Category: Daily Inspirational Devotional

The enemy loves to get us ensnared in verbal division, disunity, and stubborn decisiveness. So if we find ourselves constantly arguing politics but rarely talking about Jesus…we need to seriously consider that our heart is in the wrong place. That’s because the Kingdom of God is eternal, and someday all kings, political parties, and world rulers will bow down to Him. (Psalm 72:11) We also need to realize that across history powerful governments have risen, only to fall. An example of this is king Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty king of Babylon…one of the most powerful kingdoms on earth…who humbly proclaimed in Daniel 4:3, “How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders. His Kingdom is an eternal Kingdom; His dominion endures from generation to generation.” God is the King of kings and Lord of lords and the very best thing for us to pray is, “Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

When we’re in a season of waiting, it’s never just a season of waiting. Rather, it’s a season of preparation, self-improvement, giving, servanthood, and always sanctification. Throughout the Psalms we see Scripture encouraging us to wait patiently before the Lord…all the while being strong, confident, and keeping His ways. (Psalm 27:14, Psalm 37: 7,34) That’s because waiting can never be passive where we’re just standing by enduring our current situation. No, it’s a time of preparation for God’s purposes and responsibilities to come…and it’s a time of intentional growth in our relationship with the Lord. For a season of waiting requires our responsibility and effort…understanding that the struggle is real to forge on ahead in hope.

It was quite the entertaining spectacle for the people…the likes of which they had never seen before. And so the clamoring crowds followed Jesus, waiting for more impressive public displays of miraculous signs and wonders. To many though, it was just an amusement…with Jesus acting as a performer on a stage. For despite the crowds witnessing numerous miracles, they remained skeptical, insincere, and superficial in their faith. And sadly, this struggle between doubt & resistance and faith & belief is timeless… continuing even today in the hearts & minds of all human beings. For just as witnessing miracles didn’t guarantee faith for those crowds…belief in Jesus has to be a very personal journey of openness and willingness to accept God’s Truth.

Over the past forty years, I’ve been a firm believer in giving God the very first part of my day. Way before the chaos of the world has a chance to seep in and its noise becomes deafening in my mind. For I know He doesn’t want my left over minutes, rushed thoughts, or the remnants of a harried and exhausted day. No, what God desires are those quiet, undivided moments when it’s just Him and me…no distractions, no diversions…just His illuminated Word.

I wanted to build on the Devotional from yesterday about achieving happiness in our lives, and living for today. When the enemy can keep us either consumed with our past, or fearful of the future…we are oblivious to the present. We walk through the day unaware of the needs around us, and with no mindful attention to the blessings available. When we dwell in the past, it shows lack of dedication, commitment, and forward focus. (Luke 9:62) Isaiah 65:16 reminds us that all our former troubles are forgotten and hidden from God’s eyes…so if He does that, we must also. As for worrying about the future, this also shows lack of faith and trust in God…for anxiety is incompatible with trust. (Philippians 4:6) So today, fix your mind on Jesus and practice mindfulness in the here and now…refusing to let your thoughts wander to things you have no control over.

We’re all striving for peace and happiness in life, and Mother Teresa has given us a road map to achieve it Biblically. First, Isaiah 43:18 tells us to, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” That’s because God is not part of the past…but rather the God of restoration and renewal. So we should also let go of the past and embrace the new things of God in our life. Secondly, we should enjoy the present…for each new day is indeed a gift from God. Hebrews 3:13 says we are to, “Encourage one another daily, as long as it’s called Today.” For today is all we have, and tomorrow is never guaranteed. Finally, we need to trust God for our future. Ecclesiastes 8:7 makes it quite clear, “No man knows the future.” Life is unpredictable, and it takes humility and trust in God to face what is to come, but we can rest assured that God’s love will be ever constant and unchanging in the years to come. (Romans 8:38)

In the verse prior, Isaiah was made acceptable as a minister of God’s Word by the purification of his lips. The Lord then allowed him to ease drop in on a session of the royal, heavenly court. That’s because, God’s call was not directed specifically towards Isaiah or a select few, but for everyone. Though whether we hear that call or not depends entirely on our spiritual attitude. Jesus made this clear in Matthew 22:14 when He said, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” In other words, few prove that they are worthy of the call of God on their lives. So how can we hear the Voice of God? It takes open ears and open hearts…for the Lord will never plead, beg, or pressure you…rather it will be a quiet, yet passionate insistence of, “Follow Me.”

God has shown His unfailing love and mercy by replacing the Tablets that Moses had smashed at the sight of the golden calf. This rhetorical question calls the wayward people to justice, mercy, and humility in their walk with God…for with God, love and obedience go hand and hand. (John 14:23) Moses ends his speech with the practical application and benefit of obedience to the One True God…protection, guidance, and a covenantal relationship…for His glory and their good.

We read of Lot and his family living and prospering in the fertile Jordan Valley where he amassed a great amount of livestock and property. Over time he became a well respected member of the community, often sitting at the city gate to oversee commerce. But Sodom was known for its pervasive immorality, violence, and social injustice, (Genesis 18-19) therefore, God determined that it would be destroyed, and sent two angels to warn Lot to flee. But Lot lingered. He was well aware of the danger…yet he tarried. Why? The answer is easy. Lot was comfortable and didn’t want to leave behind all he had. He had become accustomed to the world of Sodom, and so desensitized by the sinfulness, that he didn’t want to leave…even if it meant his relationship with God. And it was only by God’s mercy that he was saved. But God’s Word has always been firm…we should have an engaged presence in the world without adopting its values. .in other words, to be in the world but not of it. (John 15:19 & John 17:14-16)

The people were bringing their babies to Jesus…but all the disciples saw was a distraction from His real work. However, what really aroused Jesus’ ire was the disciple’s harsh and cutting remarks of disapproval to the parents. Especially since He had used the term “little children” to describe the very disciples coming into the Kingdom,(Matthew 11:26-27) and had used a child as an example when they had asked Him who was the greatest in the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 18:1-4) So again, Jesus firmly reminded the disciples that the Gospel Message was all about coming to Him with nothing…in order to receive everything. And that the Kingdom of God was bestowed by God’s grace… not by human achievement.