Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Isaiah 40:29
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

If God wants you to accomplish something through you, He will equip you for it. It’s often the most unlikely people that God uses for big things. A shepherd with a sling would kill a giant; a boy with two fish and five loaves would feed five thousand; bickering fishermen would become the disciples of Jesus himself, and the man who persecuted Christ’s people would become His apostle. None of these people were powerful on their own, but they trusted that the Lord would and could make them strong. When the odds are against you, and you have no might, do you have that kind of faith?

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Luke 5:31-32
And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

If God’s people were all perfectly behaved, there would be no need for a Savior. But because you’re human, you’re doomed to fail; your sin nature keeps you from entering into God’s kingdom when this life is over, because in His perfect justice, God can’t allow sin to go unpunished. That’s why the punishment for the sins of the world was poured out on Jesus. It wasn’t to pay for righteousness, but for sins. It wasn’t for the perfect, but the imperfect. It’s only when you realize the depths of your imperfection that you can understand what Christ has done for you. Accept His gift, put your hand in His, and live a life that is no longer bound by chains.

Monday, August 21, 2023

Monday, August 21, 2023
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

In the Bible we are told that Paul, as he was now called, was tormented by a “thorn” in his flesh. We’re never told what this “thorn” was, whether it was temptation, disease, fear, or something else, but we know that Paul begged God three times to take it away. But in His wisdom, the Lord allowed the thorn to persist, because it was Paul’s weakness that magnified his spiritual strength. God’s power was made more apparent, both to Paul and to others, because when he reached his human limits, it was the Lord who carried him further. Recognize your weaknesses and remember that God can and will work through you despite your shortcomings… so long as you keep your eyes on Him.

Friday, August 18, 2023

Friday, August 18, 2023
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Is the Kingdom of God a priority in your life? Is it just an afterthought, or do you meditate on what the Bible has to say about eternity? Seek first the things that matter: God’s commandments, His will for your life, and Christ’s death and resurrection. Think deeply about these truths, pray about them, and then finally live by them. There’s nothing you or I can do to earn Heaven itself… Christ did that for you… but you can earn treasures there by the life you live on earth.

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Thursday, August 17, 2023
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

All it takes is one small mistake to disqualify you from deserving Heaven, because God’s standard is perfection. The sins you’ve committed, the commandments you’ve broken, they condemn you to a miserable existence away from God’s paradise. But if you’ve accepted Christ’s free gift of salvation, your mistakes have been washed away, and you are considered not only innocent in the eyes of God, but as a beloved son or daughter. Now it isn’t your sins that count, but the good deeds you do with a pure heart to serve God. Live in a way that would make Jesus proud, because He is watching, and one day, you will be rewarded for the life you lived.

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Wednesday, August 16, 2023
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks to God in all circumstances is a real demonstration of faith. Whether you’re happy or sad, you can always rejoice knowing that God is always good, and that nothing can separate you from His love, or disqualify you from salvation. Whether things are going well or going poorly, you can pray unceasingly for your own needs or someone else’s. And whether you’re in a season of joy or of pain, you can give thanks in all circumstances, because the Lord works all things together for the good of those who love Him. These three things are exercises in faith, both in God’s character, and in His promises.