Daily Devotional

Scripture (KJV) – James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” Reflection We often think of sin only as something wrong that we do. But James reminds us that sin can also involve something right that we refuse to do. There are times when we know exactly what God expects from us. We know we should forgive someone. We know we should apologize. We know we should help someone in need. We know we should share Christ with that person God has repeatedly placed upon our heart. We know there is something in our life that needs to change. The problem is not always knowing what is right. Sometimes the problem is simply refusing to do it. James says, “to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” That makes this a deeply personal verse because it forces us to stop looking at everybody else’s failures and ask ourselves, What has God shown me that I am still refusing to do? We can become comfortable with delayed obedience. We tell ourselves, “I’ll take care of that later.” But when God has clearly shown us something through His Word, continually putting it off does not make the responsibility disappear. Perhaps God has convicted you about your attitude toward someone. Maybe He has shown you that bitterness needs to go. Perhaps there is a relationship that needs to be made right. Maybe you know your prayer life has become weak, your Bible has remained closed too often, or your opportunities to witness have repeatedly passed by because you were afraid to speak. Personal conviction is not meant simply to make us feel guilty. God brings conviction because He wants to change us. There is also a lesson here about love. Sometimes loving someone means doing something inconvenient. It may mean giving our time, offering encouragement, showing mercy, forgiving an offense, or helping someone who can never repay us. Knowing what is right is important, but knowing is not enough. God has not called us merely to hear His Word. He has called us to obey it. So today, instead of asking only, “Lord, what am I doing wrong?” perhaps we should also ask: “Lord, what do You want me to do that I have been neglecting?” And when He answers, do not wait for tomorrow. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking to me through Your Word. Search my heart and show me not only the things I am doing that are wrong, but also the things I know I should be doing and have neglected. Forgive me for delayed obedience and for the times I have made excuses instead of responding to Your conviction. If there is someone I need to forgive, help me forgive. If there is someone I need to help, give me compassion. If there is someone who needs to hear about Jesus Christ, give me courage to speak. Help me not merely know Your Word but live it faithfully every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries

Scripture (KJV) – Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” Reflection Anger itself is not always sinful. There are things that should trouble us. Sin, injustice, cruelty, and wickedness should never become things Christians simply accept. But Scripture gives us a serious warning about what can happen when anger is allowed to remain in the heart. Paul says, “Be ye angry, and sin not.” Anger can quickly cross a line. What begins as hurt can become resentment. Resentment can become bitterness. Bitterness can produce harsh words, broken relationships, hatred, and sometimes actions that cannot be taken back. That is why God tells us, “let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” We should deal with anger rather than feed it. Replaying an offense over and over in our minds rarely brings peace. Usually, it makes the wound deeper. Then Paul gives an even stronger warning: “Neither give place to the devil.” Unresolved anger can become an open door for Satan to work within our lives. He can use bitterness to divide families, destroy friendships, damage churches, and weaken our testimony for Christ. What began with one offense can eventually affect almost every area of our lives. This calls for personal examination. Is there someone you are still angry with? Are you continually replaying what they said or did? Have you allowed an offense from yesterday to control your attitude today? You may have every reason to say that what happened was wrong. Forgiveness does not make the wrongdoing acceptable. But God does not want another person’s sin to become bitterness within your own heart. There are times when we must simply place the matter into God’s hands and say, “Lord, I cannot change what happened, but I refuse to let it control me any longer.” Jesus Christ knows what it means to be mistreated. He was mocked, falsely accused, beaten, rejected, and crucified. Yet even from the cross, He demonstrated mercy. Do not give the devil a place in your heart through unresolved anger. Deal with the hurt. Forgive where forgiveness is needed. Give the matter to God—and do not carry today’s anger into tomorrow. Prayer Heavenly Father, search my heart today and reveal any anger, resentment, or bitterness that I have allowed to remain. Forgive me for the times my anger has caused me to speak or act in ways that dishonored You. Help me deal with offenses quickly and biblically instead of allowing them to grow within my heart. Give me the strength to forgive those who have hurt me and the wisdom to make things right when I have hurt someone else. Guard my heart from bitterness and do not allow me to give the devil a place in my life. Help me respond to others with the grace, mercy, and love that Jesus Christ has shown me. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries

Scripture (KJV) – Romans 2:15-16 “Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” Reflection God has given mankind something powerful within—the conscience. There are moments when we know something is wrong even before another person confronts us. Something inside begins accusing us, warning us, and telling us that what we are doing is not right. The dangerous thing is that we can learn to ignore that warning. When conviction comes and we repeatedly excuse our behavior, the voice of conscience can become easier to disregard. We begin saying, “Everybody does it,” “It isn’t really hurting anyone,” or “God understands.” But excuses do not change God’s standard. Paul then takes us beyond the conscience to something even more serious: “God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.” There are secret things in every life that other people may never know. Hidden thoughts. Private conversations. Secret habits. Motives behind actions that appear good on the outside. We may successfully hide those things from family, friends, the church, and the world—but nothing is hidden from God. That should bring personal conviction. We sometimes spend more effort protecting our reputation than protecting our relationship with God. We worry about someone discovering what we have done when our greater concern should be that God already knows. But conviction is also evidence of God’s mercy. When God troubles our conscience through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, He is giving us an opportunity to deal with sin rather than continue hiding it. For the believer, the answer is confession and repentance. Bring the matter before God, turn from it, and walk again in obedience. For the person without Christ, there is an even greater issue. One day you will stand before God, and the secrets of your life will not remain secret. Good works cannot erase sin. Religion cannot erase it. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse a sinner. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. The One who will one day judge is the same One who today offers salvation. When your conscience speaks, do not silence it. Let it drive you toward repentance and toward Jesus Christ. Prayer Heavenly Father, You know everything about me. Nothing in my heart or life is hidden from You. Search me today and reveal anything I have been hiding, excusing, or refusing to surrender. Keep my conscience tender toward Your Word and help me respond quickly when the Holy Spirit brings conviction. Forgive me for the times I have been more concerned about what people think than about what You know. Give me strength to turn away from sin and walk faithfully with You. Thank You for the forgiveness available through Jesus Christ, and give me a burden to warn others lovingly that a day of judgment is coming. Help me live today with a clean heart before You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries

Scripture (KJV) – Philippians 2:10-11 “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Reflection Today, people can choose what they believe about Jesus Christ. Some worship Him as Lord and Savior. Others reject Him, mock His name, ignore His Word, or live as though He does not exist. But Scripture tells us that a day is coming when there will be no question about who Jesus Christ truly is. Every knee will bow. Kings will bow. Presidents will bow. The wealthy and the poor will bow. Those who believed will bow, and those who rejected Him will bow. Every person who has ever lived will ultimately acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. The question is not whether we will bow before Christ. The question is when. There is an enormous difference between willingly bowing before Jesus today as Savior and standing before Him one day as Judge. Today, the invitation of salvation is still being offered. A sinner can come to Christ, repent, believe the Gospel, and receive forgiveness and eternal life. But after death, the opportunity to choose Christ as Savior is gone. Those who rejected Him in this life will still acknowledge His Lordship, but that confession will not reverse the judgment they face. This truth should also bring personal conviction to believers. If Jesus truly is Lord, is He Lord over every area of our lives? It is possible to call Him Lord with our mouths while resisting Him with our actions. Is He Lord over our relationships? Our finances? Our thoughts? Our entertainment? Our time? Our plans? Calling Jesus Lord means more than speaking a title. It means surrendering ourselves to His authority. For Christians, bowing before Christ should not be something we fear. It should be something we desire. The One before whom we will bow is the same Savior who loved us enough to die upon the cross for our sins. One day every voice will confess what God’s Word already declares: Jesus Christ is Lord. Do not wait until eternity to acknowledge what you can joyfully confess today. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to be my Savior and Lord. Help me never to treat His name casually or take His sacrifice for granted. Search my heart and reveal any area of my life that I have not fully surrendered to Him. Give me the humility to bow before Christ willingly and the courage to obey His Word faithfully. Give me a greater burden for those who still reject Jesus, knowing that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. Help me share the Gospel while there is still time for people to receive Him as Savior. May my life bring glory to Jesus Christ today and every day. In His name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries

Scripture (KJV) – Matthew 6:19-21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Reflection There is nothing wrong with working hard, providing for our families, saving for the future, or enjoying the blessings God allows us to have. But Jesus warns us about allowing temporary things to become the treasures of our hearts. Everything we possess in this world is temporary. Homes eventually deteriorate. Cars wear out. Money changes hands. Possessions can be lost overnight. Even the things we spend years accumulating will eventually belong to someone else. Jesus directs our attention toward something greater: treasures in heaven. Every act of obedience to God matters. Every time we help someone in need, encourage a discouraged believer, share the Gospel, support the work of Christ, forgive someone who has wronged us, or quietly serve the Lord without seeking recognition, we are investing in something that reaches beyond this life. Then Jesus makes the issue personal: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” If we want to know what truly has our heart, we should examine where we spend our time, energy, money, and attention. We can say that Christ comes first, but our priorities often reveal what we truly value. This is where personal conviction becomes necessary. Has something temporary become more important to us than something eternal? Are we spending more time building our earthly life than strengthening our relationship with God? Are we so busy gaining things that we have forgotten about reaching souls? One day we will leave everything on this earth behind. We will take no money, property, possessions, titles, or accomplishments with us. But what has been done for Christ will have eternal value. Do not spend your entire life collecting things you cannot keep while neglecting the things you can never lose. Live today with eternity in mind. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for every blessing You have given me. Help me enjoy Your blessings without allowing them to possess my heart. Search me and reveal anything that has become more important to me than my relationship with You. Teach me to invest my time, abilities, resources, and opportunities in things that have eternal value. Give me a greater burden for lost souls and a stronger desire to serve Jesus Christ faithfully. Help me remember that everything in this world is temporary, but what is done for You has eternal significance. May my heart and my treasure always be centered upon You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries Top of Form

Scripture (KJV) – Mark 11:25-26 “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Reflection Unforgiveness is one of those sins that can quietly remain in the heart for years. Someone hurts us, betrays our trust, speaks against us, or treats us unfairly, and we begin carrying resentment toward that person. Before long, the hurt becomes bitterness, and bitterness begins affecting our spiritual life. Jesus gives us a serious warning about this. Notice that Jesus connects forgiveness with prayer. He says, “when ye stand praying, forgive.” We cannot separate our relationship with God from the condition of our heart toward others. We should not come before God asking for mercy while stubbornly refusing to show mercy ourselves. Forgiveness does not mean that what someone did was acceptable. It does not mean that we must place ourselves back into an unhealthy or dangerous situation. Forgiveness also does not mean that trust is immediately restored. Trust may have to be rebuilt over time. But forgiveness does mean that we surrender the offense to God. We give up our desire for revenge and refuse to allow another person’s wrongdoing to occupy our heart and control our emotions. Jesus’ words in verse 26 should cause every believer to examine himself: “But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Christ is showing us just how seriously God views an unforgiving spirit. A heart that has experienced God’s mercy should be willing to extend mercy to others. Think about how much God has forgiven in your own life. We have sinned against Him, yet through Jesus Christ we have been offered mercy and forgiveness that we could never earn. Maybe there is someone you need to release today. They may never apologize. They may never admit what they did. They may never understand how deeply they hurt you. But you can still forgive. Do not allow someone else’s sin against you to become bitterness within you. Give the hurt to God, forgive as Christ commanded, and allow Him to bring peace where resentment once lived. Forgiveness may not change the person who hurt you, but it can keep their offense from controlling your heart. Prayer Heavenly Father, search my heart today and reveal any bitterness, resentment, anger, or unforgiveness that I have allowed to remain. Forgive me for the times I have asked You for mercy while refusing to extend mercy to someone else. Give me the strength to forgive those who have hurt me, even when they never apologize or make things right. Help me surrender every offense into Your hands and trust You with the outcome. Give me wisdom to establish boundaries when necessary without allowing hatred to remain in my heart. Thank You for the forgiveness You have given me through Jesus Christ. Help me show that same mercy and grace to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com amazon.com/author/juniortateministries

Scripture (KJV) – Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Reflection In one short verse, Paul gives us both a terrible warning and a wonderful promise. He tells us what sin earns, and then he tells us what God freely gives. “The wages of sin is death.” A wage is something that has been earned. Scripture does not hide the consequences of sin. Sin separates mankind from a holy God, and apart from Jesus Christ, its final consequence is eternal judgment. The world often tries to make sin appear harmless. We rename it, excuse it, laugh about it, and sometimes even celebrate what God has condemned. But changing the name of sin does not change its consequences. This should cause every one of us to examine our hearts. Sin is not merely what someone else is doing. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Every person needs a Savior. But Romans 6:23 does not end with death. There is one of the greatest words in Scripture right in the middle of this verse: “but.” “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We earned the wages, but God offers the gift. Jesus Christ took our sins upon Himself at Calvary. He died, was buried, and rose again so that sinners could be forgiven and receive eternal life. Salvation cannot be purchased with money, earned through good works, or deserved through religious activity. It is God’s gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. Hell is real, judgment is certain, and sin carries an eternal consequence. But nobody has to face eternity without Christ. The Savior has already paid the price. If you know Christ, never forget what He rescued you from. Let that truth give you a greater burden for those who are still lost. And if you have never trusted Jesus Christ, do not wait until another day. Sin pays wages. God offers a gift. The question is: Which one will you receive? Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me both the seriousness of sin and the greatness of Your grace. I know that sin brings death, but I thank You that eternal life is available through Jesus Christ. Search my heart and reveal anything I have excused or allowed to remain in my life. Help me turn from sin and walk in obedience to Your Word. Thank You that Jesus paid the price I could never pay. Give me a greater burden for those who are lost and the courage to tell them that salvation and eternal life are available through Christ. May my life always point others toward Him. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com Amazon Author Page – Junior Tate Ministries

Scripture (KJV) – Ecclesiastes 12:14 “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Reflection There are things people can hide from one another. A person may hide a sinful habit from their family, conceal dishonest behavior from friends, or maintain an outward appearance of righteousness while living differently in private. But Scripture reminds us of a truth we must never forget nothing is hidden from God. Solomon tells us that God will bring “every work into judgment, with every secret thing.” God sees beyond appearances. He knows what happens behind closed doors, hears conversations no one else hears, and knows the thoughts and motives buried deep within our hearts. That truth should bring personal conviction. Christianity is not simply about appearing righteous before other people. God desires honesty and holiness when nobody else is watching. Our private life matters just as much as our public testimony. Sometimes we convince ourselves that because God has not immediately judged a particular sin, He must not be concerned about it. But God’s patience should never be confused with God’s approval. There is coming a day of accountability, and His judgment will be perfectly righteous. Yet there is also mercy available today. When the Holy Spirit exposes hidden sin, God is giving us an opportunity to bring it into the light. We can confess it, turn from it, and receive cleansing and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. For those who have never received Christ, this verse carries an even greater warning. No hidden sin will remain hidden at God’s judgment. Our only hope is not to prove ourselves innocent, because all have sinned. Our hope is Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again so that sinners could be forgiven and receive eternal life. Ask yourself today: Is there anything in my life I am trying to hide from people while forgetting that God already sees it? Do not wait for judgment to expose what repentance can deal with today. Prayer Heavenly Father, You see every part of my life, including the things no one else knows. Search my heart and reveal anything I have tried to hide, excuse, or ignore. Give me the humility to confess my sins and the strength to turn away from them. Thank You for the forgiveness and cleansing available through Jesus Christ. Help me live with integrity both publicly and privately, remembering that one day every work will be brought into judgment. Give me a burden for those who do not know Christ and help me faithfully share the Gospel while there is still time. May my life bring honor and glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com

Scripture (KJV) – Ecclesiastes 12:14 “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Reflection There are things people can hide from one another. A person may hide a sinful habit from their family, conceal dishonest behavior from friends, or maintain an outward appearance of righteousness while living differently in private. But Scripture reminds us of a truth we must never forget: nothing is hidden from God. Solomon tells us that God will bring “every work into judgment, with every secret thing.” God sees beyond appearances. He knows what happens behind closed doors, hears conversations no one else hears, and knows the thoughts and motives buried deep within our hearts. That truth should bring personal conviction. Christianity is not simply about appearing righteous before other people. God desires honesty and holiness when nobody else is watching. Our private life matters just as much as our public testimony. Sometimes we convince ourselves that because God has not immediately judged a particular sin, He must not be concerned about it. But God’s patience should never be confused with God’s approval. There is coming a day of accountability, and His judgment will be perfectly righteous. Yet there is also mercy available today. When the Holy Spirit exposes hidden sin, God is giving us an opportunity to bring it into the light. We can confess it, turn from it, and receive cleansing and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. For those who have never received Christ, this verse carries an even greater warning. No hidden sin will remain hidden at God’s judgment. Our only hope is not to prove ourselves innocent, because all have sinned. Our hope is Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again so that sinners could be forgiven and receive eternal life. Ask yourself today: Is there anything in my life I am trying to hide from people while forgetting that God already sees it? Do not wait for judgment to expose what repentance can deal with today. Prayer Heavenly Father, You see every part of my life, including the things no one else knows. Search my heart and reveal anything I have tried to hide, excuse, or ignore. Give me the humility to confess my sins and the strength to turn away from them. Thank You for the forgiveness and cleansing available through Jesus Christ. Help me live with integrity both publicly and privately, remembering that one day every work will be brought into judgment. Give me a burden for those who do not know Christ, and help me faithfully share the Gospel while there is still time. May my life bring honor and glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com Top of Form Bottom of Form

Scripture (KJV) – Jeremiah 17:9-10 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Reflection We often hear people say, “Just follow your heart.” But God’s Word gives us a serious warning about trusting the heart without allowing Scripture to guide it. Jeremiah tells us that the human heart is deceitful. Our feelings can convince us that something is right even when God has clearly said it is wrong. Sin rarely introduces itself by saying, “This will destroy you.” Instead, it makes excuses. Pride tells us we deserve recognition. Bitterness tells us we have a right to remain angry. Lust tells us that one look will not matter. Unforgiveness tells us the person who hurt us does not deserve mercy. The heart can become very skilled at defending what God has already condemned. But while we may deceive ourselves, we can never deceive God. He says, “I the LORD search the heart.” God sees beneath our outward appearance and knows the motives behind our actions. He knows what we think about when no one else is around, what we secretly desire, and what we may be trying to hide. That truth should bring personal conviction. Instead of asking whether something feels right, we should ask whether it agrees with God’s Word. Our feelings must never become a greater authority than Scripture. Yet this passage should also remind us of God’s mercy. The Lord searches our hearts not because He delights in condemning us, but because He desires truth within us. When the Holy Spirit reveals something wrong, God is giving us an opportunity to confess it, forsake it, and walk more closely with Him. Do not simply follow your heart. Give your heart to God and allow His Word to direct it. Ask Him today to expose anything you have been excusing. A heart surrendered to God does not fear His examination—it welcomes it. Prayer Heavenly Father, You know my heart better than I know it myself. Search me today and reveal anything within me that does not please You. Forgive me for the times I have trusted my feelings instead of obeying Your Word. Expose every hidden sin, wrong motive, bitterness, pride, lust, jealousy, or unforgiveness that I have allowed to remain. Give me a tender heart that responds quickly to conviction and a sincere desire to walk in truth and holiness. Help me measure every decision by Your Word and live in a way that honors Jesus Christ. In His name, Amen. juniortateministries.com greatcommissiontoday.com