Boast! (In the Lord)

Daily Reading: 2 Corinthians 10

Scripture Focus: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. (2 Corinthians 10.17-18)

Devotional Thought: Do you like being around boastful people? Hardly anybody does. Why? Because most boasting is done to lift up the boaster at the expense of others. Is there something we can boast about or some way we can boast about it that will lift up others? Yes! When our boasting is "in the Lord."

We cannot, after all, really judge our own actions. We are not wise enough nor do we have sufficient information to know all the details. So, let us brag on Jesus! On...

• What he has done. Jesus created all things perfectly. When we (humanity) messed up his perfect creation, Jesus came to redeem our mess and our lives. Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead! Jesus showed us the way to the Father. Jesus set us free from the dominion of sin.

• What he is doing. Even now, Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. Jesus does not leave us nor forsake us; he is with us always - to the end of the age. Jesus is holding all things together by his powerful word. Jesus is watching over us; he guards our lives. Jesus is preparing a place for us.

• What he will do. Jesus will return to rapture us. Jesus will receive us unto himself. Jesus will judge us in righteousness and equity. Jesus will present us before the Father's throne as his redeemed bride. Jesus will shine forever and ever and ever! Amen!

Look at that list of boasts... Doesn't that make you feel better? It does me! Friends, let us boast in the Lord!

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for what you have done, for what you are doing, and what you will do. I make my boast in you all day long. Hallelujah!

Psalm of the Day: 9 O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield. 10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield. 11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield. 12 The LORD has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron; 13 he will bless those who fear the LORD, both the small and the great. (Psalms 115:9-13)