Daily Devotions (Page 28)

Psalm 139:23-24 Investigate me, God, and know my heart. Test me and know my troubled thoughts. See if there is any way in me that causes pain, and lead me in the way everlasting. Dear Heavenly Father, We like to appear as if everything is going okay, all is well, and there are no problems we are dealing with; we put on a good mask for the world. The problem is we live in a sinful world, and each of…

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us get rid of every burden and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with patient endurance the race that is laid out for us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the author of our faith and the one who brings it to its goal. In view of the joy set before him, he endured the cross,…

Psalm 139:1-3 Lord, you have investigated me, and you know. You know when I sit down and when I get up. You understand my thoughts from far off. You keep track of when I travel and when I stay, and you are familiar with all my ways. Dear Heavenly Father, This passage can be both comforting and yet terrifying. There is nothing you do not know about us; you know when we are on the move and when we stop…

Luke 12:32-34  [Jesus said] Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not become old, a treasure in the heavens that will not fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Dear Lord Jesus, We are not to be afraid about any of our…

Psalm 33:20-22 Our souls wait for the Lord. He is our help and our shield. Yes, in him, our heart rejoices because we trust in his holy name. May your mercy, O Lord, be on us, even as we wait confidently for you. Dear Heavenly Father, Forgive us when we are impatient, do not want to wait, or want help. Too often, we sound like little children claiming we can do everything ourselves. You created all people to be with you forever…

Romans 14:5-9 One person values one day above another. Another person values every day the same. Let each person be fully convinced in his own mind. The person who honors a certain day does this for the Lord, and the person who eats does this for the Lord, because he gives thanks to God. And the person who does not eat does this for the Lord and gives thanks to God. In fact, not one of us lives for himself,…

Romans 1:16-17  I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes—to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For in the gospel, a righteousness from God is revealed by faith, for faith, just as it is written, “The righteous will live by faith.” Dear Heavenly Father, It is hard to understand why anyone would be ashamed of the gospel—the good news of your love for us through Jesus,…

James 3:16-18 In fact, where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and every bad practice. But the wisdom that comes from above is first pure, then also peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who practice peace. Dear Heavenly Father, The daily news seems to highlight the world’s envy and selfish ambition. One person is hating or envious of…

Psalm 34:19 Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Dear Heavenly Father, You never promised your faithful followers that there would be no trouble in our lives for us. Instead, David reminds us that there will be many difficulties for believers. We have continuous struggles with the world, which criticizes our faith and values, insisting we need to accept those things they worship. Then, we face health struggles the same way the…

Psalm 34:1-3 I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth. In the Lord, my soul will boast. The humble will hear and rejoice. Proclaim the greatness of the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Dear Heavenly Father, There is nothing that we do before you in which we should brag. You remind us in Your Word that all our actions are but filthy rags—our sins taint everything we do. Please humble us so we remember…