Luke 6:46-49

The word Lord should not be used carelessly. It’s unacceptable to speak of Jesus as Lord in our conversations and prayers but then to contradict the claim by defying His will and His Word. A lot of believers probably think that statement doesn’t apply to them. But we should all realize resistance can be subtle—perhaps by qualifying our obedience with conditions like “I’ll follow the Lord if ...” or “I want to do what is right, but ...”

When Jesus is identified as Lord in the Scriptures, it signifies that He is the sovereign ruler over life and all creation. When we assert that He’s our Lord, we’re claiming that He is our Savior and Master, which means we submit to Him in all things. If we attest to this verbally but don’t actually do what Jesus says, then are we really serving Him?

None of us can obey Christ perfectly, but once we’re born again, submitting to Him should be our heart’s desire and our practice. After all, He purchased us with His precious blood and now rules over us for our good. So, though we may struggle at times, our lives should be characterized by obedience to our Lord because we are His.

Mark 10:17-27

A wealthy man came to Jesus and asked, “What shall I do so that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). His erroneous belief was that eternal life could be earned and he qualified by keeping God’s commandments. But when Jesus challenged him to give up his wealth, he walked away. That directive wasn’t the way to eternal life, but it revealed the true condition of his unrighteous heart.  

Satan continually promotes the false idea that we can make ourselves acceptable in God’s eyes. Just like the rich man, many today believe the Lord will accept them because they have done good deeds. In thinking this way, they have established their own standard of acceptability while ignoring the only standard that matters—God’s.  

The disciples found it surprising that entering God’s kingdom is hard for even the well-off. They asked, “Then who can be saved?” and Jesus answered, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” (vv. 26-27).

Every person is born a sinner worthy of eternal condemnation, and nothing we do will pay for our sin debt. Only through faith in Christ, who died in our place, can we be made acceptable to God. Consider what an amazing blessing it is that through Him, our sins are forgiven and we receive life everlasting.

Luke 23:32-43

Jesus was crucified between two criminals. Just hours before their deaths, something absolutely glorious occurred for one of them—he was forgiven and redeemed right in front of the mocking crowd who rejected Jesus as the Messiah. The outlaw’s name was written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and heaven rejoiced.

What evidence do we have that his last-minute conversion was real?

Change in behavior. At first both criminals hurled insults and blasphemies against Jesus. In a total turnaround, one of them later chastised the other man for his words (Luke 23:40).

Admission of guilt. Then the penitent convict publicly acknowledged that he was being justly punished for his wicked deeds (v. 41).

Expression of faith in the Lord. The man said to Jesus, “Remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” (v. 42). In this way, he acknowledged that the Lord was in fact King, as stated on the inscription above Christ’s cross (v. 38). And Jesus answered him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (v. 43).

Every one of us is just a heartbeat away from dying. Let this sobering thought propel you to examine your life: Are you ready to face death and eternity?  

Revelation 1:4-8

In the last verse of his Gospel, John says much more could have been written about the things Jesus did—but the world wouldn’t be able to contain that many books (John 21:25). In today’s passage, the same writer gives a compact summation, highlighting the Lord’s identity and work. He tells us that Jesus Christ is ...

• The faithful witness. Jesus came to earth as God’s witness. The words He spoke and the works He accomplished were only what His Father commanded (John 12:49-50; John 17:4).

• The firstborn from the dead. His was the first resurrection, and it is the guarantee that we will be resurrected in the same way (Romans 6:5).

• The ruler of the kings of the earth. He establishes kingdoms and tears them down, and the book of Revelation describes how He will one day take dominion of the entire world.  

• The one who loves us and has released us from our sins. All our wrongdoing is forgiven.

This is our amazing Savior, and we can look forward to a future with Him that is secure and glorious. Read the rest of Revelation 1 with the awareness that you will one day see the Lord in all His glory.

Romans 14:7-12

Whether we live or die, we do so for Christ (Rom. 14:8). That’s what is meant when we talk about His Lordship. And as believers, we recognize that the only safe way to live is in submission to Him. We bow before Him—not in fear or dread but in gratitude and worship.  

Some people think that only those who claim Christ as King come under His authority. But the truth is, He reigns over the entire universe. At present relatively few people submit to the Lord’s rule. The rest refuse to acknowledge His sovereignty or surrender to His will. They want to control their own destinies, never realizing that their next breath comes from Him.

But the Lord’s supreme reign can never be thwarted—and despite resistance now, a day is coming when every knee will bow and every tongue will praise Him (v. 11). At that time all dissent will be silenced before Jesus, who will “judge the living and the dead” (2 Timothy 4:1).

Many will unwisely wait until they’re forced to kneel in homage to the Lord; tragically, they will face a harsh future. The time to bend the knee to Christ is now, when we can do so of our own volition. And what blessings are in store for those who choose to follow Jesus! He is a kind, loving Master, who has cleansed us from sin and promised to make us heirs with Him in His kingdom.

Colossians 3:23-24

God’s plan for us includes work of various kinds. Not only are we to help others and be involved in mission-related pursuits; we’re also expected to serve our employers.

Regardless of your boss’s actions or temperament, the Lord is our ultimate authority, and one way we honor Him is by doing our job with integrity. He expects that whether we work in transportation, technology, education, or any other field, we will carry out our tasks with excellence.  

To do anything else dishonors God. Lazy employees might abuse company time, execute duties poorly, or do the bare minimum. Often their focus is exclusively on the paycheck. But work is not simply about receiving a wage; the Lord wants His followers to better themselves and their organization. Certainly, these outcomes are rewards in and of themselves. But God also shows favor to His followers who choose diligence and integrity.

Wherever the Lord places us is where we are to work for His glory. So, as children who want to please our heavenly Father, let’s offer our finest efforts in all we do.

Romans 6:11-14

Years ago, I found myself taking on too much responsibility. At first I thought doing so revealed my motivation and obedience. But as weariness set in, I realized my true motive behind the excess work: It was an attempt to prove I was adequate.

Insecurity, inadequacy, and lack of self-worth can, at best, distract us from God’s purpose. At worst, they can lead to transgression—and Scripture tells us that a recurring pattern of wrongdoing indicates captivity to sin. So how can we break free? Here are three steps to take.

1. Recognize enslavement. It’s possible a blind spot prevents your seeing a sin that’s obvious to others. Accountability to a trusted friend may be appropriate.

2. Trace sin to its root. What purpose does your sin serve? Is it a way to avoid responsibility? transparency? discomfort?

3. Choose to be free. By Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are offered the greatest freedom possible: reconciliation to God.

Some people find liberation quickly, while others embark on a slow journey toward freedom. But one thing is clear for everyone—the Lord can break the enslavement of sin and insecurity in your life. So ask for His help and walk toward restoration.

Ephesians 2:8-10

When we place trust in Jesus, God doesn’t take us straight to heaven. Instead, He leaves us here on earth and gives each of us a ministry to carry out with Christ’s all-sufficient power.

God has specifically designed a place of service to fit our personality, gifts, and abilities. He also equips and strengthens us to be able to meet the challenges of that calling. The believer’s responsibility is to obey with joy.

Too many Christians approach ministry with stingy hearts, investing as few hours as possible so that they can return to work or personal pursuits. But our jobs don’t own us; neither do we belong to ourselves. We are adopted sons and daughters of the Father God, and as such, we honor Him first.

If people were here only to work a job, pay bills, and have a few laughs, no one would ever enjoy long-term fulfillment. But believers find peace and joy in serving God every day according to His call. As today’s passage says, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (v. 10). That is the only way to end well.

Psalm 32:8-11

In my office is a print of the Lord Jesus standing behind a young man and pointing ahead. Jesus’ hand is on the man’s shoulder, and I imagine Him saying, “This is the way we’re going. I’ll get you to the destination.” Although the road will be marked with both joy and suffering, the Lord leads His followers all the way to their eternal home.

It takes honesty to admit that we’re ill-equipped to go through life alone—in our own strength, limited knowledge, and human reasoning, we simply cannot be sure our decisions are wise. Thankfully, the Lord is willing and able to guide us if we’ll let Him. To fall in step with God, follow His lead by regularly spending time in His Word and applying biblical principles in your life.  

For those of us who follow the Lord, eternity in heaven lies just beyond our last heartbeat. And that’s where our Savior is leading us. The path may not be clear to our eyes, but Jesus is guiding us there with a steady and sure hand. Our part is to follow in obedience so that when we reach heaven, we’ll hear the Father say, “Well done” (Matthew 25:21).

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

The metamorphosis of a crawly caterpillar is amazing. It disappears into a chrysalis created from its own body, and before long a delicate and graceful winged butterfly emerges.

Our change at the moment of salvation is even more radical and miraculous. From a death-bound, sinful, depraved heart, God brings about a brand-new creature—one that’s forgiven and made righteous, in whom His Holy Spirit takes up residence.  

But if we’ve been miraculously transformed after trusting Christ as Savior, why do we still struggle with sin? The answer is that even though we now have a new nature that’s “been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:24), we remain in fallen fleshly bodies, which are subject to sin. As long as we’re on earth, there will be an ongoing battle between the Spirit and the flesh.

Throughout our life, God is conforming us to the likeness of His Son. His indwelling Spirit helps us combat sin and teaches us to live righteously. This process, called sanctification, is something that will last until we’re called home to heaven. Thankfully, as we yield to the Spirit, our behavior and thinking will be transformed as well.

Colossians 3:1-5

Idolatry isn’t limited to the past but is still prevalent today in various forms. Many religions worship false gods—some with tangible images and some without. But idolatry is actually a matter of the heart, so it is possible for believers to sin in this way. That’s why John says, “Guard yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).

If we treasure anything or anyone above the Lord, we’re practicing idolatry to one degree or another. What we value most is often revealed by the amount of time we devote to it, the sacrifices we make for it, and the money we spend on it. Idols distract us from wholehearted devotion to God and deceive us into thinking satisfaction and fulfillment are found in them rather than in Him.

Ridding ourselves of idols of the heart will be futile until we learn to value the Lord more than anything or anyone else. It’s like playing Whack a Mole. As soon as we push one idol down, another pops up. The key to overcoming idolatry is learning to develop greater love and understanding of the one true God through His Word. When He is the ultimate desire of our soul, all other gods will be pushed out of our heart.

Matthew 7:7-11

The privilege of prayer rests on our relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Only those who have been born again are members of God’s family (John 3:3-6)—they can claim Him as their Father and know He will respond to their supplications. He makes no such commitment to unbelievers. The one exception is the sinner who comes in repentance and faith to ask for forgiveness and receive Christ as Savior and Lord.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses three verbs to describe prayer: ask, seek, and knock. Notice the progression in intensity from a simple request to an intensive search and then to deliberate action. Prayer is more than merely making requests of God. It involves seeking His will to guide our entreaties. And it also includes the more physical action of exploring options to help determine the Lord’s mind. When we make efforts to pray this way, God will give an answer, show us His will, and open the door that leads to His good, acceptable, and perfect will (Romans 12:2).

Instead of trying various methods of prayer prescribed in books or the media, ask the Lord to teach you to pray the way Jesus modeled. Then put into practice what you learn, and wait in assurance for His answer.

Luke 18:1-8

One of the most difficult aspects of prayer is perseverance. Not only do our newly made commitments to be more consistent often fail; our willingness to continue petitioning the Lord also tends to wane with time when answers aren’t forthcoming. But God’s promise to answer His children’s prayers hasn’t proven false—even if we don’t see results as soon as we hoped.

The Lord, who is sovereign over heaven and earth, works everything according to His purposes. With our limited human understanding, we don’t always know whether our petitions fit God’s plan or timetable. But whether He grants our requests or not, we can be certain that His way and timing are always best and for our good.

It’s in the wait that the Lord accomplishes spiritual work in our life—training us to trust Him in the delays, rest in His wisdom to decide what’s best, and persevere in prayer as He commands. To demand immediate answers to our requests would be to act like spiritual toddlers. The ability to wait is a sign of maturity, and that’s what God desires for us. So keep praying, be patient, and persevere, because in the process, you’re becoming more like Christ.

1 John 5:14-15

Prayer is the Christian’s most powerful God-given means for effecting change. Yet we’re often unsure whether the Lord will answer our appeals. Today’s verses assure us that He hears and grants our petitions when they’re in accordance with His will. But knowing God’s will can seem perplexing—we aren’t always sure whether our requests fit that condition.

Here’s what we do know: Anything that God commands us in the Scriptures is His will. This includes everything pertaining to our sanctification, holiness, and spiritual growth (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). And there are other attitudes and behaviors God forbids in His Word. For example, we can’t expect Him to answer any request motivated by pride, jealousy, selfish ambition, or sinful desires (James 4:3-5). As for insignificant matters (like what to wear or eat) or issues of conscience, such things are left to our discretion (Romans 14:1-23).

But what about petitions that don’t fit these categories? When we’re uncertain whether our request is according to God’s will, we must submit it Him, release our grip on the outcome we want, and trust the Lord to answer rightly. Remember, our confidence is not in the answer we want, but in the God whose knowledge, wisdom, and power are perfect, infinite, and eternal.

2 Corinthians 11:2-3

The Scriptures contain many cautionary examples of people who had misplaced priorities. This should give every believer pause: Take a moment to consider the importance of taking captive wrong thoughts and desires that could lead away from “sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3).

For good purposes or bad, we usually set priorities in one of three ways: by evaluating which things are most important to us; by letting people or circumstances influence what we value; or by drifting into habits and thought patterns that become a way of life. But no matter how we determine priorities, they’ll be misplaced unless we take into account how God wants us to live and what’s most important to Him.  

In order to remain steadfast for Christ we must prioritize deliberately, or we will miss the mark. Those things of greatest importance to the Lord should be in place before circumstances, our own desires, or other people tempt us to waver.

Since devotion to Christ is of utmost importance, we must set goals in accordance with God’s Word. Self-discipline is also needed because living purposefully is rarely easy. Keeping Christ first makes it harder for other pursuits and pleasures to distract us.

Proverbs 22:6

We can’t afford to overlook children or to think of them as unimportant; they are the future. Girls and boys are always observing the behavior of the adults in their lives, which means we have a wonderful opportunity to be examples of godliness and influence them for Christ.

We start by investing our time. Whether it’s through outdoor activities, reading together, or playing games, we’re modeling Christian living. As we listen to them closely, we’ll understand the way they think and the struggles they face. Then we can offer scriptural guidance to influence them toward righteousness. By sharing something of our past and admitting our mistakes, we’re making it easier for them to identify with us and accept our counsel.

Showing children God’s love is a great way to help them grow in godliness. Although we can’t do this perfectly, each time we love them unselfishly and unconditionally, we’re helping them realize how much the heavenly Father loves them.  

Born-again parents, family members, teachers, and friends can all help to raise godly Christ-followers. So whether it’s at home or in your neighborhood or church family, look for opportunities to spend time with children. Listen to what’s on their heart, and demonstrate Christ’s love for them. You may influence a young life for the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

As Christian parents, we desire to help our children mature into godly men and women. We want them to trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior and to realize God has a plan for them and they are accountable to Him.

I remember teaching my children from a young age about these truths because I wanted biblical principles to shape their thinking and choices. If kids think their only accountability is to parents, then when they’re apart from Mom and Dad, they’re likely to think they don’t have to answer to anyone.

Protecting children through discipline is another aspect of godly parenting. When this is done with love, it helps them understand the wisdom of God’s boundaries and the importance of self-control. They need to know that there are painful consequences for disobedience, whether to parents or to the Lord.

Training in godliness should begin early in a child’s life, even before he or she understands God’s plan of salvation. Then as our children grow, we should continue teaching them the truths of Scripture and interceding for them. Let’s never stop modeling righteousness or encouraging our sons and daughters in their relationship with God.

Luke 15:11-19

How did the Prodigal Son’s journey begin? Perhaps he wanted to leave behind the restrictions that come with living under a parent’s roof. Or maybe he wanted money to pursue life’s pleasures with friends. Whatever the case, the prodigal son’s desire emboldened him to prematurely ask for his inheritance and then to abandon home and the things he’d been taught.

A Christian who has turned away from God might follow a similar path. First, we begin with a craving for something other than what we have. The longer we allow the idea to linger, the stronger our desire is to have it—and we eventually find ways to justify what we want. Then, based on that faulty reasoning, we move toward our own self-centered goals. Like the wayward son, we may enjoy the pleasures of the world for a time, but ultimately, we will find ourselves lacking certain essentials: unconditional love, security, and a meaningful purpose for living.

We should understand the reality of our situation: You and I are up against an active Enemy, a world that doesn’t value God, and our own tendency to prefer pleasure over obedience. If we want to avoid self-deception, we must make Scripture the basis for our thought life and choices (Romans 12:2).

Luke 15:20-32

When we insist on going our own way, God will let us—much like the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Our heavenly Father will not force us to remain with Him. So, what happens if we move outside of God’s plan?

Our fellowship with the Father is significantly affected. The prodigal son was no longer in close contact with his dad; their relationship was not as important to him as it once had been. If we wander from the Lord, we will also experience a disconnect with our heavenly Father.

Our resources—time, talent, and treasure—are wasted. The wayward son squandered his money on frivolous things and ended up worse off than the laborers at his father’s house. In the same way, God gives us spiritual gifts, resources, and guidance to build His kingdom, but pursuing our own plan wastes what He has given us.

Our deepest needs go unmet. Chasing after dreams that don’t align with God’s will lead to discontent. Only in Christ can we find true fulfillment.

Poor choices have consequences, but they need not dictate our future. Our heavenly Father never gives up on his children. He will welcome us with great joy and love when we turn back to Him.

Psalm 34:1-8

For the believer, discouragement can come in many forms, but Satan is usually the instigator. He wants to keep our focus on negative things instead of on God.

One form of spiritual discouragement is subtle—the idea that we cannot please the Lord. If you were to write down everything you thought you must do to please God, how long would the list be before it was complete? You might assume you should read the Bible more, pray more, give more, witness more. All of us could probably fill both sides of our paper. But then we’d realize it’s impossible to consistently accomplish every task on the list. That’s the trap. What pleases the Lord is our obedience, not our adherence to a long checklist of duties.

Another source is unanswered prayer. God does not necessarily answer in the manner we want or with the timing we would prefer. When that happens, we might want to give up on prayer or even on the Lord Himself.

Next time you’re feeling disheartened, turn your focus to God and pray three things aloud: Thank Him for being with you through the discouragement, admit He’s in control of your life, and acknowledge that He loves you and is working circumstances for good.

Ephesians 1:3-14

We all face difficult times, and when we’re in the midst of them, we may feel as though God isn’t blessing us. But even in the midst of hard times, we experience many of His amazing gifts; we just have to open our eyes to them. Below are several examples of blessings that we can enjoy on bright or dark days:

• We are assured that our almighty God chose us before the foundation of the world and predestined us to be adopted as His children (Eph. 1:4-5).

• Jesus Christ redeemed us, providing salvation through His death and resurrection (v. 7). As a result, believers receive a brand-new nature and daily forgiveness (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 1:9).

• The Holy Spirit resides within all who trust in the Savior. He guides, warns, and fills us so we are never without counsel or comfort. He also seals us so that our eternity is secure (Eph. 1:13).

• Our Father prepares an inheritance for us that is imperishable (1 Peter 1:4). We may experience momentary troubles, but we can look forward to living eternally in God’s presence, where there is joy and no suffering.

In painful situations, it may be easy to feel as if God’s hand is not resting on your life. But believers have wonderful spiritual blessings at all times. So express gratitude, even in difficulty.

Proverbs 2:1-7

Knowledge may be a prized commodity in the world, but what the Lord values is wisdom (Proverbs 8:11). He wants us to see life from His viewpoint and evaluate everything according to biblical principles.

So how do we gain wisdom? The obvious answer is that we must pursue it. Too often, however, people who say they want to be wise do little to actually make that happen.

The first place to look for wisdom is the Bible. There, we are told to pay attention to God’s life-giving words and hold His commands in our heart (Proverbs 4:20-22). Another source of wisdom is the counsel of godly men and women (Proverbs 12:15); God brings fellow believers into our life to offer biblical advice, encouragement, or reproof. In fact, according to that same verse, those who ignore the words of a righteous person are labeled “fool.” So surround yourself with other followers of Christ who pursue what the Lord values.

Our heavenly Father ensures that those who seek wisdom will find it (Prov. 8:12, Proverbs 8:17). Diligent believers will discover they possess abundant treasure: In addition to godly insight, they’ll have knowledge, discernment, and prudence—rare riches in the modern world and indispensable tools for furthering God’s kingdom.