July 28-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 12:6-8, The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.
Observe what it is saying.
God works suddenly. The word “suddenly” carries the interpretive meaning of divine intervention overcoming difficulty and impossibility. Peter was surrounded by soldiers and bound in chains. His situation appeared hopeless. But even in this dark place, we see Peter sleeping like a baby. We notice the church praying and God sending help. Peter had no expectations as to when and how help would come, but he trusted the Lord completely. When God is our refuge, sometimes we get to wait. At other times, He chooses to act suddenly. And our only response, like Peter’s, is to follow. The angel of the Lord struck him to get his attention. Do you sense God doing the same to you? If so, get dressed, put on your sandals for the journey, and follow. Life never goes as we expect. Sometimes, God divinely intervenes. When He acts suddenly, follow. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 24, Refuge)
Relate it to your life
When the Spirit comes suddenly into my life, I need to be ready to respond.
Do something.
Lord God, when You act suddenly, give me courage to get up and follow You! Amen.
July 29-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 12:13-16, Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.
Observe what it is saying.
Just when God’s people gathered to pray for Peter, God acted suddenly and delivered him. But when he came to the door, despite Rhoda’s joy, they did not believe it was him. They were astonished. Rather than criticizing them for their lack of faith, let us consider how we behave in a similar way. In hard times, we sometimes pray with an agenda. We make God our refuge, but we also expect Him to hear our prayers or work in a specific way. When He acts suddenly, we find ourselves surprised or astonished. What’s the lesson for us? When we pray, we must abandon our agendas and take the posture of submission that we see in the Lord’s Prayer. God might deliver us from tribulation miraculously, or He might act in some other way. When we take refuge in Him, we trust Him to decide what is best. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 25, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
Prayer in its purest form is total abandon and surrender to the will of God.
Do something.
Lord God, I trust you to work in the way You decide is best in my life today. Amen.
July 30-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 27:27-29, On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. 29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.
Observe what it is saying.
This dramatic scene offers insight for Christians in crisis situations: take two soundings, drop four anchors, and pray for daylight. To take soundings in antiquity, a sailor tied a heavy object to a rope and lowered it in the water. When the line went slack, it revealed that the weight had hit the seafloor. Then, the sailor measured the rope to calculate the depth. By taking a second sounding, the sailor could assess the situation further prior to acting. To drop four anchors referred to taking every possible measure to secure the position of the ship. And to pray for daylight shows where they placed their trust to survive. Are you in a dark or stormy situation? If so, use the means around to assess the situation and bring stability. From there, pray for daylight. Pray for the storm to subside and grace to survive. In this case, Paul suffered shipwreck and survived. Hopefully, you will too. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 26, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
I do what I can do to bring stability in the midst of the storms of life while I trust the Lord to provide a safe passageway.
Do something.
Lord God, give me wisdom and courage to navigate storms by putting my full trust in You. Amen.
July 31-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Mark 2:16-17, When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Observe what it is saying.
We chose the Hospital at Saint-Remy by Vincent Van Gogh for the cover of this devotional for a reason. Vincent went there to find help in a crisis. This illustrates today’s Scripture and the theme of this entire devotional book. Jesus did not come to call the righteous but sinners. He came to save all those seeking help and refuge in Him. Though the need for refuge seems greatest for people in crisis situations- war, persecution, natural disaster, or other calamity- everyone needs God’s help for deliverance from the power and penalty of sin. Most people do not move toward God in good times. But when sick or struggling in bad times, they turn to God and find the healing and hope they have looked and longed for their entire life. Where are you today? Whether you have walked with God your entire life or today marks the first day, Jesus wants you to find refuge in Him. If you feel lost or homeless, you can find a home with Him. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 27, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
Whether I am a sinner or a suffering saint, Jesus came to save and sustain me.
Do something.
Jesus, I am not better than other sinners, I am sick and sinful. Please heal and forgive me. Amen.
August 1-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
John 16:33, 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.
Observe what it is saying.
In the journey of writing this devotional, we came across numerous biblical texts urging us to “take heart. Few touch us more deeply than this one as it flows from the lips of our Lord Jesus. When we face troubles, we need to remember that Jesus told us we would. Our tendency in such times tends toward worry and fear. Instead, Jesus wants us to have peace, knowing that we can overcome difficulties because He has overcome the world. In a word, this statement from Jesus reminds us that whatever hard times we endure, we must see them as only temporary. This truth enlivens us to take heart. It also positions us to help others. Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” This implies that most people live an empty and hopeless existence. When we take heart, we help people shift from quiet desperation to joyous hope. That’s what happens when we take refuge in God. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 28, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
Peace comes when I take refuge in Jesus, not just when the troubles are over.
Do something.
Lord God, help me to take heart that Your peace is greater than the troubles of this world. Amen.
August 2-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Revelation 19:11, I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.
Observe what it is saying.
Although much of Revelation seems confusing to most people, one thing comes into view as crystal clear. Christ will reign victoriously in the end. Our Lord Jesus Christ-Faithful and True- will bring justice and peace to the whole earth. Don’t miss the implications of this. The wars that wage around us will cease one day. The persecution that tortures God’s righteous servants in countries and regions will stop. The corrupt systems that oppress the underprivileged will end. And the diseases that run rampant among the poor will disappear. Our Faithful and True Lord Jesus Christ will bring an end to sorrow, suffering, and pain. He is coming soon, very soon. That’s good news. Share this widely. It gives hope to the hopeless, help to the helpless, and comfort to those who are crushed in spirit. It lifts those who are down and gives courage to the discouraged. Because our Lord Jesus Christ is Faithful and True, we can never be disappointed. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 29, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
With the big picture of the redemption of the world where beauty and goodness are restored, we can have lasting hope that encourages us in the midst of today’s troubles.
Do something.
Jesus, because you are Faithful and True, I give thanks that I know I can always and forever depend on You. Amen!
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 12:6-8, The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.
Observe what it is saying.
God works suddenly. The word “suddenly” carries the interpretive meaning of divine intervention overcoming difficulty and impossibility. Peter was surrounded by soldiers and bound in chains. His situation appeared hopeless. But even in this dark place, we see Peter sleeping like a baby. We notice the church praying and God sending help. Peter had no expectations as to when and how help would come, but he trusted the Lord completely. When God is our refuge, sometimes we get to wait. At other times, He chooses to act suddenly. And our only response, like Peter’s, is to follow. The angel of the Lord struck him to get his attention. Do you sense God doing the same to you? If so, get dressed, put on your sandals for the journey, and follow. Life never goes as we expect. Sometimes, God divinely intervenes. When He acts suddenly, follow. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 24, Refuge)
Relate it to your life
When the Spirit comes suddenly into my life, I need to be ready to respond.
Do something.
Lord God, when You act suddenly, give me courage to get up and follow You! Amen.
July 29-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 12:13-16, Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.
Observe what it is saying.
Just when God’s people gathered to pray for Peter, God acted suddenly and delivered him. But when he came to the door, despite Rhoda’s joy, they did not believe it was him. They were astonished. Rather than criticizing them for their lack of faith, let us consider how we behave in a similar way. In hard times, we sometimes pray with an agenda. We make God our refuge, but we also expect Him to hear our prayers or work in a specific way. When He acts suddenly, we find ourselves surprised or astonished. What’s the lesson for us? When we pray, we must abandon our agendas and take the posture of submission that we see in the Lord’s Prayer. God might deliver us from tribulation miraculously, or He might act in some other way. When we take refuge in Him, we trust Him to decide what is best. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 25, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
Prayer in its purest form is total abandon and surrender to the will of God.
Do something.
Lord God, I trust you to work in the way You decide is best in my life today. Amen.
July 30-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 27:27-29, On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. 29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.
Observe what it is saying.
This dramatic scene offers insight for Christians in crisis situations: take two soundings, drop four anchors, and pray for daylight. To take soundings in antiquity, a sailor tied a heavy object to a rope and lowered it in the water. When the line went slack, it revealed that the weight had hit the seafloor. Then, the sailor measured the rope to calculate the depth. By taking a second sounding, the sailor could assess the situation further prior to acting. To drop four anchors referred to taking every possible measure to secure the position of the ship. And to pray for daylight shows where they placed their trust to survive. Are you in a dark or stormy situation? If so, use the means around to assess the situation and bring stability. From there, pray for daylight. Pray for the storm to subside and grace to survive. In this case, Paul suffered shipwreck and survived. Hopefully, you will too. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 26, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
I do what I can do to bring stability in the midst of the storms of life while I trust the Lord to provide a safe passageway.
Do something.
Lord God, give me wisdom and courage to navigate storms by putting my full trust in You. Amen.
July 31-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Mark 2:16-17, When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Observe what it is saying.
We chose the Hospital at Saint-Remy by Vincent Van Gogh for the cover of this devotional for a reason. Vincent went there to find help in a crisis. This illustrates today’s Scripture and the theme of this entire devotional book. Jesus did not come to call the righteous but sinners. He came to save all those seeking help and refuge in Him. Though the need for refuge seems greatest for people in crisis situations- war, persecution, natural disaster, or other calamity- everyone needs God’s help for deliverance from the power and penalty of sin. Most people do not move toward God in good times. But when sick or struggling in bad times, they turn to God and find the healing and hope they have looked and longed for their entire life. Where are you today? Whether you have walked with God your entire life or today marks the first day, Jesus wants you to find refuge in Him. If you feel lost or homeless, you can find a home with Him. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 27, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
Whether I am a sinner or a suffering saint, Jesus came to save and sustain me.
Do something.
Jesus, I am not better than other sinners, I am sick and sinful. Please heal and forgive me. Amen.
August 1-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
John 16:33, 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.
Observe what it is saying.
In the journey of writing this devotional, we came across numerous biblical texts urging us to “take heart. Few touch us more deeply than this one as it flows from the lips of our Lord Jesus. When we face troubles, we need to remember that Jesus told us we would. Our tendency in such times tends toward worry and fear. Instead, Jesus wants us to have peace, knowing that we can overcome difficulties because He has overcome the world. In a word, this statement from Jesus reminds us that whatever hard times we endure, we must see them as only temporary. This truth enlivens us to take heart. It also positions us to help others. Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” This implies that most people live an empty and hopeless existence. When we take heart, we help people shift from quiet desperation to joyous hope. That’s what happens when we take refuge in God. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 28, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
Peace comes when I take refuge in Jesus, not just when the troubles are over.
Do something.
Lord God, help me to take heart that Your peace is greater than the troubles of this world. Amen.
August 2-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Revelation 19:11, I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.
Observe what it is saying.
Although much of Revelation seems confusing to most people, one thing comes into view as crystal clear. Christ will reign victoriously in the end. Our Lord Jesus Christ-Faithful and True- will bring justice and peace to the whole earth. Don’t miss the implications of this. The wars that wage around us will cease one day. The persecution that tortures God’s righteous servants in countries and regions will stop. The corrupt systems that oppress the underprivileged will end. And the diseases that run rampant among the poor will disappear. Our Faithful and True Lord Jesus Christ will bring an end to sorrow, suffering, and pain. He is coming soon, very soon. That’s good news. Share this widely. It gives hope to the hopeless, help to the helpless, and comfort to those who are crushed in spirit. It lifts those who are down and gives courage to the discouraged. Because our Lord Jesus Christ is Faithful and True, we can never be disappointed. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 29, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
With the big picture of the redemption of the world where beauty and goodness are restored, we can have lasting hope that encourages us in the midst of today’s troubles.
Do something.
Jesus, because you are Faithful and True, I give thanks that I know I can always and forever depend on You. Amen!
Posted in Daily Devotionals