Episodes
Tuesday May 11, 2021
Daily Devotions - Resurrection in Christ
Tuesday May 11, 2021
Tuesday May 11, 2021
Mark 12:18-27 NIV
Marriage at the Resurrection
18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 19 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. 21 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. 22 In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. 23 At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” 24 Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? 25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 26 Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”
What was odd about the question asked by the Sadducees?
There are people who want to believe their own version of truth and then try to persuade others that it is the truth. The Sadducees were like that. They only believed a portion of the words of Moses and made up the rest. They did not believe in life after death so their question was designed to demonstrate what appeared to be the absurdity of resurrection. Instead of answering their question directly, You tried to open their minds to other possibilities. Lord help me to recognize it when I approach You and others with a closed mind. Help me to be open to Your truths, which at times are uncomfortable or hard to understand. Lord teach me to be willing to learn more and grow in my faith through Your Word and Spirit. I pray for trust. I look forward to the day when I live with You in Heaven. In that time all who are to be, have been. There will be no need for procreation. All will be friends in heaven. There will be no sin or sadness, hurt or bad feelings. You will be the main focus for every person. Each person will live in peace and love in Your heavenly communities. I thank You that through Your death, forgiveness, and resurrection, I will have a place prepared for me to live with You in heaven for eternity. I pray that Your gift of grace will be accepted freely so that more people will also have eternal hope for heaven. I live in confidence in my eternal future. Amen and Amen.
Monday May 10, 2021
Daily Devotions - Dual Authority
Monday May 10, 2021
Monday May 10, 2021
Mark 12:13-17 NIV
Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar
13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.
What was so dangerous about this trap?
The Pharisees tried to butter You up to not alert You of their devious plans, but You saw right through it. It is still amazing that people in this world are still using these same antics. They say they care and their words attempt to make us trust them, while their intentions are evil. The intention of the Pharisees was to trip You up so they could either accuse you before the Jewish people as being a traitor or accuse You before the Roman authorities of treason. Either way, they could carry out their evil schemes. Your reply is a word for us today. You show us that duty to God and duty to civil authorities are not in opposition. They are not mutually exclusive. God and politics are not an either-or, it is a both-and. You have established laws and guidelines for their enforcement. You also call Your people to value justice and to be subject to authority. Lord, I pray for our country as people try to dishonor and criminalize authority. I pray for police officers who regularly are placed in dangerous situations to keep the peace, to bring aid, and for our safety. As Christians, help us to view police officers as Your servants who are enforcing justice on our behalf. Without this important aspect of our society, laws would be essentially meaningless as there would be no way to uphold them. We are called to submit to the authority of the government, but we are also called to submit to Your laws. You are calling Christians to participate in governments, to speak up for You and others, and to serve with Your love to uphold Your principles. Help me to follow Your Word as my primary compass. Help me to boldly speak, act and serve consistently with Your Word. Allow me to demonstrate Your love by honoring good and supporting authority. Show me where I can participate in the schools, cities, counties and wherever You send me so that I can live out my Christian values in my community. I owe a debt for services and benefits that I receive and the laws that are consistent with Your Word. If I do not actively serve, let me support those who do. Let me give to civil authorities that which is due to them and give to God all that I owe Him. Amen
Saturday May 08, 2021
Daily Devotions - What is Success?
Saturday May 08, 2021
Saturday May 08, 2021
Ecclesiastes 4:1-6 NIV
Oppression, Toil, Friendlessness
4 Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors— and they have no comforter. 2 And I declared that the dead, who had already died,
are happier than the living, who are still alive. 3 But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. 4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. 6 Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
Do you often see yourself in the role of the oppressed or the oppressor?
Lord, we live in a self-centered culture. It is contrasted from those who hunger for riches and grab power at the expense of others with those who are capable of work but just want others to provide for them out of their laziness. Both are selfish and both lead to ruin. Many are envious of the success of others and want what they have now, without realizing the time and effort that it took to achieve that success. That is foolishness and chasing after the wind. Let me not envy the success of others but be industrious with the skills, abilities, and opportunities that You have provided. Help me to live my life in balance. I pray that I focus on You and what You did for me before I consider what I have or have not. Allow me to lead others through Your love and not for my selfish gain. Allow me to be satisfied in my work and contribute to what I do without being consumed by it. I pray that I may enjoy the blessings of work and relationships. Give me endurance and Your peace as I am oppressed under the hands of those who try to steal what I have earned. Although You were a king You had compassion on the multitudes, fed them when they were hungry, healed diseases, and gave them the hope of salvation through Your word. Lord help me to be more like You. That is true success. Amen
Friday May 07, 2021
Daily Devotions - Rise Up and Help Us
Friday May 07, 2021
Friday May 07, 2021
Psalm 44 NIV
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.
1 We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. 2 With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our ancestors; you crushed the peoples and made our ancestors flourish. 3 It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them. 4 You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. 5 Through you we push back our enemies; through your name, we trample our foes. 6 I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; 7 but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.
8 In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. 9 But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies. 10 You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us. 11 You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations. 12 You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale. 13 You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us. 14 You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us. 15 I live in disgrace all day long, and my face is covered with shame 16 at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge. 17 All this came upon us, though we had not forgotten you; we had not been false to your covenant. 18 Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path. 19 But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals; you covered us over with deep darkness. 20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, 21 would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart? 22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 23 Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. 24 Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? 25 We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. 26 Rise up and help us;
rescue us because of your unfailing love.
How does the author of this Psalm see God related to his problems?
History has a way of repeating itself. You did mighty works for the nation of Isreal. You made a covenant with them and blessed them. But they did not keep their part of the covenant and You allowed enemies to conquer them. Lord, America was originally founded on a covenant with You. They committed this nation to You and You have blessed it with victory, with freedom, and with prosperity. Forgive us Lord for not fulfilling our part of the covenant. As a result, things have changed. You have rejected us and humbled us. Although millions still honor You, this country has moved away from You and You from it. It has become challenging to proclaim that You are Lord without retaliation. But I know that You will not leave me or forsake me. You have heard my prayers and You will again show Your love and power to the people in this country. As I face the challenges of today and of the future, I thank You for the victories you have given us. I do not rely on my own strength for the future but instead, put my trust in you. O Lord, my King, and my God rise up and help us; redeem us because of Your unfailing love. Amen
Thursday May 06, 2021
Daily Devotions - Jesus, the Cornerstone
Thursday May 06, 2021
Thursday May 06, 2021
Mark 12:1-12 NIV
The Parable of the Tenants
12 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed. 6 “He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 “What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 11 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” 12 Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.
In what ways is Jesus the capstone to your life? In what ways is he not?
In the vineyard parable, You called out Isreal's leaders for killing Your prophets. You predicted that they would also kill You, the Son of the vineyard owner. They saw Your holy life, miraculous works, witnessed Your power over demons, and Your life-giving words. Yet because You did not fit the pattern they had in mind for a Savior, You were rejected. They couldn't see that God was using their rejection through Your death and resurrection as the cornerstone, the most important stone in the building of Your kingdom. The cornerstone is the key to the rest of the structure that is placed strategically so the rest of the building might take its alignment and form based upon it. If removed, the entire structure could collapse. Lord, You are the Cornerstone of my life. I pray that everything I do aligns with You. You are my firm foundation. Without You I am nothing. Without You, I have no hope, and life is meaningless. Lord, Jesus, help me stand boldly on Your foundation. Let my faith be the mortar that binds me to You. You are my strength and I lean on You for support. Allow me to provide support for others as I share my faith as a mortar to bind them together with all the saints into Your Kingdom. You are the foundation that makes my faith even stronger and will make the Church stronger. Your kingdom is strong, mighty, and eternal. You are the love, guidance, and foundation for which I stand. Amen
Wednesday May 05, 2021
Daily Devotions - Speak with the Authority of God
Wednesday May 05, 2021
Wednesday May 05, 2021
Mark 11:27-33 NIV
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders came to him. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” 29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!” 31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) 33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Why doesn’t Jesus answer the question directly?
Jesus, You spoke and acted with God-given authority. You listened to the voice of Your Father and spoke the very words of God. You are the unique Son of God who spoke with the authority of God himself. There are people who do amazing things because they are confident that they walk in Your authority. Jesus, I don't want to be a meek and quiet Christian, I want to hear Your voice and confidently act with Your authority. I know that listening to You is the key. To do that I need to spend time with You. I know that I will meet opposition when I speak of Your truth. The priests of Your time on earth are similar to the people today who are adversarial and look for ways to trip people up so they can be destroyed. You saw their hearts. Your response to them challenged their authority by giving them a question that they couldn't answer. You exposed their motives and deceitfulness through their lack of authority and faith. Lord, I want to be able to respond in love and share Your Word in a way where people will recognize that I am speaking for You. I don't want to be afraid. I don't need to please people, I need to please You. Let me walk with the boldness of Your Spirit today and confidently speak and act in Your authority as I stand firm in following Your Word. Help me to walk in a close relationship with you, hear your voice, and speak your words with authority. Amen
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Daily Devotions - Faith to grow fruit
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Mark 11:12-26 NIV
Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts
12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. 15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” 18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. 19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. 20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” 22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Why was Peter amazed? Should he have been?
It must have been amazing to be following You. Always watching for the unexpected and soaking up Your teaching moments. That day was filled with the unexpected for Peter and the disciples. In this passage, the cursing of the fig tree seems to be related to the cleansing of the temple. The fig tree looked desirable as the leaves were full, but there was no fruit. Those in the temple who were in positions to facilitate sacrifice and forgiveness were instead corrupting the church for their own profit. The fig tree was symbolic of the barrenness of the temple rituals they used to conceal their focus on selfish motives instead of faith and worship. They deceived just as the fullness of the leaves were deceiving. You predicted judgment to both due to the lack of fruit. I ask You Lord to examine my heart and my motives. Make them pure. I pray for the power of faith and prayer to grow fruit in my life and in the life of the church. Help me to have faith in You and not doubt, so that I can move mountains for You. Let me serve not to look good to others or for my purposes, but to expand Your kingdom by showing kindness and sharing Your love with others. Heal my heart so that I can forgive what others have done to me just as You have forgiven me. Let me grow in faith and bring me close to You. Lord. You are the main thing. Let me shed distractions and remain focused on my relationship with You. Allow me to hear Your voice and follow Your guidance in faith to grow desirable fruit for Your kingdom. Thank You for giving me the power of faith and prayer to change lives for You. Let all that I do and say bring glory to You, my God. I pray in Your name. Amen
Monday May 03, 2021
Daily Devotions - Lord, reign in me
Monday May 03, 2021
Monday May 03, 2021
Mark 11:1-11 NIV
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
Have you ever misunderstood Jesus’ purpose? Praising him one day and despairing the next?
Holy and Mighty God. I know that all things work together for good for those who are called according to Your purposes. I trust You and have faith in Your plan but sometimes my heart is fickle. Life is a roller coaster of emotions. There are the mountain top experiences and then there are the deep valleys. I thank You for those times when I truly hear Your voice, when something in the Bible jumps out at me or when I recognize Your hand in a situation or answered prayer. Those are the times when my heart sings with praises. Often during those times, the devil tries to steal my joy. I can quickly lose focus on the good and everything comes crashing down around me. It's during those high times when something breaks, I get into an argument, I get hurt, or I am blindsided by something horrible in the news and my joy gets short-circuited. I go from praising to disappointment and feeling let down and I question what You are doing. Lord, help me to recognize that even it feels like You have failed to meet my expectations, that You have a bigger purpose. I can rest in the truth that You are always good, but Your ways are not my ways. Even when I have expectations in life that feel unmet, I pray that I can allow You to make a triumphal entry into every area of my heart today. Lord, reign in me with peace and love. Amen
Saturday May 01, 2021
Daily Devotions - God is Just
Saturday May 01, 2021
Saturday May 01, 2021
Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 NIV
16 And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there. 17 I said to myself, “God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.” 18 I also said to myself, “As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. 19 Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?” 22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?
How do you respond to those who act as if there is no God or final judgment?
There has been a push to silence You. There is a total disregard for You, for who You are, and what You say in Your Word. There is no gratitude for what You have given us. The result is that injustice and wickedness have invaded and impacted our schools, workplaces, and even places of justice and righteousness have been corrupted and defiled. There is abuse, brokenness, and even wickedness in churches, in families in government, in our role models and heroes. There is pride, greed, selfishness, anger, and hate. No one's sins go unnoticed. The truth is You are always watching. In these times of testing, we get a display of our own ignorance, nature, and destiny apart from you. You are just. You are patient. You have Your purposes. You will judge in Your own time. Thank You, God, that You do not judge us in our time frame. I pray for patience to wait out Your timing. I have faith that You are good and just. I pray for revival that those who are lost will be found. I pray that You would revive our nation and set those in civil government free from pride, selfishness, and the lust for power. I pray that you would make us a Godly nation once again so that we can be a blessing to You and shine the light of Jesus to the whole world. You are who You say You are! You are the one who can fix everything, I just need to point people to You. Let revival start with me. Amen
Friday Apr 30, 2021
Daily Devotions - Obedient Praise
Friday Apr 30, 2021
Friday Apr 30, 2021
Psalm 43 NIV
1 Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked. 2 You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? 3 Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. 5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior, and my God.
What progression of faith or mood swing do you see in Psalm 43?
Lord, I love You and I have faith in Your power and glory. I have hope in Your forgiveness and grace. But I am human. I am worn down from being surrounded by an ungodly nation, a deceitful and wicked people. The wait is long. Life is not easy. I have faced battles of opposition and even depression. Culture suggests that we depend on ourselves for help rather than from You. The result is isolation and fear. Lord, I know better. I know You, why am I discouraged and restless? David was human too. in this psalm he moved from complaint to petition and ended in hope. He demonstrates that it is not about what is happening or feelings, it is about hope in You. Lord, Today I run to You for protection. I pray for Your guidance and presence. Obedience is all about turning to You, trusting Your goodness, no matter what the situation. What I need in darkness is to seek Your presence and I can trust that is ultimately what I will find. Your final word is not in the chaos of this world but it is a word of hope and trust. You have promised to show Your Glory and I hold onto Your Word. Send your light and your truth to guide me. Help me to play the role you want me to play in reviving faith in Your people. And I will continue to praise You because You help me and You are my God. Amen