Category: Daily Inspirational Devotional

If you stop to consider what this verse says, it’s astonishing to think how destructive our lips are. They make up such a tiny part of our body, but boy can they get us into trouble. Our lips are the gateway to honesty or deception, and sadly, we can switch seamlessly between the two in a moment depending on who we’re with and the situation. And if it benefits us, we’ll stoop to excessive flattery without a shred of sincerity. But the funniest part of this verse is actually thinking that we own or lips and can mock God. A good example of this type of “big talk” is found in Psalm 73 where it says the arrogant scoff and speak malice…that pride is their necklace and that the evil conceit of their mind knows no limits. They may think they can swagger and boast that no one “owns” them…but little do they realize they are only mocking the One who “owns” everything, including them.

Through the disobedience of the first Adam, sin raised its ugly head and the world was condemned to spiritual and eternal death and everlasting punishment and separation from God. To paraphrase Romans 5:14-18, Death reigned because of Adam’s trespass, but God’s grace came in the form of the second Adam, Jesus Christ, and with it the gift of salvation. For the first Adam brought condemnation, but the second Adam, Jesus, brought justification and a way back to God. Or as it tells us in verse 19 of Romans 5, “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One man the many will be made righteous.” Through the fault of the first Adam, the curse of sin and death came into the world…but God then sent His Son, Jesus, the second Adam, to atone for our sins and break off that curse…that we might be set free.

It’s difficult to correlate suffering with perfecting while we’re in the middle of enduring pain, bearing loss, and/or experiencing illness. But Jesus is our shining example of how suffering brings about perfection. For it was through Christ – our Savior -and His sufferings, that our atonement and salvation was achieved, once for all. He suffered first for us, while we were yet sinners and far from Him, that we may be set free from sin and guilt and have eternal life. Jesus suffered first for us to make the path of our personal suffering endurable…for we are now suffering for His sake and because of that, not only sharing in His sufferings, but coming out the other side refined as if gold.

During His Ministry here on earth, Jesus would often look compassionately upon the crowds gathered around Him and liken them to harassed and helpless sheep without a shepherd…calling them the lost sheep of Israel. But here in Jeremiah and elsewhere in this Book, God through the prophet Jeremiah is condemning the Leaders and false Teachers for only being concerned for themselves and not the flock God had entrusted them with. God accused them of purposely leading His people astray with reckless lies and deception and causing they to roam far from Him in the form of idolatry, (the setting up and worshipping of pagan altars on every high hill and under every spreading tree.” Isaiah speaks to this when he wrote, “We all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way…” For it’s when we’re doing our own thing that the enemy can easily pick us off…and then have the audacity to blame us for being caught up in their trap. But the good news is God is still in control and even though the lions may have chased and scattered the flock…the Lord assures us, “I will bring Israel back to his own pasture.”

It’s very simple – “If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.” (I John 1:6-8) That person may appear to be a pillar of the Church and Community… yet in the shroud of night shadows watch porn on his computer. Another may teach Bible Studies and be well respected by all…yet emotionally cheat on her husband. We may think we’re getting away with it and that no one knows…but we’re only fooling ourselves…and admit it, deep down we know it and so does God. For the bottom line is, to know God is to obey Him, but if we continue in our double standard charade, John admonishes us to remember this harsh reality, “No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or knows Him.” (I John 3:6) So can you say with utmost confidence today, “I know Him.” ??

This speaks to the spiritual impact the Second Coming of Christ will have on the Jewish people. And as one who witnessed Jesus’ death, and resurrection, John quoted Zechariah about this future event when he said, ” They will look upon the One they have pierced.” (John 19:34-37) For as they behold Jesus with unveiled eyes, the stark and devastating reality will sink in, and they will be filled with weeping as if grieving for a dearly beloved only child. But if it wasn’t for the Spirit of God pouring out His mercy and kindness, they would all drowned in utter despair and hopelessness. But because of His grace poured out, they are led towards repentance (Romans 2:4), and Godly sorrow which leads to salvation. (II Corinthians 7:10)

When I think of a Old Testament figure that experienced unspeakable grief and anguish by no fault of his own…I always think of Job. In the blink of an eye, everything Job knew and loved was taken from him…leaving him devastated, confused, and overwhelmed. But one thing Job never lost was his faith. When we are sinned against by someone, our first reaction is usually how we can retaliate. But in these verses, we see Job earnestly seeking after God…cherishing and holding tightly to His words and placing his confidence in Him alone. So focused on God was Job that he said in Job 6:10, “Then I would still have this consolation – my joy in unrelenting pain – that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.” People will hurt, lie, and sin against us, but it’s not our responsibility to get even. Our responsibility is to steadfastly keep our eyes on God and the truth of His word…or as Jeremiah 11:20 tells us, “But, O Lord, Almighty, You who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.”

Both these groups were already plotting on how they could kill Jesus. Both had ulterior motives for wanting to “catch Jesus in His words.” But they all couldn’t deny certain things they had observed about Him. He was authentic, honest, and sincere…and they recognized this and hated Him even more. So how does the world see you? Are there things the world can’t deny about you? Does it see integrity…with a daily reality of things that show a true and intimate relationship with God…or does the world just see another person getting by?

When we read this verse I know most will automatically think it means corporal punishment…but many of the Proverbs that address disciplining children are actually talking about oral correction not physical. In fact in verse 1 of this Proverb it does just that, “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction.” (The words discipline and instruction coming from the same Hebrew word here.) But what’s the most important part of this verse isn’t the form of correction we use on our children but are we are willing to discipline them at all. A hands off, let them grow up by themselves attitude only shows a very unloving parental approach, with no regard for their soul, spirit, and life. The bottom line is, discipline is meant to instruct and change bad behavior…”and save their soul from death.” (Proverbs 23:14)

For a moment, think about a door. It can be locked up, or open wide… welcoming you in. A door can bar you entrance, or allow you in. Finally, it can give you means for access and/or participation, or forbid you from going any farther. Jesus speaks of the door to our hearts when He says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door…” (Revelation 3:20) If we open that door and welcome Him in, it opens up countless doors to His many blessings…but the biggest one being what John experienced here in Revelation 4:1…seeing the door to heaven standing wide open, bidding him to come in.