DEVOTIONS

Monday, November 14 – “Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.’” (Mathew 8:20) Have you ever heard of a “first-world problem”?  Having to replace a broken shower door or fix the screen on a pool cage is a “first-world problem”.  There are people in the world who would die to have an indoor shower and a pool connected to their house.  Heck, they would die to have a house!  Our stuff, our worldly obligations, are often the very things that prevent us from experiencing the good news of Jesus.  Not that you don’t believe.  You don’t experience.  For you are so caught up in worshiping and serving your stuff.

Tuesday, November 15 – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9) Believing in Jesus is no guarantee of financial prosperity.  Believing in Jesus is a guarantee of spiritual prosperity.  Your spiritual bank account will be filled with peace, grace, hope and love.  None of which can be bought, manufactured or earned.  These can only be received.  But, in order to receive peace, grace, hope and love, you must first seek them out and accept them when they are offered.    

Wednesday, November 16 – “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1) Here is where some struggle, when it comes to God.  For some believe that God is punishing people for their sin.  Condemning them to Hell for all eternity.  When the opposite is the truth.  All of us are already condemned to Hell, because of our sin.  God came, as Jesus, to save all of us from the very condemnation that humanity has brought upon itself.  This is the reason why we call someone who believes in Jesus “saved”.  For their faith in Jesus has changed their eternal destination from Hell to Heaven.   

Thursday, November 17 – “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” (Luke 14:33) Another misconception that some have about God is that one must be poor, homeless and enjoy nothing in this world.  When God is merely expecting the very same thing that every husband and wife has ever expected.  When push comes to shove, you will pick God, not your stuff.  God doesn’t care if you have many possessions.  Just as long as they remain your possessions.  And you aren’t possessed by them.  Take possession of your stuff.  Enjoy everything.   Don’t take ownership of your stuff.  Or it will quickly own you. 

Friday, November 18 – “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26) Lot’s wife was told by God to get out of town and never look back.  But she did and she paid a great price.  You have been given a new life, through Jesus, and God is telling you to never look back.  So, why are you still beating yourself up?  Why are you allowing guilt and shame over your past control you?  It’s impossible to successfully drive your car forward, while looking into the rearview mirror.  And it’s impossible to be all that God has created you to be, in Christ Jesus, while you are constantly looking at your past. 

Saturday, November 19 – “But my righteous one will live by faith.  And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” (Hebrews 10:38) Are you a person of faith or do you shrink back into your past mistakes, missteps and mishaps?  Have you accepted the grace and forgiveness, that is yours in Jesus, or do you suffer from extreme guilt?  Are you able to be who God is calling you to be, right here, right now, or are you stuck in the muck and mire that is the old you?  God won’t make you a person of faith.  Into what you rest your faith is your choice.  All God is doing is offering you the possibility of righteousness.