Daily Devotional

Scripture (KJV) – Luke 13:25 “When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:” Reflection There is a dangerous idea that many people carry through life: “I have plenty of time.” Plenty of time to get serious about God. Plenty of time to repent. Plenty of time to receive Jesus Christ. Plenty of time to think about eternity later. But Jesus warns us that the door will not always remain open. In Luke 13, someone asked Jesus whether only a few would be saved. Jesus turned the question into something personal. Instead of satisfying curiosity about everyone else, He warned His listeners about their own need to enter while the opportunity remained. Then He described a frightening moment: the door was shut. The people outside wanted entrance then. They knocked then. They called Him “Lord” then. But the opportunity had passed. That should cause every person to think seriously about eternity. God is patient and merciful. He gives people opportunities to hear the Gospel, repent, and receive Jesus Christ. But God’s patience should never be mistaken for a promise that we will always have another opportunity. None of us knows when our final day will come. There is also an important warning here about merely being familiar with Jesus. A person can know about Christ without truly belonging to Christ. Church attendance, Christian parents, religious traditions, or knowing Bible verses cannot substitute for personally receiving Jesus Christ as Savior. The most frightening words in this passage are not spoken by the people outside the door. They are spoken by the One inside: “I know you not.” Imagine reaching eternity and realizing that you knew about Jesus your entire life but never truly came to Him for salvation. That is why the Gospel is urgent. Jesus Christ died upon the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again. Salvation is available through Him today. There is forgiveness for the guilty, mercy for the sinner, and eternal life for those who place their faith in Christ. If you already know Jesus as Savior, this Scripture should give you a greater burden for those who do not. There are people around us who may believe they have plenty of time. Tell them about Jesus while the door is still open. And if you have never trusted Christ, do not keep postponing the most important decision of your life. The door of salvation is open today. Do not wait until eternity to discover that it has been shut. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience, mercy, and the salvation You have provided through Jesus Christ. Help me never take another day or another opportunity for granted. Give me a greater burden for those who are lost and the courage to tell them about Jesus while there is still time. I pray for those who know about Christ but have never personally trusted Him as Savior. Bring conviction through the Holy Spirit and help them understand the urgency of salvation. Keep me faithful, watchful, and ready, remembering that this life is temporary and eternity is forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries

Scripture (KJV) – Luke 9:23-24 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Reflection Following Jesus Christ is more than simply saying that we believe in Him. Jesus described discipleship as a life of surrender. He said, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Those words challenge the way the world tells us to live. The world says, “Put yourself first. Do whatever makes you happy. Follow your desires.” Jesus says, “deny himself.” That does not mean that God wants us to live miserable lives. It means that Jesus Christ must have a greater claim upon our lives than our own desires. Sometimes following Christ will cost us something. It may cost us a friendship that continually pulls us toward sin. It may require giving up a habit we enjoy because we know it does not honor God. It may mean standing for biblical truth when everyone around us disagrees. It may require forgiving someone when we would rather remain angry. Jesus also said to take up our cross “daily.” Yesterday’s surrender is not enough for today. Every morning we must make a decision about who will control our lives. Will I live according to what I want, or will I submit myself to what Christ wants? That is personal conviction. There are areas where surrender comes easily, and there are others we hold tightly. We may gladly give God our Sunday morning while resisting Him when He touches our money, relationships, entertainment, plans, or private habits. But Jesus did not ask for part of us. He calls us to follow Him. Then He gives us what seems like a contradiction: “whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” The world tells us that surrendering to Christ means losing our freedom. Jesus tells us that surrendering to Him is where real life is found. Everything we sacrifice for Christ in this world is temporary. What He gives us reaches into eternity. So perhaps the question today is not simply, “Am I a Christian?” Maybe the deeper question is: “What area of my life am I still refusing to surrender to Jesus?” Following Christ has a cost. But nothing we surrender for Jesus will ever be worth more than Jesus Himself. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to give His life for me. Help me understand that following Him means more than simply speaking His name. Search my life and reveal anything I have refused to surrender to You. Give me strength to deny myself, take up my cross daily, and faithfully follow Jesus wherever He leads. When obedience costs me something, remind me that nothing in this world compares with what I have received through Christ. Give me courage to stand for truth, turn away from sin, and place Your will above my own desires. May every part of my life belong completely to Jesus Christ. In His name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries

Scripture (KJV) – Psalm 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Reflection There are burdens in life that become too heavy to carry alone. Sometimes it is worry about our family. Sometimes it is financial pressure, grief, uncertainty about the future, problems at work, disappointment, or concern for someone we love. We pray about it, but then we pick the burden right back up and continue carrying it ourselves. David tells us to do something different: “Cast thy burden upon the LORD.” To cast something means to place it upon someone else. God is inviting us to bring the weight we are carrying and place it into His hands. That does not mean the problem will always disappear immediately. Notice what God promises: “he shall sustain thee.” Sometimes God removes the burden. Sometimes He changes the circumstances. And sometimes He gives us strength to carry on while the circumstances remain unchanged. But He never asks us to face them without Him. There is also a difference between praying about something and truly giving it to God. We can pray for twenty minutes and then spend the rest of the day worrying about the very thing we supposedly placed into His hands. Faith says, “Lord, I have done everything You have given me the ability to do. What I cannot control, I am placing into Your hands.” That can be difficult because we like to be in control. We want to know how everything will work out. We want answers today. But there are situations we simply cannot fix. We cannot control another person’s decisions. We cannot change yesterday. We cannot see tomorrow. We cannot force someone we love to receive Christ. But God can work where we cannot. Maybe your burden today is a lost son, daughter, spouse, grandchild, or friend. You have prayed for them repeatedly and still have not seen them come to Christ. Keep praying. But while you pray, remember that their salvation is not something you can accomplish through your own strength. Give that person to God and trust Him to continue working. Whatever you are carrying today, you do not have to carry it alone. God never promised a life without burdens, but He promised something better: He promised to sustain us beneath them. Prayer Heavenly Father, You know every burden I am carrying today. You know the things that keep me awake at night, the situations I cannot change, and the people I am concerned about. Help me place those burdens into Your hands and truly trust You with them. Forgive me for the times I pray and then immediately begin worrying again. Give me strength when I am tired, peace when I am anxious, and faith when I cannot see what You are doing. I especially pray for those I love who do not know Jesus Christ. Continue working in their lives and give me opportunities to point them toward the Savior. Thank You for sustaining me and reminding me that I never have to carry life’s burdens alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries

Scripture (KJV) – Acts 26:28 “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Reflection There may be no more dangerous place spiritually than being almost persuaded. King Agrippa had just listened as Paul testified about Jesus Christ. Paul spoke about his own conversion, the resurrection of Christ, and the message God had called him to preach. Agrippa heard enough truth to understand what Paul was saying. Then came those heartbreaking words: “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Almost. A person can almost believe the Gospel. Almost repent. Almost surrender to Christ. Almost decide that today will be the day they are saved. But almost saved is still lost. Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Him as Savior. Growing up in church does not save us. Having Christian parents does not save us. Owning a Bible, believing that God exists, or trying to live a good life cannot remove our sin. Every person must personally respond to Jesus Christ. One of Satan’s most effective lies may simply be, “You can do it later.” He does not have to convince someone that Jesus never existed. He does not even have to convince them that the Gospel is false. If he can persuade someone to continually postpone salvation, another day passes without Christ. But none of us is promised another day. There comes a moment when “almost” becomes too late. This should also challenge those of us who already know Christ. There may be people around us who are closer to receiving Christ than we realize. A family member, friend, coworker, or neighbor may have questions they have never spoken aloud. Do not assume somebody else will tell them. Pray for them. Love them. Share the Gospel clearly. Tell them what Jesus Christ has done for you. We cannot make anyone believe, but we can make certain they hear the truth. If you have never trusted Jesus Christ, do not settle for being almost persuaded. Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again. Salvation is available today. Almost is one of the saddest words that could ever be connected with eternity. Do not be almost persuaded. Come to Christ while there is still time. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to die for our sins and for making salvation available through Him. I pray for every person who has heard the Gospel but continues to put off receiving Christ. Bring conviction through the Holy Spirit and help them understand the seriousness of eternity. Give me a greater burden for the lost and courage to speak about Jesus when You give me the opportunity. Keep me from assuming there will always be another day or another chance. Help me faithfully point others toward Christ while the invitation of salvation is still being offered. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries

Scripture (KJV) – James 3:5-6 “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” Reflection A small spark can burn thousands of acres. James uses that picture to describe something every one of us carries with us every day: our tongue. Words may seem small when they leave our mouths, but their consequences can be enormous. One angry sentence can damage a relationship that took years to build. One piece of gossip can destroy someone’s reputation. One cruel remark can remain in a person’s memory long after the one who spoke it has forgotten it. James says, “how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” That should make us stop and think about the way we speak. Sometimes we excuse hurtful words by saying, “I was angry,” or “I was only telling the truth.” But truth does not give us permission to be cruel. Christians should speak truth, but we should speak it in a way that honors Jesus Christ. This applies to more than what comes out of our mouths. Today, our “tongue” can also be our keyboard or phone. A social media post, text message, comment, or email can start a fire just as quickly as spoken words. Once those words are released, taking them back can be impossible. There is also a personal conviction here. We sometimes want God to change everybody around us while ignoring the damage caused by our own speech. Do I gossip? Do I enjoy repeating someone’s failures? When I am angry, do I deliberately say things that I know will hurt? Do my words encourage my family, or do they constantly criticize them? James uses extremely serious language when he says the tongue “is set on fire of hell.” Our speech should never become an instrument that Satan can use to create hatred, division, bitterness, and destruction. But our words can also accomplish something wonderful. The same mouth that can tear someone down can encourage someone who is ready to give up. The same tongue that can spread gossip can share the Gospel. Our words can tell someone that Jesus loves them, that Christ died for their sins, and that salvation is available through Him. Before speaking today, ask God to help you answer one question: Will these words start a fire—or will they point someone toward Christ? Prayer Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have used my words carelessly and hurt others. Guard my tongue and help me think before I speak. Remove gossip, anger, bitterness, criticism, and cruelty from my speech. When I need to speak difficult truth, help me do it with love and grace. Give me words that encourage the discouraged, comfort the hurting, strengthen my family, and build up other believers. Most of all, use my voice to tell others about Jesus Christ and the salvation found in Him. May everything I say bring honor and glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries

Scripture (KJV) – 1 Timothy 6:9-10 “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Reflection Money itself is not evil. Scripture does not say that having money is sinful. The warning concerns something much deeper; the love of money and the determination to make wealth the controlling pursuit of our lives. Money can quietly become a master. We begin believing that just a little more will finally make us satisfied. A larger house, a better vehicle, a bigger bank account, or more possessions seem to promise security and happiness. Yet there is always something else to buy and another level of success to reach. Paul warns that the desire to be rich can become “a snare.” A snare does not look dangerous to the animal approaching it. That is what makes it effective. In the same way, the pursuit of money can gradually capture our attention until possessions begin controlling decisions that should belong to God. This Scripture calls for personal examination. Would we compromise our integrity to make more money? Would we neglect our family to earn more? Do we give generously, or does giving bother us because we hate letting go of what we possess? Do we measure God’s blessings only by how much money we have? There is nothing wrong with working hard, providing for our families, saving wisely, or enjoying what God has provided. But money makes a terrible god because it can never satisfy the soul. Jesus Christ said that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. One day every dollar we have accumulated will belong to someone else. We brought nothing into this world, and we will carry nothing out. What will matter then? Our relationship with Jesus Christ. The souls we helped reach. The people we loved. The lives we encouraged. The opportunities we used for God’s glory. This passage also reminds us that some have “erred from the faith” because of their pursuit of wealth. No amount of money is worth sacrificing our walk with God. So work hard. Provide for your family. Be wise with what God gives you. But never allow the gift to become more important than the Giver. Money can buy many things, but it cannot purchase forgiveness, salvation, peace with God, or one additional moment of eternity. Only Jesus Christ can give what the soul truly needs. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for everything You have provided for me. Forgive me for the times I have placed too much importance upon money, possessions, or material success. Keep me from greed and help me never compromise my faith or integrity for financial gain. Teach me to be content, generous, and thankful for what You have placed in my hands. Give me wisdom to provide for my responsibilities while remembering that everything I possess ultimately belongs to You. Keep Jesus Christ first in my life and help me invest in things that will matter for eternity. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries

Scripture (KJV) – Psalm 34:18 “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Reflection There are seasons of life when words cannot adequately describe what we are feeling. The loss of someone we love, a broken relationship, disappointment, loneliness, financial struggles, or circumstances we never expected can leave us wondering how we are going to keep moving forward. Psalm 34 gives us a beautiful promise for those moments: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.” God does not promise that Christians will never experience heartbreak. Following Jesus does not make us immune from sorrow. Sometimes the deepest hurts of our lives come even while we are faithfully serving God. But we never suffer alone. When everyone else has gone home and the house becomes quiet, God is there. When you cannot explain to anyone what you are feeling, God understands. When you pray and cannot seem to find the words, God still hears. There is also something important in the second part of this verse: “and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” A contrite spirit is one that has been humbled and brought to the place where it recognizes its need for God. Sometimes our brokenness brings us to a place our strength never could. When everything is going well, we can begin depending upon ourselves. But when life brings us to the end of our own strength, we discover how desperately we need the Lord. Maybe you are carrying something today that nobody else knows about. You smile around other people, but privately you are hurting. You have prayed about it, cried over it, and wondered when things will get better. Do not mistake God’s silence for His absence. He may not remove the difficulty immediately, but He has promised to be near. And if your brokenness comes from sin and regret, there is hope for you too. A contrite spirit does not run away from God. It comes honestly before Him in repentance. Through Jesus Christ there is forgiveness, restoration, and a new beginning. You do not have to pretend that you are strong when you are hurting. Bring the broken pieces to God. The Lord is not standing far away from your pain. Scripture says He is near. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for being near when my heart is broken and my strength is gone. You know every burden I carry, every disappointment I have faced, and every tear I have shed. Help me trust You even when I do not understand what You are doing. When my brokenness comes from my own sin, give me a truly repentant and contrite spirit. When it comes from circumstances beyond my control, give me strength to keep walking by faith. Comfort those who are grieving, lonely, discouraged, or hurting today. Remind us that we are never abandoned because You are near to those who call upon You. Help me rest in the love and presence of Jesus Christ. In His name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries

Scripture (KJV) – John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” Reflection There are many decisions we make during our lifetime. Some are small and quickly forgotten. Others affect us for years. But there is one decision that reaches beyond this life and into eternity: What will we do with Jesus Christ? John 3:36 leaves very little room for misunderstanding. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” Notice that Scripture says “hath.” Eternal life is not merely something the believer hopes to receive someday. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we possess eternal life because our salvation rests in Him. But the verse also contains a warning that we cannot ignore. “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” We live in a world that likes to speak about heaven but rarely wants to talk about judgment. Many people believe that somehow everyone will eventually be all right. But Jesus never taught that every road leads to God. There are not many different Saviors. There is one Savior: Jesus Christ. That is why sharing the Gospel matters so much. The people around us are not simply living different lifestyles or holding different opinions. Every person we meet is an eternal soul who will spend eternity somewhere. Hell is real. Judgment is real. The wrath of God against sin is real. But thank God, salvation is real too. Jesus Christ went to the cross and took upon Himself the judgment our sins deserved. He died, was buried, and rose again. Salvation cannot be earned through good works, church attendance, giving money, baptism, or trying to become a better person. We are saved by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. Perhaps someone reading this has been putting that decision off. You may believe in God. You may know Bible stories. You may have attended church for years. But the question is personal: Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior? Do not gamble with eternity. And for those of us who already know Christ, this verse should give us a renewed burden for the lost. There are people in our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities who need to hear about Jesus. We cannot force anyone to believe, but we can make sure they hear the truth. There is eternal life in Jesus Christ, and there is no safer place in all eternity than being found in Him. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, so that I could have everlasting life. Thank You that salvation does not depend upon my goodness but upon what Christ accomplished for me at the cross. Give me a greater understanding of the seriousness of eternity and a deeper burden for those who do not know Jesus as Savior. Give me courage to share the Gospel clearly and lovingly while there is still time. If someone reading these words has never trusted Christ, I pray that today they would recognize their need for salvation and turn to Jesus in faith. Help me live every day remembering that eternity is real and every soul matters to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries Top of Form Bottom of Form

Scripture (KJV) – Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Reflection There are times in the Christian life when doing the right thing becomes tiring. You can pray for someone for years and see very little change. You can faithfully serve and wonder whether anybody notices. You can try to help people who never seem thankful. You can keep doing what God has called you to do while watching others walk away. Eventually, you may begin asking yourself, “Does any of this really matter?” God’s answer is yes. Paul tells us, “let us not be weary in well doing.” He knew there would be times when believers became tired, discouraged, and tempted to quit. The Christian life is not always filled with immediate results. Sometimes we plant seeds today that we may not see produce fruit for years. Notice the promise: “for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” The harvest comes in God’s season, not necessarily ours. A parent may faithfully teach a child about Christ and wonder whether those words are making any difference. A Sunday School teacher may prepare week after week without realizing how deeply one lesson has affected someone. A Christian may share the Gospel repeatedly and never personally see someone come to Christ. But God sees every seed that is planted. Sometimes we become discouraged because we measure faithfulness by visible results. God has called us first to be faithful. The results belong to Him. There may even be someone reading this today who has been praying for a lost loved one for many years. You have asked God again and again to save them, and you are beginning to wonder whether you should keep praying. Keep praying. As long as that person has breath, keep bringing their name before God. Keep loving them. Keep living Christ before them. Keep looking for opportunities to share the Gospel. You do not know what God may be doing where you cannot see. And this applies to every area of Christian service. Keep teaching. Keep giving. Keep encouraging. Keep forgiving. Keep witnessing. Keep serving. There will be days when you are tired. Rest when you need to rest, but do not abandon what God has called you to do simply because the harvest has not appeared yet. You may not see the harvest today, but that does not mean God is not working beneath the soil. Keep planting. Keep praying. Keep serving. Do not give up. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that faithfulness is never wasted. There are times when I become tired and discouraged because I cannot see the results I hoped to see. Give me strength to continue doing what is right even when the harvest seems far away. Help me keep praying for those who are lost, keep sharing the Gospel, keep encouraging those who are hurting, and keep serving wherever You have placed me. When I become weary, remind me that You see every act of faithfulness that others may never notice. Help me trust Your timing and never give up on the work You have called me to do. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries

Scripture (KJV) – Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Reflection There is a difference between telling people we are Christians and living in such a way that they can see Christ in us. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men.” He did not tell us to hide our faith or reserve Christianity for Sunday morning. Our relationship with Christ should affect the way we live everywhere we go. People are watching more than we sometimes realize. Our family sees how we behave at home. Our coworkers see how we respond when things go wrong. The cashier at the store notices whether we are patient or rude. Our neighbors see how we treat people. Even those who may never enter a church can encounter something of Christ through the life of a believer. But notice what Jesus said should happen when our light shines: “they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The purpose is not to draw attention to ourselves. We are not supposed to say, “Look how good I am.” Our lives should cause people to say, “There is something different about that person.” That difference should point them toward Jesus Christ. Sometimes witnessing begins before we ever quote a verse. It begins when someone sees patience where they expected anger, forgiveness where they expected revenge, generosity where they expected selfishness, and hope where they expected despair. Then, when the opportunity comes to tell them why we are different, we can point them to Christ. This world desperately needs the Gospel. There are people all around us who are lost and headed into eternity without Jesus Christ. Some of them may never walk into our church, but they may cross our path tomorrow. What will they see? We cannot save anyone. Only Jesus Christ can save. But we can live in such a way that our lives point people toward the Savior. A light does not have to make noise to be noticed. It simply has to shine. Wherever God places you today, let somebody see Jesus through the way you live. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me through Jesus Christ and allowing me to represent Him in this world. Help my life shine in a way that brings glory to You. Let people see Christ in my words, my attitude, my kindness, my patience, and the way I treat others. Forgive me for the times my actions have not matched the faith I profess. Give me opportunities to share the Gospel with those who are lost, and give me courage when those opportunities come. May my life never draw attention to myself, but always point others toward Jesus Christ and the salvation found in Him. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries