Category - Devotionals

08/04          3 John 1:10-15

When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church. 11 Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.  12 Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth. 13 I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to write it with pen and ink. 14 For I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk face to face. 15 Peace be with you. Your friends here send you their greetings. Please give my personal greetings to each of our friends there.

PERSONAL

God’s Word to us in personal.  He speaks to our heart and to our situation.  The Lord never forgets where you are, what you need and what you are doing.  He is intimately involved in your life whether you are intimately involved with Him or not.  Serve the Lord with gladness and rejoice in Jesus.  

08/03          3 John 1:8-9 

So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.9 I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us. 

REACH

Reach out to others in need especially those in ministry positions.  Help the needy.  Be frugal and do not be greedy.  Be a cheerful and faithful giver.  People count. 

08/02          3 John 1:5-7 

Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. 7 For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. 

PEOPLE

People count with the Lord.  We are His servants and are about His work here on Earth.  Care for one another especially strangers.  Jesus is Lord.  

08/01          3 John 1:1-4 

This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. 4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. 

TRUTH

The Word of God is truth.  We need to read it, remember it and follow what it says to do.  God’s Word isn’t a suggestion it is the truth.  

07/31          Psalm 40:14-17

May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace. 15Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!” 16 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The LORD is great!” 17 As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.

NOW

We want everything now.  Time is too short.  But the Lord God is on our side and He will bring those things we must do and things we need at the exact right time in our life.  Do not fear.  God is here.  Our God is a mighty God and is able to do that which we need in our life.  Jesus is Lord.  

07/30          Psalm 40:11-13 

LORD, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.  12 For troubles surround me— too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage. 13 Please, LORD, rescue me! Come quickly, LORD, and help me. 

HELP

Our situation is difficult at best and without the Lord’s help we are on the outside looking in.  Everybody needs Jesus.  We cannot fix our sinful self and only Jesus can fix us.  Jesus is the way the truth and the life.  He is the only way to the Father.  IN Him we have forgiveness of our sin, healing for our lostness and restoration of our membership in the family of God.  Once we were lost now we are found.  Jesus is Lord.  Turn to Him. 

07/29          Psalm 40:9-10 

I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O LORD, well know. 10 I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

SPEAK

Speak Lord and I will listen.  Everyone knows about your greatness.  I cannot hide your almighty power in my heart.  I will speak of all that you have told me Lord and all that I have seen and experienced.  Great are you Lord.  

07/28          Psalm 40:5-8 

O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them. 6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand — you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. 7 Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: 8 I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” 

REJOICE

Relationship, trust, presence and I have just begun to talk about my Lord and my God Jesus Christ.  Wonderful, involved, and listening, my Lord is unlike any other God.  He is the glorious and mighty God and is greater than anything I can think.  Jesus is Lord.  Rejoice

07/27          Psalm 40:1-4

1 I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.  2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.  3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD . 4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. 

NEW

The Lord has saved me and you.  He has taken us from where we had no hope to real hope.  We trust Him and He is trustworthy.  Trust in the Lord and He will do it.  Jesus is Lord.  

07/26          Psalm 39:12-13

 Hear my prayer, O LORD ! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears. For I am your guest— a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me. 13 Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more.

HELP

I need help to live a Godly life.  I need help every minute of every day.  Jesus is my help and I desperately need to stay close to Him.  Help me Lord Jesus, forgive me of my sin and bring me close again.