mediation

Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – April 21 Psalm 18:1-2

by taylor.matthew.n
April 21, 2020June 17, 2020

APRIL 21 – PSALM 18:1-2

GOD IS MY ROCK & FORTRESS

Today, we look at a short section of Scripture to remind ourselves of who God is. Just as David did, it is good to remember who God is and how He is our Rock, shelter, fortress, and stronghold, especially in times of trouble. Throughout this lengthy Psalm, we see David remember many ways in which God delivered Him. During these difficult times, it is good for us to do likewise in remembering the ways God has provided and cared for us.

¹ “I love You, O Lord, my strength.”

² The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;

My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (NASB)

Key Takeaways:

Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – April 20 Philippians 2:12-15

by taylor.matthew.n
April 20, 2020June 15, 2020

APRIL 20 – PHILIPPIANS 2:12-15

LIGHTS IN THE WORLD

Continuing our reading plan, we stay in Philippians 2 by looking at verses 12-15. In this section today, Paul returns to the exhortations which he began earlier in verses 2-4. Verses 14-15 (and 16) give specific instructions on how to work out God’s “good purpose” (v. 13) concerning daily Christian living. Paul had shown them in 1:27-2:13 the kind of attitude and actions they were to follow. They were to demonstrate in their corporate and individual life this kind of conduct that would prove worthy of the great calling that God has given them. He uses all things to emphasize the inclusiveness of this command.

¹²So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

¹⁴Do all things without grumbling or disputing; ¹⁵so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world (NASB)

Key Takeaways:

Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – April 16 Psalm 9:9-10

by taylor.matthew.n
April 20, 2020June 11, 2020

April 16, 2020

PSALM 9:9-10 GOD IS OUR STRONGHOLD

Today’s devotional is a quick reminder about who God is, especially during times of trouble. We are attacked often during these trials to trust ourselves, others, or other means, but this psalm speaks to the value of trusting God.

⁹The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed,
A stronghold in times of trouble;
¹⁰And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – April 15 PHILIPPIANS 1:21, 27-30 LIVING ON MISSION

by taylor.matthew.n
April 20, 2020June 24, 2020

April 15, 2020

PHILIPPIANS 1:21, 27-30 LIVING ON MISSION

Today, we finish Philippians 1 by looking at Paul’s command to live on a mission with a heavenly perspective, standing in faith, and being united as Christians and united in purpose to glorify Christ and share the gospel.

²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain….

²⁷ Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; ²⁸ in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. ²⁹ For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, ³⁰ experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me. (NASB)

Key takeaways:

“striving together”
- Paul asks the church at Philippi to compete together as a team of athletes to help advance the faith that comes through the preaching of the gospel.
Shift perspective from earthly to heavenly
- “let your conduct” is the first command of Philippians and Paul instructs them to shift their perspective from the earthly realm to the heavenly one. They should live in this world as citizens of another world, the heavenly kingdom. Their conduct should reveal their heavenly citizenship.