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March
1
The One Minute Devotion
(Gal 5:17 NLT) The
natural man loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy
Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what
the natural man desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each
other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.
I think sometimes Christians want the Christian life to be free of
conflict. We want it to be free and easy because we are the King's
kids. But it will never be in this world. As Scripture says we
will be tested, tempted, tried, persecuted, chastised and even scourged.
But many Christians think -- "if I only become like Christ life will
be easier". My friend the more you become like Christ the more
difficult life will become. Because as we become like Christ the
more the world and the powers of darkness will rise up against us.
As Paul says in the book of Ephesians we are in a battle against powers
and principalities. But the good new is while all of this darkness and difficult comes against us we can have the peace that
passes all understanding by keeping our mind on Christ. Do you not
understand we live in a hostile environment? Starting with our own
body and soul. That's why Paul encourages us to "subdue"
our bodies and "renew" our minds. To put our body and soul
in subjection to the spirit. Brothers and sisters this life is not
without conflict. If there is no conflict then you are not walking
in the spirit or alas do not even have the Spirit of Christ.
Rejoice! Fight the good fight! Run the race to win! We
are more than conquerors through Christ who is our strength.
May our prayer today be: "Father, thank You for reminding me that
this life is a life of conflict. Conflict with my natural man,
conflict with my will, conflict with the world and conflict with the
enemy. Help me O LORD to fix my mind on You and Your promises.
Help me to be diligent and persevere. For You are the power and the
glory for ever and ever."
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| March
2
The One Minute Devotion
(Eccl 12:13 NIV) Now all
has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep
his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Solomon (the writer of Ecclesiastes) was considered the wises man of his
age. Some consider him to be one of the wises men that has ever
lived. Yet with all of his thinking and pondering he was able to
bring all matters to one simple phrase: "Fear God and keep His
commandments". As I look around at today's Church I marvel at
all the books, periodicals, radio programs, television programs, churches,
teachers and preachers; yet with all this are we any closer to God than
those illiterate fishermen that left their boats and followed Jesus two
thousand years ago? Has all of our education and sophistication
produced better Christians? Better people? A better world?
As one astute observe said many years ago: "The more things change
the more they stay the same". Perhaps there is more virtue and
value in simplicity than we think. The Bible says God has used the
simple things of this world to confound the wise. "Fear God and
keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man". What
is the whole duty of man? To fear God and keep His commandments.
It doesn't get much simpler than that -- now does it?
May our prayer today be: "Father, help me to rightly reverence You
and keep Your commandments".
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| March
3
The One Minute Devotion
(Rom 8:10-11 NNAS) If Christ is in
you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive
because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised
Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the
dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who
dwells in you.
I was listening to a sermon today and the speaker mentioned several
times that he was "born again". As I thought about those
words I wondered, "how many people think being born again is the
goal"? When in reality being "born again" is just
the beginning. When we turn to God in faith He not only forgives
our sins but He also gives us a new heart, a new spirit and the Holy
Spirit. We become a new creation. This new creation was
created to live a new life. A life that ultimately conforms to the
life Christ lived here on earth. While being born again and having
our name written into the "Lamb's Book of Life" is our
ultimate hope it is only the beginning of our journey in the Spirit.
Throughout Romans chapters six, seven and eight Paul writes about being
a new creation, being freed from sin, the conflict between the flesh and
spirit; but at last the ultimate victory God gives us through His power.
Victory not only in the world to come; but also in this world. The
Holy Spirit gives a new life to our mortal body. Not only in the
world to come; but in this world, too.
May our prayer today be: "Father, transform me. Help me walk
in the new life You have given me. Help me experience the fullest
measure of all that Jesus has bought for me through His death and
resurrection".
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| March
4
The One Minute Devotion
Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ
Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including
the overseers and deacons: (Phil 1:1 NNAS)
Paul writes that he and Timothy are bond-servants or "doulos"
(Greek) of Christ Jesus. A bond-servant is one that has
voluntarily given their life in servitude to another. Often
bond-servants are referred to as "love slaves". They are
people that have given themselves to serve another because of their deep
love for that person. As Christians we are all called to become
bond-servants (love slaves) of Christ Jesus. Within this little
term (bond-servant or love-slave) we find two of the most important
virtues in the Christian life... love and servitude. Jesus said He
came to earth because of His love for humankind. Then He said He
came to serve, not be served. May God give us all the grace to be
like minded. May God grant us the grace to serve Christ and others
out of love. May God grant us the grace to walk in love and
maintain the heart and mind of a servant.
May our prayer today be "Father, create in me the heart and mind of
a bond-servant." |
| March
5
The One Minute Devotion
(John 6:27 NLT) But you shouldn't be
so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy
seeking the eternal life that I, the Son of Man, can give you. For God
the Father has sent me for that very purpose."
"Spend your energy seeking the eternal life". Let's read
that one more time. "Spend your energy seeking the eternal
life". When Jesus was asked "what is the most important
teaching God has ever given to humankind" he replied: "Love
the LORD your God with all your heart, mind, strength and soul and love
your neighbor as yourself". This is the most important
teaching God has ever given to humankind. Actually (as I have
noted before) the ten commandments are divided into two sections.
The first four commandments are about loving God and the next six
commandments are about loving people. Love God and love people IS
THE LAW. But in another passage Jesus said, "seek first the
kingdom of God". Love God, love people and seek first the
kingdom of God. These three thoughts are perhaps the most
important things a person can know and obey. They seem clear.
So, why don't we do them? Love God. Love people. Spend
your energy seeking eternal life. We wonder why The Church is
weak. We wonder why our Christian life is not abundant. We
wonder why The Church isn't spiritual. For the next year let's all try
to love God, love people and spend our energy seeking eternal life.
Then let's see if our individual walk with God and the general condition
of The Church hasn't improved.
May our prayer today be: "Father, time and time again you show us
how simple Your Word is for us. That You have left us with just a
few basic teachings and many examples of how to express them.
Father, help me to love you with all my heart, mind, strength and soul.
And to spend my energy seeking eternal life and not the things of this
world." |
| March
6
The One Minute Devotion
(Gal 5:15 NLT) But if instead of
showing love among yourselves you are always biting and devouring one
another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
As Christians we are taught to build one another up; not tear down one
another. Remember the old adage "sticks and stones may break
my bones, but words will never hurt me"? Well, if you're very
old you now know that words can hurt. Actually, it is sometimes
easier to recover from the wounds made by sticks and stones than it is
the wounds made by words. Too often we wound the heart or soul of
another person with words. "Speak the truth" the Bible
says; but do it "in love". "Be gentle".
"Let your conversations be full of grace". In difficult
times gentle, wise and gracious words are needed the most; but in such
times the opposite is often spoken. Beloved, let us love one
another. Let us stop biting and devouring one another. Let
us with humility and love encourage one another daily.
May our prayer today be: "Father, help me to always speak the truth
in love. Help me to find wise and kind words. Words that
will build up not tear down. Words that will help not hinder.
Oh, God help us all to realize the power in words. The power to do
good or the power to do evil. And may all my words be to do good
to those who hear them." |
| March
7
The One Minute Devotion
(Rom 13:1-2 NLT) Obey the government,
for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been
placed in power by God. So those who refuse to obey the laws of
the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow.
I remember years ago standing in a friend's backyard arguing with a
preacher about the Bible. The conversation got hot and I became
infuriated. As the preacher left I yelled out to God: "Okay,
You're right about everything and I'm wrong about everything unless what
I think agrees with You." That was the first time I truly had
experienced repentance (which in the Greek means "to change your
mind"). God was right. I was wrong (unless of course
what I thought agreed with Him). Thomas Jefferson approached the
matter of Scripture a little different. If he didn't agree with
something in the Bible, he simply cut the "offending" verses
out. Sort of a holey Holy Bible. So where do you stand on
this matter? Is God right and you're wrong (unless of course what
you think agrees with God)? Or, do you have a Thomas Jefferson
Bible? One where you just overlook (or cut out) the verses with
which you don't agree? And what about today's text? Is God
right in these words? Or, do we just ignore them?
May our prayer today be: "Father, help me to submit to You and to
Your Word. Whether I understand it or not. Whether it makes
sense to my rational mind or not. Ultimately, I need to submit
completely to You. Help me reach that point and reach it
soon." |
| March 8
The One Minute Devotion
(Rom 13:10 NLT) Love does no wrong to
anyone, so love satisfies all of God's requirements.
I've covered this topic before and from many angles; but alas here is
one more. A simple sentence explaining how love fulfills the Law.
For again we see the Law is simply about doing what is right and not
doing wrong to anyone. But is that the life we live? Do we
not find ways to justify doing wrong? It's okay to cheat on our
taxes because our government is bad. It's okay to take things from
the office for personal use because everyone does it. It's okay to
lie because tell the truth would make things worse. It's okay to
be mean to your spouse because they had it coming. The list of our
rationalization for doing wrong goes on without end. But just
because we can rationalize with the carnal mind doing wrong does that
make it right? I don't think so. Can you imagine when you
stand before the judgment seat of Christ hearing these words: "What
exactly about 'do no wrong to anyone' did you not understand?"
May our prayer today be: "Father, let me live my life without
prejudice. And help me to do no wrong to anyone." |
| March 9
The One Minute Devotion
(Heb 13:8 NNAS) Jesus Christ is the
same yesterday and today and forever.
Now here's a familiar verse. Often quoted and by itself stands
alone just fine. But, how many of us look at it within the context
it was written? The context is that Jesus is the same yesterday,
today and forever; therefore, don't be so quick to cozy up to any new
teachings (my paraphrase). The early Church fathers spent almost
three hundred years coming up with the canon of Scripture, the creeds,
Church doctrine and dogma, plus the rudiments of Church theology.
I feel in part the writer of Hebrews is saying "hey, we've
explained over and over the simplicity of the Gospel and the doctrines
of Christ, so don't add stuff to what Jesus and the apostles have come
up with". For the Scriptures tell us the foundation of The
Church is the teachings of the apostle with Christ as the cornerstone.
While new teachings often sound interesting... if we can't trace them
back to Scripture and support them substantial there -- we probably
should stay away from them. Because the teachings of Jesus and the
apostles are the same yesterday, today and forever. Do not add to
what Jesus and the apostles have spoken. And do not take away from
what they have spoken either.
May our prayer today be: "Father, help me to stay rooted and
grounded in the teaching of Jesus and the apostles. Help me to
remember to bring every teaching I hear and read back to Scripture and
if it wasn't taught by Jesus or the apostles tell me." |
| March 10
The One Minute Devotion
(Luke 18:14 NNAS) "I tell you, this man
went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who
exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be
exalted."
There are a number of verses in the Bible that declare God's way of
doing things to be above or opposite of man's way of doing things.
Today's verse is a sterling example. In our world it is the man
that promotes himself that ends up being exalted. And the man that
humbles himself is seldom noticed. Yet Jesus, who was the exact
representation of God, said He was humble of heart. Wow!!
Our God is humble of heart? Who ever heard of a god with a humble
heart? Yet, that is what He says about Himself. So to exalt
ourselves would be in essence to put ourselves either above or opposed
to God. Probably not a good position to choose. Therefore,
let us put into practice the teachings of Scripture (Jesus) and humble
ourselves. If and when God wants us exalted... He will exalt us.
Otherwise our experience with God will be His humbling of us. If
we exalt ourselves God will humble us. If we humble ourselves God
will exalt us.
May our prayer today be: "Father, remind me daily that Your ways
are not the ways of mankind. Teach me Your ways O LORD.
Remind me of them daily. And Father, please help me humble myself.
Help me to have a truly humble heart like You." |
| March 11
The One Minute Devotion
(John 13:12-17 NLT) After washing their feet,
he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand
what I was doing? You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are
right, because it is true. And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have
washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have
given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. How true
it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers
more important than the one who sends them. You know these
things--now do them! That is the path of blessing.
Can you imagine having your feet washed by God? The fact that
Jesus demonstrates humility and the heart of a servant is obvious; but
what might slip our attention is His closing statements. First, He
says, "do as I have done". This isn't a suggestion --
it's a command. Then He repeats the command with emphasis --
"you know these things--now do them!" Then He places the
illumination before them: "That is the path of blessing".
In our "me, my, mine" world servitude is a rare commodity.
Even more rare is a "teacher" or "leader" that has a
servant's heart. Yet, Jesus says it is the servant heart and
actions that lead to His blessings. Blessings given and blessings
received. The blessed life is the life spent in service to others.
Regardless of our station or gifts in life, Jesus would call us to
esteem all others as more important than ourselves. This is what
He did and He is our example.
May our prayer today be: "Father, create in me a servant's heart.
Help me to esteem others as more important than myself. Help me to
realize the blessed path, the path of true love and spirituality is the
path of servanthood. Make me a servant O LORD even as Jesus was a
servant." |
| March
12
The One Minute Devotion
(Luke 18:24-27 NLT) Jesus watched him go and
then said to his disciples, "How hard it is for rich people to get
into the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through
the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of
God!" Those who heard this said, "Then who in the world
can be saved?" He replied, "What is impossible from a
human perspective is possible with God."
Every once-in-a-while I think we all need to stop and get our bearings.
We need to stop and go over the basics one more time. We need to
remind ourselves of the reality of our situations. "Who in
the world can be saved" the disciples asked. Jesus replied,
"What is impossible from a human perspective is possible with
God". Based on today's verse and many others I think it is
safe to say that people can't save themselves -- BUT -- God can save us.
In his study series "Spiritual Growth" Bruce Wilkinson says
there are three things all Christians need to keep constantly in focus:
(1) That God wants to have an intimate and personal relationship with
us. (2) That God's goal is to transform us into the image and
likeness of Jesus. (3) And that an ever increasing dependence on
the Holy Spirit is a critical part of the path toward true spirituality.
Impossible for man? Yes. Impossible for God? No.
Go with God.
May our prayer today be: "Father, help me to remember I can't save
myself. But, also help me to remember that you can save me.
That nothing is impossible for You." |
| March 13
The One Minute Devotion
(Heb 13:20-21 NLT) And now, may the
God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you
with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the
power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him. Jesus is the great
Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood.
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
I remember early on in my walk with God someone telling me that praying
Scripture was a good idea. One thing about praying Scripture... at
least you know you're praying according to God's will (assuming you
interpreted it correctly). Well, today's verse is the ultimate
"got you covered" verse. The writer of Hebrews declares
this great benediction and proclamation to the readers of his epistle:
"May God, equip you with ALL you need for doing His will and may He
produce in you (through the power of Jesus) ALL that is pleasing to Him"
(I like the word "ALL" in Scripture). For if you have
everything you need to do God's will and you are transformed by the
power of Jesus to please God in all ways... what more do you need?
Hallelujah! God provides, God sanctifies and God saves.
Bless His holy name.
May our prayer today be: "Father, equip me with all I need to do
Your will and produce in me through the power of Jesus all that is
pleasing to You." |
| March 14
The One Minute Devotion
(Heb 5:9 NLT) In this way, God
qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of
eternal salvation for all those who obey him.
Jesus told His disciples that Satan was the father of lies. He
lied to Adam and Eve and he's been lying and trying to deceive God's
people ever since. He even tried to lie to and deceive Jesus.
So, what's my point? Satan has spread a rumor around The Church
that all it takes to receive eternal life is to "believe in
Jesus". Well, in one sense that's true, so perhaps the
question is what does it mean in Scripture to "believe in
Jesus"? Any student of Scripture would quickly see that
"believing in Jesus" also includes "obeying Jesus".
The Bible says demons "believe" in Jesus and "they
tremble" (but no eternal life for them). As Christians we
must understand the belief that leads us to eternal life is the belief
that calls us to obey. Obedience is actually a genuine sign of
true belief. Belief that doesn't lead to obedience isn't true
belief at all (at least not according to biblical standards). It
isn't our "believing" in Jesus that concerns the devil so much
as our obeying Jesus. For if we truly believed in Jesus we would
obey His teachings. The person who says they believe in Jesus but
doesn't obey His teachings is either a liar or genuinely deceived.
May our prayer today be: "Father, help me to trust and obey." |
| March 15
The One Minute Devotion
(Heb 5:8 NLT) So even though Jesus was
God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
Suffering isn't something we American's embrace. Why isn't
suffering un-American? With a quick scan of my memory banks (which
are sometimes low on assets) I can think of at least four sources of
suffering: (1) self inflicted suffering, (2) suffering inflicted by
others, (3) suffering inflicted by the powers of darkness and (4)
suffering inflicted by God. Now some people object to number four
saying "God doesn't inflict suffering". But Hebrews
chapter twelve states otherwise. In that chapter it says "God
scourges His children so they can become partakers of His
holiness". If Jesus learned obedience why would we think we
wouldn't have to learn it? If Jesus learned it through the things
He suffered, why do we think things would be different for us?
When suffering comes to our lives we need to discern the source and act
accordingly. If self inflicted... stop it. If inflicted by
others... remove ourselves. If inflicted by the powers of darkness
hold up the shield of faith, stand firm and resist. If inflicted
by God... see what it is He's trying to teach you.
May our prayer today be: "Father, help me endure Your discipline as
a good child. Thank You that You love me so much You want me to
become a partaker of Your holiness. Teach me O LORD to be obedient
to Your Word even if it means suffering." |
| March 16
The One Minute Devotion
(Heb 5:7 NIV) During the days of
Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud
cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was
heard because of his reverent submission.
There are two items I'd like to draw our attention to in today's
Scripture verse. The first is "how Jesus prayed" and the
second is "why He was heard". Jesus prayed with loud
cries and tears. What does that say about the prayers of Jesus?
Does it say He prayed with passion? And does not James the Apostle
tell us the "passionate prayer of a righteous man can accomplish
much"? But why did Jesus need to pray with passion?
Because God required no less of His Son than He does us. And with
God all things need to be done with fullness of heart, mind and
strength. Secondly note that Jesus was heard because of His
reverent submission. Even though He was God He did not consider
equality with God a thing to be readily grasped. He revered His
Father. He was humble. He was pietistic. And these are
attitudes we as God's people need, too. So let us learn from
Jesus. Let us pray with passion. Let us walk in the fear of
God. Let us be humble. And let us walk in the virtue of
piety.
May our prayer today be: "Father, help me to make all my prayers
sincere. Not to merely rattle off lines of memorized rote, but
rather to pray with all my heart, mind and strength. Help to reach
a life of humility and piety. And help me to walk in reverence
toward You." |
| March 17
The One Minute Devotion
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| March 18
The One Minute Devotion
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| March 19
The One Minute Devotion
(Heb 4:16 NLT) So let us come boldly to the
throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and
we will find grace to help us when we need it.
As little children when we did something wrong we would try to hid
ourselves or the evidence of our incident from our parents. Like
unto the way Adam and Eve reacted to the presence of God after they had
eaten the forbidden fruit. But in today's Scripture God is trying
to teach us instead of running from God when we sin we should run to God
when we sin. In actuality we should run to God anytime we have a
need. We should run to God "boldly" or with confidence.
Why? Because God wants to help His children. He wants to
give us mercy. He wants to give us grace. He wants to
forgive us. He wants to transform us. God didn't send His
Son into this world to die on a cross so that He could afterwards turn
His back on us in our times of weakness, need or sin. God is
totally committed to our salvation. So go boldly to the throne of
God in your time of need so that you can receive the grace and mercy you
need to continue in your walk with Him.
May our prayer today be: "Father, thank You for calling me to come
to You in my times of need with great confidence. Thank You Father
for Your love; the love that is beyond my understanding -- yet the love
You want me to know. Father, strengthen me in my inner man by the
Holy Spirit so that Christ may dwell in my heart by faith. Thank
You Father for Your perpetual mercy and grace that flows from Your
throne like an unending river." |
| March 20
The One Minute Devotion
(Jer 10:23-24 NLT) I know, LORD, that a
person's life is not his own. No one is able to plan his own
course. So correct me, LORD, but please be gentle. Do not
correct me in anger, for I would die.
I some times think it is the tendency of people to see themselves too
large and see God too small. That we see ourselves as the
"master's of our own destiny" and God as "He who sitteth
far away". But according to Jeremiah the converse is true.
We are not the master's of our own destiny and God is not only up close
and personal but sometimes He's in our face. Now I'm not saying we
don't have free will, but I am saying even those who see themselves as
"in control" really don't see and understand life in truth.
And as far as God correcting us... well this actually should be
something we understand the importance of by now and welcome His
discipline and correction. How can we know the truth if God
doesn't correct us? How can we know the way if God doesn't
correct us? Thus the one who thinks they know everything in
reality doesn't really understand much of anything (see 1 Corinthians
8:1).
May our prayer today be: "Father, help me to realize the only way
I'm going to find the way is to lean on You each and ever day. And
Father, help me to understand that You correct me because You love
me and because You don't want me walking down the path of
destruction." |
| March 21
The One Minute Devotion
(Isa 57:15 NNAS) For thus says the
high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, "I
dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of
spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the
heart of the contrite.
Wow!! What a powerful verse. Ever notice that God often
seems to be doing two thing that appear to be opposites? And He
often calls us to do the same? You know like -- "if you want
to be great in His kingdom you have to be the least in the
kingdom"? Well, look at today's verse and rejoice. God,
Who is the high and exalted One (that's powerful); the one Who lives
forever (hallelujah) and whose name is Holy -- dwells in a high and holy
place (if that doesn't bring reverence and awe to your heart I don't
know what will). Then this same high, exalted and holy God Who
dwells in high and holy places also dwells with the contrite and lowly
of spirit individual. Why? So He can revive the spirit of
the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite. Hallelujah.
What god is like our God? He is high and holy yet He is gentle and
caring even to the least of His creatures.
May our prayer today be: "Father, high, exalted and holy God -- You
are worthy of all praise and glory. You alone are excellent.
Father, come into my heart. Come into my spirit and lift me up to
the heavenlies with You. Let me know that while I live on this
earth and in a body that needs redemption -- I also live in heavenly
places with You and Jesus -- and You live in my heart by the Holy
Spirit. Oh, how wonderful and marvelous are Your ways. Thank
You, Father." |
| March 22
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| March 23
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| March 24
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| March 25
The One Minute Devotion
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| March 26
The One Minute Devotion
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| March 27
The One Minute Devotion
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| March 28
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| March 29
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| March 30
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| March 31
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