Daily Devotional Free

  Almost 30 years ago, according to a magazine story, an unusual work of modern art was put on display - a chair attached to a shotgun. It was to be interacted with by sitting in the chair and looking directly into the gun barrel. The gun was loaded and set on a timer to fire at an undetermined moment sometime in the next hundred years. Amazingly, people lined up so they could stare right into the shell's path! They all knew the gun could go off at any moment, but each one took the chance that the fatal blast wouldn't happen during his or her minute in the chair. Yes, it was foolhardly. Yet many people who wouldn't dream of sitting in that chair live a lifetime gambling that they can get away with sin. The book of Obadiah brings this foolhardiness to the fare. In Chapter 1, the Lord sent a messenger the nations to stir them up to war against Edom. The people of the nation of Edom thought they were indomitable. In order, to attack them, foes had to enter through a narrow roc

  Dear Lord, be close to me now. My soul yearns for Your presence. Deliver me, when I draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, so that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections, I may worship You in spirit and in truth. I ask and pray for a greater sense of inner freedom and that I might reach the fresh and challenging possibilities that God wishes me to realize. Thank You that we do not have to be weighed down by worry. Help us to place our concerns in Your care so that we do not fear tomorrow. Hear my prayer, O Lord, for You are merciful and compassionate, and love mankind, and to You are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen

  I heard a teenager from a Christian family declare, "My mom doesn't think swear words are bad". He then indicated which words she found acceptable - words that have long been considered inappropriate. Society's standard of language has declined in recent years, but we don't have to decline with it. As we strive to be "very careful . . . how [we] live" (Eph. 5:15), we should think about how to honor God with our words. We please the Lord with our tongue when we show discernment. "He who restrains his lips is wise", Proverbs 10:9 reminds us. When we do speak, we are to filter the words that escape our lips: "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles" (21:23). It is important to use kind, positive words - even to address tough subjects. "A harsh word stirs up anger", but "the tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly" (Prov. 15:1-2). Finally, avoid words that reflect poorly on who we are as Go

  Dear God, I thank You for all that I am and all that I have had in my life. Thy will be done, my God. I ask only that you let me know Your will for me, for I am often confused or conflicted, and I seek Your guidance. Be merciful, O Lord, to those who have entrusted me, an unworthy sinner, to pray for them. Be merciful, O Lord, to all who ask Thy help. O Lord, make this day a day of Thy mercy; give to each according to their petition. Knowing Your will for me, let me be anxious for nothing. And I pray for the strength, the power and the energy, to accomplish Your purpose. All glory be to You, one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who was before time and will be forever. Amen

  Adrian Edwards was separated from his parents as a toddler, passed along from institution to foster home, and introduced to a life of crime at a young age. As a teenager, he was convicted of armed robber and spent time in Western Australia's Fremantle jail. There, in a strange twist of fate, he met his father who was serving time for murder. Adrian was released but longed to see his father again. Father and son did meet again when Adrian was convicted a second time. Adrian served his sentence and was released, but he desired to be with his father. Finally, a string of armed robberies had Adrian back in the courts. "He is looking forward to spending a long period of time incarcerated with his father", his lawyer informed the judge. A long sentence followed. Adrian's plan to be with his dad was finally fulfilled. Orphans long for their parent's embrace and will do extraordinary things to receive it. Thankfully, there's a God who longs for His children and goes

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this day, Help me to follow You in every way. Let me speak as You speak, and do as You do; let me help others, as You help them, too. Help keep me busy, to strive for the best. Help me not to be lazy, but find needed rest. Let me come to You, Father, throughout the day, often to thank You, often to pray. Support me all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over and my work is done. Then of Thy mercy, grant me a safe lodging, and a holy rest and a peace at last through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Historian Cassius Dio recorded a revealing event from the life of Hadrian, the Roman Emperor from AD 117-138: "Once, when a woman made a request of [Hadrian] as he passed by on a journey, he at first said to her, 'I haven't time', but afterwards, when she cried out, 'Cease, then, being emperor', he turned about and granted her a hearing".  How often we say or hear, "Not now, I'm busy" or "I'm sorry, but I just don't have time". Yet, our Heavenly Father, the Master and Creator of everything, always has time for us. The psalmist wrote: "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. . . The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles" (Ps. 34:15-17).  God is not like the emperor or a busy executive who tries to avoid interruption. Instead, the Father's joy is to listen and respond to His children. "The Lord is near to those who have a bro

  Dear Lord, who decreed that we should take one day of rest, one special day in remembrance of You, today I celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the moment of His glorious victory over death. I add my voice to countless millions of others in thanks, in praise, and in awe of Your sacrifice for us. Help me, dear Lord, to dedicate these few moments to You completely. You have taught us that we may dwell with You, even while we are caught in this difficult world, and I pray to dwell with You fully now. Guard me against wandering of mind and the intrusion of mundane thought, so that I may be fully present with you, through the power of Your Holy Spirit. And in the coming week, I pray that my mind may constantly turn to You, so that I may always remember you when I am tempted to anger, to selfishness, to lust for power and the vanities of this world, or any of the myriad temptations that might assail me in the course of life. May I follow the example of good men of old, and m

In 1826, the British author Thomas Carlyle married Jane Welsh, who also was an accomplished writer. She dedicated herself to his success and served him wholeheartedly. Because of a stomach ailment and a nervous disorder, he had a rather ornery temperament. So she made special meals for him and tried to keep the house as quiet as possible so he could do his writing. Thomas didn't often recognize Jane's helpful spirit nor did he spend much time with her. However, he wrote this about her to his mother: "I may say in my heart that she. . . loves me with a devotedness which is a mystery to me how I have ever deserved. She. . . looks with such soft cheerfulness into my gloomy countenance, that new hope passed into me every time I met her eye". We too have Someone who loves us with a devotedness that is a mystery how we as sinners ever deserved it! He is God the Father, "who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all" (Rom. 8:32). His love is wide,

  Dear Jesus, in fear of You and in the hope of mercy, I worship you. Lead me in Your righteousness. Make Your way straight before my face.  Let me find in You a sense that I am loved. And may my heart not grow cold and cluttered by anger and wounds from the past so that others can see Your reflection in me. In You, all things are possible.  Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them shout for joy, because you defend them; those who love Your name, grant them mercy and joy. And evermore let Your word spread throughout the world, and make me Your servant in this task. In Christ's name, I pray. Amen

    The principle of "doing no harm" extends to our relationships with others in everyday life. In fact, benevolence is central to New Testament teaching about loving others. In reflecting on the law of God, Paul sees that love is the intent behind many biblical commands: "Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Rom. 13:10) Each day as we follow Jesus Christ our Savior, we are faced with choices that will affect the lives of others. When we choose a course of action, we should ask ourselves, "Does this reflect Christ's concern for others, or am I only concerned for myself?" Such a sensitivity demonstrates the love of Christ that seeks to heal the broken and help those in need. Caring for the burdens of others helps us to forget about our own. Love never hurts anybody and it will never hurt. Love doesn't have to hurt. God is the author of love and He will never hurt us. Love does no harm.

  Dear Lord, I admit that it is easy to be consumed with my own wants and needs. Thank You that You showed us how to be concerned for others, too. Help me to follow Your example in caring for others. Direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the lamb, and purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit, from the dross of my natural corruption. So that, I may with more freedom of mind and liberty of will serve thee, the ever lasting God, in righteousness and holiness this day, and all the days of my life. Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip us with every good thing that we may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen

A man was filling out a job application when he came to the question "Have you ever been arrested?" He wrote, "No". The next question, intended for people who had answered "Yes" to the previous question, was "Why?" The applicant answered it anyway: "I never got caught". He evidently knew he was guilty of plenty! So was the apostle Paul. He knew he had personally done wrong and sinned against God. He wrote, "I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man" (1 Tim. 1:13). He even called himself the "chief" of sinners (v. 15). We too were once separated from the Lord because of our sin and were considered His enemies (Rom. 5:10; Col. 1:21). But when we confessed our sin and acknowledged our need for His forgiveness, He cleansed us and made us new. Those of us who have known the Lord for many years may have the tendency to forget what we've been rescued from and forgive of. Sharing about our past and c

  Dear God, be present with me always. Dwell within my heart. With thy light and thy Spirit guide my soul, my thoughts, and all my actions, that I may teach thy Word, that thy healing power may be in me and in all the saints of thy church universal. Too often I think I am the one in control of my life. Help me to see that I am powerless over so much. I ask for the grace to be able to hand over my life to You and experience the joy of that freedom. Now the God of patience and consolation grant to me, and to all who pray in the name of Christ, to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That we may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I join those praying with me today in thanking you for our lives, and we pray that You continue to sustain us each day. From Your heavenly place accept our prayers and our praise. Amen

  How to have that wisdom from above? And, what is that wisdom from above that they are talking about? Wisdom from above has its origins with God, not man. Its character is heavenly and not earthly. It is God's gift and must be received from Him. There is no real surprise that true Christians seek their wisdom from above and not from man.  People in our lives may sometimes suggest we do what seems most gratifying or practical in the moment. But, there is a difference between worldly and spiritual wisdom (1 Cor. 2:6-7). Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy (James 3:17). When others are urging us to take a certain course of action, we can invite God to influence our response. One is truly wise who gains his wisdom from above.  Jesus Christ is our wisdom. The Word of God is our wisdom. It is only from the scriptures that we can become wise unto salvation. This wisdom can be accentuated through believing prayer. If any of you lacks wi

  Dear God, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son. I adore You and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints. I give You my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. Fill my spirit, and the spirit of all the people of Your universal church, with faith and hope; for a new day has dawned, and the way to life stands open in our Saviour Jesus Christ. I confess that I have sinned against your Holy Word. I pray that You will now fulfill in me and in every contrite heart the promise of redeeming grace; forgiving all our sins, and cleansing us from an evil conscience. Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray that you direct my way unto you, and make me and all of us to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you; to the end that we may establish our hearts unblameable in holiness before you, at the coming of our L

  The psalmist said of the Word of God, "Your precepts . . . have give me life" (Ps. 119:93). His Word is "powerful . . . and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12). God's Word shows us our sin and its consequences: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23); "the wages of sin is death" (6:23). It tells us of God's love and salvation: "God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, . . . made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)" (Eph. 2:4-5). And, it gives wisdom for daily living: "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Ps. 119:105). The Bible stands like a rock undaunted. It's strength is so strong amidst the raging storms of time. Its pages burn with the truth eternal. And, they glow with a light sublime. Many books inform, but only one transforms - the Bible. This is how powerful the Bible