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RECOVERY (What people in recovery look like.)
No current secrets; resolving problems; identifying fears and feelings; keeping commitments to meetings, prayer, family, church, people, goals, and self; being open; being honest; mak- ing eye contact; reaching out to others; increasing in relationships with God and others; accountability.
âFâ = FORGET PRIORITIES (Denial; flight; a change in whatâs important)
Secrets; bored; less time/energy for God, meetings, and church; avoiding support and ac- countability towards people; superficial conversations; sarcasm; isolating yourself; changes in goals; flirting; obsessed with relationships; breaking promises/commitments; neglecting family;
âAâ = ANXIETY (Getting energy from emotions.)
Worry; using profanity; being fearful; being resentful; replaying old, negative thoughts; per- fectionism; judging othersâ motives; making goals and lists you canât complete; poor planning; mind reading; fantasy; masturbation; pornography; co-dependent rescuing; sleep problems; trouble concentrating; seeking/creating drama; gossip;
âSâ = SPEEDING UP (Out-running depression.)
Super busy; workaholic; canât relax; driving too fast; avoiding slowing down; feeling driven; in a hurry; canât turn off thoughts; skipping meals; binge eating (usually at night); overspend- ing; canât identify own feelings/needs; repetitive, negative thoughts; irritable; making excuses for âhaving to do it allâ; dramatic mood swings; lust;
âTâ = TICKED-OFF (Getting high on anger; aggression.)
Procrastination causing crises in money, work, or relationships; sarcasm; black and white, all or nothing thinking; feeling alone; feeling that no one understands; overreacting; road rage; constant resentments; pushing others away; increased isolation; blaming; self pity; arguing; irrationality, canât handle criticism; defensive;
âEâ = EXHAUSTED (Out of gas; depression.)
Depressed; panicked; confused; hopeless; sleeping too much or too little; canât cope; over- whelmed; crying for âno reasonâ; canât think; forgetful; pessimistic; helpless; tired; numb; wanting to run; constant cravings for old coping behaviors; thinking of using drugs and alcohol; seeking out old unhealthy people and places; really isolated; people are angry with you; self-abuse; suicidal thoughts
âRâ = RELAPSEReturning to the place you swore you would never go again. Giving up; giving in; out of control; lost in your addiction; lying to yourself and others; feeling you just canât manage without your coping behavior, at least for now. The result is usually shame, condemnation, guilt, and aloneness.
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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Matthew 21Jesus makes His final trip to Jerusalem before His death. He is honored and praised by many as He fulfills prophecy by riding in on a colt. Jesus goes into the temple and upsets the Jewish leaders by overturning the money tables and healing the lame and blind. The next day the leaders question Him, but they are silenced by His wisdom. He goes on to tell them two parables. The first is about two sons, one of whom said he would do good and then did not do it. This was an indictment of these chief priests and scribes. The second story is about vine growers who decide to kill the ownerâs son to seize his inheritance. This is a prophecy of what the Jews are planning to do to Godâs Son.
The contrast in this chapter is striking. So many followers worship Jesus as He enters the city. He heals many in the temple and they rejoice in Him. They believe in Him, and they will enjoy life in His kingdom. At the same time, the men in the temple are disrespecting the Father and have a fervent hatred for the Son. They question Him and seek to accuse Him. This same Jesus invokes two very different reactions. Sadly, Jesus knows they will not repent. He tells parables and quotes Scripture to indicate that the kingdom will be removed from them. Christ would be a rock of foundation for some and would crush others. They made their choice. Have you?
All powerful God, Creator, and Sustainer, thank you for sending Jesus to be our Savior and King. His message is strong and demanding. But Father, He is also the source of all grace and peace. So many in this world fight His teaching and seek to eliminate Him and seize their inheritance. Great God, may we forever forsake a life apart from Jesus. Help us to always stand upon the Rock and never be crushed by it. Father, will you lead us today to tell someone about the two paths of life and show them and teach them to choose Jesus?
Thought Questions:
- If you were alive in Jesusâ day, would you have laid your coat on the road and praised Him as He entered? How can that spirit be shown today?
- Jesus said His disciples could move mountains âif you have faith and do not doubt.â How can your prayer life show God you believe that?
- How can you avoid a hard heart that sees the evidence but simply will not believe it? Has Jesus convinced you of His Lordship?
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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Matthew 20âSo the last shall be first, and the first last.â Jesus explains this teaching with a parable. Workers are hired throughout the day, each agreeing to a dayâs wage. At the end of the day, every worker is paid the same amount. Those who were there first were angry. The point here is about Godâs willingness to save anyone, and our need to be humble and grateful. The disciples struggled with this at times. Later in this chapter, even after Jesus describes His coming death, the mother of James and John asks for her sons to have exalted positions. All the disciples get upset with this. Jesus informs them that the kingdom is about service, mercy, and selflessness. Jesus then demonstrates this by healing two blind men who begged for help.
Those who pridefully yearn to be first in the kingdom may miss it altogether. If Jesus had been that way, He would not have died for us, and we would be lost. The parable of the workers is designed to humble the Jews because many would later be upset by Gentiles being added to the kingdom. But it is also important for us. Maybe we are like the disciples, hoping to be rewarded for our labor. If our focus is on ourselves and what we deserve, then we miss the whole point of the kingdom. We might miss that compassion for others and service to others, even those who come after us, is what Christ and His kingdom are all about.
Kind and caring heavenly Father, thank You for being so patient with us. We sometimes get caught up in our accomplishments and our efforts and can lose sight of the fact that we are saved only by Your grace. Give us humble hearts to be grateful to be in Your vineyard and to never compare ourselves to others. Your Son died for each one of us. He took the low place to raise us up. Give us hearts and opportunities to do the same for someone in need today in honor of our humble Savior.
Thought Questions:
- If you had worked all day, would you accept latecomers getting paid the same as you? How does this parable challenge you to check your heart?
- What does this phrase look like in your life, your home, and your relationships: âWhoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servantâ?
- If Jesus can stop mid-mission and heal two blind men out of compassion, how might you be able to do something like that today?
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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Matthew 19The Pharisees again seek to test and discredit Jesus. Here they ask Him about divorce: âIs it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at allâ? Jesus answers by going straight to Godâs word in the beginning. He then explains that the kingdom of heaven will be open to those who treasure marriage in a holy and righteous way. Following this, a rich man comes to ask about eternal life. While he is willing to keep the law, the man is not willing to give up his riches. Jesus responds by saying that it will be very hard for the rich to enter heaven. Jesus gives powerful instruction: treasure your spouse and be charitable with your money! For those who do such, they will inherit eternal life.
The greatest impact of this chapter is the dual concepts of marriage and money. Both still dominate the landscape of life today. They each have the potential to be very good for us and to honor God. But they have also been abused and twisted to dishonor Godâs will. Jesusâ teaching on marriage goes back to the very beginning when God united a man and woman for life. May we always enter and continue in marriage with that goal in mind. Money, on the other hand, is often kept selfishly when it should be given to help others. The rich need to hear Christâs call to generosity. Those who sacrifice to honor His teachings will reap blessings now and eternally.
Wonderful Creator, give us the humility to live Your way, even when it is difficult. Your Son has beautifully answered lifeâs most challenging questions and we pray for ears to hear. Please help us to approach marriage in a way that honors You. We pray for committed hearts, even in challenging situations, so far as it depends on us. And Lord, as rich and prosperous people, we pray for help in being generous and kingdom focused. Give us strength to trust in You, and to demonstrate that trust in our homes, with our wallets, and in every possible way.
Thought Questions:
- How is the new law of Christ more difficult than the law of Moses? Is it easier to fight for a marriage or to divorce your spouse and leave?
- What are ways you can show Godâs love in your marriage? And among the world, how do you show a charitable heart to others in need?
- If you make great personal sacrifices to honor the will of Christ, what will be the rewards you can enjoy now, and what is coming later?
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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Matthew 18If the previous chapter called for greater faith, then todayâs content serves as a potent way to develop it. The chapter opens with Jesus teaching humility to His disciples by having a child come sit on His knee. He instructs them to do whatever it takes to avoid causing such little ones to stumble. They are of tremendous value to God. Christ instructs disciples to go to great lengths to restore those who are caught in sin. Sinners should be disciplined if they continue in sin, but disciples will need forgiving hearts for restoration efforts to work. To help with this, Jesus tells a parable of a man forgiven nearly infinite debt, but who will not forgive his brother of much less. Judgment is swift upon such a one.
Growing in our trust in Jesus can be cultivated by embracing four words: humble, careful, useful, and merciful. Four sections in this chapter illuminate each one. To be like a child is to be dependent on Christ, leaning upon Him for all we need. Be humble. But we also must see our fellow believers as Godâs children. God will respond dramatically if we hurt His little ones. Be careful. Sometimes disciples get caught in sin and need help seeing their way out. We are called to go to them. Be useful. This means limitless forgiveness and compassion for others, as we reflect on Godâs patience in our lives. Be merciful. In these four ways, we honor our Savior.
Gracious Lord, we praise You for Your qualities that bring us great hope. You are humble, serving when You have the right to be served. You are careful, and patiently help us develop. You are useful, in that You never stop trying to draw us close and help us turn to You. And You are incredibly merciful and forgiving, restoring us every time we make a request. Thank You for Your incredible goodness. Today, will You help us and encourage us to demonstrate these same qualities toward others? May we do so to others to show gratitude to You.
Thought Questions:
- What does it mean for you to be âconverted and become like childrenâ? Why do you think the kingdom requires people like this?
- How do you balance the need to be careful with others with the command of Jesus to go show fault to a brother in sin? How can you do both?
- Why did the man seize his neighbor who owed him little, even though he had been forgiven so much? What do we learn from this?
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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Matthew 17Jesus takes His closest three disciples on a high mountain and is transfigured right before their eyes. Peter, James, and John are amazed at Jesusâ face shining like the sun. The Father then speaks and says, âThis is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!â Following this incredible event, Matthew records something unfortunate. A boy has a demon that the disciples cannot cast out. Jesus is frustrated at their unbelief, stating this as the reason they fail to help the boy. Jesus strongly advises prayer and fasting! Faith would be crucial very soon, as Jesus again describes that He must die and be raised on the third day. The chapter ends with Jesus casually fetching poll-tax money from a fishâs mouth, indicating how little such things are of concern to Him.
We have every reason to believe in the power of Christ. He is Godâs Son and is testified as such by the Father Himself. We must live by faith in Him. This does not mean we always understand everything about Him. The disciples had questions about what to do on the mountain and the significance of Elijahâs appearance. A lack of understanding is not a lack of faith. But later, the disciples did not trust in Christâs power to cast out demons through them, and Jesus was extremely upset by their doubt. They needed more prayer and fasting to fortify their trust, especially with great trials coming. We may not always understand, but we must always believe!
Glorious Father of Light, thank You for announcing and proving the name of Jesus. By Your proclamation, and by Jesusâ miracles and life, we believe! Help our unbelief, wherever it may be found. Father, will you hear our questions and continue to be patient with our lack of understanding? We pray this will not be counted as a lack of faith. But Lord, strengthen us to never doubt what Christ can do with us, around us, and through us. Help us to do great things in the name of the One who died and was raised again.
Thought Questions:
- What would it have been like to see Jesus shine as the Father spoke of Him from heaven? What does it look like to live today as if you had seen it?
- How would prayer and fasting have made all the difference in the disciples being able to cast out demons? What can those practices do for you?
- If Jesus casually paid poll taxes even though He had every right not to, what does that teach us about where our focus and attention should be?
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If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)
Youtube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]
Sponsors:
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website: www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com
Phone: 205-326-7364
Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487
I'd like to include the text from Philippians 2:1-5 - Think about the changes Jesus made and why He did so. What if He hadn't done that? What if He waited for us to get to Him? What if He wasn't willing to take the hit since none of this was His fault? Jesus was humble, loving, and exhibited the perfect attitude. Let's learn about that and put it into practice in our lives and relationships.
2:5 Have this attitude [e]in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be [f]grasped, 7 but [g]emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and [h]being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death [i]on a cross. 9 For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. -
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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Matthew 16As Jesus begins to expand His ministry toward Jerusalem, He lays out some strong and needful teaching for His disciples. Firstly, the Pharisees and scribes are false teachers. They always seek signs because their hearts are not open to the truth. Their teachings are unkind, unlawfully binding, and must be avoided. Jesus then turns attention to âWho do people say the Son of Man is?â His point is that He is the only way, truth, and life. His church is built upon the confession of Jesus as Christ, the Son of God. He follows by explaining that the road to glory would require His suffering, death, and resurrection. The disciples struggle with this, but eternal life requires His sacrifice as well as sacrifices by all who follow Him.
There comes a time when things need to be plainly spoken. Christ was patient with the Pharisees, but it was time to warn the disciples away from their form of teaching. His church would welcome all but would only be enjoyed by those who confess Him as Christ and the Son of God. The path of faith would lead to heaven but would require extreme and total submission to Godâs will, perhaps even suffering or death. In the judgment, people will be willing to do anything to get to heaven, but the saved will have made that commitment during their lives here on earth. Jesus has extensively spoken to us about discipleship. Are we willing to submit and follow Him?
Great Creator and all-powerful God, teach us a form of belief that is willing to make hard choices. There are teachings around us that are false. Help us to reject them. There is a single truth that dominates the Christian: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Give us the boldness to stand upon it in every part of our lives. Jesus gave everything to become our Savior. Guide us to be thankful and to put forth our lives as sacrificial offerings to You in gratitude and allegiance. Forgive our failures and strengthen us to be ready when Your Son returns.
Thought Questions:
- The Pharisees demanded signs, even after Jesus had shown them so much. Has Christ done enough for you to be faithful to Him?
- If the church is built upon the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, what should that statement look like and mean in your life?
- âFor what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?â (16:26)
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Matthew 15The scribes and Pharisees are back on the scene, renewing their accusations against Jesus and His disciples, this time about the washing of hands before eating. Jesus points out how these teachers violate the actual commandments of God for the sake of their traditions. Their interpretation of the law has taken precedence over the actual teachings of Godâs law! Jesus reveals this is happening because of their hearts. They should be less concerned about othersâ dirty hands, and more concerned with their unholy hearts. This is set in contrast to the great miracles that follow. A Canaanite woman begs for healing for her daughter, and Christ commends her faith. Jesus heals many by the sea, as they glorify God. He then feeds another group of over 4,000 people, demonstrating His compassion once again.
This chapter features two very different categories of people. On the one hand, the Pharisees are supposed to be the most knowledgeable and righteous people in Israel. However, they prove to be harsh and hypocritical and ultimately miss out on the immense blessings of Christ. Set in contrast, a Gentile woman, who knows she is unworthy of Jesus, begs for His help in faith. All those who pursue Jesus are healed, fed, and blessed. We must be careful because knowledge is good, but only from pure, humble, and holy hearts. We must never let knowledge make us judges of others. May we always humbly bow before Christ, side by side, begging for His help and showing mercy to others.
Kind and Loving Father, will you seed in us Your heart of compassion and consideration of others? We thank you for the Scripture, for knowledge, and for wisdom. But Lord, we pray those things do not foster within us hearts that are hard or filled with pride. Help us to never elevate ourselves and bind things on others we have no right to bind. Open our eyes to know Your Truth, and never a truth of our own will and design. And Father, keep us humble, always placing all our expectations and hope in the grace of Your beloved Son.
Thought Questions:
- How can you grow in knowledge without becoming like a Pharisee? Why is your heart such a powerful factor in that process?
- Can you have convictions and âtraditionsâ you interpret in Scripture without weaponizing them to judge others? What does this require?
- Why is Jesus always saving and blessing people who know so little? How can you be like these people, even as you grow in knowledge?
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Matthew 14King Herod hears of Jesusâ works and believes John the Baptist has risen from the dead. Sadly, John was beheaded by Herod, not many days before. Matthew records the details of that event. John was bold and faithful at the cost of his life. The rest of this chapter records Jesusâ actions after hearing of this. He seeks seclusion but He is also drawn by compassion to keep healing the people. Jesus feeds the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. Jesus then sends the disciples out in a boat, as He goes to the mountains to pray. Coming to them walking on water, He commands Peter to come out of the boat. Peter becomes frightened and Jesus asks him and all of them why they continue to doubt Him!
Jesus loved John the Baptist. He was no doubt deeply grieved by Johnâs death. John gave his life to preach the truth, even though he opposed powerful people. This chapter reads as if Jesus has some expectation of His disciples. He is effectively saying: âMy cousin just died for this cause. Is this resulting in deeper faith among My disciples?â He challenged His disciples to feed the 5,000 before doing it Himself. Jesus called Peter upon the water, before having to reach out and save him in his doubt. Jesus is looking for results. Godâs Son expects followers, including you and me, to grow in faith, move past doubt, and be changed by His power and His sacrifices on our behalf.
Devoted God and Father, thank you for Your willingness to endure loss for our sake. It must have been painful to watch John die, knowing that soon after Your only begotten Son would give His own life. And it must have been frustrating to see disciples still stumble in unbelief. Thank You for your patience in our weakness and thank You for continuing to demand we deepen our trust in You. Lord, help our unbelief. Train us to carry out Christâs work in faith and to walk on water through any storm, with our eyes on Jesus.
Thought Questions:
- What kind of faith must John have had to preach morality to one who had the power to end his life? Do you and I have that kind of courage?
- Are you comfortable with Christ expecting deeper trust from you? Why is that important for the benefit of the people in your life?
- Would you have asked to walk to Jesus on the water? And more crucially, what does that faith look like in the storms of life today?
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Matthew 13In this packed chapter, Matthew records seven earthly stories Jesus told to make spiritual points. He begins with the parable of the Sower and the seed, which teaches the Gospel should be shared with everyone, but few will have the right heart to accept and share it. Then attention turns to the wheat and the tares, indicating that God is patient, waiting until the judgment to separate the saved and the lost. The parable of the net and fish makes this same point at the end of the chapter. Mixed in are stories about a mustard seed and pecks of flour. Two seemingly small things would grow and affect everything around them, just like Christâs kingdom! Jesus pictures His kingdom as a priceless pearl and a treasure, worth every cost to possess.
These parables are Jesusâ way of helping us understand the kingdom He was coming to establish as well as the kind of people who would be in it. Many would hear the gospel and reject it, or let the world pervert it, but only a few would take it in and build their lives around it. Right now, God allows all to live on this earth, but a time is coming when He will gather His people, the faithful, and the rest will be destroyed. We must see a relationship with Jesus and His people as the greatest treasure of our lives. The kingdom started small and seemingly insignificant, but now it reaches through time and affects the entire world.
Wonderful Father, thank you for sending Jesus to teach us about His kingdom. Thank You for His parables. They give us unforgettable imagery to help us understand spiritual things. Help us to be the good soil, to take in the word, love it, and let it grow and produce. Strengthen us not to be distracted by affliction, worries, or wealth. There is no greater treasure than the kingdom of Christ. May we believe that and embrace it. Help us understand that judgment is coming, and that an eternal separation will follow. Lead us to belong to You.
Thought Questions:
- How do you measure which kind of soil you have been lately? What is the best way to soften your heart and be more like the good soil?
- If God is allowing wheat (saved) to grow with the tares (lost) until judgment, there must be a reason. What do you think that is?
- What cost would you pay to possess citizenship in the kingdom of Christ? In what ways is your life demonstrating to God the truth of that claim?
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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Matthew 12The opposition of the Pharisees has been ramping up through Jesusâ ministry and takes center stage in this chapter. Christâs disciples eat grain heads on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees take the opportunity to accuse them of sin. Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees conspire to destroy Him! Jesus heals a man of demonic possession, and the Pharisees accuse Him of having a demon. All along Jesus puts them in their place. His disciples violated no law by eating on the Sabbath, for Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath! It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, including miraculously healing a lame man. Jesus works with the Spirit, not with the devil, and all who suggest such will be eternally judged for the sin of blasphemy.
Jesus goes on to say that speaking against the Spirit is worthy of eternal punishment. These evil accusations of the Pharisees indicate rotten, jealous, selfish hearts. He also exclaims that many nations of old repented on less evidence than Jesus was providing, indicating the Pharisees are far from God. We need to be humble enough to look at the Pharisees and ask, âHow have I been like them?â Jesus is worthy to be worshiped, honored, and followed. We must love Him from the heart. We must love and serve His disciples as our family in the body of Christ. He defends and loves His saints. We should not be attacking or accusing others. We must be faithful supporters of one another in Christ.
Patient and Gracious God, please bear with us as we grow in our faith. Help us purge the spirit of the Pharisees in our hearts and lives. Give us wisdom to listen, to learn, and to love. And extinguish in us any desire to immediately question, judge, or attack our Lord or anyone in His family of believers. Humble us to hear His call to repentance and to respond. May the unclean spirits that flee from us by your grace not return to find a place of abode in our hearts and relationships ever again.
Thought Questions:
- What does it mean for Jesus to tell the Pharisees, âI desire compassion and not sacrificeâ? How important is compassion in evaluating others?
- If Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, eternal God, and Healer of others, what place should He hold in your life today and what does that look like?
- How important should the Christian family be to us? If we are all Jesusâ âbrother and sister and mother,â how do you demonstrate that in service?
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If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]
Sponsors:
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website: www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com
Phone: 205-326-7364
Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487
Here is our primary text for today's episode:
I Corinthians 6:9-20 (With Parenthesis around Quotes)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 12 âAll things are lawful for me,â but not all things are helpful. âAll things are lawful for me,â but I will not be dominated by anything.13 âFood is meant for the stomach and the stomach for foodââand God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, âThe two will become one flesh.â 17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. "Every other sin a person commits is outside the body", but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. -
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Matthew 11John the Baptist is in prison at this point in Jesusâ ministry. John sends his disciples to inquire of Jesus. This is part of Johnâs initial intention of giving all glory and attention to the One who would come and who would be greater than him. Jesus says wonderful things about him and his ministry but powerfully adds that those who are least in the kingdom of heaven are greater than John. Sadly, many have not believed so as to realize that immense blessing. Jesus openly rebukes those who have denied the evidence, noting that many nations of old would have repented by now with such powerful proof. This saddens Jesus. He desires to call all unto Him, to lighten their heavy burdens and provide rest for their souls.
âAre you the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?â This is a powerful question. They are asking Jesus if He is the Messiah of prophecy and Johnâs teachings: the Savior of the world. Jesus did not simply answer yes. He spoke of His miracles and message. He had proven Himself to all who would look to Him. Many had hard hearts and would not submit, even though they had every reason to believe. Please do not let your fear, pride, and burdens keep you from repenting and turning to Jesus. Even if you are a Christian, keep renewing your gaze toward Him. He deserves and demands to lead your life. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
Oh wonderful God of glory, all praise to You for sending Your Son to lift our burdens. Thank You for all the incredible things He did and said during His ministry, so we can know for certain how able He is to be a Savior and Helper to us. Give us the humility to come to Him. Help us to embrace the yoke openly and earnestly that He desires to place upon us. May we learn from Him how to be loving, gentle, and humble, so that the goodness of Jesusâ yoke can be shown to others.
Thought Questions:
- Can you explain what Jesus meant when He stated that those who are least in the kingdom of heaven are greater than even John the Baptist?
- Why do so many try to push their way into Christâs kingdom without repentance? Why is repentance so crucial to belonging to Him?
- With all the struggles we face, how would you explain to someone that Jesus has given you rest and lightened your load in this life?
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Matthew 10Jesus summons the twelve apostles and gives them the power to work miracles. He sends them out to the Jewish people to preach the coming kingdom of Christ. This becomes an early lesson to the disciples that some will openly embrace the gospel, but many will not. He notes that they are like sheep sent out amidst the wolves. But even under persecution, they are told âDo not worryâ for the Holy Spirit of God is with them. If Jesus was rejected by some, so too will they be rejected. Do not fear what man can do to you. Only fear God who sees and knows all. The Gospel will unite some in joy, but it will also be a sword of division for others, even in oneâs own household.
The most uttered instruction in Scripture is this: âDo not be afraid.â Twice it is spoken of in todayâs read. The call to discipleship is not one of ease. If it was, Christians would not be tempted to fear. The disciples were given the most wonderful tools: the approval of Jesus, power from heaven, and the Holy Spirit. They were then challenged to use those tools to herald the coming kingdom in this world. That mission would draw negativity and persecution. And so it will be for you and me. Being on a mission means sharing the Light of Christ in this dark world. This can lead to trouble. Even so, we must boldly take up our cross and follow Jesus.
All-knowing God and Father, give us the faith and wisdom today to know You are with us. Help us to live courageously in faith, accepting that not all will embrace the light of Christ. But Father, may we never fear rejection or persecution, knowing these are moments where we demonstrate that Your Son rules our lives. I pray that You are the only One we fear. Please present opportunities for us to reach seeking hearts and use us to show them that there is no joy in life as complete as taking up our cross and following Jesus.
Thought Questions:
- Is the Gospel so great, and your fear and love of God so absolute, that you will stand for what is right no matter how others react?
- With Christ ruling and the Spirit within us, what does it look like to be fearless in telling others about the Gospel and Godâs Power?
- How can you start with your family? If taking up your cross and following Jesus is for every day and everywhere, how does that look in your home?
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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Matthew 9This chapter furthers Matthewâs mission of demonstrating the glory of Christ through miracles. Like the previous chapter, he lists quite a few of them: Jesus heals the paralytic, He heals the woman with 12 years of blood flow, He raises a young lady from the dead, heals two blind men, and casts out demons! The purpose of these miracles is to demonstrate some wonderful things about Jesus. First, He is compassionate. He feels for people and seeks to help them. Second, He has the power to cleanse souls of sin! The physical miracles prove His miraculous power to do all things. Third, this chapter continues to prove that there are no limits to Jesusâ authority. He controls the body and soul, life and death, and the physical and spiritual realm.
Jesus is the most wonderful gift the world has ever known. But some religious leaders refused to accept Him. They question His ability to forgive sins. They question why He dined with sinners. They even attribute His healing power to demons! They were jealous and selfish and refused to trust in Jesus and give Him the control He deserved. May you and I never let our limited knowledge and understanding foster such doubt. Contrary to these men, a desperate woman was healed, and another was raised from death by simple, trusting faith in Jesus as Godâs Son. Christ acts in our lives because of our faith. May we be less like the Pharisees and more like those humble, blessed believers!
Heavenly Father, God of compassion, thank You for sending Your Son to show the world the perfect combination of power and mercy. Thank You for His willingness to feel compassion for those hurting spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Help us to see how beautifully Christ demonstrates His authority to heal and help and comfort those who fully put their trust in Him. May we be those people today, in prayer and faithfulness to Him. Lord, the harvest is plentiful. There are so many struggling and in need of Jesus. Give us the humility, selflessness, and boldness to share His name openly with others.
Thought Questions:
- Has Jesus proven to you that He has the power and willingness to forgive your sins? If so, how will you approach Him in prayer today?
- How can we sometimes be like the Pharisees in how we see others, misunderstanding how desperately Jesus wants everyone to be saved?
- Do you have compassion for the hurting? If this Christ-like quality is in you, what can you do today to spread the love of Jesus to another?
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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Matthew 8Matthewâs gospel has a purposeful structure to build out the authority of Jesus. Chapters 1-4 tell the story of Jesus in prophecy. Chapters 5-7 are filled with Jesusâ life-changing teachings. Now, in chapters 8-9, the focus is placed squarely on miracles. In todayâs short chapter, we are gifted the following stories: the healing of the leper, the healing of the Centurionâs servant, the healing of Peterâs mother-in-law, the calming of the sea of Galilee, and the demons cast into the swine. This list forms a dynamic way of showing the power of Jesus over all things. Upon closer examination, it shows He can heal the body, He has authority over space and time, He overpowers the spiritual forces of darkness, and even the natural world obeys His mighty will.
Where can we go to escape the jurisdiction of Jesus? And why would we even try? These stories give us tremendous confidence in how Christ can benefit our lives. As a man was burdened with decay through leprosy, so are we with physical sickness and spiritual death. Jesus, filled with compassion, promises to heal us of spiritual disease, and often helps with our physical needs! Jesus casting out demons reminds us that He is mightier than Satan and his workers. Without Christâs power and presence, we would be helpless in the spiritual warfare beyond our sight as well as the daily storms of life. Jesus alone has the might to protect us. May we put our faith and trust in Him.
Oh Great God of majesty, may we take a moment today and be in awe of Your limitless power over all things. Thank you for demonstrating Your might through Jesus Christ. The natural world, the spiritual world, the human body, and the soul, are all subject to the glory and ability of Jesus. May our faith never limit the display of His power. Father, the storms of life often distract us. Help us to never give in to fear, but to turn to our Savior and call upon His presence to calm the storm and hold us close.
Thought Questions:
- What will happen if you approach Jesus with your sins like the leper in todayâs chapter? How does Jesus respond to such humility?
- How far does the authority of Jesus reach? Is there any request you can make in faith that will be too much for Jesus? Go for it!
- If Jesus controls the storms and the demons, two things outside of you and beyond your control, how should that affect how you pray today?
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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Matthew 7Jesus concludes His timeless sermon by challenging disciples to think properly about judgment. Judging others sometimes drifts into Godâs side of things. And many times people are judging from a place of deception about themselves. In other words, they do not see things clearly, and their judgment is clouded. Jesus tells His disciples to examine themselves and pray fervently for God to help them, to give them clarity, and to make them who they need to be. Perhaps from that place, one can weigh the deeds of another. Few are willing to be so humble. And few will be saved. Many will be like the false prophets in their motives. But not Jesusâ disciples. They will hear Christ and seek to obey Him and be like Him in all they do.
Passing judgment on others is a temptation we all face. Sometimes it is done in sincerity and with their best interest at heart. But all too often it may say more about our shortcomings as the one judging. Always be humble. Always start by looking to yourself and follow that closely with a prayer to God. Ask God for clarity, wisdom, and help to love others by doing what is right toward them. Determine what to do to others by what you would have them do to you. In the end, look for proper fruit in yourself and them. Hear Jesus and do Godâs will, and you will be on a solid foundation in every situation, in both calm and storm.
Holy heavenly Father, all praise to You for your kindness and patience in how you judge Your servants. Thank You for always being near us, for hearing our prayers, and for giving us good gifts. Dear Lord, empower us to bear good fruit in Your honor. We know this means doing Your will and being more like Jesus. We ask for help in doing that, especially when it comes to treating others with patience and mercy. In every season, in sunshine or storm, we will put our trust in You and stand upon the foundation of Your Son.
Thought Questions:
- What does âdo not judgeâ mean to you? Are you careful to treat people the same way you would have them treat you?
- Are you turning to God in prayer to ask for wisdom before addressing others? Can we bear good fruit without Godâs daily and personal help?
- Will you act on the will of Jesus today? What is one thing from the sermon on the mount that you can stand upon to face lifeâs daily storms?
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Days, Week, Years - These are the best metrics for progress. Living in day tight increments are the building blocks for a better life. Daily routines and habits that help with incremental change can become impactful and measurable in a year's time. So years are awesome time frames for seeing what is possible and whether something should become a life habit. But there needs to be a cyclical flow throughout, a cadence to keep things moving. The seven day week is perfect for the job. Starting on a day of worship and fellowship and rest, flowing through the grind of the work week, and ending with a wild card day to catch up or relax... embracing the layout of the week has become a powerful change agent for me. Let's explore how to make the weeks for you instead of just slipping by.
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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Matthew 6As the sermon on the mount continues, Jesus explains that righteousness is not just about what we do, but also why we do it. To illustrate, Jesus uses three examples: giving, praying, and fasting. Charity is a staple in the discipleâs life, but it must be for God and others, not ourselves. Prayer is a powerful testimony of faith, but it must be about fellowship with God, not the praise of others. Fasting is about focusing on God, not impressing others. This is all about treasure in heaven with God, not this earth. Jesusâ disciples are not worried about the things of this life because they live for heaven. They trust in God, live for Him, and know that He will take care of them if they seek Him above all else.
Jesus touches on sensitive topics in this chapter: giving to the poor, praying faithfully, and fasting from things to give attention to God. These are all challenges in our busy lives. How can we grow in them? Start from a place of love for God and others, and then be thankful for these outlets of praise. Carry that heart into the area of money and worry as well. These have choked out the word in many lives. We cannot serve God and money. We cannot live in anxiety and be courageous in Christ. Put His kingdom first, pray continually, and allow the Spirit to mold you, practicing righteousness from the heart, one day at a time. Do not worry about tomorrow.
Righteous God, teach us to yearn to serve You daily. Help us to give to others as You bountifully give to us. Humble us to pray privately, grateful that You listen. Strengthen us to fast from earthly things, so we can show You are first in our lives. May we live to store up eternal treasures. Thank you for Christâs spiritual victory, so we know that life is more than money and possessions and that there is no reason to worry over earthly things. We will seek You first and cast aside worry and fear in Jesusâ name.
Thought Questions:
- Why do you do righteous things? From charity work to prayer to fasting, how should that be centrally about God and your love for Him?
- How does âthe Lordâs Prayerâ place you in the right state of mind to take on the day in faith? What piece of it means the most to you today?
- Are Godâs people different when it comes to the allure of wealth and the worries of an uncertain world? How? What sustains us in all of that?
- Se mer
