Today Daily Devotional

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

— James 1:2-4

When James writes that we should face trials with joy, he is talking about challenges to our faith that can help us learn and grow. He is talking about hardships we may face as believers in Christ, and how those can strengthen our faith and help us discern God’s will.

For example, the first followers of Jesus were often persecuted. The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit to preach the good news of Jesus and even to heal people in Jesus’ name (Acts 2-3). And they were thrown in jail by the ruling authorities who did not believe in Jesus and his resurrection. The apostles were put on trial and asked where they got the authority to do such things. But they did not back down. Filled with the Spirit, they said, “There is no other name under heaven . . . by which we must be saved,” and, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” And even though they were punished and brutally whipped for their faith and their actions, they had joy “because they had been counted worthy of disgrace for the Name” of Christ (see Acts 4-5).

Another example can be that we are always “prepared to give an answer . . . with gentleness and respect” to explain the hope that we have in Christ. “For it is better . . . to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:15-17).

Lord, give us the courage we need to serve you and to face trials when they come, that we may grow mature in you. Amen.

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

— Colossians 1:15

If a god is something or someone you trust in to guard you, provide for you, and keep you healthy, wealthy, and wise, the Colossian people had no shortage of gods. In their culture, there was a god for almost anything.

Fortunately, today we are free of those misguided ideas, right? Wrong! Look at television commercials, internet ads, highway billboards, and magazine spreads, and they will tempt you to depend on money, pearly white teeth, the right outfit, gambling, and much more. May the God of heaven help us—and he has!

Paul taught clearly that Jesus, the Son of God, is the visible image of the invisible God. He is the author of creation, the Lord of lords and King of kings. “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” All the fullness of God is in him. Jesus made peace between God and humanity through his blood, sacrificed on the cross for the world that God has so loved since the beginning.

The Colossians needed to hear this and to believe it with such commitment that they would flee from everything else that was tempting them.

It is good for us to hear these words too—and to memorize them. Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, and we need to remember this always, trusting in him and seeking to live for him day by day.

Lord of all, we submit ourselves to you. We confess that we often trust other things more than we want to admit. Hear our confession now, and forgive us our sins, we pray. Amen.

We continually ask God to fill you. . . .

— Colossians 1:9

In late August in the area where I live, it’s not unusual to hear about harvesting. Harvest time is near, and what was planted in spring and cared for in summer is almost ready to fill baskets and bins.

Paul knew that the Colossians’ faith, love, and hope were rooted in Christ. And that meant a bountiful harvest would come for the church. Paul said that he and others continually asked God for the Colossians to be filled to overflowing with the knowledge of God’s will through the wisdom and understanding of the Holy Spirit. This knowledge is not mere head knowledge; it is heart knowledge that comes with wisdom and understanding. This involves the process of discerning the will of God, which comes through putting oneself aside and becoming filled with Jesus and the Spirit.

It is not easy to put ourselves in that position. It requires discipline, spiritual discipline. Jesus took time to be alone with his Father in order to remain focused, and we need to do the same, offering ourselves to the Father’s will, not our own.

Like Jesus, we need to develop the habit of seeking after and waiting for the will of God to be revealed to us. God wants us to know his will—and, rest assured, it will always conform to what the Bible teaches.

God of bounteous grace, help us to slow down to know you and your will better, that we may live faithfully for you. Amen.

We have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people. . . .

— Colossians 1:4

It’s wonderful when someone comes into the kingdom of God. That person receives God’s gift of grace through faith in Jesus, and they begin a new life of walking with the Holy Spirit. The new believer realizes that their old life of selfish pursuits offers nothing that will ever satisfy. They have turned their back on the darkness and are enjoying the light of the world, Jesus. Praise God for his love!

Paul is filled with thanks to hear that the people of Colossae have come to faith in Christ Jesus and are showing their love for all God’s people. He even says, “We always thank God . . . when we pray for you . . .” They have become wonderful examples of living by faith in Jesus. They believe and trust, they love, and they hope in what God has already stored up in heaven for them. Drawing all this together, we can say with Paul that the faith of the Colossian believers is rooted in Jesus Christ.

Friends, my prayer is that you will have faith in Christ Jesus; my hope for you is that in Jesus’ name you are loving others, giving yourself up for them, and growing in hope in all that God has promised and is storing up for you in heaven. Stay rooted in Christ, anticipating the reality of God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Gracious God in whom we hope, strengthen our faith in Jesus, the Savior of the world. Increase our love for others and build our hope in what we know is yet to come. Amen.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

— Philippians 4:6

Life gives us opportunities to enjoy calm and peacefulness. Life also gives us opportunities to be anxious.

We can grow anxious when sickness comes—especially when sickness might lead to death. We can also feel anxious when we run out of money for food or for our monthly bills. Relationships can create times of anxiety when tempers flare and anger burns. I remember a dark, cold, windy night when I had to walk along a lightless street to get home. I was frightened by all kinds of shifting shadows. I raced down the middle of that street as fast as I could till I was safely home.

What do you become anxious about? I heard a good sermon recently about a correlation between anxiety and prayer. When we are anxious, we can turn to the One who is aware of all our circumstances and who will meet us in our times of anxiety. To him we pray, thanking him for who he is and telling him our anxieties. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Being still gives us time to discern God and his love. I repeat the word “Father” over and over until I am at peace with God my Father. Then anxiety has its rightful place; it is in his hands, not mine. The peace of God awaits those whose hearts are set on God.

Father, Father, Father, you are God, and I am your child. Draw me to yourself today and always, helping me trust that I can leave my anxiety with you. Amen.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 2:5

We all have relationships. These may include family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, church members, and especially Jesus. In the city of Philippi, Paul had relationships with a jailer and his household, the city magistrates, Lydia and her household, a female slave who was tormented by a spirit, and the slave girl’s owners. Several of those people became part of the first church in Philippi (see Acts 16:11-40).

Paul had the attitude of Jesus in all those relationships. His mindset was humility, giving up privilege to be a servant like Jesus, putting himself in positions where his service for Christ might even cost him his life. Paul was willing to do that because he was confident of the eternal life that Jesus came to make available for us all.

Jesus, who is Lord and King over all, came to give us eternal life. He humbled himself and paid the price for our sin. By doing that, he made eternal life possible for all who believe in him.

Paul humbled himself and told others about Jesus so that they too would hear the good news and “acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Our attitude toward others should follow the same pattern.

Make yourself a servant to someone today, for Jesus’ sake.

Lord Jesus, you are King of kings and Lord of lords. Forgive me for the times when I have not been a faithful servant to others. Bring glory to your name through me today. Amen.

Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

— Philippians 2:2

In our reading for today, Paul urges all who believe in Christ to live together in unity, showing a like-mindedness that points to Jesus and the love he has for everyone. Christ came so that all people could have life “to the full” (John 10:10), as God has always intended.

Paul lists some of the benefits that we, like the Philippians, have received from God as his children in Christ: encouragement, comfort, tenderness, compassion, humility, and value. Being united with Christ is to live as Jesus did.

Jesus showed love and compassion to everyone. He loved people with God’s unconditional love. He served people selflessly, humbling himself and lifting others up. No one was unimportant or too small or low-down to receive his ­attention.

We are called to live as servants of Jesus, free of selfish ambition and vain conceit. We are called to value others above ourselves, and when we serve others in their need, we are serving Christ himself (see Matthew 25:31-40).

In union with Jesus, you and I have a responsibility to live in such as way that all who come into contact with us will sense that Jesus is leading us. His love and character should flow from of us.

Indeed, we have an awesome responsibility!

Thank you, Father, for filling us with life through Jesus, our Savior and King. Fill us to overflowing with your Spirit so that we can live like him, honoring you above all. Amen.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

— Galatians 6:7

Our theme this month has been about discerning God’s will as we seek to honor and obey him. In our text for today Paul warns us not to deceive ourselves. We should not think more of ourselves than we ought, and we should be faithful in carrying each other’s burdens.

This means caring for one another and doing good to all people, not taking pride in our own position of strength or health in any area. If we have health and strength and we are in a position to help someone, we need to realize that God is the one who has given us that position—so that we may honor him in doing good. If we begin thinking that we have earned that position for ourselves, we are in danger—because God will not be mocked.

Again we are challenged to beware of the path we take in life. We will reap what we sow, so we should sow what is good and true. Paul describes two ways of living. Either we will seek to please our own sinful nature and reap destruction, or we will seek to please the Spirit of God.

In Christ, God has provided the way to eternal life. And because we are given full life in Christ, we can strive to do good to all people. We can love our neighbors by doing good as we have opportunities. And opportunities abound, so we can do good all of the time.

Father in heaven, help us to sow what is good and true, that we can contribute to a harvest that honors you. Give us your wisdom. In Jesus, Amen.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

— Galatians 5:22-23

The apostle Paul teaches the Galatian believers to “walk by the Spirit,” be “led by the Spirit,” and “keep in step with the Spirit.”

Though I have never been in a marching band, I am always impressed by how a marching band keeps in step. The players’ steps are orderly and coordinated, and they keep both the music and the band moving forward.

Paul warns about what happens when our steps in life are not in coordination with the Spirit. There is immorality, impurity, conflict, selfish ambition, jealousy, discord, rage, and more. That is a dangerous place to be, and if we live that way, we will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Being in step with the Spirit, however, produces “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Life in Christ is designed to be harmonious. It involves a community loving and serving each other, just as the Trinity—God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—love each other.

These verses can serve as a litmus test of your own life. Do you exhibit selfishness, pride, and conflict? Or do you live with love, goodness, and self-control? How about the community you are a part of? If any of you are out of step with the Spirit, be sure to humble yourselves and be led by the Spirit.

Triune God, help me to love and serve you and my neighbors, including my enemies. Let my life shine as an example of your love. Amen.

Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.

— Galatians 3:7

Now and then I will spend time studying my ancestry. It is easy to get caught up in finding information on one person, and then another. So far, I have been able to trace my family line back to an ancestor born in 1760.

The Jewish people claim their lineage back to Abraham, from around 2000 B.C. God had given Abraham the sign of circumcision as a symbol of his covenant with him (Genesis 17), so circumcision became part of the Jewish law.

In Galatia, some zealous Jews had been teaching that if people wanted to be Christ-followers, they had to have all of their males circumcised. Then the people would be obedient to God’s law and they could live in righteousness, they said.

But Paul had rightly taught that circumcision was not needed because God had credited Abraham with righteousness long before giving him the sign of circumcision. As Genesis 15:6 says, Abraham “believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” So Abraham was not righteous by obeying the law but by believing God. Righteousness is by faith, said Paul. That was what he had preached to the Galatians, and that was all they needed. So, he added, all who have faith are “children of Abraham.”

If you have faith in Jesus, you are a child of Abraham. And your genealogy goes back 4,000 years to a person of faith, not works. Praise God!

Faithful God, thank you for making your children secure in Jesus and not on the basis of keeping the law. Amen.