#juliandavis

Through Every Generation (#wtsdevo faithfulness)

“If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.” -2 Timothy 2:13

I am deeply grateful that my God's faithfulness doesn't hinge on my faith. He would still be just if He measured our relationship based on what I offered Him. After all, we operate that way down here among the mortals.

One of our greatest flaws as human beings—what most separates us from a holy God is our failure to be perfect. We lie, we cheat, we cut corners and we disappoint. And because we're humans rubbing elbows with other humans on a daily basis, it can be easy to attach our standards to Him as well. Even accidentally.

He is holy and perfect. Anything short of that is a direct contradiction to His nature. He cannot fail. He can't be unloving. Even in His judgement He loves us. Also, while He deserves our best effort and perfect faith, we fall majorly short. Our God is still faithful.

All of our human characteristics are mere shadows compared to His. He is the essence and definition of faithfulness. He can never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). The faithfulness of the Lord endures forever (Psalm 117:2).

____________________________________________

Devotional Series: Faithfulness (#wtsdevo faithfulness)

Motivated for Good (#wtsdevo goodness)

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” - Titus 2:7-‬8‬

I used to have a lead foot. I treated the speed limit as merely a suggestion. Life behind the wheel was full of impatience and anxiety—all brought on by myself. I'd look for patrol cars or to see if traffic ahead of me was slowing down. If not, I put the pedal to the metal.

So I’ve had my share of speeding tickets. And to think it all could have been avoided if I just obeyed the law. I drove not to get caught. My motivation wasn't to abide by the God-to-man-appointed law. I had a bigger issue than just speeding. It was an integrity problem.

Although now I feel delivered from my racecar driver complex, that integrity struggle has leaked it's way into other facets of my life. Not long after engaging in the fight for integrity comes good ol’ legalism. And if I'm not careful my motivation can become not getting caught rather than pleasing the Father—bringing Him glory in my conduct at all times.

Am I moved to obey Him simply because of who He is? My only hope is that He grants me Psalm 19 verse 14:

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

____________________________________________

Devotional Series: Goodness (#wtsdevo goodness)

Kindness over Condemnation (#wtsdevo kindness)

The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) -John 4:9

This is such a sweet parable. Not only was it taboo for a man to confront a woman back then, it was well known that Jews and Samaritans did not associate with one another. A double whammy. So when Jesus approached "the woman at the well" He was overstepping some major boundaries.

Unfortunately, there are still some people groups and locations that are considered off limits. Certain races aren't welcomed and certain social classes are thought to be best remaining separate. But there is one universal action that could open the door that leads to change. It could loosen the brick that drops the entire wall.

Kindness. And at its finest it's given undeservingly. This kind of action can't be mustered up from our will. Granted, we can be really, really nice. We can be compassionate. But kindness—this kindness only comes through the very Spirit of God.

It's nothing different from the grace He gives us or His eagerness to give us good things. At the very least, He is kind to give us a roadmap with all the directions and detours to avoid destruction. See, kindness meets a need. It bridges the gap. So we offer it freely as it is offered to us.

____________________________________________

Devotional Series: Kindness (#wtsdevo kindness)

Patience Perfected (#wtsdevo patience)

“But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” -James 1:4

This is one of those verses I've heard a lot over the years but kind of glazed over. I've just more recently found something that I have been missing all this time.

In different versions of the Bible the word "patience" is interchangeable with words like endurance, perseverance and steadfastness. They all have one thing in common. They are unmovable. Unrelenting. Unshaken. They withstand the test of time.

Most of us have a limit when it comes to waiting. We run out of gas before we reach our destination. So, in our impatience we keep it from producing in us what God is after. Our completeness. We can wait until we've either grown too weary or think we can take matters into our own hands. But the moment we do that, we make ourselves God.

Because He is the only sovereign, all-knowing Being. I imagine a line graph that measures the trajectory of my faith from start to finish and the time after. The time after would be if my faith hadn't flatlined and continued until it actually reached its perfect work. I wonder how much longer it would be. I know God would be my all in all. That's the enduring type of patience I long for.

____________________________________________

Devotional Series: Patience (#wtsdevo patience)

Excellent at Waiting (#wtsdevo patience)

“And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.” -Hebrews 6:15

It's an enormous understatement to say that God is patient with me. He is patient with us all. Yet I find myself demanding His punctuality when I have a need or desire. That doesn't seem right.

Especially since the written Word is God inspired and even God quoted in some cases. Every word of His is as sure as sure can be. Every word is a promise. If He said it He will do it... It's just a matter of when.

His when and my when are on entirely separate playing fields. And that’s where the rubber meets the road, right? Because the patience of man can last about as far as we can see. Beyond that it becomes faith and without faith it's impossible to see God (Hebrews 11:6).

Abraham had a steadfast, enduring trust in the sovereign Sustainer. Through every untruthful summer. Through every barren winter. All because he clung tightly to a promise and never loosened his grip.

The Bible is full of them and they apply to any and every situation. Pick a promise and put Him to the test. Wait. With assurance, peace and expectation, wait. God is not sluggish like it may seem (2 Peter 3:9).

____________________________________________

Devotional Series: Patience (#wtsdevo patience)

Peace that Penetrates (#wtsdevo peace)

“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” -2 Corinthians 13:11

This verse just says it all. And it's incredibly timely. With the racial climate growing more and more sensitive by the day, and the enemies of our country becoming more and more hostile, we're living in unpredictable times—scary times for many.

Each of us have our own reality. There's both the broad scale of war and the personal battles we all face in our lives. We live in a world of hurt. We feel hurt ourselves and we hurt others in return.

The problem isn't so much the people as it is the one controlling them. The problem is sin. It's everyone’s problem. And the way the Father offers us restoration, comfort and peace, we have a great opportunity to do the same.

Can you think of a greater moment to seek restoration? We don't have to look very far to see those who need comforting. And if we could only agree. If we could penetrate our differences we'd be sure to reach peace. Real peace. God, grant us Your peace in this broken world.

____________________________________________

Devotional Series: Peace (#wtsdevo peace)

Expect God to be God (#wtsdevo theunexpected)

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord . For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” - Isaiah 55:8-‬9

If you get disappointed enough your expectations will undoubtedly change. But there's a grave difference between expecting the worst and changing perspective. It all depends on what our eyes are fixed upon.

There's a freedom that comes when we can understand God’s sovereignty. Because all of my expectations can be placed in the hands of the only perfect, all-knowing Being that exists.

Flawed people will fail us. Bad things will happen to us. We should expect that and not be surprised at that (1 Peter 4:12). Rather than react to unmet expectations, let's fight to put every ounce of our expectations in Almighty God. He cannot fail and He never wastes a single moment to be anything other than for our good.

____________________________________________

Devotional Series: The Unexpected (#wtsdevo theunexpected)

Unmatchable Joy (#wtsdevo joy)

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” - 1 Peter 1:8

I love my wife. She makes me happier than any other thing on this earth. My kids make me happy. Spending time with good friends makes me happy. I'm also happy when I'm able to do things that I enjoy and give me a sense of fulfillment.

All of these things are great. And yet as great as they are, they are only temporary. They can only satisfy me so much and bring so much substance to my life. They have minimal power over circumstances and can never be said to save my soul.

That position is reserved for someone else. The One who is able to judge the living and the dead and holds eternity in His hands. The one who loved me so much that He gave His Son to die for me (John 3:16). He took the fear of death away. Not only is my future secure in Him but my present is also sustained in Him.

Everything else in life is futile in comparison. At any given moment I can meditate on my future and have unspeakable joy. I can remember the selfless work done for me on the cross and have joy that can’t be explained. The joy of the Lord doesn’t depend on anything external but it is unconditional and unmatchable.

____________________________________________

Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)