Who I Am In Christ Devotionals

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn your statutes. Psalms 119:67,71 Why am I in pain? Sometimes, only God knows the exact answer to that question. Sometimes, with a little patience and waiting on the Lord, I can figure it out; I can understand it enough. I’m sure there are always depths to any situation that I don’t fully comprehend. And maybe the simple answer is the best one today. This passage from Psalm 119 says, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray…” (And by the way, I’m skipping some verses in the passage today, but please read Psalm 119:65-72 if you have the time today) Those are sobering words. I went astray, so the Lord afflicted me. Or some would rather say it like this, “The Lord allowed me to be afflicted.” My heart and my behavior matter. They matter to me, to my family, my place of employment, my community, my church, and the church. When my heart and behavior are astray, it aff

  Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalms 105:4 (CSB) Always--that’s one of those easy-to-zoom-by words. We toss it around like so much change in our pockets.  Always. What does the Psalmist mean when he says it?  I’m going to go out on a limb here, but I think he means it. He means always: in all things, in the good times and in the bad, continually.  Seek his face. I’m not about to say I understand the fullness of what that means. I know I only get a little piece of it. I get this though… It’s relational. It’s not like sending a text or an email. It’s talking. It’s heart to heart. It’s conversational. It’s face to face. It’s wanting to be in His presence now. First the verse says, “Seek the LORD.” One Hebrew scholar defined the word seek like this… The Hebrew word is “dārash, "seek with care," that is, because you care" about someone or something, "examine, inquire" about something, then "seek," often, "seek to kno

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord . At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.  Psalm 69:13 I get mad at the Lord sometimes. And I know this is wholly unsafe. So, I hide my anger behind my back like a schoolboy who got caught taking something out of another student’s backpack. And of course, the Lord sees all. Gently, He whispers His corrections. Working on this or that in my chaotic soul, invisibly. And sometimes, He roars like a lion, scaring the mess out of me. Which turns out to be a loving thing to do. For then, I know that he sees. There’s no question. And that is a blessing. I’m not going to lie; I have a hard time with the Lord’s timing (I repent Lord). I think, why didn’t you do this or that, then? Why did you let it get so bad? Why so much pain and hurt? And I have to remind myself, “I am not God; I serve Him.” He answers at an acceptable time. His timing. Not mine. He is the one who holds th

  First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior.1 Timothy 2:1-3 *Note: I used https://biblicalexegete.wordpress.com/2014/12/06/a-closer-look-at-four-different-types-of-prayer-in-1-timothy-21/ for Greek language help in this devotion. I am a believer, therefore by definition I am a praying man. That doesn’t mean that I’m very good at it yet. I have a lot to learn. I’m saying that believers pray. It is what they do. Prayer is wonderful. I get to enter the presence of the king of glory and talk to Him. What a privilege! God hears it all. He even hears me when I don’t get it to come out of my heart correctly. He translates it for me. And He wants me to keep getting better. He’s like that loving dad that loves watching me play baseball. He loves seeing me get a

  Forgiveness - CSB And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. Ephesians 4:32 “For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses. Matthew 6:14-15 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Colossians 3:12-13 Then Peter approached him and asked, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times?” “I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22 For you, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, abounding in faithful love to all who call on you. Psalms 86:5 Click play to hear the pr

  Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge. Selah - Psalm 62:5‭-‬8 CSB Recently, my hope, my faith was shaken. I felt like a kitten caught up in the jaws of a German Shepherd. I know to look to Jesus. I know. Knowing and doing are not the same. I can be real good with knowing, and weak on the doing. Today, I am in the middle of it all. And it comes and goes. I feel so far away. My feelings don’t know. My bible tells me the truth. The Psalm says to rest in God alone. Rest. What a beautiful short little stubby word. Rest. There’s only one place. Jesus. He is right here. He's not far.  Jesus gives me hope. I cannot generate it from within my belly. My hope does not come from me. Is that not an overlooked truth even for th

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! Psalm 20:1‭-‬5 ESV Blessings start with the words, "May the Lord..." The bible is full of them (there are seven of them right here).  Blessings aren't commonly spoken among believers today in my experience. The closest we get is to say, "I hope..." Though not always the case, "I hope," for us is more like saying, "Good luck." And we say that too.  Is good luck a Christian thing to say? I'm not saying that you're not a Christian if you say it, but I'm just suggesting that it needs some rethinki