Today Daily Devotional

Episodios disponibles

5 de 60

I Am a Pilgrim
He was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. — Hebrews 11:9-10 A pilgrim is someone who travels to a place where they long to be. Following a kind of calling, they might journey to a sacred place where they can worship. Or they might move around, ever seeking a place to call home. Followers of Jesus are pilgrims who are called to live for God as they travel through life on their way to their eternal home. The Bible tells about a pilgrim named Abraham, who followed God’s call to go and live in a land that God would show him. God led Abraham to the land of Canaan, where he pitched his tent and worshiped the Lord (Genesis 12:1-8). Yet Abraham lived as a stranger and foreigner in that land. His security was not in a plot of land but in the plan of God. He envisioned an eternal city, to which he spent a lifetime traveling. Abraham lived as a pilgrim rather than as a permanent settler. Walking by faith rather than by sight, he modeled what it means to follow the Lord. A pilgrim is different from a settler. Pilgrims never feel totally comfortable with the values and lifestyles of their surrounding cultures. They are careful not to drive their stakes too deeply into the ground. They live with a holy detachment, careful not to hold on to places or things so tightly that they can’t go on without them. Pilgrims also regularly long for home. In other words, they live with eternal aspirations, not simply earthly ones. Lord, help us to live in a such a way that we long for heaven but also aim to represent you here each day. Amen.
--------
I Am a Masterpiece in Progress
We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. — Ephesians 2:10 Imagine a skilled artist, carefully crafting a masterpiece. Each detail is carefully chosen to inspire appreciation, imagination, and more. In our Scripture passage today we are reminded that we are God’s handiwork. He brings together the pieces of our lives to create a masterpiece for his glory. The original Greek text for “handiwork” in this passage was closely associated with “poetry.” In other words, we are considered as poetic works of art. We are molded and fashioned by the Lord of all into priceless treasures. But our purpose is not simply to be put on display and admired by passersby. Instead, we are molded and shaped “to do good works.” God has purposes and plans for us to fulfill, assignments to complete. What’s more, God is still working on us. We are a good work in progress. We are called and led to keep learning, growing, trying, and trusting as we live by faith for the God who loves us and makes us part of his family. Whether we are bailing hay, studying for a test, teaching a child, washing dishes, creating a website, or doing any of a million other things—we are to work wholeheartedly for the Lord. By the work of our hands we are called to point others to the divine Master of all masterpieces. Lord, like a canvas or a block of clay, wood, metal, or stone waiting for the artist’s touch, may we be open to your leading and guiding hand. May we bring you glory in all we do and say today. Amen.
--------
I Am a Family Member
“Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” — Matthew 12:50 Maybe you have had the opportunity to attend a family reunion or an extended family gathering recently. Family members can connect with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and others that they may not have seen in a while. Gatherings like these can be meaningful, uniting everyone under a common heritage, a family tree. As a believer in Christ, I am a child of God—and so is every other believer. This means all of us are spiritual brothers and sisters—no matter where we are throughout the world! And although we may be different from one another in some ways, we have a common heritage—we are rooted together in Christ. We have the same heavenly Father and the same ultimate goal: to do the Father’s will. As part of God’s forever family, we share in the same eternal inheritance that Jesus has secured for us through his death and resurrection. Sometimes people say that biological family bonds are stronger than other relationships. But in today’s passage Jesus declares that all who follow the Lord are part of his family, and this relationship lasts forever. In a world of many divisions, it’s good to be reminded of our family connection in Jesus. It’s also good to learn that we are called to serve God together, for we will be living in eternity with these family members from all nations and places! Father, give us the eyes to see all who follow you as precious family members, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
--------
I Am a Child of God
To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. . . . — John 1:12 Because of Jesus and his finished work, all who believe in him are given “the right to become children of God.” In other words, we can become God’s permanent sons and daughters. Each of us can be a child of the King, with a loving Father and a family to belong to. The bedrock of my identity is that I have a tender, compassionate, loving heavenly Father whose eyes are always on me. As one of his children, I am engraved on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16). I hope this is true for you as well. Each one of us can be a dearly loved child of God. He describes his beloved children as “the apple of his eye” (Zechariah 2:8). If you are God’s child, you know that the light of his face shines on you, brightening your heart and mind, filling you with the warmth of his love and grace, and giving you peace (Numbers 6:24-26). In the Lord’s faithful care, we know we are loved, “for the Lord takes delight in his people” (Psalm 149:4). “The Lord delights in those who . . . put their hope in his unfailing love” (Psalm 147:11). The apostle John adds, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1). God loves each of us lavishly and generously as a precious son or daughter. Amazing! Lord, thank you that in Jesus we can become your children. Help us each day to remember who we are and whose we are. Amen.
--------
I Am Beloved
“You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you. . . .” — Isaiah 43:4 God created you in order to love you and to share a loving relationship with you. That is why you exist—to be cherished by your Creator and to reciprocate that love to him and radiate that love to others. For each one of us, this is the greatest foundational truth we can learn about our existence, and it helps immensely to shape our identity and sense of purpose. Like many of us, though, you may not always feel loved. Moments of feeling misunderstood, ignored, judged, or even rejected may overshadow your sense of worth. But the Bible reassures us of God’s deep and passionate love for each one of us. This love is unconditional—no strings attached. You are God’s beloved child—precious, esteemed, and honored in his sight. Go ahead and remind yourself of this truth as often as necessary. God’s love isn’t based on our actions or achievements. It transcends our successes, failures, possessions, status, and everything else about us. There’s nothing we can do to earn more of God’s love or to diminish it. God’s love is consistent, steadfast, and true. Understanding that we are cherished, valued, and treasured by the Creator of the universe shifts our entire perspective. As we embrace this truth, fears and anxieties diminish. We can live with a new sense of peace and contentment, knowing we are beloved by him. Lord God, thank you for cherishing us. Reassure us of your everlasting love for us each day. In Jesus, Amen.
--------