Proverbs 22:4 (ESV)

The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.

Explanation:

In his translation of the Hebrew Bible, Robert Altar gives an alternative reading of this passage (also found in the ESV footnotes). “What follows humility is fear of the LORD, wealth and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4, The Hebrew Bible, A Translation with Commentary). Both essentially carry the same meaning, but the reading provided by Altar shows a clear progression. A humble heart in turn leads to the fear of the LORD, and fear of the LORD in turn leads to wealth and honor and life.

I love hiking. Nothing does my heart good quite like some time walking in the woods. To access a trail, you start at the trail head, the entry to the trail. Humility acts as the trail head on the path to true life and reward. Without humility, you cannot fear the LORD. Without fearing the LORD, you will not walk in His ways. Without walking in His ways, you will not fully find the love He has for you or the value He places on you. Without knowing His love for you, you will never find the peace and security He has designed for you to have.

All that we desire in life is found in the fear of the LORD, and the beginning of the fear of the LORD is a posture of humility.

Application:

1. What one thing is taking away your peace right now?

2. What would it look like if you approached this with humility?

3. How do you think God would have you handle this situation? If you are not sure, take some time to pray and ask God how He wants you to handle it.

4. If you humble yourself and walk in God’s path for this situation, how do you think it will turn out? Are there any fears to overcome? Is the reward greater than the fears? Ask God to help you to overcome these fears.

Devo Plus:

Do a google search on “What does the Bible say about Humility,” and explore the topic of humility throughout the Bible.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me to humble myself today. I need You to lead me on the path to life, and I know I cannot even begin to walk that path without a humble heart. Please, let me humbly walk in Your ways. Give me the courage to take the steps You lead me to, so I can find the life You desire for me! Amen!

Romans 8:16-18 (ESV)

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Explanation:

Like the Apostle Paul in today’s reading, we might have a similar discovery about why anyone would want to endure suffering in this life. So, let’s consider what exactly Paul is trying to say. First, Paul suffered greatly in his life. He shared the “whys” behind his reasoning for suffering as his Savior did. Paul understood very clearly what the suffering of Christ produced in our lives. As he states, Christ’s sufferings allowed us to get the opportunity to spend eternity with God. Christ was an heir to everything God had for Him, and when we place our lives in Jesus, we become the beneficiary (or heir) along with Christ. Our glory may not be an eternal throne or kingdom-ruling power as Jesus received, but what is promised to us is a glory that is better than anything we could ever experience in this life.

This means that when we choose to follow Christ in the way He has designed, and as we live in a very broken world that is inundated by sin, suffering will naturally occur. This will look entirely different in every one of our lives, but we all must cling to the hope that with every sacrifice, every loss, every struggle with sin, every challenging day, our hope is not in glory now but glory eternally. Contemplate the magnitude of what Paul has discovered: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” He says there isn’t even a need to compare which condition will be better. It’s not even a conversation to be had. Our current life of suffering is weak sauce in comparison to the awesome sauce of eternal life. You, my friends, are heirs in Christ when you place your faith in what Christ has done for you. Receive it, cling to it, let it drive you forward, even in the midst of suffering now.

Application:

1. In what ways are you a child of God?

2. How have you become a child of God?

3. What has Christ done in and through you to make you an heir?

4. What can you learn about suffering through the life of Jesus?

5. How does knowing that there is a “glory that is to be revealed in us” help you endure your sufferings?

Devo Plus:

Read Romans 8:22-25. What hope were we saved into? What do we not see now that we wait patiently for?

Prayer:

Jesus, I want to endure like You. I want to cling to the hope that You have given us. Thank You so much for this eternal hope. Holy Spirit, when I am suffering, please remind me that I am a child of God, and even though this suffering is awful, the glory of eternal life is my true hope.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Explanation:

Paul is telling us that temptation will always come, but we can beat that temptation with God. Not by our own abilities, a magic drink, some sort of crazy exercise, or some other fad…but only with a God who is ALWAYS faithful. Paul says when temptation comes, God will provide a way. God’s way is usually not the way we would choose. In the last sentence of this verse, “that you may be able to endure it,” Paul is letting us know that this could be quick and painless, or it may be years of pain and loss, or even worse. But God doesn’t let us go through anything that we can’t handle. He will always provide an escape and see us through.

This passage is hard on a very real personal level for me and my family. I have lived my life on the addiction side. Alcohol controlled me for many years. The temptation was so easy to give into. I always had ways out, but I never saw them in the moment. Later in life, I saw the ways God made for me to escape, just like this passage mentions. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. I don’t know about you, but life and its temptations are rough. Satan will use your temptations, wants, and desires to try to control and manipulate you, just like alcohol for me.

We need to remember that we serve a great and powerful God who can turn our temptations and suffering into a victory story. That same God will walk through the fire for us, then take our hand and walk right back through that same fire with us. God is amazing! Take His hand, miracles will happen. Trust Him.

Application:

1. What item in your life is controlling you?

2. Why haven’t you given those temptations to God? Ask God to take your temptations, and give you strength to endure.

3. Pray and ask God to place an accountability partner in your life. Make it a habit to check in with them weekly.

Devo Plus:

Look up the following scriptures for more on enduring temptation, and accountability: Galatians 6:2, Proverbs 27:17

Prayer:

God, thank You for today. Thank You for all the blessings we have in our lives. Thank You for the temptations in our lives…because of those temptations, we can show Your glory and walk as disciples of Jesus Christ. Put people in our lives who can help us win and point us back to You. If we are on the other side, put people in our lives who we can help through their struggles. Give us strength to walk as children of God, as You desire us to walk. Realign our lives to walk with You, not on our own. God, knock down the walls so many of us have put up. Show us a new way of thinking and living in this broken world. We love You and give You the glory. Amen.

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV)

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Explanation:

Today’s scripture is from the letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christian churches in Galatia (modern-day Turkey). He is encouraging the church (and us) to look out for the betterment of those inside the church and out, doing good by obeying Jesus’s command to love our neighbors. This means we want the best for them and put their needs before our own.

When Paul says “we will reap, if we do not give up,” he is referring to the blessing of life with Jesus, our eternal reward. As Christians, we need to endure through this life and pursue Jesus at all cost. Followers of Jesus should expect to experience pushback from the world. For some, this may mean the inconvenience of not being understood at work, or even labeled “religious” by coworkers. Others may feel the impact financially, or even the rejection from family and friends. Some believers can lose everything for their faith, including possessions, freedom, and even their own lives.

When I read this passage, I have to realize who is writing and what he went through in his life. Paul endured some of the worst experiences. He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, poisoned, starved, imprisoned, and eventually killed for his faith. When Paul says we must not stop doing good when we face adversity, he means it. There will be trying times that every believer will face, but that doesn’t mean we should stop loving one another. I have never experienced the things that Paul did, but I have had some supernatural experiences when I have walked our city streets picking up trash with other guys in our Men’s Group. Sometimes it is very intimidating to talk to strangers and pray for their needs, but God has always given us words of encouragement when we take that first step. I always pray for boldness beforehand and trust the process. I can’t think of any better way to love our friends, family, or the person you meet on a walk, than sharing with them what Jesus has done in your life. Walk out in faith today, and trust that God has placed people in your life to show love to.

Application:

1. In what ways can you do good for people in your life? (Even a simple positive text can change someone’s day.)

2. Have you experienced backlash from family, coworkers, or friends for sharing your beliefs? How can you turn this into a positive experience where God is glorified?

3. Jesus tells us to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), but what does that really mean to you? What steps might you need to take to show others that God loves them and wants to be in a relationship with them?

4. Paul says to also do good for “those who are of the household of faith.” Do you consistently pray for the church and its members? Do you call, text, meet with, and encourage people in your connect group? Do you give your time and money to further the Kingdom of God?

Devo Plus:

Read all of Galatians 6 for a complete understanding of loving others, doing good, and bearing one another’s burdens.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, what a privilege it is to know Your love. We are so grateful that You care for each and every one of us, and You intimately know the trials we have experienced in our lives. Help us to meet the needs of our church, our community, and the people we come in contact with daily. Allow us to have the means and strength to do good for others. May our actions reflect how Jesus demonstrated what it means to serve others. Thank You for my life. Amen.

Hebrews 12:1-4 (NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Explanation:

We all get tired. Any one of us has the potential to lose heart. Our heroes of the past can certainly encourage us by their steadfast faith. Their example can cheer us on, to keep on persevering. And because that example has been modeled before us, that motivates us to keep on running. But as all long-distance runners have learned, to run those really long miles, it’s best to strip off any and all unnecessary weight. The same can be said for “running the race of life.” We need to get rid of any sin weighing us down. Hands down, the most important thing to remember, is to “keep our eyes on Jesus.” Our ultimate example. Take a moment to read this passage from The Message.

“Do you see what this means - all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running - and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through - all that bloodshed!” (Hebrews 12:1-4 The Message)

Application:

1. What are you doing to encourage your soul to keep you running the race?

2. Are there any sins you need to throw aside? Do you need to confess that sin to someone and then get the help needed?

3. What habits are you establishing to keep your eyes focused on Jesus?

Devo Plus:

• Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the kingdom of God” (TLB).

• The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:23, “‘Everything is permissible,’ but not everything is helpful” (HCSB).

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me to stay focused on You when life starts to beat me down. Thank You for always directing me on how to live the full and abundant life You offer me. Thank You for Your encouragement. Help me to be an encourager to others.

James 1:12 (NIV)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the LORD has promised to those who love him.

Explanation:

Scripture is clear that salvation is a free gift, bought by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and received by faith in Him. You cannot earn it. Scripture is also clear that the mark of a true follower of Jesus is obedience and faithfulness: those who love Him, do what He says. Persevering under trial is one of the ways that God, in His goodness, purifies, grows, and strengthens us. Just like an athlete works a muscle, putting it under stress for a moment so it can heal stronger and with greater ability to withstand stress, God allows our lives to be placed under stress so our faith can be strengthened by choosing Christ, by believing in Him and leaning on Him. We are blessed when we persevere because we are strengthened in Christ, and have proven our desire to follow Him.

It is not to be forgotten that any perseverance is the gift of the Spirit. In and of ourselves, we do not have the strength to be faithful. But Jesus’s death and resurrection, His free gift of salvation, frees us from constantly failing. It enables us, through His Spirit, to be able to stand firm, anchored in His goodness. Will we walk perfectly? Frustratingly, no, we won’t. There are times when I lose my patience with my kids, when my octave is louder than it should be. For the times I choose selfishness and comfort over love, for the times when I see how judgmental my heart can be… His grace is enough to pick me back up and not allow me to wallow in pity and regret. Because He paid the price for our shame, we are free to stand up and walk again.

We will always need Him. And there is always grace for the heart that truly wants to follow Christ. Be encouraged by the fact you can never be taken from the hand of God, that no failure is too great to fall beyond His power. But be challenged also, to pray in the Spirit for strength, to turn to Him in hard times…because they will come. He is the author and perfecter of our faith, and He can cause you to withstand the test and receive the blessings that come to those who love Him!

Application:

1. It is said the only certain things in life are “death and taxes,” but trials should be on the list. The trick to standing strong is to prepare ourselves for battle. Read Ephesians 6:11. The armor here is not hypothetical, but the armor God Himself uses in Isaiah 59:17! Scripture says our battles are not really against flesh and blood, but against out true enemy in the spiritual realm, so we need to equip ourselves while life is smoother. Be prepared!

2. One of our greatest defenses is remembering who our God is, what He is capable of, and what He has done for us. Spend some time reading and thinking about the devo plus scripture, and thanking God for His faithfulness in your life.

3. To God, our faith is worth more than gold (Psalm 119:72). Give thanks to God that He sees our heart, and desires to help strengthen us and to see us home!

Devo Plus:

• Read Ephesians 6:12 to get the right perspective of who we are standing strong against when life gets hard.

• Read Joshua 4:21 to see that God calls us to remember His goodness.

• Read these scriptures to remember who God says He is: Malachi 3:6, Isaiah 40:28, Numbers 23:19, Psalm 50:6, Deuteronomy 4:24,31, and Psalm 116:5.

Prayer:

Father, You are faithful and forgiving and fierce. I thank You for being a God of grace and goodness and purpose. I thank You that before things ever went wrong, You had a plan to bring us home. Keep us, strengthen us, and sharpen us so that we receive the crown of life. Hold us up under trial. In Jesus’s beautiful name. Amen.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Explanation:

Today’s passage is among the most familiar and popular verses for the saved and unsaved alike. When we consider the many types of love we have for people in our lives, it is easy to think the high standard we see here applies only to our most intimate relationships. But the love Paul describes here is agape love, or unconditional love, and it applies to every relationship.

I have struggled to show unconditional love to some people. A physically abusive ex-wife, mean-spirited co-workers who made life miserable for too long, close friends who fell off the face of the earth with no explanation. If I don’t take these hurts to the throne of Christ so He can heal me, then I’ll never be able to apply these truths in my relationships today. But why should I love those who wronged me? And how can I show grace to those who hurt me?

I should, because Jesus says I must (Matthew 5:44), and He gives no disclaimer for those I consider unworthy. I can, because I have the power of the Holy Spirit inside me to help me obey God’s Word. And I will, because as Pastor Matthew says, I cannot have all that Christ offers without living the life Christ modeled.

Application:

1. Who in your life do you have difficulty showing agape love to?

2. What role does forgiveness play in our ability to give unconditional love?

3. What do you think “rejoices whenever the truth wins out” means? Is Paul referring to winning an argument?

Devo Plus:

Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” How does this instruction line up with today’s passage?

Prayer:

Lord God, as I confess to you my difficulty loving certain people, please search my heart. Reveal to me anyone from whom I am withholding the unconditional love that you so graciously and undeservedly give to me.

Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Explanation:

When my son’s wife died five years ago, it took my breath away to see the deep pain my son was enduring. God was so very faithful and provided for him at every turn, leading and guiding him into new ways of thinking, new levels of trust in God, and deeper convictions regarding what God wanted from him. Now, five years later, he doesn’t even seem like the same person.

Retrospect is a captivating activity. It is then you see what you learned, changed, grew from, expanded, deleted, or modified through the pain of a situation. Hard times can hurt beyond comprehension, but after you emerge, you are able to see what the process did for your endurance and trust in God.

Paul tells us what the guarantee is, what is 100% effective in seeing us through heartbreaking seasons: the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts. This verse isn’t telling us to take pleasure in pain. It is telling us that we will eventually realize that even though terrible times are terrible, we know we will learn and change from the process of going through them. That is the good part we embrace.

Results often aren’t seen until some time has passed. Whether you have been a Christian one year or 50 years, revisions in your life are inevitable because of the Holy Spirit’s work in your life. I came to realize a sad reality after an intense season of loss in my life. I realized the loss drew me so close to Jesus because I needed Him to even continue. The sad part of that beautiful closeness was realizing I hadn’t totally leaned on God until He was all I had. If I didn’t need God, I wouldn’t have. I don’t think I have the desire to endure that much loss again, but I do know it was a hugely defining time in my life that taught me things I never knew about the tenderness and faithfulness of God. In that regard, I see it as the most beautiful spiritual season of my life. I constantly reflect on the things I learned, released, and grew stronger in. The reflection gives me peace when facing new obstacles.

Application:

1. Reflect on the hardest thing you have faced since you began to follow Jesus. Now name the things you learned about God in that time.

2. Mentally list five things that were re-fashioned in your personality, responses, habits, or character as a result of a painful event.

Devo Plus:

Hebrews 4:15-16

Prayer:

Jesus, help me press into the pain of my situation as I trust the process. May I rest in the promise of the Holy Spirit's work in my heart and the reality that Jesus “is touched with the feelings of my infirmities.” I need You. Guide my mind and heart as I navigate this circumstance, and trust in You to work all things for my good.

1 Peter 2:13-17 (NIRV)

Follow the lead of every human authority. Do this for the Lord’s sake. Obey the emperor. He is the highest authority. Obey the governors. The emperor sends them to punish those who do wrong. He also sends them to praise those who do right. By doing good you will put a stop to the talk of foolish people. They don’t know what they are saying. Live as free people. But don’t use your freedom to cover up evil. Live as people who are God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone. Love the family of believers. Have respect for God. Honor the emperor.

Explanation:

We live in a culture and a world where we want to be in charge. We want to live our lives the way we want. We refuse to allow others to tell us how to live, especially those who have been put in places of leadership. But what if true freedom is found in being submissive? What if true freedom and life is found in honoring and respecting not only those who are in authority over us, but everyone? That is exactly what we are being taught in today’s passage. It is the will of God that we honor and respect each other. He is not saying to honor and respect only those we agree with or those who make us happy. I will choose every single day to honor and respect all mankind.

I think many times we believe the person who is the loudest, most aggressive, and opinionated is the one who wins. But God clearly states in today’s passage that it is the person who does good to others that speaks loudest. When I am living my life God’s way, the world notices. By living out God’s will, I can show others what it means to be free. I can silence the ignorance and foolishness. God consistently says that the way I live is what will either attract others to Him or push them away. By submitting to the will and ways of God, I am showing others there is a better way to live. The better way says I will respect the authority God has placed in my life. The better way says I will show love, grace, mercy, and compassion to my fellow man. The better way says I will submit my life to God, instead of living it the way I want to.

I challenge you today to evaluate your life. Are you submitting to God’s will, or are you still trying to do it your way? Today, take that step and allow God to transform your thinking. He will help you live out His will and ways for your life.

Application:

1. Are you currently submitting to God’s will for your life?

2. If not, what keeps you from living out His will for your life?

3. Which of the following do you struggle to do in your life: showing proper respect to everyone, loving the family of believers, having respect for God, or honoring those in authority?

4. What do you need to change today in order to do a better job at the area you listed above?

Devo Plus:

Check out Romans 12:2, James 4:7, and Ephesians 5:21 to learn more about submitting to God.

Prayer:

Dear God, we often want to live out life the way we desire. We think when we are in control, then we are free. Will You remind us today that true freedom comes from submitting our lives to Your will and Your ways? Help us to truly find freedom in You. We want to be a people who speak loudest through our actions and the ways we treat others. Help us to point and draw others to You. In the areas where we are struggling, will You give us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding? We truly want to live out Your will for our lives. Amen.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (ERV)

The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And our faces are not covered. We all show the Lord’s glory, and we are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings more and more glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Explanation:

Today is a memorable day in world history. Nineteen years ago, American freedom took on a new image, an image that was shrouded in an act of terror on the country. People of all ages hold different memories of where they were at that moment, forever etched in their minds. On that day, and in the days and months to come, “freedom” became the center of many conversations, media posts and broadcasts, and Presidential speeches. That day changed Americans.

In today’s Scripture, we read that God sent us His Holy Spirit to give us freedom. This freedom, however, is much deeper than the freedom we think of as Americans. This is a freedom that can rescue us out of the terror of sin and eternal death. It changes us—not just as Americans, but as children of the King. All of our labels, our bondage, and our allegiances are stripped away. We are changed. We are alive. We are free. We become one in the freedom of the Lord and His glory. We become one body, united under a God who deserves all the glory and honor that we can provide to Him.

As you reflect on what today means to you as an American, take a moment, respectfully, and strip off all of your labels. Reflect on what it means to be truly free as a child of the King. True freedom reigns in the place where the Holy Spirit dwells.

Application:

1. When you reflect on today’s passage, how does it impact your definition of “freedom”?

2. What is one area you need to surrender in order to have the freedom that is promised in this scripture?

3. Think about the many labels that are on your life (mother, father, sister, brother, friend, employee, co-worker, Ohioan, American, etc.). What does it look like when your “face is not covered,” as referenced in this passage, and you remove those labels, keeping only the one that says “child of God”?

Devo Plus:

Read more about freedom from a biblical perspective in Psalm 119:45, Ephesians 3:12, and Isaiah 61:1.

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to surround you today, allowing you to remove your labels, and feel the freedom of His love and sovereignty. Ask Him to help you remember that the ultimate freedom can only be found in Him, and to allow you to release anything that may be holding you back from embracing that freedom.