Will You Go? | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 20, 2023
Will You Go? | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 20, 2023
And I heard the voice of the LORD saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8
In the opening chapters of Isaiah, there is a clear indication of what the book will be about: the judgement of God’s people and His desire to restore them following their punishment. In these early chapters an interesting scene is described; a scene most have no concept for: the throne room of heaven. Isaiah was given a glimpse into the worship of angels singing “Holy, holy, holy” and of the Lord Himself. He felt unworthy. He felt unclean. He was broken over his own impurity before a holy God. But in Isaiah 6:6,7, we read that his guilt was atoned for; his shame was taken away so that he could stand before the Lord.
Isaiah next receives a burden to go and tell the people of Israel about everything that would be coming. Some of it would not be happy news. Most of it was not. But the Lord impressed upon him the need to write and to share: to be a watchman to warn his fellow Israelites so they could turn back to God. This same burden that was laid upon Isaiah is a burden we should be aware of as well. God does not pick perfect people to carry out His will. He uses vessels like you and I. Into this call, He is looking for obedience. He is looking for surrender and willingness. Isaiah heard the Lord’s voice asking “Who will go?” When it comes to God’s mission for your life and where He wants to use you, are you willing to say “Here I am! Send me.”?
Question for today: Am I willing to respond to God’s call when He asks me to do something; even if it seems difficult or overwhelming?
Pray: Lord I pray my heart is always willing to say “Here I am! Send me.” Despite what the obstacles look like, help me trust that You go before me and will prepare the way.
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What Will It Be Like? | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 17, 2023
What Will It Be Like? | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 17, 2023
The streets of the city were made of pure gold, clear as crystal. Revelation 21:21
In the famous song “I Can Only Imagine” by the band MercyMe, there are these lines:
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees, will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
It can be such an incredible thing to start to process — the reality of Heaven and what it will be like. What will we be like? What will it be like to see loved ones who have passed? What will it be to finally stand in the presence of our Savior and see Jesus face to face? Even now it’s overwhelming to start to think upon it. And just like the song, I cannot begin to imagine what it will be like when I’m finally there.
There is a lot that is wrong with this world. There is an aching in our hearts because we know it is not how it should be. But we feel that way because we were meant for something this world does not offer — we were created to have fellowship with the Lord. Sin marred that relationship. But Jesus payed the penalty so that our broken fellowship could be restored. Heaven is the culmination of it all. We must not cling too tightly on this life. We fix our eyes on the eternal!
Question for today: If Heaven is really real, how does that change my perspective in the day-to-day? What things become less important?
Pray: Thank You Lord for preparing a place for those who love You. We cannot imagine what Heaven will be like but we eagerly anticipate being there with You.
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Who Can Know The Plans Of The Lord? | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 15, 2023
Who Can Know The Plans Of The Lord? | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 15, 2023
In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. Ruth 1:1
The story of Ruth starts with an unlikely catalyst event which brings a cascade of other events: a famine occurs in the land of Judah. Because of this, a man named Elimelech and his wife Naomi venture to a Moab, a foreign land. Here, Elimelech’s sons take Moabite wives, one of which is Ruth. Sadly, after a few years the daughters-in-law and Naomi are left as widows and are faced with the question of “What now?” Naomi decides to go back to her homeland alone yet Ruth clings to her saying “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16). From there we know much of the rest of the story as God divinely orchestrates the meeting of Ruth and Boaz. Boaz becomes their “kinsman redeemer” and Ruth is grafted into the line of Christ, becoming the great-great-grandmother of David.
When we read a story like this, we cannot mistake the sovereign hand of the Lord. God uses a famine to bring about His will and from there, the pieces start coming together. We don’t always know why certain things happen in our lives. But the Lord does. With Him there are no accidents; nothing is “purely coincidence” or chance. While we navigate twists and turns in life, our constant response before God must be “What are You trying to say to me through this?” Events may seem ordinary and mundane in and of themselves. But over a series of time, He is writing a beautiful story with your life. Who can know the plans of the Lord? We may not, but we can trust Him.
Question for today: God led the paths of Naomi and Ruth to cross. How have I seen Him orchestrate things that ended up having a profound impact on my life?
Pray: God I may not always know why certain things occur. Regardless I can trust You with my life.
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Are You The One? | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 13, 2023
Are You The One? | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 13, 2023
And Jesus answered them,“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by Me.” Matthew 11:4-6
As John the Baptist sat in a prison cell, we can understand his “shadow of doubt experience” as an uncertain fate loomed over his life. He had been the herald and forerunner for the Messiah. He had prepared many for Jesus’ coming, baptizing them in a baptism of repentance. Yet he had lingering doubts at the end of his life and must have pondered these questions: Have I “prepared the way” for the right person? Will Jesus come and save me or is this it? The disciples of John came to Jesus and asked Him “Are You the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matthew 11:2)
We too can face doubts in our walk with Christ — doubts that can shake our faith. John had seen Christ up close and even heard the voice of God as he baptized his own cousin. Yet in a prison cell, we see some cracks emerge in his faith. He wants to know for sure: Is Jesus the one? Jesus’ response is a reminder of what He has done and is doing: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, and even the dead are raised. In essence He is stating, “Yes John, I am the One.” With confidence, John could face the uncertainty before him knowing his work was not in vain. He would finish well. Are we able to do the same and declare, “Yes Jesus, You are the one”?
Question for today: John faced doubts even after being close to Jesus. We can face doubts even after the intimate times we have with our Lord. How do we keep going back to the truth that He is the Messiah?
Pray: Lord I thank You that You do not dismiss us in our doubts or questions. Help us to see what You have done, what You are doing now, and what You will do and let those things keep our faith unshakable.
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Faithful Always Faithful | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 10, 2023
Faithful Always Faithful | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 10, 2023
For the word of the Lord is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness. Psalm 33:4
The other day I was going through an old filing cabinet with various documents and tax forms we’ve saved over the years. I’ve been setting up an office so I was hoping to clean out things as much as possible. As I was digging through some folders, I was reminded of God’s faithfulness. Seeing old paystubs from when I was a poor college student with barely two pennies to rub together. Seeing documents from the first home purchase my wife and I made, knowing in the years that followed we’d move several more times. And even finding an old W-2 from when I drove a delivery route for a local pharmacy in my hometown as a teen. Lots of memories.
As I reflected back on some of the seasons connected to these documents, I realized how faithful the Lord is. When we’re in a difficult stage of life, it can be easy to doubt whether or not God will come through. It’s tempting to abandon Him even as life takes turns we weren’t expecting. Whether the bank account is full or running on empty, His faithfulness to us does not change. Often the seasons are meant to teach us something so that we can draw closer to Him. As I’ve looked back over my life I realize He’s always been there. To look back from time to time is good and it keeps us moving forward as well.
Question for today: What are the landmarks in my life that I can look back to that show God’s faithfulness to me?
Pray: I praise You Lord for being faithful in every aspect of my life. I can look and back and see Your hand. It keeps me going, knowing You will never leave me nor abandon me.
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Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 8, 2023
Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 8, 2023
But concerning that day and hourno one knows, not even the angels of heaven,nor the Son, but the Father only. Matthew 24:36
If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you know about predictions concerning the End Times. There are people who have set dates, written books, and quite frankly, made a lot of money off of the Second Coming of Christ. He has yet to return so all of those predictions have either been wrong or have not yet come to pass. I get it. It’s easy to get caught up in figuring out when Jesus will come back. It’s natural to want to know. It’s in our DNA to some extent and when someone has a new revelation, we want to know what it is and if it could be true.
The fact is however, we just do not know. We stay in a mindset of watchful waiting because no man knows the hour, even the Son has not been told. The chasing of predictions can become a distraction. It can keep us off our mission and even derail whole movements and ministries. I don’t think Christ intended it this way. We have a duty to watch the signs and not be caught off guard. We have to keep ourselves pure. From there, we have to be willing to share about Jesus’ return. Because it could be today. It could be tomorrow. But either way, He’s coming again.
Question for today: When I hear about predictions about the Second Coming how do I take caution to not get too easily distracted?
Pray: Jesus keep my focus on you today. Help me stay Kingdom-minded when so many other things vie for my attention.
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New Wine Into New Wineskins | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 6, 2023
New Wine Into New Wineskins | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 6, 2023
And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins. Mark 2:22
Jesus often used illustrations in the gospels and for us those teachings can require a bit of context to understand the deeper meaning He is after. When talking to His audience (which included both disciples and Pharisees), He mentions the idea of putting wine into wineskins. In the fermentation process, the gas and air created with a new batch of wine meant that new wineskins (i.e. new containers) should be used. Old wineskins would not be able to withstand the new pressure created and would literally burst open; ruining the process entirely. Jesus brings this illustration into the discussion of new covenant versus old covenant teachings. To accept Jesus would mean accepting the “new” that had come.
This idea stretched many in Jesus’ day and still stretches many today. For some, the desire is to live under the law and to hold to legalistic standards. The law can point us to holiness. The law can show us how to live. But apart from Christ, the old ways are not enough. Christ is the fulfillment of all that had come before. It is the new wine of Christ that must come in and be poured into hearts open and ready to take it in. We must examine the condition of our hearts and be challenged to not revert to old ways when Christ is calling us to a deeper level of faith and trust in Him.
Question for today: Are there any old ways that I am holding onto that keep me from seeing Christ clearly?
Pray: Jesus keep my heart fresh and always willing to receive Your truth.
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Drive The Enemy Out Completely | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 3, 2023
Drive The Enemy Out Completely | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 3, 2023
Yet the people of Manasseh could not take possession of those cities, but the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land. Joshua 16:12
The Book of Joshua is a fascinating book as we see the nation of Israel go in and finally take the land God promised them. Under Moses the people rejected the promise because they were afraid of giants in the land. Joshua takes a whole new generation of Israelites in and after the crossing the Jordan, they takedown dozens of kings and kingdoms. However, asad footnote was apparent by the end of the book: certain enemies were not fully driven out. The people they were told to remove were left in various areas and cities.
There’s an application here to our spiritual lives. When we choose to follow Christ and leave behind an old lifestyle we must do all that we can to remove ties to those old ways. What are the triggers that linger around and tempt us? Maybe a subscription to a streaming service that has shows we don’t need to watch. Maybe the drinks we leave in the fridge just in case we need to loosen up after a stressful day. Maybe it’s a phone contact we need to delete because those conversations onlylead to gossip and slander. Whatever means the enemy can use to gain a foothold, he will use them. Israel dealt with many headaches years down the road because they let the enemy live in the land. Under the Lord’s power, it is our charge to drive the enemy out completely from our lives.
Question for today: Are there any areas of my life that I am giving the Devil a foothold in? How can I close that door completely?
Pray: God give me strength today to drive out the enemy. I want to lessen the opportunities for temptation to win.
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Just As I Am, I Come | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 1, 2023
Just As I Am, I Come | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 1, 2023
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13
In the famous hymn Just As I Am, there is this verse:
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt
Fighting and fears within, without
Oh Lamb of God I come, I come
In these lines, there is a longing to just “be” before the Lord. No pretenses. No preconditions. Just coming into His presence and resting in His goodness. It’s a place that can receive us even with the conflicts and doubts we have. It’s a place big enough for the fears we face. It’s a place that, even as all is laid bare and open, we find freedom and joy. Whether or not we are weary in the journey, it’s a place we must go to regularly. It’s a posture of our lives we must take each day.
The writer of Hebrews wanted his audience to know this truth. There is nothing hidden from the Lord; all is laid bare before Him and we must give an account for all we have done. But praise be to God for His Son! As we sing Just As I Am, we can know that the Father sees Jesus — His blood and sacrifice — as He looks upon us. If we have come to the Lamb of God and accepted His free gift, being laid bare and open is not something that brings shame or condemnation. It brings life! We can come just as we are, knowing He never turns us away.
Question for today: How is knowing that God sees all that I am freeing for me right now?
Pray: God I thank You that I can simply come before You…just as I am. Thank You for refilling and refreshing my soul.
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Seeking God’s Approval, Not Man’s | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 27, 2023
Seeking God’s Approval, Not Man’s | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 27, 2023
And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Acts 6:5
As the first martyr of the early church Stephen is a key individual to study. In reality, we are not given a ton of information on him. Stephen is only mentioned in Acts 6 and 7 but his role is an important one. Because of his good repute and being “full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3), Stephen is chosen to help out in a much needed role: to minister to the needs of widows. The ministry of the early church was expanding so quickly that some needs were getting left behind. Among those needs, the concerns of widows were being neglected. Stephen had already proven himself behind the scenes and was one of the men chosen for this role.
We know Stephen quickly is thrust into a position where he must defend his faith. He is outspoken about Jesus and therefore ruffles the feathers of many Jewish leaders in the synagogues. We know Paul (then Saul) was among those who rounded up Christians and executed them. What we learn from this courageous act of Stephen is something that still applies today: we must serve God faithfully in season and out. Sometimes that may mean a lack of favor from men. Stephen was not after the approval of man. He wanted to serve His God faithfully and did so until the end.
Question for today: Have I experienced pushback for my faith in Jesus (at work, school, online, etc)? How did I respond?
Pray: Lord, thank You for examples like Stephen who stood courageously for their faith even when it cost him everything. May I be as bold when it comes to defending the Gospel.
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God We Need You! | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 24, 2023
God We Need You! | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 24, 2023
LORD, I have heard of Your fame; I stand in awe of Your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2
We are seeing a lot happening lately in terms of renewal and an overall hunger within the Body of Christ; especially amongst young people. I believe the hopelessness of this generation has led to a yearning for something deeper and something real. In recent weeks, the altars at several Christian colleges have been filled with students crying out to the Lord. It has been remarkable to see them openly weeping and falling on their faces in worship. It’s a move we have not seen in many years. And it seems to be happening spontaneously all over this land as the Spirit moves.
What will be the result? Time will tell. It may be that we do not see immediate change and transformation but a gradual turning of the tide, so to speak. It is amazing to think that a whole generation may be primed to hear the Gospel and they may be a people to draw us back to the Lord. I think of the words of Habakkuk 3:2 as I consider and ponder these things: do Your mighty works again, in our day O Lord! What You have done before, we believe You can do again! Let us pray with expectancy and with fervor: God we need You!
Question for today: As reports of revival surface, how am I readying my own heart for personal revival and renewal in the Lord?
Pray: God whatever comes of this move, let it bring glory and honor to You. You alone can heal this land.
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Don’t Get Shipwrecked! | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 22, 2023
Don’t Get Shipwrecked! | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 22, 2023
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
As I’ve gotten older, I have developed a fascination for stories about shipwrecks. Growing up near Lake Superior, I would often hear accounts of boats lost at sea; tales which simultaneously displayed utmost courage alongside total devastation. A common thread in these stories was a missed detail that led to the larger issue of the ship taking on water. Perhaps the course navigated too close to shallow ground and the hull was torn open. Perhaps certain maintenance checks went missed and over time, integrity issues arose. In many cases, heavy storms and full cargo loads were a bad combination and exposed underlying problems.
In our Christian faith, little decisions here and there can cause cracks in our spiritual armor; cracks which eventually cause us to “take on water” and begin to sink. The enemy is a lion, seeking prey to devour. The small compromises we make in our lives can have big consequences. We may not even realize how far we have drifted. Just as a ship must be examined and navigated carefully, we must examine our lives and set the proper course. Reading and knowing Scripture, being in prayer, and staying in fellowship (i.e. accountability) are great ways to stay afloat. Our goal is make it to our destination in Christ. Don’t get shipwrecked!
Question for today: What are the guardrails I have put in place in my life to avoid taking on water in my spiritual life?
Pray: Lord help me to avoid compromises in my faith that lead me away from You. Help me stay the course.
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384
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What Can God Do With A Life Fully Sold Out To Him? | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 20, 2023
What Can God Do With A Life Fully Sold Out To Him? | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 20, 2023
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” Genesis 41:39,40
There is something to be said about understanding destiny and identity in our lives as we examine the life of Joseph. There was a confidence displayed, not in himself but in the Lord. That confidence led to boldness and to being a man of action. As we look at Joseph going before Pharaoh, we look at someone whose whole life had been preparation for this moment. God gave him a unique ability to interpret dreams. God put him before greater and greater men of influence. And despite setbacks and hardships, God put Joseph in power at the exact right moment…for His timing and purposes.
As we look at our lives, can we see the fingerprint of God weaving the story as He has desired? When we do, we understand that nothing is by accident or mere coincidence. Even the mistakes we have made can be turned around and used for His glory and our benefit. When we allow ourselves to be humbled before the Lord, we allow Him the opportunity to raise us up for His plan. Staying obedient, staying humble and hungry for His presence and doing this day after day after day…it all adds up over time. It then begs the question: what can God do with a life fully sold out to Him? It’s worth finding out.
Question for today: What attributes of Joseph’s life led him to a place where God could raise Him up as second in command to Pharaoh?
Pray: God I want my life to be that life fully sold out to You! I desire Your greater plan and purpose.
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105
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From Fishermen To Fishers Of Men | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 17, 2023
From Fishermen To Fishers Of Men | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 17, 2023
And He said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
When we consider the disciples and their call to follow Christ, we may wonder how they simply left everything to follow Him. What were their personal reasons? At this initial point, what did they believe about Jesus? We may not have an easy answer to those questions but the call to leave one way of life in exchange for another extends to all of us. Everyone in Christ has a “fishermen” trade in which they work skillfully. But it’s the heart Christ is after and in the process of following Him, we leave behind one way of life for another — a greater one.
When we answer the call of “Follow me,” we are opening the door to be used when, where, and how as Christ deems necessary. The disciples had no clue what the next 3 years of their lives would look like. Similarly, we have no idea when we surrender our lives to Jesus. We only have a promise that He will use us for a purpose that is greater than ourselves. “I will make you fishers of men.” It’s His work and His process. Amazingly, we get to partner with the Creator of the world to tell others about Him. The change from fishermen to fishers of men is always worth it!
Question for today: How did I respond to Christ’s initial call upon my life?
Pray: Thank You Lord for the opportunity to serve and partner with You.
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79
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Speak Life | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 15, 2023
Speak Life | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 15, 2023
O Lord, who shall sojourn in Your tent? Who shall dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart. Psalm 15:2
A common hashtag I’ve seen on Christian posts and memes is the phrase #speaklife. It’s a good thing in my opinion. As believers, the last thing we want to do is speak words of death…over our friends, loved ones, even over ourselves. Yet we can often fall into a trap of speaking words that do not bring life and only bring condemnation and division. It can be a common reason people choose to reject the Christian faith entirely: “If it wasn’t for Christians, I think I’d probably be one.” The words we use can influence someone’s view of what it means to be in Christ.
Speaking life of course, doesn’t mean avoiding tough conversations and being a “hyper-grace” sort of people. Sin is sin. When the words of Scripture are clear on a certain topic, the world doesn’t always receive it well. But we must come to the realization that speaking life ultimately means speaking truth and not misleading others. First to ourselves, then to our families and sphere of influence, and finally to an onlooking world. To speak life means to embody the nature of Christ and speak as He spoke. The Holy Spirit will enable us to do this as we call upon Him.
Question for today: How do I depend on the Spirit daily to help me in the words I use with others?
Pray: Lord I am thankful that You hold the words of truth and of life. When I am not sure what to say, help me to rely upon You.
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60
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Becoming Like Smooth Stones | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 13, 2023
Becoming Like Smooth Stones | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 13, 2023
And I am sure of this, that He Who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
I have a small rock on my desk in my office. I took it from the shoreline of Lake Superior near Duluth, Minnesota while I was up visiting family a few summers ago. Along the shore are literally thousands of these stones; washed and made smooth over time by the repetitive crashing of the waves and elements of nature. They make for great skipping; my children spent a good half hour picking them up and glancing them off the surface of the lake. I took one as a reminder to remember home, my family, and a trip that was much needed for all of us.
When I look at this stone on my desk, I am reminded that we all come to the Lord in a similar way. We have our jagged edges, our cracks, and our flaws. But over time as we trust Him, we start to see the edges smoothed out. We are not as rough as we once were. We can look back over the years and see certain parts of our “appearance” have changed, spiritually-speaking. And we know our very mindsets and thought patterns are not what they once were. I share today’s devotional just as a reminder: we are all works in progress; constantly in a state of sanctification and transformation. Don’t let where you are hold you back from where God is taking you. He started this work. He will complete it.
Question for today: How have I seen God transform my life over the time I first came to Jesus and now?
Pray: Lord thank You that the work you are doing me is good and that you will one day bring it to completion.
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68
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No Looking Over Your Shoulder | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 10, 2023
No Looking Over Your Shoulder | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 10, 2023
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him,“If it is My will that he remainuntilI come, what is that to you?You follow Me!” Matthew 21:21,22
The competitive nature of our world suggests that in order to get ahead in life, one must strive to be the best by climbing the ladder of success. Unfortunately we take this mindset into the church and our circles of ministry. People we should be co-laborers with become potential enemies. Friends become foes as we question what someone else’s “success” or “blessing” means for us. We want to matter too. We want to know that God sees us and we are validated.
How freeing it is when we stop living in this mindset and instead, encourage one another. We can be genuinely happy for those around us doing Kingdom-work. Peter worried that the call Jesus had for John might be different (and maybe better) than his own. Jesus flatly told him, “What is that to you? You follow Me!” This meant the call for Peter was just for him and was as important as John’s. Both were unique. We don’t have to look over our shoulder at fellow believers. We just need to stay in our lane and be in the habit of building one another up for good works!
Question for today: How have I seen a competitive spirit ruin ministry within the church? How can I avoid it in my life?
Pray: God You get all the glory when I choose to praise You both for my wins and the wins of others around me. Let me not be jealous but let my boast be in You.
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50
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Try Not To Overthink It | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 8, 2023
Try Not To Overthink It | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 8, 2023
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
One thing I can be guilty of as a 21st century Christian is overthinking the question "What's God's will for my life?" I used to ask it a lot when I was younger and just getting out of college. Into my first few jobs I oftenfelt like I was somehow out of His will. I can still ask it from time to time. In those times, I find myself wrestling with God. I can stumble into a place of indifference to Him; thinking He has not been clear with an answer for my life.
Rather than spending lots of energy in prayer saying "God what would you have me do?" we can take heart from Micah 6:8. God's will is plain if we take a look at Scripture. Doing justice, showing kindness, and walking in humility are commands we must follow. How that looks from day to day isn't the point. What matters is that we go about each day looking for the opportunities to lead a Micah 6:8 lifestyle. From there, life will figure itself out. He will open the doors He wants us to walk through and close the ones He doesn't. We need not overthink His will for our lives. He will show us as we obey His word.
Question for today: What issue have I have been wrestling with God over that I need to surrender?
Pray:Lord thank You for the words of life You have given us to follow. Help us walk in obedience each day.
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58
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A Unified Bride | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 6, 2023
A Unified Bride | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 6, 2023
That they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. John 17:21
With all that we have seen in recent years, the local church community is the one place we would hope to find unity and clarity in vision. Sadly it seems many within the church have taken sides and clear battle lines have been drawn depending upon the influences of culture, politics, and even science. With the Gospel message so important in these times, the church has spent much too much time on “side-line issues” that have only added more to the drama, not less. With a message as important as the Gospel, we must not waste precious days infighting and seeking to be right.
John 17 gives us a glimpse into Jesus’ prayer to the Father before His ultimate journey to the cross. On His mind are the followers that will come after Him. Bearing the message of salvation, Jesus prays for His disciples to be unified just as He and the Father are one. Our desire to communicate the Gospel to our surrounding communities should cause us to partner with fellow Christians. This crosses denominational lines, racial lines, even lines of politics. Jesus’ mission was bigger than the factions that tried to lay claim to Him. He desires a unified bride.
Question for today: What minor disagreements in the church have you seen which run counter to spreading the Gospel?
Pray: Lord again we pray for a continued focus on the Gospel. Remove and eliminate distractions that keep us from working together as Christians.
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41
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Are You Suited Up? | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 3, 2023
Are You Suited Up? | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 3, 2023
Finally,be strong in the Lord and inthe strength of his might. Put onthe whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand againstthe schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10,11
In a world of constant bombardment through our eyes, ears, and other senses, it is important to be prepared — whatever the day may bring. At the moment we get out of our bed and our feet hit the floor, our minds start racing. What do I need to do today? What are the needs in front of me? How do I meet them? The power we walk in from day to day must be beyond ourselves; our physical and mental strength. God wired us to do amazing things. But we often rely upon our own abilities first before we seek the Lord and lean upon Him.
One prayer we can pray as we begin each day is to simply be suited up with the full armor of God. Paul speaks of it in Ephesians 6: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes fitted with the gospel of peace,the shield of faith,the helmet of salvation, andthe sword of the Spirit. This is all gear for battle but that is the point: we are at war. The enemy of our souls wants to kill, steal, and destroy. We must be on guard at all times and aware of our surroundings. We must be willing to even take our thoughts into captivity and that starts by putting on our helmets each day. This life is too hard to live on our own…apart from the tools Christ has given us to fight. Are you suited up today?
Question for today: Do I understand the spiritual battle at play around me today and am I taking steps to keep myself in the fight, through Christ?
Pray: Lord, gird me with the full armor of God today! I desire to be ready for any battle that comes knowing that I can stand firm in evil days because I am equipped with Your truth.
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46
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Worry As An Idol | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 1, 2023
Worry As An Idol | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 1, 2023
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
There’s one thing the past few years have shown us as a society: we are good at worrying. Certainly worry is always a factor in our lives; it’s nothing new. But it’s hard not to worry when there are so many voices telling us there are things to be afraid of. Illnesses, famine, economic collapse, wars…the list goes on and on. A steady diet of headlines and newsfeeds can turn us into very apprehensive creatures. We become people we were not made to be; an image God did not want us to have as His children.
In Matthew 6 Jesus speaks about worry and puts things in plain terms we can understand: do not worry about tomorrow. You cannot control it. You cannot manipulate things to influence what remains largely unknown. Worry steals joy. Worry steals the opportunity to live in the present. And left unmarked and unchecked, worry turns into an idol in our lives. Christ comes to set us free from such a mindset. We have a promise that despite what happens in this life even the worst-case scenario still does not keep us from Him. “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) We must reject worry every chance we get. We must replace it with the peace of knowing our hope is secure in Christ.
Question for today: What in my life has me worried right now? How does it pale in comparison to Who God is and His sovereignty over His creation?
Pray: Lord help me acknowledge that worry does no good thing in my life. Help me replace thoughts of worry and fear with the truth of Your word.
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51
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Steps To Salvation | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 30, 2023
Steps To Salvation | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 30, 2023
Ifyou confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord andbelieve in your heartthat God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
It is clear from Scripture that Jesus makes it open for anyone to come to Him and accept His free gift of salvation. If we are in Christ, we have our own personal story of how this came to be. Perhaps our own study of the Bible, maybe a sermon, a friend, or some to other factor influenced us to make this decision. This step of faith was an acknowledgment of our need for a Savior. We have sinned and fallen short. We deserve hell and separation from God. But Jesus made a way for us to be reconciled and in turn, have eternal life. He did this by dying on the cross.
As we look at it, salvation in Christ may seem rather easy. But to a world indifferent to Him, this message seems either too far-fetched or not enough. For some, the story is just too unbelievable — how is that Christ died and rose again? For others, the cross doesn’t go far enough — salvation means more than just accepting Christ’s gift. But whatever arguments the world comes up with against a simple Gospel, we know our confession of faith is all that is needed. Surrendering to Him may seem easy but in reality, it is hard for many. We must pray today for open hearts ready to receive the Gospel. May we play a role in helping someone take their steps to salvation!
Question for today: Who is one person in my life that needs to hear the Gospel?
Pray: Lord I thank You for salvation and that in Christ, I have freedom. May You use me as a vessel to help plant the seed of faith in someone else’s life.
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48
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The God Who Sees | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 27, 2023
The God Who Sees | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 27, 2023
I am a woman with a broken heart. I’ve been pouring out my heart before the LORD. 1 Samuel 1:15
In the lineage of judges presiding over Israel, Samuel was God’s final judge before He gave Israel a king. Samuel was righteous and his placement into God’s narrative was no accident. His mother Hannah, was barren and unable to conceive. Her longing to have a child led her to a place where she wept openly in prayer before God. This act did not go unnoticed, as she came before the Lord’s tabernacle and was seen by Eli the priest. Eli, seeing her anguish, ultimately blesses her to “go in peace”; that God would grant her petition to conceive.
We can believe at times that our prayers honestly go no further than the ceiling. We can be broken over an unanswered prayer. Perhaps we’ve been praying for months or even years and yet there are still no tangible results. But in our prayers, we must realize that God indeed sees us and is close to us in our brokenness. God placed Eli in Hannah’s path in order for him to reassure and bless Hannah. In the next verses, we learn that Hannah gives birth to Samuel and the course of Israel’s history is forever changed. God did not forget Hannah; He saw her and He had a plan.
Question for today: What have I been praying for that is still unanswered?
Pray: Lord, help me to know today that you see me and that no prayer is ever forgotten by You.
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Giving The Fight Over To God | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 25, 2023
Giving The Fight Over To God | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 25, 2023
But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and He answered me from His holy hill. Psalm 3:3,4
In our lives there are certain markers I believe we can examine to see whether or not we are growing in our faith. Having done some self-examination going into a new year (before and after 2023 started), there is one marker that stands out for me: how often am I giving my cares and worries over to the Lord? Am I still worrying about the same old problems I had last year or the year before…or even 5-10 years ago? If so, why? If I’m growing in faith, can I see that things like money, family, health, well-being and so on are ultimately held in His hands?
David starts out Psalm 3 by recognizing he has foes. Not only that, they are rising up against him and saying God will not save him. But verses 3 and 4 are a pivotal point in the passage — But You, O LORD… He sees God as his shield; as the one who lifts him up. And he knows God has answered him and will answer him once again. Today, with all the foes we face and the looming questions we may have, are we giving the fight over to God knowing that the battle is ultimately His? This is a marker of true faith and growth in Christ: the willing surrender of our cares to His capable hands!
Question for today: Is there a worry you’ve held onto…maybe a year, maybe longer, that you need to surrender over to the Lord?
Pray: God I thank You for the reminder that You are a shield about us and the one who answers our prayers. I surrender my own worry and doubt to You today, knowing the battles I face are Yours.
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36
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Being Joyful, Not Just Happy | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 23, 2023
Being Joyful, Not Just Happy | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 23, 2023
Do not grieve, because your strength comes from rejoicing in the LORD. Nehemiah 8:10
Emotions come and go. Happiness and sadness can all exist within the same day, from one moment to the next depending upon our circumstances. How then does one develop contentment and even have joy despite the emotions swirling around? For myself, I find a difference between pursuing happiness in life and living in a state of joy. Happiness can be fleeting and although I have a desire to always be happy, look happy, and pursue what makes me happy, I don’t think it’s a reality. God knows us intimately and knows there are seasons of the soul. But a common thread throughout those seasons must be one of joy.
Joy is something that points us beyond just this life. “A joyful hope” ultimately means that when our days are over, we will be taken up into glory if we are in Christ. We will go to a place without sorrow or tears, a place made perfect by His presence. What that means for us in the here and now, is that nothing in this life can possibly shake us from the joy that we gain in knowing Christ. Just as Jesus was able to endure the cross, because of the “joy that lay before Him,” we are able to endure whatever life brings. Jesus’ went to the cross knowing it would ultimately bring joy for you and I. That news doesn’t just make me happy, it makes me rejoice!
Question for today: What does living in a state of joy rather than pursuing happiness look like for me?
Pray: Jesus you went to the cross with the promise of heaven being the joy laid before you. Thank you for going to the cross and for modeling to us what true joy looks like.
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