10 JAN 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 10 JAN 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal? Asks the Holy One.  Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.  He never grows weak or weary.   No one can measure the depths of his understanding.” Isaiah 40:25, 28

There are times in our life that things get so overwhelming that we lose sight of reality.  We can become consumed with our pain, sorrow, suffering or even our ambitions.  Our focus is on those things and our desires to be satisfied in some capacity.  We search for answers within and come up short remaining in want.

The Christian faith understands that the answer is not inside us because we are broken sinners without the ability to choose the right way.  The answer is outside of us in the person of Jesus Christ who makes us fully satisfied and complete.  Isaiah knows that we have to look to the One that is incomparable and is capable of fixing us and saving us.  Who else can do it besides Jesus? No one.  He is the creator of heaven and earth.  He is the author and finisher of our faith.

Have you lost sight of the way because of your problems or ambition?

Lord, we get derailed in life by our suffering and even for our desire for success.  We are left dissatisfied and wanting.  You Lord are good and great.  You have loved us from before the foundation of the world and give us lasting satisfaction when you come into our lives.  There is none like you and you are capable of handling any issue or pursuit of our hearts.  Bless us with more of you and help us not to lose sight of you.  Amen.

Reading Plan: Psalm 5, 6; Isa. 40:25-31; Eph. 1:15-23; Mark 1:14-28

Daily Office Year 1

9 JAN 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 9 JAN 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.  Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” Ephesians 1:3-4

Paul gives us reason to rejoice and to be in awe of God for his sovereign love.  Before the foundation of the world he planned to choose and love a people for himself.  Those that believe in Jesus become his children or sheep and obey him.  Because we are connected to Jesus he has given us spiritual blessings to live in a way that is pleasing to him now.

When we become God’s children, he sees us with a different set of lenses and new reality.  We are positionally holy and righteous because he makes us so when we come to faith.  Jesus takes our sin and he gives us his righteousness.  God empowers us to live into this new life and develop us to live holy and be without fault.  That’s a beautiful thing.

Are you ready to know God deeper and live a fuller life?

Reading Plan: Psalm 1, 2, 3; Isa. 40:12-23; Eph. 1:1-14; Mark 1:1-13

Daily Office Year 1

6 JAN 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 6 JAN 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!” Isaiah 52:7

In the military and in sports it is important to make sure you keep your feet clean and healthy.  If you don’t it can lead to all kinds of problems and ultimately keep you from reaching mission goals.  It can mean success or failure,  life or death.  Every day you have to examine your feet to make sure they are good and repair any issues or add protection.

The Christian life is like the military and sports, in that we have missions and objectives to meet.  Each person has a part and role to play in bringing the good news of Jesus to those around us.  We are called to walk in his ways and be on the move taking the message everywhere.  Physically our feet and bodies should show the marks of this work and overtime we might look beat up.  But God, he sees that and calls it beautiful and he is pleased with you.  Right now you know the condition of your feet.

How’s your feet?  Would God call them beautiful? 

Reading Plan: Psalm 46, 97; Isa. 52:7-10; Rev. 21:22-27; Matt. 12:14-21

Daily Office Year 1

5 JAN 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 5 JAN 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Study this Book of Instruction continually.  Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.  Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8

Joshua has just been handed the reigns of leadership over Israel and will take the people into the promised land.  The question of leaders when they first take office is, what now? There is a burning desire to be successful in the position given to us and we don’t want to disappoint.  God told him that he has everything he needs to be successful, but it will require him to know God’s will and to do it.

God’s will and instructions for a happy and successful life are found in the Bible.  Obedience is the key factor in demonstrating our love for God and he responds by loving us more and answering our prayers.  Obedience will produce fruit that will last and multiply.  Our life will thrive and our joy will be complete and satisfying, so hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the word.  Then do the word.

Are you ready to be successful and happy this year?

Lord, I thank you for blessing me with life that I may live it for you.  Speak to me as I read your word and give me the courage to obey no matter the consequences.  Grant that my life will bring you glory and that many will know you because of it.  Give me people that I can invest in this year and bless me with a closer walk with you.  Amen.

Reading Plan: Psalm 2, 110:1-7; Josh. 1:1-9; Heb. 11:32-12:2; John 15:1-16

Daily Office Year 1

4 JAN 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 4 JAN 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.  He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.” Hebrews 11:25-26

Is the juice worth the squeeze? Most people will not go after a great treasure because it takes too long, difficult, impatience, laziness, and they might suffer and die to obtain it.  The long view in life is not there and they just don’t see the worth to sacrifice their time and pleasure.  Moses could have remained in Midian and enjoyed peace, quiet, his wife, his home, and frankly the pleasures of sin.

When he encountered God in the burning bush, his life changed forever.  He saw a future that made everything else pale in comparison.  There was nothing in this life that could satisfy or last through decay or theft.  Suffering for the sake of Christ, gives lasting joy in this life and treasure that lasts forever that will never rust, decay, or be subject to theft.  We sacrifice and suffer for fools gold and fleeting pleasures that are worthless.  This year cast those aside, pick up your cross, and live for Jesus.  The juice is worth the squeeze.

Reading Plan: Psalm 85, 87; Exod. 3:1-12; Heb. 11:23-31; John 14:6-14

Daily Office Year 1