21 MAR 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 21 MAR 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t.  I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” Romans 7:18-19

In the early days of Jesus’ ministry, he made a salty statement about human nature.  “Jesus didn’t trust people because he knew all about mankind.  No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.” (Jn 2:24-25) As followers of Christ, we need to be taught the true reality of human nature and the natural disposition of the heart.

Ask a person at work, are people naturally good or bad/evil? I bet the response you get is good.  We like to think that we are good people, but Jesus even said there is no one good but God.  The good we try to do is like menstrual rags to him. (Isa. 64:6) We gloss over the evil we do and call it bad or mistakes, but the truth is, we are evil at heart.

Paul takes time to explain our nature to the church in Rome and describes our condition as being slaves to sin.  We may desire to do the right thing or do good, but we do the bad.  It is our first nature, not our second.  As Paul shares his struggles with his own nature, it makes him very upset and cries out, Who can save me from this body of sin and death? The answer is Jesus.

When we become a Christian, we are given a new nature and sin’s hold on us is broken.  We now are able to live a life pleasing to God.  That doesn’t mean we will not still struggle with sin, but sin will not dominate our life and desires either.  We now can fight it and win!

Are you struggling with or being dominated by sin?

Reading Plan: Psalm 97, 99; Jer. 17:19-27; Rom. 7:13-25; John 6:16-27

20 MAR 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 20 MAR 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin.  I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet”.” Romans 7:7

The law of God allows us to better understand the complete holiness and perfection of God and sets the plumb line for righteous living in our day to day lives.  The law is the light that exposes the darkness and sin in our lives.  We can become self-righteous by claiming that we are good people when in fact we are not.  When we look into the mirror of the law it tells a different story.

Jesus used the law to expose the condition of people’s hearts.  Jesus did this with the woman at the well and the rich young ruler.  He asked several prying questions.  Who is your husband? Commit adultery? Murder? Steal? Or testify falsely against another? Each was convicted as they reflected on what was asked.  Paul says that the law acts as our schoolmaster that leads us to Jesus.  It reveals our sin, our guilt, and need for Jesus to save us.

The one who was truly convicted by the law, will surrender to Jesus.  When you are having a conversation with someone about Jesus and they are being self-righteous and claim to be a good person, run them through the ten commandments.  See if the Lord will use it to help that person come to the true reality of their heart, which is brokenness and sin.  Then give them the gospel.

Do you know that God has a special mirror that reveals the true condition of your heart?

Reading Plan: Psalm 89:1-18; Jer. 16:10-21; Rom. 7:1-12; John 6:1-15

Daily Office Year 1

19 MAR 23 Sunday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 19 MAR 23 Sunday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.  Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.” Psalm 66:1, 16

“Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word.  Tell me the story oh so precious, sweetest that ever was heard.”  That song has stayed etched into my mind since I was a child.  God gave me a story to tell since I was seven years of age.  It was then that I surrendered my life to him.  God has always been faithful to me.

I was blessed to be raised in a godly family and they were faithful to bring me up in the faith.  My parents were great models of faith to me, but I also had and have a host of relatives that also walk with the Lord.  My life has been a rollercoaster adventure.  There were times that I would take the wheel and run my life off road and wreck it, but Jesus dusted me off and rebuilt me.  He has been patient with me for sure.

The Lord has allowed me to go from a hot mess and no direction, to one with peace and purpose.  He has allowed me to tell my story of the wonderful things he has done in and through me.  He is glorious and faithful and has blessed me in every way.  He has given me a passion to tell other people about him.  That has borne more fruit than I can share.

What has Jesus done in your life? Are you telling anybody?

Reading Plan: Psalm 66, 67; Jer. 14:1-9, 17-22; Gal. 4:21-5:1; Mark 8:11-21

Daily Office Year 1

18 MAR 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 18 MAR 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Do not let sin control the way you live, do not give in to sinful desires.  Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.  Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life.  So use your whole body and an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” Romans 6: 12-13

There are many instances when Jesus healed someone or forgave someone their sin, then told them to go and sin no more.  Once Jesus died on the cross, the power of sin was broken.  Those that believe in and put their trust in Jesus have the power to live a life that is pleasing to God.  Sin no longer has a hold on them and they have the power to overcome sin and live a holy life.  Jesus desires for us to live a life that glorifies him.

Like Jesus, Paul tells the church in Rome that they are no longer slaves to sin, but are slaves to Christ.  They are living in the freedom of God’s grace which allows us to live righteous lives.  The Holy Spirit gives us promptings when temptation comes to mind so that we now have an opportunity to choose God’s way instead of our own.  

Throughout our life the Spirit gives us direction for every decision we make.  He gives us the opportunity to either be an instrument in the hands of God or Satan.  That is a daily choice to set the trajectory of our lives toward God which leads to the life that Jesus promises will make us happy and holy.  If you are, then you are headed in the right direction.

Are you an instrument in the hand of God or Satan? 

Reading Plan: Psalm 87, 90; Jer. 13:1-11; Rom. 6:12-23; John 8:47-59

Daily Office Year 1

17 MAR 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 17 MAR 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t hear me! Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God.  But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.  I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!” John 8:43, 47, 51

There are some people who reject Jesus, but often say they think he is a great teacher.  This is preposterous! The most religious people on the planet during the time of Jesus’ ministry saw or heard the miracles of healings and deliverance and balked at his teaching.  They could tell that he taught with authority not like their own.

HIs teaching got him into the most trouble.  It inflamed people to homicidal ideation to the nth degree.  Jesus posed questions to them about their lack of understanding and unbelief.  Realize the questions he asked were not for himself as if he was frustrated at the effectiveness of his teaching.  It was to open their ears so that the rebuke and rejection he was about to give would take root.

They couldn’t understand his teaching because they did not belong to God.  What a blow! They were playing church and doing stuff, but were not children of God.  They were spiritually deaf, blind, and dead.  But those that “do” hear and obey, are God’s children.  John 10:4 says, his sheep knows his voice and follows him.  Jesus is seeking his lost sheep throughout the world.  They come in every shape, size, and color. (nation, language, & tongue)

Those that are his, will hear and turn to him and follow.  That’s amazing! That is why God is great and the gospel is so powerful to those that are being saved.  It is also why it is the stench of death and offense to those that are not his.

Do you hear the voice of Jesus and follow him? Woe to you if you don’t!

Reading Plan: Psalm 88, 95; Jer. 11:1-8, 14-20; Rom. 6:1-11; John 8:33-47

Daily Office Year 1