Monday
Freed from Sin
We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin (Romans 6:6, 7 NLT).
Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we are free from the grip of sin. Our chains are broken.
Lord God, thank You for saving us from ourselves. Your gift of salvation should never be underestimated. It was a free gift that cost You your life, Lord. Your blood shed for -ALL- of us. Without Your sacrifice, we would never be able to enter heaven or have a relationship with You. Today and forever, we praise Your holy name. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday
It's Just Stuff, Why Worry?
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today (Matthew 6:30-34 NLT).
Stop worrying about stuff. Focus on what you have, not what you don't have. Stop clinging to the unimportant things in life and strive to praise God for the many blessings that you have.
God loves you, so rest firmly in His arms. Relax and know that He is God.
Father, thank You for understanding our walk through this world. Thank You for giving us hope. Help us to remember there is much more to life than the stuff we accumulate. Lord God, lead us today to be better disciples. Help us to be more like Jesus today than we were yesterday. In His name we pray. Amen.
Wednesday
A True Friend Speaks Truth
Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others (Proverbs 12:15 NLT).
Sometimes we have blinders on and can't see that the path that we are on is not a good one. We must willing to listen to a good friend that is speaking truth to us. Sometimes truth cuts deep into our core. When that happens, compare your friend's rebuke with God's Word. If they agree, you must adhere to your friends rebuke. Remember, it's for your own good.
Dear Lord, help us to accept correction from credible sources. We all go astray. Lord, help us to listen to others. Help us get back on track. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thursday
Our Faith
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1 NLT).
We can't see Him or touch Him, but we can know Him. We can pray and speak to Him. He, in turn, speaks to our heart. God is omnipresent. He is God. He is the triune God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We can know His ways by studying His word, the Holy Bible.
God sends the Holy Spirit into our hearts, where He presides. We will never understand all of who God is, His ways are not our ways. In our times of turmoil, we must understand the importance of walking by faith. Faith that He is with us, always.
We walk by the faith knowing He is God and He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to save us from our sins by His sacrificial death on the cross. After he was dead and buried, Jesus was raised to new life by our heavenly Father. God then sent us His Advocate, the Holy Spirit to lead and direct our lives and to dwell in our hearts. Oh, what a blessing that God has given us and all we have to do is believe and have faith that He is God, and He is Who He says He is. That faith is what followers of Christ live by.
By our faith, we are saved by His grace. Thanks be to God. Amen and Amen.
Friday
Walking the Walk
My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins (James 5:19-20 NLT).
Walk the walk and talk the talk. Do not vary from sharing Jesus with all that you meet. The old saying really holds true, "You and your actions may be the only Bible someone ever reads".
If you claim Jesus as your Savior and are a professed Christian, you are (and should be) held to a higher standard. Remember, people are watching. You have the ability to lead them to Christ or turn them away from Him.
May God grant us His mercy, grace, and love so that we might share His truth in this lost and dying world. Amen.
Saturday
New Life Equals Real Life
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23 NLT).
Thank you, Jesus, for giving poor sinners like us a way to put sin to death and that we might spring forth in new life.
Lord, we praise You. Thank You for giving us a Way to find real life in this world and eternal life when this life is over. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Sunday
Why Did the Creator of All Things, Create Other Religions?
Well, God, the one and only true God didn't create other religions. His broken creation, fallen man, did. When Adam fell into brokenness and sin, he opened the door for man to create and even to become his own god(s).
Because of man's desire for control, the religions of the world were invented/created, not by God but by man. This is an example of "free will." This is a perfect image of how the fall of man affected the world.
Sin entered the world through a man named Adam. The world was saved by Jesus Christ's obedience.
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness; for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s sin brings condemnation to everyone, but Christ’s act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other Person obeyed God, many will be made righteous (Romans 5:12, 17-19 NLT).
Lord God, thank You for saving us from ourselves and giving us Your Word. I praise You, Father God. Amen.
