Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of our Repentant Return (1/15/26)

Over the advent season, I took a break from writing devotionals from Revelation. As we start a new year and get back into Revelation (with only a few chapters left!) you might remember that we finished the seven angels with the seven bowls of God’s wrath. Then, one of the seven angels showed John the punishment of “Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes.” She delighted in the destruction of God’s people and lured the rest of the world into abominable acts. She represents centuries of evil powers in the world.

As we continue to see the destruction of “Babylon the Great,” it’s worth noting that those who benefited from her lament her destruction. They are distraught because of the misfortune it also brings to them. They could repent and turn to the true and eternally lavish King of kings. Instead, they wallow in their earthly losses.

Revelation 18:9-14 9 “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,

    you mighty city of Babylon!

In one hour your doom has come!’

11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.

14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’

The earthly successes of the world can change in an instant. Jesus’s eternal victory lasts forever. His kingdom is everlasting. Those watching the flaming Babylon had an opportunity to repent of their self-focus and turn to Jesus who offers true satisfaction.

John 10:9-10 ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

As we look back on 2025 and look ahead in 2026, what priorities do you and I want to leave behind and which ones do we want to continue? Knowing Jesus is the only One who offers life to full, how does that change your and my goals for this year?  

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy as our Bloodied Shepherd (4/3/25)

White doesn’t usually stay white, so I tend not to buy it to wear for myself or my kids. It’s one of the uniform colors my kids can wear to school, but the red, black and grey show fewer stains.

The multitude from last week had white robes because of their bloodied Shepherd and Lamb.  

Revelation 7:13-14   ¹³ Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

¹⁴ I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 

Washing white robes in blood doesn’t make sense at first. However, it points out that we can’t clean ourselves and the stain of sin in our lives. To be forgiven, cleansed, and made righteous we must accept Jesus’s death and shed blood in our place. Then we can stand before the throne of God in Jesus’s righteousness. We will then enjoy the work of serving Him, sheltered by Him in complete security.

Revelation 7:15-17   ¹⁵ Therefore,

“they are before the throne of God
    and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
    will shelter them with his presence.
¹⁶ ‘Never again will they hunger;
    never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
    nor any scorching heat.
¹⁷ For the Lamb at the center of the throne
    will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
    ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

 

All our needs will be satisfied beyond our imagination. Where are you and I looking for security and satisfaction in this life? As our perfect Shepherd, Jesus will provide complete security, comfort, direction, relief and satisfaction! Worthy is Jesus!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy and So is God the Father (1/16/25)

As a kid, it was hard to fathom continual worship in heaven. I couldn’t imagine a worship service that never ended! “Praise” nights at church were fun, but I got tired of standing after a while.

After studying the book of John last year and then Revelation this year, I think I understand continual worship a little bit better. In the book of John, he painted a satisfying picture for those who follow Jesus. Jesus offers the greatest imaginable thirst and hunger quencher as the living water and bread of life. Jesus also says He came to give abundant life as our Light, Shepherd, Vine and Savior. He’s the most rewarding relationship we could ever have! He offers perfect, complete and eternal love. That’s who we will be by our side for all eternity! It will be the most satisfying experience to be in God’s presence and worship Him, just as it is for the 4 living creatures and 24 elders.  

Revelation 4:6b-11 In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. ⁷ The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. ⁸ Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,’

who was, and is, and is to come.”

⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

¹¹ “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.”

This is a picture of a holy, perfect, and completely satisfying experience worshiping our Creator God! If sharing the tastiest meal with the most enjoyable person is pleasurable in this life and something we never want to end, then being in the presence of God will be far more spectacular, amazing and delightful! We won’t run out of things to taste, hear, see, feel, smell, say or experience! How does that excite you for Heaven? We’ll get to celebrate the worthiest Almighty God each and everyday! 

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – The Bread of Life (11/16/23)

The day after Jesus fed the 5000 and walked on water, the crowd came looking for Him and asked him for more signs!

John 6:30-35  ³⁰ So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? ³¹ Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

³² Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

³⁴ “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

The crowd seemed to selfishly want more free food! It’s like they were asking “How about something daily like manna in the wilderness, but better?”! The signs Jesus had given them weren’t enough.

Jesus, full of truth, appropriately declared He is the Bread of Life from God! He gives life eternal and complete satisfaction. He far exceeds daily manna provisions! He provides daily wisdom, comfort, peace, and security!

 

I was convicted this week as I studied this that I don’t always let Jesus, the Bread of Life, fully satisfy my hunger. Sometimes I look elsewhere for satisfaction (like kids being obedient or doing well in school). Also, sometimes I ask for more, instead of claiming and using the truths He’s already given me.

 

How about you? What area of your life do you need to give to Jesus? Where are you looking to another person, possession or position for satisfaction instead of to Jesus? Those people or things may bring temporary satisfaction, but they will regularly disappoint. Jesus, the Bread of Life, gives enduring satisfaction for daily contentment and eternal glory!   

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – Offering Living Water (10/19/23)

Have you ever gone in the grocery store for one item, but came home with dozens more? The outcast Samaritan woman went to the well to get water for the day, but Jesus offered her living, spiritual, and eternal water!

John 4:10-14   ¹⁰Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." ¹¹"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? ¹²Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?" ¹³Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Jesus’s offer of living water wasn’t a list of rules but a way of life that would bring true satisfaction, joy, peace, and life with Him for all eternity! Just knowing and accepting Jesus’s truths won’t bring full satisfaction. We must know, accept, and then daily choose to live His way. 

It is kind of like taking piano lessons. I learned the names of the notes and the note values when I was very young. I then took piano lessons starting in 2^nd grade. Knowing the notes and accepting what the teacher taught me wasn’t enough for me to enjoy playing the piano. Just going to lessons each week wouldn’t get me very far. I had to daily spend time on the piano for years. It wasn’t always easy or convenient and required sacrificing free time (often at the coaxing of my Mom!). However, I’ve never regretted it and thank my parents for their financial sacrifice and regular accountability to practice. 

Similarly, if we just know some of the Bible stories, accept Jesus as the Christ, and go to church for an hour each week we won’t experience the life Jesus intended us to enjoy. We won’t be living as fully satisfied. We need to continually spend time getting to know and love Jesus and allow His Spirit to transform our desires and priorities. We won’t regret it!      

Do you know the truth? Have you received and accepted the truth? Are you and I still chasing after temporal things? Or are you and I living as fully satisfied with the “living water” Jesus offers? Only Jesus can truly and fully satisfy!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Greener Pasture

You’ve heard the phrase, “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” I’m guessing many of you have seen a cow stretch her head through a fence to eat the grass on the other side. I have! The grass was just as green on her side, but she thought differently.

People do the same thing. They chase after greener pastures, whether it’s a “greener” job, house, spouse, car, yard, body, hobby, etc.

Ecclesiastes 6:7 and 9  Everyone’s toil is for their mouth,
    yet their appetite is never satisfied...
⁹ Better what the eye sees
    than the roving of the appetite.
This too is meaningless,
    a chasing after the wind.

It’s one thing to work hard for God’s glory to take care of and improve the things we already have. It’s another thing to never be satisfied. As we talked last week, finding contentment and joy in the positions, possessions and people God has given to us is a satisfying gift of God.

James and Sarah have very different personalities. One is naturally more content than the other. The other one is quick to want the toy the other sibling has. I keep praying for wisdom to help them learn godly contentment instead of often looking for “greener pastures” elsewhere! 😊

What about you and me? Are we looking for greener pastures elsewhere, instead of enjoying the green pasture God’s already given? Would others say  we have a roving appetite or a satisfied heart?

Let’s regularly enjoy and be thankful to God for what we have been given!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing after the Wind of Greatness

Solomon didn’t find satisfaction from chasing after wisdom, wealth or pleasure, apart from God’s plans. He also found chasing after greatness equally meaningless, apart from God.

Ecclesiastes 2:4-11      I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. ⁵ I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. ⁶ I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. ⁷ I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. ⁸ I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart. ⁹ I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

¹⁰ I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
    I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
    and this was the reward for all my toil.
¹¹ Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
    and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
    nothing was gained under the sun.

Solomon attained greatness that far exceeded anyone before, during or after his time (I Kings 3:11-13). He used his wisdom not only for his own benefit, but for the benefit of his entire country and those outside his country. Yet, attaining greatness for the sake of attaining greatness, didn’t satisfy.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25     A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,²⁵ for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?

God desires us to live, work and serve with excellence. If we pursue greatness on our own and for ourselves, though, it won’t bring lasting joy and true satisfaction.

Where are you and I more focused on earthly greatness than on the great things God has purposed for you and me? I can easily get caught up in my own expectations of myself or family members rather than what God deems important or a priority. God may have us pursue a prestigious degree or position, keep an immaculate house and pristine yard, or master a unique skill. Let’s make sure it’s the greatness He desires, used for His glory, then it will bring lasting joy that satisfies!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing after the Wind of Pleasure

As we saw last week, Solomon didn’t find satisfaction from chasing after wisdom and wealth, apart from God’s plans. He found it meaningless, so he tried chasing after pleasure.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-3    I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. ² “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” ³ I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.

Solomon found chasing after pleasure meaningless, too. It is temporal and unsatisfying. However, chasing after God’s plans is eternal, has meaning and is satisfying.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25           A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,²⁵ for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?

Without a relationship with God and following Him, nothing will ever satisfy. Where are you and I chasing after an earthly temporal pleasure more than God’s plans for us? Staying up late watching TV, playing video games, reading/posting on social media, or logging another exotic vacation doesn’t provide lasting satisfaction.

God asked me to join an international ministry over 14 years ago that takes 15 or more hours of my time each week. It is far more rewarding than I expected. I wouldn’t trade it for all the exotic vacations in the world!!!

Similar to what Kent talked about yesterday, God can give us true joy in being content in what He’s given us to do and experience.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing after the Wind

My family is in our last week studying Joshua through Solomon (through Bible Study Fellowship). It was an excellent study with lots of ways to personally apply lessons learned. Ending with Solomon, it was sad to see him waste so much of the wisdom God generously and graciously gave him. We studied some of the Proverbs he wrote. He knew and taught great wisdom, but often didn’t use it in his personal life. This week I’ve been studying Ecclesiastes, now that I have a fresh understanding of Solomon (who wrote it).

Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 & 12-14 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:

² “Meaningless! Meaningless!”
    says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
    Everything is meaningless.”

³ What do people gain from all their labors
    at which they toil under the sun?

¹² I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. ¹³ I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! ¹⁴ I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

I think Solomon realized that life is temporary and satisfaction is fleeting. All of our hard efforts don’t result in anything lasting. He had all the wisdom and wealth anyone could imagine and it didn’t satisfy. That is so true, outside of God’s purposes. 

Solomon even said in Ecclesiastes 2:25 “for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” Without a relationship with God and following Him, nothing will ever satisfy. It will never be enough.

What are you and I chasing after? Position, wealth, possessions, fitness, education? God may direct us to pursue several things for His glory, but we need to daily make sure we’re aligning with His will. Then it won’t be chasing after the wind, and will be rewarding!  

Alice