Devotions

Luke 18: 17

But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Thought for Today

How hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus has been hammering this theme all the way to Jerusalem. It is hard of the rich, the self-righteous, and the busy to enter the Kingdom. It is hard because we want it to be about us at least a little bit. We want to be able to enter the Kingdom saying, “See what I did? Sure, Jesus did most of it, but I added this to it!” Jesus points to the little children as the model of the faith that is required to enter the Kingdom of God. Children belong to the Kingdom of God because they believe Jesus when He says they are part of His family. When you were growing up did you ever question why you belong to your family? No, we are born into a family and we accept that as our heritage. It simply is who we are and the family history is our history. Jesus says we need to receive the Kingdom of God like that. He said in your baptism you became a part of His family. That means His Father is your Father. His history is your history. You don’t earn your right to be a part of the family. It is yours by right. Why do we work so hard to earn the right to be in God’s family when it is ours by right? Receive the Kingdom of God like a child. Accept that it is simply true and rejoice that you are a part of God’s family!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise You that I am a part of Your family! Help me to live like I belong to You today. Amen.

Devotional Quote

The kingdom of God is an upside-down kingdom. It beckons us to gamble all, to trust radically, to come and die so that we might live--to give our lives away. Giving life away is a paradox. It's losing so we can win. It's giving so we can receive. It's risking for security. It's faith. The kingdom of God means living that tension. ― Ken Wytsma

Quote of the Day

Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself. — Thomas a Kempis  

Luke 18: 15-16

 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Thought for Today

It was not unusual for mothers to bring their children to famous rabbis to have them blessed. With the stir that Jesus was creating I’m sure the ladies who traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover were hoping for a chance to meet Jesus and have Him bless their children. The disciples are understandably annoyed. There are very important people who want to meet Jesus, too. These important people should be the priority for Jesus. After all, little children will not increase their standing in Jerusalem. Jesus, on the other hand, takes this opportunity to drive home the point he had been trying to make about the Pharisee and the tax collector. He rebukes them for trying to send the mothers and children away. He points to the children and says it is exactly because they cannot do anything for themselves or anything to increase His standing that makes them so precious to Him. He is not looking for people who think they are important, He is looking for humble souls of simple faith. For by their simple faith in Him they are already a part of the Kingdom of God.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, Thank You for pointing to the children and reminding me that it is not what I can bring to You that You value, but that I simply trust. Amen.  

Devotional Quote

The devil can quote Scripture for his purpose; and the text of Scripture which he now most commonly quotes is, “The Kingdom of heaven is within you.” That text has been the stay and support of more Pharisees and prigs and self-righteous spiritual bullies than all the dogmas in creation; it has served to identify self-satisfaction with the peace that passes all understanding. And the text to be quoted in answer to it is that which declares that no man can receive the kingdom except as a little child. What we are to have inside is a childlike spirit; but the childlike spirit is not entirely concerned about what is inside. It is the first mark of possessing it that one is interested in what is outside. The most childlike thing about a child is his curiosity and his appetite and his power of wonder at the world. We might almost say that the whole advantage of having the kingdom within is that we look for it somewhere else. ― G.K. Chesterton

Quote of the Day

It is a great consolation for me to remember that the Lord, to whom I had drawn near in humble and child-like faith, has suffered and died for me, and that He will look on me in love and compassion. — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart  

Luke 18:13-14

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Thought for Today

While the Pharisee was filled with pride over his assumed holiness, the tax collector was devastated by his life. He literally says, “God, be merciful to me, THE sinner.” As he looks around the temple everyone appears holier than he is. Like Paul, he declares himself chief of sinners. There is no reason for God to have mercy on him. If God polled the other children of Israel he would be nearly unanimously voted out of the nation. The only reason god would have mercy on him is because he humbly asked. He acknowledged that he had nothing to offer God and placed himself solely in God’s mercy. According to Jesus, that was enough. He was justified, made right, with God simply because he asked. For whoever humbles himself will be exalted and whoever exalts himself will be humbled.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, have mercy on me, the sinner. For Your mercy is my only hope. Amen.  

Devotional Quote

As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on thing and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you. ― C.S. Lewis

Quote of the Day

My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I'm right. ― Ashleigh Brilliant (This made me laugh)

Luke 18:10-12

Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

Thought for Today

Jesus begins His parable with two men walking into the temple to pray. The first person we meet is a Pharisee. The name “Pharisee” means “one who is separated.” This is an instructive title. Israel is set apart by God as His holy nation. In the midst of God’s set-apart people is a class that is considered so holy that they are separated, above even from God’s holy people. They certainly seem to take this idea seriously. As we hear this Pharisee pray we discover that, if his words can be believe, he is a good man. He takes care of his family and community. He gives generously and goes his spiritual disciplines are more than what God requests. The people is that he is so pleased with himself that he cannot see the corruption of his pride. His prayer celebrating his devotion is offensive to God. We need to acknowledge that worldly goodness is good. It is a good thing when you take care of your family and give generously. Even those who don’t know God can do good in the world. The problem is that this worldly righteousness doesn’t score any points with God. God is looking at the heart, looking for faith. He loves people who do good with a humble heart. Pride, indeed, goes before a fall. So as you go about your day today do good, but check your heart in the process. Give thanks to God for providing the opportunities to do good in the world.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to honor You today by doing good with a humble and thankful heart. Amen.  

Devotional Quote

A righteous man does not conceive of himself as righteous; he is "only doing what anyone else would do," except, of course, that no one else does it. ― Martin Berman

Quote of the Day

Let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising loving kindness, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight. – the LORD. 

Luke 18:9

[Jesus] told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt. . .

Thought for Today

How do you present challenging information? We live in a culture that is very direct and easily offended. People like to come right out as say what they think with very little tact and those hearing it are offended before they even stop to consider whether it is even worth being offended over. Interestingly, Jesus lived in a similar climate. People were highly charged by the issues of His day and the religious establishment was quick to take offense at the slightest inference that you disagreed with them. How did Jesus handle this? Instead of directly challenging people Jesus told parables. Jesus would tell hypothetical stories about people everyone know by type and challenged them to draw their own conclusions about his scenario. They were welcome to disagree with him, but they would have to think about it first. I think we can learn a lot about how to address American culture from Jesus. Talk about issues rather than vilifying people or groups. And couch the issue in a way that will force them to think about whether they agree or disagree. Don’t allow knee-jerk reactions by your presentation. This is how Jesus would address our family and friends today.  

Prayer

Lord Jesus, teach me wisdom in dealing with people. I have important things to share. Never let the way I present it get in the way of their considering what I have to say. Amen.

Devotional Quote

By telling stories, Jesus isn’t somehow putting sugar in a spoon to make the medicine go down a bit easier. These stories are the medicine. These stories are an extension and explanation of Jesus’ revolutionary ministry. These stories show us that things are not as they appear. Our tidy, well-packaged ideas about spirituality, faith, and reality shatter when confronted by Christ and the God he represents. ― Ronnie McBrayer

Quote of the Day

Artists use lies to tell the truth. Yes, I created a lie. But because you believed it, you found something true about yourself. ― Alan Moore, V for Vendetta

John 4:25-26

The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

Thought for Today

The Pharisees ask Jesus who He is throughout His ministry and His answers always seem a little evasive. Here He is with a non-Jewish woman He is not even supposed to be talking to and she gets the most direct answer in all of the gospels. Why does Jesus tell her who He is when He won’t tell His own people? Because hearing the truth sparks faith in her heart. The Pharisees wanted to know so that they could use Jesus’ profession against Him. For the people of Israel the profession was polarizing. Here in Sychar, it would draw people closer to God. What does it mean to you to know that Jesus is indeed the Messiah?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for telling me who You are and why You came. Help me to celebrate the Good News this weekend. Amen.

Devotional Quote

The irony is that while God doesn’t need us but still wants us, we desperately need God but don’t really want Him most of the time. ― Francis Chan

Quote of the Day

Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be. — Khalil Gibran  

John 4:16-19

Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.

Thought for Today

We are all broken people. Sin relentlessly tears at each of us. In His conversation with the Samaritan woman, Jesus comes to the place of her brokenness. In a culture that sees stable family relations as the highest good she has struggled mightily. By rights Jesus could have rebuked her for her sinful life. He could have told her that “the wages of sin is death.” But Jesus doesn’t. He tells her that He knows all about the struggles she has endured and continues to talk to her. In this simple act of kindness Jesus lets us all know that, even though He knows of our sin and brokenness, it does not stop Him from caring about us or desiring a relationship with us. To Jesus, the woman at the well is another person in need of the grace of His cross. The only difference between her and the other people of her town (and me) is that everyone knew her sin. The wonderful news for us today is that, whatever your issue is, Jesus knows all about it and still loves you, accepts you, and desires a relationship with you. This is why He died for you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me even though You know all about me. Help me to honor Your love today by setting aside the sin that so easily entangles and living for You. Amen

Devotional Quote

Sometimes God allows what he hates to accomplish what he loves. ― Joni Eareckson Tada

Quote of the Day

Ideologies separate us. Dreams and anguish bring us together. — Eugene Ionesco  

John 4:12-15

 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

Thought for Today

Don’t be surprised when you try to engage someone in a spiritual conversation and they cannot get their minds around the Good News you are trying to share. The gospel is wondrously mind bending! As a believer it is easy to get frustrated with the ignorance of non-believers. It all seems so simple for us. However, the world and the devil have been working their whole lives to keep them blinded to spiritual truth. When they see truth, it can be either confusing, because they don’t have the mental framework to process it, or blinding, a harsh light turned on suddenly in the middle of the night. Notice how Jesus responds to her challenge. He is patient with her. He is not offended that she gently mocks Him. He does not become frustrated that she doesn’t understand. He patiently offers her a little deeper look into the well of His knowledge and understanding. Rather than debating, Jesus offers her the most enticing appeal of the Gospel. He also ties it to her purpose for being at the well in the middle of the day, to avoid the other women. He offers her a new living spring that would mean she would not have to come back ever again to draw water in the middle of the day. Jesus would wash away her sin and shame and restore her to her people, fresh and renewed. When you share the Good News realize that it is normal for them either not to understand or to not want what they think you are offering. Like Jesus, be patient and gentle with them. Help them see that what Jesus offers them is exactly what they need.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being gentle with me in my ignorance. Help me to be more like You when I share the hope You have given me. Amen.

Devotional Quote

I choose gentleness... Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself. ― Max Lucado

Quote of the Day

Nothing is so strong as gentleness. Nothing is so gentle as real strength. ― Ralph W. Sockman

John 4:7-10

Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

Thought for Today

The woman at the well is shocked to have Jesus address her. On top of all the other prohibitions, Jews and Samaritans do not speak to one another. They are bitter rivals. Jesus ignores all that should separate them: her Samaritan blood, her status as a woman; her place as an outcast in her village, and addresses her as a person. More than this, He refuses to even engage what separates them when she brings it up. Instead, Jesus informs her of the water that He has; the water of life. He says, “you would have asked…and [I] would have given you.” Despite her status and station Jesus offers her eternal life. What do you feel separates you from others? Do you feel like it separates you from God? Jesus ignores all of that and offers you living water, too.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me enough to look past the things I see and struggle with every day. Help me to learn to love myself the way You love me. Amen.

Devotional Quote

Good works is giving to the poor and the helpless, but divine works is showing them their worth to the One who matters. ― Criss Jami

Quote of the Day

Originals cost more than imitations. ― Suzy Kassem

John 4: 6-7

Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.”

Thought for Today

People become outcasts for many different reasons. It can be something objectionable they had done; an attitude they hold; the way they treat others; a physical or mental condition that frightens others. The list is diverse and nearly endless. What is consistent is the way the isolated person feels. Most of us have felt the pain of loneliness at one time or another. It feels like no one cares. And if no one cares, neither does God. However, Jesus shows us how much He really does care. It is an amazing thought that Jesus died for everyone, but this can also feel like an action done at a distant. When Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman at the well He was supposed to ignore her. Men didn’t talk to women in public. The circumstances also make it clear that she is a woman shunned by her community. Instead of following the cultural dictates, Jesus looks up and, with four simple words, tells her that she has value in His eyes. Jesus thinks the same about you.  Jesus died so that He could have a relationship with you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You know my heart and the loneliness that resides there sometimes. Help me to find peace in my relationship with You. Amen.

Devotional Quote

God dances with the outcast. ― Steven James

Quote of the Day

If there is no struggle, there is no progress. — Frederick Douglass