Posts with the category “daily-devotionals”

"And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." – Revelation 20:15 The Bible does not shy away from the reality of judgment. For those who are unsaved, Scripture lays out what comes next. It speaks of eternal separation from God in a place of punishment called the lake of fire, a place not designed for people but for the devil and his demons. Jes...  Read More

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God." – Romans 5:8-9 I will never forget the look on my son’s face the first time he met Shaquille O’Neal. On the way to the event, Asher was calm and relaxed. But the moment he turned the corner and ...  Read More

"Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, each one was judged according to their works." – Revelation 20:13 Earlier this year, I heard a story about a fisherman’s monument in Homer, Alaska. It was a tribute to those who lost their lives at sea. On a plaque beside the statue was a line that said the sea tells a story. It tells of the lif...  Read More

"For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is God’s gift, not from works, so that no one can boast." – Ephesians 2:8-9 We live in a world that loves rewards. We chase promotions at work, trophies in sports, and recognition from people around us. But Scripture points us to rewards that are so much better than anything this world can offer. The New Testament makes...  Read More

"For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil." – Ecclesiastes 12:14 It is easy to live like what we do today does not really matter. We slip into patterns of thinking that tell us our choices are small, our words are quickly forgotten, and our private moments are invisible. But Scripture tells us something very different. One day, the books will be ...  Read More

"Anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God." – John 3:18 There is a common belief that if you are a good person, everything will work out in the end. Be kind. Stay out of trouble. Do your best. That will be enough to get you into heaven. But the Bible says something very different. Good people do not go to heaven. Saved...  Read More

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." – Romans 8:1 One of the greatest promises in Scripture is this. If you belong to Jesus, you do not have to fear judgment. You do not have to worry about standing before the great white throne of God in condemnation. That is not your courtroom. That is not your verdict. I heard about a long jury trial where the jury spent w...  Read More

"And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment." – Hebrews 9:27 We all have moments on the calendar that we wish we could skip. Maybe it is a tough conversation you are dreading or a doctor’s appointment you would rather avoid. Maybe it is a deadline you have been procrastinating on or an exam you wish would just disappear. I once talked with a high school student ...  Read More

"But the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." – Revelation 20:10 There is coming a day when the enemy of your soul will finally be defeated. Not symbolically. Not temporarily. Fully and forever. The Bible tells us how this all ends. After Satan is released for ...  Read More

"Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour." – 1 Peter 5:8 There is a moment coming at the end of the millennial reign of Christ that may surprise you. Scripture says Satan will be released for a short time. After being locked away for one thousand years with no ability to influence or deceive, he will be allowed to come out and do what he ha...  Read More

"Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years." – Revelation 20:4 The Bible gives us an incredible promise. One day, when Jesus returns and establishes His kingdom on earth, the Saints will reign with Him. That means every believer, everyone who belongs to Jesus, will share in His authority. He will ...  Read More

"As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him." – Psalm 103:13 Father’s Day gives us a moment to pause and reflect, not just on the role of fathers, but on the heart of our Heavenly Father. And whether you’re a dad, you have a dad, or you’re missing a dad today, there’s something powerful here for you. Earthly fathers aren’t perfect. They make mi...  Read More

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." - Revelation 21:4 It’s one of the most common questions people ask when they look at the pain and injustice in the world: “If God can stop it all, why hasn’t He?” It’s a fair question. But the answer isn’t that God won’t,...  Read More

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." - James 1:2-3 Pain is something most of us will do almost anything to avoid. But have you ever thought about what life would be like without it? I once had a childhood friend whose mother lived with a rare condition called CIPA, which left her unable t...  Read More

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 Suffering never feels good. Pain doesn’t make sense in the moment. And none of us would willingly sign up for the hard seasons that shake our world. But one of the clearest truths in God’s Word is that while He is not the author of evil or suffering, He is t...  Read More

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that God knew exactly what He was getting into with you, and He chose you anyway? We sometimes wrestle with the idea that God, in all His wisdom and power, knew how broken this world would become. Couldn’t He have seen the heartache, the rebellion, the...  Read More

"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years." - Revelation 20:1-2 It can be hard to picture a world without evil, but Scripture promises that day is coming. Revelation tells us that when Jesus returns and reigns on the...  Read More

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." - Revelation 21:4 Can you picture a world where all the pain and brokenness we see today is gone? A world without crime or violence, without fear or loss. It is hard to imagine because everything around us now seems to ca...  Read More

"And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords." – Revelation 19:16 When Jesus returns, it will not be as the humble carpenter from Nazareth. It will be as the mighty King, coming to bring justice and wage the final war against evil. Revelation 19 paints this picture powerfully. What’s striking in this passage is how the names of Jesus tell the story. Thre...  Read More

"Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war." – Revelation 19:11 A few years ago, I stood on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem, realizing I was standing on the very ground where Jesus once stood with His disciples before He ascended into heaven. As I read Acts 1 and pictured the moment Jesus rose in...  Read More

"Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him." – Revelation 1:7 For over 2,000 years, people have been talking, wondering, and waiting for one of the greatest promises in Scripture, the return of Jesus Christ. And in Revelation 19, we’re given a glimpse of what that moment will be like. John writes, “Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white hor...  Read More

"For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now." - Romans 8:22 When you look at the world today, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the suffering and chaos. From war and hatred to earthquakes and hurricanes, the world feels broken on every level. But did you know the Bible actually tells us that even creation itself feels the weight of that brokenness?...  Read More

"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good indeed." - Genesis 1:31 One of the biggest questions people ask when they look at the brokenness of this world is, “Why didn’t God just create a world without evil or suffering?” Maybe you’ve asked that too. The surprising answer is that He did. In the beginning, God created a world that was perfect. Genesis 1:31 tells us, “God saw all that he ha...  Read More

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." - 1 Corinthians 13:12 Not long ago, I found myself driving early one morning through a heavy, blinding fog. I could barely see the road lines, and construction barriers loomed somewhere on both sides. I slowed to a crawl, unsure of where to go, feeling a little s...  Read More

"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world." - John 16:33 If you’ve ever asked, “Why would God allow this?” You are not alone. In over two decades of ministry, I’ve sat in orphanages filled with children longing to be loved, stood by hospital beds as families prayed for miracles that didn’t come, ...  Read More

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18 You don’t need me to tell you there’s pain and suffering in this world. You’ve seen it. You’ve felt it. Maybe you’re feeling it right now. From the heartbreak of illness and broken relationships to the devastating images of war, injustice, and disaster on the news, suffering surrounds us every day. And it raises...  Read More

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23 If you’ve ever been around church, you’ve probably heard a lot of messages about Jesus and sin. That’s because those two topics are at the core of what the Bible is all about. And whether you like it or not, sin is something that applies to every single one of us. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glor...  Read More

"For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught." - Proverbs 3:26 What does it mean for the Lord to protect your life now and forever? It means that if you’re a child of the King, then you are His child forever. That’s not something that comes and goes based on your performance. It’s a relationship secured by Jesus Himself. A lot of people struggle with the idea of ...  Read More

"The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." - Psalm 121:7-8 When the Bible talks about God as our source of security, it’s not just a temporary promise. It’s a permanent one. God’s protection is both for today and for eternity. That’s what makes His security unending. Let’s break down wha...  Read More

"The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night." - Psalm 121:5-6 When danger comes knocking on your doorstep, where do you run? The Bible says the Lord is your shelter and protector, but do you really trust Him as your safe place? I learned something about shelter years ago when I decided to raise chickens. I wasn’t p...  Read More

"Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." - Psalm 121:4 The United States Secret Service is considered one of the most elite security teams in the world. Every single day, they protect the President and his family, preventing tragedy and constantly staying alert. But even the best security team is made up of people who get tired, hungry, and distracted. No matter how skilled th...  Read More

"He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber." - Psalm 121:3 When I read the verse above, I am reminded of a winter storm we faced back in January. Our driveway was coated with ice so thick that our cars couldn’t make it up the hill. I tried everything. Salt, shovels, even a propane torch, but nothing worked. At one point, I even slipped and slid down the driveway on my b...  Read More

"My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." - Psalm 121:2 We all have things we run to for security. For some, it’s money. You feel safe because your bank account is full and you believe those dollars will catch you if you fall. For others, it’s relationships. As long as you have certain people in your life, you feel like everything will be okay. Or maybe your sense of security comes...  Read More

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." - Psalm 121:1-2 When life knocks you down, who are you looking to for help? That’s what David was asking in Psalm 121. He said, “I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?” That’s not just a random question. It’s a question of security and hope. When you f...  Read More

"For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught." - Proverbs 3:26 Yesterday, we looked at how the Bible says that the Lord is our security. That means He alone has the power to protect us, provide for us, and keep us safe. When the Bible talks about God being our security, it’s talking about more than just physical protection. It’s about emotional stability, spiritu...  Read More

"For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught." - Proverbs 3:26 What comes to mind when you hear the word security? Maybe you think of a security guard or a home alarm system. Maybe you think about carrying a weapon or learning self-defense to feel safe. All of those things are about trying to protect yourself from danger. But the Bible says, “For the LORD is your...  Read More

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20 When Jesus saved you, everything about your being changed. You became a new person with new life, new forgiveness, and new hope. The moment you said yes to Jesus, He stepped into y...  Read More

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17 We’ve spent a lot of time talking about who you are in Christ. That’s your being. When Jesus saves you, He changes your very identity. The old you is gone. The new you is raised with Christ, and you live with a new perspective and a new peace. That’s n...  Read More

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." - Colossians 3:15 If you belong to Jesus, then His peace should rule your heart. That’s what this verse is saying. But what about those moments when you don’t feel peace? What if you love the Lord and are trying to follow Him, but you still feel anxious or unsettled? Before you start qu...  Read More

"Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." - Colossians 3:9-10 When Jesus saves you, something incredible happens. You aren’t just given access to heaven for all eternity. You’re also given access to His strength, His character, and His love right here on...  Read More