Tag Archives: Faith

Return Home

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Jesus tells us that we are to go into all the world telling the good news. That can be both exciting and scary.

Exciting because we know that we have a mission. Exciting because we know that God has entrusted us with something for His kingdom.

Exciting because we can change the world!

But, it can be scary, because of the what if. . . .

What if we fail. . . .

What if we do it wrong. . . .

What if say or do the wrong thing. . . .

What if.

Today, Jesus tells someone to go, but it’s to a different place. Look at what happens in Luke 8:38-39 today:

The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you. And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

He told the man to return home and tell others about how much that God has done for you. Return home.

Tell your family. Your friends. Your neighbors. Your loved ones. The folks that you know.

Return home and tell.

I think one of the things that scares us about our mission to “go” is the where. Today, God may (or may not) be calling you to Africa, or Asia, or some far-flung place.

If He is, that’s awesome. Because they need to hear the Gospel there. If He is, go.

But, no matter what, I know this. God is calling all of us to return home. To tell others about Him today in our work.

In our family.

In our neighborhood.

All around us.

Today, return home and tell. Let your light shine before all men. Share the good news of the Gospel today with your lives, where you are.

Today, take the good news with you. Return home. Share His story where ever you go.

Be faithful. And let His light shine!

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Simple, Childlike Faith

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Today, we read about Jesus and the children. Listen to what happens in Luke 18:15-17:

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.

Ever wonder why the disciples didn’t want the children around Jesus? I mean, really? What was about the kids that made the disciples fuss at folks?

I mean, we love kids, right? Everyone of us, particularly those of us in families, we value our kids above, well, most everyone and everything.

That’s the lives that we lead today.

That wasn’t the case in Jesus’ day. Back then, children were little more than property. Children weren’t that important.
In the mind of the disciples, Jesus literally had a million things more important to fool with than children.

But, that’s not what Jesus believed.

For Him, thought the children may not have mattered to the crowd. Or the disciples. Or even to society. They matter to Him. For He loved them. He valued them. He came for them.

And, instead of rebuking the children, he rebuked the adults. He said it’s not the children are unworthy. But if we want to see the kingdom of heaven, we must become like that child.

We must have simple faith. Simple trust. Simple belief.

Childlike.

Today, do we have that? Do we have that simple childlike faith? Even though it may seem naive. Even though it may be looked down upon by the world. Even though it may simple.

It’s what the Lord wants us to have.

And remember that they looked down on these simple children. And the Lord welcomed them in.

Just like, when we have that simple childlike faith, He will welcome us in.

Today, may we have that childlike faith. May we trust. And in that trust, may we glorify God with all that we are!

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Religion vs Relationship

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Paul went many places sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In his time, he literally traveled across the world, telling folks about the good news of Jesus.

But, one of the more interesting places that he went was went he went to Athens. Athens was a place that was defined by religion. There were literally places to worship everywhere across the city.

Athens didn’t have too little religion. It had too much religion.

What it was missing was not religion, it was the truth that is found in Jesus Christ.
Listen to what happens to Paul today in Acts 17:22-25:

So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, “To the unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

Paul says – you don’t need religion. You need relationship. Relationship is what matters. Relationship is the key.

God is not wanting you to be “religious” today. He wants you to fall in love with His son, Jesus Christ. And if you fall in love with Jesus, feel His life and His grace within you today, the religion question will take care of itself.

Don’t worry about religion today. Focus on Jesus. His life. His grace. His power. Focus on that. And the rest will take care of its self.

God doesn’t need more religious folks out there. He needs more folks that love Jesus, and want to love others like Jesus.

If we, as the church, and as Christians do that, we will have the religion that God really wants us to have.

Chasing after Jesus. Everything starts there.

Today, may we chase after Him, and after that relationship with Him with every moment of our lives!

And in that, may we find true life!

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Testing

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No one likes being tested. We didn’t enjoy the tests we were given in school. And we enjoy the tests that we are given in life even less.

We all face tests in our lives, that are difficult to go through. We faces tests at work. In our family. In our lives. In our health. In many, many areas of our lives.

And when we face these tests, it’s easy to give up. Or to grow bitter. Or to be angry with God.

We’ve all been there. We all understand and know the emotion. It’s something that every human faces.

We have to, though, resist that feeling.

Because, even if we don’t believe it right now, the test we are going through may be one of the biggest blessings in our life.
Listen to what Peter tells us today in 1 Peter 1:6-7:

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

When we are tested, our faith is refined. It is purified. It goes through the fire. And it comes out stronger. It comes out better. It comes out more alive.

Today, this test that you are facing, that you don’t like, that you wish you weren’t having to deal with?

It will make you better.

It will make you stronger.

It will draw you closer to Christ.

I read a quote once about trials, and it said that when we face trials and troubles, double down on our efforts to be holy, pray more, read your bible more, worship more. For, if the devil see that his attempts to destroy us only make us chase after God, he will leave us alone.

Today, this test may be big. You may not know how you will get through it. You may not know what you will do. You may not understand the way through.

But God does. He is with you. He will not leave you. And this time of testing may pull you close and, in time, be blessing.

Today, even in your test. Even in your worry. Even in your fear. Trust in Him. And your faith will grow.

And you will be stronger.

And you will know better and true life.

That’s what His word tell us. And we can trust in that.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

No Prayer is Insignificant

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One of the things that can really affect our prayer life, if not careful is this.

Well, why should I pray about this? Aren’t there more important things for God to worry about this? Aren’t there starving kids in the world, or hurts, or pains, or other things.

Why should I pray about this? It’s so insignificant.

That’s what we are tempted to think sometimes.

If you have ever thought that thought or struggled with that, listen to what Jesus says today in Matthew 10:29-31:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

He says aren’t two sparrows sold for nothing, and God notices them? He even knows the very hairs upon your head.

He knows you. He loves you. He cares for you.

And whatever matters to you, really does matter to God.

No prayer that we pray insignificant. Really. God really cares about you today. Really. He really cares about your hurts, worries, and fears today.

He does.

Do not be afraid, or ashamed to pray to Him today. Don’t be afraid or worried to take your concerns to Him today.

He knows them. And He loves you. Today.

Your prayers matter to God today. No matter what they are. No matter how you may feel about them.

Even you feel like they don’t really “matter” they do matter to God.

Today, no prayer is insignificant. Give your worries and pains to God. Today, pray to God in all your places, in all your ways, and in all life.

Today, God cares about you more than you’ll ever know. Today, He longs to hear your concerns.

Today, give them to God!

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Whom Shall We Fear?

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Jesus never promises us in the bible that things will always be easy and perfect. He never tells us troubles will not come.

In fact, what He says in scripture is quite the opposite. He does not say that troubles will be absent, but in fact, He goes the complete other way.

He says – you will face troubles.

You will have trials.

There will be tough times. There will be tears and worry and stress and pain.

There will be.

But, that’s not all He promised us.

Look what is says today in Matthew 10: 26-28:

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

We will have these things happen. But do not fear. Do not fear those in life that can “hurt” you. For they can’t. Dont’ fear the one that hurt the body.

Fear the one that will judge the soul.

We should not fear any other human. We should fear (i.e. respect) God.

Why should we not fear any other human? As a great picture on the internet put it, you’ve got an all-powerful, all-knowing, all loving, in control, three in one God on your side.

Now act like it!

I love that. It’s actually my phone background right now. God is on our side. God is for us. God is with us. Whom shall we fear?

No one. We can have NO FEAR today.  For God is with us! Rejoice. Be strong. Do not fear.

For God is with us. Whom shall we fear?

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Access

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One of the most amazing things about the work that God did for us through Christ is this. We have access to the throne of grace.

No longer must we go through a priest to have access to God. No longer must we go through any person to access to God’s grace.

Listen to what it says in Hebrews 8:1-2 today.

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.

We each have access to God through our high priest, Jesus Christ. He is seated at God’s right hand, interceding for us, pulling for us, there for us.

Each of us have access to Him. Each of us have direct access to Him. Directly. Through no one else.

You have access to God today. You don’t have to go through me. Or any other preacher or teacher.

You have all the access to God that you need.

You really don’t need me to have access to God. I’m here to love, teach, preach, care, pastor, be a friend, and lead. As many of your pastor, and many of your friend, and for some of y’all, just a dude on the internet, I’m here to help you in your walk with God.

But you don’t need me (or any other preacher) to have access to God.

You can stop right now. At this moment. And pray. And God hears you.

You can go directly to Him right now.

WOW!!!!!!!

That is awesome. The God of the universe hears your prayers. And you have access to Him.

Today, may we take advantage of this great blessing that we have. And may we turn to Him in this, and all, moments.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

My Favorite Promise

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God makes a lot of promises to us in His Word. He says a lot of things to us that give us hope, give us peace, give us courage.

He will never leave nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6)

He has good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11)

We can do all things through Him (Philippians 4:13)

Nothing can separate us from God’s love Romans 8:37-39)

There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

We could go on an on.

But today, the passage we are reading, it has perhaps my favorite of God’s promises to us. Listen to what it says today in Jeremiah 31:33-34:

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

We focus a lot (and rightfully so) about the part where we promised that God will give us a new covenant, where He will write His law on our heart.

God wants us to know that our faith moves from being an outward (action) based thing to an inward (heart) based thing.

God wants your heart. If He has your heart, He will have your actions.

And that’s all pretty awesome. Good stuff. But, I love what it says most of all, after that. Jeremiah tells us that will forgive our sins and, here’s the kicker to me, remember them no more.

That’s a promise. From God.

Not only will He forgive your sin, which is a big deal. But He will forget it.

It’s done.

Gone.

Forgiven.

Forgotten.

The sin that you can’t forgive yourself of, that you can’t let go of, that keeps you up at night, that robs your peace and joy?

Not only has God forgiven it. He has forgotten it.

His word promises that.

Today, let God. Forgive. Forget. Move into the new life that God has for you.

Today, you are a forgiven child of God. Live like it! Live in that new grace today, and each day.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

You Can Do This!

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God alone is our salvation. Nothing else. Not our actions, our faithfulness, or our lack of faithfulness.

God alone.

We see in Psalm 62: 1-2, David tell us that his souls waits upon God for salvation.

Look at how he says it:

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

David says – for God alone he waits. He will not be shaken.

This would, can, and will shake us. Pain, tragedy, loss, worry, hurt, they will try to shake us.

Worries will try to shake us. The forces of evil will try to shake us. Our own fears will try to shake us.

Much will come our way today, and each day. Much will try to move, worry, or shake us.

And to this David says – I will wait upon the Lord. He is my salvation.

And I will not be shaken.

Today, you can do this. Today, you can be faithful. Today, no matter what comes your way, you do not have to be moved or be shaken.

You can do this.

Through God. Though God, you can do. Through God, you will not be moved. Through God, you can be strong. Through God you can overcome.

Through God, you can do this!

You can. He is your rock. Your salvation. Your hope. Your strength.

You can do this.

Through God.

Today, through Him, we will not be shaken. May He be our rock and salvation.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Have Faith

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It takes faith to live. It takes faith to hope. It takes faith to believe.

Faith that things will get better. Faith that things can change. Faith that you, that I, that we can change.

Faith that the story of yesterday will not be the story of today, or tomorrow.

Faith in a new hope, a new life, a new dream.

Faith in God.

Particularly when we don’t see it. When it’s cloudy outside. When there doesn’t seem to be any reason to hope or dream or have faith.

But faith says that there is more than what we can see with our eyes. Faith says that there is a bigger truth and a bigger hope out there than we can ever imagine. Faith calls us to believe in something, or someone, bigger than us.

That is holding it all together.

Listen to what is says today in Hebrews 11:1-3:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

The people of old believed that God created the universe, even though they didn’t see it. They believed. Even though their eyes were not there to witness it.

Faith says that there is more than our eyes see, our ears hear, our mind understands.

Faith says that God is at work.

That He is our hope. Our dream. Our change. Our life.

Faith says that there is more around that us. That we are not our only hope. That it is not up to us alone. That there is more happening than we will ever understand.

Faith says this, the God that created the universe, He’s got this.

Have faith today. Know that there’s more going on that you can know. Trust in it.

Trust in God. Even when you can’t see. And don’t understand.

Have faith. Even when we don’t know why.

Because God is alive and at work.

Have faith.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.