My Daily Devotion

April 22, 2020
Overwhelmed by Problems

2 Timothy 1:1-9
Job described the human condition with these words: “Man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). This was certainly the situation for Timothy, a young pastor trying to protect the church from persecution and false doctrine. And as a result, he was becoming discouraged and found his passion waning.
Things are no different today, right? Overwhelming troubles can cause us to grow weak and lose our zeal for God, His Word, and prayer. The solution for us today is the same one Paul gave Timothy all those years ago. The apostle reminded his protégé that “God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
The path to spiritual revival is found in the very things we are sometimes reluctant to do—praying and reading the Word. When we read Scripture, our mind is renewed with God’s truth, and we draw comfort, strength, and courage from His promises and unfailing love. Through prayer and submission, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to endure afflictions with hope and joy in Christ. So instead of yielding to despair, let God use your troubles to rekindle your spiritual life.

My wife and I read a daily devotion each day as well as bible reading, bible study, and prayer. I highly recommend this for all married couples or those couples contemplating marriage.

Sunday Reflection: The Blessing of Creation

In the beginning, God created the world—a place for every living thing to flourish as He intended. And telling the first man and woman to be stewards of the earth, He gave them power to maintain harmony in His creation if they obeyed Him—or to bring discord if they didn’t.
As Jesus spoke, the crowd around Him surely recalled that God had charged their ancestors to take care of the earth—“to cultivate … and keep it” (Gen. 2:15). At the same time, the Lord’s first-century audience knew all too well what it meant to be oppressed, as their cities were occupied by military conquerors. In this context, imagine how they received His promise that the meek would inherit the earth. Maybe they envisioned their earthly oppressors falling to their knees before God. Or perhaps they imagined freedom and riches.

Think about it
• Consider how living in today’s world might influence how we hear Jesus’ words. Do you find your perspective affected by prevalent cultural messages? What does it mean today—in 2020—to be gentle, faithful stewards who’ll inherit the earth?
• What comes to mind when you think about inheriting the earth? Consider what it means both for you individually and also for the church.

Where the Battle Is Won

Matthew 26:36-56
In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus wrestled with the knowledge that He would die on the cross, bearing the weight of our sin and being spiritually separated from the Father.
Jesus got alone before the Father and cried out. And when He left that garden, He walked out with calm resolve. Jesus would still drink the cup of suffering and separation, but He knew that in the end, He would triumph (Heb. 12:2). That’s why He could face the cross, the beatings, and the humiliation. When Jesus went to confront the arresting party, He was ready—so much so that the Pharisees and soldiers “drew back and fell to the ground” (John 18:6). He allowed them to arrest Him, determined to do His Father’s will.
We, too, can come to know God’s heart and mind when we’re in the habit of regularly spending time alone with Him. Then as difficult decisions come, we’ll be better prepared to discern His will.
When we fully surrender to the Father’s plan, we put our decision-making into the hands of an all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful God, who holds the past, present, and future. Even in staggering trials, you can move forward with courage and power that will glorify Him.