Category: Devotional

“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”  – Proverbs 25:28.

The family is sitting around the dinner table enjoying a meal. It is not all that interesting, but everyone is engaged. Suddenly, Aunt Thelma decides to turn her political opinions into moral measuring sticks, and in a matter of a few seconds, people are irritated, heat rises, nerves fray, and the worst version of you begs to come out in a clear, concise rant. But you look around and decide that you will never argue someone into a change of opinion on any topic they are invested in, at least not in the moment or a forum like a family dinner, so you say nothing.

That, in a nutshell, is the concept of self-control. In the Bible, self-control, also known as temperance or self-discipline, is a fundamental virtue, a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and essential for living a godly life. It involves restraint and moderation in thoughts, words, actions, and desires.

But it’s hard to display self-control when it feels like someone else does things out of our control and triggers our basic instincts. When someone else’s actions or statements threaten us, we have a choice. It may feel like we don’t have a choice, but we do. When we react by yelling or flying off the handle, or silencing them with a snappy comment back, it can be seen as a failure to live according to God’s will and can reflect a lack of faith and trust in His guidance.

Isaiah 55:10-11 is a good reminder of how we can tap into God’s power no matter our situation: “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

Did you catch that? The answer to keeping God’s power with me and working in me to produce self-control is letting His Word get inside me. His Word seeping into my mind and my heart will accomplish the things that help me display self-control. So when facing a situation where someone is getting on your last good nerve, remember God’s word. 1 Peter 5:6-8 says, “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

In the moment, choose to have self-control. When somebody is treading on your last nerve, realize that you have an enemy, but it is not the person irritating you.  The devil is prowling and roaring and looking to make us lose self-control. We fight that happening by staying humble and quietly letting God have His way in us right now. And when we do this, God will lift us and our frayed nerves up from this situation and fill us with a much better reaction than what we can give Aunt Thelma in the moment.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some ways we can show self-control by honoring God with our emotions?
2. How can we seek God’s help through prayer to develop self-control?
3. How can we cultivate self-control through accountability and surrounding ourselves with fellow believers?
   

“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?” ― Luke 14:28.

A cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is a systematic process used to evaluate the economic feasibility of a project or decision by comparing its projected costs and benefits. It involves listing all costs and benefits, converting them to a common monetary value, and then comparing them to determine if the potential benefits outweigh the costs. The project is generally considered worthwhile if the benefits exceed the costs.

Cost-benefit analysis is pretty common in business, but what about doing a CBA with Jesus? How do we weigh the benefits versus the costs of following Jesus? Many people want to follow Jesus but without thinking about the hard parts because following Jesus is hard. The Apostle Paul knew the cost of following Jesus. He wrote in a letter, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”

What will it cost you to follow Jesus? Each of us has our cross to carry, and your struggle may differ from others, but the challenging part is you don’t get to pick your struggle. Jesus does. If you follow Jesus, you’ll need to trust Him. Trusting Jesus even when you don’t know the details of how He’s going to do it. You don’t even know where the difficulties are. You don’t know the details, but you follow Jesus because you trust them. You follow because you think He can care for you, even if you don’t know how. You trust Him. In other words, it is faith.

Abram was a man with amazing faith. “The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). For Abram, the cost of following the Lord is that you have to leave your home and go to a different country. You would have questions. Where are we going? How long will we be gone? How far away is it? Is it hot there or cold? What’s my job going to be? Abram didn’t get to know those details. So, does he trust the Lord? Verse 4 says, “So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed…” If you keep following Jesus, you’ll need to trust Him.

So how did Abram do that? The Lord promised him that it would be worth it. He said, “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:2-3).

It will be worth it for you too.  You don’t know what it will cost you to keep following Jesus. Following Jesus can lead to a more profound sense of joy and happiness, rooted in faith, hope, and the love of God. While happiness can be found in various aspects of life, the promise of eternal life and a relationship with God through Jesus offers a unique and profound source of joy that transcends earthly limitations.

Discussion Questions:

1. Following Christ means dying to yourself. What does that mean in practical terms?
2. Do your views and opinions influence your friends? Why or why not? How do your peers respect your beliefs and values?

Summary: “Taking up your cross” signifies a daily commitment to self-denial, sacrifice, and following Christ’s teachings, even when facing hardship or opposition. It’s a metaphor for a life of discipleship, where one willingly embraces the burdens and challenges of following Jesus rather than prioritizing one’s own desires or ambitions.

In preparing them for His coming crucifixion, Jesus talked to His disciples about their cross.  He left no doubt what discipleship meant: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Jesus was speaking to the disciples, to the crowd that followed Him, to all the people who have lived from that day to today and us.  He laid the groundwork for us to understand what it means to be a disciple following Him. We need to live crucified lives.

Jesus gave them all a word picture that people in those ancient times understood very clearly but were still probably shocked at those words. Undoubtedly, many people— even the disciples — believed Jesus was about to bring a glorious and powerful kingdom to earth. Many had already drifted away, and now this statement. What He was saying to them and saying to us is to crucify — to put to death — our plans and desires. We’re to stop trying to gratify the flesh. Our taking up is a matter of bowing down. Jesus never hid the cost of discipleship. He calls us to bow in absolute surrender to Him. This isn’t a mystical, deeper life activity for some spiritual super-elite; it’s for all who desire to follow the Lord.

Surrender is easy when life is running smoothly, but surrendering to God’s will can be more difficult during struggles and trials. Jesus said we would face many troubles (John 16:33). We will likely suffer in some way as we follow in His steps. We do not need to think about this once a year. Instead, we must choose to live dead to yourself every single day. We constantly need to mentally, emotionally, and spiritually see that our old sinful nature has been nailed to the cross.

And while this seems like a lot to ask of us, we can’t forget that the cross can set us free, even now. We are set free because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. We need to stay in that position of dying to self, dying to what we want, and dying to what we want to happen.

To die daily is just another way of saying, “Lord, help me see the opportunities to follow you.”

Discussion Questions:

1. What does “take up your cross and follow Jesus” mean? 
2. How does the concept of “taking up your cross” relate to denying yourself and sacrificing your own desires? 
3. What are some concrete ways that we might be carrying our crosses in our daily lives? 

Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” –  2 Timothy 3:12.

People new to the faith can often conclude that Christianity is hard for some and easy for others. They are wrong. The Bible suggests that following Jesus is hard for some, and for others, it is even harder.

While there are many blessings that come with being a Christian, there are also important costs that come with following Christ. The benefits outweigh the costs and a life with Christ is the best gift we can ever receive. But following Jesus will mean facing difficulties. We will not face some of the difficulties people faced in the Bible, over the centuries and even our brothers and sisters around who face daily persecution. That doesn’t mean that following Jesus is easy for the rest of us.

In 2 Timothy 3:12,  Paul doesn’t mince words. If you want to follow Jesus and do the things He did, you are going to face pushback. It’s a scriptural guarantee—following Jesus is not easy. Mark 8:34 adds, “Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” If you actually want to follow Jesus, He says that you need to die to yourself (take up your cross) and follow Him. The Scripture continues right after in Mark 8:35: “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

One day, a man went up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what can I do to gain eternal life?” (Luke 18:18) From his question, it seems that he really wanted to follow Christ. Jesus responds and tells him to follow the commandments. The man was probably pleased because he responded, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” Then Jesus looked at him lovingly and said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor…” The man walked away from Jesus sorrowfully – he didn’t want to give up his stuff.

Like many people today, the young ruler failed to understand that following Christ comes with a cost. He didn’t consider that Jesus would ask him to give up his greatest possessions.

The Bible is clear: Following Jesus comes at a cost. One of the worst lies of modern Christianity is that following Jesus is easy. Following Jesus is not easy. It’s life-giving and so much more. But “easy” is not an applicable word.

But for anyone willing to pay that cost, they will find life. You will find real contentment within yourself when nothing is left except for Jesus. There, Jesus will prove that He is all you have ever needed.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the challenges or sacrifices you anticipate making as you consider following Jesus more fully? 
2. How does the concept of “counting the cost” relate to your own life and choices? 
3. In what ways might your life or relationships be affected if you prioritize following Jesus over other priorities? 

“ Golf… is the infallible test. The man who can go into a patch of rough alone, with the knowledge that only God is watching him, and play his ball where it lies, is the man who will serve you faithfully and well” – P.G. Wodehouse.

You don’t have to be a golfer to appreciate what’s known among golfers as a “mulligan.” What is it? A mulligan is a do-over, an opportunity to try again after hitting a bad shot. Mulligans aren’t in the official rule book of golf. It’s more like an informal courtesy among recreational golfers. Say you hit a ball off the tee, and it ricochets off a tree trunk into the pond, never to be seen again. That’s when you might hear a compassionate golfing buddy say, “take a mulligan.” If it weren’t for the mulligan, most people would quit playing golf after their first time trying because hitting that little white ball is so hard, and second chances make it easier and more enjoyable.

Look and you will see the mercy of a mulligan throughout the Bible. Time after time, God gave people who hit poor shots another opportunity. Peter is one example. At the Last Supper, Jesus warned Peter that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed. Peter, of course, vehemently protested, boasting that he was ready to go to prison and to death. “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.” (Matthew 26:35).

It didn’t take long for Peter to fail. After Jesus’ arrest, Peter was sitting outside in a courtyard when a servant girl recognized him and claimed he was with Jesus. He denied it. Later, another servant girl and bystanders further questioned him, and each time, Peter denied knowing Jesus, even swearing and cursing to prove it. After the third denial, a rooster crowed, and Peter remembered Jesus’ prediction, leading him to weep bitterly.

Peter had failed and failed miserably. He must have replayed those denials again and again in his head. He probably assumed he could never make it right because Jesus had died. When Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to the disciples, Peter must have been thrilled that Jesus was alive, but you have to wonder if the feeling of failure lingered. Whether he still deserved to be a disciple may have been running through his mind.  Yet, Jesus had promised Peter during the Last Supper that Peter seems to have forgotten: “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32 NIV). Did you catch that? “And when you have turned back…” Jesus expected his disciples to get back into the game after his failure.  Did Peter Fail? He did. Peter was given a second chance at discipleship. He received a spiritual mulligan, a do-over in ministry.

Maybe you are struggling with a sense of failure today and wondering if you’re beyond hope. While we don’t want to go out of our way to fail because there can be consequences, we do need to trust that God is a God of second chances and miracles.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the idea of “mulligans” or second chances mean to you personally?
2. Do you believe in the concept of “mulligans” or second chances in life, and why or why not?
3. How does the idea of “mulligans” or second chances impact your view of forgiveness from others and yourself?

“Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn.” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

An energy shortage occurs when energy demand exceeds supply, leading to disruptions and economic consequences, such as reduced output in industries and businesses. Energy shortages can lead to higher energy prices, reduced industrial output, job losses, and slower economic growth, as well as disruptions in daily life. While Christians don’t experience a literal “energy shortage” in how we think of physical energy like electricity or fuel, we may experience a “spiritual energy shortage” or burnout.

C.S. Lewis tells us that God is our fuel. He is the power, the solution, and the puzzle piece necessary for life. When God is out of the picture, everything doesn’t seem to fit anymore. When God is absent, we miss the fuel for a vibrant, purposeful life.

Perhaps no one worked harder to accomplish his earthly mission than the Apostle Paul. In his letter to the believers at Colossae, he told them of his great labors to further Christ’s gospel. He also shared, however, that he did so not according to his strength, but with “ all his energy that he powerfully works within me” (Colossians 1:29). When we see through Scripture all that Paul accomplished, he seems like a uber Christian, some rare breed of super missionary that God specially equipped in some powerful way. But Paul shared the secret to his extraordinary ability to keep going – the energy of God propelled and sustained him.

Wind-up toys were all the rage years ago. They slid around the table, making noises until it was time to wind them up again. They only had so much energy that needed to be replenished. In other words, the toy required constant attention and intervention to continue. Christians have the same challenge. Our energy comes from a source other than us. We cannot continue without God’s power, which works in us through the Holy Spirit. If we are not continually connecting with our power source, we will eventually become ineffective and tired.

Paul must have understood this truth because look at how he prayed for his brothers and sisters: “Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need…” (Colossians 1:10-11).

The life God has planned for you is designed to require constant dependence on Him. You cannot do it alone; if you try, you will find yourself weary and defeated.

He is our power source and the only fuel we need.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to you for God to be your source and supply? 
2. What can we do regularly to refuel our lives spiritually?

Summary: Most of us know we own too much stuff. We feel the weight and burden of our clutter, and we tire of cleaning, managing, and organizing. While excess consumption leads to bigger houses, faster cars, fancier technology, and cluttered homes, it never brings happiness. Rather, it results in a desire for more. It redirects our greatest passions to things that can never be fulfilled. And it distracts us from the very life God wants us to live.

“Whoever Dies With The Most Toys Wins” – bumper sticker.

In many ways, it is a rite of passage that begins very early in life. Most toddlers go through the “mine, mine, mine” stage. Even at a young age, if we see it and like it, we want it. In the toddler’s mind, owning and wanting are the same. But does the “want for more” change as the seasons of life change? The short answer is no. Wanting more will be with us through all the stages of this life. So how do we learn to be content?

In Philippians 4, Paul tells us he learned the secret of contentment, and it’s not what we might expect. The secret wasn’t to deny his needs and wants, nor to fake contentment. Nor was it to act like your circumstances are so good that you have to be content. The reality is contentment is possible because it’s independent of our circumstances. That doesn’t mean we won’t still have desires. You can be content in Christ and still desire for something to be different.

The Bible offers some practical ways to be content. We can: “…. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8) Psalm 103:1-2 says, “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” 

So yes, we can be content in our current circumstances while still yearning for change. Whether in our relationship status, career, or daily struggles, we can be honest about our desires while trusting that God isn’t holding back His best from us. Contentment isn’t about settling for less, it’s about finding joy and fulfillment in Christ, regardless of our circumstances.

God wants more for our lives than we can comprehend. Ephesians 3:20‑21, tells us, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” God can do anything. And not just a little bit more than we dream of. Far more.

“The contented person experiences the sufficiency of God’s provision for his needs and the sufficiency of God’s grace for his circumstances. He believes God will indeed meet all his material needs and that He will work in all his circumstances for his good. That is why Paul could say, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” The godly person has found what the greedy or envious or discontented person always searches for but never finds. He has found satisfaction and rest in his soul.”  – Jerry Bridges.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does contentment mean to you, and how does it differ from satisfaction or happiness?
2. How does your understanding of contentment align with or differ from the world’s view of contentment?
3. How can we learn to be content under challenging circumstances, and what role does faith play in this process?
   

“God will never lead contrary to His word—so get acquainted with the Word of God, the Bible. Pray. He leads through the illumination of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Use whatever you have and be faithful. We are called to serve Christ in our sphere of influence.” ― Billy Graham.

An important aspect of life is influence. Each one of us influences someone in this world. You don’t have to be famous, rich, or successful. You don’t need an impressive degree or many followers on social media. A specific age, nationality, or personality is not a requirement, and your job, location, or marital status do not limit you.

Everyone has influence. As Christians, we have the opportunity and often the ability to make a profound difference in the lives of others. Every believer can impact someone else’s life for good or bad. We can make a difference in someone’s life at work, a restaurant, church, home, or just by talking to a neighbor by the fence. They will be influenced one way or another by what you say and do. As Christians, it often seems that God’s greatest moments for us are never for us alone. These pivotal moments are always about our lives touching the lives of others or someone touching ours. A life touched by God always ends up touching others.

When you enter a store, you can make or break the cashier’s day by what you say and do. The same is true for UPS drivers, people working at Publix, or the person at the bank.  God calls us to be good stewards of every kind of influence we have. Paul writes, “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that” (Galatians 6:4 MSG). The question before us today is: how will we choose to use our influence?

We can actively choose to use our influence to further God’s Kingdom.  Consider the example of Daniel, who used his influence to bring glory to God, even in the face of adversity. He chose to put God first, and as a result, he gained wisdom, favor, and the ability to influence others toward righteousness. Similarly, we can prioritize God in our lives and allow His character to shine through our actions and words.

Influence is relational. Think about the most influential people in your life—those who shaped or changed you the most—those you admire, respect, and want to be like.  I’ll bet they built you up, empowered you, and called out the best in you. They gave you encouragement or opportunities to become a better you. Your influence grows when you stop thinking about being great or being an influence and start thinking about empowering others to be great.

We need to do the same for the people in our lives. Remember that God created you to have influence. Not because you’re great but because God is great. And because He has allowed us to have influence. All influence requires is interaction with people—and we all have that ability.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do your views and opinions influence your friends? Why or why not? How do your peers respect your beliefs and values?
2. How do you positively influence your friends?
3. What can we do this week to be a better influence on others?

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” – Psalm 46:1-3.

If you habitually turn on your computer and scroll through your newsfeed every morning, you are probably in for a jolt. When we look at the current global landscape, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of challenges facing our world. We’re witnessing unprecedented political polarization tearing at the fabric of societies worldwide, economic instability threatening the financial security of millions, and unprecedented social upheaval.

It is hard to look at what is happening around the world and in our own backyard without a mix of anxiety and uncertainty about the short—and long-term outlook. But when things seem like they are spiraling in the wrong direction, we need to remember that Christ is our only guaranteed constant in life and that our comfort is found in our Creator, not our circumstances.

Isaiah 46:10 says, “Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” This text says that God has the rightful authority, the freedom, the wisdom, and the power to bring about everything that He intends to happen. And therefore, everything He wants to come about does come about. This means that God plans and governs all things. God reveals the end from the beginning and that His purpose will stand, emphasizing His omniscience and sovereignty, meaning He knows and controls all things, and His plans will be fulfilled.

Our faith in Christ offers a firm foundation when everything else seems to change—seeing these difficulties through the prism of faith, realizing that our hope is rooted in Someone far greater than our current circumstances.  To become more like Jesus, we need to practice living with purpose. This means understanding that our lives have significance beyond our immediate circumstances. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, and every moment spent in prayer contributes to God’s larger purpose. We may not always see the immediate impact of our faithfulness, but we can trust that God is working through us to accomplish His will, even amid chaos. In other words, rather than the chaos of our times diminishing our faith, let them refine and strengthen it.

We all know people who are wrestling with anxiety or are feeling overwhelmed by their current circumstances. Shoot them a text, meet up for coffee, or find some other way to spend some time with them to encourage them. Proverbs 12:25 serves us well in this area:  “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

Finding comfort in the chaos is simple, but it’s not easy. Be patient, be persistent, and lean into our ever-present comfort: Christ.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the current state of the world make you feel, and how can we find hope amid chaos?
2. How can we find peace and stability in a world that often feels unstable and chaotic?

“Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” – Mark 14:36.

What is God’s true name? We have one God, yet He has many names. God’s different names are important because they represent His nature and reveal His attributes. As we study the Hebrew names of God in the Bible and their meanings, we grow in our knowledge of Him and grow in our personal relationship with Him.

Our goal is to know God in a way that goes beyond the theoretical into the experiential. We want to experience His hand, grace, and power in and throughout our lives. The more we learn about God’s different names, the better equipped we are to recognize the ways they manifest in our lives.

It is likely that most Christians have heard God referred to as “Abba Father” throughout their lives: in prayers, at church, while reading the Bible in quiet time, etc. Mark 14:36 says, “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Romans 8:15 says, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” And Galatians 4:6 says, “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

Jesus was God in the flesh, letting the Father speak through Him as He went about His ministry of spreading the Word of God to all who would hear and obey. Jesus would refer to God as Abba Father because He was connected to God in a way that no one could or would ever be able to undo.

When He calls God “Abba Father” in the garden of Gethsemane in Mark 14:36, it expresses humble admiration for His Father. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began with the words, our Father. There is much truth in those two words alone. The holy and righteous God, who created and sustains all things, who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present, not only allows us but encourages us to call Him “Father.” This is a privilege that can never be overstated.

Jesus knew that viewing God as Father and believing that He invites us to a life of intimate union with Him would be difficult. But this is the character of our “Abba” Father—a God who relentlessly pursues us and wants a deep and intimate relationship with us. He wants to bridge every gap or chasm between Him and us, to know us completely, and love us unconditionally.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the implications of God being our “Abba Father” for our lives and our faith? 
2. How does the concept of “Abba, Father” encourage us to approach God in prayer and worship?