Tag Archives: Christianity

Passage of the Day:

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life, 1 Timothy 1:12-16.

Reflection:

Since I’ve been blessed by the numerous Christian communities that I have been a part of over the past 40 years, sometimes I respond, “been there done that.” Whether this comes across as arrogance or over confidence, most Christians prefer a more honest and genuine faith. As I read the words of today’s featured passage of the apostle Paul, writing to a teenager pastor named Timothy, this humble tone makes me regret past comments. While Paul could have puffed up his resume with the number of churches he planted, and souls led to Christ, he considers himself the greatest sinner of all. This kind of opening statement emulates the honest faith that Christians should strive to obtain.

Prayerful Action:

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective, James 5:16.

Fueling your Faith this Spiritual Season:

As a former stutterer, I received plenty of sympathy from Christians in college. Yet, if you want to make an instant connection with someone, be willing to admit your shortcomings in life. When you become vulnerable, this opens the door for permanent meaningful lasting relationships to form. The apostle Paul could have easily spoke down to lesser Christians in the first century, but the Holy Spirit impressed upon him to follow God’s example, Ephesians 5:1-2. As a current Learning Ambassador with Amazon, the more I tell new hires previous mistakes that I made, the more approachable I become to them in the future. You shouldn’t have to tell people about your faith, this should be clearly demonstrated through your daily actions.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The apostle Paul reached a spiritual state that most Christians never experience in life. Perhaps, Paul came to a point in his life where all he wanted to fulfill God’s will for his daily life. May today’s devotion and song inspire you to live an honest faith, real about our failures and shortcomings, Romans 3:9-12.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits^[b] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings^[c] we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word., 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17.

Reflection:

One of the first games I was introduced to as child was Steal the Bacon. Students would sit facing another team on the other side of the gym floor. Each player had a mirror on the other team, sitting Indian style with their back touching the wall. Since most class sizes were limited to 24 students, players would be given a number between 1 and 12. Students would count beginning on the left side, one through twelve. The moment your number was called, you would pop up, run toward the ball, flag or scarf in the middle of the gym, grabbing it before your mirror, then running back to your teammates before getting tagged. While your teacher randomly called numbers, there is a purpose and reason for each person called by God. During his second letter to the Church at Thessalonica, the apostle Paul refers to a Christian’s obligation to God. As new believers enter into a personal relationship with Jesus, you begin to learn God’s expectations and standards for your life. This is where I discovered my obligation to faith.

Prayerful Action:

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[g] Father,” Romans 8:14-15.

Fueling your Faith this Spiritual Season:

Finding a new life in Christ begins by rejecting natural inclinations that you’ve followed your entire life. As you learn to discern, listen to and keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, you’ll be introduced to a Christian’s obligation to faith. Like a parent raising a child, God left behind the Holy Spirit for His children to follow, John 16:23. The apostle Paul refers to faith as hearing the message about Jesus, Romans 10:17. The more you read, study and meditate upon God’s Word, your faith increases. As your faith grows, so will your obligation to live according to God’s Spirit.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Today’s song serves as a reminder that all Christians lose their way in live, forgetting their obligation to live for God. May the lyrics of Two Pennies inspire and revive your soul to take your obligation to faith seriously.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; ⁴ that each of you should learn to control your own body^[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, ⁵ not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; ⁶ and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.^[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. ⁷ For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. ⁸ Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8.

Reflection:

Everyone has a weakness, a modern-day kryptonite which saps your spiritual momentum like humidity on a hot summer day. As the apostle Paul writes members of the Church at Thessalonica, it appears that many of them had fallen back into their former way of life prior to entering a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Rather than produce spiritual fruit, the acts of the flesh suffocated the faith of these first century Christians. Subsequently, Paul writes this letter to urge Christians to start weeding out bad sinful habits.

Prayerful Action:

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved, Ephesians 2:4-5.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

As someone who lives at a property with about an acre, weeding is necessary 6-9 months out of the year. As the summer heat and tropical rains fall upon South Carolina, some weeds grow more than a foot each week. If this is what happens externally, imagine what happens inside of you when you allow your flesh to go untamed. This is why it’s essential to immediately start weeding out bad sinful habits. This isn’t easy, but you need to have the will to press on as the Spirit is willing, but our body is weak, Matthew 26:41.

Song of the Day:

The lyrics to the Casting Crown song Slow Fade reminds me of what happens when you neglect areas of your life. Rather than give up by sliding further and further away from God, start weeding out bad and sinful habits from your life today.

by Jay Mankus