Today Daily Devotional

“Give us today our daily bread.” — Matthew 6:11 The college where I serve as chaplain includes many students who are squeezed financially. Some of them have to choose between buying food, paying rent, or paying their tuition and fees. So when they pray, “Give us today our daily bread,” they mean it literally. And God often answers that prayer through a local bakery that donates thousands of loaves of bread and buns and other baked goods to our campus ministry each year. In addition, local farms donate thousands of pounds of greenhouse vegetables, onions, and potatoes. Still other donors bring us boxes and boxes of groceries. And somehow the bills get paid. Recently a young student asked if we could pray for her as she was looking to buy her first car. She was not looking for a fancy, expensive car—just a used, economical, and reliable vehicle that would serve her well for several years without major expenses. That request also connected with asking for “daily bread” because it had to do with providing for physical needs. In the request for “daily bread,” our Lord is teaching us not to worry about all our needs (Matthew 6:25) and that all our striving is in vain without God’s blessing (Psalm 127:1). Praying as Jesus teaches us will help us to grow in our trust and love for God in a world that seeks constantly to draw us away from him. Heavenly Father, we depend on you to meet all our needs. Most of all, we need your blessing, Lord, to live faithfully for you. Help us to trust in you alone. Amen.

What kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. — 2 Peter 3:11-12 Elisha and his servant were in big trouble. They were surrounded by a hostile army that had come to capture them. But Elisha was not afraid. God had provided a vast and powerful army of angels to protect them. This passage is just one example in the Bible where we see angels carrying out the will and command of God. When Jesus teaches us to pray, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10), he is calling us to be as faithful and willing to serve God as are the angels in heaven. What is this service that God wants us to do? Peter reminds us to “live holy and godly lives.” James 1:27 teaches us to “look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep . . . from being polluted by the world.” The writer of Hebrews urges us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” “show hospitality to strangers,” and “remember those in prison” (10:24; 13:1-3). (See also Matthew 25:31-40.) God calls us to serve people both inside and outside the church. We are also called to share our faith with those who do not yet know him. God does not want anyone to perish; he wants all to come to faith in Christ! God’s will is that our lives will be sacrifices of praise as we honor him with our lips and work to advance his kingdom. This is not easy! Thus we pray, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”! Spirit of God, fill me with your power to serve you all day, every day. May I live a life of praise and loving service. Amen.

The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. — Romans 14:17 On Mondays I bring lunch for students at the college, and we have discussions about life. I once asked, “If you could change three things in our world, what would they be?” The most common answers went like this: I would change . . . the way money is used and abused . . . the way people treat other people . . . the lack of true religion in our world. In other words, they were hoping for a greater presence of God’s kingdom here on earth. When Jesus taught his followers to pray, “Your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10), he was teaching them to ask for the kingdom of God to be present in their lives and in the world around them. When we pray, “Your kingdom come,” we are asking God to help us submit our lives to him. We are praying that we will faithfully submit our finances and our relationships to him. We are praying that he will help us live in such a way that he is glorified. This is a prayer that in our personal lives we will be faithful followers of the heavenly King, and that in our life as the church we may together be a visible presence of God’s kingdom in the world. This is also a prayer that the work of the devil and his kingdom of darkness, which seek only to ruin all good things, will be destroyed. Lord and King, help me to submit every part of my life to you. Help me to live faithfully for you, and may your kingdom of love and grace advance throughout this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16 God is perfectly holy. When Jesus teaches us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” he is teaching us to pray that we, and all who are around us, will see God’s glory and holiness. Nearly every day, 50 or more students enter the Interfaith Centre at Medicine Hat College, where I work as a chaplain. They come from dozens of countries and from many religious backgrounds, or none at all. They come for free coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and snacks. They come for a quiet place to sit, rest, or study. They come for friendship and fellowship. Sometimes they even come to see me! My prayer for our campus ministry is simply this: “Father in heaven, hallowed be your name! In every visit to the Interfaith Centre and in every interaction with the campus minister, may your name be hallowed. May your glory be seen as clearly as Isaiah saw it so many years ago!” The apostle Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). These words apply to every one of us who follows Jesus. So we need to ask, “Who and what do people see and experience when they come into my presence or our presence?” And by God’s grace, may people see the glory of the King living in us. Lord God, hallowed be your name. As the people around us get to know us, may they see your glory shine through us in all we think, say, and do. In our lives, Lord, be glorified today! For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 In my work as a college chaplain there is rarely a day when I am not asked to pray. Most students also express gratitude when I pray with them and for them. I often find they are crying when we finish praying. But what is prayer? And does it do anything more than make us feel better? A hymn writer, James Montgomery (1771-1854), wrote: Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,uttered or unexpressed,the motion of a hidden firethat trembles in the breast.Prayer is the burden of a sigh,the falling of a tear,the upward glancing of an eyewhen none but God is near. Why pray? It is the most important part of our gratitude to God for creating, redeeming, and sustaining us. It’s at the top of our “good works” we offer to God. God is not looking for fancy prayers from his children. He is not looking for key words and phrases that follow formulas. God simply wants us to pray from the heart, acknowledging that he is the one true God who will not share his glory with another. God wants us to come to him with humility, expressing our reliance on him for life and breath and every good thing. When we come to God in this way, he promises to hear our prayers and to answer them in ways that are often better than we could imagine. Father, we come to you with praise and adoration. Thank you for your amazing love and care for us. May our lives be a never-ending prayer of gratitude to you. Amen.

“And the second [greatest commandment] is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” — Matthew 22:39-40 Maybe you’ve heard that one of the first steps a person takes toward becoming a murderer is to dehumanize their victim. By viewing others as less than human, killers tend to free their consciences to take other people’s lives. The second table of God’s law (commandments 5-10) guards us from viewing and treating others as less than human. All of us are created in the image of God. Loving our neighbors prevents us from simply viewing and using others as stepping-stones toward advancing our own sinful causes. In addition, loving others is the best way to experience the deepest purposes and joys of life. Loving others begins when we are young. We learn to honor our parents, our teachers, and all who are in authority over us, including our governments. We also learn to love our siblings and other family members, our friends, our neighbors, and more. Jesus calls us to love even our enemies and to pray for people who mistreat us (Matthew 5:43-48). He also teaches that the place for sex, including thoughts about it, is within marriage. He teaches us to be givers rather than takers, and he calls us to build one another up and to celebrate others’ victories instead of tearing people down. Living on the path of love, we honor God, bless others, and find joy and satisfaction in life. How do we do all this? By treating others as we would like to be treated (Matthew 7:12). Jesus, help us to be like you, loving and treating others with care, dignity, and respect. Amen.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” — Matthew 22:37-38 My wife and I recently attended a symphony. Seventy-five musicians on the stage gave their best. The star of the show was a young violinist playing a 1699 Stradivarius violin. At the end of the performance, with the crowd on their feet applauding, the young man left the stage. The applause continued, and he reappeared and bowed. The applause increased, and he returned a second time. Was this violinist an egotistical young man? No. Giving the audience the opportunity to express their gratitude and amazement for a beautiful performance added to the listeners’ joy. If the violinist had simply walked off and not returned, the audience would have felt shortchanged. Expressing appreciation is an important part of enjoying a great performance. The first table of God’s law to his people (commandments 1-4) calls them to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind. God wants us to honor and glorify him in all we think, say, and do. The first table of the law is designed to enable us to truly appreciate God’s beauty and glory. Calling for our love and respect in this way is not egotistical. Rather, it is a sign that the utterly amazing and loving God wants us deeply to enjoy the best life, blessings, and hope possible. Lord God, thank you for your law, which teaches us to see and enjoy your amazing, beautiful love for us all. Help us to think and act and live in your ways always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. — Galatians 5:25 On our first visit to the Grand Canyon we made our way to the guardrail and peered down to the Colorado River some 5,000 feet below us. Considered to be one of the natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is stunning. It can also be dangerous. People who do not follow safety guidelines risk their lives. Over the years many have fallen to their death. Years later we returned to the canyon and safely hiked pathways down to the river and back up again. God created a world that was good. But there is a right way and a wrong way to use the things of this world. Because of sin, our tendency is to use and experience the things of this world in wrong ways. God gave us his law to teach us the right way to relate to him and the things of this world. And when the Holy Spirit opens our hearts and minds to understand right from wrong, and we are given the grace to repent of our sin, and the faith to follow Christ, we experience what is called conversion. For all who are in Christ, God’s law functions like a guardrail and a path. It keeps us from thinking and acting in wrong and sinful ways. When we come to love God’s law rather than resenting it, we know our conversion is genuine and our faith is real. Heavenly Father, thank you for your law and your grace. Help us to embrace your ways as we seek to honor you in every part of our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? — Romans 6:1-2 We have been saved by grace and not by works. But does that mean we do not have to do good? The answer is clear and decisive. Grace and good works are not competitors. They go hand in hand in the lives of God’s children (see Ephesians 2:8-10). When we come to faith in Christ, our old sinful nature dies. The old nature is crucified and buried with Christ, and we rise to new life in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Being raised with Christ means living a life in which good works (or “good fruit” in the words of Jesus—John 15) become natural to us. Bearing good fruit is a sign that our faith and conversion are true and genuine. Good works are a natural expression of thankfulness. While doing good becomes “second” nature to all who have new life in Christ, we still need to work at it. Though the old nature has been crucified, it still rises up from time to time to try to reassert itself. It is no longer the driving force in our life, but it remains a force to fight against. Wanting to produce good fruit assures us that we are indeed saved, and that is a powerful witness to people who do not yet know Jesus. Jesus, thank you for dying for us to purchase our salvation. We commit our lives to thanking you by striving to live for your honor and glory. Amen.

“Do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves. . . .” — Hebrews 12:5-6 Jesus teaches that there is a broad road that leads to destruction and a narrow road that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). And because God wants us to experience full life rather than destruction, he disciplines his children who are taking the wrong road. How does God discipline the ones he loves? Sometimes God causes a godly fear to fall on his people. For example, this could be a fear that reminds us, “If I do not mend my ways, I will separate myself from God.” Sometimes God uses our fellow believers to call us back to the right road. Sometimes God uses the church to call us back to faithful living. Sometimes God uses challenging situations in life to discipline his people. Discipline never seems pleasant at the time, and it can be painful. However, God designs discipline to produce a harvest of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11). When it comes to Christian discipline, we do well to pray that God will give us the grace to receive his discipline—and that he will give us wisdom, humility, and compassion when we are called to speak a word of correction to others. Loving God, we thank you that you discipline the ones you love rather than simply letting us stray down pathways that lead to destruction. Grant us grace and mercy in the face of discipline so that we may grow to love you more and more. Amen.

Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? — 1 Corinthians 10:16 It has been said that the Lord’s Supper, or holy communion, is a “visible sermon.” It is hard to imagine a better one! The bread that is broken reminds us of the body of Christ, which was broken for us—not only on the cross but also in the hours leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. The wine (or juice) reminds us of the blood of Christ, shed for the payment and forgiveness of our sins. Holding the broken bread, holding the cup, and hearing Jesus say, “This is my body. . . . This is my blood. . . .” has the power to evoke deep, godly sorrow and to awaken a love and sense of gratitude that goes beyond words. And there is more. As surely as we eat the bread and drink the cup, and as surely as we are nourished by those calories and vitamins, we receive the crucified Christ in the depths of our souls—to nourish us spiritually for this life and the life to come. While the sacraments do not save us, God works his grace through them to grant us joy and peace as we grow in faith. The sacraments bring us into deeper communion with God and with the body of Christ. We celebrate the sacraments as a community destined for eternal life in God’s glorious kingdom. Lord, thank you for the Lord’s Supper. May it always strengthen our faith in you, testifying of your sacrifice for us. Amen.

In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. — Galatians 3:26-27 In the church we have two sacraments given to us by Christ: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (holy communion). Baptism symbolizes the dying of our old sinful nature and its being buried with Christ, as well as our rising to new life in Christ. Just as we use water to wash our bodies, the waters of baptism represent the washing away of our sin by the blood of Jesus. And just as water is necessary for life, the water of baptism represents the new life we have in Christ through the Holy Spirit. In addition to these beautiful pictures, baptism stands as a sign and seal of God’s faithfulness to his promises that salvation comes to all who repent and believe in Jesus. Though people are prone to break promises, God is not. Baptism assures us that we belong to the faithful God, who has adopted us in Christ to be his children forever. Does baptism save us or guarantee our salvation? No, baptism does not nullify the need for faith. But God guarantees us that if we trust in him, we will never be put to shame. And baptism is a glorious reminder and guarantor of that promise. In baptism God declares that we belong to him and are part of his church and kingdom. His command is clear and simple: trust me and live with me forever! Lord, thank you for the gift of baptism. Thank you for using baptism to signify that you claim us as your own. Help us to live with you in joy and faithfulness. Amen.

“For you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.” — Malachi 4:2 On the dairy farm where I grew up, it was always fun to watch young calves when they were first released into the pasture. For a few seconds the freedom seemed to paralyze them. Taking in the bright sun and the unfamiliar sights and smells, they stood motionless. Then suddenly they would leap into the air and race around! Soon exhausted, they would stop to rest—and then do it all over again and again. About four centuries before Jesus came, Malachi prophesied about God’s people living joyfully, even frolicking “like well-fed calves.” Today the kingdom grows under the watchful eye of the reigning King Jesus, and when he returns, it will be established permanently and perfectly. With “no more death or mourning or crying or pain,” we will have life to the full, and we may even frolic like young calves! With paradise regained, we will reign with Jesus in resurrected bodies for eternity. But life is often hard for us now. And growing old, as people say, is not for the faint of heart! But one day we will be released from the struggles of this life and freed to live with the Lord forever. In Christ, death has become like a doorway to eternal life with God and the promise of the new creation. Whether we are dead or alive when Jesus returns, the new creation awaits us! Father, we long for the day when we are released from our present struggles to enjoy life with you and in the new creation forever. Strengthen our faith as we begin to experience eternal joy even now, in Jesus. Amen.

God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body. . . . — Ephesians 1:22-23 Maybe you have heard someone say, “I don’t need to go to church to be a Christian.” This is true. Many Christians have been jailed for their faith and have been prevented from going to or attending church worship services. But the church is not a place where we “go.” The church is the body of Christ. Wherever God’s people meet for worship and fellowship, the church is present. The church is found not only in buildings that we call churches but also in prisons, on college campuses, on remote mission fields, in homes within countries that have outlawed Christianity, and more. The Bible likens the church to a human body and says that we are each a part of the body (1 Corinthians 12). Being a Christian and being part of the church are synonymous. Every part of the body is important, and every part contributes to the overall well-being of the entire body. While it may be true that we don’t need to “go to church” to be a Christian, the parts of the body can die if they are disconnected from the whole. A foot, finger, eye, or kidney, for example, cannot live if it is not connected to the body. Only when we minister to others, and are ministered to, can we grow in our faith and flourish! Lord, thank you for the church, your body, in its many different shapes and forms throughout the world. Thank you for joining me to the church. Help me to serve and to be served as a part of it! Amen.

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” — John 14:15-17 One Friday each month, the college where I serve as campus minister celebrates “Spirit Day.” On Spirit Day students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to wear black and gold, the college colors, and to attend the college sports games. In our culture we often emphasize having a strong school, work, and team spirit. Many of us develop a strong national spirit as well. As a result, we can tend to view the Holy Spirit more as a power than as a person. But there is much to gain when we realize that the Holy Spirit is God himself living in us (2 Timothy 1:14), along with God’s power being present in our lives. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit “the Advocate,” or “Counselor” (John 14:26), and he tells us that the Spirit will convict us of sin and guide us into all truth (16:7-15). The Spirit will make known to us what belongs to the Father and the Son. There is comfort and joy in knowing that God himself lives within us to lead and guide us. Paul tells us that our bodies are “temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in [us]” (1 Corinthians 6:19). What an amazing blessing it is to have God living in us! When we ask God to lead and guide us, and when we actively follow him, a whole new life of comfort and joy opens up for us. The Holy Spirit living in us changes our lives and the lives of the people around us. Spirit of God, we are honored to have you living in us. Lead us into the truth each day! In Jesus, Amen.

Jesus Christ . . . has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. — 1 Peter 3:21-22 Years ago, I attended an air show. A military jet flew low over the runway and then turned its nose skyward and flew straight up until the clouds hid it from sight! The sound of its engines faded when we could no longer see the jet. But we all knew it would come back! And it did. The disciples were gathered with Jesus when suddenly he rose up from the ground, and “a cloud hid him from their sight.” While the disciples were staring up intently, two angels assured them—and us—that this same Jesus would one day return in the same way. Where is Jesus now? He is seated at God’s right hand, reigning over all creation. Before he left, Jesus promised his followers that he would send his Holy Spirit to be with them. In the power of the Spirit they would bring the good news of Jesus to the nations and teach people what it means to live as followers of the Lord. And one day he will return, and we will live with the Lord forever in a renewed creation! Right now, Jesus, in his resurrected human body, is in heaven, and in his divinity he fills the entire universe. As the King of kings and Lord of lords, he is building his kingdom, preparing for the day when he will return. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the joy, peace, and comfort we have in knowing that your Son, our Lord, is reigning over all creation. Help us to carry out the work you give us as loyal followers of Jesus. Amen.

Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. — Matthew 28:9 Can an event that took place two thousand years ago benefit humanity today? When Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried, his body lay in a stone-sealed tomb. And then . . . he took a breath; his body stirred; God raised him from the dead. And before some of his followers came to visit the tomb, an angel rolled away the stone so that they could see Jesus had risen. What difference does that make for us today? Well, whatever I am doing today, I know that my Lord and Father will see me as his child clothed in the righteousness of the risen Christ. The Bible teaches us that, as God’s children, we have been crucified and have died with Christ, and we have been buried with him and have risen to new life with him. And we experience this new life in amazing ways as we grow in faith, serve the Lord, and meet with others in Jesus’ name—in our churches, neighborhoods, college campuses, workplaces, and more. We are also assured that when Jesus returns, the bodies of all who have died believing in him will be raised to live with him. Just as Jesus left the tomb in his resurrected body, I will rise from the grave with mine! Yes, an event that took place two thousand years ago offers us a world of comfort and joy! Lord, even as we begin to enjoy new life in you today, we look forward to our own resurrection, when we can live, body and soul, with you! Amen.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” — Matthew 7:21 It takes me just a second to say “Jesus is Lord.” Lord means “owner” or “master.” I also believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. Does this mean I am saved? The answer is “Yes . . . if”: “Yes, I am saved, if I truly mean and believe what I say.” If you declare or confess that Jesus is Lord, that he is your owner and master, and that God raised him from the dead because he died to pay the price for your sin, to bear your guilt and shame, and to take your punishment—then, yes, you will be saved. Well, almost. There is only one way to know if we truly mean it when we say, “Jesus is my Lord!” Jesus teaches us, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). And in 1 John 2:4 we read, “Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” As Lord, Jesus has the right to instruct us how to live our lives, and all who are saved are happy to live out his instructions. Jesus, our sinful nature died and was buried with you when you paid for our sin. And we have risen with you to a new life. You bought us with your blood. You are our Lord, and we love you. By your Spirit, guide us each day to follow you and honor you. Amen.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. — Romans 10:9 When one of our daughters was young and we told her to do something, her response was sometimes swift: “You’re not the boss of me!” The idea of having an owner or master, even if it is Jesus, does not come naturally to us. In fact, the notion of being independent from God is what led humanity into sin. But is having a divine Master or Owner really so bad? My bicycle “lives” in my garage. It is not rusty from sitting in the rain, and the rubber grips are not degraded from extended exposure to the sun. Though I have owned it for years, it still looks new. Every summer I see “ownerless” bikes. Some lay at the bottoms of creeks and rivers. They are coated with mud and rust. Which bicycle has a better life? The bike lying in a creek never has to work! But no one rides it, either. My bike gets a good workout in nice weather—and it doesn’t mind! It was created to be ridden. The outcome is similar for horses and dogs and other domesticated animals that live longer and healthier lives under the care of a good master than they can in the wild. The simple truth is that we will never truly be independent. We are created to live for God, and we will either be servants of Jesus or servants to sin. Being a servant to sin leads to death. But Jesus is the perfect Lord, who loves us—and living for him brings perfect joy! Jesus, you are Lord. You love us and care for us. Help us to find our true joy and purpose in living for you. Amen.

His mother Mary . . . was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. — Matthew 1:18 There are lots of misunderstandings about what may happen to us after we die. Many people think that babies who die become angels, for example, and it’s common to see artwork about souls playing harps in the clouds. Reflecting on Jesus’ incarnation can help us think more biblically and clearly, however. The eternal Son of God took on human flesh about 2,000 years ago in the womb of Mary. While remaining fully God, he became fully human as well. He lived a perfect life, without sin. Then, giving up his life to pay for the sin of all who would look to him for salvation, he died. His human body was laid in a tomb. And on the third day his body rose to life again and walked out of the tomb. Several weeks later his human body ascended to heaven, where he is seated at God’s right hand. And one day he will return in the flesh to welcome all of God’s children to full life with him in the new creation. Matthew 28 tells us that some of Jesus’ followers met the risen Lord on the morning of his resurrection. Two of the women kneeled on the ground, grasped his feet, and worshiped him! One day, in our own resurrected bodies, we too will meet Jesus in the flesh to worship him. Body and soul are created to be together, and so it will be in eternity! Lord and God, our hearts stir within us as we long for the day when we too can meet you in the flesh and worship you! By your Spirit, move us to love and obey you today and every day! Amen.