Daily Bible Devotionals

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 1 John 2. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10 (HCSB)

“There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”  Blaise Paschal 1623-1662

What is sin? As a child, I learned that “sin” is an archery term, meaning “to miss the mark.”  I believe everyone knows they sin because everyone feels empty or incomplete to some extent. We all feel as if we have fallen short of “some” standard.

The pertinent question is not, “Do you sin?” meaning, “Do you feel incomplete?” Instead, “Do you believe the standard you fall short of is God’s standard, as written in the Bible?”

Missionary martyr Jim Elliot expanded Blaise Paschal’s statement by saying, “The soul is a vacuum that longs to be filled. It cares not with which it fills itself, as long as it is full.”  He was describing the scenario where a person could visit a church and be filled & satisfied with the things of God, only to leave that place and (shortly after that) satisfy the flesh with the things of the World. When our standard for righteousness is “how we feel,” we simply live for whatever satisfies the flesh. When our standard is God’s Word, we live to deny the flesh to honor God.

Many believe that if they deny the Bible as God’s standard, they don’t have to compare themselves to it, fill themselves with it, or conduct themselves by it. Those foolish people say, “I have not sinned against the Bible because I don’t believe its claims to authority.”  

They deceive themselves because the Bible doesn’t need man’s approval to be right. It simply IS right. But mankind needs the Bible to live rightly unto God. Where else will we learn of His standard, our sins, and Jesus’ gift of forgiveness & cleansing of unrighteousness?

To say, “We don’t have any sin,” makes God a liar, who gave Messiah Jesus to pay the penalty for our “missing the mark” and complete what is lacking. It makes Jesus a fool, suffering needlessly. And it means we are condemned, without atonement, wandering this earth trying to fill our “God-shaped vacuums” with “World shaped” stuff.

“The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.”  2 Peter 3:9-10 (HCSB)

I often say there are two things about God that baffle a fool:  1) How long He takes to act and 2) How quickly He arrives.

Concerning Jesus’ return, everything in God’s plan is unfolding right on time. The clarion call of the “Jesus movement” of the 1970s was, “People get ready; Jesus is coming.”  Now, decades later, Jesus still hasn’t returned to redeem His Bride, the Church. As a result, many are laughing at those “Jesus freaks” today. “Where is Jesus?” they taunt. Well, Jesus has delayed His coming because of His desire for all to repent. He is patient, but His patience has a limit.

In the days of Noah, there was plenty of time for the scoffers to inquire about what Noah was doing, building this giant thing called an “ark.”  Surely, they laughed at him as he diligently and faithfully (seemingly nonsensically) followed God’s instruction. They had every opportunity to repent, even as word about Noah’s labors spread. But when the rain-turned-floodwater rose, the time for their repentance had expired. Likewise, turning to Jesus, which seems so convenient today, will be impossible on the Day of the Lord when Messiah returns to judge the unfaithful.

Concerning His quick arrival, there is the story of the three demons standing before Satan. Satan asks, “What will we tell these humans that will send them to Hell?”

One Demon says, “I’ll tell them there is no God.”

Satan answers, “No, they’ll look at creation and figure out it had to come from somewhere.”

The second Demon says, “I’ll tell them there is no judgment.”

“No,” answers the Devil. “There’s too much evil in the world for them to think it will all go unpunished.”

The third Demon smiles, “I’ll tell them they’ve got time, and they can follow Jesus tomorrow.”

“Yes,” answers Satan. “They’ll believe that!”  

Many have said they’ll believe in Jesus “tomorrow,” only to die today. I’m not trying to scare anyone unnecessarily. If you are an unbeliever, I hope you are necessarily scared! Necessary because there is no other name by which men MUST be saved. (Acts 4:12)  The Bible says, “Today is the day of salvation” for a reason. Joshua told the Israelites, “Choose you this day whom you will serve.”  Today is the only day you’re sure of.

A wise man knows Jesus is coming, and he is prepared. Are you? Spread the word. People get ready…

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their unrestrained ways, and the way of truth will be blasphemed because of them.”  2 Peter 2:1-2 (HCSB)

My main concern for you is that you know, obey, and share the truth of God. You know I have asked nothing of you other than you seek the Lord without abandon.

Many of you are in that season of weighing the Bible’s values against those of the World. In a sense, that process never changes, but between 18 and 30 yrs. of age, there is a strong desire to determine whether you will adopt your parents’ values or create your own value system.  

To make that valuation, we naturally use our personal experience to filter the truth. That is, in our natural human state, how we feel determines what is real: Perception is reality.   Anyone who’s ever been through a relationship break-up knows you can’t always trust your feelings. Life needs more of a solid foundation for truth than simply feeling good. We need the Word of God.

I hope you never trade your Christian experience for a Worldly one, but I’m aware it happens. Most of us can see a blatant heresy from far away. For example, you’re probably not toying with choosing between Christianity and Ritual Satanism. But that doesn’t mean Satan isn’t trying to keep you from rightly following God.

For instance, one of the most divisive environments for young believers could be a Christian college campus. That’s right. The Devil loves to present himself as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I read a recent statistic that the faculties of 3/4 of America’s Christian colleges cannot even agree that the Bible is the infallible truth, holding absolute authority. This should not surprise you because heresy within the Church at large is an issue that even the apostles dealt with.  

The most effective heresy is the one that looks closest to the truth. It is the one that de-motivates you to pray because it says everything has already been planned, for instance. It says you cannot fully trust the Bible because sinful men wrote it. It tells you not to share your faith because it will make potential converts uncomfortable.

Several years ago, I committed my life to reading God’s Word, walking in His ways, and sharing His truth. I have found it is the only trustworthy foundation, the value against which the World will be judged. Keep reading the Bible and asking the Lord to reveal His truth to you so that you won’t be fooled by false teachers. See for yourself what the Lord reveals to those who completely give themselves to Him.

“Therefore I will always remind you about these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you have. I consider it right, as long as I am in this bodily tent, to wake you up with a reminder, knowing that I will soon lay aside my tent, as our Lord, Jesus Christ [the Messiah] has also shown me. And I will also make every effort that you may be able to recall these things at any time after my departure” 2 Peter 1:12-15 (HCSB)

Several years ago, an evangelical philosophy began to spread throughout the “Christian” music and entertainment community. Based primarily on the ideas of a book called “Roaring Lambs,” many artists in the business became preoccupied with the notion that people weren’t becoming followers of Jesus because there weren’t enough Christian “stars” in the secular entertainment industry. A quasi-movement arose in response to the perceived “need” to raise prominent Christian artists to influence the World with their art and star power.  

I find nothing wrong with evangelism or doing ministry in secular venues…but attached to the philosophy mentioned above was the negative sentiment that Christian artists who didn’t adopt this approach, whose music was primarily designed to disciple and encourage believers in Jesus, were “selling out.” The term used was “preaching to the choir.” In response, many artists decided to forsake the Church (as a marketplace) and rush to the general market, where all the “lost” people are perceived to be dwelling.  

Being a follower of Jesus and a member of the music business community, I became keenly interested in this movement. I have observed that the secular siege has more to do with marketing music than winning souls. Christian music, TV, radio, and retail combined reach less than 15% of people who attend churches. Preaching to the choir? On its best day, the Christian music industry has not yet reached 85% of the “choir”! Surely, there are lost and discouraged people in that 85% of congregation attendees who need to be reminded of the truth and hope of God’s Word.

Many of my colleagues felt they were on the cusp of an awakening and that the secular initiative would be the fulcrum from which a colossal revival would be leveraged. A few even obtained general market success. But for the most part, the Church-at-large is still waiting to receive the wave of “converts” these stars and their music have produced. The lack of “revival” (through the mainstream efforts) is because the closer we get to the World…with the intent of selling them a product…the more the World demands, we diminish our message. Quite literally, They won’t buy it.  

Friends, the World will not be won from a stage. “The revival will not be televised,” to paraphrase the ’70s protest song. God wants laypeople to win souls. By the way, that’s YOU. More than a rock star persona, we need a generation of well-versed believers who can do the work of an evangelist and remain present in the lives of those whom they lead to faith: Discipleship. This was precisely the Apostle Peter’s point. One doesn’t become well-versed and disciplined without repetition and support from a Godly community.

“Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.”  1 Peter 5:8-9 (CSB)

Israel was at a stalemate in its war against the Philistines. A giant Philistine named Goliath was taunting Israel to send a man to settle the conflict, mono-a-mono. A worship-leading shepherd boy named David, who was not even old enough to be in the army, found himself standing before King Saul. Saul considered letting the whole war come down to a match-up between a giant and a kid. Can you imagine their conversation? (1 Samuel 17)

David: “Don’t let anyone be discouraged by the giant; your servant will go and fight this Philistine!”

Saul: “You can’t go fight this Philistine. You’re just a youth and he is an experienced warrior!”

David: “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, I went after it, struck it down and rescued the lamb from its mouth.”

David got the job…and he killed the Giant. But David did not defeat the Philistine army. The Bible says that David’s victory encouraged the Israelite army so much that THEY took courage and routed the Philistines!

The Devil roars and intimidates like a lion or a giant, perhaps.

“Because GREATER is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”  1 John 4:4b (KJV)  

Take courage and faithfully resist the Devil. He will flee from you because your faith is backed by the promise, power, and presence of God!

The real question is: would you rather be a “David” or just another “Israelite soldier?”  Those who choose to be “Davids” are willing to take on the enemy, whatever form he takes (lion, bear, giant), to rescue God’s oppressed “Lambs.”  “Davids” endure suffering and take on giants, knowing that one man’s personal victory can encourage an army to win a war!  

Of course, like David, Peter knew a lot about the importance of shepherding, watching the Lord’s flock, and defending them against that “lion,” the Devil. (John 21:15-17)

“…Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.’” John 21:17b (NKJV)

“Therefore, since Christ [Messiah] suffered in the flesh, equip yourselves also with the same resolve – because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished with sin – in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires, but for God’s will. For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the pagans choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry.” 1 Peter 4:1-3 (HCSB)

Let’s admit it: we are selfish. We live in an “i” culture, complete with “iTunes,” “iMovie,” “iChat”…. “iYaiYai”! Those are all useful programs on my Mac computer, but they are also icons that remind me of our self-centered society. Burger King advertises, “Have it your way.” We have all seen “YouTube,” “Myspace,” and the list goes on. Corporate America has our number, and they are targeting our selfish nature to sell us products.

I don’t blame these vendors and manufacturers for my selfishness. They are just responding to market research that identifies the personality and buying traits of the average consumer. What I should do is blame myself for being the “average consumer”!

By convincing us the world should revolve around us, advertisers condition us to consume without accountability. Have you ever seen a car commercial that said, “This is the most elegant automobile, but remember…you have a mortgage to think about?”  Merchants don’t care about our personal well-being. They just want us to buy their wares. They’re feeding our egos, and we are devouring every morsel they serve.  

What happens if we resist the trends? We may become out of style or out of step with the culture, but I bet we’d also be out of debt! America has more credit card debt per household than any country in the world. Statistically, you are at least $2000 in the hole right now. Why? We simply won’t say “NO!” to our flesh.

Peter tells us there has already been enough time spent feeding the flesh, “doing the will of pagans.” It is time that we resolve ourselves, by the power of God’s Spirit, to starve the flesh, making it meek (submissive) to the Lord’s will. Of course, there will be pain, and the flesh will howl! But let us spend our remaining time on earth denying the flesh, obeying the Word of the Lord, and sharing the liberty freely offered through faith in Messiah Jesus.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 1 Peter 3. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“Coming to Him, a living stone – rejected by men but chosen and valuable to God – you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer sacrifices acceptable to God through [Messiah] Jesus Christ. For it is contained in Scripture:  Look! I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and honored cornerstone, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame!”  1 Peter 2:4-6 (HCSB)

The first thing that happens in home construction is a clearing of the land. Next, a foundation is laid. Then, carpenters raise walls and trussing. After that, electrical is wired, then drywall, flooring and roofing, and paint…

On the day the lot is cleared, nobody but the architect and the contractor know the plans. The workers might get a glimpse of the blueprints, but they could hardly fathom all the details. They simply follow orders, laboring at the direction of the contractor. As the construction progresses, onlookers guess what the structure will be used for. Will it be a home, business, or, perhaps, a church?

Speaking to the Jews in the Diaspora, Peter connects with their longing to be accepted by God and worship Him properly. But Peter distinguishes between the earthly temple in Jerusalem, made of cut stones, and God’s temple of the New Covenant, built with human stones. When Peter wrote this first letter between 60 and 64AD, nobody would have guessed the Romans would destroy the Jerusalem temple in 6 to 10 years. It has never been rebuilt.

In contrast, the Temple of Messiah (The greater community of Messiah) cannot be destroyed. It is not made of earthen stones sitting on a strategic piece of property. It is made of human stones, and it extends beyond the earth into eternity. Speaking of His bodily crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus said,

“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19 (NKJV)

Now, there’s a warranty we can count on!  

With Jesus as the cornerstone, this “spiritual house” is unrecognizable to those who are perishing. The architect is God, and its contractor is the Holy Spirit. We are called to be both “stones” and “laborers.”  No man has seen all of God’s plans in full detail. But God has revealed enough of His plan to keep us busy! We know enough to exhort all mankind: believe in Jesus, worship Him, and never be put to shame!