Devotions

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Christ said, “I came into this world for one reason — to reach and save lost souls!” Yet this was not the mission of Jesus only; he also made it our mission. “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature’” (Mark 16:15).

Jesus was speaking here to a small band of believers — about 120 people — who had gathered in the Upper Room. Think about what an impossible task he laid before them. At that time, Rome ruled the world and Jesus was commanding his followers, “Go to Rome and tell proud, egotistical Caesar there can be no king before me. I rule over all creation! And go to Athens, where paganism rules, and preach that I am the only way. Go everywhere that philosophies, ancient religions, false gods and superstitions rule — and preach my cross and resurrection.

“On top of this, go to foreign nations, live with the people and study their languages. Lay hands on the sick, cast out devils, proclaim the good news. Preach the power and victory of the risen savior!”

This was an extraordinary challenge. Remember, Jesus was talking to ordinary, insignificant, uneducated men and women. He was placing the very future of his Church on their shoulders. I imagine that little group of believers felt overwhelmed, wondering how the Lord expected them to fulfill this impossible mission.

Our challenge today is just as daunting. The Bible tells us that each succeeding generation grows worse and worse and that is not hard to see. But Jesus’ words to his helpless disciples apply to us today: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Offer yourself to the Holy Spirit right now and trust in his guidance and power to do the miraculous through you! 

Even if you are saved — living under the covering of Christ’s blood and secured by faith in his work on the cross for you — you can still have ongoing battles raging inside you. Enemies of your soul seek to devour you and you are still engaged in a battle with satanic powers and strongholds. We are to claim the power that is available to us through God’s New Covenant, but that power comes only by faith.

The prophet Isaiah warned Israel that there was no possibility of victory for them if they attempted to fight their adversary in their own strength. Isaiah chapter 31 paints a perfect picture of the futility of trying to do battle with the enemy in our human ability. I believe this chapter is a type and shadow of the ineffectiveness of our attempts today to defeat lusts, bad habits, and besetting sins by relying on human ideas and aids.

This chapter is also an example to us of how sin will increase in the last days. Scripture says that society will wax worse and worse and the Church will be inundated with deceptions and doctrines of demons. I believe we are seeing that happen right now. Demonic hordes have infiltrated all media and every form of technology, flooding our culture with sensuality and perversions of all kinds.

If you are in the midst of an overwhelming struggle, you must learn the word God gave to Zechariah: “’Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

“For through the voice of the Lord, [the enemy] will be beaten down” (Isaiah 30:31). Isaiah is saying, “Your Lord promises to fight for you. He will make his voice known and it will put all your enemies to flight.”

Are you facing an enemy that is too powerful for you right now? If so, God asks simply that you lay down your sword and trust him to fight on your behalf.

The psalmist writes of a glorious secret to enjoying a fulfilled, joyful life: “Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance” (Psalm 89:15). The Hebrew meaning of this verse suggests, “Those who have a revelation of the joyful sound will wake up every day with peace, strength and happiness. Their life will be filled with the joy of the morning sun.”

In short, the psalmist is telling us, “There is a certain, joyful sound that is of such powerful significance that it is the very foundation of victorious living. If you know and understand this sound, you will be changed from glory to glory.”

“All who know the meaning of the joyful sound become self-assured, fearless. They walk through life with an every-increasing sense of security. They are able to overcome, even when being sifted by Satan. Their hearts are steadfast and at rest — because the Holy Spirit has revealed to them the meaning behind the joyful sound!”

So what is this joyful sound? It is the sound of Jubilee! It would take too long to explain the history of the Jewish Festival of Jubilee but it is found in Leviticus 25 and is an exciting, liberating study about God’s promises, provision and blessing.

The prophet Isaiah declares that Jesus Christ is our Jubilee. He writes, “[The Lord] has sent Me to … proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Isaiah 61:1-2).

Isaiah is using the language of Jubilee here: “Let the trumpets blast, announcing the joyous year of liberty our Savior has given us.” This was the joyful sound — proclaiming to all mankind: “I have made provision for you — to walk out of prison, be restored to your family and have everything you need for a fulfilled life. You are free to live without fear of any enemy. Enter now into my joy!”

Jesus told the Christians at the church of Ephesus — a church founded on the godly teaching of the apostle Paul — that they had “lost their first love” (see Revelation 2:4).

When Jesus uses the words “first love” here, he is not speaking of the immature love we experience when we are first saved. Rather, he is talking about exclusive love. He is saying, “I once occupied first place in your heart but now you have allowed other things to take my place.”

It is significant to note that of all the sins Jesus points out in the seven New Testament churches in Asia, the first sin he names is the one that grieves him most: a loss of affection for him. 

The Christians at Ephesus had received exceptional teaching from Paul; in fact, as I read through Paul’s letters to the Ephesians, I am amazed at the gospel these people heard and lived. They walked closely with the Lord and Paul compliments them at length in Ephesians 1:1-5.

These Christians had been “made alive together with Christ … and raised up together, and made to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (see Ephesians 2:5-6). What a description of a blessed, holy people! It is evident that the Ephesians were not just a bunch of novices or lukewarm saints. Jesus was examining the hearts of a people who were well-grounded in the truth of the gospel. Yet he pointed out that something was deeply wrong: “Somehow in all your labors, you have allowed your first love to wither.” 

I believe this warning to the Ephesians is intended for every Christian living in these last days. Simply put, the Lord is telling us, “It is not enough for you to be a caring, giving, diligent servant who upholds moral standards. If in the process your affection for me does not increase, then you have lost your first love.”

I encourage you to examine your heart today and go back to your first love. Ask God for grace and strength to begin again to guard your affection for Christ.

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth …asked to receive alms … But Peter said, I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk … and immediately [the man’s] feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk” (Acts 3:1-2, 6-8).

Peter and John had just been filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, and they were seeing more miracles than ever before.

One day as they went up to the temple to pray, they encountered a lame man at the gate called Beautiful. They had seen the man many times before but this time when he asked for alms, they said, “Look at us.” The man thought they were going to give him money but instead they commanded him to rise up and walk — in the name of Jesus. When the man jumped up and began to walk, all who saw it were filled with amazement and began to praise God.

What a glorious time ensued as the people witnessed the majesty of God at work. They were in awe and gathered together to discuss what they had just seen. The Bible says that the man who was healed “clung to Peter and John” (see 3:11). His heart was gripped and he was saying, “I will not let go of this wonderful presence of God.”

Every believer should cry out, “Lord, show me your glory. I embrace your wondrous work, God. I am not satisfied with small portions — I want the fullness of your glory in my life and I will cling to the Word. Father, I want all of you.” The Father loves the heart that seeks him — and when he works a mighty work in you, cling to him with all your heart!