Devotional Blog
Why was He allowing this?
Good morning Saints!
Today is September 11th. We remember this special day because on 9/11/2001, terrorists hijacked planes and flew them into the World Trade Center Twin Towers and the Pentagon, killing thousands of innocent people. Additionally, plans for another hijacked plane headed for Washington DC were derailed by a group of heroic passengers led by Todd Beamer. They wrestled for control of the plane from the hijackers and caused the plane to crash into a field in Pennsylvania. Although they lost their lives, they saved many others who would have died had the plane reached its target.
Most people who lived during these terrorists attacks remember where they were that day. I was in South Bend, Indiana, at our church when the spouse of a daycare worker called and said to turn on the TV. I watched in horror as the attacks took place.
I wondered about God. Why was He allowing this? Then my faith arose and I knew that no matter what is happening, God is always good and His plans are always good.
Isa 55:9
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Lisa Beamer’s hero husband, Todd, rushed the cockpit on the plane heading to Washington DC and successfully thwarted the terrorists’ plans. He was killed as the plane crashed instead into a Pennsylvania field.
Lisa shares, “God says, ‘I knew on September 10, and I could have stopped it, but I have a plan for greater good than you can ever imagine.’” She says, “I don’t know God’s plan, and, honestly, right now I don’t like it very much. But I trust that He is true to His promise in Romans 8:28.”
Let’s trust God and His ways, even when we do not agree or understand them. One day we will fully understand His good and perfect plans.
Isa 55:12
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Walk as Jesus did!
Good morning Saints!
As followers of Jesus, we are commanded to make disciples. This command assumes we are faithful followers since we cannot teach what we do not know.
Mt 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
By God’s grace, let’s learn the ways of Jesus and emulate Him. Let’s deny ourselves and take up our crosses daily. Then we will make Jesus disciples, fulfill our destinies, and help bring America a new heart for God!
Phil 2:6-7
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
1 Jn 2:6
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Wait, all I have to do is ask?
Good morning Saints!
God is a good, good Father! He guides, directs, and gives only what will bless us.
Mt 7:7
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
When we ask persistently by faith and with an open heart, we find our way into Kingdom blessings.
As we seek His ways our Father guides us. And when we knock, we are taking the brave step to open new doors and opportunities!
Revelation 3:8a
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.
Let's not shy away from asking for what we need, whether it's guidance, strength, or provision. Asking is a step closer to understanding our purpose.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
A challenge or an opportunity?
Good morning Saints!
When trials inevitably happen, we can view our challenges as opportunities for growth and blessing.
Jam 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James calls us not to simply endure hardships but to persevere with purpose and hope, knowing that our trials have a positive role in our walk with Jesus.
In persevering, we don't just passively withstand; we actively engage in the process of transformation. Each trial forges our faith as it is tested and strengthened. It molds us into individuals who reflect Christ more clearly.
2 Cor 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Let's recognize that our trials can reflect Jesus. Through them we will know deeper the love of God that surpasses understanding!
Love the lost and build each other up
Good morning Saints!
As the signs of the times seem (emphasis seem) to indicate, we are in the last days.
Jd 1:18-19
In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
Certainly there are plenty of scoffers these days. Scoffers are those who mock or ridicule faith in Jesus Christ. Personal gratification is sought over self-sacrifice and selfless love.
We must not let the self-gratifying message of our culture divide us. Instead we should seek every opportunity to fellowship and encourage each other to follow Jesus by denying ourselves daily and taking up our cross.
Jd 1:20-21
…build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Let’s love like Jesus, love the lost and build each other up in our most holy faith!
There's only one debt encouraged by God
Good morning Saints!
As followers of Christ, we should want to live below our means. For example, if our income is $100, we will tithe $10 and ensure our expenses are below the remaining $90. This approach helps us avoid debt by living responsibly.
However, there is one area where debt is encouraged—the debt to love others.
Rom 13:8
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
This "debt of love" suggests that while we should satisfy financial obligations, love is a perpetual requirement that never truly ends. Paul emphasizes that when we love people, we fulfill the essence of God’s law. This aligns with Jesus' teaching regarding the Great Commandment which highlights that all God’s commands are rooted in loving Him and others.
Let’s continually seek out ways to love others. It must be our ongoing pursuit as love is the fulfillment of the law (cf Rom 13:10).
This will make the church grow EXPONENTIALLY
Good morning Saints!
While studying church history, I learned that the Church had unprecedented times of growth during persecution.
1 Pt 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Often during times of persecution, our faith grows as we resolve to follow Jesus. We prioritize fellowship and developing a strong sense of purpose and love.
Rom 5:3-5
…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
The Church grows as we wholeheartedly follow Jesus. As one, we know He is worth it all!
