Category Archives: Christian

Go tell someone what I’ve done (Mark 2:1-17), Feb 23, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Mark 2:1-17
Set – Psalms 90; Mark 2
Go! – Numbers 12-13; Psalms 90; Mark 2

Mark 2:1-17
1-2 Some days later when Jesus came back to Capernaum, people heard that Jesus was back in town and many gathered at the house where He was staying. Soon the crowd overflowed from the house into the streets, and still more people pressed forward to hear Jesus teaching the message of God’s kingdom. 3 Four men tried to bring a crippled friend to Him; 4 but since the crowd prevented their carrying him close enough to get Jesus’ attention, they climbed up onto the roof, opened a hole in it, and lowered the paralyzed man on his mat down to Jesus.

5 Jesus recognized the faith of these men.

Jesus (to the paralyzed man): Son, your sins are forgiven.

6-7 Some scribes were sitting in the crowd, and they didn’t like what they were hearing.

Scribes (reasoning to themselves): What does this Jesus think He is doing? This kind of talk is blasphemy, an offense against the Most High! Only God can forgive sins.

8 At once Jesus realized what they were thinking. He turned to them.

Jesus: Why do My words trouble you so? 9 Think about this: is it easier to tell this paralyzed man, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to tell him, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk”? 10 Still, I want to show you that the Son of Man has been given the authority on earth to forgive sins. (to the paralytic) 11 Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.

12 The man rose to his feet, immediately rolled up his mat, and walked out into the streets. Everyone in the crowd was amazed. All they could do was shake their heads, thank God for this miracle, and say to each other, “We’ve never seen anything like that!”

13 Another time Jesus was out walking alongside the Sea of Galilee teaching the gathering crowd as He went. 14 He saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the booth where he collected taxes.

Jesus (calling out to him): Follow Me.

Levi left the booth and went along with Him.

15 At Levi’s house, many tax collectors and other sinners—Jews who did not keep the strict purity laws of the Jewish holy texts—were dining with Jesus and His disciples. Jesus had attracted such a large following that all kinds of people surrounded Him. 16 When the Pharisees’ scribes saw who shared the table with Jesus, they were quick to criticize:

Scribes (to His disciples): If your master is such a righteous person, then why does He eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners, the worst among us?

17 Jesus heard them.

Jesus (to the scribes): People who have their health don’t need to see a doctor. Only those who are sick do. I’m not here to call those already in good standing with God; I’m here to call sinners to turn back to Him.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

The scribes and Pharisees forgot the message I gave to Abraham centuries earlier when I first made My covenant with him. I promised him that all people would be blessed through him. The only way that can happen is for Abraham and his children to interact with the rest of the world. The Pharisees and Jewish leaders did like most of the churches today seem to do. You construct a beautiful building and fill it with exquisite furnishings. You fill some of the pews every week with a homogeneous crowd and sing the same choruses and listen to the pastor share a message. But then nothing happens outside the walls of the building.

My message certainly touches those inside those four walls, but as My Son told those complaining about His ministry, He came to call sinners to turn back to God. They will not be found in the churches. They will be found in the streets. So when will you witness to those outside the building? How will you show Christ to those you run across every day? How will you live like My Son so that others see a difference in you they want to emulate? What will you do today to make a positive difference for someone in your path expecting nothing in return?

For too long, the church has forgotten its mission of witnessing to those who need Me in their lives. The simple message of the gospel has remained within the walls of the cathedrals and the sanctuaries where the people who need to hear it feel barred from its sounds. So how will you reach out where you are? Whether from your church, you place of work, or your home to touch the lives of those around you so that others will find My blessings because of My Spirit working through you.

I haven’t changed My plan. I still intend to share My message through the witnessing of those saved by My grace. I depend on humankind to reach their fellow man. Will you stand boldly and do your part? All I ask is that you tell others what I do for you. That’s it. It’s that simple. Just acknowledge My working in your life. Witness My activity to others. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Don’t be silent (Mark 1:29-45), Feb 22, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Mark 1:29-45
Set – Psalms 27; Mark 1
Go! – Numbers 10-11; Psalms 27; Mark 1

Mark 1:29-45
29 Right after they left the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 They told Him about Simon’s mother-in-law who was there in bed, sick and feverish. 31 Jesus went to her side, took her hand, and lifted her up. As soon as He touched her, the fever left her and she felt well again—strong enough to bustle around the house taking care of her visitors.

32 Just before night fell, others had gathered all the sick, diseased, and demon-infested people they could find. 33 It seemed as if the whole town had gathered at Simon and Andrew’s door. 34 Jesus was kept busy healing people of every sort of ailment and casting out unclean spirits. He was very careful not to let the demons speak because they knew Him and could reveal to the people who He really was.

35 Early in the morning, Jesus got up, left the house while it was still dark outside, and went to a deserted place to pray. 36 Simon and the others traveling with Jesus looked for Him. 37 They finally tracked Him down.

People: Everybody wants to know where You are!

Jesus: 38 It’s time we went somewhere else—the next village, maybe—so I can tell more people the good news about the kingdom of God. After all, that’s the reason I’m here.

39 So He traveled to the next village and the one after that, throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and casting out unclean spirits.

40 A leper walked right up to Jesus, dropped to his knees, and begged Him for help.

Leper: If You want to, You can make me clean.

41 Jesus was powerfully moved. He reached out and actually touched the leper.

Jesus: I do want to. Be clean.

42 And at that very moment, the disease left him; the leper was cleansed and made whole once again. 43 Jesus sent him away, but first He warned him strongly.

Jesus: 44 Don’t tell anybody how this happened. Just go and show yourself to the priest so that he can certify you’re clean. Perform the ceremony prescribed by Moses as proof of your cleansing, and then you may return home.

45 The man talked everywhere about how Jesus had healed him, until Jesus could no longer come into a town openly without the risk of being mobbed. So He remained on the outskirts. Even so, people still sought Him out from far and wide.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I find it interesting to see how society has silenced Christians today. I’m not sure I understand why. In Jesus day, He would heal the sick and tell them not to tell anyone so He could travel through the land without getting mobbed and better share My message instead of spending all His time healing. Today, if I heal the sick, no one says anything. It’s just another day that passes by and I get no acknowledgement.

In Jesus day, when He enabled some to work and provide for their families, they shouted about the increase. Today, I provide jobs or increase and hear nothing but silence. Oh, I might hear a quiet prayer of thanksgiving, but there are few outward testimonies shared with others that I had a hand in making an increase possible. What has happened to your voice? When did you decide it was alright to fail to praise and give thanksgiving to the God who provides you with all good things? How has the world silenced your tongue so that you have forgotten to share your joy with Me?

Jesus specifically told the leper He healed not to tell what happened, but he could no more hold his tongue than a bucket can hold the flow of water from a waterfall. His joy filled him, spilled over, and poured out on everyone he saw. He wanted to proclaim to everyone his new freedom. He had been made clean and he could not keep it to himself. The acts that My Son performs creates that kind of response.

When He gets hold of you and cleans you up, you have to talk about it. You have to let loose and tell others. Don’t let the world decide you must bottle up your emotions. Don’t let others tell you to keep quiet about what has happened in your life. You know what I have done. Testify to it. Be My witness for the cleansing power you know has moved through you to take away your sins. Let everyone around you know that you have been made new. Rejoice!

It is time to lift your heads high and proclaim the day of the Lord! I am coming again. And I’m coming soon. It may not be today, but then again, it might be. Only I know. But when I come, I want My children shouting from the rooftops. Rejoicing in My coming. Praising Me for all I have done. Don’t be silent. Don’t let the rocks and hills do your shouting for you. Lift your voices in praise.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

He has a plan for you (Numbers 19:15-23), Feb 21, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Numbers 9:15-23
Set – Numbers 9; Acts 28
Go! – Numbers 8-9; Acts 28

Numbers 9:15-23
15 When the congregation tent was finally erected and assembled, the cloud of the presence of God covered it and the place where the terms of the covenant were kept. In the dark of night, the presence of God looked like a fire and marked the spot until morning. 16 And so it continued—cloud cover by day, and something like fiery storm clouds at night. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted up, the Israelites would pack up and move, and wherever the cloud stopped, they would settle. 18 This is how the Eternal One indicated when the Israelites should travel and where they should set up camp. As long as the cloud stayed still over the congregation tent, the Israelites also stayed at their tents. 19 When the cloud remained many days over the tent, the Israelites stayed there and served the Eternal. 20 When the cloud remained only a few days, they did the same. They always followed the command of the Eternal, whether staying or leaving. 21 Sometimes it happened that the cloud remained in place only through the night. So, in the morning, they would get going again. Day or night, in this manner they went as God directed. 22 Whether it was a couple of days or just a month or even longer, however long the cloud covered the tent, the Israelites stayed put; but when it lifted, off they went again. 23 So it was that the Israelites obeyed God’s command. When the Eternal One indicated that they stop, they stopped; when He directed them to move, they moved. They served Him exactly as God commanded them through Moses.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I had a plan for the Israelites. I guided them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. I directed them through the wilderness and let them know when and where they were to travel through the movement of that cloud. I remained as a visible presence to them in those early days of the formation of their nation. They needed that visible symbol of my presence to solidify their faith in Me. For forty years they saw the cloud always present before them.

I have a plan for you, too. You won’t see Me in a pillar of fire or a cloud necessarily. You might see me in a newly born baby or in the fresh falling rain. You might see Me in the middle of a storm or during the loss of a loved one. You might understand My plan as you contemplate a single verse or a specific chapter of My word. But I have a plan for you. And that plan will not necessarily lay out in nice neat blocks to give you a pattern for the rest of your life.

You see, My plans for humankind always involve the interaction of one person with another to introduce the lost to My Son for their redemption. So I might use you at a moments notice to be that one to share the message to one of My lost sheep. You might be at just the right place and just the right time to say the right words to make a difference in someone’s life for good. Someone did it for you one day and it’s always right to pay it forward to someone else.

Begin to look around you today for an opportunity to share the message that there is a Savior who died for you and for each and every person on the earth. He died, but He rose again to demonstrate His power over death and the grave and sin. He sacrificed Himself that your sins can be forgiven. It only takes asking in repentance. Letting Him become the Lord of your life. And you can enjoy eternal life with Me.

I have a plan for you just as I did for the Israelites. Follow it and you’ll find eternal rewards ahead.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

The shepherd speaks (Psalms 23), Feb 20, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Psalms 23
Set – Psalms 23; Acts 27
Go! – Numbers 7; Psalms 23; Acts 27

Psalms 23
1 The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always.
2 He provides me rest in rich, green fields
beside streams of refreshing water.
He soothes my fears;
3 He makes me whole again,
steering me off worn, hard paths
to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name.
4 Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness,
I am not overcome by fear.
Because You are with me in those dark moments,
near with Your protection and guidance,
I am comforted.
5 You spread out a table before me,
provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies;
You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil,
filling my cup again and again with Your grace.
6 Certainly Your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me
where I go, always, everywhere.
I will always be with the Eternal,
in Your house forever.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

The passages in My word that are most familiar to you, like Psalms 23, are familiar because you learn them as children. They are comforting. They provide promises to you. They give you an assurance that I’m with you in the darkest times of your life and in the richest times as well. The psalms echo your circumstances in life whether good or bad. But those familiar verses can become so familiar that you just race through them in your mind without thinking about their meaning. John 3:16 races off your tongue and you pass by its richness and awe. So it’s good to occasionally take those familiar passages and read them from different translations to capture a different view of different scholars.

David took some time to write his song about Me. He thought long and hard about the covenant I had with him and the support I gave him each day. As a shepherd, taking care of helpless flocks of sheep, he likened men to sheep with Me as their shepherd. The sheep need the shepherd to take care of all their needs. Food. Water. Shelter from the storms. Caring for injuries. every aspect of life requires the intervention of the shepherd to keep them healthy and safe from harm. So it is with mankind.

David saw the relationship with Me in his life and in the lives of the God-fearing men around him. He saw what I did for My children and summed it up in this short poem. All your needs, I will supply. I’ll provide protection from the storms of life. I’ll make a way through them for you. I’ll be there and never let you face life’s battles alone and in the end, you’ll find peace and rest from your journey.

Try reading some of your favorite passages in other translations if you have them. If not, slow down and meditate on them for a while. Let them soak into your mind and heart until their message becomes a part of you. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Have a testimony ready (Acts 26), Feb 19, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Acts 26
Set – Psalms 22; Acts 26
Go! – Numbers 5-6; Psalms 22; Acts 26

Acts 26
Agrippa (to Paul): 1Go ahead. You may speak for yourself.

Paul (extending his hand): 2 I am indeed fortunate to be standing before you, King Agrippa, to humbly defend myself against accusations from my Jewish opponents. 3 You are extraordinarily familiar with Jewish customs and controversies, so I beg your patience as I begin. 4 My way of life is well known to the whole Jewish community, how I have lived in the Jewish community abroad and in Jerusalem. 5 If they are willing to speak, they themselves will tell you something they have long known—that I was a member of the strictest sect of our religion and lived for many years as a Pharisee. 6 But now I am on trial here for this simple reason: I have hope. I have hope rooted in a promise God made to our ancestors. 7 All our twelve tribes have hope in this promise—they express their hope as they worship day and night. How strange it is, then, Your Excellency, that I am accused by the Jews of having hope! 8 Why would any of you think it is absurd to have hope that God raises the dead? 9 As you know, we’re talking specifically about Jesus of Nazareth. For a long time, I was convinced that I should work against that name. 10 I opposed it in Jerusalem. I received authorization from the chief priests to lock many of His followers in prison. When they were threatened with execution, I voted against them. 11 I would find them in synagogues across Jerusalem and try to force them to blaspheme. My fury drove me to pursue them to foreign cities as well.

12 On one occasion, I was traveling to Damascus, authorized and commissioned by the chief priests to find and imprison more of His followers. 13 It was about midday, Your Excellency, when I saw a light from heaven—brighter than the noonday sun—shining around my companions and me. 14 We all fell to the ground in fear, and I then heard a voice. The words were in Aramaic: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? When you kick against the cattle prods, you’re only hurting yourself.” 15 I asked, “Lord, who are You?” and the Lord answered, “I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting. 16 Get up now, and stand upright on your feet. I have appeared to you for a reason. I am appointing you to serve Me. You are to tell My story and how you have now seen Me, and you are to continue to tell the story in the future. 17 I will rescue you from your Jewish opponents and from the outsiders—for it is to the outsiders I am sending you. 18 It will be your mission to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God. This is so that they may receive forgiveness of all their sins and have a place among those who are set apart for a holy purpose through having faith in Me.”

19 King Agrippa, I did not disobey this vision from heaven. 20 I began in Damascus, then continued in Jerusalem, then throughout the Judean countryside, then among the outsiders—telling everyone they must turn from their past and toward God and align their deeds and way of life with this new direction. 21 So then, this is my crime. This is why my Jewish opponents seized me that day in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 God has helped me right up to this very moment, so I can stand here telling my story to both the humble and the powerful alike. I only say what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Anointed One must suffer, and then, by being the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light to both Jews and outsiders.

Festus (interrupting): 24 You’ve gone crazy, Paul! You’ve read one book too many and have gone insane!

Paul: 25 No, most excellent Festus, I am not insane. I am telling the sane and sober truth. 26 The king understands what I’m talking about, which is why I could speak so freely to him. None of these things have been covered up and hidden away in a corner, so I’m sure none of these things have escaped his notice. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you must believe.

Agrippa: 28 Paul, have you so quickly moved on from defending yourself to trying to persuade me to become a Christian?

Paul: 29 Whether I have done so quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also everyone who is listening to me today might become what I am—minus these chains.

30 The king stood to leave at this point, along with Festus, Bernice, and all those who had been seated; 31 and as they left, everyone was saying the same thing: “This man isn’t doing anything deserving death—he shouldn’t even be in prison.”

Agrippa (to Festus): 32 This man could have been released completely if he had not appealed to the emperor.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

When Paul met Me on the road to Damascus he thought his life would end. In those few moments of brilliant light, the voice from heaven, and he and his entourage fallen on their faces before Me, he knew My wrath was about to fall. But I had other plans for him. He would never have dreamed he would stand before proconsuls, governors, and kings. Yet here he is standing before King Agrippa giving his testimony of faith in Me, his risen Lord.

Many who follow Me find themselves in peculiar circumstances which they didn’t expect. I often prepare the way for encounters to happen so that My message can go out at just the right time to just the right people in just the right place. You see, I know who best can share the message of faith to those who seem hardened by sins effects. I know the best time to sow the seed that it might germinate in mens’ hearts and reap a harvest of believers. The question is, will you have the courage to speak for Me when the time comes as Paul did.

Paul stood before King Agrippa knowing the consequences. Agrippa could send him to Jerusalem to his death at the hands of the Jewish leaders who wanted him exterminated. He could hold him in Caesarea until a formal trial determined his fate and disregard his request to go to Rome. Or Agrippa could send him to Rome to the emperor’s court as Paul requested making this new religious order quite visible to the emperor’s throne.

What I want you to learn from Paul today is what Peter wrote in his first letter to the churches:

Don’t be intimidated, but exalt Him [Jesus] as Lord in your heart. Always be ready to offer a defense, humbly and respectfully, when someone asks why you live in hope. Keep your conscience clear so that those who ridicule your good conduct in the Anointed and say bad things about you will be put to shame.

You never know who I might want you to speak to and the influence you will have because of your testimony. So be ready. Don’t be intimidated. You are My child. The child of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Speak boldly in My name about the hope you carry in you because of your faith in Me. I will always be with you.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Be a curiosity, it’s okay (Acts 25:1-22), Feb 18, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Acts 25:1-22
Set – Numbers 4; Acts 25
Go! – Numbers 3-4; Acts 25

Acts 25:1-22
1Three days after arriving in the province, Festus traveled south from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2-3 The chief priests and Jewish leaders still had a plan to kill Paul and gave a report to Festus about their unresolved grievances against Paul. They suggested that as a favor to them, Festus should move Paul to Jerusalem. Of course, this was part of the plan to set an ambush for Paul and kill him en route. 4 Festus instead offered to reopen the case. He would be going back to Caesarea soon.

Festus: 5 So let your leaders accompany me, and bring your accusations against the man.

6 Eight or ten days later, Festus returned to Caesarea, and the next day he took his seat in court. He ordered Paul to be brought before him. 7 The Jewish opponents from Jerusalem immediately surrounded Paul and from all directions bombarded him with all sorts of serious charges, none of which could be proven.

Paul (quietly and simply): 8 In no way have I committed any offense against Jewish law, against the Jewish temple and all it represents, or against the emperor.

9 Here Festus saw an opportunity to do just the favor Paul’s Jewish opponents had requested.

Festus: Would you like to have your trial in Jerusalem? I’d be willing to try your case there.

Paul: 10-11 If I had committed a capital offense, I would accept my punishment. But I’m sure it’s clear to you that I have done no wrong to the Jews. Since their charges against me are completely empty, it would be wrong to turn me over to them. No, I do not wish to go to Jerusalem. I am appealing to the court of the emperor in Rome.

12 Festus conferred privately with his council and returned with this decision:

Festus: You have appealed to the emperor, so to the emperor you will go.

13 Several days later, the provincial king Agrippa arrived in Caesarea with his wife Bernice to welcome the new governor. 14 Their visit lasted several days, which gave Festus the chance to describe Paul’s case to the king.

Festus: Felix left me some unfinished business involving a prisoner named Paul. 15 When I was in Jerusalem, I got an earful about him from the chief priests and Jewish elders. They wanted me simply to decide against him, 16 but I informed them that we Romans don’t work that way. We don’t condemn a person accused of a crime unless the accusers present their case in person so the accused has ample opportunity to defend himself against the charge. 17 I arranged for them to come here for a proper hearing. In fact, the first day after I returned to Caesarea, I took my seat in court and heard his case without delay. 18 Contrary to my expectations, the accusers brought no substantial charges against him at all. 19 Instead, they were bickering about their own religious beliefs related to a fellow named Jesus, who had died, but whom Paul claimed was raised to life again. 20 I had no idea how to handle a religious squabble pretending to be a legal case, so I suggested Paul be taken to Jerusalem so he could be tried on Jewish turf, so to speak. 21 But Paul refused, and instead he appealed to be kept in custody so the case could be referred to his Imperial Majesty. So I have held him until we can arrange to send him to the emperor.

Agrippa: 22 This sounds interesting. I’d like to hear this fellow in person.

Festus: You will, then. We’ll bring him in tomorrow.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Christians become a real curiosity when they do what I ask of them. Don’t expect others to understand you. But you are not alone. Imagine how people misunderstood Noah. Rain had never fallen on the earth when I told him to start building an ark because I was going to unleash the torrents of water from the sky. Everyone thought he was crazy. He tried to convince them the world was coming to an end, but they didn’t believe him, just like they don’t believe many of My prophets.

Or think about Gideon. How many thought he was out of his mind when he sent a third of his army home if they were just married, had crops to harvest, or were afraid. Then out of the 10,000 soldiers left, at My command, he selected only 300 to attack an army that had been undefeated by any force they faced. There were a lot of curious bystanders taking cheap shots at Gideon…until the Mideonites destroyed themselves.

David was a curiosity. This shepherd that became king because of his military exploits beginning with the slaying of Goliath. Everyone wondered how he mustered up the courage to take on the giant. David’s son, Solomon, certainly became a curiosity for the kingdom and the world with his knowledge and wisdom. His wisdom became known throughout the world and powerful men and women came to listen to him speak about every subject under the sun.

Hosea was curiosity to the Jews around him when he married a prostitute and then retrieved her when she ran away from him. He had every right to divorce her and wipe his hands clean of his adulterous wife. Instead, he restored her to a place of honor and respect in his household because of his love for her.

Then My Son comes along and becomes a curiosity for many who saw Him. No one could deny His miracles. No one could refute His wisdom. No one could deny He was not like everyone else. The same was true of His disciples and all those who came after Him and accepted Him as Lord of their lives. Paul, Peter, John, James, Silas, Barnabas, and the list goes on in the millions of men and women whose lives have been changed because of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Christians are always a curiosity. People remain covered by a veil that blinds them to the truth until they step out in faith and accept Me as their Lord and Savior. But once that single step of faith happens, like Paul, the scales fall from their eyes and the scriptures begin to open to their minds by the power of My Spirit with in them. Then they understand. Until then, Christians remained an enigma.

It’s really okay to be a curiosity, if you’re a curiosity because of Me. You’ll understand the reasons someday. Until then, just do what I ask and know others will question what you do, but one thing is sure. You’ll stand out in a crowd.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Felix and you can choose (Acts 24), Feb 17, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Acts 24
Set – Numbers 1; Acts 24
Go! – Numbers 1-2; Acts 24

Acts 24
1The high priest Ananias came north to Caesarea five days later, accompanied by some elders and an attorney named Tertullus. They explained their case to Felix without Paul present. 2 When Paul was brought in, Tertullus launched into an accusation.

Tertullus: Most Excellent Felix, through your esteemed leadership we have enjoyed a long and happy peace. Your foresight in governance has brought many reforms for the people I represent. 3 We always and everywhere welcome every thought of you with high and deep gratitude. 4 But knowing how busy you are and how limited your time must be, I beg you to hear us briefly present our case to you with the legendary graciousness for which you are known everywhere.

5 Here are the facts: this man is a disease to the body politic. He agitates trouble in Jewish communities throughout our empire as a ringleader of the heretical sect known as the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we seized him. [Our aim was to try him by the Jewish law, 7 but Commandant Lysias interfered and removed this man from our control. 8 Because of his meddling, you are now forced to hear those making the accusation.][a] You will find, through your own examination, that everything we say of Paul is true.

9 The Jewish opponents present added their vigorous testimony in support of the lawyer’s opening statement. 10 The governor didn’t say anything, but he motioned for Paul to speak.

Paul: I am happy now to make my defense to you, sir, knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years. 11 Just 12 days ago, I went up to Jerusalem to worship, as you can easily verify. 12 I wasn’t arguing with anyone in the temple. I wasn’t stirring up a crowd in any of the synagogues. I wasn’t disturbing the peace of the city in any way. They did not find me doing these things in Jerusalem, 13 nor can they prove that I have done any of the things of which they have accused me. 14 But I can make this confession: I believe everything established by the Law and written in the Prophets, and I worship the God of our ancestors according to the Way, which they call a heretical sect.

15 Here is my crime: I have a hope in God that there will be a resurrection of both the just and unjust, which my opponents also share. 16 Because of this hope, I always do my best to live with a clear conscience toward God and all people. 17 I have been away for several years, so recently I brought gifts for the poor of my nation and offered sacrifices. 18 When they found me, I was not disturbing anyone, nor was I gathering a crowd. No, I was quietly completing the rite of purification. Some Jews from Asia are the ones who started the disturbance— 19 and if they have an accusation, they should be here to make it. 20 If these men here have some crime they have found me guilty of when I stood before their council, they should present it. 21 Perhaps my crime is that I spoke this one sentence in my testimony before them: “I am on trial here today because I have hope that the dead are raised.”

22 Felix was quite knowledgeable about the Way. He adjourned the preliminary hearing.

Felix: When Lysias the commandant comes to Caesarea, I will decide your case.

23 He then ordered the officer to keep Paul in custody, but to permit him some freedom and to allow any of his friends to take care of his needs.

24 A few days later, Felix sent for Paul and gave him an opportunity to speak about faith in the Anointed One. Felix was accompanied by his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. 25 As Paul spoke of justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became fearful.

Felix: That’s enough for now. When I have time, I will send for you again.

26 They had a number of conversations of this sort; but Felix actually was hoping that, by having frequent contact with him, Paul might offer him a bribe. 27 As a favor to the Jews, he did nothing to resolve the case and left Paul in prison for two years. Then Felix completed his assignment as governor, and Porcius Festus succeeded him.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I hear Felix’ words far too often. “That’s enough for now. When I have time, I’ll send for you again.” The problem with waiting is you never know when your end will come. You don’t know if the next car that passes will plow into you because it’s driven by a drunk driver. Or maybe your disease ridden condition as a world marred by sin will cause cancer to rear its ugly head and take you away. Perhaps you’ll be the victim of a drive by shooting.

Especially today, tragedies can happen so quickly and life can disappear so fast that no one knows when they will take their last breath. Then it’s too late. There comes a point when My grace and mercy ends. I try hard to bring you redemption. I use everything within My means to steer you away from evil and toward Me. Ultimately, though, it’s always your choice whether you will serve Me or go your own way.

Putting Me off is making a choice. Each time you say no to the prompting of My Spirit it becomes easier to ignore My calling. I won’t plead with you or beg you. It’s your choice to follow Me. Just know the stakes are high. The temporary pleasure you might gain in putting Me off does not compare to the everlasting joy you’ll have with Me. All around you will one day pass away. Nothing you have will remain except the relationship you have with Me.

But those who trust in Me are assured of a place in heaven with Me. Not only will your relationship with Me be perfect, but you will share eternity with all who join together in their worship. Your relationships will grow and join together in a cloud of witnesses to Me and you will live in peace and harmony together forever.

Those who do not trust in Me are destined for an eternity separated from Me, lost and alone. Jesus described it as a place with gnashing of teeth where the worm never dies and the fire is never quenched. You don’t want to know more than that about the place destined for those who do not make Me Lord of their lives.

Like Felix, you have a choice, though. You can ask My messengers to come back when you have more time. You’ll not find where Paul had enough time to give to Felix. Perhaps you won’t have enough time if you keep putting Me off. Remember, saying later, means no for now. It’s your choice. Make good ones. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Making a covenant with God (Leviticus 26/1-13), Feb 16, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – Leviticus 26:1-13
Set – Leviticus 26; Acts 23
Go! – Leviticus 26-27; Acts 23

Leviticus 26:1-13
Eternal One: Do not fashion any idols or blasphemous images. Do not erect any sacred pillars as the nations around you do. Do not set up any carved stones in your land and bow down to them. I am the Eternal your God. 2 Honor My Sabbaths, and treat My sanctuary as a holy place I am the Eternal One.
3 If you walk in My decrees and keep My commandments in your daily lives, 4I will grant you plenty of rain in the seasons when you need it, and your land will produce abundant crops and your trees will be filled with fruit. 5Your grain threshing will last until the time of the grape harvest, and the grape harvest will continue until it is time to plant again. You will fill your bellies with food and feel secure as you live in the land. 6I will see to it that you have peace in your land. You will be able to go to bed at night without a worry on your mind. I will take away the dangerous animals that roam your land, and no armies will invade your land. 7-8When you go after your enemies, they will fall by your sword. Five of you will go after 100 of your enemies, and 100 of you will cause 10,000 to flee. 9I will grant you My favor, and you will be fruitful, multiply, and have many healthy children, and I will continue to honor My covenant with you. 10You will have so much surplus food from year to year that you will have to make room for the new harvest when it comes in. 11I will make My home among you and never turn away from you. 12I will walk among you and be your god, and you will be My people. 13I am the Eternal One, your God, who led you out of the land of Egypt so that you would no longer be their slaves. I have shattered the yokes that broke your backs and helped you walk straight and upright.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I made a lot of promises to the children of Israel in the covenant I made with them. Some people think I broke My promises because many of these don’t seem to hold true today as you look at the nation of Israel. But people forget what covenants are. Covenants are contracts between people. There is an if in there that the Israelites forgot.

I gladly take care of My children. I long to give them good things. But I also don’t intend to spoil My children. And so I expect them to live by the rules of My I lay out before them. They are not burdensome. They are not hard. They only require focusing on Me. They require love for Me and for each other. My Son, Jesus, put it well when He told those who would try to entrap Him, “The greatest commandment is this,’Love the Lord with all you heart, soul, mind, and strength.’ And the second, is close to it, ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’”

The Israelites failed in their responsibilities under the covenant. I still gave them many of the promises contained in the covenant. I still poured out many blessings and gave them great victories to try and win them back to worshiping Me the way I intended them to worship Me. But ultimately, I could no longer let them disregard the terms of the covenant and operate in such a one-sided fashion and maintain the glory and honor of My name. My chosen people’s rebellion toward Me required My action.

The same is true of you. I want to make a personal covenant with you. I want to pour out My blessing, My grace and mercy on you. I want to give you peace and joy and the abundant life you hear about in New Testament living. But you must give up old ways of thinking, and acting. You must let Me direct your life. I must be Lord of your life.

But think about it. If I can create the universe and everything in it; if I can keep the universe running with clockwork precision; if I can make the lame walk and the blind see; if I can do the impossible, why not put your trust in Me? Don’t you think I am capable of running your life better than you or anyone else could? Don’t you think I can help you make the decisions that are best for you? Don’t you think I would do things in your best interest?

Covenants require both parties to provide something. You provide yourself, following My way as I lead you, and I’ll do all the rest. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Remember My works (Psalm 25), Feb 15, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Psalms 25
Set – Psalms 25; Acts 22
Go! – Leviticus 25; Psalms 25-26; Acts 22

Psalms 25
1 ALWAYS I will lift up my soul to You, Eternal One,
2 BECAUSE You are my God and I put my trust in You.
Do not let me be humiliated.
Do not let my enemies celebrate at my expense.
3 CERTAINLY none of the people who rely on You will be shamed,
but those who are unfaithful, who intentionally deceive,
they are the ones who will be disgraced.
4 DEMONSTRATE Your ways, O Eternal One.
Teach me to understand so I can follow.
5 EASE me down the path of Your truth.
FEED me Your word
because You are the True God who has saved me.
I wait all day long, hoping, trusting in You.
6 GRACIOUS Eternal One, remember Your compassion; rekindle Your concern and love,
which have always been part of Your actions toward those who are Yours.
7 Do not HOLD against me the sins I committed when I was young;
instead, deal with me according to Your mercy and love.
Then Your goodness may be demonstrated in all the world, Eternal One.
8 IMMENSELY good and honorable is the Eternal;
that’s why He teaches sinners the way.
9 With JUSTICE, He directs the humble in all that is right,
and He shows them His way.
10 KIND and true are all the ways of the Eternal
to the people who keep His covenant and His words.
11 O LORD, the Eternal, bring glory to Your name,
and forgive my sins because they are beyond number.
12 MAY anyone who fears the Eternal
be shown the path he should choose.
13 His soul will NOT only live in goodness,
but his children will inherit the land.
14 ONLY those who stand in awe of the Eternal will have intimacy with Him,
and He will reveal His covenant to them.
15 PERPETUALLY my focus takes me to the Eternal
because He will set me free from the traps laid for me.
16 QUIETLY turn Your eyes to me and be compassionate toward me
because I am lonely and persecuted.
17 RAPIDLY my heart beats as troubles build on the horizon.
Come relieve me from these threats.
18 SEE my troubles and my misery,
and forgive all my sins.
19 TAKE notice of my enemies.
See how there are so many of them
who hate me and would seek my violent destruction.
20 Watch over my soul,
and let me face shame and defeat
UNASHAMED because You are my refuge.
21 May honor and strong character keep me safe.
VIGILANTLY I wait for You, hoping, trusting.
22 Save Israel from all its troubles,
O True God.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

David does something in this psalm that not many people take time to do. It’s a good practice for you and I encourage you to do it. You might not be the poet David was. You might not even want to use the letters of the alphabet as he did to capture your thoughts, but then again you might. But what David did in this poem is an important exercise every once in a while for the faithful disciple.

What did he do? He stopped to consider who I am and what I do for him. To write this psalm, David spent time alone thinking about My character, My strength, My power, My intercession in his life. He thought about the times I rescued him from danger. He thought about the times I was with him in battle and brought him victory. He thought about the times he felt My presence when he felt lost and alone. He spent time thinking about our relationship together and the ways I blessed him throughout his life.

In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to forget the role I play in your life. It’s easy to go through life and never see where My intervention makes a difference in your circumstances. But I urge you to stop and take time to meditate on Me. Put a pen and paper in front of you and list the ways I help you each day. Think of the events in which you see My hand at work. Understand that I am God and love you more than you can know. Begin to recognize the everlasting love I have for you that never fails.

When you see My hand at work and remember all I have done for you, you will, like David, cry out “ALWAYS I will lift up my soul to You, Eternal One, BECAUSE You are my God and I put my trust in You.” And I will be there for you.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Open the gates! (Psalms 24), Feb 14, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Psalms 24
Set – Leviticus 24; Psalms 24
Go! – Leviticus 23-24; Psalms 24; Acts 21

Psalms 24
1 The earth and all that’s upon it belong to the Eternal.
The world is His, with every living creature on it.
2 With seas as foundations and rivers as boundaries,
He shaped the continents, fashioned the earth.
3 Who can possibly ascend the mountain of the Eternal?
Who can stand before Him in sacred spaces?
4 Only those whose hands have been washed and hearts made pure,
men and women who are not given to lies or deception.
5 The Eternal will stand close to them with blessing and mercy at hand,
and the God who redeems will right what has been wrong.
6 These are the people who chase after Him;
like Jacob, they look for the face of God.
[pause]
7 City gates—open wide!
Ancient doors—stand back!
For the glorious King shall soon pass your way.
8 Who is the glorious King?
The Eternal who is powerful
and mightily equipped for battle.
9 City gates—open wide!
Ancient doors—stand back!
For the glorious King shall soon pass your way.
10 Who is the glorious King?
The Eternal, Commander of heaven’s army,
He is the glorious King.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

A lot of you probably think of David as a sweet little shepherd boy and don’t think about his family, his heritage, who he became, or even his exploits as a shepherd. But this sweet little shepherd boy killed lions and bears. He ripped his sheep from their paws because he didn’t want to pay for the lost sheep. This sweet little boy was a fighter. David was a warrior.

You probably got the wrong picture of David by equating the shepherd picture with Saul’s armor falling off of David. But it’s the wrong picture. Remember how Samuel recognized Saul? He stood head and shoulders above everyone else! Saul’s armor fell off of everyone. Saul didn’t go to the local store and buy clothes off the shelf. David was a big guy; Saul was a giant of a man.

Despite his prowess as a warrior, though, David had a way with words. He spent hours alone thinking about life, about what’s important, about Me. In so doing, He wrote many of the songs collected in the Hebrew songbook, the Psalms. I like the one you just heard. It reminds you that I own everything. Everything belongs to Me. Everything. Even you. Because I made you.

The psalm also reminds you that I am a holy God and want you to approach Me with clean hands and hearts. But you can do nothing to make yourself clean enough to come near to Me. That’s why I had to wrap Myself in flesh and sacrifice Myself to redeem you. But I did that because I want you to come close to Me. All you need to do is believe what I did, I did for you. Believe I spilled My blood for you, so that your sins can and are forgiven.

I like to picture the ancient gates as the walls of your heart. All you have to do is open the gates and I’ll come in. The gates can only be opened from the inside, though. There are no bars on the outside, no locks to manipulate, no latches to work. Only you can release the bars that hold fast the doors so that the gates can open and let Me in.

As long as I’m inside, you have no fear of whatever enemies you might face. The Eternal, Commander of the heaven’s army, powerful and mightily equipped for battle stands with you to fight any battle you face. Your enemies cannot penetrate the fortress when I’m with you and in charge. When I lead, I win. When I’m in charge, the battle is as good as done. I never lose. Satan thought he defeated Me on the cross…until the tomb burst open. He thought he won a victory with My death…until I exchanged it for life.

Open the gates, the Eternal is passing by. Give Me an invitation to come in! 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.