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Today’s Devotional — October 4, 2023

“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” —Ephesians 5:2

When I was in nursing school, our written exams consisted of multiple-choice questions with four answers. The purpose was to prove our knowledge of theory and develop critical thinking skills and astute judgment. Nurses are responsible for making decisions that not only impact the patient’s health but we must also use interventions to facilitate a favorable outcome.

Not only did we have to think right, we had to read the clinical question, eliminate the incorrect answers, and choose the right answer within two minutes per question. We learned the skill of remaining focused during many distractions.

Focusing on Distractions Produce the Failure to Perceive the Truth

Two of the answers were considered distractors and easily eliminated. But the remaining two were very similar with one exception, the right answer always represented the standard of care determined by the State Board of Nursing. Many of the students attempted to justify their wrong answers, but the correct answer always includes the rationale and is absolute—without exception.

When we think of the ability of the human mind to develop stringent standards for patient care, how much more should we reverence the love of our Great God and His infinite knowledge expressed through Jesus Christ?

” ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord.” (9) “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:8-9

Question: Does Jesus care? Provide an answer based on personal experience that does not include money or tangible items.

The challenge for today’s Christians is they cannot give a spiritual rationale [testimony] for the question, “Does Jesus care?” How do we so easily forget the blessings that we receive daily?

Distracted by Our Desires

We cannot witness that Jesus cares for humanity based off of testimonies of financial gain. Sadly, many Christians have embraced the unbeliever’s mindset—we are placing our focus on the distractors in this world. Financial blessings are what we pray for. According to many Bible-believing pastors, the number one desire of most believers involves some form of financial prosperity.

Although God blesses us financially by giving us the provisions of daily living, we cannot provide the correct spiritual rationale to prove that Jesus cares for humanity based on the acquisition of money, houses, and vehicles.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16

The love story filled with care and compassion began before the world was created. It was God, the Father, and Jesus who had the Father and Son talk about His death that was required to save our souls. Redemption and the Plan of Salvation were not afterthoughts or a quick-fix plan after Adam and Eve sinned.

God’s love provided us with the gift of His Precious Son, Jesus. And Jesus said, “Yes, Father, I will die for them.” Does Jesus Care?

The Absolute Truth and Spiritual Rationale for Jesus’ care and compassion are proclaimed by His sacrifice and current role as our Heavenly Intercessor. Every word in the Holy Scriptures proclaims that Jesus cares! Yet, it is our relationship with Christ that provides the foundation for us to possess experiential knowledge of His love, care, and compassion.

Our personal testimonies of victory [which every believer should be able to share] are proof that we have a Loving Savior who cares.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” —Psalm 147:3

Testimony: This year I prayed for healing. Jesus healed me of an incurable and progressive heart condition that occurred secondary to having two years of uncontrolled asthma despite therapeutic intervention. When I gave the most recent cardiology report to my pulmonologist [lung specialist], in August, he read the report and did not make one comment. Does Jesus care? Yes!

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you.” –1 Peter 5:6-7

The humility that the Apostle Peter speaks of is revealed in our desire and prayer to surrender every day to the will of God. Yes, it is a tough commitment to surrender, but obedience results in blessings of benefits for the righteous.

Testimony: Jesus has not only given me the blessings of physical healing, but He also gave me new beginnings and healed my emotional hurt from a very painful divorce. Although I am unworthy, Christ continues to give me an overabundance of God’s grace and mercies. My focus has changed greatly since surrendering to God. I talk to Jesus throughout my waking hours because He cares!

The Apostle Paul frequently shared his story of the encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Our testimonies not only reveal our appreciation for a Loving Savior, but the Holy Spirit gives us strength and a deeper spiritual insight into the Character of Christ and our purpose.

Every believer’s purpose is to share testimonies that glorify God. We have a higher spiritual purpose—to share the love of Christ. From receiving the gifts of physical and emotional healing, I know that Jesus expects me to proclaim His love, care, and compassion to a world filled with hopelessness. Does Jesus care? Yes, I know that my Jesus cares!

Scripture: “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” —Psalm 34:17-19

Prayer: Lord, we glorify and honor You. Thank You for Your abundant love, grace, and mercies. Thank You for caring about humanity and giving Your life for us. Jesus, we love You and ask this prayer in Your Holy Name, Amen.

© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God

Today’s Devotional—October 2, 2023

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. —Matthew 28:18-20

Throughout my life, I have heard countless sermons on God’s divine purpose for the Christian believer—to witness Christ’s love, the plan of salvation, and our duty to help those in need. As decades have passed, the content of sermons has changed from Christ-focused to being people-focused.

Fewer churches have community outreach programs and only the members who have dedicated themselves to Christ are actively using their free time to help others. No longer do most pastors preach of our duty found in Matthew 28, verses 18-20 to go and make disciples [followers of Christ]. And when have you heard a sermon on the story of the paralytic and his four friends who dug through the roof to lower their friend so Jesus could heal him?

Christ’s Divine Gifts to Every Believer

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. —Ephesians 4:11-12, NIV

Christ created us with spiritual gifts to be used for works of service. Every believer is considered a disciple—a follower of Christ. Witnessing is our primary spiritual task. It is our love for Christ and steadfast faith that propels us to “Go” and tell others there is a Savior who loves them and died to redeem their sins.

Today’s disciples should not only witness Christ, but also care for others by alleviating their suffering, whether it be spiritual, mental, emotional, or physical pain. We always offer to pray and verbalize one of God’s Scriptural promises that provide hope, healing, and encouragement. Then we ask, “Is there anything that I can do for you?”

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” —James 1:27

Although we cannot meet every individual’s financial needs, we assist them by finding out which local churches and social service agencies can provide help. Giving of ourselves to others is our primary service to God. How important is our God-given mission of helping others? “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).

In Mark, chapter 2, the beautiful heartfelt story of the paralytic and his four friends represents our duty to God and humanity. “An unforgettable story about five men is recorded in the second chapter of Mark’s Gospel. One of them was hopelessly ill. The other four were his friends. These men had heard of Jesus, and they attempted to bring their friend to Him.” Walking Through the Bible Devotional

“And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.” —Mark 2:4

Homes at that time did not have roofs like your house or mine. The roofs were made with branches that were laid across the ceiling beams. The branches were packed with mud that dried in the sun. They were sturdy enough to walk on but could be dug through. Often, there were outside staircases leading up to the rooftops. Bible.org

The background of the story includes a large crowd of people who prevented his friends from passing through the crowd carrying the man on his pallet bed. Yet, they persevered by taking their friend to the roof [in Palestinian houses, the roofs were flat] and they removed the dried clay and lowered their friend to see Jesus.

Jesus’ Response

“When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you.'” (10) “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, (11) ‘I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’ (12) Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!'” —Mark 2:5, 10-12

Jesus’ priority was always spiritual. Throughout His earthly ministry, He reiterated the necessity to have faith in God. We cannot separate the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical components of our mind-body connection, therefore, without faith in God, we cannot connect to God.

With a loving heart, faith, and the commitment to put God first, we use our gifts to serve others. Helping the poor and spiritually oppressed removes the sinful character traits of selfishness and hardheartedness from our naturally carnal hearts, and exemplifies and honors Jesus as our Compassionate and Loving Savior.

Every Christian’s destiny relies on their willingness to obey God [not from a legalistic perspective of “I have to witness and help others”], no, we feel that it is a privilege and blessing to represent the love and compassion of Christ in our service to God and humanity.

Scripture: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace…” —1 Peter 4:10

Prayer: God, we pray for the body of believers who do not see the need to give of themselves in their service to You and those in need. We pray for the hardness of their hearts to melt and be transformed into the loving and compassionate likeness of Christ. We ask for the Holy Spirit to give strength to those who are tirelessly serving others and witnessing the love of Christ. In Jesus’ Loving Name, we pray. Amen.

© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries