Daily Devotionals

Devotional - Not Trying To Please Men

2025-07-03T04:58:00Z

“On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:4-5

While working as a lab technician at a nuclear facility operated by General Electric in 1984, Vera English was alarmed by the frequency of radioactive spillages. English contacted both her supervisor and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission about her concerns, but nothing was done and English was fired shortly after. After a 10 year long legal battle, her Supreme Court case, English v. General Electric Company, set a precedent that allowed whistleblowers to pursue cases under state law. English’s landmark victory also set precedent for the use of whistleblower protection laws in other nuclear energy cases, and demonstrated how existing whistleblower laws can be used to protect against corporate retaliation. Ms. English told her story in the video “How to Blow the Whistle and Win,” a 1994 documentary produced by the National Whistleblower Center.

The Lord desires that we please Him, not the desires of men. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that we should live our lives so that we speak as men and women approved by God.

“Whether men be pleased or displeased, or how they judge you, or what they call you, will seem a small matter to you as their own interest, in comparison to God’s judgment. You live not on them. You can bear their displeasure, censures, and reproaches, if God be but pleased.” – Richard Baxter

God’s Word: “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †

Devotional - Let Your Faith Be Known

2025-07-02T04:58:00Z

“The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia--your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it” – 1 Thessalonians 1:8

Mike Shildt became manager of the San Diego Padres. He is outspoken about his faith in Christ and shared his testimony years ago:

“I took some wrong turns before surrendering myself to the Lord. I grew up in an Episcopal Church and always had a belief in God. I just didn’t accept/live the teachings. As I got into my college and young adult years I strayed from God and was more dedicated to earthly pleasures.”

Shildt soon learned something was missing, and began turning his life over to the Lord. “It was only after trying to do it myself that I realized the emptiness I was feeling couldn’t be filled by me alone. So, I turned to God and anchored to His teachings. It created a peace within me and opened up my world in how I should live. I now have clarity as to my purpose in life and serving others with God’s spiritual gifts He has bestowed upon me.”

Trust in the Lord in all you do, and let others know where your trust lies. Today in prayer, place your faith in Jesus knowing that you are in the best of hands.

“Everyone knows how to have faith. We do it all the time in countless ways. When I get in a car and turn the ignition key I have faith that my car will start. When I pick up a ballpoint pen and press it down on a sheet of paper, I'm exercising faith in the ability of that pen to write. When I sit down to eat and put my wife's cooking into my mouth I am exercising faith that my wife hasn't poisoned the food. Day by day, in countless ways we exercise faith in the people or things around us. Likewise, when Jesus asks us to have faith in him he is only asking us to do what is natural for us to do.” – Bill Gordon

God’s Word: “See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright-- but the righteous will live by his faith” – Habakkuk 2:4

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †

Devotional - Imitating Others

2025-06-30T16:55:00Z

“You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:6

Ariana Grande-Butera is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Her accolades include two Grammy Awards, a Brit Award, two Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards, and ten MTV Video Music Awards. The 31-year-old singer is known for her four-octave vocal range, which extends into the whistle register.

Because of this wide vocal range, she is able to sing songs in a wide variety of keys.

Ariana has been a hit on the talk show circuit for her impressions of many female singers and actresses.

Some of her best imitations are Whitney Houston singing “I Will Always Love You”, as well as singing in the styles of Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Rihanna, and Shakira. She also spoofs actresses Jennifer Coolidge, Elizabeth Gillies, and Jennifer Lawrence with hilarious impressions of them.

How much better it is to imitate Jesus Christ and godly believers. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the example mature Christians have shown you and seek to be more like Jesus Christ in all that you do.

“Imitate Christ, who is supremely perfect and supremely holy, and you will never ere.” – John of the Cross

God’s Word: “Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” – 1 Corinthians 4:16

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †

Devotional - Choose Life

2025-06-30T04:24:00Z

“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” – Deuteronomy 30:19

Pastor Andy Barnard tells the stories of two paraplegics. “One was Kenneth Wright, a high school football star and later an avid wrestler, boxer, hunter and skin diver. A broken neck sustained in a wrestling match in 1979 left him paralyzed from the chest down. He underwent therapy, and his doctors were hopeful that one day he would be able to walk with the help of braces and crutches.

But apparently, the former athlete could not reconcile himself to his physical disability. He prevailed upon two of his best friends to take him in his wheelchair to a wooded area, where they left him alone with a twelve-gauge shotgun. After they left, he held the shotgun to his abdomen and pulled the trigger. Kenneth Wright, twenty-four, committed suicide.

The second paraplegic in the news was Jim McGowan. Thirty years ago, at the age of nineteen, Jim was stabbed and left paralyzed from the middle of his chest down. He is now confined to a wheelchair. But he made the news recently when he made a successful parachute jump, landing on his target in the middle of Lake Wallenpaupack in the Poconos.

Newspeople learned a number of things about Jim. He lives alone, cooks his meals, washes his clothes and cleans his house. He drives himself in his specially equipped automobile. He has written three books, and he did the photography for our country’s first book on the history of wheelchair sports.

Two men with handicaps: one chose life and the other one didn’t.”

Every day we are confronted with choices. The most important choice you have is who is Jesus Christ? Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His sacrifice and choose life and follow Him in all that you do.

“Nature gives man corn but he must grind it. God gives man a will but he must make the right choices.” – Fulton J. Sheen

God’s Word: “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - The Secret Things Of God

2025-06-27T04:58:00Z

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” – Deuteronomy 29:29

In his book “The Reason for God: Conversations on Faith and Life” Tim Keller writes:

“If you put three swimmers on the coast of California and ask them to swim to Hawaii, the Olympic swimmer might swim 500 miles before she dies. The second swimmer might be a good swimmer and swim 25 miles before he dies. The last swimmer does not know how to swim very well and swims only one mile before he dies. So you might say that the Olympic swimmer is 500 times better as a swimmer than the third one. Who is more dead? Nobody can get to Hawaii on the basis of their own swimming ability. The Bible says we are supposed to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbour as ourselves.

Nobody gets there. The unique message of Christianity is that you “get there” not because of your own effort, or your own good works, but because you put your trust in what Jesus did for you on the cross.”

The Bible isn’t always easy to understand, but thanks be to God that which we can understand describes our loving God. Today in prayer, give thanks to Jesus for being the Word of God made flesh.

“No matter what problems we have in understanding the Bible, we can thank Him that He has revealed sufficient truth to win our hearts, guide our steps, and bring us to heaven.” —D. J. De Haan

God’s Word: “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.” – Psalm 25:14

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Reckless Living

2025-06-26T04:57:00Z

“They shall say to the elders, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a profligate and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid.” – Deuteronomy 21:20-21

Famous Abstract Artist Jackson Pollock had a fatal love affair with alcohol. He tried to get help: doctors prescribed him tranquilizers, his family made him “vegetable juices (Brussels sprouts and dandelion juice), healthy smoothies and fruit drinks” - but ultimately, nothing could get him to kick the habit.

Art critic Lee Siegel says except for “intermittent dry spells,” Pollock “was drunk almost every day and night” of his adult life. Some argue that his drinking inspired his distinctive style, but one thing’s for sure: the end of his short life - he was only 44 - was horrific, and booze was at least partially to blame. As James Hall of the Guardian puts it, his life “ended horrifyingly and murderously when, in an alcohol-fueled rage, he drove his convertible Oldsmobile into a tree at 80 mph, decapitating himself and killing a female passenger – and nearly killing his young mistress – in the process.”

The Lord warns us to refrain from reckless living. Today in prayer, give consideration to how you are living your life and give your life fully to Jesus.

“Do you think it is a vain hope that one day man will find joy in noble deeds of light and mercy, rather than in the coarse pleasures he indulges in today -- gluttony, fornication, ostentation, boasting, and envious vying with his neighbor? I am certain this is not a vain hope and that the day will come soon.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky

God’s Word: “Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.” – Proverbs 23:19-21

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Be A Faithful Giver

2025-06-25T04:56:00Z

“Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.” – Deuteronomy 16:17

In her book “The Path of Loneliness” missionary author Elisabeth Elliot writes: “There is an old story of a king who went into the village streets to greet his subjects. A beggar sitting by the roadside eagerly held up his alms bowl, sure that the king would give handsomely. Instead, the king asked the beggar to give him something. Taken aback, the beggar fished three grains of rice from his bowl and dropped them into the king’s outstretched hand. When at the end of the day the beggar poured out what he had received, he found to his astonishment three grains of pure gold in the bottom of his bowl. O, that I had given him all!”

We need to be faithful in giving to the Lord’s work. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for all that He has given you and seek to be a cheerful giver to His work.

“God loves a cheerful giver. He who gives cheerfully, gives better. The best way to show our gratitude to God and to our neighbor is to accept their gifts with joy. Joy is a net of love in which souls can be caught. We impatiently await God's paradise, but we have in our hands the power to be in paradise right here and now. Being happy with God means this: to love as He loves, to help as He helps, to give as He gives, to serve as He serves.” – Mother Teresa

God’s Word: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Love The Lord

2025-06-24T04:55:00Z

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” – Deuteronomy 6:5

In his book “The Challenge of Jesus”, British professor N.T. Wright writes: “A friend of mine, lecturing in a theological college in Kenya, introduced his students to “The Quest for the Historical Jesus.” This, he said, was a movement of thought and scholarship that in its earlier forms was carried on largely in Germany in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. He had not gone far into his lecture explaining this search for Jesus when one of his students interrupted him. “Teacher,” he said (“I knew I was in trouble,” my friend commented, “as soon as he called me ‘teacher’!”), ‘if the Germans have lost Jesus, that is their problem. We have not lost him. We know him. We love him.’”

We are called to love the Lord with all of our heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Today in prayer, praise the Lord and love Him with all of your heart.

“We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God.” – A.W. Tozer

God’s Word: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” – Matthew 22:37

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Do Not Forget His Words

2025-06-23T04:57:00Z

“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” – Deuteronomy 4:9

Pastor Mia Levetan writes: “God remembers Noah. God remembers Abram. God remembers Lot. God remembers the Israelites. The Israelites, in the book of Judges, do not remember God—this was their problem. God remembers Hannah. The Psalmist remembers God over and over again. And, for his part, God remembers God’s people over and over again in the Psalms. God called Israel to remember whose they are. Jonah remembers God. Peter remembers the words of Jesus. And Jesus calls us to remember him when we take communion—and this is really important. Remembering establishes who and whose we are.

Crucifixion is also about memory. It is about who you are and whose you are. You are an imperial subject. You belong to Rome. They crucify people so you remember it. ("Don’t step out of line, or we’ll do it to you, too.") And it is also about erasing the condemned. When they strip you of your clothes, they strip away your individual and cultural identity. You are left a generic, naked, weak, pathetic human being. You are forced out of your city, your community, and exposed on a crossbeam. You just hang there until you die. If you are ever remembered, you’re remembered as that person Rome destroyed. Because what you’re supposed to remember is Rome always wins.

Except… it doesn’t.

Because, in spite of all appearances, just when Rome thought they had erased him, Jesus was victorious.

When we gather, and especially when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we remember that God has turned back the power of everyone who would dehumanize, isolate, and make us nothing.

We remember. And it tells us who we are and whose we are.

We are God’s. We are Christ’s. And in Christ, we are each other's.”

The Lord desires us to remember His words and to live them out in our lives. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His Word and seek to remember and apply all of His Word.

“The tumult and the shouting dies, The captains and the kings depart; Still stands thine ancient sacrifice, A humble and a contrite heart. Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet Lest we forget, --lest we forget.” – Rudyard Kipling

God’s Word: “Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.” – Psalm 78:7

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - God Does Not Lie

2025-06-20T04:58:00Z

“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” – Numbers 23:19

Sabrina Rubin Erdely wrote one of the most infamous feature stories of the last decade when she published “A Rape on Campus” in Rolling Stone in 2014. The story was about an alleged gang rape that took place in a fraternity house at the University of Virginia. And at first, the story blew up and went mega-viral.

It caused people to come up with all sorts of assumptions about the frat in which the alleged atrocity took place and the men supposedly involved. But then, upon closer inspection, critics of the story started to poke holes in it. Small ones, at first, and then larger and larger ones regarding facts about the so-called victim involved, the sources Erdely used for her story, and the alleged assailants.

Other journalists couldn’t confirm Erdely’s sources or find the same level of access to the so-called victim in her piece. Eventually, the heat got so hot that Rolling Stone asked the Columbia University School of Journalism to review the article independently. Their conclusion was damning. They slammed Erdely and Rolling Stone for failing to engage in “basic, even routine journalistic practice.” In other words, it was all a lie.

The University of Virginia administrator, who was at the center of the piece and depicted as hapless at best and uncaring at worst, sued Erdely and Rolling Stone for defamation. In November 2016, a federally impaneled jury found the disgraced journalist to be liable for defamation with actual malice and ordered to personally pay that UVA administrator $2 million in damages.

When we trust that God cannot lie, we can then stand on the Truth. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He does not lie and in Christ, we see all the fullness of truth.

“Lying is the acme of evil.” – Victor Hugo

God’s Word: “in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,” – Titus 1:2

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Do Not Be Afraid

2025-06-19T04:59:00Z

“Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” – Numbers 14:9

During Joseph Stalin’s 30 years as leader of the Soviet Union, he executed more than 3.3 million of his own people. He was followed by Nikita Khrushev in 1953. During his years as premier of the Soviet Union, Khrushchev denounced many of the policies and atrocities of Joseph Stalin. Once, as he censured Stalin in a public meeting, Khrushchev was interrupted by a shout from a heckler in the audience. “You were one of Stalin’s colleagues. Why didn’t you stop him?” “Who said that?” roared Khrushchev. An agonizing silence followed as nobody in the room dared move a muscle. Then Khrushchev replied quietly, “Now you know why.”

The Lord asks us to trust in Him and not to be afraid. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that when we put our trust in Christ, we do not have to be afraid of anything.

“Jesus came treading the waves; and so he puts all the swelling tumults of life under his feet. Christians – why afraid?” – Augustine

God’s Word: “say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.’” – Isaiah 35:4

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Don't Go It Alone

2025-06-18T04:56:00Z

“I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.” – Numbers 11:17

In his 2023 report, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy highlighted the links between loneliness and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. Young people are especially affected, with 79% of adults aged 18-24 reporting feeling lonely, compared to 41% of those 66 and older.

Murthy believes the solution lies not in focusing on ourselves but in fostering deeper connections with others through relationships, service, and community. He notes that modern society often emphasizes self-centered pursuits like acquiring and achieving more, which fail to address the root causes of loneliness. Instead, he emphasized the joy that comes from connecting to something bigger than ourselves, calling service “one of the most powerful antidotes to loneliness.”

To combat loneliness, Murthy recommends investing time in fewer but deeper relationships, engaging in acts of service, and building community. Small gestures, such as bringing dinner to a busy friend or helping someone overwhelmed, can reduce feelings of isolation and foster connection. Likewise, using personal skills to contribute to a greater cause—like volunteering—can create a sense of purpose and belonging.

The Lord never designed us to live life alone. We need the fellowship of the Lord and the love and comfort of friends and family. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He is closer than a friend, and seek to draw closer to family members or friends you haven’t talked to recently.

“The soul hardly ever realizes it, but whether [we are] a believer or not, [our] loneliness is really a homesickness for God.” – Hubert Van Zeller

God’s Word: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” – Psalm 25:16

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Making Restitution

2025-06-17T04:58:00Z

“and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution for his wrong, add one fifth to it and give it all to the person he has wronged.” – Numbers 5:7

After F.E. Marsh preached on the subject of restitution, a young man came to him and said, "Pastor, you have put me in a bad fix. I've stolen from my employer, and I'm ashamed to tell him about it. You see, I'm a boat builder, and the man I work for is an unbeliever. I have often talked to him about Christ, but he only laughs at me. In my work, expensive copper nails are used because they won't rust in water. I've been taking some of them home for a boat I am building in my backyard. I'm afraid if I tell my boss what I've done and offer to pay for them, he'll think I'm a hypocrite, and I'll never be able to reach him for Christ. Yet, my conscience is bothered."

Later when the man saw the preacher again, he exclaimed, "Pastor, I've settled that matter and I'm so relieved."

"What happened when you told your boss?" asked the minister. "Oh, he looked at me intently and said, 'George, I've always thought you were a hypocrite, but now I'm not so sure. Maybe there's something to your Christianity after all. Any religion that makes a man admit he's been stealing a few copper nails and offer to settle for them must be worth having.'"

Confession and restitution are acts that help restore a broken relationship. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He gave Himself as restitution for sin and if you have hurt another person, seek to confess the wrong and give restitution to them.

“Many people today think that repentance means shedding a few tears and then going merrily on their way. It is much more than that. It is making things right by making restitution to the individual that has been injured.” – J. Vernon McGee

God’s Word: “or whatever it was he swore falsely about. He must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the owner on the day he presents his guilt offering.” – Leviticus 6:5

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Follow God's Laws

2025-06-16T04:58:00Z

“Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land.” - Leviticus 25:18

In June 2023, an Orlando police officer was arrested in Florida and relieved of duty, after driving 80 in a 45-mph zone in a non-emergency situation.

The pursuing deputy had to drive 90 mph with lights and sirens activated to catch up to Orlando Police Officer Alexander Shaouni.

Once stopped, Shaouni got out of the police vehicle and said to the deputy, “What? I am going into work, my man. Why are you trying to pull me over as I’m going into work?”

“Because you’re going 80 in a 45,” the deputy replied. “My name is Deputy Hilton. May I see your driver’s license?”

“No,” Shaouni replied, before driving away.

The deputy called in Shaouni’s tag number, who was later arrested.

Shaouni faces charges of resisting an officer, reckless driving, and fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer with their lights and sirens activated. The Orlando Police Department stated Shaouni had been “relieved of duty pending the Seminole County Sheriff’s criminal investigation and OPD’s Internal Affairs investigation.”

The Lord gives us laws so that we may live safely and draw closer to Him. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His decrees and laws and seek to follow Him in all that you do.

“The law is the light and the commandment the lantern.” – William Austin

God’s Word: “Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.” – Psalm 119:129

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Good Measures

2025-06-13T04:57:00Z

“Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity.” – Leviticus 19:35

In September 2024, police in Garden Grove, California seized an illegal card skimmer from a gas station that was virtually impossible to detect.

The skimmer was attached to a gas pump card reader and PIN pad at an ARCO station in the 13500 block of Euclid Street in Garden Grove, that city’s police department shared on social media.

The device was nearly identical to the real card reader behind it, and even included a sticker warning of a 35 cents “fee” that would be added to each transaction.

It’s unknown how long the skimmer had been attached or how many drivers were victimized.

According to the FBI, card skimming costs consumers and banking institutions more than $1 billion each year. Crooks install devices on ATMs, gas pumps or point-of-sale terminals and then swipe your account data to steal money.

Dishonest measures are a crime and a sin. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He honors us when we use honest measures and deal honestly with others.

“The best measure of a man's honesty isn't his income tax return. It's the zero adjust on his bathroom scale.” – Arthur C. Clarke

God’s Word: “Do not have two differing weights in your bag--one heavy, one light. Do not have two differing measures in your house--one large, one small. You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. For the LORD your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.” – Deuteronomy 25:13-16

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Do Not Lie

2025-06-12T06:57:00Z

“‘Do not steal.’ ‘Do not lie.’ ‘Do not deceive one another.’” – Leviticus 19:11

In his book “Winning the War in Your Mind”, Craig Groeschel wrote: “When legendary magician Harry Houdini came into a town to do his show, he often went to the local jail, gathering a crowd of people along the way. To get buzz going about his upcoming performance, he asked the jailer to lock him in a cell. Time after time, jail after jail, town after town, Houdini escaped within minutes. But one jailer had heard that Houdini was coming, and the jailer was ready.

When Houdini closed the cell door, the jailer put the key in the lock and secretly turned it in the wrong direction. He then removed the key, and everyone watched as Houdini struggled to escape—by unknowingly locking himself in repeatedly. Finally, in frustration, Houdini admitted he could not escape. The jailer then revealed his deception. Houdini had believed a lie, and the lie had held him captive. Living your life by a lie is a lot like believing the door is locked when it isn’t. On the other side is freedom. But you first have to commit to some personal lie detection to experience the abundant life Jesus came and died to give you. That leads us to our first exercise.”

Lying and deception go hand-in-hand with other sins. Today in prayer, confess any sin of lying and seek to be open and honest in your relationships.

“No man was ever so much deceived by another as by himself.” – Fulke Greville

God’s Word: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” – Ephesians 4:25

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Being Faithful When Called

2025-06-11T04:51:00Z

“Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, "Do not let your hair become unkempt, and do not tear your clothes, or you will die and the LORD will be angry with the whole community. But your relatives, all the house of Israel, may mourn for those the LORD has destroyed by fire. Do not leave the entrance to the Tent of Meeting or you will die, because the LORD's anointing oil is on you." So they did as Moses said.” – Leviticus 10:6-7

In 1861, Hudson Taylor became seriously ill and had to return to England from China. While in England, Hudson founded the Chinese Inland Missions, a society that would reach out to inland China and Mongolia with the Gospel.

During a stormy night in Birmingham, England, Taylor was to speak at a meeting at the Severn Street schoolroom. His hostess assured him that nobody would attend on such a stormy night, but Taylor insisted on going. "I must go even if there is no one but the doorkeeper." Less than a dozen people showed up, but the meeting was marked with unusual spiritual power. Half of those present either became missionaries or gave their children as missionaries; and the rest were faithful supporters of the China Inland Mission for years to come.

The Lord desires us to be faithful and He will bring success. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that when we are faithful to Him, He will bring success.

“Too many Christians have a commitment of convenience. They'll stay faithful as long as it's safe and doesn't involve risk, rejection, or criticism. Instead of standing alone in the face of challenge or temptation, they check to see which way their friends are going.” - Charles Stanley

God’s Word: “I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”– Luke 18:8

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Feeling Guilty

2025-06-10T04:58:00Z

“These are the regulations for the guilt offering, which is most holy” – Leviticus 7:1

In his book “What Is the Gospel?”, author Greg Gilbert writes: “I just paid a parking ticket the other day. It was easy. I read the charge against me, flipped the ticket over, checked the box that said “I plead guilty to the charge,” filled out a check for $35 to the Metropolitan Traffic Citation Department, sealed the envelope, and dropped it in the mail.

I’m a convicted criminal.

For some reason, though, even though I checked the “guilty” box, I don’t feel terribly guilty. I’m not going to lose any sleep over my walk on the wrong side of the law. I don’t feel the need to ask anyone’s forgiveness, and now that I think about it, I’m even a little bitter that the ticket was $10 more than the previous one I got.

Why don’t I feel bad about breaking the law? I suppose it’s because, when you get right down to it, breaking a parking regulation just doesn’t strike me as being all that important— or all that heinous. Yes, I’ll be sure to drop an extra nickel in the meter next time, but my conscience isn’t exactly torn up over the whole thing.

One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that most people tend to think of sin, especially their own, as not much more than a parking infraction. “Yes of course,” we think, “technically sin is a violation of the law handed down by God on high, and all that, but surely he must know there are bigger criminals out there than me. Besides, nobody was hurt, and I’m willing to pay the fine. And come on—there’s no need for a whole lot of soul-searching over something like this. Is there?

Well, I guess not, at least not if you think of sin in that cold way. But according to the Bible, sin is a lot more than just the violation of some impersonal, arbitrary, heavenly traffic regulation. It’s the breaking of a relationship, and even more, it is a rejection of God himself—a repudiation of God’s rule, God’s care, God’s authority, and God’s right to command those to whom he gave life. In short, it is the rebellion of the creature against his Creator.”

Guilt is the realization of sin. But thanks be to Christ that He loves us and forgives us when we confess our sin and desire reconciled to Him. Today in prayer, praise Christ that He has paid the price for all of our sins and removed our guilt and shame.

“Guilt is the very nerve of sorrow.” – Horace Bushnell

God’s Word: “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:22

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - He Will Give Us Rest

2025-06-09T04:57:00Z

“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” – Exodus 33:14

In his book “The Good And Beautiful You”, James Bryan Smith writes: “Dolce far niente— “the sweetness of doing nothing.”

One of the most powerful soul-training exercises I have ever done is a practice called holy leisure. In simple terms, holy leisure is “doing nothing, for God’s sake.” It is important to get the emphasis on the right clause: we do nothing, but we do it for God. Richard Foster writes about this in his classic book, Celebration of Discipline:

The church Fathers often spoke of Otium Sanctum, “holy leisure.” It refers to a sense of balance in the life, an ability to be at peace through the activities of the day, an ability to rest and take time to enjoy beauty, an ability to pace ourselves. With our tendency to define people in terms of what they produce, we would do well to cultivate “holy leisure” with a determination that is ruthless to our datebooks.

I can think of no practice that is more needed for our frantic, fast-paced, over-scheduled world than holy leisure, for the reasons Richard describes.”

The Lord desires to give us rest. Today in prayer, rest in Jesus, knowing He will be with you and provide for you throughout all eternity.

“Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength. It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

God’s Word: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - The Sin Of Bribery

2025-06-06T04:58:00Z

“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.” – Exodus 23:8

In March 2025, the pastor at a San Bernardino (California) church and one-time political candidate for the San Bernardino City Council was arrested on an 11-count federal grand jury indictment alleging he committed several con jobs targeting long-time friends and a nonprofit corporation tied to another church, swindling them out of a total of more than $230,000, the Justice Department announced today.

Pastor Terrance Owens Elliott, 60, a.k.a. “Tony Elliott,” of Crestline, was charged with 11 counts of wire fraud. Elliott also served as a police chaplain.

The FBI continues to investigate Elliott. Based on evidence, investigators believe it is possible that Elliott has additional victims yet to be identified.

If convicted, Elliott would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each count.

Bribery is a sin that wounds our witness to others. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to keep the temptation of bribery far from you.

“Though the bribe be small, yet the fault is great.” – Lord Edward Coke

God’s Word: “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.” – Deuteronomy 10:17

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Caring For Orphans

2025-06-05T04:57:00Z

“Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan.” – Exodus 22:22

In his book “The Hopeful Neighborhood”, author Don Everts writes: “John Chrysostom, the famed preacher in Constantinople, preached about the common good in the early 400s: “This is the rule of the most perfect Christianity, its most exact definition, its highest point, namely, the seeking of the common good . . . for nothing can so make a person an imitator of Christ as caring for his neighbors.”

From Augustine to Aquinas, from Catholics to Protestants, Christians across the ages and denominations have repeated this call to pursue the common good. As a result, Christians throughout the centuries have stood shoulder to shoulder with the rest of humanity, leaving an enduring positive mark on their world.

Any objective historian investigating the effects of Christians throughout history will be overwhelmed with this enduring legacy of shared work throughout society: in the arts, literacy, education, human rights, health care, literature, science, justice, rule of law, and more.”

The Lord desires us to open up our hearts to orphans and widows. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for adopting you into His family and ask Him how you can better provide for orphans and widows.

“Followers of Jesus Christ care about widows and orphans and they understand that it is a litmus test. It is not an option.” – Kay Warren

God’s Word: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Consider Your Speech

2025-06-04T04:57:00Z

“"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” – Exodus 20:7

In their book “Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes”, authors E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O’Brien write: “My wife and I don’t cuss—we were taught not to—-and we taught our children not to. Unfortunately, we taught them by never using cuss words. This more went without being said—literally. While we were missionaries in a remote place in Indonesia, the only people our children knew who spoke English were my wife and me…

When our elder son was five years old, an older, very proper, hair-in-a-bun missionary came to visit us. We introduced our son, who very politely said, “Very nice to meet you. After she commented on how handsome he was, Josh asked his mom, “May I go outside to play?” The missionary asked him, “Where are you going?” Our little angel smiled up at her and said, “None of your d**n business.

Our chins hit the floor. We had never heard him say that word before (or since). The completely shocked look on all our faces told a five-year-old that this was unacceptable. His mom sputtered, “Josh!” before we could say another word, he started crying and ran from the room…When he left, we were in an awkward spot with a missionary leader we had just met. We didn’t even have the luxury of shaking our heads and saying, “The things they learn from their friends!” All of his friends spoke Manadonese.

…We spent weeks wondering how our son could have learned a word he didn’t hear us use. Later we were rewatching a movie— there was no English television but we did have videos—and we heard the line, “Where are you going?” to which the hero replied with the now infamous line. Our son had used it exactly like he heard it. Our son had picked up a turn of phrase by watching a movie, which is one way culture is transmitted. My wife and I had passed along a cultural value by our response that such language is inappropriate, which is another way culture is transmitted.”

We need to love the Lord and guard against cursing and taking the Lord’s name in vain. Today in prayer, thank Christ that His name is Wonderful and we have the privilege to call Jesus Christ our Lord and friend.

“The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it.” – George Washington

God’s Word: “Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.” – Leviticus 19:12

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Be Free To Worship

2025-06-03T04:56:00Z

“Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.’” – Exodus 8:1

In May 2025, Y Yich, pastor of the Degar Protestant Church in Vietnam, was released from prison after serving 12 years behind bars for his Christian faith.

Vietnamese authorities detained Yich on May 13, 2013, for “spreading Degar Protestantism, a religious movement not approved by the government, communicating on the internet with Montagnard pastors and separatists living in the United States, and meeting with prisoners of conscience.”

Vietnam’s communist government tightly controls religion due to its paranoia of any group seeking God over its regime and potentially calling out its human rights abuses.

Christians have become particular targets of discrimination, maltreatment, and imprisonment in the Southeast Asian nation due to their allegiance to Christ and the fear that provokes within the Communist Party.

Yich allegedly endured torture during his imprisonment and was reportedly not allowed access to proper healthcare, though he suffers from several health issues.

Freedom to worship the Lord does not exist in many areas of the world. Today in prayer, pray for those who face persecution for desiring to worship Jesus.

“No peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness. To pray for peace is to pray for justice, for a right-ordering of relations within and among nations and peoples. It is to pray for freedom, especially for the religious freedom that is a basic human and civil right of every individual. To pray for peace is to seek God's forgiveness, and to implore the courage to forgive those who have trespassed against us.” – John Paul II

God’s Word: “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may worship me.’’” – Exodus 9:1

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - God Will Help Us

2025-06-02T04:53:00Z

“The LORD said to him, ‘Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.’” – Exodus 4:11-12

President Abraham Lincoln’s biographer, Jon Meacham argues that Lincoln's version of Christian faith was complicated. But Meacham also adds, “There is no doubt, however, that the Lincoln of the White House years became more religiously inclined, attending services with some regularity and meeting with ministers and congregants.” Lincoln became more convinced of the sovereign purposes of a God who oversees world events.

At one point. Lincoln said, “I may not be a great man. I know I'm not a great man—and perhaps it is better than it is so—for it makes me rely upon One who is great and who has the wisdom and power to lead us safely through this great trial [of the Civil War.]”

In any situation, God can help you. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord that He helps us when we yield our will to Him.

“When we can't piece together the puzzle of our own lives, remember the best view of a puzzle is from above. Let Him help put you together.” – Terri Guillemets

God’s Word: “In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” – Psalm 18:6

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY †

Devotional - Following Christ To The End

2025-05-30T04:58:00Z

“I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” – John 21:18

Samuel Mikolaski was born in January 1923 in the village of Bashaid, in modern day Serbia. The Serbian Orthodox Church he attended as a boy is still situated across the road from the square. Sam’s father Nikola was a master shoemaker; his mother Sofia was an accomplished Serbian folk dancer. The family emigrated to Canada in 1927 when Sam was 4 ½ years old and they settled in Toronto.

From a young age, Sam worked with his father to support the family and was never able to complete high school. In his early 20’s was befriended by a professor who recognized his academic potential recommended him for university admission to the University of Western Ontario where he achieved a B.A. Arts with Theological Options in the Biblical Languages, and then later went on to an M.A., Philosophy]; B.D. Honors, University of London; and finally, a D.Phil. University of Oxford, granted for his thesis on the Work of Christ.

“Dr. Sam” has had a distinguished career as a theological professor at several seminaries and universities in the United States and Canada and leadership roles in international outreach.

Now 102 years old, Dr. Sam continues to write and speak of the love of Jesus.

Christ wants us to follow Him our entire lives. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He has a plan for you and resolve to follow Him your entire life.

“If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, because He Himself is the way.” – Thomas Aquinas

God’s Word: “Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” – Isaiah 46:4

DEVOTIONS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN †