Today Daily Devotional

They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me.

— Galatians 1:23-24

Paul had started the young churches in the region of Galatia, but now they were floundering because some false teachers had led them astray (Galatians 1:6-10). In­stead, they had needed to be encouraged and enfolded to remember the good news of Jesus and to live for him alone.

So Paul tells briefly how God changed him from a persecutor of Christ-followers to a fully committed ambassador of Jesus (see Acts 9). His transformation was not about him but about Jesus. And eventually he went to Jerusalem to meet with the leaders of the church who lived there. Then Paul moved on to spread the gospel to regions north of Judea. And when the churches in Judea heard about him, the Spirit made clear that Paul was truly converted to “preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” That brought all the believers to praise God. And instead of fearing Paul, they rejoiced on account of him.

People who come to know Jesus as their Savior need to be received with praise to God. They have been saved from darkness and brought into the light. They need friends who will bless them and encourage them.

Do you know someone whom you can encourage in this way? Be sure to do so!

God of grace, move us to praise and give thanks to you for bringing sinners to your Son, Jesus, and guide us to encourage and enfold them. Amen.

“Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”

— Luke 14:33

As a homeowner, I need to keep my lawn mowed in the summertime, and that’s something I do myself. The weather can get warm in August, so I can spend quite a bit of energy doing the lawn. The exercise is good, but when I am done, I can tell that I have used up strength and energy. It costs me something to do the work.

In our reading for today, Jesus talks about the cost of following him. Some of his words sound harsh, and sometimes Jesus spoke this way to make clear that following him is not easy. Instead, it can be very hard work.

For example, following Jesus can mean that our relationships with family and friends become strained because they do not believe in him. But Jesus is not saying we must literally “hate” them, because we also know that he calls us to love everyone, even our enemies (Matthew 5:44). In another passage Jesus states the same thing in a way that is easier to understand: “Anyone who loves their father or mother . . . [or] son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37). In other words, to follow Jesus, we need to put him first in our lives. We need to be willing to put aside everything else we have to be his disciples.

Friends, following Jesus will cost you. Others might ridicule you, laugh at you, beat you, or even kill you. But, rest assured, nothing can separate you from the love of God.

Lord, strengthen the faith of all who are persecuted because of you. Give us the courage to follow you, whatever the cost. Amen.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

— Psalm 32:5

It has been said that “confession is good for the soul.” This statement is not in the Bible, but God’s Word indicates that when we confess our sins in true repentance, God forgives us in his mercy, and we find peace with God. We are released from the guilt of our sin, and we find comfort in the Lord’s unfailing love.

Psalm 32 describes this process beautifully. It opens with these words: “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” And near the end it says that “the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.”

The psalmist admits that trying to keep his sin hidden, or secret, weighed heavily on him. The guilt of sin became such a great burden that it sapped his strength. Deep down, he knew he could not hide his sin from God, so he gave up trying. He confessed his sin, and he received forgiveness. What a relief! The weight of all that guilt was lifted.

Confession requires that we allow the light of the Spirit of God to penetrate our heart; identify ungodly thoughts, words, and actions; and turn them over to God. God is the one able to forgive, for Jesus’ sake—and he does.

Loving Father, thank you for sending your Son to pay the price for our sins. He not only accomplished that for us but also rose to life again, to give eternal life to all who trust in him. All glory be to God, our Savior! Amen.

Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.

— Mark 5:42

When Jairus’s daughter got up and started walking around, the people there were astonished. We do not need to wonder why. The young girl had died but was alive again! When Jesus had arrived at the house, the community mourners had already begun their customary crying and wailing. The people figured there was no reason to bother Jesus anymore, for the girl had died.

Their behavior contrasted with the calm and persistence of Jesus, however. And when he said, “Don’t be afraid; just believe,” the people laughed at him.

Ordering all those people out of the house, Jesus took the father and mother, along with three of his disciples, to where the child was. And I wonder if Jesus smiled a little himself. He knew Psalm 2:4-6: “The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them . . . saying, ‘I have installed my king. . . .’” The confirmation of Jesus as King meant that weeping would be turned into joy, and Jesus knew that he would turn wailing into amazement.

Jesus calmly and gently ordered the girl to get up. No more death, just life and praise to God as a sign of his kingdom coming to earth.

In your dark times, watch for Jesus; he still comes with ­power, bringing hope.

Risen Lord, forgive us for seeing darkness instead of your light. Walk into our situations with us, reveal yourself, and strengthen our hope in you, Prince of peace. Amen.

Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet.

— Mark 5:22

Before I was born, a brother of mine passed away at the age of fourteen months. My parents had done all they could to find medical help and healing for him. Similarly, Jairus, a synagogue leader, feared losing his young daughter, and he also did all he could to gain healing for his child.

Jairus was responsible to help with the smooth running of the synagogue in town, which led worship and instruction for the local Jewish community. He likely had also heard that some other religious leaders, the Pharisees, didn’t like Jesus and had warned people to watch out for him. The Pharisees enjoyed their position of power as teachers of the law and rulers of the people, and they felt threatened by Jesus’ popularity and his amazing miracles. They had even begun plotting to find a way to kill Jesus (Mark 3:6). Despite all that, Jairus wanted healing for his daughter. So he went to see Jesus.

Jairus also left his pride and dignity behind. As a respected leader in the community, he was not expected to submit to a stranger in his town, and yet he fell at the feet of Jesus in great humility. Jairus did not care who saw him do this because he knew he needed Jesus’ help.

Followers of Jesus leave their preconceptions and pride behind when they come to Jesus. He is Lord and King of all. In him we find the power to heal—body and soul.

King Jesus, help me to realize who you are, and to be humble before you. Thank you for your love and care. Amen.

Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! . . . Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?”

— Acts 13:9-10

Barnabas, Saul (Paul), and John (Mark) were on a mission to bring the good news of God’s salvation in Jesus to people who had not heard it before. And they met some resistance from Elymas, a sorcerer and false prophet. Our enemy, the devil, was trying to stop the gospel from being preached there. Elymas went so far as to try turning his employer, the proconsul, away from having faith in Christ.

Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, let the power of the Spirit do his work against this demonic influence. The words sound harsh, but then so did Jesus’ words to Peter when he said, “Get behind me Satan” (Matthew 16:23).

There is only one way to be right with God. And that means opening ourselves to be filled with the Spirit of God, “the Spirit of truth” who guides us “into all truth” (John 16:13).

In response to the teaching about the Lord, and having seen the powerful work of the Spirit through Paul, the proconsul believed. In a battle between God’s Spirit and the devil’s lies, the Spirit will always win.

Let us be wise in who we follow.

Thank you, Father, for the gift of your Son, Jesus, and for the empowerment of your Spirit in your church. May the church be humble, strong, and faithful. Amen.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

— Acts 13:2

In Acts 1:8 Jesus told his disciples they would be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” In Acts 13 the church at Antioch, including Saul and Barnabas, prayerfully waited for direction from God. The church of Jesus Christ is called to listen for the Spirit’s leading as we ask, “What do you want us to do next?”

The Antioch church was fasting and praying in a position of readiness, eager to hear the Lord’s orders and to obey them. And the Spirit of God responded with a clear directive: “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

They were not to go on their own mission project, nor the church’s. They were to do the work of the Holy Spirit. They needed to continue to listen for what the Spirit would tell them to do and where to do it.

You and I must have a heart of submission to the Spirit. We need to be open to the plans that the Spirit of God has for us so that God can work in and through our lives. The Spirit is looking for us to continue the work of Jesus.

Loving God, each person in this world is an object of your love. And by your Spirit you call us to bear witness to your truth. Give us your clear directions, we pray. Amen.

The Berean Jews . . . received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

— Acts 17:11

A class I taught at a local Chris­tian college was called “Gateway to Excellence.” It was an introductory class for all new students. When asked by others what the class was about, I would initially say that it was meant to equip students to become better thinkers and responsible followers of Jesus in their career choices.

As a follower and servant of Jesus, I must be fully committed to his cause. Because of his love for me, Jesus died for me and equipped me with spiritual gifts so that I can serve him here on earth. And through his Spirit, Jesus promises to be with us until he comes again.

When Paul went to Berea, he taught these things to the people there. And the Bereans were good thinkers who did not just take information at face value; they also examined the Scriptures to confirm what Paul was saying. Recognizing the truth of God in Paul’s message, many of them became believers in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Savior.

Smart people need to be wise people, and wise people need to be listened to, talked with, questioned, and accepted if what they are saying is the truth.

Be a student and thinker who digs into God’s Word, finding the way, the truth, and the life.

God of wisdom, fill our hearts with the truth of your Word so that we will be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” (James 1:19), showing grace and patience for your sake. Amen.

“When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’”

— Matthew 16:2-3

The month of August provides some of the warmest days of the year where I live. And in the morning, if the sky is red in the east, there is a good chance of stormy weather, just as people said in Israel back in Jesus’ day.

Jesus used that well-known pattern as a “heads up” to the Pharisees and Sadducees who had asked him to show them a sign from heaven. In return he used a sign of the heavens to test them about their belief in him as God’s anointed King.

They had already seen and heard about Jesus’ teaching and healing miracles, and they were inclined to dismiss them—and him as well. When it came to the gift that God had given them in Jesus, they had ears but could not hear, and they had eyes but could not see.

Jesus predicted another sign as well—not to satisfy their question but to announce that he would rise from the dead. Did you notice that he mentioned “the sign of Jonah”? This meant that just as Jonah was in the belly of a great fish for three days before being spit out on the shore, Jesus would be in a tomb, and on the third day he would rise from the dead.

Many of Jesus’ challengers missed that sign too. People still miss it today, but many see, believe, and live the resurrected life with Jesus. Are you living that life too?

Risen Lord, you are the giver of abundant life. Thank you for your amazing gifts. May we help others to see who you real­ly are. Amen.

Who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

— Psalm 19:12

When I was in grade school, there were many times that I thought a teacher or a parent had eyes in the back of their head. I could not get away with anything I was not supposed to be doing. Sometimes my hidden thoughts were identified by those who were not even looking at me. And to prevent me from even trying something out of line, they said, “Just remember, God sees everything you do.”

Having someone watching our every move can help to keep our actions in check, but what about our thoughts and the things we are tempted to say? When we allow the bright light of God’s law to shine into our inner self, it illuminates our hidden faults and lights up a warning. Without God’s law we are blind to what separates us from God.

The psalmist knows that he cannot see his faults by looking into a mirror. He looks instead into God’s law and asks God to forgive not only his visible sins but also his hidden faults.

And the God of the Bible does forgive. Knowing the fact of God’s forgiveness assures the psalmist that he will be blameless in God’s sight. Not perfect yet, but blameless now.

Father God, even though your law is good and I want to obey it, I know I do not. Thank you for Jesus, who kept it perfectly so that by faith I can become one with him in your eyes. I love you, Jesus, and I thank you for loving me. Amen.