September 24, 2020


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Today's Bible Verse
"He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled."
John 3:29 KJV



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Today's Bible Study
When the disciples of John the Baptist tell him that Jesus has been baptizing other followers, John's response is that he is rejoicing at His coming. Using the metaphor of a wedding party, John lets his disciples know that Jesus is the Messiah -- the bridegroom prophesied about in Psalm 45 -- that they had long awaited.

The church is the bride of Christ, who is the bridegroom, and John the Baptist is the friend of Christ. Think about the role of the best man at a wedding. He usually has been friends with the groom for a long time, even while the couple was courting, and at the wedding will probably give a speech. He rejoices in the couple getting together. In a similar way, John had prepared the way for Jesus, and now that the time has come for Jesus to begin His ministry, His joy is fulfilled.

John the Baptist's ministry was never about himself. If that were the case, he would not have been happy that Jesus's ministry was beginning. It was now time for John's ministry to come to an end, and he directed his followers to follow Jesus instead. While he was once the leader of a movement, Jesus's arrival on the ministry scene meant that John was going to be a follower again … and he accepted the role gladly.



Today, we can learn from John's humility. He didn't vie for the position of bridegroom, but instead, was happy to take on the role of supporting friend. His primary goal was to please the Lord, and that meant being obedient to whatever the Lord called him to do at the right time.

As ministers, our primary goal is the same as John's: to please the Lord. It doesn't really matter what that looks like. We could be leading a small group, a large congregation, or an entire nation. God is concerned about our being good and humble stewards right where He has placed us. We can take heart that in a world that constantly tries to push us toward more and bigger and better, the primary aim of the Christian is satisfaction in God alone. Everything else, including how He uses us to further His kingdom, is ancillary.

Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, I thank you for the opportunity to know you. I thank you for the great love you have shown me and that you have given me a place in your kingdom. Help me to be more and more like you, Lord. With humility and gratitude, I accept the role you have given me, and I ask that you would help me steward it well. In Jesus's name, amen.
Yesterday's Devotional
September 23, 2020
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Yesterday's Bible Verse
"I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."
Psalm 40:8 KJV
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Yesterday's Bible Study
This Psalm tells us that as we grow in our relationship with the Lord, we will begin to delight in following what He has told us to do. His law is written on our hearts, and we will happily live it out.

Sometimes the Lord wants us to do difficult tasks ... tasks that could label us as outsiders. This might make us feel uncomfortable or afraid, or require a lot more courage than we're used to summoning. However, as we begin to obey His will, we will see that even if He asks us to do things that we do not understand, He is always faithful in honoring our obedience.

This means we can respond to His prompting with an immediate Yes, Lord. We know that He will honor obedience, and we do not want to disobey Him. Yes, it can be difficult to find joy in the actual act of obedience … but we obey anyway. Obedience is still an act of faith, even if we do it in fear or uncertainty.


This Psalm tells us that as we grow in our relationship with the Lord, we will begin to delight in following what He has told us to do. His law is written on our hearts, and we will happily live it out.

Sometimes the Lord wants us to do difficult tasks ... tasks that could label us as outsiders. This might make us feel uncomfortable or afraid, or require a lot more courage than we're used to summoning. However, as we begin to obey His will, we will see that even if He asks us to do things that we do not understand, He is always faithful in honoring our obedience.

This means we can respond to His prompting with an immediate Yes, Lord. We know that He will honor obedience, and we do not want to disobey Him. Yes, it can be difficult to find joy in the actual act of obedience … but we obey anyway. Obedience is still an act of faith, even if we do it in fear or uncertainty.
Yesterday's Prayer
Dear Lord, I thank you that your will is so sweet. Sometimes it is hard to follow you, Lord, but is it worth it because nothing compares to communion with you. Nothing compares to knowing that I am living for you. Please help me to live for you. In Jesus's name, amen.
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