DEVOTIONS

Monday, February 28 – “But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do.” (James 1:25) It’s one thing to know something.  It’s quite another thing to use what you know about something.  The former is knowledge. The latter is wisdom.  Don’t be satisfied to live with a faith in Jesus that’s merely something that you know.  Be transformed into living with a faith in Jesus as someone you are.  Don’t just study the Bible, apply what it teaches to your life.  Don’t be satisfied with simply knowing about Jesus. 

Tuesday, March 1 – “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) It’s not about what’s on the outside.  For the outside will fade.  The paint will crack.  The roof will leak and the windows will break.  It’s about what’s on the inside, where nobody can see from the street.  The “all-surpassing power” of God that makes it possible to live, in the midst of this fading life of cracked paint, leaking roofs and broken windows.  Don’t worry about dressing up your jar of clay.  Worry about living into the treasure that is yours, inside of your jar of clay.    

Ash Wednesday – “Therefore, get rid of all mortal filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:21) Today is the official beginning of Lent.  A forty-day journey (not counting Sundays) to Easter.  A time for you to take a hard, honest look at your life and your relationship with God, through your faith in Jesus.  To ask yourself the tough questions like: Is my life built on the rock or is it built on shifting sand?  Not so you can beat yourself up.  Quite the contrary.  So that God can meet you right where you are and walk with you into a new life.  Resulting in a celebration of your new life on Easter morning.               

Thursday, March 3 – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.” (James 1:22) Knowledge is knowing about something.  Wisdom is using the knowledge that you know about something in your everyday life.  Don’t simply be a follower of the knowledge of Jesus.  Be a follower of Jesus.  Listen to what he teaches and then turn around and put what he teaches into practice.  Come on, what do you have to lose?  Try it between now and Easter and see what happens. 

Friday, March 4 – “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) Here’s some good news, you don’t have to lay a completely new foundation.  All you need to do is to lay your life on the foundation that has already been created and established for you.  And that’s Jesus.  You don’t need to start from scratch.  All you have to do is turn around and place your life on the foundation of Jesus.  The hard work has already been done.  You get to enjoy the benefits.  Now, of course, you can make the choice to build your own foundation from scratch.  This will allow you to live your life any way that you desire.  Just one question:  Will the foundation, that you build, hold up under all of the storms of life?

Saturday, March 5 – “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2) Let’s face it, this all comes down to what you believe is the best bet for your safety, in times of trouble.  For life will bring trouble.  On this side of eternity that’s a guarantee for all of us.  Thus, you need to decide into what you will put your trust, your faith and your life, in these times of trouble?  Will you trust God, through faith in Jesus?  Or will you trust in your own strength and your own abilities?  The choice is yours. But buyer beware, one decision comes with great benefits.  The other comes with great heartache and loss.