Daily Devotion - April 11, 2025

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. (1 Pet. 1:3-4)

A while back, I was invited to a very fancy party. I was feeling out of place amid the high-society crowd in their tuxedos and black ties when a young man in tattered jeans, flannel shirt, and hiking boots strolled over to me and struck up a conversation.

I enjoyed the opportunity to converse with someone who seemed more like me in social and economic status. Despite his apparent poverty and casual attire, he exuded a relaxed ease and personal confidence. Only later did I understand why. 

Another friend asked me, “Do you know who you were talking to?” I had no idea. My friend said, “That is the heir to one of the largest chemical company fortunes in the world.” 

The man’s father had insisted he live without the benefits of wealth for a time to learn the “real” world. But the young man was still confident of his inheritance. He was not bothered by his current challenges because his future status was sure.

In a similar way, we can face real, current challenges without crippling anxiety, because our relationship with Jesus assures us of an eternal inheritance that nothing in this world can deny.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the inheritance that awaits me in heaven because of your gift of eternal life in Christ! Help me so to lay hold of your assurance that I am an heir of your kingdom that I am not overwhelmed by any deprivation or discouragement that current circumstance may bring. 

Daily Devotion - April 10, 2025

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thess. 4:13-14)

God’s resurrection promises of loved ones’ security in heaven until our eternal reunion can provide profound comfort. My wife, Kathy, and I witnessed this vividly when visiting a grieving friend. 

Days before our visit, our friend’s daughter had been killed in a farming accident. The sweetness of the girl made the seeming senselessness of the tragedy all the more acute.

Still, with a deep faith in God’s ultimate care, the girl’s mother told us how she trusted God had already rescued her young daughter from the trials and temptations of an adult world. 

After the funeral, the family gathered for a meal. A neglected TV in the room aired a public service ad graphically warning of drug-infested streets. The ad caught the mother’s attention. She shook her finger at the screen, declaring, “But you can’t touch my baby. She’s with Jesus.” 

Despite her heartache over being separated from her daughter for a time, the mother was comforted that her child was safe in Jesus’ arms. She claimed the victory of grace that would reunite her with her child forever – a reunion that death itself could not deny.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the confidence I will be reunited with loved ones who are “asleep” in Christ and that we will be together for eternity with him.

Daily Devotion - April 9, 2025

Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Rom. 5:1-2)

Somewhere in my attic I have a World War II era newspaper given to me by my mother. She saved the paper because the headline declared in six-inch tall letters, “PEACE,” when the war ended. 

My mother reported that when that news of peace spread through her small Tennessee town, people poured out of their homes and businesses to dance in the street! When peace came after so much suffering and dying, spontaneous joy overflowed and could not be stopped!

The Apostle Paul writes from the context of another war, a spiritual war, which can only be won through the gracious provision of God’s Son. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice to save us from the consequences of our sins, we can now have peace with God. 

When you consider that the war with sin has been won for you by Jesus’ victorious resurrection and your peace with God is secure forever, then you will know why you should rejoice in hope of the glory of God. His glory is revealed in the eternal peace that Jesus won. So even if you don’t dance – REJOICE! 

Prayer: Father, as I focus today on the peace your grace has won through the sacrifice of Jesus and the victory of his resurrection, may I be filled with rejoicing! May the joy of the Lord be my strength.

Daily Devotion - April 8, 2025

Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Cor. 5:14-15)

What is the most powerful human motivation? Love! We shouldn’t let that truth merely be a sentimental or romantic affirmation. 

What drives a mother back into a burning building? More powerful than fear, or pain, or personal preservation is love. 

Why does the Bible focus so much upon our need to love God – identifying such love as the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:36-38)? The answer is that there is no more powerful human motivation for God’s purposes. When we love God above all things, even our own lives, then living for his highest priorities is our greatest compulsion. 

What creates such love in us? The Bible is clear about that, too: We love because God first loved us (1 Jn. 4:19). When we are convinced that Christ died for us, then we desire to live for him. His love makes us want to do his work, and his resurrection power in us makes that possible. 

We may still get nervous when we try to tell others about Jesus, or stand for him against opposition or temptation, but the love of God compels us – as it did the Apostle Paul – when we remember his grace. 

Prayer: Lord, I confess my hesitation to live and speak for you. May the love you have shown me now compel me to show and tell others about the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Daily Devotion - April 7, 2025

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 3:23-24)

If all we do is teach people to be good, they’ll inevitably think that their relationship with God is a consequence of their behavior. But it’s not. Our eternal relationship with God is a result of trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection — plus nothing else! There is nothing we can do to justify ourselves before God or to add to the perfect work already completed by Jesus Christ!

As important as our conduct can be for fully enjoying and honoring our relationship with God, neither our best behavior nor our finest expressions establish or sustain his love. 

You do not become or remain God’s child because of how good you are or how articulate is your religiosity. You are his child because of humble faith in the grace God extended to you through the loving sacrifice of his one and only Son.

When we grasp nothing but the empty cross as the basis of our standing before God, then those empty hands of faith are filled with nothing but the grace we require to love, and live for, him. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for redeeming me from empty attempts to justify myself to you with claims of good behavior or eloquent religion. Please keep my hands empty of any claim upon your love except faith in my risen Lord. Fill my heart with the grace I need to love, and live for, you.

Daily Devotion - April 4, 2025

We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Cor. 3:18 CSB)

If we’re honest, we’re all painfully aware of our faults and frailties. So, how is it possible for us to meet God’s requirement for holiness? One answer is depicted in a children’s version of John Bunyan’s classic tale, The Pilgrim’s Progress.

On his journey, pilgrim discovers a wonderful mirror. There’s nothing unusual about the front of the glass. It reveals the features, flaws, and blemishes of whomever holds it. 

However, the back of mirror displays the face of Jesus. Whoever looks at the person from the back of the mirror only sees Jesus. 

So also, when we honestly reflect on our lives, we see the flaws and blemishes that accompany all of our features. But, in his mercy, God chooses to look at us from the direction that reveals only his Son. We see our sin; God chooses to see his Son. 

The pilgrim’s wonderful mirror reveals how you can be holy in this life – not by your own merits but by the mercy of God that substitutes the goodness and glory of Jesus’ image for yours, even as you are being transformed more into his likeness.

Prayer: Father, thank you for looking at me through the image of your Son. Now continue to transform me into that same image, so that the glory you have provided for me will become more and more reflected in me.

Daily Devotion - April 3, 2025

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Rom. 13:1)

Let’s face it, some of God’s rules are easier to follow than others. When God says, “You shall not murder,” most of us rest easy, knowing we’re probably not in danger of violating that one! But submitting to some of God’s other rules can challenge us.

Consider how you feel about: “Pay to all what is owed,” or “put away all anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth,” or “let every person be subject to the governing authorities.”

Does the Bible really say, “prayers, petitions and thanksgivings [should] be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority?” Yes. The Bible says that. Advocating for a political cause does not excuse us from doing so God’s way. 

In our polarized culture, honoring temporal authorities who bring order to society so that the gospel can spread isn’t always easy – or even approved by other Christians. But we need to remember our ultimate citizenship is in heaven and our ultimate ruler is the Lord. We never abandon his standards in advocating his purposes. 

Our aim is to bring glory to him in how we conduct ourselves, even in opposing wrong. We do not approve of evil nor do it to oppose it.  God will use righteous words and conduct toward those in authority for our witness to his greater glory.

Prayer: Lord, I know you have appointed officials for the good of society. Help me rightly to honor their authority out of submission to you, as I trust you to accomplish your purposes through your people in your timing.

Daily Devotion - April 2, 2025

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of God our Father. (Gal. 1:3-4)

Has anyone ever sacrificed for you in a way that changed your life? Such provision happened for me during my senior year of college. I was undecided about a career path, facing college debt without a job, feeling the loneliness of singleness, and my parents’ marriage was falling apart. This combo shook me to the core. I need spiritual rescue.

So, during my winter break from school, I met with a man I’d come to rely on. He was running a seminary and invited me to come study Scripture — just to help me get back on track.  

It wasn’t until about fifteen years later, when I became a leader at that same seminary, that I pulled up my old student file. I discovered not only had that man offered me a scholarship, but he also paid for it with his own money. He sacrificed so I could find the right path – a path that renewed my spirit, led me into ministry, and provided my family. 

Jesus sacrifice does even more for us. He rescues us from our sin, transforms our hearts, and puts us on the path of eternal safety in his family. 

Trust the One who gave himself for you and walk the path his sacrifice proves was laid in love.

Prayer: Father, thank you for rescuing me from evil and for putting me on the path of spiritual safety and blessing. Help me walk that path to honor the One who gave himself for me.

Daily Devotion - April 1, 2025

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. (Jer. 17:7-8)

Many of us are encouraged by Bible verses that promise a reward for our faithful obedience to God. That’s good. That’s why such verses are in Scripture.

But there are two easy ways to mess up the encouragement. One way is to claim credit for the blessings; the other way is to claim nothing but blessings will come to those sufficiently obedient.  

God’s beautiful blessings should be viewed more as evidence of his faithfulness than of our deserving. The person who receives them “trusts in the Lord,” not in his or her qualifications. We should never say, “God, I have earned my reward. So, pay up!”

Despite our underserving, God’s tender care showers those who trust Him with kindness, grace, and mercy. In these ways the whole world can see his grace on display, and his people delight in his love.

But spiritual blessings do not always translate into material blessings. Family unity, personal well-being, and financial stability are often believers’ earthly fruit, but not always. Heat and drought still come to trees once planted by water. If trials never came, we would not need to trust the Lord. 

The trials of this world and the flaws of our heart ever turn us to our eternal Help. Through them we learn of God’s sure blessings flowing beyond this world, not because we are good but because he is.

Prayer: Father, may your abundant blessings for my heart strengthen me when earthly blessings seem few and motivate me to bear fruit that pleases you and honors your Son.

Daily Devotion - March 31, 2025

The King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matt. 25:34-35)

A woman visiting our church told me a worn sofa was the reason she entered the kingdom of God. 

An older woman in the church invited this visitor to her home. The house was not fancy, and the furnishings were plain. Still, the two enjoyed a lovely meal during which the guest noticed the worn couch. 

The godly woman of meager means explained that she had welcomed so many people into her home, the visits wore out the fabric!  Simple hospitality and a willingness to open a home to people she didn’t know had given the opportunity to share Jesus’ love and grace with many! 

This dear woman didn’t invite others out of pride. She didn’t fail to invite them out of embarrassment. She simply shared and showed, from the means that God had supplied, the message of his unconditional grace.

What a great example! A worn sofa represented the gospel in action. It was a glimpse of how we can let the world know that you don’t have to be picture perfect to get into Jesus’ house – or to share it. The grace that let us in is the grace that others need to know, even if it is revealed by our imperfect lives. 

Prayer: Lord, just as you have welcomed the mess of me into your kingdom, so may I share your love by welcoming those who need your grace, love, and forgiveness.

Daily Devotion - March 28, 2025

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (Prov. 31:30-31)

The author of Proverbs 31 writes, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies … her husband has full confidence in her … and she brings him good … not harm … all the days of her life.”

These verses remind us that love and respect are inextricably linked. The women the Bible presents as most desirable are those who are most respected by their husbands. This is simply because men are most relationally drawn to women they respect, even if they may be tempted to use those that they don’t.

The Bible’s emphasis on a woman’s noble character does not deny the gift of beauty. But it makes clear that physical attraction alone, though powerful, will not maintain a relationship where mutual respect has died. 

A Proverbs 31 wife loves and respects her husband, but she is also to be loved and respected by her husband, who praises her and calls her, “Blessed.”  Mutual respect rooted in God’s grace toward each spouse forges the deepest bonds of biblical marriage!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to see the connection between love and respect. Deepen love in my marriage by fostering respect in my heart for my spouse.

Daily Devotion - March 27, 2025

To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves…we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. (Eph. 1:6-7 NIV)

Would you like to know the best summer travelling tip my family has found? Waffle House cheese grits for 35 cents! Now, I’m not talking about just a dab of grits, but a whole heaping, huge bowl of delicious grits. That’s almost as good as free! 

But then I read the fine print: 35 cents with any full entrée. And that got me thinking. Isn’t that how many of us view God’s grace? Almost free—but surely you must do something else to get it, right?

I mean, if God really offered grace freely, then it would be available to all no matter what they have done. Surely that can’t be fair or right. Can it?

Well, it is not fair, but it is right. In fact, it’s better than fair because it’s a result of God’s mercy. And, it is right because it is from God’s heart. 

God’s grace is free because Jesus paid its price for all of us. Receiving his grace is not a consequence of qualifying for it, but of acknowledging that we could never qualify by our efforts or achievements. 

Now anyone – regardless of things past or present – can receive grace by faith that God provided it entirely through the work of his Son and that it is really, entirely free. We don’t receive grace by doing a little more or a lot more of anything. 

We confess that we need God’s rescue from sin and rest in our Heavenly Father’s assurance that Jesus paid all that was necessary for our redemption. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for offering redemption from my sin by the offer of entirely free grace received by faith alone in Christ alone.  

Daily Devotion - March 26, 2025

The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” . . . But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:11-13)

“Guilty, as charged.” Those are words we never want to hear, especially when it comes to our role in the horrific death of our Savior. We don’t like to think we’re guilty of sending him to the cross. It’s easier to point the finger at other key players: Judas, Pilate, and the Sanhedrin. 

But it was for me my Savior died. My sins nailed him to the cross. Such awareness of the true causes and culprits of Jesus’ suffering should make us cry out, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Still, such words are hard to say, and harder to believe. Am I really such a sinner that Jesus had to die for me? Unless the answer is, yes, we are saying the cross of Jesus was unnecessary for persons like us, and we line up with the Pharisee who prayed about himself, thanking God that he was not like others. 

Why confess more than that? Because when we confess our need, we get Jesus – the King of the Universe and Savior of Sinners to die for our sin, to advocate in heaven for our needs, and to work all things together in heaven and on earth for our good. Confession, we are told is good for the soul – it’s actually much better than that. It’s good for making all on earth and in eternity God’s blessing to us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that I am guilty of rebelling against you, but I don’t tend to think that way. I confess my lack of confession. Help me again to sense deeply that it was for me my Savior died, so I long to live for him.

Daily Devotion - March 25, 2025

Those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Rom. 8:29)

Perhaps the most cited proof for God’s persevering grace is where Paul says, “Those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” 

The reason for citing this passage is how it continues. The apostle goes on “those whom he [God] predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” 

In none of those phrases does Paul say, “Some of those….” When God tips the first domino in the process of our salvation, he makes all the dominoes fall without losing any of us in whom he began to work. Why is that so important and encouraging?

The assurance that God will finish the work he has begun reveals that – though we can have our ups and downs in the Christian life – he perseveres in his love for us. We may fail, but he is faithful. He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. 

So, if you have truly acknowledged that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, then God’s wonderful grace has tipped the dominoes in your heart toward him! You are heaven bound with all who love him – there are no exceptions! Let this strong assurance crush all doubt and worry that would keep your heart from beating strongly for Jesus.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for enabling me to confess my need and love of Jesus. Let those dominoes you have tipped in my heart join with biblical assurance of your persevering love to keep me from spiritual defeat through anxious worry.

Daily Devotion - March 24, 2025

Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are like crimson, they shall become like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)

The call came from the airport. An unknown student had arrived from Africa, expecting to receive pastoral training. A kind teacher went to pick him up, and found an old man with decaying teeth, rotting shoes, and a beaming smile. 

Over time, we discovered he was the only pastor of a thriving congregation of a mere 4000 people. As his years were nearing their end, the people of his mud floor, thatch roof church combined meager resources to send their Pastor Augustin to seminary to receive training to prepare his successors. 

We learned to love this gentle, humble, humorous man. He nearly fell from my car in laughter the first time he gave his food order to a microphone in the life-size Jack-in-the-Box at a drive-through. 

The other time I remember him laughing to the point of tears was when this dear man from a tropical climate saw snow for the first time. He was standing without a jacket in the school parking lot, looking agape at the white flakes coating his shoulders. 

When he saw me, he pointed skyward and shouted for joy: “Look, look. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as this snow.” 

The power and comfort of the gospel come to our hearts, when we retain the wonder and the joy of such a simple, profound truth. The grace of God is greater than all our sins. Though they be as scarlet, through Christ’s pardon they shall be white as snow.”

Prayer: Lord, when grief and guilt for sin threaten to overwhelm my heart, renew my joy with the promise of grace: though my sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.

Daily Devotion - March 21, 2025

Share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. (2 Tim. 1:8-9)

The Nike slogan, “Just Do It,” can become a substitute for the gospel in hearts accustomed to exchanging performance for reward. 

We can even adopt the perspective that being a Christian simply means Just Do More to please God than other people. But how do you measure more? How much more will ever be enough to please a perfect God?

The answer, of course, is there will never be enough “more” in our performance to qualify us for an infinitely holy God’s approval. We simply cannot lift ourselves to heaven. 

Instead, the gospel assures us of that the infinitely holy and able God lifts us to himself “because of his own purpose and grace.” 

Such “lifting love” so lifts our hearts that we become zealous for our Savior. We want to please him. We are even willing to suffer for the One who gave us a holy calling before the ages began. 

He loved us before we could qualify for his care, called us to his work before we knew him, and empowers us by amazing grace for heaven’s purposes that will endure long after this world is done.   

Prayer: Lord, you saved me, not because of my works but through your grace. Help me to be gripped by an empowering love for the eternal purposes of this gospel, even if I must suffer for its truth on earth.

Daily Devotion - March 20, 2025

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. (Eph. 1:15-16)

In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul thanks God for people who are obviously flawed in many ways. They need his instruction for understanding God, worship, unity, forgiveness, family, and faith. They are people like you and me — broken, sinful, weak, and frayed. How can Paul give thanks for people like us?

 Paul put on his gospel glasses to see himself and others through the lens of grace. In doing so, he first reminds us all that our salvation and ongoing transformation are a gift of God, not a product of our works so that no one can boast. 

Then Paul reminds all such boast-less people that they have been loved eternally by God and will be the instruments of his eternal purposes. Through flawed people like us, God will bring all the world under the Lordship of Jesus. 

Paul gives thanks for people like you and me, knowing what God intends for all of us to be: transformed, transforming, and treasured witnesses of the necessity and power of God’s grace. 

Like any good pastor, parent, or boss, the apostle uses praise to help people see their potential not merely their problems. He empowers those who struggle by sharing a perspective of them provided by the lens of grace. They may not think much of themselves, but Paul sees all believers clothed in the glory of the grace of God and gives thanks for them. So should we.  

Prayer: Father, help me to put on gospel glasses, so that I can see myself and others as you intend. Help me to help others by this perspective of grace and the power of praise.

Daily Devotion - March 19, 2025

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:12-13)

There is an old story about a son who was tasked with removing some stones from his father’s garden. Try as he might, the boy couldn’t remove the boulders. He returned to his father, saying, “I can’t do it.” 

The father told him to give it another try. Then, after a few more unsuccessful attempts, the boy said, “Father, I’ve tried with all I have, and I still don’t have the strength to do what you require.” At this, the boy’s father replied, “You haven’t tried with all your resources, because you haven’t asked me to help.”

That’s a good reminder for us all: We can do all that God requires of us through his strength! Apart from him we can do nothing (Jn. 15:5), but through him who strengthens us we can do all things.

When the task seems impossible – when your strength is clearly inadequate for accomplishing God’s will, do not forget to ask his help. We have not done all that we can for God, until we have sought to be strong in the power of his might (Eph. 6:10). 

Prayer: Father, when I feel weak or inadequate, please remind me that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Do not let me neglect to ask your help.

Daily Devotion - March 18, 2025

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Pet. 1:14-16)

The Apostle Peter reminds us that God’s command is plain: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” For the hot-tempered, rash-speaking, and thrice-denying-Jesus apostle those words could have been as scary to write as they are for us to read. 

Without Christ’s provision, those words should scare anyone! They should make us wonder, “How does God expect me to be holy? I know my weaknesses of temper, speech, and courage. How can I ever meet this standard?”

The answer lies in the identity of those that Peter addresses. Yes, they are called to obedience, but they are also called children. The only way that you can really be God’s child is if he is your Father. And, Jesus told us how we would really know our Heavenly Father: “No one knows … who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Luke 10:22).

We know we are God’s children, when we believe him to be the One who sent Jesus to die for our sins. Jesus’ ministry reveals that Heavenly Father. If you believe Jesus revealed him, you are his child. 

When Peter calls us to be holy, he is not urging us to qualify for a relationship with our Heavenly Father; he is urging us to live for the Father who already provided Christ’s holiness to make us his children by faith.

Prayer: Father, I know that you have already made me your holy child by my trust in the work of your Son. Now help me each day to be more of what I am – a holy child, who loves and honors you in what I think, do, and say.

Daily Devotion - March 17, 2025

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Pet. 1:3)

My wife, Kathy, was helping our daughter with an algebra problem, and by the sound of it … things were not going well. Our straight-A student had burst into tears, claimed she couldn’t do it, and declared, “I’m just so stupid.”

Kathy rarely speaks with an edge, but her stern response was sharp enough to cut through our daughter’s tears. Said Kathy, “Don’t you dare say that. You are a smart and capable young woman, who has all the gifts to do this. Now do the work.” 

Kathy told my daughter what she needed to hear to do what was required. And what our daughter needed was a firm reminder of the knowledge and ability she had to handle her problems.

God may speak to us with a similar sternness from Scripture. When he hears our self-defeating cries, he lovingly but firmly corrects, saying, “My divine power has given you everything you need to deal with your problems and live for my glory and goodness. Do not give up. You can do this.” 

Even when we have reason to doubt our own abilities, we are called to faith in God. He promises to supply all that we need to accomplish all that he assigns for our witness and work. So, we trust his gracious supply and remain faithful to our calling.

Prayer: Lord, help me to remain faithful to you by trusting your promise to supply everything I need to live a godly life.