Day
1 Devotional
“You believe because you have seen me.
Blessed are those who haven’t seen me and
believe anyway.” John 20:29
Thoughts from Jen
This verse is what Jesus says to Thomas after
he appears to him following his resurrection.
This Easter, after reading about the resurrection
and coming to this part of the account, I wonder,
is Jesus calling us to have “blind faith?” It
seems from what He’s saying, it’s
better to believe in Jesus without actually having
seen Him for ourselves. But isn’t it foolish
to have faith in something you can’t see?
But just because we haven’t touched the
nail wounds of Jesus’ hands doesn’t
mean I haven’t “seen” Him.
There are instances in my life where my faith
has been reinforced by seeing Jesus in action
in other people’s lives, in my life as
I trust in what the Bible tells me, and as I
see answers to my prayers. As I look around,
I also feel that I “see” God in His
creation: my pets, the mountains, the weather,
etc. Unlike children who touch what they see,
I can see what maybe I can’t touch – seeing
Jesus in other ways and means, but not necessarily
seeing Him in bodily form. My faith then would
be a sensing faith, not a seeing faith or a blind
faith. After all, sometimes those without sight
are the most perceptive of the reality around
them.
Day 2 Devotional
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
Thoughts from Melanie
So often we get stuck and we start thinking
is this all there is for me? We get used to our
everyday lives and don't expect anything more.
We stop believing that God will provide anything
more. Through faith we can believe that God will
keep his promises and wants to fulfill all the
desires of our heart. Faith encourages us to
keep going, to persevere, to follow our dreams.
Faith gives us hope.
Day 3 Devotional
“Even youths will become exhausted, and
young men will give up. But those who wait on
the Lord will find new strength. They will fly
high on wings like eagles. They will run and
not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah
40:30-31
Thoughts from Jesse
In life we are going to get tired and give up
in certain areas of our lives. When we run into
problems wait on the Lord, when we want to give
up wait on the Lord, and when we grow tired wait
on the Lord. By waiting on the Lord you are basically
asking for his guidance then when you receive
his help you can continue with the race and not
grow weary or tired.
Day 4 Devotional
“He [Jesus] created everything there
is. Nothing exists that He didn’t make.” John
1:3
Thoughts from Jen
I love spring. It’s one of my favorite
times of the year, when grass turns green, trees
awaken and I can get my hands dirty working in
the earth. It never ceases to amaze me how seeds
can grow into plants that then wither during
winter and return again to full bloom next spring.
I took biology – years of biology- and
could probably how plants grow in simple terms.
But how amazing that plants can turn sunlight
and water into an energy drink! Red Bull can’t
even be that good! God’s creation is awesome
and I feel privileged to be a part of it.
Day 5 Devotional
“All athletes practice strict self-control.
They do it to win a prize that will fade away,
but we do it for an eternal prize.” 1Corinthians
9:25
Thoughts from Jesse
Those of us that participate in sports know
how much practice it takes to win a sporting
competition. Think of how much time you spend
training for that sport. Now think of yourself
as an athlete of God and we are in competition
to win an eternal prize from him. Do we spend
more time training for the more important eternal
prize or do we spend more time training for the
prize that will fade away. Attending Spring training
these next few weeks is a good start.
Day 6 Devotional
“Honor your father and mother. Then you
will live a long, full life in the land the Lord
will give you.” Exodus 20:12
Thoughts from Jen
I just spent an hour or so watching the NCAA
men’s championship basketball game with
my dad. He doesn’t get around much anymore,
not after his last bout of heart failure. And
so he watches a lot of TV. It’s been a
blessing for me to be with him in these last
few months of his life. Not everyone has the
chance to develop a good relationship with their
parents, particularly with their father. Because
of this verse, I wanted to help take care of
my dad and so we asked him to come stay with
us when he got to point that he couldn’t
live on his own. Since then, I’ve been
able to learn about and grow closer to my dad.
Watching basketball isn’t my favorite evening
activity, but if it means spending time with
someone who has given me so much, I certainly
want to honor my father by doing it anyway.
Day 7 Devotional
The Lord himself will fight for you. You won’t
have to lift a finger in your defense. Exodus
14:14
Thoughts from Jesse
No matter the situation you are in, God is
in your corner. Sometimes in life we feel beet
up, but that’s when we can ask our Lord to
step into the fight to help us.
Day 8 Devotional
So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't
get discouraged and give up, for we will reap
a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
Galatians 6:9
Thoughts from Jamie
So many times we feel that no one notices the
good things that we do. This verse assures us
that God notices and we will be blessed for the
things that we do but it will be in God's timing.
Day 9 Devotional
“What if faith? It is the confident assurance
that something we want is going to happen. It
is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting
for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.” Hebrews
11:1
Thoughts from Josh
Faith is the secret to “rut free living.” We
all know what it’s like to live in a rut.
Too often what starts with great promise settles
into a lifelong habit of routine. A fresh and
real commitment to Christ is made – yet
you find yourself settling for the average life
rather than the abundant life. Faith makes the
difference! Faith helps us to handle the two
main things that might push us into the rut of
routine. Disappointment can make us feel, “I
guess that’s all there is; I’ll have
to learn to settle for less.” Faith energizes
us to look past our disappointments and to see
God’s promises.
Day 10 Devotional
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at
work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely
more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
Ephesians 3:20
Thoughts from Jamie
There are some days when I get discouraged and
think that none of my dreams will ever come true.
I find peace during those situations from this
verse. We have to remember that God is huge and
can do what ever it is that we dream, if it is
in his will and we ask him we will live our dream.
Day
11 Devotional
“Now Stephen, a man full of God’s
grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous
signs among the people.” Acts6:8
Thoughts from Josh
Know how to recognize a priceless person? Just
look at their price tag! You can see what a person
is worth by looking at what it takes to but them
off. I wonder how you and :I would do if we had
to face “faith’s final exam.” It
is an exam that only a few Christians down through
the ages have had to face. It is a test that
has only one soul-searching question. Take a
look at Stephen, for example. He showed himself
to be a priceless person, a person who would
not back down in his faith no matter what the
threat. Stephen became the first Christian to
actually die for his faith. What was the secret
to such a great faith? Acts 6 tells us that Stephen
lived as a man “full of faith and the Holy
Sporit.” He had answered faith’s
final exam long before he faced the court that
would condemn him. We’re all like tubes
of toothpaste. When the squeeze is put on us
what comes out is whatever we’re full of!
This means that we don’t have to “cram” for
the tests of faith. Let Christ fill your heart
and mind, your decisions and actions….today!
Day 12 Devotional
“So the king and all the Israelites dedicated
the temple of the LORD.” I Kings 8:63
Thoughts from Josh
What do we mean when we say dedication? To one
person it may mean giving up a part of a football
game to come to church on Sunday mornings, to
another it may point to a decision to begin giving
some of their money to the Lord’s work,
while to another it may add up to leaving all
that they know to serve the Lord as a missionary
in a foreign country. Do you know when dedication
begins to happen? When you begin to place your
faith on the line in terms of public commitments.
It’s that willingness to declare to others
that add up to dedication. When others look at
your life, what do you think they would say you
are “dedicated” to??
Day 13 Devotional
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view
of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as
living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this
is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans
12:1
Thoughts from Josh
Dedication will inevitably involve some sacrifices.
Sacrifice is ultimately an expression of trust
in the Lord. You’re willing to give something
up because you trust Him more than that something.
A significant part of dedication is praise to
God. The specific praise that grows our dedication
is “Thank You Lord for your Faithfulness.” It
is a praise that recognizes that all that we
have comes as a result of God’s promises
to us….as a result of His faithfulness
in our lives. That type of praise recognizes
that I can be dedicated to God because God is
dedicated to me! How dedicated is He? “He
who did not spare His own Son, how will He not
also along with Him freely give us all things.” Romans
8:32
Day 14 Devotional
“Then Solomon stood before the altar of
the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel,
spread out his hands toward heaven said, “O
LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You
in heaven above or on earth below-You who keep
Your covenant of love with Your servants who
continue wholeheartedly in Your way.” I
Kings 8:22-23
Thoughts from Josh
We cannot be dedicated to God without being
dedicated to meeting the needs of the people
He has made. Solomon dedicated this temple to
the needs of the disappointed and the defeated,
those besieged by sin and by loneliness, those
involved in the battles and prisons of life.
If you’re striving to become more dedicated
to the Lord, it doesn’t take you long to
discover that there is a whole Christian subculture
in which dedication is made up of spiritual sounding
words, big name conferences and fancy looking
materials. Dedication is built out of trusting
God with the practical needs of your everyday
life. Dedication is expressed in ministry. It
is expressed in what you choose to DO with your
life to serve the Lord and the people He has
made.
Day 15 Devotional
And I am sure that God, who began the good work
within you, will continue his work until it is
finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus
comes back again. Philippians 1:6
Thoughts from Jamie
Have you ever had the feeling that nothing good
could come from you day, week, or month? In this
verse it days that God is doing good within us
and will continue that good. So maybe you need
to look around for God's good work because we
know that they are there.
Day 16 Devotional
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about
everything. Tell God what you need, and thank
him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6
Thoughts from Jamie
I tend to worry about everything. For this
reason I have memorized this verse, so when
I get to worrying about things I remember this
verse and instantly go to God in prayer.
Day 17 Devotional
Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must
forgive others. Colossians 3:13
Thoughts from Jamie
I pray that you would talk to God about who
you need to forgive today and everyday.
Day 18 Devotional
“By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice
than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a
righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings.
And by faith he still speaks, even though he
id dead.” Hebrews 11:4
Thoughts from Josh
The best way to learn faith is from people.
Why? Because faith is not so much a matter of
what you know, as of whom you are; it’s
built not out of knowledge, but out of relationships.
Take Abel, the first faithful man. Cain offered
but Abel offered his best. Faith adds up to a
willingness to give your best to the Lord.
Day 19 Devotional
“Certain hope of being saved is a strong
and trustworthy anchor for our souls, connecting
us with God Himself behind the sacred curtains
of heaven.” Hebrews 6:19
Thoughts from Josh
The promise of hope is the promise of security
in uncertain times. The Bible promises that our
hope is an “anchor for our soul.” It
gives us an incredible confidence in the midst
of the confusion around us. Do you have that
kind of confidence where it really counts?
Day 20 Devotional
“By faith Abraham, even though he was
past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was
enabled to become a father because he considered
him faithful who had made the promise.” Hebrews11:11
Thoughts from Josh
Have you made faith’s great change exchange?
Have you learned to exchange life’s pressures
for God’s promises? We all live in one
of two ways, under life’s pressure or within
God’s promises. The secret to promise living
is faith, believing what God has told me about
Himself and His world in His word.
Day 21 Devotional
“I know the plans I have for you, plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to
give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah
29:11
Thoughts from Josh
Hoping has to do with planning. How do you plan
for the future? In order to have hope for your
future you must start with God’s promise.
All the planning and scheduling in the world
will not help if you do not have God’s
promise for your future right at its very root.
Before we plan anything we should always ask “God,
what are your plans for my future.” Our
goal is not to get God to bless the future we’ve
planned. Our desire should be to live out the
future that He Plans to bless us with.
Day 22 Devotional
“. . . those who hope in the LORD will
renew their strength. They will soar on wings
like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah
40:31
Thoughts from Josh
Feeling like the struggle of faith just isn’t
worth it anymore? You just want to quit, give
up, bail out and toss in the towel? Isaiah 40
contains one of the most beautiful expressions
in all of the Bible about the power and nature
of God. When you hope, you will last! That is
the promise that God makes to us in these verses.
Your strength will renew. You’ll soar like
an eagle. Renewed strength is the ability to
dream again. You’ll run – and not
be weary. Renewed strength is the ability to
strive again. You’ll walk – and not
faint. Renewed strength is the ability to endure
again.
Day 23 Devotional
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all
your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your
paths straight.” Proverb 3:5-6
Thoughts from Josh
Acknowledge means to tell others. Declare your
delight. Personally…in your devotional
life take time to tell the Lord you appreciate
Him. Publicly…in your witnessing life
tell others you appreciate the Lord. Acknowledge
Him! And the promise is, God will direct your
paths. Not might, or could…but will. How
can I know God’s will for my life? How
can I know what decision God would have me to
make? If you’ll work on determining and
detecting and declaring, God will direct!
Day 24 Devotional
‘The God of heaven will give us success.
We his servants will start rebuilding.” Nehemiah
2:20
Thoughts from Josh
We are a society desperately in need of the
art of rebuilding. We need to learn how to rebuild
hope, rebuild trust and rebuild our ability to
make commitments. What’s the number one
reason why rebuilding does not occur? Lack of
determination to start! Who’s going to
start? Say to yourself, “I will start”.
Come on, become a rebuilder! Stop relaxing, rebuild!!
Stop retreating, rebuild! It may be a relationship,
maybe a commitment. Determine to start.
Day 25 Devotional
“I am the vine; you are the branches.
If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will
bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” John
15:5
Thoughts from Josh
We can’t be satisfied with just making
a living; we must feel that we’re making
a difference! Some of you are thinking “I’d
like to try.” But the truth is, we need
to make a difference. Jesus gives us a promise
that tells us the secret to really making a difference
in this world. The secret is “remaining
or abiding in Christ.” People who make
a difference in this life are people who live
the joy of being chosen by God – of being
important to God Himself. You are chosen to be
significant – to bear “fruit that
will last.” Lasting fruit means changed
lives, new hope, real impact upon people’s
hurts. It is drawing people’s attention
to the eternal love of God, changing someone’s
eternal destiny by introducing them to the opportunity
we all have to place faith in Jesus Christ.
Day 26 Devotional
“If I speak in the tongues of men and
of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding
gong or a clanging cymbal.” I Corinthians
13:1
Thoughts from Josh
It’s not enough for love to just be exciting;
it also must be lasting! Paul writes to the Corinthians
amidst their turmoil and tells them the secret
of love that makes relationships last. What keeps
love alive and vital; how can you tell if love
is dying on the vine; and how can you know when
your love needs a miracle of resurrection? “Love
is patient…” I Corinthians 13:4
Many times love also means that I must wait for
someone else, wait for them to grow or to understand,
wait for them to heal or to get motivated. When
love begins setting deadlines, it is in real
trouble. There’s no better example of patient
love than in God’s love towards us!
Day 27 Devotional
“LOVE does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.” I Corinthians 13:4
Thoughts from Josh
When you begin to envy another’s relationships,
or boast about your relationships, or become
filled with pride about how well things are going
for you, these are all evidences of insecurity
in your relationship. If you felt truly secure
you would have nothing to envy, no need to boast,
you wouldn’t have to build your ego by
feeding it pride. Security is the #1 issue in
relationships. Add a little insecurity to the
best of relationships and love does not stay
alive. This is true even in our relationship
with God. Common sources of insecurity are hiding
something from someone you love, inconsistent
discipline from parents, not contacting older
parents. What one step could you take to make
that relationship where you are struggling more
secure? What difference might it make for you
to talk to or call someone today and say “No
matter what happens, no matter how ill you become
or how far apart we are…I will always
love you.”
Day 28 Devotional
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices
with the truth. It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.” 1Corinthians
13:6-7
Thoughts from Josh
Do you feel the way you act or act the way you
feel? It’s strange, our feelings can control
our actions… and yet our actions can also
control our feelings. The truth is, we get to
decide which will run our lives and our relationships.
Will it be the way I’ve decided to act
or will it be the way I happen to be feeling.
Day 29 Devotional
“When they had finished eating, Jesus
said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John,
do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes,
Lord,” he said, “you know that I
love you.” Jesus said “Feed my lambs.”” John
21:15
Thoughts from Josh
Who are you most in love with right now? If
you are a Christian your answer should be, “Jesus
Christ.” One of the goals of our lives
should be to fall in love with the Lord for a
lifetime: a love affair with Jesus that is personal
and intimate means to truly be in love with the
Lord. Jesus’ own disciples forgot… even
after seeing His resurrected glory. Jesus met
with Peter one day after breakfast on the beach
beside the Sea of Galilee. He taught Peter a
lesson in love. Put yourself in Peter’s
sandals for a moment… you’ll find
a greater sense of love for Christ than you started
with.
Day 30 Devotional
“A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John
13:34
Thoughts from Josh
How can you become a truly “loving” person?
All of us can, you know!! We can all develop
the inner capacity to truly love others. Jesus
expected that each of us could truly become loving.
How can it happen? You’ll never love better
until you act differently – it’s
just that simple. Isn’t it amazing how
easily we miss this simple point. In order to
love you must be loved. Your love won’t
go anywhere on an empty tank. The greater your
recognition of Jesus’ love for you, the
greater your capacity to love those around you.
Jesus said, “Love each other, as I’ve
loved you.” Jesus didn’t hand them
a book, He showed them love in living 3-D color.
Day 31 Devotional
“But just as you excel in everything—in
faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness
and in your love for us—see that you also
excel in this grace of giving.” II Corinthians
8:7
Thoughts from Josh
It seems strange that we as Christians need
encouragement to give when God has given so much
to us. But we do!!!! Generosity is now and always
has been an outgrowth of real faith. In fact,
faith always results in generosity. Why? Because
we have a generous God, and our faith makes us
more like Him. Because our faith causes us to
see our possessions as less important and to
see God’s purpose and God’s people
as more important. Giving starts with joy and
it results in joy
June Devotionals
Day 1 Devotional
“As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting
their gifts into the temple treasury. He also
saw a poor widow put in two very small copper
coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ he
said, ‘this poor widow has put in more
than all the others. All these people gave their
gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her
poverty put in all she had to live on.’” Luke
21:1-4
Thoughts from Josh
How could such a pittance be of any value to
a poor widow? It wasn’t enough to make
a difference; to buy a meal or rent a room or
purchase a robe. It was seemingly only enough
to remind her of all this widow had lost, all
that her life now lacked. Yet, they were all
that she had. She lived in a society in which
a woman without a husband was not allowed to
provide for herself. These two coins had become
her only security: all that she had left. Jesus
looked at this woman and saw not a poor widow,
but a woman of wonderful faith.
Day 2 Devotional
“No matter what happens, always be thankful,
for this is God’s will for you who belong
to Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18
Thoughts from Josh
We all know how a thanksgiving turkey fills
our stomachs. How does thankful living fill our
lives? We all know what it’s like to be
around the person who thinks the world “owes
them something.” That kind of thinking
fills a person with ingratitude and bitterness.
What about the person who recognizes through
thanksgiving the wonderful truth that God has “given
them everything.” That’s the person
with the truly magnetic personality. The attraction
is in their attitude of continuous joy. You cannot
find that attitude in our world apart from thanksgiving.
Day 3 Devotional
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable
gift!” II Corinthians 9:15
Thoughts from Josh
Let me call your attention to the most important “thanksgiving” we
have to offer. We should give the greatest thanks
for our greatest gifts. The Bible reminds us
that the gift of Jesus Christ is so great it
is beyond description. Thanks for that great
a gift demands more than a card or a few words.
Thanks to Jesus is given as we give our lives
back to Him. Give Jesus your past, depending
on Him for forgiveness and freedom. Give Jesus
your present, trusting in His direction for today.
Give Jesus your future, count on Him for the
hope that you need.
April Devotionals
|
