Daily Archives: August 23, 2026

Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Creation Communicates

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Read Romans 1:16–25

What aspect of creation best communicates the nature of God to you? Is it the majesty of the Rocky Mountains? The pure joy of a bubbling stream? The delicate intricacy of a flower petal? The fierce power of a crashing wave?

Romans 1 describes the ways in which God communicates and how humanity has responded. Paul begins by declaring that he is “not ashamed of the gospel” (v. 16). He knows it is not merely information about God but the very power of God (v. 17).

However, Paul continues—not only had God’s righteousness been revealed, but also His wrath (v. 18). God’s anger is directed at the wicked, who ignore and suppress the truth of God’s clear revelation. Paul insists that “what may be known about God is plain to them” (v. 19). From the beginning of time, God has clearly communicated His power and His character through His creation. Paul declares God’s communication to be clear and understandable—so much so that mankind is “without excuse” (v. 20). No one can say, “He didn’t reveal Himself to me.”

Verses 21–25 describe the tragic slippery slope of people who “knew God,” who recognized Him through His revelation, but who chose not to glorify Him or thank Him for all that He had done. Their thinking became nonsensical. Their hearts became unable to perceive truth (v. 21). Sadly, they deceived themselves—perceiving themselves as wise, even though they were fools (v. 22). When divine revelation is ignored, lies fill the vacuum. These individuals became obsessed with the mortal world—worshiping the created elements and indulging their sinful desires (vv. 23–24). So God let them go. He “gave them over.” Yet, Paul reminded his Roman readers, the Creator will be forever praised (v. 25).

Go Deeper

How do you see God revealed in the beauty of nature? Describe a moment when you were overwhelmed by our Creator God.

Pray with Us

Thank You for revealing Yourself to us in what You have created, Lord! In the beginning, You made everything, and You made it good. We praise You for Your creativity and handiwork.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen.Romans 1:20

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Authentic Son of God

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He was despised and rejected by mankind. Isaiah 53:3

Today’s Scripture

Isaiah 53:1-7

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

A photography contest featured images created by artificial intelligence (AI). People from around the world submitted pictures they had fabricated by AI text prompts on computers. Only AI-generated images were allowed. One winner was a surreal depiction: something that looked like a pink flamingo curled into a feathery ball, against a sandy landscape.

There was only one problem. The winning image was a real photograph of a real flamingo. The photographer had entered an authentic photo in an AI-contest. His picture, “Flamingone,” was disqualified. That’s right—the authentic photo was rejected for being the real thing.

The prophet Isaiah vividly foretells a similar irony about the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ: “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). Christ was taken to court for claiming to be the Jewish Messiah. Yet he did not offer a defense: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth” (v. 7). Isaiah points to the ultimate contradiction: “He was despised and rejected by mankind” (v. 3). That’s right—the authentic Messiah, the true Son of God, was rejected as being fake.

Today, you and I are judges in that court of decision. Do we accept Jesus as the authentic Son of God? Or do we reject Him as something less? Even if we believe in Him, does our daily living sometimes reject Him as the real deal?

Reflect & Pray

How does your life reflect the authenticity of Jesus Christ? How might it reject Him?

Dear God, please help me to honor You as I live in Your genuine presence.

Kristen “KB” Newton is the creator and founder of HEARTConvos, an organization that helps people build authentic relationships through having hard conversations. In this episode, KB and Rasool discuss her military-family life and the difference between civilian life, how she learned to survive and adapt, and why she never truly had a place she called “home” while growing up. We also spoke about what prompted her to create HEARTConvos, and why she believes Jesus championed friendship more than any other relationship: Developing Real Friends With K B Newton

 

Today’s Insights

Isaiah 53 is the last of four messianic prophecies in the book of Isaiah known as the “Servant Songs” (chs. 42, 49, 50, 53) because they speak of the ministry, suffering, and exaltation of God’s Servant, the Messiah. Chapter 53 describes the rejection of Jesus (vv. 1-3), His suffering and death in our place (vv. 4-6), His sacrificial death and burial (vv. 7-9), and His resurrection (vv. 10-12).

The New Testament unequivocally applies Isaiah 53 to Christ (see John 12:38; Romans 10:16 [Isaiah 53:1]; Matthew 8:17 [Isaiah 53:4]; 1 Peter 2:22-25 [Isaiah 53:4-9]; Acts 8:32-33 [Isaiah 53:7-8]; Luke 22:37 [Isaiah 53:12]). Peter quoted Isaiah 53:4-9 (1 Peter 2:22-25) to encourage believers in Jesus who were suffering because of their faith (1:6) that Christ also endured unjust suffering. When we put our faith in Jesus—the authentic Son of God—He’ll help us reflect Him in our lives and “follow in his steps” (v. 21).

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – A Christian response to the Lindsay Clancy case

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How to respond when the mental health epidemic becomes personal

The trial of Lindsay Clancy, a mother accused of murdering her three young children, just wrapped up its fifth week, and continues to stir heated debates on social media. Countless women who’ve experienced postpartum depression, anxiety, or psychosis shared their stories online. Psychiatrists are sharing facts about mental health during the postpartum period, along with varying opinions on whether she received adequate treatment or not.

Conspiracy theorists have also entered the conversation, stringing together theories to “prove” that the killer was really her husband, Patrick. On the other side of the spectrum, conservative social commentator Matt Walsh called her a “selfish, evil witch,” condemning her and anyone else who excuses her alleged actions.

This case has stirred up a lot for me personally as well. I’m a health coach working at a counseling center alongside a team of therapists (one of whom is my husband). I’ve coached over a thousand clients with varying physical and mental health concerns. I’m also a survivor of PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder. I’ve been symptom-free for almost 20 years.

I haven’t expressed my thoughts publicly until now. To start, as a mother of three, I have found the trial clips hard to watch. It’s a gut-wrenching tragedy.

Continue reading Denison Forum – A Christian response to the Lindsay Clancy case →

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Offering Willingly

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.” (1 Chronicles 29:9)

As the people brought gifts for the construction of the temple in Jerusalem, it is mentioned no less than six times in this chapter that their offerings were willing offerings (once in verses 6 and 14, twice each in verses 9 and 17). In fact, they were not only willing but also joyful in their giving.

Joyful giving is not the usual response to a fundraising effort for a religious cause. The great proliferation of causes today—not only for churches but for multi-church or para-church projects that are usually associated with high-pressure solicitations by professional money-raisers—has developed a growing cynicism in Christians toward all such appeals.

That is not the way it should be, “for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). The churches of Macedonia, though going through “a great trial of affliction” and in “deep poverty,” nevertheless “abounded unto the riches of their liberality,” and they did so in “the abundance of their joy” (8:2). What made the difference was that they “first gave their own selves to the Lord” (v. 5).

No doubt another vital factor leading to the joyful offerings of the people for the building of the temple was the example set by David’s great, personal, joyful generosity followed by that of all the other leaders of Israel (1 Chronicles 29:3–8). This encouraged the people also to give “with perfect heart” (our text). They had evidently, like the Philippians of Macedonia, also first given themselves to the Lord. David had led them by example, not coercion, reminding himself and his people as he prayed a prayer of thanksgiving that “all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee” (1 Chronicles 29:14). HMM

 

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – How to Stand Firm in God’s Acceptance

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Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him].

John 3:18 (AMP)

The enemy often opposes you most when God is preparing something significant in your life. As a result, he will pull out all the stops to distract you or make you doubt God’s plan. Rejection is one of the ways the enemy will do this. If you’ve ever been turned down for a date, denied a home loan, dismissed when you’ve offered an idea, or excluded from a friend’s party, you know the pain of rejection.

Rejection is so difficult. It can make us feel disappointed, ashamed, angry, or unworthy. But we don’t have to stay there! The enemy often uses rejection to discourage us and keep us from stepping confidently into God’s plan. But when we renew our minds with truth—like John 3:18 and Ephesians 1:6—we remember that in Christ, we are never rejected but fully accepted in the Beloved!

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me overcome rejection when it happens to me. Help me always believe the best of people and not assume they are rejecting me when that might not be the case at all. Let me be more concerned about how I am treating others than I am about how they are treating me, amen.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org