DEVOTIONS

Monday, September 19 – “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.” (Psalm 22:11) This is a prayer of King David.  He understood that trials will come.  He also understood that facing trials without an open, honest, real relationship with God is a recipe for disaster.  This is the work of life.  To know that trials are right around the corner and the only way to overcome any trial is with God.  King David is making a choice to face his trials with God.  What about you?

Tuesday, September 20 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Notice this verse doesn’t teach that God will make all things good.  It teaches that in all things, God will work for good.  Even trials have the possibility of producing good, if you let God work with you, in them and through them.  God isn’t a magical spell or a genie in a bottle.  God is your heavenly Father who will walk with you, through anything and everything.  If you let him.     

Wednesday, September 21 – “The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” (Matthew 13:20-21) You want to be famous, but you never leave your house.  You want to be an author, but you never write.  You want to be resilient in the face of trials, but you never deepen your relationship with God.  You want, but you aren’t willing to invest.  Sound familiar?  God wants you to want to change that.

Thursday, September 22 – “Being confident of this, that who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) Confidence is a result of a mixture of faith and knowledge.  You believe in Jesus; thus, you experience Jesus.  And that experience plants the seed of knowledge in your life.  That seed of knowledge grows up into a mature life of even deeper faith and trust.  This life of even deeper faith and trust is seen by others, who find rest in its shade.  Who then, in turn, believe and the whole process starts all over again.

Friday, September 23 – “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise.” (Ephesians 5:15) Being wise doesn’t mean that you are the smartest person in the room.  Being wise means that you use every stich of knowledge that you possess, while you’re in the room.  You can have a very high IQ and not be wise.  Likewise, you can a low IQ and still be the wisest person in the room.  As a follower of Jesus, you are called to be wise.  Called to use the knowledge that you already possess.  You are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. So, go out and live like it!

Saturday, September 24 – “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30) In other words, your prayer for this weekend is that your life would be more about Jesus and all that he represents.  All that he taught.  All that for which he lived and died.  As opposed to your life being all about your wants, your desires and your needs.  Scratch that.  May your prayer this weekend be for God to transform you into someone who wants, desires and needs to be more like Jesus.