Some may know that I tried to post a daily devotion on the old forum every day I could for over a year. We don’t have an “Off Topic” section here (at least, not yet). Shoot me a DM with your email and I’ll start a distribution list if you are interested.
Peace,
Dave
Dave you’ve got my email, add me 'til you get something set up. If you need a 2nd stringer to fill in, I’m your Huckleberry.
I’m fresh out of likes right now. 
I need all the help I can get fellas, feel free to add me please!
I guess it will be ok to post them here. Keep an eye out. I’ll try to get back on track tomorrow morning.
Thanks for doing this David. I use a daily devotional app called “Glorify.” It’s free, easy, convenient and can be set with daily notifications and reminders. It’s in the Apple App Store.
June 10
Returning to God (read Malachi 3:6-7)
I the Lord do not change. So you…are not destroyed…Return to me, and I will return to you.
From early times the Israelites had a tendency to turn away from God. But God always let them turn back. In one of Jesus’ parables, a man’s son shames his father and runs away. Eventually the son comes to his senses and returns, hoping for a small scrap of mercy. But the father is gracious and showers the son with love (see Luke 15:11-32). That is how Jesus describes our Father’s relationship with his children.
We have limits to our patience and mercy. Occasionally I must appeal to my kids, “I don’t have any patience left.” If they keep going, I’m afraid my reaction won’t be fair. But the patience and mercy of God, who rules the universe, never run out. If we commit the same sin a billion times and are truly sorry for it, he will keep forgiving.
This is not to say there are no consequences. God wants us to look to him. We should not expect to be forgiven without wanting a relationship with God. His forgiveness is about building a relationship with us that will keep us close to him and far from hurting ourselves and others. The heart of God does not change on that point, and if we truly want a relationship with him, the Lord will always take us back.
On this day when the church commemorates Jesus’ ascension to heaven, what is your relationship with the ascended King? Do you love and serve him as your Lord and Savior?
Dear Jesus, teach us to love. May we reject anything that comes between us and you. Forgive us and take us back when we stray. Amen.
June 11
Keep Up the Good Work! (read Galatians 6:1-10)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up
(Galatians 6:9)
It can be hard not to grow weary of doing good. Physically tired, emotionally and spiritually drained, we might be ready to give up. The brokenness in our world knows no end. There is always another hungry person to be fed. No sooner is a hospital bed open, and another person fills it. Someone who is healthy today will be sick tomorrow. In a sinful and broken world, there will always be hungry, sick, lonely, imprisoned, or impoverished people. Wars and rumors of wars will always produce refugees. The world’s problems will last until Jesus returns. In the meantime, though, we are encouraged, “Do not grow weary of doing good!” And only in God’s strength can we continue. We may certainly resign from a committee, leave a specific ministry of mercy, and stop volunteering at a soup kitchen. But we must not grow weary of doing good! If we change ministries, we can still continue to minister in other ways. In the end, as we become people who must be fed, clothed, and visited, our ministry may be reduced to a smile, an encouraging word, or a prayer. And that may be our most effective ministry of all. By God’s grace, may we all rejoice to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Dear Jesus, sometimes we grow weary and discouraged. Help us, in the power of your Spirit, to press on. Thank you for giving us eternal life and for welcoming us into your kingdom. Amen.
June 12
Philippians 4:13 Doesn’t Mean What You Think (read Philippians 4)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
This is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible.. But, this verse is NOT about success, winning, or achieving goals. It’s about something much deeper–something supernatural.
We need to look at the context in verses 10-12. Paul clarifies to the church in Philippi that his joy is not based on receiving money. He has learned contentment in all circumstances, whether he has much or little. In verse 12, he states, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”
The English word ‘abound’ shows up multiple times in the same passage, but it’s not always the same Greek word. When I started looking into the different Greek words and how they were used in context, I was blown away. Perisseuo is the word used for ‘abound’ in Philippians 4:12. In the context of this verse, it is to make what one has be sufficient for oneself, no matter how little it is, to have enough to share. There is an emphasis on self-discipline!
In Philippians 4:12, Paul isn’t referring to simply have an abundance but rather learning how to adjust his lifestyle in a way that even if he has so little, it is ENOUGH. In fact, it’s so much that he has an abundance to share.
Paul had learned how to do that!
This convicted me horribly. I thought of my own life and how blessed my family has been and yet out of that blessing, I desire more…a better car, a bigger house, more possessions.
The truth is, we often increase our desires as we receive more. There’s a word for this, too. It’s the Greek word pleonektes and it refers to a covetous person.
How I often live: ‘Out of abundance, Lord, I want more. I want better. I want nicer. I want bigger.’
Paul’s heart: "Out of my lack, Lord, teach me to need less so that the little that I do have will be more than enough, that I may have an abundance.’
Do you see the difference?
Paul wrote this letter from a prison cell. He had nothing. And yet–he said he abounded (Philippians 4:18). This isn’t normal. This isn’t natural. This is a supernatural way to live, but Paul had figured it out.
Let’s look at these verses one more time now that we understand that context.
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Paul wasn’t referring to achieving his dreams of reaching a goal. He was saying, “I can endure lack, I can deny myself, I can live differently–because Christ gives me the strength to do it”.
There is so much here, but this is what I want you to remember: Paul was able to do the hard things, the things that go against our natural desires because of Christ. He was able to endure these circumstances and even discipline himself to need less in order to give more because of Christ. He truly lived a supernatural life in Christ.
Remember, Jesus commanded His disciples, “If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”.
Paul is a powerful example of denying oneself, and he was able to live this way because Christ gave him the strength to do so.
Now, whenever I hear Philippians 4:13, I don’t think about achieving goals or even overcoming challenges–I tink about denying myself, letting go of my selfish desires, and living a supernatural life of contentment and surrender, all because Christ gives me the strength to do so.
So hard as a human. Only through the strength of Christ can someone ever hope to achieve this mindset.
June 14
Don’t Give Up (read Genesis 7:17-18; Proverbs 24:10; Habakuk 2:2-3)
Now the flood was on the earth 40 days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved on the surface of the waters.
Numerous passages in the Bible connect the number 40 to periods of trial, testing, or hardship. During this reading plan we’re going to zero in on a number that gets a lot less attention—the number that comes after 40. We’re going to see how the number 41 represents a beacon of hope for postponed dreams and promised lands. Amid the troubles of everyday life, it’s almost as if 41 is shouting, “I got next!”
After Noah built the ark, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. Day 41 came, and the rain stopped. After Moses committed murder, he hid in the desert for 40 years. Year 41 came, and God gave Moses a second chance—commissioning him to rescue Israel from slavery in Egypt. After the Exodus, the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Year 41 came, and a new generation entered the Promised Land. For 40 days, Goliath bullied Israel, just begging for someone to come fight him. Day 41 came, and David stepped up and slew the giant. For 40 days, Jonah delivered a message of doom and gloom to the city of Nineveh—that God was going to destroy them because of their wickedness. Day 41 came, and God changed his mind and instead extended mercy because the Ninevites had repented. After being baptized, Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days and was tempted by the devil. Day 41 came, the devil fled, angels showed up, and Jesus launched his monumental ministry. During the 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples on several occasions—proving to them that he was alive and breathing new life into them as he explained the Kingdom of God and commissioned them to build it. On day 41, after promising to send the Holy Spirit in his place, he ascended into heaven, leaving the disciples to carry out his plan for launching the church—a church that, by the way, is still prevailing against the gates of hell.
Whether you’re stuck in the storms of life; in serious need of a second chance; stranded in the wilderness of unexpected circumstances or unfulfilled expectations; facing what seems to be an unbeatable giant; or bearing up against unspeakable temptation, the pattern is clear. The number 41 represents the dawn of a new day—the hope and promise that if you don’t quit, the rain will stop, the giant will fall, and you will enter your “promised land.”
Identify your 41.
What are you believing God for?
June 15
A Father (read Mark 9:14-29)
A man in the crow answered, ‘Teacher, I bought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.’ (Mark 9:17)
My wife and I have two children, and I can’t imagine them being sick with more than the flu. When I hear about kids who have cancer or other terrible diseases, my eyes tear up as I think about the burden of suffering in childhood and the load of concern weighing on parents in those situations.
I can’t imagine what the father of the boy in Mark 9 was going through. Hearing about the healer named Jesus and what he and his disciples could do was probably that father’s last hope. So when Jesus’ disciples couldn’t cast out the impure spirit from his son, the man must have been devastated. And when Jesus asked him if he believed, the man’s heartfelt confession was as raw and true as they come: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
We often find ourselves in similar situations, even if they aren’t as dire as this father’s predicament. We want to believe. We know that we need to believe. And in the meantime we keep fighting against nagging feelings of unbelief.
Jesus has come to help in the way we need it most. Though he might not help us in the same way he helped the anguished father and his son in today’s story, Jesus showed, by laying down his life, that he truly loves us. And by his resurrection he made it possible for us to live with him forever!
Lord, I believe you are God above all and in control of all things. Help me overcome my unbelief in every area of life! Amen.
June 16
Grandchildren
May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel!
I am looking at a picture received yesterday of my youngest granddaughter — a picture taken on Saturday as we celebrated her 4th birthday (which is actually today!). I have many happy and grateful thoughts as I gaze at it, but beneath them all is a wonderment amounting to awe.
Here she is, this young child, every feature and organ intact and in place, the intricately balanced whole perfectly adapted to his intricately complicated environment. In the wildest flight of fancy can we conceive of a miracle more miraculous than this? And yet no less amazing and inexplicable, no less wonderful is every common thing in our common life; and we should be able to see it so if we were able to keep this child’s fresh, young eyes.
God reveals to children what is hidden from the wise and prudent and that only to the extent we are able to turn, and become like little children, is it given us to see the Kingdom of God.
God’s peace to all,
Dave
June 17
Storms of Life (read Matthew 8:23-27)
Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you
Daniel slept in a lion’s den. Peter slept in a prison. Jesus slept in the bow of a boat during a raging storm.
No matter your situation, you can rest when you have God.
There is no storm that God won’t carry you through. No bridge that God won’t help you cross. No battle that God won’t help you win.
God is saying to you today, I will be your anchor in the storm. I will get you through your valley. I will lead you out of the desert. I will be your provider. Have faith in Me and know that I will keep My promises.
Focus on Jesus, not the storm.
No storm is too big when you have faith in God.
Dear Father God, help me remember that You will carry me through every storm and give me the strength to make it. Even though my heart has been heavy, I trust that You will see me through this. Thank You for hearing my prayer. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
June 18
Returning to God (read Malachi 3:6-7)
I the Lord do not change. So you…are not destroyed…Return to me, and I will return to you.
From early times the Israelites had a tendency to turn away from God. But God always let them turn back. In one of Jesus’ parables, a man’s son shames his father and runs away. Eventually the son comes to his senses and returns, hoping for a small scrap of mercy. But the father is gracious and showers the son with love (see Luke 15:11-32). That is how Jesus describes our Father’s relationship with his children.
We have limits to our patience and mercy. Occasionally I must appeal to my kids, “I don’t have any patience left.” If they keep going, I’m afraid my reaction won’t be fair. But the patience and mercy of God, who rules the universe, never run out. If we commit the same sin a billion times and are truly sorry for it, he will keep forgiving.
This is not to say there are no consequences. God wants us to look to him. We should not expect to be forgiven without wanting a relationship with God. His forgiveness is about building a relationship with us that will keep us close to him and far from hurting ourselves and others. The heart of God does not change on that point, and if we truly want a relationship with him, the Lord will always take us back.
On this day when the church commemorates Jesus’ ascension to heaven, what is your relationship with the ascended King? Do you love and serve him as your Lord and Savior?
Dear Jesus, teach us to love. May we reject anything that comes between us and you. Forgive us and take us back when we stray. Amen.
June 19
Truth and Freedom
For Superman, life is a “never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way.” But for ordinary guys like us, truth is one battle we don’t have to fight. Truth has already been fought for … and won.
Like the truth that “there is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). The truth that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The truth that “at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). At the end of the day—in each of our lives—that’s the truth.
We live in a world where truth can mean a lot of things. But the truth of Jesus’ death on the cross to forgive your sins, the truth of his resurrection from the grave to give you eternal life, is the only truth that can set you free from “never-ending battle.”
“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
So if you haven’t already, wouldn’t today’s celebration of America’s freedom be an ideal day to celebrate your own freedom as well—freedom from sin and guilt, freedom from dread and worry, freedom from hoping against hope that God will let you into heaven—freedom to know that nothing in life can shake your confidence about the future?
That may not be the American way. But it’s God’s way. It’s the real man’s way. It’s the only way.
Pray this prayer: God, I’m a sinful man, and I know it. That’s the truth. But you have shown me that my sin can be wiped away by what you’ve already done for me. I choose to believe the truth—about myself and about you. Come be my Savior and Lord. I want to be free.
June 21
Satisfying our Thirst (read Psalm 42-43)
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God
On a hot day, nothing cools and revives us like water. Whether we drink it, splash our faces with it, or plunge into it—water refreshes. Our eyes can thirst for the sight of it and our ears long for the sound of it. A spectacular waterfall can take our breath away. There is nothing else in creation like water; it is essential to life.
Our psalmist shares our appreciation. Stranded far away from God’s temple, which symbolized God’s presence among his people, the psalmist ached to be nearer, yearned to be with God in the traditional place of worship. Yet the writer reminded himself that God could be found close at hand too.
Deprived of the fresh stream of water that is God, sometimes we try to refill our souls with our tears, but they can’t satisfy our thirst. Reminding ourselves of what God has done for us in the past can be a refreshing drink; remembering God’s promises can soak us in waves of hope. When others share stories with us of how God has quenched their thirst, they push us into the pool of God’s grace. These psalms assure us that there is plenty of living water to satisfy all our thirst.
Even more, Jesus stands ready at his well of living water, offering us the life-giving Spirit of God as a spring that wells up within us to eternal life (John 4:14).
Have you been refreshed by the water of life?
We are thirsty, Lord Jesus, for the living water that only you can provide. Fill us to overflowing with your abiding presence and steadfast love. Amen.
June 22
Three Things to Learn from Malachi: The Last Book Before Centuries of Silence
“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come”, says the Lord Almighty.
The term Malachi means “My Messenger,” which aligns perfectly with the purpose of the book as it communicates God’s message to His people. It is laid out as a conversation between man and God, argumentative, heartfelt, and convicting.
Let’s look at a few things we can learn from this minor prophet.
1. God is unchanging.
Malachi is home of the famous verse on God’s unchanging nature. “For I am the Lord, I do not change;” (Malachi 3:6) Throughout the book, we can encounter God, going through a roller coaster of emotions. From love, to anger, to justice, God remains true to His character.
2. The names of God evoke different responses.
Throughout Malachi we read about different names given to God. What is interesting is that almost each of these names invoke a certain type of response from us. Here are just a few:
Father
In Malachi 1:6, God calls Himself “Father” and He urges honor from His people. Just like how a child would respect their father.
Master
In the same verse, He is called a “Master,” demanding reverence and respect that a servant would show to his earthly master.
Lord of Hosts
Several times in Malachi, God is called the “Lord of Hosts,” which speaks of His authority and dominion over Heavenly beings. Our response to His dominion is to glorify Him and to make His name great. (Malachi 1:11; 2:2)
3. God answers our strange questions.
Malachi is written as a conversation between God and man. And in those conversations, one of the strange things that recur is when God makes a straightforward statement followed by man’s counter-argumentative question to which, most times, God responds.
Malachi’s opening lines express God’s love for Israel. Strangely, the question posed to God is, “In what way have you loved us?” (Malachi 1:2) These people were first-hand witnesses of God’s mighty hand at work, guiding, rescuing, protecting, and watching out for them. Yet, they questioned God’s love toward them.
Later in chapter 1 when God says that they have despised His name and offered defiled food, they respond saying,
“In what way have we despised Your name?
In what way have we defiled You?”(Malachi 1:6-7)
One would think that these people would have learned by now not to retort the Almighty God. Four more questions, similar to the above, span out in the rest of Malachi, which are vague rhetorical questions, reflecting the people’s oblivious nature. They didn’t honor or comprehend what God had done for them, nor had they looked at their own lives and reflected on God’s accusations.
Malachi is special to us now, as we wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ the second time. Just as He promised, He will come. Until then, let’s remember to heed His word and glorify His name.
June 23
Giving Our Best In All We Do (read Colossians 3:23)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
As I think about what it means to give our best, I am reminded of a dear friend, a pastor who poured his heart into every sermon—not for applause or recognition but to honor God. His dedication inspired me to approach my work and service in a similar way.
In the workplace I witnessed a colleague who consistently went above and beyond—not for promotions or praise but out of genuine passion and commitment. His example taught me the value of excellence and dedication.
Considering these real-life examples, I’ve come to understand that giving our best is about more than just meeting expectations—it’s about exceeding them with wholehearted effort and dedication.
Colossians 3:23 echoes this sentiment, urging us to work as for the Lord, not for human approval. It’s a mindset shift that transforms mundane tasks into meaningful acts of worship.
Jesus, the ultimate example of giving one’s best, served with compassion, healed people who were sick, and taught with authority. His life exemplified wholehearted dedication and service.
Heavenly Father, grant us a spirit of excellence. Teach us to give our best in all we do, inspired by the examples of people who have honored you through their dedication and passion. May our efforts bring glory to your name. In Jesus, Amen.
June 24
What You Seek, You Will Find
Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it
I had a professor once who started every semester with an experiment. He’s say:
“Without getting out of your seat, take 15 seconds to notice everything in this room that is yellow…”
We’d all fervently scan the room and then he’d have us close our eyes and would say, “Okay, now I want you to list everything in the room that is blue.”
The whole class would let out a frustrated groan. If you’re playing along at home, you might be doing the same. But he made a point I’ve never forgotten…
He’d say: “Some of you are so convinced that God only works in YELLOW that you’re missing all the ways He’s working in BLUE.”
He was right. I’ve often believed that God only works in certain ways in certain places and I’ve missed so many of the ways God is moving outside of my expectations.
The choice isn’t between being in God’s presence or being somewhere else. We’re always in God’s presence. It’s whether we’re aware of it or not.
I sometimes wonder if God isn’t a little bit like “Where’s Waldo”.
He’s on every page but sometimes we need to look a little more intently to see Him.
In Genesis 28, Jacob wakes up from a dream and says something that I’ve always resonated with. He says:
Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.
I don’t know about your but I don’t want to live my life like that. I don’t want to live unaware of the presence of God right under my nose. I don’t want to rush past or hurry through whatever season I’m in. If God is moving, and I know He is, I don’t what to miss it.
Have you ever bought something and then started seeing that same thing everywhere you went? That’s know as the Frequency Illusion, or more formally, the BaaderMeinhof Phenomenon.
What you look for you will find.
If you are looking for outrage, you’ll find it. But the same is true of beauty, goodness, gratitude, and love.
It’s easy to see the negative, the ugly. And there are plenty of reasons for that. But when we intentionally seek out things to be grateful for, when we actively look for God in the ordinary and mundane, I believe we’ll find Him there too.
So, maybe ask yourself, “What am I looking for today?”
I often merely glance at what’s beautiful and gaze at what’s broken. I think I need to reverse that.
Sometimes I go to God for answers and what I get is His presence.
And that’s good news too.
June 25
The Rock
Because Robert E. Lee esteemed loyalty to his native state of Virginia above some of the basic principles he believed, his misplaced loyalty cost multitudes their lives. Many Christians likewise justify their actions, which are in basic conflict with the Scriptures and the nature of the Lord they claim to serve by esteeming loyalty to their nation, denomination, or other institution, above the basic principles of the faith.
This is not to in any way imply that loyalty to our nation, denomination, or even our company, is wrong. Loyalty is a noble characteristic found in every truly noble soul. However, we must esteem loyalty to our God above all of these or they have become idols. We must always obey God rather than men when there is a conflict between the two, if He is truly our Lord.
Many have probably compromised the basic tenets of our faith in this way because they do not really know the basic principles of the faith, having failed to search the Scriptures for themselves. Every nation that goes to war will try to fan the flames of religious zeal on behalf of their cause. Few things are a greater motivation than religious zeal for the devotion and sacrifice required to win a war. Many are duped for the cause of evil in this way. What can we do about it?
If you are wondering where this is leading, I am actually trying to keep you from taking “the mark of the beast.” Many have simplistically thought that it will be easy to refuse the mark because they believe if anyone tries to put it on their forehead or hand, especially a mark that includes 666, they simply will not take it. However, a study of this quickly reveals the probability that this mark is far more subtle. It is not just having truth that will keep us from being deceived, but having a love for the truth, which we read in II Thessalonians 2:8-12:
And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay
with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;
that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan,
with all power and signs and false wonders,
and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish,
because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.
And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence
so that they might believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged
who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
Robert E. Lee was a remarkably Christlike man in his daily life and demeanor. He once got down from his horse to minister to a wounded Union soldier who had just cursed him. Several times his top generals failed to carry out his orders at the most crucial point in several major battles, in two cases probably costing him a decisive victory that could have won the war. Even so, he never publicly berated his subordinates, but took all of the blame upon himself. He once got up early to personally serve a meal to a junior officer that he had misjudged. He refused throughout the war to sleep in anything but a tent, sharing all the same hardships that his soldiers did. While Union soldiers burned fields, farms, and towns throughout the South, when Lee marched through Union territory he severely punished any who damaged the property of his enemies, and he made his generals pay the full price for any provisions they took from farmers.
Lee was so noble and steadfast in his basic character that few generals have ever inspired their men to suffer such hardship, and to fight so hard. With little to eat, marching sometimes hundreds of miles with no shoes, suffering the news of their homes being burned and farms destroyed by ravaging Union soldiers, rarely in history have any fought with more valor against greater odds, or for a worse cause. Hundreds of thousands of these great and noble souls died fighting for wrong because of their loyalty to Lee.
Loyalty is a wonderful and glorious motivator, but if we are loyal to any person or entity more than we are loyal to the Lord Jesus and His truth, we too will be in jeopardy of fighting for wrong regardless of how noble or valiant we are. In history there have been great spiritual men and women who have led great movements, motivating multitudes to sacrifice and valor for the sake of truth and righteousness. There have also been many with seemingly noble character and courage, who have likewise motivated many to sacrifice and valor for doctrines of demons. Being noble in character is important, but it does not negate the need for a devotion to the truth.
I personally have a great concern for Christians in these times. Too many are like sheep who are possibly being led well now, but it is obvious they could easily be led astray because they lack depth in their own convictions. They have not dug their own wells. They have not come to know the Lord’s voice, or His ways, for themselves. In John 10:4, we are told that the Lord’s sheep follow Him because they know His voice. They know His voice, not just the voice of a pastor, teacher, or writer. We each have the responsibility to know His voice for ourselves.
We must each dig our own well. We all must go deeper. We must build our lives on sound biblical truth, established in our own hearts. There was a time when Jesus asked His disciples: “…Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13) Of course, men were debating that He was the resurrection of many former prophets and righteous men. Then Jesus asked them who they thought He was. When Peter answered that He was the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Lord responded with:
"Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood
did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock
I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it"
(Matthew 16:17-18).
The Lord was not saying that He was going to build His church upon Peter, as some have asserted. Jesus alone is the foundation of the church, and the rock that we must fasten our foundation to is the revelation from the Father of who Jesus is. It is not enough for us to just believe in who our parents say Jesus is, or even who our pastors say He is. We must have our own revelation from the Father of who Jesus is. We will never be able to cast out demons “by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” The Jesus whom Paul preached was true for Paul, and all of Paul’s writings are true and accurate for doctrine, but we must still have more than that—we must have our own revelation of Him, and even our own conviction about Paul’s writings. We will not get to heaven because we are close to someone who is born again, or is growing in Him—we must be born again, and grow up into Him.