Monday
De-Railed
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23 NLT).
Many times, we all fail miserably at walking the walk of a Christian. We can all be easily led astray. Even preachers of God's Word can be de-railed. All we need to do is look around to see our ineptness to live a perfect life without sin.
We know that without the amazing sacrifice of Jesus Christ we are incapable and doomed. But by the blood of Christ and repentance of our transgressions, our debt of sin is paid. Thank you, Jesus. You know how all your sheep are broken and how much we are in need of your amazing grace.
Father God, thank you for redemption and salvation through your amazing Son. I pray in His name, amen.
Tuesday
Total Truth
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him (Proverbs 30:5 ESV).
Read God's Word and listen to what He is telling you through it.
Folks, you don't have to believe what I say or write, but I pray you will read and hear God through His Word. Read It. Believe It. His Word is true and perfect.
Father, help us to live a life relying totally on you. We pray in your Son's name, amen.
Wednesday
A Blink of an Eye
Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered —
how fleeting my life is.
You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath (Psalm 39:4-5 NLT).
We must always remember how quickly our lifetime on this earth passes. Life here is but a mere vapor.
Our time here is short but those who know Jesus have an eternity in heaven waiting – not a vapor, but eternity. Let that sink in – an eternity in heaven. Thanks be to God for His gift of salvation!
Dear Father, our days are numbered on earth, but your eternal promise gives us hope and with that hope, you give us the strength to carry on despite this world's troubles. Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thursday
Struggling With Forgiveness
(Jesus speaking)
“Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt” (Matthew 18:32-34 NLT).
Jesus speaks volumes about mercy and forgiveness and we should listen closely. Because of God's mercy for each of us, He sent His Son to die for us so we might have a relationship with Him. Without the mercy of God, we would not have any hope.
We have ultimate and unlimited hope because of God.
On this earth, shouldn't we grant mercy (forgiveness) to others? Shouldn't we forgive as commanded and so that others might feel forgiveness too?
Jesus speaks about this, and we should heed His words. We should forgive as we have been forgiven. Yes, I know it's easier said than done, but it is not just a recommendation by our Savior. In order to be forgiven, we must forgive.
When we don't forgive others, we not only deprive those who have wronged us of the freeing mercy of the act of forgiveness, but we also carry a burden on our very souls from disobedience.
Forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean we forget. We forgive, put it behind us, and move on with life. We each deserve a life that is far better without the burden of unforgiveness. That burden tramples our hearts and destroys our souls. Forgive not only because it is commanded, but because it is for your well-being.
Dear Lord, we all struggle with forgiving others for actions that were taken against us. Lord, help us to remember we nailed you to the cross with our sin. Yet you said, “Forgive them for the know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Father, if Jesus can forgive us for what we did to Him, let us see how important it is we forgive each other. Lord, we know we are unable to accomplish this level of forgiveness without your help. Please, Lord, give each of us the ability to forgive even the worst crimes against us, all the way to the petty issues where people have betrayed us. Lord, grant us your wisdom and the power of your love, mercy, and grace. I pray this in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Friday
Lord, Cleanse Us
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds (Titus 2:11-14 NLT).
So many people want to say they are a Christian, then continue living like hell on earth. Folks, it doesn't work that way. When you accept Christ and invite Him into your heart, there isn't any room for continued sin in your life. When Jesus truly resides in your heart, you will want to turn from the sin that separates you from Him.
Jesus Christ comes to us as we are. He knows we are people with many sins, issues, and problems that separate us from Him. Are we finally broken and seeking Him? If so, He loves us too much to leave us as we are. There is real change involved in your salvation. It's not just the words you say that make you feel good. Jesus brings change. It's a change we all need because, without Him, we will continue walking a path to destruction.
Lord God, open our eyes, minds, and hearts to know we are sinners and without you, we will continue on a path of turmoil and destruction. Help us change into who you desire us to be through Christ. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
Saturday
Victory Is Within Reach
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:1-5 NLT).
Scripture gives us an education on how to defeat an evil world. It's pretty simple; believe in Jesus; love our heavenly Father; love God's children; obey His commandments. In fact, John writes that those who believe Jesus is the Son of God will win this battle against the world.
Do you want to have victory over the evil of this world? I know I want to win this war. This is a pretty simple and straightforward Scripture. I believe it and do my best to live by it. How about you?
Father God, open up the hearts, minds, and eyes of those who are trying to fight this evil world alone. Let them realize victory has already been had and accomplished by the Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for hearing our prayers. We ask and pray in your wonderful name. Amen.
Sunday
The Door Is Open
In the night I search for you;
in the morning I earnestly seek you.
For only when you come to judge the earth
will people learn what is right (Isaiah 26:9 NLT).
Are you right with God? Have you begun a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
One day, all the earth will face Jesus when He returns to claim His church. Our time to meet Jesus could possibly come well before His return to reclaim His church. When we are born, we will die. We could meet Him at any time. Are you part of His kingdom?
It's for each of us to choose, and I pray each of you will make the right choice. That choice has eternal consequences.
Lord God, thank you for holding open the door for us. We just pray we will walk into your grace, mercy, and love. Amen.
(Editor's Note: "God Has a Gift for You" is the good news that restores the broken relationship we have with God because of our sin.)
