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What kind of fragrance does your life produce before God?

A woman poured expensive perfume on Jesus. Others called it a waste, but Jesus saw an act of love and devotion. Paul later wrote, “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.” 2 Corinthians 2:15

When we live with love, sacrifice, and obedience, the fragrance of Christ can be evident in our lives.

The woman poured out her perfume. Jesus poured out His life. Now we have the opportunity to pour out our lives in love for Him.

Click on the link below to read today’s devotion and discover how your life can become a pleasing aroma to God. #BibleStudy #Devotions #ChristianLiving #Jesus #Faith

https://www.ramckinley.com/experience-the-sweet-fragrance-of-christ/

Jesus didn’t choose His disciples because they looked qualified. He chose twelve unexpected men, knowing what He could make them become.

That should encourage us. God sees beyond what we are today and knows what our lives can become when we follow Him.

Discover who these twelve men were and what their lives can teach us today.

#BibleStudy #Devotions #Jesus #Disciples #ChristianLiving #316 #Mark

https://www.ramckinley.com/introducing-the-unexpected-men-jesus-made-to-be-disciples/

Psalm 131 is one of three chapters in the Bible with only three verses. In this Psalm, David chose a quiet path to humbly trust God. His words invite us to step off the exhausting treadmill of self-reliance and learn the beauty of simple faith. Its verses read as follows.

•         Lord, my heart is not proud
•         Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,
•         Israel, put your hope in the Lord.

Click on the link below to enjoy today's devotion. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Faith #Psalms #worship

https://www.ramckinley.com/simple-faith-in-a-complicated-world/

Have you ever prayed and wondered if God was listening? Psalm 88 is one of the darkest chapters in the Bible. It doesn't end with the problem solved or the circumstances changed. In fact, its final words are, “Darkness is my closest friend.”

Yet the psalmist never stopped praying. He brought his pain, questions, loneliness, and disappointment directly to God. Even before describing his troubles, he called the Lord “the God of my salvation.”

There is an important lesson in that for us. Feeling abandoned does not mean you have been abandoned. God’s silence never equals God’s absence.

Jesus Himself entered the darkness. He went to the cross, bore our judgment, went to the grave—and rose again. Because Christ lives, darkness never gets to write the final line for those who belong to Him.

If you're walking through a difficult season, don't stop praying. Bring God your honest pain. Anchor yourself in what you know to be true, even when your feelings tell you otherwise.

God hears you—even in your lowest moment. Click on the link below to read today's devotion. #Psalm88 #ChristianEncouragement #Prayer #TrustGod #Faith #Devotions

https://www.ramckinley.com/god-hears-you/

Sometimes our circumstances don’t give us much to sing about. We may even watch people who have little regard for God prosper while faithful Christians struggle.

Psalm 92 reminds us not to judge God’s faithfulness by what we see at the moment.

The wicked may flourish for a season, but those who belong to the Lord are planted in something much deeper. The Psalmist says the godly will flourish like palm trees, grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon, and continue producing fruit even in old age.

That gives us a reason to sing!

Praise reminds us of what God has done, strengthens our faith for what we’re facing today, and keeps our hearts focused on the One who will be exalted forever.

Whatever your circumstances look like today, you still have a reason to sing for joy and exalt God’s wonderful name. Click on the link below to read today’s devotion. #Psalms #ChristianLiving #Faith #Worship #ChristianEncouragement #Devotions

https://www.ramckinley.com/sing-for-joy/

Have you ever questioned the way someone else serves the Lord simply because you would have done it differently?

When the woman poured expensive perfume on Jesus, the disciples called it a waste. Jesus called it a good thing—and He defended her.

Sometimes we can mistake our personal preferences for spiritual wisdom. We may not know what God has asked another person to do or how He intends to use their obedience.

Biblical discernment is important, but that’s very different from criticizing someone simply because their calling or methods don't look like ours.

Before criticizing what someone else does for the Lord, we should make sure we aren't criticizing something Jesus Himself calls good. . #ChristianLiving #Faith #Ministry #BibleStudy #Devotions

https://www.ramckinley.com/be-careful-not-to-criticize/

Tobiah mocked the work Nehemiah and the Israelites were doing by saying that even a fox walking across their wall would knock it down.

It wasn't true—but discouragement doesn't have to be true to stop us. We just have to believe it.

The enemy still whispers things like, “You can't do this. You're not qualified. Your work isn't making a difference. You might as well quit.”

Nehemiah shows us another way: pray, stand your ground, keep God's Word close, and keep building.

The enemy doesn't get to decide whether you finish the work God gave you.

Click on the link below to read today's devotion. #ChristianLiving #Faith #Nehemiah #BibleStudy #Devotions

https://www.ramckinley.com/the-work-god-gave-you/

What could Psalm 87 possibly have to do with the Lamb's Book of Life? More than you might expect. Psalm 87 gives us a remarkable picture of God recording the names of those who belong to Him. The New Testament takes that truth even further—pointing us toward our citizenship in heaven and the names written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Jesus told His disciples, “Rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” Luke 10:20 There may be no greater reason for a Christian to rejoice. Click the link below to read today's devotion and discover the fascinating connection between Psalm 87 and the Lamb's Book of Life. #BibleStudy #BookOfLife #Psalms #Jesus #ChristianLiving #Devotions #EternalLife #Heaven

https://www.ramckinley.com/written-in-the-lambs-book-of-life/

If we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, what purpose does the Old Testament law still serve? Galatians 3 explains how the law reveals our need for a Savior and points us to Christ.

Click on the link below to read today’s devotional.

#BibleStudy #Devotions #Galatians #Grace #ChristianLiving

https://www.ramckinley.com/does-the-old-testament-law-still-apply-today/

The phrase “new song” appears nine times in the New Living Translation—twice in Revelation and seven times in the Psalms.

Psalm 96 calls us to sing a new song, proclaim the good news of God's salvation, and tell others about the wonderful things He has done. But this joyful Psalm also contains a warning we shouldn't overlook.

Click on the link below to read today's devotion. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Psalms #Worship #Praise

https://www.ramckinley.com/sing-a-new-song/

Have you ever tried to tell someone about Jesus only to have them reject what you said?

Don't let rejection keep you from being faithful. The apostle Paul reminds us that our responsibility is to share the gospel with love and leave the results with God.

Click on the link below to read today's devotional.

#BibleStudy #Devotions #Faith #SharingYourFaith #ChristianLiving

https://www.ramckinley.com/how-to-handle-rejection-when-sharing-your-faith/

Strong families don't happen by accident. They are built one faithful decision at a time.
Psalm 128 shows how faith in God gives direction to our homes, purpose to our work, strength to our marriages, and hope for future generations.
Click on the link below to read today's devotional. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Family #Psalms #Faith

https://www.ramckinley.com/when-your-faith-in-god-shapes-your-family-life/

God instructed Israel to build His altar from ordinary earth and uncut stones. No craftsman could boast and say, "Look what I made." The altar pointed to God's workmanship, not man's.

The same truth applies to us today. We spend so much time comparing ourselves to others and trying to become someone we were never created to be.

You are God's workmanship. You are His creation. You are valuable, not because of what you have made of yourself, but because God created you and chose to use you.

Click on the link below to read today's devotional.  #BibleStudy #Devotions #Exodus #ChristianLiving

https://www.ramckinley.com/an-altar-made-of-earth/

Have you ever felt trapped by circumstances with no clear way forward?

David experienced one of the darkest seasons of his life. Hiding in a cave, surrounded by danger, he discovered that when no one else could help him, God remained his refuge.

If you are facing a difficult situation today, Psalm 142 reminds us that even in our darkest moments, we are never alone.

Read today's devotion to discover how God can become your refuge when life feels overwhelming. #BibleStudy #Hope #Devotions #Psalms #TrustGod #ChristianLiving

https://www.ramckinley.com/finding-refuge-in-god/

Do you look forward to gathering with God's people, or has worship become routine?

David approached worship with joy, anticipation, and gratitude because he understood the importance of God's presence and the blessing of joining together with other believers.

Psalm 122 challenges us to examine our own hearts. Do we enter God's house with expectation? Are we investing in the unity, peace, and spiritual health of our churches?

Read today's devotion and discover why worship still matters and how it can transform both our hearts and our communities. #BibleStudy #Psalms #Worship #Church #ChristianLiving #Faith #Devotions #HouseOfTheLord

https://www.ramckinley.com/let-us-go-to-the-house-of-the-lord/

We often assume it's so our faith will grow. While that's certainly true, John 4 reveals another reason. Sometimes God moves us beyond what's familiar because someone else needs to experience His love through our obedience.

Read this devotion, and discover how God can use your willingness to step out in faith to impact another person's life. #BibleStudy #Comfort #Devotions #John #TrustGod

https://www.ramckinley.com/why-god-calls-us-out-of-our-comfort-zone/

Psalm 85 reminds us that revival begins when God restores our hearts to Himself. What does genuine spiritual renewal look like, and how does it begin? Click the link below to read today's devotional. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Psalms #Revival

https://www.ramckinley.com/restore-us-again-and-revive-your-people/

Psalm 82 speaks with urgency into a world that groans under injustice. Only by putting our faith into action can we answer God’s call for justice. Click on the link below to read how you can apply the fulfillment of that call. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Hope #Psalms

https://www.ramckinley.com/gods-call-for-justice/

What qualifies Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for all eternity? The writer of Hebrews encourages our hearts as it points to directly to Jesus, our High Priest and sacrifice. Click on the link below to read about it. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Hebrews #Sacrifice

https://www.ramckinley.com/Jesus Became Our Ultimate Sacrifice/

Life’s hard seasons seldom announce themselves politely. When they come upon you, what do you do? Click on the link below to see how David handled it when hard times came upon him. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Psalms #worship

https://www.ramckinley.com/rely-on-gods-guidance/