Corona Devotionals

How can we discern between the truth and lies? We may pretend that truth is cut-and-dry, that age-brings-wisdom, or that intelligence "sorts" through facts and falsehood, but figuring out the truth (at any age) can be difficult. One hurdle is that we are comfortable with "what we have always known", and so even if there are cracks in the foundation of our traditions/rituals/belief, we cling to them fiercely. Another hurdle (in the opposite direction) is "new" doctrine/truth/findings/"science". We abandon past truths under the pressure/influence/propaganda/popularity of "new" truth. The Jewish people following Jesus had studied their Scriptures and their stories of faith passed from generation to generation. But when Jesus showed up, new Truth came onto their scene and into their lives and some did not allow themselves to receive it. We do not want to make the same mistake of "missing" God's truth in our lives today...

Captivity can creep in. One minute we are functional, "on-track", moving-right-along, stable. We know the Lord, we trust His truths, we have the perspective of His Word, and we are living in the freedom of His peace. And then I am not even sure how it happens...it can be sudden or it can be a slow leak, but the freedom fades. Thoughts imprison us. Stress enslaves us. Sin separates us. Worry barricades us. People penetrate our spiritual peace. And while we have (previously) known God's freedom, we become locked-up in (mental, spiritual, physical) confinement. Let God's Word cut our chains today. Let Him loose the labyrinths in which we are locked. When our circumstances, thoughts, and emotions imprison us, remember (and be released!) by what God has done for us . He has paid a full ransom for his people.  He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!  ~Psalm 111:9 The Lord Almighty has  paid a full ransom for us. ...

Lord, why is it in our nature to have " much to say " and to " condemn " others? For doing things differently than us...For seeing things differently than us...For raising their kids/managing their money/living their life/driving that speed/choosing that "doneness" on their burger or steak/for that haircut, that car, that... anything that others do differently than us can cause us to have " much to say " about them and to " condemn " them. But that is not God's way. An d we want to live God's way. He created us to in His image ( So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. ~Genesis 1:27 ) , and that does not just mean physical likeness. It means we were created to emulate God's heart, his love, his holiness to others, and we were also created not to emulate the things that He does not do. God's word reminds us today of what Jesus didn't do as He...

Good friends are hard to find, but when we do, they are a treasure. And the worth of true friendship exceeds the shallow value of money or success because there is a depth to authentic relationships that supersedes earthly value. It's priceless. If you have a true friend, then you know. And if we are a true friend, then we know. Jonathan was a true friend to David. Their stories and backgrounds were vastly different, but even upon their first introduction, there was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. (3) And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. (4) Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt. ( I Samuel 19:1, 3-4) Do we have anyone like that? I hope so. Are we a friend like that to anyone? I hope so. One of my best friends was a girl that I studied abroad with for 6 months. She was Danish and I was American, and let me tell you...

Sometimes, confrontation is necessary, but we must be properly suited up against our adversary. Do you have an adversary today? Maybe it's that person. Taunting. Flaunting. Bullying us continually through word, deed or even the mental war that wages in our minds concerning them. Or maybe it's that situation. At work, at home, in our head, or in the world. It won't go away and every day it taunts us, flaunts itself in front of us. Wages a war in our heart and mind. And sometimes, our worst and most critical adversary is ourselves. Critical. Negative. Taunting the worth of others over us. Flaunting our failures every morning and evening . Whatever it is, we all have giants looming over us somewhere in our lives. We can avoid them sometimes, but there are seasons when our adversaries tower over us. We feel tiny as they tower over us. Over time, we perceive the situation or person to be invincible, and we become used to cowering before it. The intimidation of ...

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,   (7)  rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.    –Colossians 2:6-7 Roasted turkey swimming in gravy, mountains of mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie piled high in whipping cream...these are a few of our favorite things on Thanksgiving. But the prep of them can take a little out of us. And the cleaning of the house/ourselves/family/language/"politics"... everything for the gatherings can take a little more out of us. And pretty soon, the intangible " thankfulness " that should be the root of T hanksgiving has been traded for all of the tangibles that go into this day. In a blink (or an outburst, or a short temper, or a failed moment), we are overflowing alright...but it is not with thankfulness. Sometimes it is a Bible verse that the Lord "uses" to wake me up from my pride, pity, or lack-of-tha...

Don't worry if we don't feel worthy of serving God today. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them ( I Samuel 16:7). We're too uneducated in the Bible? Too shy? Too short? Too tall? Too quiet? Too loud? Too sinful? All of those things might be hurdles for us. But not for God. “Don’t judge by...appearance or height...The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” ~I Samuel 16:7 And where are we/what are we doing as we wait upon the Lord for His direction in our lives? Are we paralyzed in the anxiety of what's next for us? Are we idle in the interim? We needn't be and we better not be. The Lord has given us gifts, passions, pastimes, careers and ministries to serve Him in as we live daily life. As we do the work of life, God will reveal what work of His is next for us to do. And we won't miss Him. When God sends for us, He will locate us right where we are at. So... w...