Daily Devotionals

1 Thessalonians 4:1–5

We have a number of ways of encouraging someone toward excellence. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to excel in their walk with Christ.

While advocating an excelling lifestyle, Paul targets one specific area that needs constant attention—moral purity:

Jonah 1:1–4

As a pastor, I often get asked questions regarding God’s will. Here is a sample:

What if I know the will of God, but I’m not able to do it?
Why can’t I rely on my feelings?
Can I be in the will of God and not realize it?
What about situations I’m going through that aren’t addressed in the Bible?
Is God serious about everything He commands?

Remember what happened when Jonah rebelled? Read this brief refresher:

James 1:22–25

Want to know God’s will for your life? Let me suggest that you stop, look, and listen. God makes His desires known to those who stop at His Word, look carefully with a sensitive spirit, and then listen to the advice that others give through the lens of Scripture. When we go to His Word, we stop long enough to hear from above. When we look, we examine our surrounding circumstances considering what He is saying to our inner spirit—what we usually call our conscience.

John 14:1–4

What is heaven like? Will we play harps all day? Lounge around on Cloud Nine? Live in enormous mansions with solid gold streets out front? Does it mean we’ll all wear long white robes with matching sandals, glowing halos, and big flapping wings? Heaven is an actual place. A prepared place, designed for God’s redeemed people, those who have accepted God’s free gift of His salvation through His Son’s death on the cross.

Jesus said to His anxious followers:

Hebrews 6:17–19

I confess to you, at times I’ve doubted God’s purpose and promise. I say that to my own embarrassment. When things hadn’t worked as I thought they would, when I received a no instead of a yes as an answer to prayer, when I couldn’t unravel a situation and match it with the character of God...those have been times when I’ve said, “I know down inside this isn’t right.”

Yet in such times there are benefits that come from going back to God’s Word to study it again, putting on your theological cap:

Proverbs 9:10–12

If honest, most of us should admit we live with a serious shortage of what God calls wisdom. How often have you and I “gone it alone” while deciding, planning an event, determining a course of action, or developing a strategy for intervening in someone’s life? I’ve lost track of the times I’ve gone off half-cocked and responded to a difficult situation out of pure emotion rather than a profound sense of sensibility or restraint. Both of those virtues come from God. Put together, they spell W-I-S-D-O-M.

Solomon wrote:

Romans 8:1–2, 5

Only God’s Spirit can take the barrenness of our lives and bring a refreshing spirit renewal and joy.

Genesis 25:5–8

Many years ago, a wise and godly friend and financial counsellor convinced Cynthia and me that we should share our possessions and inheritance before we die. He quoted the old saying, “Do your givin’ while you’re livin’, then you’re knowin’ where it’s goin’.”

He wasn’t just sharing his opinion or delivering a personal preference. He offered to us a principle of handling our financial blessings straight from God’s Word:

Acts 8:26–28, 30–31, 35

Can there be anything more exasperating than calling a customer service number and getting an electronic answer? You know how it goes:

Press one for English. Press two for technical support. Press three for directions and hours of operation. Press four for a callback. Press five to return to the main menu.

It ought to add: press six if you give up!

Why isn’t anyone available?!

Matthew 5:1–5

I love reading biographies of great individuals. I’ve said for years that all of us should be students of great people. I’ve read several volumes in my lifetime on the life and character of Abraham Lincoln. Tucked away in one story of Lincoln and his home life is a wonderful piece of knowledge that few perhaps would guess: Lincoln was a gentle father. Though strong in temperament, determined in his vision for freedom, and often fiery in his leadership style, he carried the mantle of gentleness into his home. I love that!