Category: Today’s Devotional

In Mark 10:2-16, Jesus addresses two significant issues: the sanctity of marriage and the importance of childlike faith. His teachings challenge societal norms and call us to a higher standard of love, commitment, and trust in God. This devotional explores how we can apply Jesus’ words to our relationships and our walk with God.

Scripture Reading:

“Pharisees came to him testing him, and asked him, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’ He answered, ‘What did Moses command you?’ They said, ‘Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘For your hardness of heart, he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife, and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.’ In the house, his disciples asked him again about the same matter. He said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. If a woman herself divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.’ They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them. But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said to them, ‘Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these. Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom as a little child, he will in no way enter into it.’ He took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” — Mark 10:2-16 (WEBBE)

Reflection: The Pharisees approach Jesus with a question about divorce, hoping to trap Him. Instead of getting entangled in their legalistic debate, Jesus directs them back to God’s original design for marriage. He highlights that marriage is a divine union where two become one flesh, a bond that should not be broken by human decision. Jesus points out that the allowance for divorce given by Moses was due to the hardness of people’s hearts, not because it was God’s ideal. His words challenge us to view marriage as a lifelong covenant, a sacred commitment that reflects God’s unchanging love.

Jesus’ teachings on divorce may seem difficult in today’s context, where divorce is often seen as a solution to relational problems. However, His emphasis on the sanctity of marriage invites us to pursue deeper love, forgiveness, and commitment in our relationships. Marriage is a reflection of God’s covenant with His people, and it calls us to a higher standard of selfless love and faithfulness.

The passage then shifts to an entirely different yet profoundly connected topic: children. As people bring little children to Jesus, the disciples rebuke them, perhaps thinking that Jesus has more important matters to attend to. But Jesus’ response is striking—He is indignant and insists that the children be allowed to come to Him. He goes further to declare that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children and that anyone who does not receive the Kingdom with childlike faith will not enter it.

This teaching on childlike faith ties back to Jesus’ earlier words on marriage. Just as marriage requires a heart of humility and surrender to God’s design, entering the Kingdom of God requires a heart of trust and dependence, much like that of a child. Jesus’ embrace of the children is a powerful reminder that God’s Kingdom is not about status, knowledge, or achievement, but about simple, trusting faith.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of marriage and the example of Your faithful love. Help us to honour the commitments we make, to love selflessly, and to reflect Your covenant in our relationships. We also ask for the grace to approach You with the faith of a child, trusting in Your goodness and relying on Your grace. May we always seek to align our hearts with Your will, both in our relationships and in our walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Plan:

• Strengthen Marital Commitments: If you are married, take time this week to reflect on your commitment to your spouse. Consider areas where you can grow in love, patience, and forgiveness. If you are single, pray for marriages in your community and reflect on how you can support others in their commitments.
• Cultivate Childlike Faith: Reflect on areas of your life where you may be relying on your own understanding rather than trusting God. Practice letting go of control and approaching God with the simplicity and trust of a child.
• Encourage Others: Reach out to someone who may be struggling in their marriage or their faith. Offer a word of encouragement, prayer, or practical support, reminding them of God’s love and faithfulness.

Thoughts for Contemplation:

• How do I view the commitment of marriage, and how can I align my perspective with God’s design?
• In what ways can I cultivate a more childlike faith, trusting in God’s provision and care?
• How can I support and encourage others in their relationships and spiritual journey, reflecting the love and grace of Christ?

As you meditate on these questions, seek to deepen your understanding of God’s will for your relationships and your faith, allowing His Word to guide and transform you.

In Luke 10:17-24, Jesus’ disciples return from their mission with great joy, celebrating the power they experienced in His name. Jesus responds by affirming their victories but also redirects their focus to a deeper source of joy: their salvation. This devotional reflects on the importance of rejoicing in spiritual victories while recognizing the greater joy of knowing we are secure in Christ.

Scripture Reading:

“The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’ He said to them, ‘I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you. Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’ In that same hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, ‘I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well pleasing in your sight.’ Turning to the disciples, he said, ‘All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is, except the Father, and who the Father is, except the Son, and he to whomever the Son desires to reveal him.’ Turning to the disciples, he said privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.’” — Luke 10:17-24 (WEBBE)

Reflection: The seventy disciples return to Jesus full of joy, amazed at the authority they had experienced in His name—even the demons submitted to them. Jesus acknowledges their success, affirming that He saw Satan fall like lightning, symbolizing the defeat of evil. He also reassures them of the authority they have been given over all the power of the enemy.

However, Jesus does not allow them to linger in the excitement of these victories alone. He redirects their joy to something far more significant: their names are written in heaven. This statement shifts the focus from earthly victories to the eternal security found in salvation. Jesus is reminding His disciples, and us, that while spiritual victories are important and worth celebrating, the greatest joy should come from our relationship with God and the assurance of eternal life.

In the following verses, Jesus Himself rejoices in the Holy Spirit, thanking the Father for revealing these truths to the humble and childlike rather than the wise and learned. This reveals the nature of God’s Kingdom—accessible to those with hearts of humility and dependence on God, rather than those who rely on their own wisdom.

Jesus’ private words to His disciples highlight the privilege they have in witnessing and participating in the unfolding of God’s plan—a privilege that prophets and kings longed to see but were not able to. As followers of Christ, we too share in this blessing, seeing and experiencing the fulfillment of God’s promises through Jesus.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the victories You give us in Jesus’ name, and for the authority we have over the power of the enemy. But more than that, we rejoice that our names are written in heaven, and that we are secure in Your love and grace. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on the eternal joy of salvation, and to remain humble and grateful for the privilege of knowing and serving You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Plan:

• Celebrate Spiritual Victories: Take time to acknowledge and give thanks for the spiritual victories in your life, recognizing that they come from God’s power and authority.
• Focus on Eternal Joy: Reflect on the assurance of your salvation and let it be the primary source of your joy, especially when facing challenges or spiritual battles.
• Cultivate Humility: Approach God with the humility of a child, recognizing that true wisdom and understanding come from Him alone. Seek to grow in your relationship with Him by depending on His guidance and grace.

Thoughts for Contemplation:

• What spiritual victories have I experienced recently, and how have I acknowledged God’s hand in them?
• How can I ensure that my greatest joy comes from knowing my name is written in heaven, rather than in earthly successes?
• In what ways can I cultivate a heart of humility and dependence on God, allowing Him to reveal His truths to me more fully?

As you contemplate these questions, allow the joy of your salvation to anchor you in every season, and let the spiritual victories you experience deepen your gratitude for the greater gift of eternal life in Christ.

In Luke 10:13-16, Jesus delivers a sobering warning to the towns that rejected His message. This passage highlights the gravity of turning away from God’s truth and the consequences that follow. In this devotional, we will explore the importance of heeding Jesus’ message and responding to His call with a heart of repentance and faith.

Scripture Reading:

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. He who hears you hears me, he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” — Luke 10:13-16 (WEBBE)

Reflection: Jesus’ words in this passage are a stern warning to the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum—places where He had performed many miracles, yet they failed to repent. Jesus compares their unresponsiveness to the notorious cities of Tyre and Sidon, indicating that those ancient cities would have repented had they witnessed the same mighty works. The message is clear: with great revelation comes great responsibility.

Capernaum, a town that had been a center of Jesus’ ministry, is singled out for its pride and lack of response. Jesus declares that despite its lofty status, it would be brought down to Hades, a vivid illustration of the downfall that comes with rejecting God’s truth.

This passage also carries a significant message for those who share the gospel: “He who hears you hears me, he who rejects you rejects me.” Jesus is intimately connected with His messengers, so much so that to reject His disciples is to reject Him and, by extension, the One who sent Him—God the Father.

As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded of the seriousness of rejecting God’s message. It’s a call to examine our hearts and ensure that we are not only hearing the Word of God but responding to it with genuine repentance and faith. The consequences of ignoring or rejecting God’s truth are dire, and Jesus’ words serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing His message with humility and obedience.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth of Your Word and the mighty works You have done in our lives. We ask for forgiveness where we have been unresponsive or prideful in the face of Your revelation. Help us to respond to Your message with humility, repentance, and faith. May we never take Your truth for granted, and may we always heed the call to follow You wholeheartedly. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Plan:

• Reflect on God’s Revelation: Take time this week to reflect on the ways God has revealed Himself to you through His Word, creation, and personal experiences. Consider how you have responded to His truth and where you may need to repent.
• Share the Gospel: Be bold in sharing the message of Jesus with others, remembering that when you speak, you are representing Christ. Pray for those who hear the message, that they would respond with open hearts.
• Examine Your Priorities: Consider whether there are areas of pride or resistance in your life that are hindering your response to God’s call. Ask God to help you prioritize His will above all else.

Thoughts for Contemplation:

• How seriously do I take the message of Jesus, and how am I responding to it in my daily life?
• In what ways might I be rejecting God’s truth, whether through pride, indifference, or neglect?
• How can I better align my life with the teachings and mission of Christ, ensuring that I am a faithful follower of His Word?

As you contemplate these questions, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into a deeper understanding of the weight and significance of Jesus’ message, and let it transform your heart and actions.

In Luke 10:1-12, Jesus sends out seventy disciples with a clear mission and a powerful message. As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded of the urgency of the gospel and the responsibility we have as labourers in God’s harvest. This devotional will help us understand the significance of Jesus’ instructions and how we can apply them to our own lives today.

Scripture Reading:

“Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place where he was about to come. Then he said to them, ‘The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the labourers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out labourers into his harvest. Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs amongst wolves. Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace be to this house.” If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the labourer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house. Into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But into whatever city you enter, and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the Kingdom of God has come near to you.’ I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.” — Luke 10:1-12 (WEBBE)

Reflection: Jesus appointed seventy disciples to go ahead of Him, sending them two by two into the towns and places He was about to visit. The urgency of the mission is evident in Jesus’ instructions: the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. The disciples were to pray for more workers and then to go out themselves, trusting in God’s provision.

Jesus sent them as “lambs amongst wolves,” a reminder that the mission would not be easy. They were to travel light, depending entirely on God and the hospitality of those they would meet. By instructing them not to carry extra provisions, Jesus was teaching them to rely on God’s care and the kindness of others, demonstrating that the work of the Kingdom is one of faith and dependence on God.

The message they were to bring was simple yet profound: “The Kingdom of God has come near to you.” This proclamation carried both hope and a call to repentance. The disciples were to offer peace to those who welcomed them, healing the sick and sharing the good news. But for those who rejected the message, they were to shake the dust off their feet and move on, knowing that they had fulfilled their responsibility.

This passage challenges us to consider our role in God’s harvest. Are we praying for more labourers? Are we willing to go out as Jesus’ disciples did, with faith and urgency, to share the message of the Kingdom? The task is great, but the reward is even greater as we participate in God’s redemptive work.

Prayer: Lord of the harvest, we pray that You would send more labourers into Your fields. Give us the courage and faith to answer Your call, to go out into the world and share the good news of Your Kingdom. Help us to rely on Your provision, to trust in Your care, and to bring Your peace to those we meet. Strengthen us for the task ahead and guide us in Your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Plan:

• Pray for the Harvest: Set aside time each day this week to pray specifically for more labourers in God’s harvest and for opportunities to share the gospel.
• Trust in God’s Provision: Reflect on areas where you may be relying on your own strength rather than trusting in God. Choose to surrender those areas to Him and rely on His provision.
• Share the Good News: Look for opportunities to share the message of the Kingdom with someone in your life, whether through words or actions, bringing peace and hope to those around you.

Thoughts for Contemplation:

• Am I responding to Jesus’ call to be a labourer in His harvest?
• How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God’s provision as I serve Him?
• In what ways can I bring the message of God’s Kingdom into the lives of those around me?

Reflect on these questions and seek to align your life more closely with the mission Jesus has given to all His followers.

In a world where status and power often dictate worth, Jesus presents a radical idea: greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is found in childlike humility. This devotional invites us to explore what it means to approach God and others with the innocence, trust, and humility of a child, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 18:1-5, 10.

Scripture Reading:

“In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?’ Jesus called a little child to himself and set him in the middle of them, and said, ‘Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me. See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.’” — Matthew 18:1-5, 10 (WEBBE)

Reflection: The disciples, like many of us, were concerned with status and greatness. They wanted to know who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus’ response, however, was unexpected. Instead of pointing to a person of high status or power, He called a little child to Him and used the child as an example of greatness.

Jesus emphasized the need for humility by saying, “unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” This turning refers to a change of heart, a shift from pride and self-reliance to humility and dependence on God. A child’s humility is marked by trust, simplicity, and a lack of pretense. They do not seek status; they simply trust and rely on those who care for them.

In verse 10, Jesus further warns against despising or looking down on “these little ones,” highlighting their importance in the Kingdom. Their angels, He says, always see the face of the Father in heaven, underscoring the value and dignity of every childlike believer in God’s eyes.

To be great in God’s Kingdom, we must embrace the humility of a child. This humility is not about thinking less of ourselves but rather thinking of ourselves less, trusting fully in God, and welcoming others with the same grace that we have received.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach us to humble ourselves as little children before You. Help us to let go of our pride, status-seeking, and self-reliance. Give us the grace to trust in You completely and to welcome others with the love and humility that You have shown us. May we always remember the value of every person in Your Kingdom, and never look down on anyone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Plan:

• Practice Childlike Trust: This week, identify an area of your life where you struggle with trust. Consciously choose to place your trust in God, approaching Him with the simple faith of a child.
• Embrace Humility in Relationships: Seek out opportunities to serve others without seeking recognition. Whether it’s a simple act of kindness or putting someone else’s needs before your own, let humility guide your actions.
• Honor the “Little Ones”: Reflect on how you treat those who may be overlooked or undervalued in society. Make an effort to show them respect, kindness, and the love of Christ.

Thoughts for Contemplation:

• How often do I seek recognition or status rather than serving others with humility?
• In what ways can I cultivate a childlike heart that trusts in God and values others as He does?
• Do I treat everyone, regardless of their status, with the dignity and respect they deserve as children of God?

Reflect on these questions and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into a deeper understanding of what it means to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven through childlike humility.