Seek First – Kingdom Focused Devotionals

The word “repentance” may not be one of your favorite words.  It is based on the truth that we have sinned and therefore need to repent.  This promise ends with great news, our repentance leads to life.  Listen!  “God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18). 

            Cornelius, a Gentile, had a vision which led him to invite Simon Peter to visit him in Caesarea.  Peter, a Jew by birth, had been taught that it was unlawful for a Jew to associate or visit with a foreigner (10:28).  Yet God had prepared Peter for this moment by giving him a dream which taught him that he should not call any man unclean. 

            Peter was obedient to preach the truth the death and resurrection of Jesus, concluding that the prophets agree that “through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins” (43).  Before Peter could finish his message the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Gentiles who had gathered to hear Peter preach. 

            Word of this event spread throughout Judea.  When Peter returned to Jerusalem, some of the Jewish brethren were upset that Peter had eaten with the uncircumcised.  Peter recounted the entire event concluding with the truth that God had granted to the Gentiles repentance that leads to life. 

            I often meet people who are sorry for their sins.  But their sorrow has only led to regret and despair.  The only solution for sin is to repent, which means turn from our sin and to God. 

Prayer:  Thank you for your grace that allows us to abandon our sin and turn to you for the gift of life.  Amen

Do you ever feel inadequate and incompetent when called upon to serve the Living God?  Good News!  God has given all believers the gift of the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower us for service. 

            In Acts 4:2 we find that the early disciples were hauled before the highest court of the Jews for proclaiming the resurrection of the dead.  When asked by what power or in whose name they had acted, Peter told them they were acting in the name of Jesus the Nazarene (10).  Since Jesus had been recently crucified this assertion frightened them and thus he commanded the disciples to speak no longer in Jesus’ name (17).

            The disciples were undeterred by the threat and continued to preach and do mighty works in the name of Jesus.  The high priests and the Sadducees were filled with jealousy and threw the apostles into jail (5:17).  They were released by an angel who commanded them to continue teaching.  When the high priest and his associates heard that the disciples were boldly declaring the gospel they again had them seized. 

            When brought before the authorities, Peter simply responds that they must obey God rather than man.  Listen to their explanation—“We are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him” (5:32).  You have received the same Holy Spirit.  Serve in His power. 

Prayer: Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Forgive me when I neglect His presence and His power.

Have you ever had a document notarized?  If so, you understand the purpose of a seal.  The seal of the notary signifies that the document is authentic. 

            In John chapter six we are told that a large crowd was following Jesus because they saw the signs that he was performing as He healed the sick (2).  Seeing the multitudes that had gathered, Jesus instructed the disciples to seat the people.  He then fed the crowd of 5000 with five barley loaves and two fish that He borrowed from a young lad. 

            After dark, Jesus and His disciples crossed the lake to Capernaum.  Once the crowd discovered that Jesus was missing, they got in their boats and went to find Him.  Jesus confronted them with the sad truth that they had sought Him out because they wanted another free lunch (6:26).  They had missed the truth that the miracles they had seen were “signs” given to point beyond the event to the one who worked the miracle.  They had been driven by their physical appetite rather than their spiritual one. 

            It is in this context that Jesus declares that He is the bread of life and as such is the food which endures to eternal life.  But how could they dare to believe such a wonderful promise?  Here’s the answer—“For on Him the Father, God, has set His seal” (Jn. 6:27).

Prayer:  Forgive me that I often place my physical appetite above my spiritual one.  Thank you for providing Your only and authentic Son.  Amen

I have always loved the story of the healing of the Gerasene demoniac.  You must admit it is pretty impressive.  The man’s possession was so severe that he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard (Luke 8:29). 

            Jesus cast the legion of demons from the man and into a herd of swine.  The herdsmen rush into town to tell of the recent events and the crowd gathers only to find that the demonic man was now sitting at the feet of Jesus fully clothed and in his right mind.   

            Rather than celebrating the healing, the people want Jesus to leave their country.  Luke tells us they were gripped with fear.  Unbelievers do not always turn to God even when they witness His mighty power.  The former demoniac wants to join Jesus, but Jesus tells him to return home and describe “what great things God has done for you” (8:39).  His response was immediate and complete: “He went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.”

            What great things has God done for you?  You are a witness to God’s activity and as such you have the privilege and responsibility to tell your story.  Telling your story in the power of the Holy Spirit is at the heart of the SPLASH strategy—Show People Love and Share Him. 

Prayer:  Give me the opportunity and the courage to tell someone today about the great things You have done for me.  Amen  (for more info check out Splashinfo.com)

What constitutes marriage and family has become a hot political topic.  Do we have the right to define marriage as we choose, or is there a divine pattern that must be followed? 

            The nation of Israel was divided over the issue of marriage and divorce.  Followers of Rabbi Hillel felt that a man could divorce his wife for virtually any reason.  Others, who followed Rabbi Shammai, argued for divorce only on the grounds of a sexual offense. 

            In Matthew 19:3 we are told that “some Pharisees” asked Jesus how He would interpret the law.  It is likely that the Pharisees were more interested in involving Jesus in a controversial issue than they were learning anything about marriage.  Rather, than getting involved in the controversy, Jesus reminded them of God’s original purpose for establishing marriage.  He quoted Genesis 1:27 which indicates that God created men and women to be so compatible in the bonds of marriage that they become as one flesh.  As one flesh they should not be separated. 

            The Pharisees miss the point of Jesus’ teaching concerning the divine miracle that occurs in marriage and want to pit His teaching with that of Moses.  Here’s what God wants us to know.  He loves us so much He cares about all our relationships and wants them to be divinely empowered. 

Prayer:  Father, thank you for creating me as a relational being.  Help me to see your divine activity in all my relationships.  Amen.

Do you like salty things like popcorn, peanuts, and chips?  I find that it’s true, “you can’t eat just one.”  And while you are eating, you will of necessity drink the entire time.  Salt not only makes the snacks flavorful but they make you thirsty. 

            Jesus told His first century hearers that those who followed Him would be the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13).  As Christians, we need to recognize that we are designed to create thirst in others.  Just as popcorn begs to be consumed with a cold soft drink, our lives should make others thirsty for Christ. 

            In that same text, Jesus warns about salt which has become tasteless.  It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.  It was common in Palestine to see mounds of worthless salt scattered in piles, much the same way crushed seashells line the walkway at the beach.  Salt-less salt is an absurd idea; but no more so than Christianity lived in such a manner that it does not attract others.  You were not designed to blend in blandly with society but to add a noticeable difference; to deliver a punch and purity that causes others to thirst for righteousness.  Salty life is the key to the Splash evangelism strategy (see Splashinfo.com).

Prayer:  Lord forgive me when my life fails to be flavorful, drawing men to you.  Let my life demonstrate the Gospel today.  Amen

I have three daughters who are now grown with children of their own.  I love to tell my girls how proud I am of them and how much I love them and they love to hear it.  It shouldn’t surprise us that on three occasions God the Father spoke from heaven affirming His Son.  Twice He employed the simple affirmation—“This is My beloved Son.” 

            On the first occasion, Jesus had not yet begun His earthly ministry.  “There came a voice from heaven, ‘This is My beloved Son.  I take delight in Him’” (Matt. 3:17).  Jesus had requested baptism from John the Baptist and His Father’s affirmation must have steeled the Son in His resolve to obey and glorify the Father. 

            In Matthew 17, on the Mount of Transfiguration, we hear the Father once again express His delight in His Son.  This time the Father gave a command—“Listen to Him!”  Disciples of every age must obey this imperative for the Son speaks the words of God. 

            The final word of affirmation from the Father is slightly different in form, but the same in content.  After predicting His own crucifixion, the Son cries out to the Father, asking Him to glorify His own name.  The Father responds—“I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again!” (Jn. 12:28).  The Son had lived so as to reveal the Father’s name and now His death will do the same. 

            Now we are sons of the Son and we must live to hear our Father say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

Prayer:  Thank you for allowing me to be your Son through faith in Jesus Christ.  Help me to live so as to glorify Your name.  Amen

As a child in Sunday school, I loved the story of the feeding of the 5,000.  I think it impressed me that Jesus would give a young lad the opportunity of participating in His work. 

            This story provides the setting for the first of seven dramatic “I Am” statements of Jesus—“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them.  “No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry” (John 6:35). 

            After feeding the 5,000 Jesus left for Capernaum.  When the people discover that Jesus has left, they go looking for Him.  When they find Him in Capernaum, He confronts them with the stark reality that they were seeking Him only because He provided a free meal.  The tragedy of the moment is that they are seeking physical food when the one standing before them offers bread that will satisfy man’s spiritual hunger. 

            This great “I Am” declaration has clear overtones of divinity and links our life in the closest fashion with Christ.  He is the bread who gives and sustains spiritual life.  When we feat on Him, we are assured of being constantly satisfied. 

            Mom had a simple formula for telling when I was actually sick—my appetite.  In much the same way, spiritual hunger for Christ is a pretty good sign of one’s spiritual health.  Do you hunger for the Bread of Life? 

Prayer:  Father forgive me when I lose my appetite for Your Son and Your Word.  Heal me and give me renewed hunger today.  Amen

The book of Revelation declares that Christ is the Alpha and the Omega.  Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last.  Thus this statement means that Christ is the beginning and the end and everyone in between. 

            When we speak of Jesus being “first” we are speaking of His pre-existence.  But there is even more to this statement than meets the eye.  John, in his gospel (ch. 8 ) records a conversation between Jesus and Jewish leaders.  They are talking about their lineage and the Jews proudly refer to the father Abraham.  Jesus tells them that their father had been overjoyed to know he would witness Jesus’ appearance.  They are thoroughly confused, indicating that Jesus was not even 50 years old.  Jesus responded, “I assure you; ‘Before Abraham was, I am” (58).  His listeners are incensed and take up rocks to stone Him for blasphemy. 

            It was the use of “I am” that was most surprising for it is the Old Testament name Yahweh, only applied to the one true God.  There it is–Jesus is fully God, eternal in nature.  He is the only means of reconciliation between God and man.  Is He first in your life? 

Prayer:  Thank You Father that You Sent the eternal one to earth so that I might have eternal life.

Do you find yourself frequently defeated by a familiar spiritual enemy?  If so you may identify with the story found in Genesis 20.  Abraham lies about his wife, claiming that she is his sister (2). 

            Abraham justifies his action by arguing; “I thought, ‘There is absolutely no fear of God in this place.  They will kill me because of my wife’” (20:11).  Once again we are reminded of God’s grace in the everyday affairs of men.  “But God came to Abimelech in a dream” (20:3).  Abimelech was the king of Gerar and when God made known to him the deceit of Abraham, he returned Sarah, Abraham’s wife. 

            Stories like this aren’t glamorous and they do not give us the best impression of Abraham, a man who will grow into a giant of the faith.  But they are honest and they do encourage us when we fall short of God’s standard.  This story assures us that God is our ultimate protection.  How arrogant of Abraham to think that his half-truth about Sarah would provide greater protection than the sovereign God of the universe.  Today, if you are tempted to rely on your own ingenuity, remember God’s power is greater than your circumstances.  

Prayer: Thank you Father that you give us another chance.  Teach me to rely on You.  Amen.