Where’s Your Hope

The commander of the brigade I was in while I was stationed at Fort Benning, GA used to always say, “hope is not a method.” This meant that we were to take steps to ensure we knew our jobs and could perform at the highest level when called upon, as opposed to “hoping” we could do the job. 

The hope the psalmist refers to is not that type of hope. This hope is more of a faith or trust. It is why you believe in God. You know He’s going to come through no matter the circumstance. 

So the question of the day is, where’s your hope. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 31:24

24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Today’s Readings:

1 Corinthians 7:1-24; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 21:4

Sexual Immorality 

If you want to get canceled in today’s society, talk about sexual immorality. Here’s to being canceled. 

Sexual immorality causes problems that affect our lives and, more importantly, our relationship with God. We can find no place in the Bible that God makes an exception that allows sexual immorality. 

Here’s your homework. Do a deep dive in the Bible and learn what Biblical sexual immorality is. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Todays Readings:

1 Corinthians 6; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 21:3

Will You Remain Faithful

I appreciate days like today. It reminds me how perfect God’s timing is.

This morning the ODB devotional scripture reading was parts of Psalm 31. As you will see at the end of this text devotion, a part of our reading today is the first eight verses of Psalm 31. 

The ODB message was about perseverance in Christ through difficult circumstances. What a great reminder. 

The psalmist commits his spirit into the Lord’s hands. Why? Because he knows that no matter the situation, God can be trusted to be faithful. But there’s more to the “story.”

God’s faithfulness has eternal implications. You may experience a terrible situation, then pass away as a result of it. You will experience God’s faithfulness as you step into eternity with Him. 

Far too many people think that experiencing the goodness of God must be done here on earth. And that is true some of the time. But God never promises that reality. Even so, will you remain faithful? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

1 Corinthians 5:5a

Into your hands I commit my spirit.

Today’s Readings:

1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 21:1-2

Are You Imitateable

Do children still play follow the leader? I played it when I was young. As I read this passage, I was taken back to my childhood. It was so much fun to do whatever the leader did, the sillier the better. Did you play?

In this passage, Paul is telling the believers in Corinth to imitate his walk with Christ. That is a bold statement to make. I imagine that in today’s society, the average believer might get offended at the prospect of someone saying that. Unfortunately, their offense would be unfounded. 

As Christians, we must all be imitateable. I know that’s not a word, but I like the concept. 

Are you imitateable? You should be! Our lives should reflect the life of Christ. We will never attain the perfect life He lived. However, we must be in pursuit of that life. Will we make mistakes? Probably! Will God stick with us? Absolutely! 

Get in your Bible daily. Pray continually. And surround yourself with mature Christians. Having many friends is fruitless if they are not pointing you towards Jesus Christ.

Live in such a way that anyone who imitates you will be imitating Christ. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

1 Corinthians 4:16

16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

Today’s Readings:

1 Corinthians 4; Psalm 30; Proverbs 20:28-30

Do Your Job

If you keep up with the NFL, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “do your job.” It is most recently attributed to Bill Belichick. The point of the phrase is for a person to know what their assignment is then do it to the best of their ability. 

In this passage, Paul is letting the Corinthians know that the work he and Apollos did was only the job God had given them. They should not be worshiped. He ensured they knew that God is responsible for the spiritual growth of everyone. 

That is still true today. You and I are to plant or water, whichever God assigns us, and God will make it grow. He is solely responsible for the growth. 

When it comes to witnessing for Christ, do your job! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

1 Corinthians 3:5-9

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Today’s Readings:

1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29; Proverbs 20:26-27

Grow Up In Christ

When I was a much younger person, I was told, based on my immature behavior, that I needed to grow up. Maybe you were told that once or twice as well. 

As I read this passage, I was reminded of those times. The writer is telling the believers at Corinth that they need to grow up in Christ. How you are when you first believe is not how you should stay forever. 

Your faith must grow. Your trust must grow. Your willingness to allow God to stretch you must grow. If you want to walk well with Christ, GROW! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

1 Corinthians 3:1-4

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?

Today’s Readings:

1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4; Psalm 28; Proverbs 20:24-25

God’s Foolishness > Our Wisdom

Recently, a friend asked me to put a quote on a bulletin board in her classroom. She is asking several teachers to share words of wisdom for her students. I wrote, “Do not allow bad decisions to accumulate.” 

Although they may be wise words to live by, they pale in comparison to anything God would say. As you live your life, are you seeking man’s wisdom or God’s wisdom?

This passage informs us that we would be better off seeking the foolish things of God before we ever consider the wisest things of man. Allow that to marinate for a minute. 

God’s wisdom always draws us and others closer to Him. Does man’s wisdom always draw us closer to God? Tbh, probably rarely! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

1 Corinthians 1:18; 25

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Today’s Readings:

1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 20:22-23

One Thing I Ask

I love this passage in this psalm. It reminds me of a song a friend of mine wrote and recorded while we lived in the Netherlands. The song captured the true essence of what the psalmist desires; he wants to be in the presence of the Lord forever. 

If I’m being honest, that’s my desire as well. However, before that day comes, God has tasked me with sharing this gospel to everyone I can for as long as I can. So that’s what I’m doing. 

What has God tasked you to do? Don’t get ahead of yourself by only daydreaming about the day you can gaze at His beauty forever. Be about His business and help others come to know Him and they will also be able to gaze at His beauty forever. 

Your place in heaven may be secure, but the unknowing person’s is not. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 27:4

4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

Today’s Readings:

1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21

A Worthy Warning

We live in a world in which we have access to information at the tip of our fingers. We are subjected to more opinions than ever before. The question becomes, how are we discerning these opinions. 

The writer of Romans cautions us to be careful as we listen to anyone. There are people whose sole purpose is to spread lies designed to make themselves look good. As Christians, we must be alert and sober minded. 

As you go about your day, make sure you are in constant communication with the Holy Spirit. This will help you discern well. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Romans 16:17-19

17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

Today’s Readings:

Romans 16:10-27; Psalm 26; Proverbs 20:19

Six Days Out Sinnin’

Almost three decades ago, a friend of mine wrote a rap song that I still perform to this day. As I end the rap, I say, “Righteousness is always followed by right living. So do the right thing.” Reading this section of Psalm 25 had me thinking about that line at the end of that rap. 

Maintaining integrity can be a challenge. Remember what Job’s wife said to him, “You’re still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” She did not understand the importance of being a person who seeks righteousness in all circumstances. 

It’s easy to do the right thing when everything lines up perfectly. But the challenge is to do the right thing when it doesn’t “feel good” to do. Will you “still hold on to your integrity” when pain and suffering seem to be the order of the day? Job did! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 25:21

21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.

Today’s Readings:

Romans 15:23-16:9; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18

The Snooze Button

It could be safe to say that there’s a real love hate relationship that takes place in homes across the world every morning. It’s the love of sleep and the hatred of the alarm clock. 

How do these two realities coexist? The snooze button. 

But there in lies the problem for anyone who seeks success in Christ, as well as worldly success. An unhealthy love for sleep will cost you more than you want to pay.

Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into a disciplined life in which sleep has a place but no power. There should not be a fight in the morning for you to wake up. There is real loss when your love for sleep keeps you from doing what God has called you to do. 

Live a disciplined life in which sleep is a tool that allows your body to be rejuvenated so you may effectively share this gospel. Don’t allow it to be an idol that thwarts your ability to serve God. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 20:13

13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.

Today’s Readings:

Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15

Only Christ Can Ascend

This question and answer points to Jesus Christ. The psalm was written hundreds of years before Jesus walked the earth but the answer is nonetheless Jesus Christ. 

So what about us? Are we able to ascend the mountain of the Lord. Simply put, without Jesus, no. 

When God looks at you without the blood of Jesus on your life, He sees your sin and is repulsed! Let that marinate. 

However, when you accept what Jesus did on the cross for the forgiveness of your sin and thus are covered by the blood of Jesus, when God looks at you He sees Jesus and is pleased. 

Therefore, apart from Christ, you cannot ascend the mountain of the Lord nor stand in His Holy Place. 

Accept what Jesus did on the cross for the forgiveness of your sin, today! Tomorrow  is not promised. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 24:3-4

3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

Today’s Readings:

Romans 14; Psalm 24; Proverbs 20:11

Walk Through Don’t Stop

Psalm 23 is one of the most well known Psalms. This passage in Psalm 23 is my favorite because it is a reminder that I will face difficult times, but if I keep moving through, I will get to the other side. 

Think about difficult times that lasted awhile because instead of trusting God and pressing through, you sat down, cried, complained, and did anything you could to hold on to the struggle. Don’t do that anymore. 

This is not breaking news: EVERYONE goes through difficult times. The key is to walk through, don’t stop. 

What’s your challenge de jour? Trust God! Keep moving! The other side is just around the bend. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 23:4

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Today’s Readings:

Romans 13; Psalm 23; Proverbs 20:11

It’s As Simple As That

This section of Romans 12 is the answer to the question, “how do I live well for the Lord.” If you live out these words, you will be following, well, Jesus Christ, it’s as simple as that. 

I encourage you to spend time meditating on this passage today. Ask yourself the difficult question of how are you doing with these requirements. Seek God and make necessary changes. 

The message is clear. There’s no reason not to live them out daily! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Romans 12:9-13

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Today’s Readings:

Romans 12; Psalm 22:19-31; Proverbs 20:8-10

My God My God

A verse in the Bible that often puts Christians in an interesting place is found in Matthew 27:46. Jesus is recorded as saying, “My God My God why have You forsaken me.” It is for these words that Christians exclaim that this is the first time that Jesus is feeling rejected by God. The problem with that thought process is it shows that they have not paid attention to the text. 

As you read today’s passage, I encourage you to also read Matthew 27:32-46. You will notice some similarities with what the psalmist writes and what is happening at the crucifixion of Jesus. 

What Jesus is actually doing when He says these words is, “I have told you that I am the Messiah. Here is more proof.” The people there knew the scripture. They memorized it. They would have been able to connect the dots, if they wanted to. 

As you live for Christ, I pray you will understand that He endured all God asked Him to with trust. He knew God would be faithful no matter the circumstance. Jesus was never concerned that God would forsake Him and neither should you. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalm 22:1a

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Today’s Readings:

Romans 11:13-36; Psalm 22:1-18; Proverbs 20:7

Prayer Walks

Our ministry does prayer walks. The purpose is to make God’s presence in this area known. We seek God for direction, then go where He tells us. The fruit from these prayer walks has been amazing. 

As I read this passage in Romans, I thought about how easy it can be to get complacent with our prayer walks because of all God is doing in and through them. But this passage reminds me that if we don’t continue to do these prayer walks, then people who need to hear the word of God, will not. 

What has God called you to do in His name? Never grow weary in doing it. Someone’s eternity may be hanging in the balance. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Romans 10:14-17

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Today’s Readings:

Romans 10:14-11:12; Psalms 21; Proverbs 20:4-6

Chariots & Horses Or The Lord

As I began growing in Christ, this passage quickly became one of my favorites. It shows the imagery of the power of chariots and horses in that time. People used the might of their military to take over other countries. In a real sense, the strength of their “chariots and horses” was where they placed their trust for their future. 

The Psalmist contrasts that earthly mindset with the truth of God’s power. As we place our trust in Him, we learn that the power of chariots and horses are no match for God. 

There is no record of anyone or anything having a final victory over God. To put your trust in anyone or anything above Him is a mistake with eternal consequences. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalms 20:7

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Today’s Readings:

Romans 9:25-10:13; Psalms 20; Proverbs 20:2-3

A Life Of Obedience

The gospel of John records Jesus saying, “If you love me you will keep my commands.” In a word, we must obey Him. But what does a life of obedience look like? That’s the question of the day. 

The answer may surprise you with its simplicity. A life of obedience looks like the life of Jesus. 

Did He have the favor of God on His life? Yes! Did He have the favor of man on His life? Yes! Did He study the scripture and heed every word? Yes! Did He suffer hardships? Yes!

That’s what a life of obedience looks like. We obey all God has commanded. We endure hardship. And we share this gospel to all, whether they believe it or not. This curries favor with God and, ultimately, man! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Psalms 19:7-9

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. 

Today’s Readings:

Romans 9:1-24; Psalms 19; Proverbs 20:1

Predestined & Free Will

There has been a theological debate that has carried on for years. Has God pre chosen those who will spend eternity with Him even before they are born, or do we have free will to choose Him?

I offer this thought process. Throughout the Bible we are always given the choice to choose God or reject Him. Adam was placed in a perfect world and was given only one, “do not do.” Why?

Why did God give Adam an opportunity to choose Him or not? Here are my thoughts. 

God wants to have a love relationship with us. Since He does, our love for Him must be our choice as well. If God has already predetermined who will have a right relationship with Him regardless of an individual’s desire, then the choice has been removed. 

Because God is omniscient, He knows who will choose Him and who will not. Thus He has foreknowledge of everyone who will choose Him. This is not predetermined. It is our choice. 

My final point is found in the words of Hebrews 11:6. The writer says that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Why would God remove the need for faith if not having faith makes it impossible to please Him? If God is not pleased with you, then you are not in a right relationship with Him. Spend time today considering this. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Romans 8:29-30

29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified;those he justified, he also glorified.

Today’s Readings:

Romans 8:26-39; Psalms 18:37-50; Proverbs 19:27-29

Heirs

When I was growing up, to me, the word “heir” was synonymous with “rich people.” I rarely heard the word used unless I was being told that someone was an heir to the throne or an heir to great riches. 

Here’s the good news! We are heirs to the “great riches” of salvation found in and through Christ Jesus. 

Because of His sacrifice on the cross, everyone who accepts His gift for the forgiveness of our sin, immediately becomes heirs—co-heirs with Jesus Christ. 

Take time to consider what it means to be co-heirs with Jesus. Does your lived life reflect this reality? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Romans 8:16-17

16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Today’s Readings:

Romans 8:9-25; Psalms 18:16-36; Proverbs 19:26