Daily Devotional Free

  Sometimes, we encounter someone who will comment on a certain scene, "Worst possible scenario!" That comment was obviously an overstatement, especially when it is just a small conflict or problem. But each of us dreads the thought of something in particular: financial loss, the death of a child or spouse, cancer, or another loss or hardship. The book of Job is a case study in worst possible scenarios. Yet, Job wisely assessed God's role in trying circumstances of loss and poor health: "He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10). From this wise statement, we can learn two valuable lessons. One is that what we dread most can be used to test our character and make us stronger. The other is that God will provide the strength and comfort to see us through. The living God can take the fear out of living. Cling to God. He has promised to work on our behalf, even in the worst possible scenario. God often sends us joy t...

  Dear God, I come before You today in reverence and awe. I am filled with humility in the face of Your greatness, Your majesty, Your holiness, and Your power. And to acknowledge my sinfulness in the face of your pure and holy presence fills me with fear. I pray boldly, for You have called me and adopted me as your rightful heir, through the sacrifice of your Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I give you thanks for Your mercy with every ounce of my being. Let your Holy Spirit might be with me, that I might do Your will in every thought and action this day; and that the work of my hands and the words of my tongue might seek Your glory, and not my own. Grant that in my earthly pilgrimage I may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer. And, know myself to be surrounded by their witness to Your power and mercy. I ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen

  The language of Proverbs 6:16-19 is strong. In the citing of seven things the Lord hates, sowing "discord among brethren" makes the list. The reason for naming this sin is that it spoils the unity that Christ desires for His followers (John 17:21-22). Those who sow discord may not initially set out to create divisions. They may be preoccupied instead with their personal needs or the interests of a group they belong to (James 4:1-10). Consider how Lot's herdsmen argued with those of Abraham (Gen. 13:1-18); Christ's disciples argued about personal preeminence (Luke 9:46); and divisive groups in the church at Corinth elevated party factions above the unity of the Spirit (1 Cor. 3:1-7). So what is the best way to promote unity? It begins with the transformation of the heart. When we adopt the mind of Christ, we develop an attitude of humility and we focus on service toward others (Phil. 2:5-11). Only in Him can we access the power to "look out not only for [our] ow...

  Dear Lord, this day, give me not the spirit of laziness, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of sobriety, humility, patience and love to Thy servant. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Look with mercy, I pray, on the sins I have this day committed, and in mercy make me feel them deeply, that my repentance may be sincere, and my resolutions against them steadfast. Teach me to understand the sinfulness of my own heart. Bring to my knowledge every fault of character and every evil habit in which I have indulged, to the discomfort of my fellow-creatures and the danger of my own soul. May the Passion of Christ be ever in my heart. May your law and your goodness guide my every thought, O Lord. And may the power of your Holy Spirit flow through my words and my actions today, and always. Amen

  An article in The Washington Post told about a 15-year-old girl who sent and received 6,473 cell phone text messages in a single month. She says about her constant communication with friends, "I would die without it". And she is not alone. Researchers say that US teens with cell phones average more than 2,200 text messages a month. This ongoing digital conversation offers a remarkable illustration of what prayer could and should be like for every follower of Christ. Paul seemed to be constantly in an attitude of prayer for others: "[We] do not cease to pray for you" (Col. 1:9). "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Eph. 6:18). "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17). But how can we possibly do that? Missionary Frank Laubach described his habit of "shooting" prayers at people as he encountered them during the course of each day. In a sense, he was "texting" God on their behalf, staying in constant co...

  Dear Lord, in the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for I know you will answer me. All nations whom you have made shall come and worship before You and shall glorify Your name. Indeed, You are great, and do wondrous things, You alone are God. Among all men, and the gods of their imagination, and the works of their hands, there is none like You, O Lord. Nor are there any works like those you have made. Our great thoughts are pitiful shadows of your wisdom, and our great machines are foolish beside the immensity of your universe. You alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners. Grant Your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise. So that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

  Jesus questioned the Pharisees about His identity. "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?" They replied, "The Son of David" (Matt. 22:42). The identity of Messiah was critical, and their answer was correct but incomplete. The Scriptures had affirmed that Messiah would come and reign on the throne of His father David. But Jesus reminded them that though David would be Christ's ancestor, He would also be more - David referred to Him as "Lord". Faced with a similar question, Peter rightly answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16). Still today, the question of Jesus' identity rises above the rest in significance. And, it is eternally important that we make no mistake in understanding who He is. No mistake is more dangerous than mistaking the identity of Jesus.