Daily Devotions based the Sermon from February 14, 2021
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Has Certainty!
It’s been a challenging week for those of us that live in Texas. Record cold combined with rolling blackouts in homes not built for arctic temps leaves us weary and ready for warmth.
It’s hard when life is disrupted, the things we take for granted are missing, and the norm of our routine is non-existent. We will make it through (I know my friends in the North are rolling their eyes at this, but it’s different when this isn’t the February norm!)
We know this will past. This won’t last forever. By Tuesday of next week, it will seem like a normal early spring day in the mid-60s.
So when life is challenged in the present, what keeps you going?
We rely on our experience of the past. We anticipate the better future. And do what we need to do to get through the day. Really, the only day that matters is TODAY.
We all have known distractions to our day. They get us off task and minimize our productivity. So it is with our life with Christ too. Each day we have an opportunity to live for and follow Jesus. It’s a daily opportunity and challenge. So what keeps us encouraged and energized today?
First – Keep your focus on the future. (See Tuesday’s devotion) Jesus gives us a glimpse of his glory and what is to come.
Second – Remember, you are part of a movement that has existed for millennium (See Wednesday’s Devotion). Others have been through and the Lord has sustained them through the challenges of life and faith.
Finally, third – perhaps remember similar words that the Father spoke for Jesus and the three disciples to hear on the mountain of transfiguration.
At the mountain of transfiguration, Jesus heard the voice of his father say, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7)
Jesus was going to go through dark days with his suffering and death. Peter, James and John were going to go through challenges of watching and following Jesus. They could be encouraged by these words too.
- You are a child of God, adopted into God’s family by faith at your baptism. Jesus was THE Son of God. Each of us is a child of God.
Galatians 3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
2. You are loved. The Father loved his Son Jesus.
John 15:9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
3. We have trusted words to follow. The Father encouraged the disciples to listen to Jesus. We have these same words to guide us each and every day.
Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Following Jesus is a challenge each day. Knowing we are LOVED, CHILDREN of God with is WORD to listen to each day is what sustains and gives confidence to follow Jesus each and every day.
Apply: What words of Jesus give you hope today?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for affirming us as your loved, children. Sustain us each day with your words to guide us and give us encouragement for each day of following you.