Our Daily Devo

Luke 10:33-34 "Then a Samaritan traveling down the road came to where the hurt man was. When he saw the man, he felt very sorry for him. The Samaritan went to him, poured olive oil and wine on his wounds, and bandaged them. Then he put the hurt man on his own donkey and took him to an inn where he cared for him." Jesus told the story of the Samaritan to His disciples and it is a story He continues to use with us today. It is within our human hearts, it has been breathed into us by God, to be of service to one another. Especially in times of need. In this turbulent environment, we find ourselves in, many of us are asking how can we help, what can we do? We would like to make the world a better place but we are not sure how to do it. Sometimes it is as simple as a kind and encouraging word. Other times it is doing good deeds. Open your heart to God, He will give you direction and opportunities to help others, it's up to you to take them, our world is in desperate need of more Samaritans.

Psalm 143:10 "Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness." God has a plan for our world and for our individual lives. It is sometimes difficult for us to understand His will because of our limited human understanding but He does not do things by accident. He is willful and intentional. Just because we can't understand His will doesn't mean we shouldn't trust. As our days unfold may we seek God's will. May we obey His word. May we find comfort and guidance in His Holy Spirit. May we gain the wisdom to live in His righteousness and in His peace.

Romans 8:35,37 "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. In our lives, especially during our current environment, we recognize turbulence that seems to separate us from God. Amidst the hardship, we can become separated and distant from His love. Amidst the hurt, we may ask ourselves, where is God's love? The answer is...everywhere. You see His love transcends space and time and as Creator, His love touches the darkest, smallest corner of every human heart. When we do our part, when we become passionate in our devotion to Him, when we sincerely open our minds and hearts to Him, His love does not arrive someday, it arrives immediately. His love surrounds us. It walks with us. Even in the most turbulent times of our lives, it is there. There is no separation as long as we seek it and accept it.

John 12:26 "Whoever serves me must follow me. Then my servant will be with me everywhere I am. My Father will honor anyone who serves me." In today's reading, Jesus calls us to walk with Him. We have the daily choice of walking with Him and serving Him. He tells us that when we choose Him, over the ways of our world, we are honored by our Heavenly Father. In Matthew 11:28 we see the promise that when we walk in the footsteps of Jesus we will learn how to walk freely and lightly. What an amazing way to live! It is our choice, one our Heavenly Father, and His Son wants us to take. If you find yourself worried, concerned, or confused about your life, choose to walk with Jesus. When you do you will live a courageous and confident life. You will walk free from fear when you walk with Jesus.

Psalm 112:7 "They won't be afraid of bad news; their hearts are steady because they trust the Lord." We live in a fear-based world, a world where bad news travels at the speed of light and one in which good news doesn't seem to do the same. These are troubled times we are in. Times where we have a legitimate worry about the future of our world, of our nation, and even within our families. But as Christians, we have every reason to live courageously. After all, the ultimate battle has already been fought and it has already been won on that cross in Calvary. Perhaps you, like many other believers, have found your courage tested lately. If so, God wants you to know that He is not only near, He is here. He is your Protector and your Deliverer. Call upon Him in your hour of need, and be comforted. Whatever your individual challenge, whatever your trouble, God can handle it and He will.

Matthew 18:21-22: "Then Peter came to Him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? "No!" Jesus replied, "seventy times seven!" While we may not forget the hurt that someone else brings against us, as Christians, we are called to forgive. As Christians we know there is no such thing as a perfect human, we all make mistakes and are sinners. What makes a Christian is the ability to forgive. Although it is difficult it is the right thing to do. Bitterness doesn't change the heart of the sinner but it does free ours from becoming hardened. You were forgiven long before you were born. Follow in the footsteps of Jesus. His example is the only one to follow.

1 Timothy 4:12 "Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." As followers of Christ, we ask ourselves an important question: "What kind of example am I?" The answer to that depends largely on whether or not we are positive influences on our own little corners of the world. Is your life an example of righteousness? Do your behaviors serve as a positive example to young people? Are you the kind of Christian whose actions, day in and day out, are based upon integrity, fidelity, and a love for our Heavenly Father? If so, you are not only blessed by God, but you are also a powerful force for good in a world that so desperately needs positive influences such as yours.

John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live." Our ability to envision the future, as our life here on earth, is limited. But our heavenly Father's is not burdened by such limitations. He sees all things, knows all things, and His plans for you endure all time. His plans for you are not limited to your short time here on earth, no he has bigger things in store for you. So praise Him for the gift of eternal life and share the good news with all who cross your path.

Mark 9:24 "Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord I believe; help my unbelief!" Even the most faithful Christians have bouts of fear and doubt. You are no different. This life is a series of successes and failures, celebrations and disappointments, joys and sorrows, hope and doubts. But even when you feel doubt and distance from God, God is never distant from you. When you sincerely seek His presence, He will touch your heart, calm your fears, and restore your faith in the future and in Him. We have two choices to make in dealing with the mysteries of God. We can wrestle with Him or we can choose to rest in Him.

1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous." God's word commands us to be compassionate, generous servants to those who need our support. As Christians, we been richly blessed by our Creator. We, in turn, are called to share our gifts, our possessions, our testimonies, and our talents. You see the measure of a life is not in its duration but rather in its donation. The thread of compassion is woven into the very fabric of Jesus' teachings. If we are to be disciples of Him we too must be zealous in caring for others. He expects no less from us.