Our Devotionals come from Love Worth Finding, the ministry founded by Adrian Rogers who has since graduated to Glory. These are so relevant even today!

What Keeps You from Praying?
October 21, 2021
PRAY OVER THIS:
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26)
PONDER THIS:
Did you know it takes energy to pray? I’d rather preach for an hour than pray for half an hour, so far as energy is concerned. It takes great strength to pray. The reason many of us don’t pray is, very frankly, we’re lazy, and when we go to pray our energy drains out of us. Do you ever feel that? You get tired, you get sleepy, and your head gets full of cobwebs. Part of this may be the conditions in which we seek to pray. Are you setting yourself up for success by practicing prayer in a proper environment? Seek out somewhere that will help you stay alert and without distraction. But there’s more than just our environment. Part of our old nature is we simply don’t have the strength to pray.
Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane praying, and He wanted His disciples to pray. He said, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). And He came back and what were they doing? They were sleeping. And what did Jesus say? He said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Had they been filled with the Spirit, they would’ve been praying. Many times, we’re sleeping when we ought to be praying, and the reason we’re sleeping when we ought to be praying is we’re not praying in the Spirit.
What are the most common obstacles you face in prayer?
How might you seek the Holy Spirit to help you overcome those obstacles so that you might focus on prayer?
PRACTICE THIS:
Take time today to pick a time and a place where you will cultivate a habit of prayer each day. Select a time and place that is free from distraction and will help you stay attentive and alert as you seek to pray.

How’s Your Prayer Life?
Love Worth Finding
October 20, 2021
Today's Daily Devotional
PRAY OVER THIS
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
(Romans 8:26)
PONDER THIS
When you go to pray, the devil is going to level all of the artillery of Hell against you because he does not want you to pray. Our indifference and ignorance and his interference sometimes line up against us and then we say, “Well, we’re not very good at prayer.” We like to talk about prayer and sing about prayer, but many of us really do not have a satisfying, fulfilling prayer life.
Now what is the answer? The answer is to find that God has given us an Ally, an asset, a helper, an encourager, and He is the Holy Spirit. And this passage of Scripture says, “Likewise, the Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses.” On our own, we will never have a full prayer life. But God has not left us on our own. He has given us a helper who is with us every day and fills up the areas where we are weak.
What things tempt you to believe that you are not good at prayer?
How does it change your perspective to consider the help of the Holy Spirit in your prayers?
PRACTICE THIS
Take time today to pray. Focus on the Holy Spirit as the Helper who fills the weaknesses in you and leads you to pray as you ought.

When God Gives You a Fever
Love Worth Finding
October 19, 2021
Today's Daily Devotional
PRAY OVER THIS
“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:19)
PONDER THIS
When Adam sinned, God could not allow a sinful creature to live in paradise. So, God took Adam out of paradise and put him in a world that had the curse of sin upon it. God told him that He would have to survive by the sweat of his face. Why? Because God wanted Adam to know there’s something deadly wrong in this world, and all of the pain and all of the sorrow that we see in creation is the fever of the infection, which is sin.
Aren’t you glad that God gives you fever when you have an infection? If you didn’t have a fever, you wouldn’t know you had an infection. The fever’s the symptom of the deeper problem. The groaning of creation is in essence the fever of a broken world. God didn’t make the world this way; God made the world perfect. But we see a world that is marred and scarred and all of creation is groaning. Listen even to the wind as it goes through the trees; it’s in a minor key. Everything is groaning and sighing and dying. But God has promised that it will not stay this way forever.
Where does the brokenness of the world stand out to you most?
How have you experienced but also contributed to the brokenness of the world?
PRACTICE THIS
Take time today to make a list of ways the world is broken. Make a second list of the promises God has made to fix the broken things of the world.

Do You Know God as Father?
Love Worth Finding
October 15, 2021
Today's Daily Devotional
PRAY OVER THIS
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
(Romans 8:15)
PONDER THIS
The Holy Spirit attests to and makes real what happened when you got saved. For example, there is a new relationship. Consider today’s verse. Two words are here together, Abba and Father. The first is Aramaic and the second is Hebrew. Abba is an Aramaic word and it means “Daddy” or “Papa.” When the Holy Spirit of God comes into you, He gives you such a relationship with the One who has adopted you that you can call him Abba, Father. Now let me tell you the difference in these two words. There were plenty of people in Abraham’s day that would call him Father Abraham because he was a patriarch, and we call him Father Abraham, but we don't call him Abba Abraham. We know him as Father Abraham because he was the father ruler of the patriarchs. But Isaac would have called him Abba Abraham or Abba Father. He would call him daddy. You see, the Holy Spirit brings us in as adopted children who can call God, Abba Father.
How does it change your view of God to see Him not only as Father but as a closer form of father, like a daddy?
How has your earthly relationship with your father shaped the way you view God? What are the ways you need the Bible to reshape that view?
PRACTICE THIS
Write out a list of ways that God is not only your Father, but your loving Abba.

Where Do You Find Strength? Love Worth Finding October 09, 2021 Today's Daily Devotional PRAY OVER THIS “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6) PONDER THIS In Adam, we lost strength and now we display weakness. Today, the sinner is without strength. But we’re not talking about physical strength, financial strength, or intellectual strength. We’re talking about moral and spiritual strength. We do not have in Adam what it takes to be what God made us to be. We are simply without strength. It doesn’t help to tell someone who does not know Christ, “Do right, live right, be good.” That is impossible because as long as we are in Adam, we are without the spiritual strength to live in the right way. We don’t have what it takes. Yet, the good news of the Gospel is that Christ has died in our place, paid our penalty, and now we are given strength through the power of the Holy Spirit to live in a way that is pleasing to God. On our own, we were without hope but in Christ, we can meet God’s standard through God’s power. What are some ways you might have sought to work in your own strength to please God? How have you experienced the strength of God working in your life? PRACTICE THIS Make a list that compares the differences between man’s strength and God’s strength.

Want the Bad News?
October 7, 2021


PRAY OVER THIS:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
PONDER THIS:
A preacher and his son were traveling down a street, and they saw a house that was on fire. They realized that there may be danger inside the house, and so they went and knocked on the door, but no one answered. Finally, they broke the door down and went in. They couldn’t find anybody in the house, but they took all the furniture out of the house and set the furniture outside the house while the fire department was on the way.

Later on, the preacher thought that was a great illustration, and decided to use it in his sermon. After he told the story, the people looked at him kind of strangely. When he got home, he did as preachers are prone to do and discussed the sermon with his wife. He said, “You know somehow I thought that was a good illustration, but it just fell flat.” She said, “I’ll tell you why. You forgot to tell them the house was on fire.”

It was the bad news that the house was on fire that made it good news that they saved the furniture. Often, we fail today to tell people the bad news that makes the Gospel message good news.

How have you experienced the reality that it is the bad news of sin and eternal separation from God that makes the Gospel good news?
Why is it important to share both of these parts of the Gospel message?
PRACTICE THIS:
Take some time today to reflect on the bad news of our sin that brought about the need for salvation. Thank God for the good news that He has met our need in Jesus.

Are You Standing by Faith?
October 6, 2021
PRAY OVER THIS:
“If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)
PONDER THIS:
It is one thing to have faith to escape. It’s another thing to have faith to endure. It’s one thing to be sick and have faith to be healed. It’s another thing to be sick and not be healed but still praise God. That takes greater faith. It’s one thing to be delivered. It’s another thing to die by faith. There better be an “if not” clause in your contract with God. Our God is able to deliver us, but if He doesn’t deliver us, it’s not because He can't. You read in the New Testament where James was put in prison and Herod cut off his head. Then Peter was put in prison and God delivered Peter out of prison. Therefore, God could have delivered James, but He didn’t. Why? Well, you can ask Him when you get to Heaven. God is a sovereign God. He knows what is best, and He may not always deliver you from your trials, tribulations, and temptations. But if He doesn’t, what are you to do? Just stand. Just stand by faith.
When was a time you exhibited faith and saw God’s deliverance? When was a time you stood by faith but didn’t see your circumstances change?
How do we glorify God in both situations, no matter the outcome?
PRACTICE THIS:
Take time this week to read Hebrews 11, reflecting on how some of those who stood by faith were delivered and others were not. Nonetheless, all glorified God.

Does Music Influence You?
Love Worth Finding
October 05, 2021
Today's Daily Devotional
PRAY OVER THIS
“So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.”
(Daniel 3:7)
PONDER THIS
The Babylonian orchestra began to play. There was incredible music. What does music do? Music touches the emotions. Music is a gift of God. We have great music in our churches today. And our hearts are stirred. We worship. We praise. We reflect. But the devil also knows the power of music, and Satan also seeks to use music to enforce his diabolical plans in the world. Satan is a master musician. In this passage, we see one example of how Satan used music to stir up opposition to God.
The Bible even speaks of Satan as having “timbrels and pipes.” (See Ezekiel 28:13.) When he speaks, it's like majestic music. His music can be hideously beautiful, or it can have a demonic beat, but he seeks to use it however he might.
How much influence does music have in your life?
Would you say the music you most often listen to glorifies God or glorifies someone or something else? How can you know?
PRACTICE THIS
Listen to a few of your favorite worship songs today, reflecting on the words and bringing praise to God.

Are You Grieved by Sin?
October 4, 2021


PRAY OVER THIS:
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)
The word grieve is a love word. Did you know that you can only grieve someone who loves you? Think about it. When the neighbor’s kids do wrong, that bothers you. But when your kids do wrong, that grieves you. There’s a difference. A person is only grieved if they love the person who’s doing wrong.

Somebody told me a while back about a preacher who’d fallen into immorality. I’m not ashamed to tell you, when I heard it, I fell to my knees, and I wept like a baby. I could not stop crying. When I heard about what this man had done, I was grieved because I loved him and admired him. Even more so, the Holy Spirit of God loves us so much that when we have sin in our hearts and in our lives—sin that has not been confessed or repented of—that grieves the Spirit of God.

Is there anything right now you are being convicted of that is grieving the Holy Spirit?
PRACTICE THIS:
Take time to confess to God any sin in your life; determine to turn from that sin and stay clean.

What Gladdens God’s Heart?
October 03, 2021
Today's Daily Devotional
PRAY OVER THIS
“‘And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”
(Luke 15:23-24)
PONDER THIS
What brings the Father joy? What makes joy in heaven? What burdens the Father’s heart? A son away from Him. What gladdens the Father’s heart? Listen. Jesus said, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).
I used to think that meant the angels rejoiced, and I suppose they do, but that’s not what that verse means. It doesn’t say there’s joy among the angels. It says there’s joy in the presence of the angels. It’s the Lord who rejoices when a sinner comes home. There’s joy in the presence of the angels, just as there was joy when this prodigal son came home. What gives the Father joy? Sinners coming home. What will give you joy? Psalm 126:6 says, “He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Do you want joy? If you want the Father’s joy, you’ve got to share the Father’s concern for those who are lost.
How much would you say you are burdened for those who don’t yet know God?
How does your level of concern for those who are lost influence the way you interact with them each day?
PRACTICE THIS
Spend time today asking God to give you a burden that will lead you to action for someone who does not yet know Him.

Do You Know Your Father’s Heart?
Love Worth Finding
October 02, 2021
Today's Daily Devotional
PRAY OVER THIS
“So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.’”
(Luke 15:29)
PONDER THIS
This elder brother was what we would have considered a model worker, and yet he did not know his father’s heart. He did not understand what motivated his father. I can almost hear his mind working. He’s thinking, “You know, I don’t understand what’s wrong with my dad. We’ve never had finer crops. Look at the cattle, how sleek and fat they are. Look at the barns, how freshly painted, how large and wonderful they are. Look at all the workers we have coming and going. Everything looks so fine. I don’t know what’s wrong with my father. My father just seems to sit there. He never seems to be completely satisfied, no matter how wonderful the farm is, no matter how beautiful everything is. My father seems to have a faraway look in his eyes. I don’t know what’s wrong with my father.”
I’ll tell you what was wrong with the father. He had a broken heart over a son that was away from home. I want to ask you a question. What do you think God is primarily concerned about? Do you know the heart of the Father? Or are you so wrapped up in all the things you can do for Him that you don’t know what’s on His heart and mind?
What are some examples from your life of ways you can constantly work for God but still miss what’s important to God?
How might you spend time with God this week to learn what’s on His heart?
PRACTICE THIS
Take time this week in the Scripture where you aren’t “doing” anything for God but instead seeking just to be with Him and learn His heart.

Do We Need Another Pentecost?
October 1, 2021


PRAY OVER THIS:
PONDER THIS:
The power at Pentecost was symbolized by wind and fire. The power was vocalized as the disciples were speaking in strange languages that they’d never learned. And then this power was actualized as seen in verse 4: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” This is the abiding miracle of Pentecost.

Sometimes people say we need another Pentecost. We should be careful. We couldn’t have another Pentecost without an indoor cyclone and tongues of fire sitting on every head. It’s not another Pentecost that we need. We don’t need another Pentecost any more than we need another Bethlehem or another Calvary. Bethlehem is God with us, Calvary is God for us, and Pentecost is God in us. We need to enjoy Bethlehem, enjoy Calvary, and enjoy Pentecost. Pentecost was a special day; it was the birthday of the Church. And the miracles that were given—the mighty rushing wind and the flames of fire—these things were illustrative of the mighty power, the filling of the Spirit of God.

What is true for believers today that was true for the believers at Pentecost?
How do we neglect our access to the Holy Spirit within us when we only seek new signs and wonders of God’s power in our lives?
PRACTICE THIS:
Make a list of the ways your life is impacted by having access to the Holy Spirit every day.

Those Who Are Being Saved
September 29, 2021


PRAY OVER THIS:
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
PONDER THIS:
We need to understand that, even if we have been saved, we are also being saved right now. That’s what this verse says. That’s an encouragement. I would really be disappointed if I thought this was all the saved I’m going to be. Wouldn’t you be disappointed if you thought you’d arrived? I mean this is all you’re going to get. There’s not one of us who doesn’t need to be saved day by day; we need to be saved from ourselves. How many of you have difficulty with something called self? How many of you have difficulty with something called sin? How many of you have difficulty with someone named Satan? Of course we do, and day-by-day we need to be being saved.

The Bible says that God’s not finished with us. People use to wear these little buttons: “Don’t be too hard on me; God’s not finished with me yet.” The old cowboy said, “I ain’t what I ought to be. I ain’t what I’m going to be. Thank God, I ain’t what I was.” And God is in the process of moving us to where we need to be. How does He do it? Through the cross.

What are some ways you have already been saved by Jesus?
What are some ways you still are being saved each day?
PRACTICE THIS:
Make a list of the ways you have been saved and the ways you are still being saved.