DEVOTIONALS

31 Days of Proverbs

We can not wait to dive into the book of Proverbs with you every day! Follow along, and if you fall behind - no worries! Feel free to find all the videos here!

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WRITTEN DEVOTIONALS

Molded by The Potter

Being molded hurts sometimes. How often do we flop into a lump and God starts over with us? While it’s a hit to our pride, it’s important to remember that God is far more concerned with molding our character than he is with us being comfortable. As Americans, we have become extremely comfortable. Complacent. Entitled, even. It’s easy to forget who is in charge (hint: it’s not us)! When we realize that there is a great and mighty potter, who seeks to mold us more and more into the image of his perfect son, Jesus, we can surrender.

Just Be You!

God created you on purpose for a specific purpose. The best way to find out what that purpose is is to get closer to the purpose giver. As you listen for God’s direction, He will guide you in a way that is unique to your personality and special traits and gifts He has given you.

Jesus Can Change Them!

Paul’s conversion story was a dramatic one. From darkness to light, from hatred to sacrificial love, even to the point of his own death. A man who was once on a religious mission became a tender-hearted man who fought with God rather than against Him. His heart was changed when he met Jesus. Not all conversions are this dramatic, nor do they need to be. God can be glorified no matter your story.

Embracing the Call

The Lord might not be calling you to quit your job, pack up your stuff, and become a full-time missionary. But, He might be calling you to invite a coworker out to coffee so you can share the Hope of the Gospel. Maybe He’s asking you to leave that one friend group behind and pursue friendships that bring Him glory. Maybe He’s asking you to speak up and spread love instead of gossip in your office. Maybe He wants you to invite your neighbors or your family members to church. The Lord has placed you in this exact moment and time with unique gifts and callings so you can bring HIM glory, no matter where you are.

What’s Your Passion?

James saw miracles. James probably also performed some miracles when Jesus authorized the disciples to preach and minister in nearby towns. He walked closely with Jesus and loved Him dearly. Yes, he was passionate about Jesus.
Passion for God brings closeness with God. Closeness with God brings the peace and contentment our souls so desperately crave. James wrote, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8

Ordinary People

Yes, God chooses and uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. He doesn’t need our ability, but rather our availability. He uses ordinary people who have nothing of their own to offer, but their faithfulness and willingness to say “Yes” to God. So let me ask you…

How could God use you? Look at your situation and your surroundings. Perhaps God has placed you in your school, your job, your family, or your neighborhood to do something special for the Lord Jesus Christ. God is calling you right now; all you have to do is say, “Yes, Lord!” Will you make yourself available to Him? Remember, God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His glory!

No Doubt About It

Do you doubt God’s goodness? Circumstances can move us when we focus on them. Life beats us down. Having one thing after another go wrong can make us question God’s goodness. We may feel defeated and wonder what the point of it all is. Throw in some self-pity and we’ve got a recipe for depression, anxiety, and bench warming. While we are called to run the race marked out for us with perseverance, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2), we often fix our eyes on the problems. While we should be walking on water, figuratively speaking, we often look at the wind and the waves, just like Peter did, and where we once had victory in Jesus, we are now sinking. Drowning in fear. In doubt.

Committed, not Perfect

For believers today, Peter's story serves as a powerful reminder that our faith journey is not about being perfect but about being committed. We, like Peter, may have moments of weakness where we fall short of our ideals. It is easy to become discouraged by our shortcomings and failures. However, Peter’s life teaches us that it is not our failures that define us, but how we respond to them. When we fall, we must remember to seek Jesus' forgiveness and allow His grace to restore us. Just as Peter was restored and went on to be a foundational figure in the early Church, we too can be used mightily by God, despite our imperfections.

Stop Trying To Figure It All Out

Philippians 4:6-7 is my go-to passage: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” What a powerful formula. I encourage you to try it when you experience fear, worry, or frustration. It’s a powerful way to trust God and submit your life to Him!

Guard Your Heart

Holy Spirit, please make us so aware of your presence. Please remind us to keep short accounts with others, realizing that Jesus died once for all sins and that we have been forgiven of so much. God, keep us clear of offense, big and small because you paid the ultimate price and canceled the debt of all who will call on your name and repent of their sins. If you, who is perfect, can forgive all of our disgusting, vile sins, we must also forgive others for theirs. Help us to remember that your standards are impossible to measure up to and that we all fall short of the glory of you, God! Please empower us to surrender to you.

The Fear of The Lord

The more reverential fear and awe you have of God, the more careful and courteous you’ll be in your dealings with others. That’s because you know you’re accountable to God for your actions, and you recognize that other people are just as valuable to Him as you are. Solomon writes, “Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments…this is the whole duty of man” (Ecc 12:13 NIV).

Where Wisdom is Found

Wisdom points to God. He who is the source of every good and perfect gift, including Jesus, who died for us, making the way for us to know the Father- not just when we get to heaven but right now, on earth! Wisdom is the one thing that God promises to lavish on us without measure, too.

James 1:5: “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God– who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly–and it will be given to him.”

To sum it up in one statement: “Knowledge is good; wisdom is greater.” May we all seek wisdom as we go about our week, pressing into the wise and perfect Father.

How Shall We Live?

Knowing that our eternity is secure in Christ, that the battle for our soul has been won, and knowing that there are many lost sheep in our neighborhoods, communities, and the world, how then shall we live? Let’s choose to live with hearts aligned with His. Loving the lost, caring for the sick, blessing those who curse us, and praying for those who mistreat us. Shaking off the hindrance of offense, keeping our eyes on the prize- Jesus Christ! Less of us, more of Him! He is the solution! Let’s fix our eyes on Him!