Category: Daily Inspirational Devotional

To thank God for someone in our life is one thing…to thank that person publicly is another. In Romans 16:4 the Apostle Paul does just that when he wrote, “Greet Pricilla & Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the Churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.” Priscilla & Aquila were some of Paul’s closest friends. They were not only also tent-makers by trade as Paul was, but staunch supporters and mature Christian leaders in the early Church. Paul even made his home with them in Corinth, staying for 1 1/2 years…their home becoming the meeting place for the fledging Church in Ephesus. This dynamic couple had made a lasting impression on Paul and he wanted them to know just how much they meant to him…so he penned his gratitude. This week of Thanksgiving who are you grateful for? Someone who’s poured into your life & shaped who you are today? The question is, have you ever told them this? Take a moment today to write a note of gratitude…it will be well worth it.

This week of Thanksgiving we’re going to look at what it means to be grateful and show gratitude to others. For many, the Thanksgiving Dinner includes at least one person who rubs us the wrong way. It may be their political opinions, manner of speech, or some other thing that always upset us. But this year can be different if we will take to heart this verse and practice the gracious forgiveness & reconciliation God first showed us through Christ. In response to this verse, we are to extend to others this mercy, or as Romans 14:19 says, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” An attitude of gratitude, peace, & unity can immediately change the atmosphere at the Thanksgiving table this year as we extent God’s grace & mercy to others.

There will be times in our lives when we are thrown into dangerous situations. Our heart is pounding, our knees are shaking, our hands are unsteady, and our nerves are frazzled…but we also know we must keep a clear head and act quickly. We may have time for a prayer, or we may be praying as we’re acting…”Lord, help me!” But regardless, we can rest assured in the promises of God that He will give us the necessary strength, courage, and ability to do what needs to be done.

A.W. Tozer once wrote, “When I understand that everything happening to me is to make me more Christlike, it resolves a great deal of anxiety.” And this includes suffering, pain, loss, & persecution…or as II Timothy 3:12 reminds us, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” But when it comes to enduring those painful & anxiety-filled trials, we want to know God’s purpose beforehand…but most times we don’t have a clue why God is taking us through this long road of suffering. But if we can hold on to the promise that nothing will ever happen to us that God hasn’t first ordained…the peace of Christ & His calming grace will rule & reign in our hearts.

Think of this for a minute…What consumes your mind, controls your life. A prime example of this would be the phone lying in your lap or in your hand right now. How many hours a day do you absent-mindedly scroll through your phone? Is it getting the upper hand and controlling any free time you have? And is it causing you increased anxiety, anger, or frustration every time you do open your phone? Can we just agree that your phone use may be controlling a great deal of your life right now… which isn’t good. Romans 8:6 tells us that the mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. A mind filled & consumed with carnal things will never be at peace. But as Believers we have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16) and His peace can rule in our hearts if we determine to be in the Word rather than on our phones.

J.C. Ryle was an Anglican bishop who served in Liverpool most of the 19th Century. He was a prolific & passionate writer with a very straight forward no-nonsense approach who once wrote, “Nothing perhaps affects man’s character more than the company he keeps.” And we only need to read in Proverbs 22:24-25 to understand the dangers of unwise friendships. So today we should take stock of the people we run around with. Are we influencing them or being wrongly influenced while in their company? Are we easily being led astray when they’re around us, or are we standing up for what’s good & right? Finally, are we picking up bad habits that we’d normally never do because of their control over us? So ask yourself one question…Do you feel good about yourself & your relationship with God when you leave their company…or do you feel shameful, deceived, compromised, and defeated once again? The answer will tell you much about that relationship and whether you should continue in it or not.

We all seek favor & approval from others…to fit in & please everyone, hopefully without strife or confrontation. But there are many people out there that will take advantage & bully their way through such relationships… not caring what carnage they leave in their path. This leaves us in very painful & awkward situations regarding forgiveness & reconciliation. On the one hand, we are told to forgive one another, & forgiveness is our choice to make, whether the other person has come seeking it or not. But there are times when forgiveness will not, nor should it culminate in reconciliation. For if there’s a pattern of the other person demeaning, degrading, & demoralizing you it’s probably not wise to attempt reconciliation without other resources in place first. You can choose to forgive regardless…for that brings freedom into the situation. But then you need to use wisdom and discernment to guard your heart wisely.

Jesus’ rebuke to Peter could easily apply to any of us today. “What is it to you what I do or don’t do in another person’s life? You must follow Me.” But we love running interference for others and getting in God’s way…thinking we know more than Him. But that’s way above our mental capacity and not at all something we’re even responsible for. “You must follow Me.” In other words, Jesus is their Savior, not you…and your only duty & obligation is to maintain an abiding fellowship in belief, trust, and obedience in Jesus…following His leadership, and focusing on your fidelity to His plan & purpose in your life, not others.

The crowds that followed after Jesus wanted to be entertained. They were miracle junkies wanting another fix of excitement. They were chasing after wonders not Jesus…they were looking past the Savior for signs…they were running after the Miracle Worker and totally missing the Messiah. That’s because real faith isn’t dependent on signs but on Christ. Romans 10:17 tells us that, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” So all the signs, and wonders the people came looking for could not save their souls. But if they truly listened & received after being first drawn by the miracles, it would all point them to Jesus Christ the Savior of the world.

Yes, the Lord really does know you. To Him you aren’t just some nameless face in a crowd of billions of people. He knows your name & it’s engraved on the palms of His hands…not should God forget, for His memory is infallible. No, God has written a permanent reminder on His hands to constantly remind Him of you. (Isaiah 49:16) He knows you and has an intimate understanding of everything that’s ever happened in your life… that’s because He is omniscient…aware of your most private thoughts and areas of life that you thought no one knew about…for they’re not hidden from God. Finally, God knows your heart, (Psalm 44:21) loves you for who you are, and wants only the very best for you.