Have you been bold enough to ask, seek and knock?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
(Matthew 7:7 (NIV))

Does this sound too good to be true?

There is absolutely nothing in this physical world that can honestly make one of these claims, let alone all three. If you ask for something, how often do you receive what you ask for? If you are looking for something, or seeking something, how often do you truly find what you are looking for? How many times in your life have you gone up to a door and knocked and found nobody was home? The physical world is full of unfulfilled expectations and desires. In most instances we do not get what we ask for. We do not get what we seek, and we do not get doors opened for us and get met with welcoming and open arms.

I love how these words from Matthew point us back to our basic human needs. We want to be heard when we ask. We want to receive what is good for us. We want to find faith, hope and love. We long to be welcomed with open arms in much the same way that a loving grandparent will open the door and embrace us when we go to visit. We long for peace and assurance that we are loved and not just some random mistake. We long for grace. We long for Jesus!

He is waiting!

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
(Matthew 7:8 (NIV))

Nothing in this world is guaranteed. We are not promised tomorrow. Ask for grace and mercy through the cross and it will be given to you. Seek salvation through Jesus and you will find it. Knock on the door to the very throne room of God, and with the gift of grace and mercy freely given through Jesus, it will be opened to you. It is up to you. You must ask. You must seek, and you must knock. We are told what will happen when we do.

We will receive the greatest gift to have ever been given.

We will find salvation and eternal life through Jesus.

We will have direct access to God the Father as His children.

Have you been bold enough to ask, seek and knock?

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Are you still salty?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
(Matthew 5:13 (NIV))

No one wants to be discarded, to be thrown out. It is human nature to walk away from something if we think we are going to be let go, terminated or thrown out. Chalk it up to pride, but we do this because we want to convince ourselves that it was our idea to leave or change directions. We are not willing to admit that we have failed and that we are no longer good at something. We try to turn the tables so that it looks like we still have the upper hand.

Do you know anyone who has ever done this?

Are you that person?

No one is perfect in this fallen world. There will be times that we all face circumstances just like the ones described above, but there is one endeavor that we do not want to be discarded from, let go from or thrown out from. We do not want to lose our zeal for the mission that we have been given.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV))

We are to go and make disciples. We are to reflect the light of Jesus to a dark and sinful world. We are to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. We are to share God’s plan for having an abundant life both here on this earth as well as in eternity. We are to add the “salt” that adds flavor, that adds hope to a world that has lost all hope. If we, as members of the Body of Christ, lose that hope, then what good can we do? We can’t share what we no longer have. We will have become just like the darkened world that has lost all hope.

The phrase, “Once saved, always saved,” comes to mind in relation to people losing their saltiness. If we can lose our saltiness, our hope, our faith, and be thrown out and trampled underfoot, then what does that mean in relation to salvation? Suffice it to say that this is a topic for many more words and discussions than what can be easily conveyed here. It is something that everyone who professes a faith in Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior must stop and take a serious look at with respect to their life, their faith, their hope, and, of course, their saltiness.

Are you still salty?

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Are you prepared for this test of faith?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
(2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV))

What would make someone deliberately choose to live a life that would get them persecuted?

From a worldly point of view, the fact that people will deliberately choose to live a life that will result in their persecution is extremely hard to comprehend. It is human nature to take the path of least resistance. Self preservation is a very strong human instinct. Even so, there have been millions of people since Jesus walked the earth who have chosen to live a godly life in Christ.

What makes this choice go against basic human nature?

Why do we make this choice?

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
(John 16:33 (NIV))

We have a promise of something much better than anything this world has to offer. If it were offered by a mere man, it would have no merit. The choice would be a foolish one. But, Jesus was no mere man. He was fully human and fully God. He alone holds the power to save us from our persecution.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men–the testimony given in its proper time.
(1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NIV))

Because He is the only way, the enemy attacks those who call upon the name of Jesus. Think about it. If Satan were not afraid of us living a godly life, would he attack those who follow Jesus?

With all of the uncertainty in the world today, we need to hold fast to the only one who is unchanging. We should be honored when we come under attack for being someone who follows Jesus. The early church faced many hardships and much persecution. We are told that this will come once again as God’s plan unfolds to completion. If we hold fast to our faith in Jesus, we will face persecution. We will come under attack!

Are you prepared for this test of faith?

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Who do you say that Jesus is?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

     At these words the Jews were again divided. Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”
     But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
(John 10:19-21 (NIV))

It is interesting that all throughout history people have been so divided by Jesus. You either acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior or you vehemently deny Him and claim Him to be insane. It happened when He walked the earth. It happens to this day.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
     and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
     in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
     to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV))

One day soon, everyone will know exactly who He is. One day soon, those who claim His Lordship will rejoice. One day soon, those who claim Him to be insane will weep.

Why are the hearts of some people closed to the idea that Jesus is the Son of God? Do they reject God or do they reject the idea that God came to earth as one of us? If they reject God, then we must pray for them, for they are truly lost. If they reject the idea of God coming to earth, then they don’t understand the very nature of God. Too many people see God as the ultimate in corporal punishment and not the ultimate in grace and mercy. Only grace and mercy would be willing to live, suffer and die as one of us.

How do you see God? That will play a big part in how you see Jesus. Is Jesus a man possessed by a demon or does He have all authority over everything, including demons?

Who do you say that Jesus is?

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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What is your understanding?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
(Proverbs 9:10 (NIV))

Is there anything in this world that you fear?

For those who profess a faith in Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, that is an extremely loaded question, for we have accepted God’s love, grace and mercy through the gift of His Son, Jesus.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16 (NIV))

God’s gift is perfect! God’s love is perfect!

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
(1 John 4:18 (NIV))

As believers in Jesus, we have nothing to fear in this world. Even when everything all around you appears to be falling apart, you have nothing to fear. Even when the enemy is knocking on your door, you have nothing to fear. Even when your physical life may be threatened, you have nothing to fear. As believers in Jesus, we must fully embrace the truth of the words written by Paul.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
(Philippians 1:21 (NIV))

What we should fear are the consequences of not accepting the gift of perfect love as expressed at the cross. What we should fear is an eternity cast away from the presence of the Lord because we are too proud to admit that we are a sinner in need of a Savior. What we should fear is a righteous God who will judge us on one simple plan of salvation that is freely offered to all who will receive.

Are you ready to admit that you are a sinner in need of a savior?

Are you ready to believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Him from the dead?

Are you ready to call upon the name of the Lord Jesus?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, for it leads us to the realization that without Jesus, we are lost. With Jesus, we have eternal love, grace and mercy.

What is your understanding?

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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How can we reach those who have not been taught?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
(Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV))

Everyone knows this passage. Everyone, that is, except many people in the current generations. Ever since the Supreme Court told us to remove the Ten Commandments and prayer from school, many people no longer are given the basic instructions in what is right and wrong.

Our society is faced with thousands of people who have no concept that there is an absolute truth and an absolute right. They see everything as a relative situation. I feel sorry for this generation. They will face untold hardship when they are faced with what life will eventually throw at them. They will not know that it is wrong to lie, cheat and steal. They will not know that God is the absolute truth in this world and that God calls what they are doing sin. They are self-centered and do not realize that the creation that they are maneuvering through is based on a desired relationship by the Creator.

We, as believers, must do all that we can to make these people aware that there are such things as absolute truths and absolute right and wrong and that God will not allow anyone who does wrong to associate with Him. We have become a society of “if it feels good, do it,” but we have lost sight of the fact that Satan spreads lies through our senses. We have failed in training the children of the younger generations. We have allowed a very vocal minority to remove all reference to God and His Laws from our lives.

We must pray for this generation. We must pray for ourselves because we have let it happen. We must pray that God will show us how to restore what has been stolen from us.

How can we reach those who have not been taught?

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Do you have the faith to believe?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

“I and the Father are one.”
(John 10:30 (NIV))

I find human nature so troubling!

Jesus was walking in the temple courts when He was asked by the Jews if He was the Messiah. They wanted a simple yes or no answer and when Jesus finished telling them that those whom the Father has given to Him know Him, He answered their question with these words.

He told them exactly what they asked to hear, but it was not what they expected to hear. They were looking for the Messiah to save Israel and His answer basically told them that their understanding of the Scriptures concerning Him were wrong. His answer told them that the Messiah that they were looking for was not coming, and that the true Messiah was there with them. He told them what we profess today to believe, and that is that He was God among us. And, . . .

For His answer, they picked up stones to stone Him!

We get so wrapped up in our own version of the truth that when the real truth is right in front of us, we fail to recognize it. To make things even worse, we often lash out, we attack the real truth as a lie.

Have you ever done that?

Have you ever wanted to know something so badly that when you did get the answer you were disappointed because it did not meet your preconceived ideas for the answer? That is exactly what happened when Jesus spoke these words, and it happens every single day to countless people who have preconceived ideas of who Jesus is. They fail to recognize the truth because it doesn’t match their expectations. Perhaps that is why we are to become like little children. They have not had time to develop any preconceived interpretations of the truth. They simply call it as it is. They innocently recognize the truth.

Have you become like a little child and placed your faith in Jesus?

Do you have the faith to believe?

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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What do you find yourself doing?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
(Proverbs 4:23 (NIV))

What do you find yourself doing?

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(Matthew 6:21 (NIV))

Is it just me, or does this look like it could easily become a self-perpetuating cycle? You treasure something, therefore you hide it in your heart. What you hide in your heart flows out into all that you do. You notice what is flowing out and you treasure it even more, and then you try to hide more of it in your heart, which then flows out even greater. What you treasure is what you will begin to hoard. It is what you will begin to hide away. It almost seems that once this gets started, it is not easy to change course, so we must be extremely careful to watch what we truly treasure.

With that said, do you guard your heart? Do you keep it from the things of this world? Do you keep it focused on the things of God? In essence, what do you treasure? What do you put into your heart? What do you find yourself hoarding away because you just can’t seem to let it go?

I am simply going to leave this in your hands and in your heart. Take a long hard look at what you hide in your heart. Take a long hard look at what flows from your heart. Just remember that what you try to hide in your heart will manifest itself in all that you do. With that said, I just have to ask this one more time.

What do you find yourself doing?

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Jesus saves from eternal adversity!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
(Proverbs 17:17 (NIV))

How do you describe the bond between friends? How do you describe the bond between brothers? How are they the same and how are they different? Which one do you feel is stronger?

I realize that I just asked a bunch of questions that require more than a yes or no answer. They require thought, honesty and time to truly answer.

How did you answer?

Do you still have any of the same friends that you had when you were a child? How about the friends you had from when you were in high school? If you have lived very long at all, you know that friends come and go. People move into our lives for a season and then they move on. Even the closest of friends rarely stay that way for a whole lifetime. People find themselves on different paths and soon even the best of friends find that they are only a distant memory.

How many of you have a brother or a sister? You know that the bonds of family are not as easily put away and dismissed as the bonds of friendship. Once a brother, always a brother. You may not be the best of friends, but you know that if it ever came down to needing someone to turn to, to pick you up in times of adversity, that brother, that sister, that family will be there for you even when all of your friends have abandoned you.

   but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
(Proverbs 18:24b (NIV))

Closer than a brother?

Closer than your family?

There is someone who will never abandon you even in the midst of your worst moments. When friends leave you and family says that they don’t know what else to do, Jesus is waiting there for you! Have you accepted His friendship? It is as easy as ABC.

A is for admit that you are a sinner in need of a savior.

B is for believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Him from the dead.

C is for call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.

We don’t know what tomorrow may hold, but we do know who holds tomorrow. Put your trust in Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior before it is too late!

Jesus saves from eternal adversity!

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Do you have the light that comes from God’s Word?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
(Psalms 119:130 (NIV))

The Word of God is many things. It brings wisdom, understanding, truth, and light.

Let’s take a look at this in a different context from what we normally think about with respect to God’s Word.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:1-14 (NIV))

The psalmist hit the nail on the head when he wrote those words. The Word of God does give light. Jesus is the Word made flesh. Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus gives understanding.

Isn’t it amazing how God will pre-tell what He is going to do even through people who do not realize that they are His prophets. I doubt that the psalmist actually knew that these words would literally come true in the form of Jesus, God with us.

I am so very thankful that they did come to pass!

Do you have the light that comes from God’s Word?

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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