Monday
Broken Lives
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth (1 John 1:8 NLT).
We are sinners. We are all walking around in our very own sin. If you think that you are not, you might better take a better look at your heart. We all sin. The difference between a Christian and someone who has not found the saving grace of Jesus is that those who are "in-Christ" feel the remorse of their sin, repent, and ask for forgiveness. They seek to do their best to not continue to live in that sin. Those who are living outside of Christ just try to convince themselves and others that what they are doing is really not a sin at all.
Father, we all need a Savior to cover our sinful lives.
Father God, thank you for meeting our needs through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. I praise your holy name. Amen.
Tuesday
God Is Always With Us
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him (Philippians 2:13 NLT).
God may be busy, but He is never too busy to not hear and answer our prayers. God is always faithful. He is working in our lives right now! All we must do is turn to Him and give Him a chance to complete His work.
How do I know He is working in your life? The Bible tells us in places like Philippians 2:13, and He did a work in me. I must add, He actually continues to do His work in me. Our walk with Christ is a continual process and not just a one-time transformation.
Lord God, thank you for loving us so much that you will come to us as we are but never leave us as we are. When you come into our lives, you make incredible changes. Help us to give up our sinful desires and follow you. Lead us and direct us to your righteous path, Lord. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Wednesday
Sin Is Sin
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT).
Shed the sin that you are living in, and turn your life over to Jesus. You have heard the truth, now is the time to live like you have heard it.
Oh, to be clear, if God's Word says it is sin, it is just that. You can't justify it no matter how hard you try. Sin is sin, and God cannot let sin into His presence.
Lord God, help us to come into total repentance of our sin and lay it at the foot of your cross. Help us to live more like you today than yesterday. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Thursday
He Gave His All
We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus (Romans 6:9-11 NLT).
He lived, died, and was raised from the tomb. He now sits at the right hand of God Almighty. Thanks be to God that Jesus was sent to save us from ourselves.
Father God, let us not forget that Jesus died because of our sins. He freely gave His life for each of us. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Lord, we are so undeserving of your love, but you deem us worthy. Thank you, Lord. Thank you. Amen.
Friday
Finding Happy Days
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say,
“If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:8-12 NLT).
In today's Scripture, Peter writes instructions for finding a great life. These instructions are valid for walking on this earth while securing the blessings of God for an eternity with Him.
Thanks be to God for His Word. Father God, you truly have given us the greatest Book ever written. It is the Book of Truth that provides the Way to everlasting life through Jesus.
Dear God, Creator, Savior, and King of all things, please save us from ourselves. Bring us back to you, Lord. We have drifted so far from your instructions. Lord, take us back into your mighty arms. We need you in our lives and in our nation. Save us, Lord. We ask and pray this in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Saturday
His Perfection
The instructions of The Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair (Psalm 19:7-9 NLT).
Consider the words used: perfect, reviving, decrees, trustworthy, wise, commandments, right, joy, clear, reverence, pure, forever, true, and fair!
Enough said.
Lord God, thank you for your perfection. Thank you for making us perfect by the blood of Jesus. Without Jesus, we cannot come into your presence. With Jesus, you welcome us into your Kingdom...not by anything that we have done, but by what you did for us. Lord, I praise your name today and every day for you are our King. Amen.
Sunday
Accepting Correction
My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights (Proverbs 3:11-12 NLT).
Correction is part of our lives. Our parents correct us as we grow up. Our Father in heaven corrects us when we get off the path that He desires us to travel. Sometimes, He will let us travel a dirt road so that we might learn a life lesson. Remember that His correction is out of His great love for us. Accept the adjustment, get back on the right path, and thank God for His amazing love.
Dear Lord, we all tend to get off track. I pray for your gentle hand of correction to bring us back to where you designed us to be. In Jesus' name. Amen.
