Category: Daily Devotions

“God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness …’ ” (Genesis 1:26) Matthew often wonders why God created us knowing that we would hurt him in such incredible ways. His conclusion centers on God’s love for us and his hope that one day, in spite of all the hurt we cause…

“Tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD.” (Psalm 78:4) A legacy, good or bad, is something handed down from one person to another. I hope, over time, God has healed your hurts and you have moved on, but what are you leaving behind? The harsh words you spoke may have been based…

“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” (James 3:2) God spoke through the prophet Joel saying, when it comes to your tongue, here are three rules: So pause before you speak, and if…

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ ” (Luke 17:5) “If only I had a stronger faith, then I could serve God better. Then I’d be able to give a better witness to Jesus Christ in my life!” When we speak like that, we can think that before we can do anything worthwhile…

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:7). We are under no illusions as God’s people that we will suffer in different ways at the hands of others. This looks different for all of us,…

“The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.” (Deuteronomy 30:6) Hebrew baby boys went through the rite of circumcision. It signified that they were in a covenant relationship with God in which…

” ‘Everything is permissible for me’ — but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible for me’ — but I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12) Paul said, “Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean … it’s spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by…

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ” (Matthew 22:37) When a lawyer asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was, He replied that he must love God, others, and himself (see vv. 37-39). Observe that He said, “You must love” (emphasis…

“The kind answer calms the mood, but the harsh answer increases the anger.” (Proverbs 15:1, PDT) Have you noticed that we human beings have a tendency to imitate the emotions of the people we interact with? The reason we do this is because of the mirror neurons in your brain. They allow you to sympathize…