DEVOTIONS

Monday, June 26 – “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20) Jesus is standing at your door right now and is knocking.  You have the possibility of opening the door to Jesus.  This truth is for “anyone”.  Not just the good people or the rich people or the poor people or the smart people or the white people or the religious people.  But “anyone”.  Not only will Jesus come into your life, when you open the door, you will eat together.  You will share the meal of life together, as one.  It all starts today with you listening for Jesus’ voice. 

Tuesday, June 27 – “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14) What is this “according to his will” thing?  Can you mail a letter without a stamp?  Can you use your cell phone if you don’t have a provider?  Can you access the internet without a connection?  Well, “according to his will” means that you need Jesus for your prayers to reach God’s ears.  Yes, you can pray any way you want, using any words you want and in any style you want.  But if your prayer isn’t in the name of Jesus, you’re talking to yourself.  

Wednesday, June 28 – “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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) This is what the world struggles with, when it comes to Jesus. In order for you to experience the power of a faith in Jesus, you must “boast all the more gladly” about your weaknesses. The world teaches you to hide your weaknesses.  Or worse yet, not to have any weaknesses.  Jesus is calling you to not only embrace your weaknesses, but to boast about them. The greater the weaknesses, the greater the power of Jesus will be experienced in your life.   

Thursday, June 29 – “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13) Too many people see God as a vindictive old man, siting up in heaven, waiting to catch people in their sins.  So that punishments can be handed out.  Sadly, people believe this because this is exactly what has been experienced in relationships with earthly fathers and mothers.  God isn’t created in our image.  We are created in God’s image.  God isn’t looking to punish.  God is looking to bless.  Just ask him!

Friday, June 30 – “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13) What has Paul learned?  Life isn’t about what you do or what is done to you.  Life is about who you are.  And this identity, who you are, can only be found in a relationship with Jesus.  For, through Jesus, you have access to the one who created you and gifted you.   

Saturday, July 1 – “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9) Have you ever looked for something that you lost?  How did you know you lost it?  You knew you lost it, because you wanted it.  And when you looked for it, you couldn’t find it. You never look for something until you realize you want it.  Well, this weekend you’re invited to want a relationship with God.  What do you do when you want something?  You look for it.  The good news is that you have already been promised that if you look for God, you’ll find God.  That sure beats the fact that you’ll never find that sock!