Devotions - Prayer
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11-12 NIV).
If you were to ask people if they are going to Heaven or Hell, you’ll likely hear them say, “I hope I’ll go to Heaven.”
But hope just isn’t good enough. I pray that’s not your answer. Your eternal destiny is too important not to know for sure.
Only a fool would be unprepared for what we all know is inevitable: death. The most recent statistics show that mortality rates in the world are 100 percent!
You’re not guaranteed another minute on this planet, much less another hour. Don’t put off the most important choice you’ll ever make.
The Bible says in 1 John 5:11-12,“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (NIV).
That’s about as clear as you can get.
- If you have Jesus, you have life.
- If you don’t have Jesus, you do not have life.
- You have a choice.
You won’t go to Heaven because of someone else’s faith. You’ll never go to Hell because of someone else’s choice.
It’s your choice! You decide where you’ll spend eternity.
This is why Christmas and Easter are so important. If Jesus hadn’t come at Christmas and if he hadn’t died and come back to life on Easter, we’d be hopeless. Nothing we do would matter. You wouldn’t have this choice.
The cross is the answer to our deepest problem — our separation from God.
The Bible says, “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross”(Colossians 2:13-14).
God nailed everything that separated you from himself to the cross. But God won’t force you to make the most important decision of your life. It’s in your hands.
It’s time to choose.
Lord, Help me to KNOW you more each and every day, because to know You is to have eternal life (JN 17:3). Amen
Read MoreTHE STORY OF THE FOURTH OF JULY-GO TO:
https://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-declaration-of-independence/fourth-of-july/
7 Steps to understand and reach Victory
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
1. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
3. 1JN 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
4. 1 Thessalonians. 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
5. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
6. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Heb. 10: 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,
7. Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Romans 8:37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
1 John 5:4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
*All of us have a choice: we can either make excuses, or make progress in life.
Rev. 21:7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
AMEN AMEN THANK YOU JESUS
Read MoreBy John Piper
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
How shall we fight for joy?
- Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift.
- Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly.
- Resolve to attack all known sin in your life.
- Learn the secret of gutsy guilt — how to fight like a justified sinner.
- Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God for who he is.
- Meditate on the Word of God day and night.
- Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.
- Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself.
- Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight.
- Be patient in the night of God’s seeming absence.
- Get the rest, exercise, and proper diet that your body was designed by God to have.
- Make a proper use of God’s revelation in nature.
- Read great books about God and biographies of great saints.
- Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (witness and mercy).
- Get a global vision for the cause of Christ and pour yourself out for the unreached.
Lord may we all experience more and more of Your Joy in our lives and families. Help us spend some time giving back to others the joy you have given us. Amen
Read MoreETERNAL HAPPINESS= NOT WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND ME—IT’S ABOUT WHAT GOD IS DOING IN ME!
The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)
*Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
*Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
*Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
*Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
*Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
*Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
*Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
*Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
No commands here. Just declarations — declarations of who the blessed/happy people are and where that blessedness leads them.
The Beatitudes
1. God’s grace in the gospel shows you your moral and spiritual bankruptcy. (Total dependence on God).
*You must be spirit-poor if the cross is what it took to rescue you.
2. God’s grace in the gospel makes you mourn.
*To know that your sin nailed Jesus to the cross breaks your heart.
*I can’t do it without you, God….take this cup…NOT MY WILL but YOURS be DONE!
3. God’s grace in the gospel makes you meek.
*How can you be touchy and defensive now that you’ve seen Jesus dying for you? There’s nothing in you worth defending.
4. God’s grace in the gospel lets you see how hungry and thirsty you are for a righteousness that will open the door to God’s acceptance.
*Jesus is that righteousness given to you freely as a gift.
5. God’s grace in the gospel makes you merciful.
*How can you choke your neighbor over what they owe you when both hands are already occupied receiving the mercy of Jesus Christ?
6. God’s grace in the gospel makes you pure in heart.
*Knowing that God has accepted you on the basis of Jesus blood and righteousness frees you to live honestly before God and people, admitting who you really are and how desperate you are for Christ.
7. God’s grace in the gospel leads you to be a peacemaker.
*Your experience of God’s grace puts so much joy in your heart that you cannot help but tell others how they can be at peace with God.
8. And finally, your experience of God’s grace in the gospel will get you persecuted.
*I will be hated because of my faith in Christ…I can take joy though that my reward is not in this life. Need the Eternal Perspective!
Jesus draws to himself people who realize how weak they are and how powerless they are.
John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Amen
Does our heavenly Father favor certain of his children?
When it comes to salvation and his wonderful promises, God treats ALL alike but He also puts his special favor on those who respond wholeheartedly to his calling and yield their lives to him entirely!
God is all knowing, therefore He knows the good and the bad, those who seek him an those who don’t. If you truly seek him with your heart and through your actions then he will have a place for you in heaven!
Our heavenly Father puts a special garment on those who completely give him their heart:
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10).
* True saving faith’s object is Jesus alone
* True saving faith results in a changed life.
W are to be looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith! When Satan comes and points at some weakness in our heart, WE have every right to answer, “My God already knows it all and he still loves me! He has given me everything I need to attain victory and keep it.”
(See 1JN 4:4 for Fighting From Victory)
The Lord leads each of His children along a path that is uniquely tailor made for him or her. Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.
**Don’t look for affirmation in the wrong places; your own evaluations, or those of other people.
*The only source of real affirmation is the Lord’s unconditional Love.
JESUS died for your sins, so that He might clothe you in His garments of salvation. This is how the Lord sees you: radiant in HIS robe of righteousness.
When the Lord disciplines you, it’s never in anger or disgust; it is to prepare you for face-to-Face fellowship with HIM throughout all eternity.
Romans 8: 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
* Paul provides us with a very descriptive manifestation of all that is for those who are in Christ Jesus;
Romans 8:
1. No condemnation! (vs. 1)
2. Live in the Spirit (vs. 9)
3. Life because of righteousness (vs. 10)
4. Are children of God (vs. 14 & 15)
5. Have hope (vs. 23-25)
6. Experience God’s good working (vs. 28)
7, Are called, justified, and glorified (vs. 30
8. Are more than conquerors! (vs. 31 &37)
9. Will never be separated from the love of God! (vs. 35)
This is an amazing Chapter full of the promise that God gives us- His children.
YES WE ARE GOD’S MASTERPIECE. Amen Thank You Jesus!
Read MoreOnly God’s Love is powerful enough to illuminate the darkness in our hearts.
“For God…is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14).
What measurements do you use to define your self-worth?
*Do you define it based on your financial assets?
*Is it based on what you have achieved professionally?
*Perhaps you define your value based on the number of children you have.
There are many things we can use to define our self-worth. However, the scriptures tell us there is only one measure for our self-worth.
Each of us has self-worth because we are made in the image of God.
And because we are made in the image of God, we are valuable.
Whenever you and I place a value in ourselves that is based on some other performance criteria, we have moved beyond God’s view of our worth as human beings.
You are never more valuable to God than you were the day you were born. Read Psalms 139
Basing our self-worth on how much money we have or our achievements is an easy trap.
We are bombarded with messages that say we are defined by what we drive, where we live, how many toys we own, and the size of our investment account. The media message is designed to create dissatisfaction and lust for what we don’t have.
Paul said the purpose for his existence was…...“to know Christ, and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).
In what terms do you define yourself? Is it based on knowing Christ alone?
Colossians 2:2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Lord, help me to know You More. Amen (see JN 17:3)
Read MoreIf we’re only loving in order to change the other person or the circumstances, our motivation is totally wrong.
That’s conditional human love, and not God’s Love at all.
*If selfishness is motivating us, the fruit of our actions will be rotten.
“Love…does not seek its own…” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
It’s something quite amazing to know that no matter where I am, where I go or what I do, God is there... I don’t have to run, and there’s no place to hide… He sees and knows ALL!
* Don’t hide. Come to Him. He is calling unto you. Come to your Father and talk to Him, He’ll understand. He knows everything. He controls everything even if He seems silent sometimes. He’s watching with compassion… waiting for you to come to Him.
Psalm 139:7–10. “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths[or in Sheol, or in hell], you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me; your right hand will hold me fast.”
God’s presence is His Spirit.
*God told the prophet Jeremiah that He fills all things, that He fills the heaven and He fills the earth.
It’s not the visible, manifest form of God that fills the heaven or the earth, but it’s that invisible, imperceptible presence of God the Holy Spirit which permeates the entire universe.
*No matter where we go, that invisible hand is stretched out to hold us.
*No matter how far we may sink down or how high we may rise, we cannot go below the level of God’s presence or ascend above it.
God’s presence is always with us.
*He hears every word we speak;
*He knows every thought.
*He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
God is omnipotent (all powerful), omnipresent (everywhere), and omniscient (all knowing). He is everywhere, in everything.
And through it all, He keeps us and loves us as His own. What a blessing!
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalms 139:23-24). Amen
Read MorePsalm 31:15 My times are in your hands…
What a profound and blessed revelation – that God has absolute control over all the times in our lives.
God is the only one in the universe that totally controls time.
This is beautifully demonstrated in the heavenly bodies.
*Countless millions and millions of stars move around in the universe with absolute precision.
*Isaiah the prophet says that the Lord calls every one of them forth by name and they are all present, not one is wanting.
*The sun never rises late or sets early. *Astronomers can calculate the exact place of every heavenly body in the remote past, in the distant future.
God has absolute control over time and what David realized when he uttered those words is this: that God has absolute control over the times in our lives.
*He’s never late.
*He’s never premature.
*He has a time for every situation, every circumstance.
If we will just commit our lives totally into His hands, we’ll find that our times are in His hands.
God says, “I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as LORD.When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them. (Psalm 91:14, 15 )
Be strong, focused and unwavering, and it will help you deal with the chaos around you.
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Lord, I truly do want to surrender my will to You. Empty my heart of all desires not placed there by You. I open my heart so that You might have your way with Me. Use me in the way that is most fitting to you, Lord. Amen
Read Ecclesiastes 7:14
Read More“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.” Ephesians 1:18
Are You Hopeful?
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
*Obedience is a proof of faith.
*Faith is converting belief to action!
When you think about the future, are you hopeful?
Or do you struggle with a sense of dread?
People who have seen God’s faithfulness in the past tend to be very hopeful about the future.
*They know a bad situation can turn into a wonderful testimony in a matter of minutes.
On the other hand, people who have lost all hope view life from the perspective of dread.
A close cousin to fear, dread steals the ability to enjoy ordinary life and makes people anxious about the future.
Hope is the opposite of dread, and a close relative of faith.
*When we have faith in God, it leads to hope, and our outlook on life and the future is positive. (have an eternal perspective)
Hope allows us to:
* Leave our unanswered questions in God’s hands.
* It empowers us to remain at peace.
* It enables us to believe the best about the days to come.
You can have hope when you trust in God’s love.
God has the power to provide for you and lead you through every situation.
God, I choose to put my faith in You, knowing that it will turn into hope. I don’t have to dread, because You have the ability to care for me, so I put my hope in You. AMEN
Ephesians 4:4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.
*So let’s stay in our lane and finish running our race that God has given us with much Hope looking at the Eternal Perspective VS the temporal worldly one.
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
What if there were two doors to choose from;
1. Behind one door was the complete will of God for your life.
2. Behind the other door was how life could be according to your own preference.
Which door would you choose?
The struggle for most lies in the Desire to follow God completely and the Fear of what might be behind the door of full surrender.
*Most of us desire to follow God, but few of us will do it at any cost.
*We do not really believe that God loves us to the degree that we are willing to give Him complete permission to do as He wills in us.
If we desire to fully walk with Christ, there is a cost. We may give intellectual assent and go along with His principles and do fine; however, if we are fully given over to Him and His will for our life, it will be a life that will have adversity.
The Bible is clear that humans do not achieve greatness without having their sinful will broken.
*This process is designed to create a nature change in each of us, not just a habit change.
The Bible calls it circumcision. Circumcision is painful, bloody, and personal.
If God has plans to greatly use you in the lives of others, you can expect your trials to be even greater than those of others. Why?
Because, like Joseph who went through greater trials than most patriarchs, your calling may have such responsibility that God cannot afford to entrust it to you without ensuring your complete faithfulness to the call.
*He has much invested in you on behalf of others.
*He may want to speak through your life to a greater degree than through another.
The events of your life would become the frame for the message
*He wants to speak through you.
Jesus did much more than just obtain eternal life for us, He also paid all the wages of our sins (Rom. 6:23).
* God literally placed the condemnation, or judgment, that was against us upon His own Son. Jesus’ perfect flesh was condemned so our defiled flesh could go free. (Read Romans 8)
*What a trade! What Love! Since Jesus bore our sentence (condemnation), we don’t have to bear it. The debt has already been paid.
Do not fear the path that God may lead you on. Embrace it. For God may bring you down a path in your life to ensure the reward of your inheritance.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Cor. 4:17).
Lord, I surrender All. Increase my Faith so I really believe and know that You love me to the degree that I am willing to surrender and give You complete permission to do as You will in me. Come and take all of me for Your Glory! Thank You for Your Love. Amen
When we allow God to love others through us, it’s God they see in us and not ourselves.
* “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”Galatians 2:20
I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11 – Acts 21:11-12
Paul understood his personal mission, which should be the personal mission of every believer in Jesus Christ. It is the one summary statement that best describes the purpose of our existence on earth and the goal of our Christian experience. It can be reduced to three important characteristics.
- To know Christ.
- To know and experience His power.
- To identify with His sufferings.
All that flows from these three objectives becomes a by-product.
- Salvation is a by-product.
- Miracles are a by-product.
- Christ likeness is a by-product.
Paul’s focus was on relationship. He understood that the deeper the relationship, the more power he would experience. He also understood that as he grew in this relationship, there would be suffering.
Whenever the Kingdom of Light confronts the kingdom of darkness, there is a battle, and this often results in casualties.
Christ confronted these earthly kingdoms and suffered for it. Hebrews 5:8 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
If we are living at this level of obedience, we, too, will face similar battles; it simply comes with the territory.
Matthew 5:11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
- Does this sound like your personal mission statement?
- Is your focus in life centered on knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection?
- If not, press into Him today in order to begin experiencing Christ more intimately.
Lord thank you for persecution because it takes our eyes of earthly rewards, it strips away superficial belief, it strengthens the faith of us who endure and our attitude through it serves as an example to others who follow. What a testimony it can be to bring YOU the Glory! Amen
Read More
Salvation is our greatest need:
*Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
*Romans 5:11 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
Peace can only come when we relate to God on the basis of faith in what He did for us, instead of what we do for Him.
A person who is thinking that he must perform up to some standard to be accepted by God will have no peace.
That puts the burden of salvation on our shoulders, and we can’t bear that load.
*We were incapable of living holy enough to please God before we were saved, and we are incapable of living holy enough to please God now that we are saved (Heb. 11:6).
We were saved by faith, and we have to continue to walk with God by faith (Col. 2:6).
It’s traditionally acceptable to think about baby Jesus in the manger. And, of course, it’s all part of the beautiful Christmas story. But also, let’s remember that Jesus came with a purpose, to destroy the works of the enemy. Friend, whatever it is that you are going through; know this…Jesus came to empower you to be an overcomer!
Yes, it’s true that He came to provide salvation. But, it’s so much more! Salvation is derived from the Greek word sozo, which means more than being “saved”; salvation is a word that fully translates as protection, prosperity, healing, and (I like to say) everything that Heaven has to offer! When Jesus died on the Cross, we reaped the full benefits of sozo!
Jesus came as a Champion over every stronghold, every setback, and every mountain that attempts to stand before you! You have been promised victory according to the “counsel” of your Mighty God! The enemy will attempt to speak lies that will bind you to the shame of your past. See 1 John 4:4
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27a
Lord, thank You for picking me up when I fall down. I know that my struggles mean that You are helping me overcome my negative mindsets and bringing me more and more in line with Your way of thinking. The Peace of God Transcends all obstacles. I love you Lord! Amen.
Read MoreSo now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life union with Jesus the anointed. Romans 8:1
We each have moments when we start feeling overwhelmed by condemnation. Thoughts run through our heads like, “I wish I hadn’t done that,” or, “I could have done that better.”
You know, sometimes, after you’ve gone through the process of prayer, repentance, forgiveness, release, and so on, you have to choose to just shake it off.
If satan can’t keep you from repenting, he’ll try to trap you with a worldly sorrow that is non-productive; it paralyzes you with feeling terrible about yourself and a sense that you’ll never be anything significant.
But this is not God’s desire for you. Godly sorrow leads to repentance, and repentance leads to redemption.
When something like this happens, there are steps we can and should take – we forgive ourselves, we forgive others, we make things right if we need to. But then there comes a point where we simply have to shake it off. We can’t walk around dragging garbage and baggage.
We have one Justifier; we have a Redeemer. If we wallow in the mess we were caught in or a past situation, then we hinder the Redeemer’s anointing from activating in our lives. When we release it, God silences the accusing voice of condemnation, just as our opening verse says. “There remains no accusing voice”.
A little further in the Romans 8 passage, we read these amazing words: “You have received the spirit of full acceptance, enfolding you into the family of God, and you will never feel orphaned; for as He rises up within us, our spirits join in saying the words of tender affection, ‘Beloved Father.’ For the Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to us as He whispers into our inner most being.”
God wants to root out the orphan spirit in you and in the entire Body of Christ. He wants you to recognize that you are not a victim and that you don’t need to get caught in the trap of victimizing yourself. You are called to be whole, and you are unconditionally loved.
Father, I thank You that today we will feel totally accepted. Help us to reach a place where we feel accepted by You and by others. Thank You for uprooting the orphan spirit from our hearts. I thank You for this movement of the Holy Spirit bringing renewed passion for God as we recognize that we can feel close to Him, that we are 100% accepted. Help us remember that we are never alone and that God has never left us. We decree that we are not orphans; we belong to our heavenly Father. Amen.
Read More
Have you been set free?
You probably think, “Of course! I’ve been washed, redeemed, made holy by Jesus, and I live for Him. ”
Now here’s a follow-up question: Does your everyday life reflect the glorious freedom you have just described?
*Would your friends, your spouse, your children say you’ve been set free?
**Or are you like multitudes of Christians who feel they are on a spiritual seesaw?
Is your walk with Christ continually up and down, seemingly spiritual one moment and carnal the next?
We accept by faith the great truths about Jesus’ work for us—salvation, redemption, sanctification, deliverance. Yet for many of us, these are“spiritual truths” that exist in another world.
We sing and rejoice at church each week over what Jesus has done for us—but is His gift of freedom a reality in our daily lives?
At times we all struggle to remain pure in thoughts and actions. Maybe this week you said something unkind to your spouse and you have been stewing, “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I be a blessing in my marriage?”
Whenever we fail in our walk with God, we wonder, “Has God really set me free?”
Perhaps at times you even question your salvation.
Now that isn’t freedom. I have been there way to often.
So what does it mean to really be set free in Christ?
The first evidence of this comes from Jesus, who says, “Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? . . . Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:27, 33,).
Christ offers the same words to all of us who fret about our spiritual lives:
Do not be anxious! It does not matter how broken down you feel about your walk with Him. He declares, “You are a new creation” (see 2 Corinthians 5:17).
The moment you chose to follow Jesus, He made you new—and that never changes. (Read Eph. 2:1-10)
Thank You Jesus for the personal relationship we have and may we become more and more as ONE each passing day for Your Glory and my Joy! Thank You Jesus for the Freedom I know I have in Knowing You! Amen
Read MoreGod’s Love isn’t given to just a select few. It’s a gift we all receive when we are born again.
“…for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”. 1 John 4:7
Perhaps you are saying, “I want Jesus to be king of my life. I want to do everything He commands me!”
Two of the wonderful blessings that come to all who enthrone Jesus as king of their lives.
1. First, Scripture says if you will submit yourself to Jesus, waiting to receive His counsel and direction, you will partake of His holiness. (SEE:Hebrews 12:9-10).
Paul commands us to come to Jesus, asking Him to give us dominion over all our sins and fears:
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).
God is saying, “If you want to know abundant life—true, full life—then submit yourself to Me and I will give you life without fear, guilt or condemnation!”
2. Second, those who submit to Christ’s lordship will walk in peace—without fear or anxiety.
“That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. . . . Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:74-75, 78-79).
What a wonderful promise!
If we will yield our lives to Him, He will shine His light into our darkness and guide us into peace and rest.
You can tell when a person has enthroned Christ in his heart.
Such a life produces a peace that passes all understanding and you can see that peace in the person’s face and demeanor.
Are you passionately telling others about Christ?
*Loving God involves not just having a personal relationship with Jesus but also sharing Him with others.
*The world around you needs the power of Christ. Let the Holy Spirit guide and enable you to share effectively with those around you.
Thank You for Your Peace Jesus. And help me have more of the Eternal Perspective Daily. Amen