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One justification…. (devo reflection)

Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)

Humans are frighteningly good at coming up with justifications. Paul, in this chapter, is going through several human justifications about righteousness and faith. As you can see by reading through the verses here, there are some real doozies.

Romans 3:6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?

But Paul tells us in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ….” There is one justification—faith in Christ, nothing else. At our hearts, we know that, but Paul cuts to the quick with his argument.

Romans 3:7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?”

Lord, Forgive me when I try to justify myself, my actions, my mistakes and missteps. I am nothing without You. Draw me closer, always. Renew a steadfast spirit within me. Amen.

Romans 3:8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!

Have a blessed day.

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Far from perfect…. (devo reflection)

Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Lord, There are so many passages in the Bible that caution against judging, but it is so ridiculously, humanly easy to judge others. Forgive me when I take the easy way and point out the flaws of others instead of working on my own mess.

Romans 2:3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?

Lord, You could justifiably strike me down on the spot, I fail so often in following You. But You know I am far from perfect, and You give me new mercies every morning as I try again to get things right. Thank You for Your love and compassion.

Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Lord, it is so easy to get sidetracked from my own mess by trying to “help out” my fellow man, pointing out ways that others can do better, be better. Help me to work on myself, to strive to become a better follower of Christ each day, to show my neighbor the same love, compassion, and mercy that You show me. Always. Amen.

Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

Have a blessed day.

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Encouraged by faith…. (devo reflection 9/19)

Romans 1:7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Commentary tells me that Grace was the Greek greeting and Peace the Jewish, showing in one beautiful greeting Paul’s love and care for both Greeks and Jews. I never realized the inherent welcome despite differences in that greeting, though I’ve always had a fondness for it.

Romans 1:9-10 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times….

I love that Paul remembers others in his prayers and understands that people can mutually encourage each other by their faith. I fully believe this as well.

Romans 1:11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—

Lord, You made us for community and relationship. You designed us to love and support each other as we strive to draw closer to You. Help me, always, to shine Your light and comfort Your people. Amen.

Romans 1:12 …that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

Have a blessed day.

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“Do not be afraid….” (devo reflection)

Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.”
In both verse 13 and verse 30, one of the first things the angel says is: “Do not be afraid.” Worry, fear, anxiety have been such a part of my life for so long that the angel’s words are a balm to my soul. “Do not be afraid.”
Luke 1:18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
The other thing that strikes me about verse 13 specifically is the fact that the angel tells Zechariah that the Lord has heard his UNSPOKEN prayer for a son, the prayer that he held in the quiet of his heart, the prayer he had probably given up on. Zechariah reacts with disbelief (“How can I be sure of this?”). I feel his disbelief on a gut level as it is something I struggle with as well.
Luke 1:30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.”
Precious Savior, Thank You for the repeated reminder not to be afraid. Thank You for hearing the prayers that we hold in the quiet of our hearts. Thank You for the promise to never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5), for the promise of a divine plan for us (Jer 29:11), for the promise to work all things to our good and Your glory (Rom 8:28). Help me never to lose sight of the fact that Your thoughts are not my thoughts and Your ways are beyond anything I can imagine (Isaiah 55:8). Thank You, Lord. Amen.
Luke 1:37 “For no word from God will ever fail.”
Have a blessed day.
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God’s got me, no matter the trials I face…. (devo reflection)

Mark 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.

Two thoughts and two verses came immediately to mind as I read this scripture this morning. The first thought is that Mary and the other women wanted to honor their Lord by preparing His body properly for burial, something there was no time for in the rush before Passover. This brought to mind Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Mark 16:2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb…

The second thought that struck me at verse 3 was that as they approached the tomb, they were worrying about how to move the stone that was much too heavy for them so that they could get to the body to prepare it properly. (I’m a worrier. Trust me, I get their worry.) This brought to mind Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Mark 16:3 …and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

Lord, Thank You for this beautiful illustration of Your truths in action. These women wanted to honor You by preparing Your body for burial. They were called according to Your purpose. You supplied their needs by removing the stone and by showing them that Your physical body was no longer in that tomb. You are risen. Help me to take these truths, this knowledge with me always, knowing that You’ve got me, no matter the trials I face. You will work all things to my good and Your glory and You will supply my needs. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Mark 16:4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.

Have a blessed day.

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On that day…. (devo reflection)

Zechariah 14:1 A day of the Lord is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls.

The repetition of the phrase “On that day,” repeated five times in chapter 14, really strikes me. Verse one tells what day is referenced—a day of the Lord that is coming—and the repetition, called anaphora for my fellow rhetoric nerds, keeps us centered on that day and all the things that spring from it.

Zechariah 14:4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.

Romans 11:36 states, “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.” Jesus is a central pillar in my life, around which everything else is centered. Just like the repetition of “on that day” keeps us focused on the day in question, I want to remain focused on Jesus as my rock. I want to abide in Him. I want everything to center on Him.

Zechariah 14:6 On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the understanding that You are my center. Help me to always stay centered on You, grounded in You. This world tries every day to wreck my focus, to distract me from Your purpose. Help me to stay rooted in You, no matter what. Amen.

Zechariah 14:8 On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter.

Have a blessed day.

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For my good and Your glory…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 20:7 And I said to them, “Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
The expression “for my good and His glory” keeps running through my mind as I read today’s chapter. Interestingly, I thought that idea came straight from scripture, and while I found lots of verses about God’s glory, I didn’t find one that contained this specific combination of God acting for my good AND His glory.
Ezekiel 20:9 But for the sake of my name, I brought them out of Egypt. I did it to keep my name from being profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they lived and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” and Romans 11:36 “For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen” are the two closest scriptures I could find. And yet, everything God does for His glory benefits me for my good. Not destroying me for my sins so that His name may be glorified is absolutely to my benefit, even when He rightfully gets the glory. For this compassion, I am eternally grateful.
Ezekiel 20:14 But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
Lord, Thank You that the words “for my good and Your glory” are intertwined in my mind and my study of scripture. Everything You do brings me closer to You, which is absolutely for my good. May Your name be glorified always, Lord. Amen.
Ezekiel 20:22 But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
Have a blessed day.
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His blessings daily…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 17:22 “ ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain.’”
One thing that I have noticed in an overwhelming way as I read through Ezekiel is that there is always this undercurrent of hope. This idea of hope brought Romans 15:13 to mind: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ezekiel 17:23 “‘On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.’”
The older I get the more I cling to hope, realize the necessity of hope. Life is hard. Full stop. There will be loss and pain and difficulty. But God is so very good. He showers us with hope in the form of His blessings daily.
Ezekiel 17:24a “‘All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.’”
Lord, Fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in You. Help me to overflow with hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Ezekiel 17:24b “ ‘I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’ ”
Have a blessed day.
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Even when I don’t understand…. (devo reflection)

Jeremiah 50:6 “My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place.”
There is a lot going on in this chapter, but the theme of redemption is strong here. Romans 8:28 was strongly on my mind as I read: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Jeremiah 50:7 “Whoever found them devoured them; their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty, for they sinned against the Lord, their verdant pasture, the Lord, the hope of their ancestors.’”
I’m not going to lie, though, it took A LOT of destruction to reach this prophecy for redemption. I struggle with the destruction. And not to justify it, but just to try to reconcile it in my own mind, I do recognize that God took a fully rebellious people and brought them to a space where no guilt, no sin could any longer be found in them. That is miraculous.
Jeremiah 50:20 “In those days, at that time,” declares the Lord, “search will be made for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none, and for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant I spare.”
Lord, I struggle with destruction, but I recognize that Your thoughts are not my thoughts and Your ways are far beyond anything I can imagine (Isaiah 55:8). I look at the world through human eyes and often miss eternal implications. Help me to trust You, even when I don’t understand. Draw me closer. Amen.
Jeremiah 50:31 “See, I am against you, you arrogant one,” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty, “for your day has come, the time for you to be punished.”
Have a blessed day.
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This is the promise…. (devo reflection)

Jeremiah 24:6a My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land….
This section brings Romans 8:28 to mind: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him….” Here He is saying that the exiles, those who have been led out in captivity, are still under His care, still in His sight. He is still making a way in their wilderness, even now (Isaiah 43:19).
Jeremiah 24:6b …I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. 
I love the phrasing, “I will give them a heart to know Me” (v7). Isn’t that the center of our faith? A heart that is eager to know God? Returning to God as our center always? This is the promise He gives to the captives.
Jeremiah 24:7a I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord….
Lord, We are captive to so many things at times, and usually because of our own bad choices. And yet, You still love us fiercely and are eager for a relationship with us. “Thank You” is so inadequate to express my level of gratitude at Your desire to have a relationship with me. Give me a heart to know You. Allow me to return to You with all my heart. Amen.
Jeremiah 24:7b …They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
Have a blessed day.