Chase Clower
Monday, October 6, 2025
Devotional Thought: Enlarged Expectations and Affections
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Devotional Thought: Truth vs. Distortion
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ." -Galatians 1:6-7
Friday, September 26, 2025
Devotional Thought: Nothing Without Jesus
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Devotional Thought: Your Changing Reflection
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Romans 12:1-2
What do you see when you look in the mirror? How has your perception of who you are changed through the course of your life? Perceptions of our personality and tendencies of thoughts and intentions do evolve naturally over time. This natural process of maturing, but also being shaped by your life experiences, occurs for everyone. For the follower of Jesus, the continued work of growing in holiness according to the Word of God is the ongoing process that changes. Our individual personalities, talents, and tendencies will always be unique to but will grow into the boundaries of godliness as we grow in Christ. God wants to use our personalities and unique traits to further His Kingdom and work in this world. Gifts and abilities are wonderful when they are biblical and God honoring. These can become idolatrous when we serve the purposes of our selfish desires or if they produce wickedness. Sometimes we find ourselves feeling insecure about who we are or frustrated with the inability to mortify the sins of the flesh so that our personalities will proceed toward conforming to godliness. Our confidence must always be in the Lord and that all things are working to change us into who He created us to be in the first place. Our reflection changes because the image of God is being restored in all of us if we have trusted in Jesus as our one and only Savior to reconcile us to God. To be happy with our reflection we must surrender to this continued restoration of God's image even while He utilizes our individual giftedness for His glory. So no matter your quirks and tendencies, lean into the traits of God outlined in His Word. We must surrender to the Holy Spirit's directions to the way of obedience to His word. Then the changing reflection will be more and more satisfying as your are content with Christ alone.
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Devotional Thought: Living and Speaking God's Message
"For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me." - Galatians 1:11-23 ESV
The message of our lives is not our own, but the revelation of God revealed through God the Son, Jesus Christ. Paul outlines his history and calling as a servant and minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Recalling his former life of rebellion that hurt the kingdom of God through active persecution of the church provides evidence of a true calling. Our testimonies can bring reinforcement to the motivations behind our efforts to declare the word of God through our lives. This includes conversion and the ongoing journey through the life of faith up to this point. Being truly devoted to our calling as a Christian is being determined to live for the Lord no matter the obstacles and hardships. In fact, the hardships provide great illustrations of how faith and obedience persevere by the power of God in Christ. Since eternal life and present devotion is only by the power of God, the true message is not man made. Man made movements often fade over time or under the fires of hardship. The power of God prevails over all things. We can continue to speak and live for the glory of God knowing that we can overcome through his provision. The key is really to continue taking more steps of obedience to openly share our faith. Let's do that today!
Friday, September 12, 2025
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: EXAMINATION, RESTORATION, AND TRUTH
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down." -2 Corinthians 13:5-10
The goal of all efforts in the life of the church is to bring restoration. We are first restored in Christ through salvation. Constant confession and repentance is needed to continue in faithfulness to this restored relationship. We secure in our salvation by the power of God through Jesus. Testing and examining ourselves is a way to ensure that we have truly had a salvation experience. The genuine believer is able to remember the joy of salvation by reflecting on the trust he possesses in the work of Jesus to bring salvation. Paul encourages the Corinthians to examine themselves rather than question his apostleship. Paul was confident in the authority that God had given him, even if these individuals could not see it or at least questioned it. By looking to their genuineness of salvation the solution to these accusations would be found. Paul was certain that he was operating according to the truth. Truth is what holds together the people of God for the purposes of being built up. He was also eager to accept if it was his own weakness and they were in fact strong. But examination according to the truth would reveal this. If we are going to stay close to the Lord in faithfulness, we must look inward, seek the truth, and find restoration as the solution. The great Apostle was wanting this end of edification and restoration without needing to be "severe or sharp." He assured them that even this was for the goal of restoration in truth. We all need this process in our life for growth in bringing glory to our Lord and Savior. I believe this looks like regular prayer and meditation in the word of God. Our attitude that must accompany this is to surrender to truth in order to change. We can't resist, refute, or ignore truth. We must surrender. The joy of salvation is sure to be present in the process of continual surrender that moves us along to the practical righteousness enabled by our Savior through the indwelling of Holy Spirit. Let's be open to self examination in pursuit of the truth for our restoration that builds up! All is for the glory of God! God is faithful and good!
Thursday, September 11, 2025
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: GOD'S PLAN IS ON TIME
"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." -2 Peter 3:8-9
Devotional Thought: Enlarged Expectations and Affections
"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is exc...
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"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake...
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"So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD." -Joshua 9:14 ESV "Rejoice always, pray w...
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"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Ch...