Devotions - Prayer
Steps to Peace
God’s purpose is life and peace:
God desires for you to have life and peace that is for both NOW and for ALL eternity.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10
……..And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. ”
John 14:27
*Recognizing the problem: sin and separation:
We were created to know, love, and glorify God. When we CHOOSE to go our own way, living life in willful disobedience to God, we are Choosing to be separated from God both now and for all eternity.
The Bible says we are ALL sinners…
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23
But God is love…
“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
1JN 4:16……God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
God is also just…
“For the wages of sin is death; but the GIFT of God is eternal life IN Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
We cannot save ourselves:
Because God is Holy, He cannot allow sin to enter into Heaven.
Most people attempt to save themselves by their own efforts, good works, or church attendance. The Bible says…
“There is a way that seems right unto man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12
How then can a sinful person enter Heaven where God allows no sin?
We are saved by grace:
The good news is… in spite of our sin, Christ died for us.
“By grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourself; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
Responding to God’s gift by faith:
“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:9
You can go to Heaven, no matter how bad your sin WAS or IS:
“….For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:13
” For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. “Luke 19:10
What Doe God want Us to do:
“for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. “Romans 10:13
How can you believe?
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9,10
What can you do to show that you believe?
You can Pray to your Father God in Heaven and let Him know you accept
His Son Jesus as Your Personal Savior.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life”.John 5:24
God is there to help 24/7:
God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. “Hebrews 13:5
“….And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. “Matthew 28:20
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE OF GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:( Romans 8:31-35 Message Bible).
Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Love Letter
My Beloved,
I am so proud of you. Just thinking of you makes me sing (Zephaniah 3:17). You are the apple of my eye, my child in whom I have found great delight (Psalms 17:8, 149:4, Song of Solomon 4:10). Even in your struggles, you look to me. You have not broken your covenant of love with me, and I am so pleased with you. Though you do not see, you believe; though you do not always hear, you listen and obey. Yes, you are yet imperfect. Sometimes you fall down, but I love you through your struggles. Your weaknesses are beautiful, because it is from that place of repentance that you realize how much you need me (2 Corinthians 12:10, Song of Solomon 1:5).
You are beautiful, my darling, unique, one of a kind (Song of Solomon 1:15, 6:9). How lovely are the works of my hands (Isaiah 64:8)! Who is there to say that my creation is not beautiful (Is 45:9)? I created your inmost being; I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Ps 139:13). See, before I established the foundations of the Earth, I knew you. Before I parted the oceans, I was waiting for you, peering through the lattices of time: Let me hear your voice! (Song of Solomon 8:13). Your voice is like the choicest perfume, like sweet honey to my lips (Song of Solomon 4:11). Do not be afraid (Isaiah 41:10).
Dark are you, but lovely (Song of Solomon 1:5). I have chosen you among your companions, I’ve called you by name, and you are mine (Psalm 45:7, Song of Solomon 2:16). Nothing can separate you from my love (Romans 8:38-39). I am here for YOU, every day, every moment, and with every breath you breathe. There is nothing I would not do for YOU, you can believe this because I have already given you the greatest gift of all, my Son (John 3:16). Here I am, laying before you a banqueting table of my riches (Song of Solomon 2:4). Take, and be filled! Do not be satisfied with the mediocre life that the world has to offer (Song of Solomon 2:4). Only in me can you find the abundant life you are searching for (I Timothy 6:19, John 10:10). Only in me can the void you feel be filled. Do not let a lust for immediate gratification push you to fill your void with anything, only then you can be prepared to receive my glorious best, for you. Wait on me and in just a very little while you’ll be with me for I am coming back, not a second too late or a moment too soon! (Hebrew 10:37) I will accomplish that which concerns you. (Philippians 1:6) I will withhold from you no good thing my child as long as you continue to walk uprightly.
Do you believe I can do this? (Matthew 9:28) Then be still and know you will receive MY very best for YOU. Be still and know that I am God… and that since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you (Isaiah 43:4(a)) you can “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). Be still and listen. Turn off every distraction. In the secret place you shall find me (Psalm 91:1-2). In the temple of your spirit, I have built my resting place (1 Corinthians 6:19). Many search for me, but do not find me, because they fear the cost of my friendship (Luke 9:23). They do not know that true love is not measured on the scales of emotion, but of quiet devotion (John 14:15). So, draw near to me, and I will draw near to you (James 4:8). Even when you do not feel me, I am here. I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). Rejoice, then, rejoice! Give thanks to me and praise my name! (Psalm 100:4). For “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3, NIV). My love for you remains as steady as the rising sun (Psalm 103:17). It never changes, because you are my child, my creation, and I am well pleased with you (Hebrews 13:8).
Love always and forever,
Your Heavenly Abba