Monday, April 28 – “Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’” (John 14:5) Faith was something with which Thomas struggled. For he had a very hard time believing unless he could see, touch or totally understand. Does this make him a bad guy? Does this make him less of a follower of Jesus than others? No. But all of this does impact Thomas’ ability to fully experience the blessings of God. This isn’t a salvation issue. It’s a better blessings in my everyday life issue.
Tuesday, April 29 – “Unless you people see signs and wonders,’ Jesus told him, ‘you will never believe.’” (John 4:48) We are a funny lot, us humans. We won’t believe it until we see it. In fact, the entire state of Missouri has as it’s motto “The Show-Me State”. Yet, faith in Jesus isn’t about seeing and then believing. It’s about believing and then seeing. We live our lives in response to what God has already done. Not in response to what God is going to do, someday, to prove it to us.
Wednesday, April 30 – “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’” (John 20:19) Fear is not the opposite of faith. Fear is what makes faith possible. The disciples were living in fear. Even though they knew that Jesus was resurrected, they still locked the doors for fear of the Jewish leaders. It’s in our fear that Jesus meets us. This meeting enables us to live in faith. In spite of our fears.
Thursday, May 1 – “For you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:9) Here’s why we have to be very careful about how critical we are of ourselves and others, when it comes to how we live out our faith in Jesus. What’s the end result of our faith in Jesus? Salvation of our souls. It’s not about behaviors, moral codes, ethics or even getting everything right. Believe in Jesus and your soul is saved for all eternity. Now go out there today and live like it. That’s the better blessing!
Friday, May 2 – “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:11) Signs aren’t merely for the sign’s sake. Signs are meant to point you to something bigger. The signs of Jesus, like the miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding of Cana, was meant to point to his glory. Don’t get lost in the signs. Get lost in that which the signs point.
Saturday, May 3 – “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Being a follower of Jesus is about a right relationship with God. A right relationship that allows you to live for eternity in heaven. A right relationship that allows you to live today as someone forgiven and covered by grace. In response to all of this is where your behaviors fit in. You don’t do what you do in order to be saved. You are saved. Thus, you do what you do. That’s why being a follower of Jesus isn’t a religion, it’s a relationship.
Tuesday, April 29 – “Unless you people see signs and wonders,’ Jesus told him, ‘you will never believe.’” (John 4:48) We are a funny lot, us humans. We won’t believe it until we see it. In fact, the entire state of Missouri has as it’s motto “The Show-Me State”. Yet, faith in Jesus isn’t about seeing and then believing. It’s about believing and then seeing. We live our lives in response to what God has already done. Not in response to what God is going to do, someday, to prove it to us.
Wednesday, April 30 – “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’” (John 20:19) Fear is not the opposite of faith. Fear is what makes faith possible. The disciples were living in fear. Even though they knew that Jesus was resurrected, they still locked the doors for fear of the Jewish leaders. It’s in our fear that Jesus meets us. This meeting enables us to live in faith. In spite of our fears.
Thursday, May 1 – “For you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:9) Here’s why we have to be very careful about how critical we are of ourselves and others, when it comes to how we live out our faith in Jesus. What’s the end result of our faith in Jesus? Salvation of our souls. It’s not about behaviors, moral codes, ethics or even getting everything right. Believe in Jesus and your soul is saved for all eternity. Now go out there today and live like it. That’s the better blessing!
Friday, May 2 – “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:11) Signs aren’t merely for the sign’s sake. Signs are meant to point you to something bigger. The signs of Jesus, like the miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding of Cana, was meant to point to his glory. Don’t get lost in the signs. Get lost in that which the signs point.
Saturday, May 3 – “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Being a follower of Jesus is about a right relationship with God. A right relationship that allows you to live for eternity in heaven. A right relationship that allows you to live today as someone forgiven and covered by grace. In response to all of this is where your behaviors fit in. You don’t do what you do in order to be saved. You are saved. Thus, you do what you do. That’s why being a follower of Jesus isn’t a religion, it’s a relationship.
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
