Devotions - Prayer
Psalm 23:1-3 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved and memorized Psalms. King David’s personal experience as a shepherd gave him unique training to be king and special insight into God’s role as our Good Shepherd.
These first three verses highlight God’s gentle and generous care for us.
- Green pastures mean plenty to eat without the constant struggle of moving from place to place in search of food.
- The still waters provide abundant water without the fear that fast-moving streams might evoke.
- The paths of righteousness are the safe and beneficial routes God leads us in life.
God’s spiritual sheep enjoy all these blessings in abundance through God’s Word (our food), the Holy Spirit (our water) and God’s righteous and beneficial way of life.
Lord, Thank You for being our Shepherd and help us to allow You to Shepherd us each and every hour through your voice, your word and Christian relationships. Amen
Read MoreFor One Cause—CHRIST!
“ 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.” (Colossians 2:2)
HOW TO RESTORE A BROKEN RELATIONSHIP
1 Talk to GOD before talking to the person.
In doing so, you may find a change of heart or the other person may have changed without your help.
This may provide you the clarity you need.
2. Always take the initiative.
Make the first move; don’t wait for the other party. By delaying it deepens resentment and makes matters worse.
Acting quickly reduces the damage.
3. Sympathize with their feelings.
Listen first. Hear what they are feeling. Focus on their feelings and not the facts.
Begin with sympathy; not the solutions.
4. Confess your part of the conflict.
Admit your own mistakes. Determine how much of the problem is actually your fault or issue.
5. Attack the problem, not the person.
You cannot fix the problem if you are fixing blame. Choose between the two.
How you say things is as important as what you say.
6. Cooperate as much as possible.
Sometimes it costs us our pride; often our self-centeredness.
Do your best to compromise, adjust to others and show preference to their needs.
Lord, help me guard my heart above all else, for it determines the course of my life. Help me restore relationships that I may serve the Body of Christ as You have intended me too. Lord, continue to teach me about Your perfect Character through the Beatitudes in Mat. 5:3-12. Help me to become more and more like You each day. Amen
Read MoreTo know the mysteries Christ has for us.
We can know the mysteries Christ has for us and they will be revealed as we dig deeper into the Word.
* It doesn’t matter where you are God has a plan for your life. God sees all- no matter what.
Hosea 4:6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
“Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests;
In Psalms 43:3-4 — The truth is God’s Word; the Light is your understanding of it.
The psalmist cries out for an understanding of the Word as he reads it and for light, which breaks out of these marvelous promises to encourage and strengthen his heart.
1 Corinthians 4:6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.
* So many Christians over-complicate the Bible by looking for hidden meanings, praying for “special revelations” or “new understandings”, or they think you have to go to Bible college to understand God’s Word.
*The Bible is written in a way that speaks clearly to anyone who is seeking the truth–you don’t have to be an “expert”. The most important thing is to OBJECTIVELY seek the truth, keep in mind the context of the passage as well as the entirety of the Bible, and allow the Holy Spirit to give understanding.
To the Ephesians he said, “When you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:3).
Romans 15:4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
*Scripture speaks in numerous passages about “our light and momentary troubles that are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Lord,” Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” Col. 3:16 Amen
Read a Proverb a day for a year if you are hungry to receive additional Godly Wisdom, Knowledge, Discernment and the will of God for you.
God’s Love doesn’t just fall out of heaven, It comes through us! We are the Body of Christ on earth, and His hand outstretched to heal.
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us…” 2 Corinthians 5:20
The Father is the great Peace Maker. But, that peace came at a great cost. Colossians 1 teaches us that the cost to God of reconciling (making peace) with us was Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross.
Jesus has enabled anyone who will trust Him for forgiveness and healing and freedom, to be at peace with God.
Jesus understands precisely how we feel because He went through the same types of situations we do.
Though details of our lives may not match His, the experiences and feelings are alike.
Let’s look at several examples of how Jesus identifies with us:
• Misunderstanding: People constantly misunderstood His claims to be the Son of God.
• Rejection: He was unappreciated by the ones He came to love and die for.
• Pressure: Crowds surrounded Him, begging for help and demanding His attention.
• Exhaustion: He experienced all the weakness of humanity.
• Loneliness: At Gethsemane, when He needed human companionship the most, His closest friends fell asleep.
• Temptation: Satan hit Him with every imaginable type of attack and temptation. Jesus quoted Scripture each time.
• Hatred: Religious leaders despised Him.
• Injustice: Though Jesus lived a sinless life, He died a criminal’s death.
• Pain: He suffered the excruciating pain of scourging and crucifixion.
Whatever you’re going through right now, remember that Jesus knows how you feel and sympathizes with your pain and weakness.
Hebrews 5:8 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
Jesus may not remove the anguish or change your situation, but He’ll always give you the grace to resist temptation, endure suffering, and grow in spiritual maturity.
Lord I thank you for the strength you give me in the midst of trouble for I am reminded the joy of The Lord is my strength. Amen
See Philippians 4:4-7
If we are to become more and more like Christ each day—then we should know and teach daily “Jesus Character” found in His Sermon and Teaching on the Mount–Beatitudes–for US to find Purpose, Meaning, and comfort in life.
The 8 Beatitudes–Matthew 5:3-10
1. Vs 3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
*Moral Bankruptcy to self—result-we are Accepted–Is. 55:1
2. Vs 4 God blesses those who mourn,for they will be comforted.
*Admit and regret our failure–result-we are Forgiven and have peace—2 Cor. 7:10.
3. Vs 5 God blesses those who are meek(humble),for they will inherit the whole earth.
*Ask Holy Spirit the need and follow through in obedience–result-give up control to control everything. Result- Freedom—Jer. 9:23-24
4. Vs 6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
*Actively Pursue God and His will–Result-I am filled with God’s Love-I am Satisfied. Eph. 3:17-19.
5. Vs 7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
*Jesus forgives me of my sins when I sincerely confess them and extend loving forgiving accepting spirit toward others. Result involved in others lives-I am Kind hearted. Matthew 25:37-40.
6. Vs 8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
*Be totally honest and do not suppress the truth(Ro. 1:18). Be vulnerable to the Holy Spirit and be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Ro. 12:2). Result-transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ my Lord. I am now Honest. 1 John 3:1-3.
7. Vs 9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
*I bring a message of reconciliation, healing and hope to all who will listen. Result-I am an Ambassador. 2 Cor. 5:20.
8. Vs 10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
*We now are fully devoted to Jesus. Result- I will joyfully accept whatever comes my way because of my Loyalty to Jesus Christ. I am Courageous. Colossians 3:1-4
While the Beatitudes of Jesus provide a way of life that promises salvation, they also provide peace in the midst of our trials and tribulations on this earth.
Take your circumstance through the Beatitudes and see the Holy Spirit work!*Jesus teaching is of Transformation of the INNER Person.
*Only God’s Divine Love can give us the identity and purpose we need to live life to the fullest.
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.
Thank You Jesus for Your Wisdom. I Pray the world will take Your Teachings and put them into practice for Your Glory and our joy. Amen
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” —Acts 1:8
*This power is for a purpose. It is not power to be crazy or power to do weird things.
* It is power to be a witness . . .
* Power to have the courage to tell someone about Jesus Christ . .
* Power to tell people about what Jesus has done for you. CROSS!
The Holy Spirit did not make His first appearance at Pentecost.
Gen. 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
The Holy Spirit is also shown to be doing the Father’s work throughout the Old Testament and Gospels.
*However, the Spirit arrived in the upper room with a fresh mission from the Father.
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit empowered individuals for specific tasks.
*For example, Bezalel’s God-given wisdom and craftsmanship enabled him to become the Tabernacle’s chief architect (Ex. 31:1-5).
*Men called to proclaim God’s word (Isa. 61:1; Ezek. 2:1-4).
When the Lord wanted a job done, He chose someone to do it.
*Then the Holy Spirit equipped him or her for the task.
God gave power only to certain people and didn’t necessarily remain with them long.
Indicating that the Spirit’s involvement with believers would be different than before, Jesus told the disciples, “He abides with you and will be in you” (John 14:17).
God’s Holy Spirit had come alongside the disciples during their time with Christ. But following the completion of Jesus’ work on earth, He would dwell within them.
Since Pentecost, EVERY BELIEVER HAS received the Holy Spirit.
*If Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, then the Spirit is the sap equipping us for the Christian life.
***Furthermore, He no longer comes and goes but rather remains permanently.
He seals us in Christ—proof of the promise that we are forever in God’s presence.
Eph. 1:13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
At salvation, you receive the same spirit that you will have throughout all eternity.
*It will not have to be changed again or cleansed again.
*It has been sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13) and is therefore sanctified and perfected forever (Heb. 10:10, 14; 12:23).
Jesus lives in the spirit of believers.
All that He is will be available to you if you will depend on Him instead of your own abilities.
Thank You God for Your indescribable gift-“The Holy Spirit”. Thank You that the Holy Spirit has awakened me from spiritual death. Amen
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, BUT Encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Let’s get excited about coming up with creative ways to build others up!
God instructs us to live in community — the dictionary says community is “a unified body of individuals”. We are united in Jesus Christ. The body of Christ supports and encourages us – and we in turn, support and encourage others – especially during our most difficult times. God builds our faith in community as we journey together and bear one another burdens.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”Joshua 1:9
Like God did with Joshua and like He does with us, WE can come alongside each other in some of life’s hardest challenges and highest peaks and say, “Don’t give up, you can do it. I’ll be with you and I will help you.”
Isn’t it amazing that when we take our eyes off our fears, our doubts, and our struggles and focus on someone else’s needs, we somehow forget our own.
**In believing the power of God’s promises for others, our confidence in His promises for us seems to grow as well.
**** That is the power of encouragement!
Colossians 2: 2 My(Paul)) goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
1 Thes. 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Lord, thank You for the power of Your words that give me courage to become who You’ve created me to be – to go to places You’re calling me to go and climb spiritual heights that are out of my reach without Your help. Give me Your encouragement and help me encourage someone else today. In Jesus Name Amen
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Psalm 42:1–2As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
David speaks there about a thirst of the soul. He says, “My soul thirsts for God.”
I suppose we are all familiar with what thirst is in our personal experience.
David speaks about a relationship to God that’s parallel to physical thirst.
He says, “My soul thirsts for God. When can I go and meet with God?”
• Do you know what it is to thirst for God?
• Have you ever felt that deep, inner longing that cannot be satisfied with anything less than God Himself?
If you have, I want to tell you that God is waiting.
You can go and meet with Him and satisfy that thirst in your soul, which cannot be satisfied by anything but God.
Deliberately deal with things that distract you from seeking Jesus’ face with a whole heart.
These are critical times in your spiritual development and supernatural progression. This is a time when you need to get your head screwed on straight–to become clear in your thinking and calm in your emotions so that your attitudes, motives and actions line up with the truth of God’s word. Become ONE with Him.
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
Lord, I come to you with my thirst for You – Fill my cup of love to over flowing that I may give to others. Thank you for all Your promises to all of us in Your perfect Word. Amen
Read MoreRomans 3:10 As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God.
Every follower of Jesus has a certain hunger in his heart. It is a passionate zeal to be holy before God—free from sin, victorious over flesh, pure and spotless before the Lord.
The Holy Spirit actually plants this desire—an innate longing to live uprightly—in the heart of every human being.
*For nonbelievers, the spirit of this world can darken the mind to any sense of rightness.
*For believers, failure to live in a way that honors God can crush the spirit.
This desire to live right is behind the meaning of the word righteousness.
Righteousness means to be in right standing with God—to live with right motives, emotions and behavior—and establish right alignment with His purposes. (moral orderliness)
To truly be righteous, we have to know what it is and is not.
The Bible describes our righteousness in two words:
1. Justification-(our position, or right standing, with God).
*Romans 1:17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
2. Sanctification-(our walk with God, our ongoing relation to Him).
*Romans 6:22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.
*Don’t try to impress yourself or others with what you do. Be impressed with what God does.
Jesus, may I remember your sacrifice and help me keep my humility so the focus can be on You at all times. May You receive All the Glory! Amen
Read MoreRead–Romans 5:6-11
What do you think about when you see a depiction of Christ on the cross?
Most of us are overwhelmed by the physical and emotional suffering that He endured—the scourging, beating, thorns, nails, mocking, and shame. We are horrified at the cruelty of the Romans and the hard hearts of the Jewish rulers.
But during the crucifixion, far more was happening than the eye could see. God was carrying out His plan to rescue mankind, providing everything we need for salvation:
- Redemption. Jesus paid the full price of the debt we owed for transgression: death. His payment set us free from bondage to sin.
- Forgiveness. God could now release us from the punishment we deserved.
- Propitiation. Christ’s payment satisfied
the Father by fulfilling His demand for justice while letting Him forgive us.
- Justification. On the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice, the Lord now declares believers not guilty.
Although we will still sin in this earthly life, our standing before God is one of righteousness. This is a legal declaration that can never be reversed.
- Reconciliation. The sin barrier that separated us from the Father was removed by Christ’s death on our behalf. We’re now God’s children—we have open access to Him and fellowship with Him.
The crucifixion was the only way to rescue lost humanity. If there had been any other way, the cross would have been a ugly display of divine cruelty. But because so much was at stake, it can truly be called the greatest act of love by both the Father and the Son.
Thank You Jesus for the Cross which won total Victory over Satan. Help me to come to know You more and more Jesus so that Your love will fill me to overflowing and then give that same love to others in need. Amen
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“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!
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