You that in You I find all that I need and more.
For further study, read Making Decisions God’s Way at DiscoverySeries.org/Q0745.

 

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YES, THERE IS HOPE AFTER DIVORCE
August 10, 2022
“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce. But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.’” – Matthew 5:31-32 NIV
Is divorce always wrong?

Is divorce ever allowed?

If so, when? Is remarriage after divorce allowed? If so, when? Simply raising questions about divorce and remarriage can cause great tension because so many have either been through a divorce or been impacted by the divorce or remarriage of a loved one. Trying to understand the very challenging words of Jesus can be troubling, so let’s seek to understand exactly what Jesus is communicating to us.

Right away, we see that Christ clearly clarifies that God intends marriage to be for life. The exception is for unfaithfulness, which is another way to say sexual immorality outside the bonds of marriage. Jesus is saying that unfaithfulness on your spouse’s part allows for divorce, which I believe means He allows for remarriage. Otherwise, He would define all divorce as the one sin from which we can never be completely forgiven – and we know that’s not the case.

When a man and a woman have made vows and created a covenant with one another before God, and those vows have been broken, God allows for divorce. It’s not what He wants. It’s not a command. He simply allows for it, knowing the hurt can be so great and the trust is so irretrievably broken that the relationship cannot continue.

In addition, and this is my pastoral perspective here, I believe that in the case of chronic physical abuse, divorce can be the lesser of two evils. Certainly, trial separation may need to come first with the hope of reconciliation, but in the end, physical violence towards a spouse seems to be a worse sin.

While God hates divorce, He loves the person who is divorced.

What if you’ve already messed up and divorced your spouse for unbiblical reasons? What if you were the guilty party in the breakup of the marriage? Well, that’s one of the beautiful things about God. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Divorce and remarriage are incredibly complicated.

(But for those still married, please remember—marriage is supposed to be for life.)

For those who are divorced, when you seek the forgiveness of God, you are forgiven.

He sent His Son to die on the cross for the sin of divorce, the sin of murder, the sin of lying…for every sin known to man. And because Christ has given His life to cleanse us of all sin, there is hope after divorce.

There is always the chance for a new beginning when you are willing to claim the forgiveness of God. And that is mighty good news.


Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

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August 15
The Marriage Metaphor
Bible in a Year:

• Psalms 91–93
• Romans 15:1–13

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Ephesians 4:2–13
After twenty-two years together, I sometimes wonder how my marriage to Merryn works. I’m a writer; Merryn is a statistician. I work with words; she works with numbers. I want beauty; she wants function. We come from different worlds.
Merryn arrives to appointments early; I’m occasionally late. I try new things on the menu; she orders the same. After twenty minutes at an art gallery, I’m just getting started, while Merryn is already in the cafe downstairs wondering how much longer I’ll be. We give each other many opportunities to learn patience!
We do have things in common—a shared sense of humor, a love of travel, and a common faith that helps us pray through options and compromise as needed. With this shared base, our differences even work to our advantage. Merryn has helped me learn to relax, while I’ve helped her grow in discipline. Working with our differences has made us better people.
Paul uses marriage as a metaphor for the church (Ephesians 5:21–33), and with good reason. Like marriage, church brings very different people together, requiring them to develop humility and patience and to “[bear] with one another in love” (4:2). And, as in marriage, a shared base of faith and mutual service helps a church become unified and mature (vv. 11–13).
Differences in relationships can cause great frustration—in the church and in marriage. But managed well, they can help us become more Christlike.
By: Sheridan Voysey
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Reflect & Pray
How have differences between you and those close to you helped you both to grow? How can differences between church members help to develop godliness?
Heavenly Father, please use our differences to help us mature.
To learn how to strengthen your marriage, visit https://odbu.org/cc010?utm_source=O...DB+article+August+15th&utm_id=ODB+August+15th

 

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August 16
Crushed and Beautiful
Bible in a Year:

• Psalms 94–96
• Romans 15:14–33

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.

Psalm 51:17
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Psalm 51:10–17
At first glance I dismissed the painting Consider the Lilies by Makoto Fujimura as a simple, monochromatic painting featuring a lily seemingly hiding in the background. However, the painting came alive when I learned it was actually painted with more than eighty layers of finely crushed minerals in a style of Japanese art known as Nihonga, a style Fujimura calls “slow art.” Looking closely reveals layers of complexity and beauty. Fujimura explains that he sees the gospel echoed in the technique of making “beauty through brokenness,” just as Jesus’ suffering brought the world wholeness and hope.
God loves to take aspects of our lives where we’ve been crushed and broken and create something new and beautiful. King David needed God’s help to repair the brokenness in his life caused by his own devastating actions. In Psalm 51, written after admitting to abusing his kingly power to take another man’s wife and arrange the murder of her husband, David offered God his “broken and contrite heart” (v. 17) and pleaded for mercy. The Hebrew word translated “contrite” is nidkeh, meaning “crushed.”
For God to refashion his heart (v. 10), David had to first offer Him the broken pieces. It was both an admission of sorrow and trust. David entrusted his heart to a faithful and forgiving God, who lovingly takes what’s been crushed and transforms it into something beautiful.
By: Lisa M. Samra
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Reflect & Pray
What parts of your heart are crushed? How might you entrust your brokenness to God?
Dear God, I entrust my brokenness to You, believing that in Your time, You'll transform it into something truly beautiful.

 

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THE STAR-MAKER & THE SHEPHERD
August 15, 2022
“Lift your eyes and look to the heavens; Who created all of these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name.” Isaiah 40:26
“Mind-blowing” is a term that’s a little overused these days.

However, when I saw the first images of space from the James Webb telescope, my mind was officially blown.

Launched in December of 2021, the telescope recently sent back high-resolution photographs of everything from planets to dying stars to deep space nebulas. These awe-inspiring images are reshaping our understanding of the Milky Way and galaxies far, far away.

The infinite magnitude and stunning beauty of outer space, seen more clearly than ever before, gives us a better glimpse of the greatness of God. For instance, astronomers tell us that there are approximately 200 billion trillion stars in the known universe. (That’s not a typo)

While we often can’t remember the name of someone we just met, the Lord has no problem recalling the name of each of the 200 sextillion stars (Isaiah 40:26).

That’s because the stars didn’t just randomly appear in the sky. The God who lives in “unapproachable light” placed each star exactly where He wanted as a twinkling reflection of His glory (1 Timothy 6:16).

Calling each star by name, though mind-boggling to us, is nothing for God. It’s a shining example of the Lord’s transcendence, meaning that He is far beyond our comprehension and more wonderful than we could ever imagine.

And while it is entirely appropriate to tremble before His transcendence, here’s something even more astonishing:

The One who made the stars is also our Shepherd.

Earlier in the same chapter, Isaiah writes:

“He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.” Isaiah 40:11

The Lord didn’t just throw the stars in the sky, set the universe in motion, and then back away. He is intimately acquainted with our lives, as a shepherd is with his sheep. The God who knows the name of every star also knows our name and tenderly cares for us. Yes, He is transcendent, but He is also immanent, meaning that He is close to us in a very personal way.

Isaiah’s juxtaposed descriptions of God, that He is both Star-Maker and Shepherd, give us an accurate understanding of His nature. To know God as He really is, we must balance both His transcendence and immanence.

If we see Him only as Star-Maker but not Shepherd, we will wrongly conclude that God is too powerful to be personal. That He is nothing more than the distant God behind the images from Mr. Webb’s telescope.

If, on the other hand, we see Him only as our Shepherd, we risk approaching Him too casually, treating Him like He’s one of us.

But if we behold Him as both Star-Maker and Shepherd, we come to know a God who, in the words of Louie Giglio, is both “infinitely awesome” and “intimately approachable.”

And you know what?

God’s awesomeness and approachability are perfectly manifested in Jesus.

You see, Jesus is not only the “radiance of God’s glory,” but also the “Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep” (Hebrews 1:3, John 10:11).

Jesus, the Shepherd, gave His life so that you and I could know the Maker of the stars.

Now that’s something that should truly blow our minds.


Written by Jonathan Munson, Executive Director, RFTH

 

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WHEN GOD IS SILENT
August 16, 2022
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” – Luke 2:25-26
400 years of silence.

It’s hard even to comprehend, but 400 years ago:

• Galileo proved that planets orbit around the sun.
• Manhattan was purchased by the Dutch for $24.
• The Taj Mahal was built in India.

As hard as it is for us to comprehend 400 years, the Bible tells us this is how long God’s people waited to hear Him speak. You see, at the end of the Old Testament, God spoke through the prophet Malachi – and then nothing. God went silent. 400 years of silence. It’s hard to imagine such a long time, but for the people who had seen God’s miracles first-hand, 400 years must have felt like an eternity. And the longer God was silent the worse things got. It certainly seemed as though God had forgotten both His people and His promises.

Can you relate? When God goes silent, it doesn’t take long until we assume God must have forgotten about us. Suddenly, we begin to take matters into our own hands – walking away from God in the process.

Still, God is always working while we wait.

Waiting reminds us who is ultimately in control and prepares us for what’s next.

This is where we find Simeon in Luke 2. Simeon was a great man of faith. Having suffered the oppression of God’s people, He heard over and over again how God had abandoned them, forgotten them. As a result, he had watched many fall away in hopelessness and despair. Simeon, however, faithfully clung to the promises of God, believing that God would come through in the end. And ultimately, God did! Imagine his joy to be one of the first people to hold the Messiah in his arms, experiencing first-hand the promise of God revealed!

Are you in the midst of a season of waiting? Maybe it has been a very long and incredibly few frustrating months or years. You feel as though God has forgotten you; you’re beginning to doubt. Don’t lose hope – God is at work in the waiting. Even during the most challenging seasons, God is pointing us to Jesus. Jesus, the only one who can perfectly and completely fulfill the deepest longings of our hearts.

If you’re seeking hope – look to Jesus. Comfort – look to Jesus. If you’re feeling unfulfilled and dissatisfied – look to Jesus. Jesus is the ultimate hope, and joy even when the wait feels like 400 years.

Through Jesus, the wait is over as our souls find rest in the promise of God fulfilled!


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

 

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AN UPSIDE-DOWN WORLD
August 22, 2022
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness…” Isaiah 5:20
“The world has changed. I see it in the water. I feel it in the Earth. I smell it in the air.” J.R.R Tolkien

The 2001 movie, The Fellowship of the Ring, begins with these ominous words, signaling the rise of evil in the fictional world of Middle-Earth.

But it’s not just Middle-Earth that’s changed, is it?

The real world has changed too. We, along with Mr. Tolkien, can “smell it in the air.”

It’s like the world has turned upside-down. What’s wrong is called right. What’s moral is thought of as immoral. And truth, logic, and common sense? Well, they seem to be long, lost relics of the past.

This crazy, ever-darkening world can make us long for the ‘good ole days.’

Yet, if there’s one thing our verse from Isaiah teaches us, it’s that the ‘good ole days’ never existed. There’s nothing new under the sun. Even in Isaiah’s day, people called evil good and preferred darkness over light.

Since the Garden of Eden, where we rebelled against God’s rightful authority, we’ve attempted to establish our own standards of right and wrong, good and evil. On the whole, society has pushed God and His Word out of the picture. And as a result, we live in a moral free-for-all where anything goes (as long as you don’t impose your morality on someone else).

But just because culture labels evil as good doesn’t make it so.

Pastor Charles Stanley reminds us,

“When God calls something evil in His Word, it is evil. Period. He is our absolute authority.”

While we see it this way as Christians, the outside world doesn’t share our perspective.

We mustn’t point fingers. If anything, we should point them inward, not outward.

You see, Isaiah’s words were not aimed at pagan culture but at the people of God, his fellow Israelites. In fact, this is one of six “woes” that he proclaimed to God’s people, repeatedly denouncing how far they had drifted off course (Isaiah 5:8, 11,18, 20, 21, & 22).

This is a sobering wake-up call.

For when it comes to twisting God’s standards, inventing our own guidelines of right and wrong, and turning God’s truth upside-down, every one of us is guilty. There are no exceptions. We’re all in the same, big boat.

Personally, I find this verse from Isaiah deeply convicting.

Be honest:

Isn’t there an area (or two) of your life where you’re tempted to call “evil good” and put “darkness for light?”

You see, the problem isn’t just out there in the big, bad world. The problem resides in us, too.

Furthermore, shouldn’t we expect a lost world to act…well, lost?

But as people of God, we should know better. This is what makes Isaiah’s words so tragic.

Fortunately, there is wonderful news for a broken world and for God’s wayward children. Jesus says, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).

Here’s some advice for the day ahead:

1. Run humbly to the Great Physician and confess how the sickness of sin has invaded your heart.
2. Run humbly to a broken world with a renewed passion to be “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16).

After all, this isn’t fiction. There’s a real world out there that desperately needs a Savior.


Written by Jonathan Munson, Executive Director, RFTH

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3 REASONS TO BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU SAY TODAY
August 23, 2022

“…but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:8

On two occasions this week, my wife and I have reminded each other to watch what we say.

On each occasion, we asked each other for wisdom on how to respond to a particular situation, and we repeated the same phrase in response to one another:

“Don’t say anything you will have to apologize for later.”

I think there’s wisdom in that. And indeed, that’s a good reason to be careful with your words, because there is no edit button on our conversations. Words are the bell that can’t be unrung. You can try and walk things back, try and explain yourself, and even try to justify the words you said, but in the end, it’s just there. That comment. That remark. That tone. It’s there. Always. And you don’t want to be embarrassed later by what you said at the moment.

But there are other reasons besides avoiding embarrassment to watch what we say. Deeper reasons. And perhaps even more important ones.

Here are three of them:

1. Our words reflect our hearts.

A friend recently told me that what’s down in the well comes up in the bucket. When we find ourselves spouting off in anger or gossip or slander, it’s not because we were just caught up in the moment; it’s because that’s what’s been down in our hearts for a long time:

“How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil” (Matthew 12:34-35).

2. Our words are more powerful than we realize.

The second reason we should be careful with our words is that rarely do we grasp just how much power they have:

“No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear” ( Ephesians 4:29).

Our words are like water. Water is the stuff of life, but water can also be incredibly destructive. Similarly, our words are incredibly powerful to destroy or build up, especially those we claim to love. When dealing with something that powerful, we would be wise to be careful.

3. Our words authenticate our faith.

The Book of James is one of the most direct books in the entire Bible. In a mushy kind of world where there are increasingly blurred lines on everything, it’s refreshing to find a text of such absolutes. Refreshing, if not at least a little disconcerting:

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless (James 1:26).

What validates the reality of our faith? Of our religion? According to James, it’s whether or not we have a tight rein on our words. It’s whether or not we are in control of what we say. So if we find ourselves constantly unable to hold back hateful or spiteful words, we have something to fear.

So watch what you say today, friends. Be careful with your words.

Be careful with your words because of what they mean about you, your faith, and what they can do to others.

 

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August 25
When You Need Help
Bible in a Year:

• Psalm 119:1–88
• 1 Corinthians 7:20–40

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:2
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Psalm 121
It was a Monday morning, but my friend Chia-ming wasn’t in the office. He was at home, cleaning the bathroom. A month unemployed, he thought, and no job leads. His firm had shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic and worries about the future filled Chia-ming with fear. I need to support my family, he thought. Where can I go for help?
In Psalm 121:1, the pilgrims to Jerusalem asked a similar question about where to find help. The journey to the Holy City on Mount Zion was long and potentially dangerous, with travelers enduring an arduous climb. The challenges they faced may seem like the difficult journeys we face in life today—trudging the path of illness, relationship problems, bereavement, stress at work or, as in the case of Chia-ming, financial difficulty and unemployment.
But we can take heart in the truth that the Maker of heaven and earth Himself helps us (v. 2). He watches over our lives (vv. 3, 5, 7–8) and He knows what we need. Shamar, the Hebrew word for “watches over,” means “to guard.” The Creator of the universe is our guardian. We’re in His safekeeping. “God took care of me and my family,” Chia-ming shared recently. “And at the right time, He provided a teaching job.”
As we trust and obey God, we can look ahead with hope, knowing we’re within the protective boundaries of His wisdom and love.
By: Karen Huang
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Reflect & Pray
What kind of help do you need from God today? How does knowing He’s the Maker of heaven and earth encourage you?
Father, thank You for being my source of help on my life’s journey.

 

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August 26
Just Ask!
Bible in a Year:

• Psalm 119:89–176
• 1 Corinthians 8

You do not have because you do not ask God.

James 4:2
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Philippians 4:4–7
The gleeful shouts arising from our basement came from my wife, Shirley. For hours she’d wrestled with a newsletter project, and she was ready to be done with it. In her anxiety and uncertainty about how to move forward, she prayed for God’s help. She also reached out to Facebook friends and soon the project was completed—a team effort.
While a newsletter project is a little thing in life, small (and not so small) things can bring about worry or anxiousness. Perhaps you’re a parent walking through the stages of childrearing for the first time; a student facing newfound academic challenges; a person grieving the loss of a loved one; or someone experiencing a home, work, or ministry challenge. Sometimes we’re needlessly on edge because we don’t ask God for help (James 4:2).
Paul pointed the followers of Jesus in Philippi and us to our first line of defense in times of need: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). When life gets complicated, we need reminders like the one from the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”:
Oh what peace we often forfeit,
oh what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry,
everything to God in prayer.
And perhaps in our asking God for help, He’ll lead us to ask people who can assist us.
By: Arthur Jackson
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Reflect & Pray
What situations challenge you that you can bring to God in prayer? Why do you hesitate to ask Him or others for help?
Dear God, forgive me for not bringing my burdens to You in prayer. Help me to reach out to others and ask for help too.

 

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August 30
Leave the Light On
Bible in a Year:

• Psalms 129–131
• 1 Corinthians 11:1–16

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:14
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Matthew 5:13–16
A hotel chain’s commercial featured one little building standing amidst a dark night. Nothing else was around. The only light in the scene came from a small lamp near the door on the porch of the building. The bulb cast enough illumination for a visitor to walk up the steps and enter the building. The commercial ended with the phrase, “We’ll leave the light on for you.”
A porch light is akin to a welcome sign, reminding weary travelers that there’s a comfortable place still open where they can stop and rest. The light invites those passing by to come on in and escape from the dark, weary journey.
Jesus says the lives of those who believe in Him should resemble that of a welcoming light. He told His followers, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). As believers, we’re to illuminate a dark world.
As He directs and empowers us, “[others] may see [our] good deeds and glorify [our] Father in heaven” (v. 16). And as we leave our lights on, they will feel welcomed to come to us to learn more about the one true Light of the World—Jesus (John 8:12). In a weary and dark world, His light always remains on.
Have you left your light on? As Jesus shines through you today, others may see and begin radiating His light too.
By: Katara Patton
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Reflect & Pray
In what ways can you shine your light for Jesus today? What can prevent you from shining for Him?
Jesus, help me to shine brightly so that others may be drawn to You.

 

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August 31
When Knowledge Hurts
Bible in a Year:

• Psalms 132–134
• 1 Corinthians 11:17–34

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

Ecclesiastes 1:18
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Ecclesiastes 1:12–18
Zach Elder and his friends pulled up to shore after a twenty-five-day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon. The man who came to retrieve their rafts told them about the COVID-19 virus. They thought he was joking. But as they left the canyon their phones pinged with their parents’ urgent messages. Zach and his friends were stunned. They wished they could return to the river and escape what they now knew.
In a fallen world, knowledge often brings pain. The wise Teacher of Ecclesiastes observed, “With much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief” (1:18). Who hasn’t envied a child’s blissful ignorance? She doesn’t yet know about racism, violence, and cancer. Weren’t we happier before we grew up and discerned our own weaknesses and vices? Before we learned our family’s secrets—why our uncle drinks heavily or what caused our parents’ divorce?
The pain from knowledge can’t be wished away. Once we know, it’s no use pretending we don’t. But there’s a higher knowledge that empowers us to endure, even thrive. Jesus is the Word of God, the light that shines in our darkness (John 1:1–5). He “has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Your pain is your reason to run to Jesus. He knows you and cares for you.
By: Mike Wittmer
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Reflect & Pray
What’s something you wished you didn’t know? Tell Jesus about it. Then leave it with Him. Whenever it troubles you, take it to Jesus again.
Jesus, I don’t enjoy pain, but if it drives me to You, it’s worth it.
For further study, read Why? Seeing God in Our Pain.

 

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September 6
A Hole in the Wall
Bible in a Year:

• Psalms 148–150
• 1 Corinthians 15:29–58

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

Proverbs 25:28
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Proverbs 25:16–28
Something was eating my flowers. The day before, blooms proudly lifted their heads. Now they were headless stems. I prowled the perimeter of my yard and discovered a rabbit-sized hole in my wooden fence. Bunnies are cute, but the pesky animals can mow down a garden of flowers in minutes.
I wonder, might there be “intruders” shearing off the blooms of God’s character in my life? Proverbs 25:28 says, “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” In ancient days, the wall of the city protected it against invasion from enemies. Even a small opening in a wall meant that the entire city lay open to attack.
So many of the proverbs are about self-control. “If you find honey, eat just enough,” wrote the wise man (25:16). Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit that guards us, protecting us from losing ground to impatience, bitterness, greed, and other pests that can intrude and destroy God’s harvest in our lives (see Galatians 5:22–23). Self-control is a healthy-mindedness that watches for the holes in the walls of our lives and keeps them patched.
When I inspect the perimeter of my life, I can at times see vulnerable holes. A spot where I give in to temptation over and over. An area of impatience. Oh, how I need the healthy-minded self-control of God in my life to guard me from such intruders!
By: Elisa Morgan
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Reflect & Pray
What holes do you see in the wall of your heart? How might God’s fruit of self-control help guard your life from such an intruder?
Dear God, please grow the fruit of self-control in my life that I might be protected from intruders.
For further study, read Words Matter.

 

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THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM
September 06, 2022
“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.” – Romans 6:3-6
Flowers, bridesmaids, the white dress… we’ve all seen a wedding ceremony.

Some are large, formal, five-piece band celebrations in traditional venues; while others are small, intimate ceremonies celebrated by a few close friends and family. No matter the ‘style,’ every wedding has the same purpose – a couple publicly committing their lives to one another.

Yet never, not one single time, have I performed a wedding where the couple fell in love during the ceremony. I never performed a wedding where the couple decided – at the ceremony – to commit their lives to one another. The decision was already made.

In the same way, baptism is a public expression before God and man of what has already happened in one’s heart and life.

Just to be clear. A person is not baptized into having faith in Jesus when baptized in water. It’s the moment we decide to trust in Christ, through repentant faith, that we will receive a gift of the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit dwelling within us.

So, what does baptism represent? In baptism, we are saying that Christ died for our sins and that we, too, are dying to our life without Christ. We are dying to our sins, to our selfish desires. In baptism, we are testifying to what has already occurred—a decision to trust Christ, to follow Him.

But, that’s not all. In rising out of the water, we see the symbolic resurrection of Jesus Christ rising from the dead. This represents the second part of the gospel. It testifies that as the water cleanses me outwardly, Christ already cleansed my heart. He has set me free. Now, I have the privilege of following the resurrected Savior forever and ever.

Just like a wedding ceremony is a life-changing moment full of hope and celebration, baptism should be celebrated!

Have you publicly celebrated your life-altering, no going back, declaration of what Christ has done for you? It’s only something a follower of Jesus can do. No other person can make that decision for you.

It is a choice that results only from saving faith in Jesus.

What will you choose?


Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

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PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED
September 07, 2022
“When one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:26
Persecution is not new.

It goes back to the very beginning of the church.

In fact, the Apostle Paul, who began as a religious terrorist seeking to destroy the church before becoming a believer, found himself on the other side of persecution: beaten and jailed for sharing the Gospel.

Coming from the West, it’s easy to feel disconnected and apathetic towards the plight of the global persecuted church, but the reality is that people suffer for their faith every day. Christians are beaten, tortured, imprisoned, and even killed simply for professing faith in Christ.

Nik Ripken, the author of The Insanity of God, has studied the global persecuted church. In countless interviews with believers worldwide suffering for their faith, Ripken asked how Christians in the West could pray. Not once did anyone ask for prayer that God end the suffering and persecution they face.

Instead, over and over these persecuted Christians asked for prayer that their witness would be strong; that they would be bold and courageous to persevere in the face of incredible suffering.

The Bible describes the Church as a body of believers. When one part suffers, the whole body suffers (my paraphrase).

So how will you remember those suffering for their faith? Start today and commit to regularly praying for the persecuted church.

Pray that they will be strong in their witness. Don’t let the privilege and freedom of the Western Church allow you to forget your brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering around the world.


Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

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September 9
A Heavenly Reunion
Bible in a Year:

• Proverbs 6–7
• 2 Corinthians 2

We will be with the Lord forever.

1 Thessalonians 4:17
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
When writing my mom’s obituary, I felt that the word died seemed too final for the hope I had in our promised reunion in heaven. So, I wrote: “She was welcomed into the arms of Jesus.” Still, some days I grieve when looking at the more current family photos that don’t include my mom. Recently, though, I discovered a painter who creates family portraits to include those we’ve lost. The artist uses the photos of loved ones who have gone before us to paint them into the picture of the family. With strokes of a paintbrush, this artist represents God’s promise of a heavenly reunion. I shed grateful tears at the thought of seeing my mom smiling by my side again.
The apostle Paul affirms that believers in Jesus don’t have to grieve “like the rest of mankind” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). “We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (v. 14). Paul acknowledges Jesus’ second coming and proclaims that all believers will be reunited with Jesus (v. 17).
God’s promise of a heavenly reunion can comfort us when we’re grieving the loss of a loved one who has trusted Jesus. Our promised future with our risen King also provides enduring hope when we face our own immortality, until the day Jesus comes or calls us home.
By: Xochitl Dixon
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Reflect & Pray
How has God used the promise of a heavenly reunion to comfort you in your grief? Why does the promise of a heavenly reunion give you great hope?
Loving Savior, thank You for giving me an enduring hope to share with others until the day You call me home or come again.
For further study, read Life to Come.

 

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CALLING CHRISTIANS TO THE HARVEST!
September 08, 2022

“He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore to send out workers into his harvest field.’” – Luke 10:2​

Don’t just stand there – join in.

Jesus often spoke in parables when describing a great harvest. We’re all familiar with a harvest – the season of gathering ripe produce. But, if we look closely at these parables, it’s pretty clear that Jesus doesn’t want us to sit passively, just watching this harvest; He wants us to participate, to join in.

So, what is the ‘harvest’ Jesus is talking about?

Just like a physical harvest, farmers recognize time is limited. There is a sense of urgency. In the same way, time is limited for family members, neighbors, colleagues, or classmates to come to know Christ. One day, we will all die. Those who have not responded to the Gospel of Christ will spend eternity separated from God. Jesus recognizes this urgency, and out of His love for us, He calls us to join in. He wants us to get our hands dirty, to get off the sidelines, and share the good news of the Gospel with others.

This is the harvest Jesus is talking about.

Many Christians would like to focus solely on the benefits of being a Christian: salvation from hell, victory over death, and eternal life. These are great benefits. But, Jesus wants more. You see, our calling is to make a decision of faith – not because of something we’ve done, but because of His sovereign grace.

The question is this: Have you responded to Jesus in faith? Will you share what you’ve experienced in your life and participate in the harvest?

Don’t just stand there –join in!


Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

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September 12
Trust in His Name
Bible in a Year:

• Proverbs 13–15
• 2 Corinthians 5

Those who know your name trust in you.

Psalm 9:10
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Psalm 9:7–12
As a child, there was a time I dreaded going to school. Some girls were bullying me by subjecting me to cruel pranks. So during recess, I’d take refuge in the library, where I read a series of Christian storybooks. I remember the first time I read the name “Jesus.” Somehow, I knew that this was the name of someone who loved me. In the months that followed, whenever I’d enter school fearful of the torment that lay ahead, I’d pray, “Jesus, protect me.” I’d feel stronger and calmer, knowing He was watching over me. In time, the girls simply grew tired of bullying me and stopped.
Many years have passed, and trusting His name continues to sustain me through difficult times. Trusting His name is believing that what He says about His character is true, allowing me to rest in Him.
David too knew the security of trusting in God’s name. When he wrote Psalm 9, he'd already experienced God as the all-powerful ruler who is just and faithful (vv. 7–8, 10, 16). David thus showed his trust in God’s name by going into battle against his enemies, trusting not in his weapons or military skill, but in God ultimately coming through for him as “a refuge for the oppressed” (v. 9).
As a little girl, I called on His name and experienced how He lived up to it. May we always trust His name—Jesus—the name of the One that loves us.
By: Karen Huang
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Reflect & Pray
What challenges have been troubling you? How does meditating on Jesus’ name build your trust in Him?
Heavenly Father, teach me who You are, so that I never have reason to doubt You in any circumstance I face.

 

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NO FEAR OF THE DARKNESS
September 13, 2022
“For You light my lamp; the Lord my God illumines my darkness.” -Psalm 18:28
Why are children afraid of the dark?

Maybe it’s a fear of being left alone, a feeling of separation; maybe it’s their vivid imaginations or simply shadows in the dark.

The fact is, children fear the dark for many of the same reasons adults do and many fears intensify at night.

What fears have kept you up at night?

• Financial issues?
• Insecurity?
• Anxiety about your career?
• Concerns for your children?

Whatever your fear, I have good news: God is with us always. On the good days, bad days, and during those long, anxious nights.

Read this portion of Psalm 139 (NIV):

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the Heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

(I don’t know about you, but every time I read this scripture, I am filled with a sense of security that only the Lord can provide.)

As a loving Father, God offers us a hand to hold during life’s darkest hours.

He will carry us through the darkness and lead us where we need to go.


Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

 

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September 15
Where I Belong
Bible in a Year:

• Proverbs 22–24
• 2 Corinthians 8

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

Psalm 133:1
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Today's Scripture & Insight:
Psalm 133
At the end of a meal to mark Passover, a traditional Jewish holiday that celebrates and remembers the greatness of God’s saving work, church members expressed their joy by dancing together in a circle. Barry stood back, watching with a huge smile. He remarked how much he loved these occasions, saying, “This is my family now. This is my community. I’ve found somewhere where I know I can love and be loved . . . where I belong.”
In his childhood, Barry suffered cruel emotional and physical abuse, robbing him of his joy. But his local church welcomed him and introduced him to Jesus. Finding their unity and joy infectious, he began following Christ and felt loved and accepted.
In Psalm 133, King David used powerful images to illustrate the far-reaching effects of the “good and pleasant” unity of God’s people. He said it’s like someone who is anointed with precious oil, the liquid running down over their collar (v. 2). This anointing was common in the ancient world, sometimes as a greeting when one entered a home. David also compared this unity to the dew that falls on the mountain bringing life and blessing (v. 3).
Oil releases a fragrance that fills a room and dew brings moisture to dry places. Unity too has good and pleasant effects such as welcoming those who are alone. Let’s seek to be united in Christ so that God can bring about good through us.
By: Amy Boucher Pye
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Reflect & Pray
When have you seen unity at work in your community? How could you reach out to someone you don’t know at your church?
Jesus, help me to show Your love, not only to those I find easy to accept but also to those I find challenging.