Daily Devo

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And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. (Rom. 8:28)

Expanded Passage: Romans 8:28

God has an eternal perspective. In any circumstance or life event, it is helpful to be aware of the truth that God Almighty has been at work in that situation long before the events that you now see. You may need the reminder that God is at work now. And God is working well into your future. Past, present, and future—God is working all things for your good. With the aid of the Holy Spirit, leading and maturing us, we can give thanks to God in all things with the assurance that he is working for our good, even though we don’t always understand the reasons things happen.

Have you prayed a prayer that went something like, “God, you better be right”? Perhaps you’ve prayed that when the things around you made absolutely no sense. That prayer may not sound right, but it is a trusting prayer. It shows that we are spiritually mature enough to put our faith in the Lord as the only right answer for the situation. His definition of good is sometimes different than what we would call good. That being the case, we can pray: “Lord, I love you. May my dependence on you increase so that, no matter what happens, I will hold on to my relationship with you, believing that someday I will see your good hand at work in all things.”

Pray about something you don’t understand, then trust God to handle it.

Jim Dunn is the president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He previously served as the executive director of the Church Multiplication and Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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The Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (Rom. 8:27)

Expanded Passage: Romans 8:26-27

The scene had me driving home after a tough day at work, and I was compelled to pray. But no words were hitting my lips. Praying is something I have done daily in my private walk with God, and very often in public ministry life. Yet on this occasion, I could not find words to pray. All that came from my vocal cords were moans and groans. It frightened me a little since it was the first time this had happened to me. Yet that wordless prayer gave me a fresh perspective on prayer by those who cannot express themselves verbally, and also on the promise of the Word of the Lord about who represents me and my requests to God.

The Holy Spirit takes our wordless prayers and intercedes for us, fully aware and knowledgeable of God’s will for all situations and for our lives. Think about it: Our prayers are not judged regarding how polished or theologically correct they are as they come off our lips. Our prayers make it to God’s heavenly throne whether we can get the words out or not. When life is overwhelming, the Spirit of God puts words to our prayers. Even when we may not pray intelligibly or know what to say, the Spirit is faithfully praying in accordance with the will of God.

Pray about something that affects you deeply, and trust God to hear your heart.

Jim Dunn is the president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He previously served as the executive director of the Church Multiplication and Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. (Psalm 75:7)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 75

It was almost time for the annual local church conference when members would have the opportunity to vote for church officers, members of the local church board, and delegates to the district conference.

The custodian, a long-time faithful member, had access to the church office in the course of his cleaning, and he saw the list of nominees lying on the secretary’s desk. He noticed his own name on the list, and even before the nominees had been made public, he began boasting about his likelihood of being elected to the board. When the day of the local conference came, members faithfully marked their ballots. After the votes were counted, the outcome showed he had not been elected by a substantial margin.

It brings to mind the psalmist’s declaration that the Lord “brings one down” and “exalts another.” Another pertinent verse reminds us that “pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18).

We could not fault the boasting member for being pleased he had been nominated or even looking forward to serving in that capacity. But his boasting was not in the spirit of a humble servant.

If you have the opportunity to serve, it’s better to do it humbly, remembering that behind the voting process, the hand of the Lord is bringing one down and exalting another.

Serve the Lord and others with gladness, not with self-serving pride.

Ron McClung is a retired minister in The Wesleyan Church. He lives in Michigan and has two sons, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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They pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. (Rom. 9:32)

Expanded Passage: Romans 9:1-5, 14, 30-33; 10:1-3, 12-15; 11:25-27

The story goes that a man went to heaven and St. Peter stopped him at the pearly gates. Peter explained the qualifications for being admitted.

“You tell me all the good things you have done in your life, and I will tell you the point value for each item. It takes a hundred points to get into heaven.”

The man said, “I was married to the same woman for more than fifty years and I was faithful to her.”

“Great!” said Peter, “That’s worth two points.”

“Only two?” the man cried. “Well, let’s see. I also attended church faithfully each week and faithfully tithed my income.”

“Wonderful. That’s another point.”

“Only one? Well, I started a soup kitchen for the homeless and did many other good things in my community.”

“Super! Another point.”

“Only one more? At this rate, the only way I will ever get into heaven is by the grace of God!”

“Precisely!” said Peter. “Come right on in!”

Many people today think it’s all about the good things you do. If you do enough, you get in. If you don’t, you’re out of luck. It’s an age-old problem. Even the Jews, with the patriarchs and prophets in their background, still “pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.”

Thank God it doesn’t depend on our works, but “because of his mercy” (Titus 3:5).

Work for God; but depend on his mercy, not your good works.

Ron McClung is a retired minister in The Wesleyan Church. He lives in Michigan and has two sons, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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Israel has experienced a hardening. (Rom. 11:25)

Expanded Passage: Romans 11:25-27

Ever hear the exclamation, “It’s hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk”? It’s not an expression you are likely to hear this time of year.

However, in the hottest part of the summer, you might try putting a lump of clay and an ice cube on a scorching hot sidewalk. You will likely find two opposite things happening. The clay hardens while the ice cube melts.

Why the different response? The sun beating down on the two objects is the same. The sidewalk is the same. But the properties of the clay and ice make the difference.

In the lives of two people, the response to God’s mercy and grace may be different. He is the same God, and his Word has not changed. But people’s responses are different.

Although some people in Old Testament times responded positively to the Lord’s invitation to follow him and obey his commands, others “experienced a hardening.” Instead of being soft and pliable in the Lord’s hands, they hardened their hearts.

Throughout history many people have responded so positively to the Lord and used their lives to make a difference for his kingdom, that they have been dubbed “saints.” Today is All Saints’ Day, a time on the church calendar for honoring “all saints.” Their example can inspire us to walk in obedience to the Lord.

Instead of hardening your heart, become pliable in the Lord’s hands.

Ron McClung is a retired minister in The Wesleyan Church. He lives in Michigan and has two sons, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom. 10:13)

Expanded Passage: Romans 10:1-3; 12-15

It’s that time of year again when children in costumes go from house to house asking for treats, usually some sort of candy or other sweets. Often they knock or ring a doorbell and, when the door opens, they call out, “Trick or treat!” The veiled threat is that if no treat is forthcoming, some mischief may result, either on the residents or on their property.

A little historical digging reveals that this custom originated in Scotland and Ireland as far back as the sixteenth century. Those dressed in costumes on Halloween went from house to house and would put on a small performance with the hope of being rewarded with a treat.

As a child, I seldom had a “store-bought” costume. Rather, we dressed in old clothes and added a little grease paint or makeup to change our appearance.

Fortunately, when Paul wrote to the Romans, no trickery was involved, and no special costumes were needed. The plain truth is that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Salvation does not require any special pedigree. It doesn’t matter where you have been or what you have done. The rich and the poor alike may qualify to receive this “treat” from the Lord. Far from what we deserve, Paul calls it “the gift of God” (Rom. 6:23).

Call on the Lord with the assurance that he will hear you.

Ron McClung is a retired minister in The Wesleyan Church. He lives in Michigan and has two sons, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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“The one who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Rom. 9:33)

Expanded Passage: Romans 9:30-33

A young lady who went off to college was the first in her family to pursue higher education. In striving for a better life, she was sometimes ashamed of her background. She grew up in a rural setting. Hers was a simple family, and her father’s quaint ways embarrassed her.

For instance, he always said a prayer of thanks before every meal. Her sophisticated college friends, she knew, would find that strange. He also poured a little of his coffee into a saucer and blew it to cool it before drinking it. It was just one of the strange little customs of people in her community.

So, when she invited her new boyfriend home for the weekend, she asked her father if he would please refrain from his customary prayer and blowing on the coffee. He reluctantly agreed.

As the meal began, instead of offering the usual blessing, her father awkwardly picked up his steaming cup of coffee, put it tentatively to his lips, and said, “Well, here she goes, unblessed and unblowed!”

The Jews felt that anyone who died on a cross was cursed. What a shame to be identified with such a person. But Paul assured his readers that those who put their trust in Christ need never be ashamed. Far from being a curse, his death on the cross is a blessing to all who believe!

Refuse to be ashamed of our Lord; rather, revel in his blessings.

Ron McClung is a retired minister in The Wesleyan Church. He lives in Michigan and has two sons, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! (Rom. 9:14)

Expanded Passage: Romans 9:5, 14

Probably every child has said in frustration at one time or another, “That’s not fair!”

One child feels slighted because their parents won’t permit them to do what an older sibling can do. Or a student in school may feel the teacher gives one classmate a privilege that is not available to another.

Even adults may give in to the temptation to feel cheated. An employer may honor one employee over another. The person who feels slighted may think they have not been treated fairly. Actually, the honored employee may have done extra work or superior work and is entirely worthy of the honor. The reality is that the boss may honor whomever they wish.

Sometimes we may even think God is unfair. Maybe we don’t like his rules, especially if they run contrary to what we prefer to do. But as I heard someone say recently, “When you get your own planet, you can make your own rules. But for now, this is God’s planet, and we live by his rules.”

As Paul told the Romans, “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort but on God’s mercy” (Rom. 9:16).

If we’re honest, we all have to admit: If God treated us all as we deserve, we would still be lost. It’s because of his mercy that he adopts us as his children.

Consider God’s mercy and don’t worry about being treated fairly.

Ron McClung is a retired minister in The Wesleyan Church. He lives in Michigan and has two sons, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. (Rom. 9:4)

Expanded Passage: Romans 9:1-4

Johnson Oatman Jr. was born in New Jersey just before the Civil War. He joined his father’s mercantile business, and it became known as Johnson Oatman & Son. He also joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and was ordained into the ministry. However, he never became a full-time pastor, preferring to be bi-vocational. He enjoyed working in the world of business and it enabled him to minister without cost.

He began writing hymns and, according to some accounts, he averaged 200 hymns and gospel songs a year. He wrote perhaps 5,000 during his lifetime. One of his best-known songs is “Count Your Blessings.” The lyrics remind us, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

When we don’t count our blessings, we run the risk of taking them for granted. That’s what happened to Israel. Although they enjoyed the blessings of a covenant with God, the law to guide them morally, the temple in which to worship, and the many promises of God, they did not remain faithful to him.

What blessings has God given you? Martin Luther said, “The greater God’s gifts and works, the less they are regarded.” Unless we are intentional about remembering our blessings, we may, like Israel, take them for granted. Before the day is over, count your blessings.

Think, and then thank God for your blessings.

Ron McClung is a retired minister in The Wesleyan Church. He lives in Michigan and has two sons, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth. (Ps. 74:12)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 74:12-17

Maybe, like me, you know people that appear to be completely closed to any belief in God. Maybe, like me, some of those people are very close family members that for years have remained the same in their lack of belief. Or, perhaps, some of those people are those of a different people group or country that seems either uninterested in our faith or even antagonistic.

These verses, however, clearly state that God is King, and he does have the power to bring salvation on the earth! Working in Albania has given our family the joy and privilege of seeing this verse realized. One example is in the life of Rami. When we met Rami fifteen years ago, he was a Muslim and was well into his forties. One by one he had other family members who became a part of our church (and a couple who were a part of another) and started believing and following Christ. His own daughter boldly shared her faith with him. Now, not only is Rami a Christian, but he is a very outspoken one who takes every opportunity to speak with others about how they too should believe that Jesus is the Son of God and place their faith in him. God can bring about the salvation of others, whoever they are or wherever they are from!

Don’t give up; share your faith with others!

Caryl Aukerman is a wife and mother of three and has served with Global Partners for over seventeen years as a missionary in the country of Albania.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.