2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (ESV)

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Explanation:

As humans, and especially in our modern culture of constant comparison, we tend to look down on weakness and to exalt what we see as strength. Personally, I used to fight against any parts of my humanity that made me feel weak or vulnerable. I hated when pain or sickness limited my ability to fulfill my duties. I got frustrated when I made mistakes or didn’t live up to my self-imposed expectations. And I always tried to plan every detail out well in advance so I wouldn’t be caught unprepared. It took an unexpected life event two years ago for me to see how my constant straining for strength was limiting my walk with God. You see, it’s one thing to quote the verse that “God’s strength is made perfect in my weakness,” and another thing altogether to have the power of that promise become a reality in our lives! In order for me to access God’s strength in my struggles of that season, I had to realize that even the best of my human efforts were so feeble and always fell short. I had never understood how my disdain for weakness made me miss out on opportunities to call on God.

We often fight so hard against what makes us feel vulnerable, instead of allowing those weaknesses to push us toward God. Our greatest strength lies in constant dependence and reliance on Him. Every time we feel weak or vulnerable, it’s an opportunity to pull on God to fill that lack with His almighty power. He has promised us that His power works best in our weakness, because it creates room for Him to work. Only when we stop relying on our own strength can His supernatural strength be accessed. It’s a deliberate choice that needs to be made in every situation: not to run from our weakness, but to EMBRACE it. In that way, the areas where we feel a lack can become a great blessing as it pushes us to rely on the power that Christ freely offers us. If only we would begin, as Paul did, to be glad when we feel weak, because it becomes an impetus for the power of Christ to rest on us.

Application:

1. Think about areas in your life where you feel most weak or vulnerable. What is your natural response? How can you begin to view those areas as blessings that allow you to pull on God’s strength?

2. Spend some time in prayer, asking God to help you stop straining in your own strength, and to be in constant dependence upon Him. Ask Him to fill you with His supernatural power in those areas where you need Him the most.

Devo Plus:

Read Ephesians 1:3-8 to remind yourself of all the spiritual and heavenly blessings God has lavished on us, and allow Him to fill any voids you may feel today!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we are so grateful for the blessing of this new day. Thank You for pouring out on us so richly that we never have to lack anything as we depend on You. Remind us as we go throughout our days to reach out to You whenever we are in need, no matter how big or small, and to allow You the space to fill us up with Your supernatural strength. Help us to change our perspective, and to view weakness as a blessing that pushes us to rely on You. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

1 Peter 4:12-19 (ESV)

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Explanation:

In this passage, Peter is speaking to a group of Christians (most likely both Jews and Gentiles) who are scattered across Asia Minor. At the beginning of the letter (1 Peter 1:1), Peter addresses his audience as “exiles” or “aliens,” meaning they probably stuck out in the areas where they were living. They lived a lifestyle that was different than those around them. Have you ever felt this way? If you are a follower of Christ, and if you live a life that works to honor Him, do you ever feel like you are an “alien” in the world around you? Do you ever feel persecuted, judged, or laughed at because of the standards you have or the choices you make in your life? I think the people who Peter is talking to felt that way.

In the verses we are looking at today, Peter addresses how the audience (and us today) should feel about these persecutions. He says not to be surprised by the persecutions, but to expect them. If you’re like me, you’re thinking, “Great. I can’t wait for persecutions.” That’s not a very encouraging phrase to hear, is it?! The encouragement comes from looking at the big picture. When we live a life that works to model Jesus’s love, we will be persecuted for it. People won’t understand why we live this way. People will be upset that we have standards. But the good news is, we are suffering with Christ, and “you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” That should encourage us. We are being a light for God!

I am having first-hand experience right now with what this passage is teaching. Someone who I love is experiencing persecution for the choices he is making to glorify God. In a conversation with him this week, he shared that he’s not ashamed of his choices. He knows it’s the right thing to do; he WANTS to make these choices, but it’s just hard. At times he’s being made fun of, people are being rude to him, he feels left out. My heart broke for this person, and I shared in his pain of it being hard. It’s hard to live a life that reflects God in a world that doesn’t always want to see God. I shared some of my struggles with this very same thing. I’ve been made fun of, mocked, uninvited, called names. But I’ve also experienced the joy that comes with serving God. I’ve experienced those same people who made fun of me, later down the road, ask me for advice or tell me they are desiring the peace I have in my life. The persecution isn’t in vain! God can use any situation we face, any environment we are in, to do good things. The trials may be hard, but the reward is worth it! I encouraged my friend, and I’m encouraging all of us, to keep at it. Don’t give in when the trials come. Stand firm in the knowledge of who God is and that He will not forsake us, even when life is tough!

Application:

1. What are some challenges that you face as a person who is striving to be like Jesus?

2. Are you sad, stressed, or lonely today because of any of those trials? If so, take a few minutes to talk to God about this, and ask Him to encourage you today.

3. Have you faced any challenges in your life due to the fact you are a Christian? If so, have you seen God be faithful to help you during those times? Reflect on God’s faithfulness right now, and thank Him for what He has done in your life.

4. What are some practical things you can do in your life to prepare for “the next challenge” that comes about? (Ex: develop relationships with other Christians who can encourage you [Connect Groups are a great place to do this!], spend time daily in prayer/devotions, implement healthy habits in your life)

Devo Plus:

Make a list of God’s faithfulness in your life. List the times when God has been there for you and brought you through situations. Thank God for those times, and keep that list handy. When you are going through the next tough time, go back to that list and remind yourself that God is faithful and is with you.

Prayer:

God, what a blessing it is to have passages like what we read today. Christ suffered for us, and when we suffer, it is a small comparison to what He experienced. While we don’t look forward to suffering, we can be encouraged that it is for Your glory. Help us to persevere and live a life that reflects You. Please comfort us and give us strength.

Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Explanation:

If we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, then we are justified, literally “made righteous” in God’s eyes. The redeeming work of Christ on the cross is undeniable evidence of God’s grace—extending to mankind a love and forgiveness we do not deserve. And it is by this grace that we will one day stand justified before God to receive our eternal reward.

If the first part of this passage is proof that God loves us, the second part is proof that He loves us too much to leave us the way we are. Why does God care so much about my character? The answer is here— “God’s love has been poured into our hearts…” If God’s love is in my heart, then I’m going to love the things God loves, and God truly loves people (John 3:16). My character should reflect the love God has for those who have yet to place their faith in Christ. My character matters because people are watching how I live; and with God’s stamp on my heart, then my actions, my reactions, and my words should bear witness to His saving grace.

Jesus warns that we will have trouble in this life (John 16:33), and James echoes the words above that endurance is necessary for character development (James 1:3-4). The reality is that this life is not about us; it’s about taking as many people to heaven with us as possible, so they, too, can stand in God’s grace. How better to model such grace to an unsaved world than to let them see unshakable peace in the middle of a storm?

Application:

1. How does suffering produce endurance?

2. How does endurance build character?

3. What is the connection between character and hope?

4. D.L. Moody said we should preach the gospel at all times and, if necessary, use words. Can people around you see Jesus in the way you endure life’s difficulties?

Devo Plus:

2 Peter 1:5-8

Prayer:

In your alone time today with God, ask Him to reveal to you any character flaws that He wants you to work on. Ask God to put people in your path who need to experience the same grace God showed you.

Romans 4:18-25 (ESV)

In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Explanation:

This passage is filled with hope and promise. Many people have heard the story about Abraham and Sarah having a child after years of trying. I think that over time, we lose context of how the incredible gift of a child was bestowed to them. It wasn’t like God told Abraham and Sarah they would have a child and she was pregnant the next day. In fact, they waited 25 years after God made that promise to them. In my terms, that’s half of my life. They spent half of the years I have been walking on this earth waiting on God. I cannot imagine how painful that wait must have been. Let’s not discount the fact that Abraham and Sarah weren’t exactly “spring chickens” at this time, either; he was 100 and she was 90. Yes, people lived a little longer in those times, according to scripture, but 90 is still a big number when we’re talking about growing a human inside of you.

How easy would it have been for Abraham to say to himself, “God must have been mistaken. I’m old. She’s old. It’s been over 20 years and nothing has happened. I guess the promise wasn’t meant to be after all.” Did he do that? Nope, instead of giving up and walking away, Abraham grew in his faith and belief in God’s promise. The passage above says that Abraham’s faith “was counted to him as righteousness.” This means that he was fully committed. Fully engaged. Fully persuaded into believing the promise that God gave him.

Waiting on God and understanding His plans for us can be challenging. About three years ago, my fiancé (now husband) and I both felt called to do something. Things were “full speed ahead” for about a year. Then suddenly, as things were motoring along just fine, the brakes were pushed, and the wheels locked up. We still feel the call, but there’s something that God is keeping us waiting for that we can’t see. How do react while you’re “in the waiting”? I’ll be honest with you. I’ve got some work to do. Some days, I’m like, “God, whatever it is that you want me (us) to do, I’m ready.” Unfortunately, though, after waiting for a time that seems like forever, some days I find myself saying “God, whatever.” At those times, I’m definitely not embracing Abraham-like faith; I’m pouting because I haven’t received instant gratification.

In the same way that Abraham and Sarah were promised a child, we have also been given a promise through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are called to have faith and trust in God even when we have no idea what’s happening. Even on the days when we’re tired of waiting, and we feel ourselves saying “God, whatever.” We can trust that God is good, He loves us, and He has a plan for us. Faith like Abraham’s is not easy. Like many things today, faith of that caliber is counter-cultural. Even so, God’s promises are as real today as they were thousands of years ago. Scripture is full of God fulfilling His promises to those who are obedient and faithful. While you’re here, in the waiting, it’s time to “sell out” to what God is asking of you. Believe. Obey. Wait. Obey some more. Wait some more. He will fulfill His promise to you, even if it’s years in the making.

Application:

1. Think of a time (maybe now) that you’re waiting on God to show you something. How do react while you’re “in the waiting?” Is God waiting on YOU to be fully persuaded?

2. The Bible is full of promises, one of which says that God will give us everything we need for each moment we are alive. If you’re struggling to embrace that promise, take a moment and ask God to grow your faith and belief of the promises in your life.

3. If you are in a season of waiting, as difficult as it may be, it’s time to embrace it. Here’s a bonus testimony: While my husband and I are in this season of waiting, God has brought several new people into our lives who we’ve been able to connect with in many ways. In one fashion or another, we’ve been able to bless or be blessed by these connections. If we stop and take a breath long enough, we can see that even in the waiting, God is faithful and wants to bless us.

Devo Plus:

Read about some of the other promises in the Bible that can be found here: Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:8, Matthew 11:28-29, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Isaiah 40:31, Philippians 4:6-9, James 1:2-3

Prayer:

Today, I’m praying that God would give me more faith in the waiting, more ways to believe that His promises in the Bible are still promises for me today. I am asking for the strength to trust and obey that He is good, and His love for me is unfailing.

James 2:20-24 (ESV)

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Explanation:

James has often appeared to be a thorn in the side of Paul. Martin Luther, the 16th Century theologian and reformer, called the book of James an “epistle of straw” because of its seeming contradiction to Paul. In this passage, James discusses Abraham (the same example Paul uses in Romans), but has a different conclusion: that justification is by works, not faith alone. So, the question remains, is James contradicting Paul? To which I answer a resounding, NO!

To start, James is addressing a different context than Paul. In Romans, Paul is explaining how faith in Christ stands over and against Jewish identity as the justifying factor with God. James is calling believers to a type of faith that does not stop at mere mental assent, but actually transforms and changes a person’s life (something Paul will emphatically affirm later in Romans).

Both James and Paul would say if the gospel and your belief in Christ does not change you, you might want to examine the type of “faith” you have. This isn’t a legalistic, “get it perfect to be in the club” type of faith. Rather, it is the type of faith that engages and trusts in God, and sets us on a lifetime journey of surrender, repentance, and relationship. For James, if there is no evidence of trust (particularly in a love for others), there is no real trusting, no matter how much you say you believe in God (2:18-19).

Application:

1. For James, faith produces obedience. Is there something God is calling you to trust Him in today?

2. Do you have behaviors or thought patterns that are off limits to God’s Spirit? Can you identify them, and begin to process why they are off limits to Him?

3. The other side of this is God’s gracious patience with our change. Is there a behavior or thought pattern that has been a source of shame for you that you need to surrender to God?

4. What do you think is the difference between feeling bad about a sin and actual repentance?

Devo Plus:

For further study, read all of James 2 and Romans 6-8 to understand how Paul and James see eye-to-eye, more than what appears in this passage.

Prayer:

Father, help us to genuinely trust You. Where we have something that is difficult for us to release to You, remind us of Your love You displayed through Your Son on the cross. Help us to walk in faithful obedience to You. Help us to trust that You are inviting us into more and fuller life. Help us to repent of the things that so often pull us away from You. Amen.

Galatians 3:1-11 (NLT)

Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?

I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.

In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.

What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.

But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Explanation:

In this passage from Galatians, Paul is fired up when speaking to the new converts to Christianity in Galatia. For starters, he says he’ll “ask one question” but instead asks five, all with the same intended effect: to question why they would begin believing something they were convinced was true, just to abandon it again in favor of their broken selves? In The Message version of the Bible, Paul alleges that they “no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus.” He (not so) gently reminds them that their new lives began by responding to God’s call to trust Him, and explains that it is ridiculous to then think they can “complete” this salvation by their own efforts. God began their heart transformation, and He promises His Holy Spirit to continue walking with them, so long as they continue to trust His guidance.

Paul explains to the Galatians, and therefore us, that trusting in God is not a new idea; it started with Old Testament servants like Abraham, was perfected when Jesus was sent as our Savior, and continues with our own belief that faith in God alone is enough. We have an opportunity to share in Abraham’s blessing by sharing in his faith. Abraham’s righteous life began with a choice, just like ours does: to believe, trust, and loyally follow God. And because of His faithfulness, this same choice is offered to us today.

But on the contrary, if we know the truth that Jesus is our only path to eternal life and still continue our “rule keeping” ways, Paul asserts that we will forego that blessing and instead be under a curse. Keeping the law perfectly, both then and now, is just not possible. Nor was it ever meant to be: the law held the place until Jesus, God’s perfect Son and sacrifice, was sent to take our past and future punishment upon Himself. Make no mistake, satan is real, and wants you to believe that your faith isn’t enough. But his lies are exposed by God’s truth that faith is all that is required. Our faith should be foremost, whether we are new believers or lifelong Christ followers. God’s message for Abraham was just as life changing for him as His message of Jesus is to us. And it should always remain that way. Let us be worthy to be called children of faith!

Application:

1. Who does Paul say make up the “real children of Abraham”? Does this have anything to do with our individual backgrounds? As Paul would say, “Of course not!” It has only to do with what we choose to believe. So, if you haven’t made that choice, now is the time! The scriptures are STILL looking forward to you becoming righteous because of your faith!

2. Obedience to God is a good thing, but Paul makes it clear that we receive the Holy Spirit by what?

3. Have there been times in your life when you have tried to “keep yourself saved” by your own obedience? Have you ever required this of others? How can we recognize this so we can avoid doing so in the future?

4. Paul asks the Galatians if they, “have experienced so much for nothing.” What are some things you have experienced because of your decision to follow Jesus? What are some things you have experienced when deciding to follow your own will?

5. How does being in right standing with God through faith alone affect your heart?

Devo Plus:

Read about Abraham and all of the ways he was faithful to God, beginning in Genesis 12.

Read Romans 9:8 and see that it is us, the “children of promise,” who are considered Abraham’s true offspring. What an honor!

Prayer:

Father God, thank you so much for choosing Abraham to put Your perfect plan for us in motion so many years ago. Because of Your love for us and mercy on us, we can be in a real, living relationship with You just by believing in all You promise us. Your blessings are all around us and your Holy Spirit guides us always, even when we can’t sense it. Help us to both appreciate this great news in our own lives, and be bold enough to share it with others, so all of Your creation has the opportunity to be called Your children. Amen.

Hebrews 11:8-10, 17-19 (ESV)

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Explanation:

Hebrews 11 largely focuses on faith as a whole. The chapter begins with the explanation of faith, “Now faith, is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not yet seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Then to further show the importance of faith, there are examples of people who lived in full faith and obedience in the Lord.

Our passage today begins to focus on faith in the life of Abraham. It states that Abraham obeyed in faith to God’s promise of his inheritance, so the very first thing he did was obey. In each moment for Abraham, it began in faith. He obeyed in faith, he dwelt in the land of promise in faith, and he was tested in faith. We see a dramatic representation of full faith in God when Abraham was told to sacrifice his only son. Abraham responds in true faith and obedience, knowing that God was great enough to raise his son from the dead and to keep His promises.

Being reminded of such faith in the past should challenge our hearts to live fully in faith and obedience, trusting the Lord with every part of our lives. God not only has proven time and time again that He wants what’s best for us, He is also faithful time and time again, and we can trust in Him.

Application:

1. Why is it important to see Abraham respond in faith?

2. Think back on your life. Have you responded to God’s call in complete obedience?

3. What are the areas in your life you need to have faith in?

4. What are some real and tactical ways you can be reminded of God’s faithfulness to you, and how you can lean on Him more?

Devo Plus:

Read Genesis 12:1-4, James 2:14-16, and 1 Peter 1:22 to get more insight into this passage.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for being a God who is faithful to His promises, for being a God who loves us enough to care for each and every one of our plans. Help us to hear the things You are calling us to, and help us respond confidently in obedience, having full faith in You and Your plan. We are so grateful for Your word and the constant reminders of the ways You have been faithful in the past, and we can be so encouraged that You always will be faithful. We love You, Father, and we pray all these things in Your mighty Name. Amen.

Romans 4:13-17 (NIrV)

Abraham and his family received a promise. God promised that Abraham would receive the world. It would not come to him because he obeyed the law. It would come because of his faith, which made him right with God. Do those who depend on the law receive the promise? If they do, faith would mean nothing. God’s promise would be worthless. The law brings God’s anger. Where there is no law, the law can’t be broken.

The promise is based on God’s grace. The promise comes by faith. All of Abraham’s children will certainly receive the promise. And it is not only for those who are ruled by the law. Those who have the same faith that Abraham had are also included. He is the father of us all. It is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.” God considers Abraham to be our father. The God that Abraham believed in gives life to the dead. Abraham’s God also creates things that did not exist before.

Explanation:

God made a promise to Abraham. If Abraham surrendered his life to trust and obey God, he would become the father of many nations (essentially the beginning of God’s people and lineage). At the time when God made this promise to Abraham, there was no Jewish law to abide by. God simply wanted Abraham’s heart and life, a life lived and walked out in obedience because of his relationship with God. And Abraham did just that.

Many years later, the Jewish law was put into place. Jews began to look at the law as the end all-be all. The law was what they were to follow and obey. This would have been the case during the time Paul was writing the book of Romans. But in today’s passage, we see that God would disagree. Yes, it is good to follow the law and be obedient to it. God did give the Jewish people the law so they would know how to live a life that honored Him, but it was not what would end up saving them. The same is true for us as well. For both the Jews during that time and for all of us now, it is our faith that makes all the difference. We receive the promises of God when we make the decision to walk in relationship with Him, when we choose to place our hope, faith, and trust in Him alone.

For me, this passage is one I often struggle to believe. I am a perfectionist who always wants to make sure I am doing what is right. Unfortunately, I have seen this then play out in my relationship and walk with God. I often catch myself trying to earn my salvation. I know that is not what it takes to receive His promises, but it is a struggle for me. This passage is an incredible reminder that I don’t have to have it all together, because let’s be real, I don’t. It reminds me that I will mess up and I will have bad days, but it is my faith and my relationship with God that matters. The closer I draw to Him and the deeper my relationship is with Him, the stronger my faith becomes. I am thankful today that I don’t have to do everything perfectly in order to receive His incredible grace and promises. I simply have to place my trust and faith in God.

Application:

1. What do you find yourself doing in order to “earn” your salvation?

2. Why will this never be a way to receive His promises?

3. Why is it often hard for us to accept God’s free gift of grace and salvation?

4. How could simply accepting this free gift and promise change your life? How could it change how you interact with God?

Devo Plus:

I encourage you to listen to the song “Nothing Else” by Cody Carnes. It is a great reminder that God is all we need.

Prayer:

God, I know many others feel the way I do. We want to always do what is right, we want to be obedient, and for some of us, we often strive for perfection. We recognize it is our relationship with You that makes all the difference. Help us to look to You, to trust in You, and to grow in our faith every day. We cannot thank You enough for the promises we receive when we walk simply in faith, and trust who You are and what You will do in our lives. We surrender all to You today. Amen.

Genesis 15:1-6 (NLT)

Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”

But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”

Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.

Explanation:

The Pledge:

I will protect you

I will reward you

The Plea:

I am childless

I need an heir

The Plan:

You will have your own heir

As many as the stars in the sky

The Power:

Because Abraham believed the Lord

The Payoff:

The Lord counted him as righteous!

“Because he believed the Lord.”

It is one of my favorite sentences in the Bible. It literally grabs me when I read it.

There is such reciprocity in this passage, such a lovely back and forth between God and Abraham.

A flow of trust and blessing.

Oh to be Abrahamic in our believing God.

I squandered peace at a critical juncture in my life because even though I believed in God, I didn’t believe God.

There is a big difference.

When my son’s wife died six years ago, I believed in God, but I did not believe God.

I did not believe God would care for Christopher’s heart during such loss. I simply did not believe my son could endure it. I didn’t pray or read my Bible for months. Like a pouty child with my bottom lip out, my arms crossed, my brow furrowed and stomping my foot, I wanted my own solutions for my son's heart.

Had I just believed God, that I could trust Him with Christopher’s heart, I could have experienced God’s peace in the midst of grief. It would have been a clean grief. Instead, I forfeited what I so desperately needed. When I finally humbled myself to admit to God that I did not believe Him, but I wanted to, He helped me.

He proved me wrong in dramatic fashion.

Just like Abraham, who wanted one heir but God gave him millions, I wanted Christopher to survive but God wanted him to thrive!

Today Christopher is flourishing in every way imaginable, in ways beyond my wildest dreams.

Application:

1. Abraham received a bonus for believing God. Instead of receiving just one heir, he was given countless heirs and declared righteous. We serve an “above and beyond God.” Abraham was declared righteous by God...just because he believed.

2. Does the joy God feels when we simply believe Him, resonate with you? Does this help you see that you can bring God pleasure just by believing Him?

3. God is talking to Abraham because Abraham is experiencing fear. When you fear what lies ahead, how does the memory of Abraham embolden you?

4. The mere fact God promised Abraham that his heirs would outnumber the stars speaks to God’s lavish love. What arena in your life needs lavish love today? Will you believe God?

Devo Plus:

Paul said from prison, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed to him, until the day of His return!” (2 Timothy 1:12)

Prayer:

Lord I believe; help my unbelief. Amen.

Romans 4:1-12 (NIV)

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Explanation:

What’s wrong with this statement? I once heard someone say, “Sure, I’m a Christian. My parents took me to church as a kid, and that makes me a Christian, right?” I’ll come back and answer this question.

My dad was the godliest person I know. Not only did he worship every time the church doors were officially open, on his days off work, he would also go and mow the church lawn, mop the church kitchen floors, and balance their financial sheets. He and my mom started a new church in our basement. Not in a school gym somewhere. Our basement. And as the church exploded in growth and needed a full-time pastor to lead us, he gave our house…our house, not some piece of clothing or some canned goods…he gave our house to the church because they needed somewhere for the new pastor to live. We rented an apartment.

I never heard my dad say a negative word against anyone. Always kind, always generous, always willing to help, my dad set for me an example of true discipleship. I recall a summer Sunday night baptism service. A teenage boy didn’t bring a change of dry clothing. My dad took me to the car and had me strip down to my underwear to let this young man go ahead and be baptized. I was humiliated. But it was in my dad’s DNA to just help. To care and be generous.

My dad did everything you were supposed to do as a Christ follower. He tithed, went to church, attended Sunday School, served, and prayed. Because my dad modeled that life for me, that alone makes me a Christian, right? Nope. Not at all. That answers the original question above. My dad wasn’t a Christian because he performed certain rules and regulations. My dad was a Christian because he accepted Christ as his savior. It was solely my dad’s faith. It’s only through my faith. And yours. In our passage of scripture above, Abraham wasn’t “IN” because he did a religious ritual. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Romans 4 is all about the faith of Abraham. It was his faith, not his works. And it’s only through your faith. Have you made that decision?

Application:

1. Are there any areas in your life where you just go through the church motions?

2. To be made right with God, just believe and accept by faith that what Jesus did on the cross paid for your sins.

3. If you do that, then you are a part of God’s family. You can live the way He wants you to live now, and then later in heaven for eternity. That is righteousness.

4. Now give thanks to God! We can ALL be saved, no matter who we are, what we’ve done, or how long we’ve done it.

Devo Plus:

Romans 3:20 says, “No one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are” (NLT).

Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved” (NLT).

Prayer: If you have NOT made this decision yet, please pray this prayer.

Dear God, thank You for the choice You’ve given me, to accept or reject Your offer of salvation. Today I humbly ask You to save me—not based on what I’ve done or the ritual I perform, but based on what Jesus Christ did for me. I don’t understand it all, but as much as I know how, I want to put my trust in Your Son. Amen.