The following devotions are written and shared weekly by Pastor Steve Harmon.
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Day One
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today’s devotion from Portals of Prayer is based on 1 John 5:14. Here John is talking about the confidence we have, as those who believe in Jesus Christ, in approaching God. That confidence is this: if we ask anything according to God’s will, He hears us. And while it’s nice to know that we will be heard, asking according to God’s will can be a stumbling block for many. If knowing God’s will is a prerequisite for “successful” prayers, then the confidence we have will disappear. The key is really the promises we have in Jesus. He is our mediator between us and God the Father. If we ask anything in His name, God will hear and answer (according to His will). That we should come to God through Jesus Christ is God’s will. So, in that way, we can be sure God hears. Jesus also taught us a prayer to pray. The Lord’s Prayer consists of seven petitions. And all of those petitions are in accordance with God’s will. That prayer is a good place to start since it is the prayer that Jesus has taught us. Pray that prayer and you will never have to wonder if God hears you.
Day Two
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today’s devotion was based on Romans 6:23. There Paul writes that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. That should raise at least one question: “How did death become the wage of sin?” When God created Adam in the Garden, He told him not to eat the fruit of the tree in the middle of the Garden because, in the day that he ate it, he would surely die. The wage of Adam’ sin was death. If Adam sinned (and he did), he would die. But he didn’t. Animals were sacrificed in Adam’s place. His nakedness was covered by animal skins. Their blood paid the price that sin demanded – that Adam deserved. That sacrifice pointed forward to the sacrifice that Jesus would make to rescue us from that penalty. By Jesus’ blood, the wages of sin were paid in full. We have been covered in Christ’s righteous robes. We are hidden in Christ. And so we live as blood bought children of God.
Day Three
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today’s devotion, based on James 1:5, focuses on wisdom. The writer talks about the benefits of wisdom such as making right choices in order to avoid negative consequences. We simply need to ask God for wisdom and He will give it to us. I would like to talk about the difference between wisdom and knowledge. Knowing a lot of stuff doesn’t make one wise. In fact, God’s word talks about knowledge serves only to puff one up – an “I know more than you do” kind of thing. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. More specifically, the application of God’s truth. I can know the Ten Commandments, but without any application, they remain information. But if I put those commands into practice, then I gain wisdom by the application of those truths and in dealing with the consequences of that application (good and bad).
Day Four
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The writer of today’s devotion, based on Matthew 6:33, tells us not to worry about the daily stuff – what we will wear or what we will eat and drink. We are to live without a care because our God will care for our every need. And while that’s true, it’s not easy to live without worries. The finances get stretched too thin or are cut
back due to changes in employment. The cost of goods escalates putting more pressure on the budget. Based on the evidence, it’s hard not to worry. What Jesus is telling us is that in the midst of those worries and uncertainties, we are to focus on those things that are steadfast and sure. Look to the kingdom of God – the eternal inheritance that God has given to you. Look to Christ who has given His life to you and made you a child of God. Focus on the hope that is yours in Jesus Christ and the resurrection that He has shared with you. Then, in the peace of that assurance, go about your day trusting that God, who has guaranteed your future, will provide what you need for today.
Day Five
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today’s devotion is based on Ephesians 6:11 and talks about being battle ready. “A typical day in Army boot camp begins around 4:30 or 5:00 am. That is if it’s a good day! A drill sergeant will enter the room, flip on the lights, and start yelling. You get about ten seconds to get dressed and another five minutes to brush your teeth, shave, and use the latrine, and then you’re off for a morning run with a fifty-pound load strapped to your back. Then, the next day, you get up and do it again. Hard work and discipline are necessary for all those who volunteer to serve in our armed forces,. Without that tough training, they would not be prepared to defend our country’s freedom. Though you may have never served in the armed forces, as a Christian you still face battles every day. If not prepared or dressed properly for these battles, you may find yourself in despair. God gives us an armor that cannot be penetrated. The devil will shoot all sorts of things our way, but if we are prepared and fully dressed for battle, we can use God’s Word as our greatest weapon to stand firm against all the devil’s schemes.” Having been baptized into Jesus Christ, we have all been properly dressed and prepared for those battles. We have been clothed in the truth who is Jesus Christ. We are also clothed in His righteousness. We have been given the shield of faith that trusts in God’s strength, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit who is the power that overcomes the devil’s attacks. Make the choice to trust the armor that you have been given in Christ. Cling to His Word and promise that says He will never leave you nor forsake you. And greater is He who lives in you than the one who is in the world. We will face many battles, but we know that through Christ’s death and resurrection the war is over. The victory is won.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today’s devotion from Portals of Prayer is based on 1 John 5:14. Here John is talking about the confidence we have, as those who believe in Jesus Christ, in approaching God. That confidence is this: if we ask anything according to God’s will, He hears us. And while it’s nice to know that we will be heard, asking according to God’s will can be a stumbling block for many. If knowing God’s will is a prerequisite for “successful” prayers, then the confidence we have will disappear. The key is really the promises we have in Jesus. He is our mediator between us and God the Father. If we ask anything in His name, God will hear and answer (according to His will). That we should come to God through Jesus Christ is God’s will. So, in that way, we can be sure God hears. Jesus also taught us a prayer to pray. The Lord’s Prayer consists of seven petitions. And all of those petitions are in accordance with God’s will. That prayer is a good place to start since it is the prayer that Jesus has taught us. Pray that prayer and you will never have to wonder if God hears you.
Day Two
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today’s devotion was based on Romans 6:23. There Paul writes that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. That should raise at least one question: “How did death become the wage of sin?” When God created Adam in the Garden, He told him not to eat the fruit of the tree in the middle of the Garden because, in the day that he ate it, he would surely die. The wage of Adam’ sin was death. If Adam sinned (and he did), he would die. But he didn’t. Animals were sacrificed in Adam’s place. His nakedness was covered by animal skins. Their blood paid the price that sin demanded – that Adam deserved. That sacrifice pointed forward to the sacrifice that Jesus would make to rescue us from that penalty. By Jesus’ blood, the wages of sin were paid in full. We have been covered in Christ’s righteous robes. We are hidden in Christ. And so we live as blood bought children of God.
Day Three
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today’s devotion, based on James 1:5, focuses on wisdom. The writer talks about the benefits of wisdom such as making right choices in order to avoid negative consequences. We simply need to ask God for wisdom and He will give it to us. I would like to talk about the difference between wisdom and knowledge. Knowing a lot of stuff doesn’t make one wise. In fact, God’s word talks about knowledge serves only to puff one up – an “I know more than you do” kind of thing. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. More specifically, the application of God’s truth. I can know the Ten Commandments, but without any application, they remain information. But if I put those commands into practice, then I gain wisdom by the application of those truths and in dealing with the consequences of that application (good and bad).
Day Four
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The writer of today’s devotion, based on Matthew 6:33, tells us not to worry about the daily stuff – what we will wear or what we will eat and drink. We are to live without a care because our God will care for our every need. And while that’s true, it’s not easy to live without worries. The finances get stretched too thin or are cut
back due to changes in employment. The cost of goods escalates putting more pressure on the budget. Based on the evidence, it’s hard not to worry. What Jesus is telling us is that in the midst of those worries and uncertainties, we are to focus on those things that are steadfast and sure. Look to the kingdom of God – the eternal inheritance that God has given to you. Look to Christ who has given His life to you and made you a child of God. Focus on the hope that is yours in Jesus Christ and the resurrection that He has shared with you. Then, in the peace of that assurance, go about your day trusting that God, who has guaranteed your future, will provide what you need for today.
Day Five
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today’s devotion is based on Ephesians 6:11 and talks about being battle ready. “A typical day in Army boot camp begins around 4:30 or 5:00 am. That is if it’s a good day! A drill sergeant will enter the room, flip on the lights, and start yelling. You get about ten seconds to get dressed and another five minutes to brush your teeth, shave, and use the latrine, and then you’re off for a morning run with a fifty-pound load strapped to your back. Then, the next day, you get up and do it again. Hard work and discipline are necessary for all those who volunteer to serve in our armed forces,. Without that tough training, they would not be prepared to defend our country’s freedom. Though you may have never served in the armed forces, as a Christian you still face battles every day. If not prepared or dressed properly for these battles, you may find yourself in despair. God gives us an armor that cannot be penetrated. The devil will shoot all sorts of things our way, but if we are prepared and fully dressed for battle, we can use God’s Word as our greatest weapon to stand firm against all the devil’s schemes.” Having been baptized into Jesus Christ, we have all been properly dressed and prepared for those battles. We have been clothed in the truth who is Jesus Christ. We are also clothed in His righteousness. We have been given the shield of faith that trusts in God’s strength, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit who is the power that overcomes the devil’s attacks. Make the choice to trust the armor that you have been given in Christ. Cling to His Word and promise that says He will never leave you nor forsake you. And greater is He who lives in you than the one who is in the world. We will face many battles, but we know that through Christ’s death and resurrection the war is over. The victory is won.