Daily Devotional 2-28-2022
1Pe 4:15 CSB Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. Peter stressed that persecution was no excuse for lawlessness. Christians were not to retaliate. Physical violence was not to be met by murder. Confiscation of property was not to be compensated for by theft. No matter what their trials, Christians were to do nothing that would justify punishing them as criminals. They were not to suffer as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. Even interfering in other people’s affairs is out of place for Christians.
Daily Devotional 2-27-2022
Heb 5:13-14 CSB Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. (14) But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil. It is unsatisfactory to remain a baby in spiritual matters. This is true because a spiritual infant, living on milk… is inexperienced with the teaching about righteousness. It is not so much that a spiritual “infant” lacks information – though at first he obviously does – but rather that he has not yet learned to put “the teaching about righteousness” to effective use. He lacks the skill which goes with maturity and which results in the ability to make appropriate moral choices. Such ability is exactly what is possessed by those who… have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. That kind of person can handle solid food. Once…
Daily Devotional 2-26-2022
1Co 10:11 CSB These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come. God’s dealings with Israel were more than a matter of historical curiosity for Paul. They were examples and warnings for the Corinthians or people like us, the modern days’ Christians, that the God with whom they had to deal, who was bringing His interaction with people to a close in this fulfilment of the ages, was the same God who disciplined the Israelites with death and would do so again.
Daily Devotional 25-2-2022
Rom 15:4 CSB For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. This quotation from the Psalms reminds us that the OT Scriptures were written for our learning. While they were not written directly to us, they contain invaluable lessons for us. As we encounter problems, conflicts, tribulations, and troubles, the Scriptures teach us to be steadfast, and they impart comfort. Thus, instead of sinking under the waves, we are sustained by the hope that the Lord will see us through.
Daily Devotional 2-24-2022
Psa 132:15-18 CSB I will abundantly bless its food; I will satisfy its needy with bread. (16) I will clothe its priests with salvation, and its faithful people will shout for joy. (17) There I will make a horn grow for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed one. (18) I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown he wears will be glorious.” Actually the Lord answers abundantly all that Solomon requests in this Psalm. There is the added promise of plentiful provisions and of bread for the poor. There is the promise that the priests will be clothed with salvation, not just with righteousness. There is the promise that the saints will shout aloud for joy. There is the promise that the enemies will be clothed with shame. The meaning of verse 17 is that in Jerusalem God will make a powerful King to come…
Daily Devotional 2-23-2022
1Pe 4:14 CSB If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. The early Christians rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ. So should every Christian who has the privilege of being reviled for Christ’s sake. Such suffering is a true indication that the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon us. This is the Holy Spirit who rests upon persecuted Christians as the glory cloud rested on the tabernacle in the OT, indicating the presence of God. We know that the Spirit indwells every true child of God, but He rests in a special way upon those who are completely committed to the cause of Christ. They know the presence and power of the Spirit of God as others do not. The same Lord Jesus who is…
Daily Devotional 2-22-2022
Joh 1:16 CSB Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness, All who believe on the Lord Jesus receive supplies of spiritual strength out of His fullness. His fullness is so great that He can provide for all Christians in all countries and in all ages. The expression grace for grace probably means “grace upon grace” or “abundant grace.” Here grace means God’s gracious favor which He showers on His beloved children.