Small Steps Daily Devotions for Feb. 13 - 19

Monday 

Attention, Please

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it (1 Peter 3:15 NLT). 

1. How many times have you had someone ask you if you know Jesus as your Savior?
2. How many times have you (Christians) asked someone if they know Jesus Christ as their Savior?

Now that I have your attention, I was thinking the other day about the first question. I can only remember "maybe" one person ever asking me. That is a real shame.

Are you ready to explain your faith? I will go one step further, don't wait to be asked. Go tell others what Jesus did for you. Just tell them your story. Simple and you know the story because it's about what God did for you. Tell it!

Dear Father God, help us to be bold and ask people if they know your Son. In His name, I pray, Amen.

Tuesday 

Evil Surrounds Us 

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12 NLT). 

Sometimes evil is in our faces and we can't miss it. But more often than not, it's the warfare that is going on in the spiritual realm around us that is doing the most damage.

Satan and his henchmen are in full attack on all that is good and right. The deceiver is doing a great job at destroying us, one soul at a time.

But, we know the One who is victorious! Jesus Christ.

We just have to be ready to fight and know where to go to insure truth and victory. Our victory is in Jesus, our Savior.

I suggest that everyone read and pray Ephesians 6:10-18 at least once a week. These verses have meant a lot in helping me battle life's issues and Satan's attacks.

Thank you Father God, for your powerful Word! Amen! 

Wednesday 

A Peaceful Blessing 

The Lord rules over the floodwaters. The Lord reigns as king forever. The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace (Psalm 29:10-11 NLT). 

True peace can only be found through God. He will grant His children joy, comfort, and peace when human understanding can't fathom “how” that is possible.

I've walked through turbulent times and chaotic situations. Many of those situations did not seem to have a good outcome. I couldn't see a good way out. But, when I fixed my eyes on Jesus and handed the steering wheel over to Him, I was given a peace that isn't understood by anyone other than another follower of Christ.

I pray today that whatever you are going through, you will turn your face to Jesus Christ. I hope you will pray for His joy, peace, comfort, and resolution to your trouble, sickness, sin, or whatever you are struggling with. Through Him, all things are possible.

Thank you, Lord, for loving us and providing for all of our needs. Amen. 

Thursday 

Seeking God 

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me (Jeremiah 29:13 NLT). 

God doesn't hide His promises. He doesn't make them obscure or hard to figure out.

God's promises Himself. It's up to us to seek Him. We have to look for Him.

Dear God, forgive us for not seeking you in all things and at all times. Thank you for being there for us and never leaving us. Amen.

Friday

Praising Our Heavenly Father 

That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long (Psalm 71:8 NLT). 

All the praise to our God, who continues to bless us, far more than we deserve. Thanks be to God. Praising Him all the day long!

Dear Father, lead us and direct us today so that we might understand how blessed we are by you. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. 

Saturday

Washed in the Blood

And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many (Mark 14:23-24 NLT). 

Jesus poured out His blood to cover the sin of the world. Not just the sin of the time that He lived, but the sin of all times, the past, present, and future sin. He shed His blood for the sin that destroys our families. He bled and died for each of us, he bled and died for me. He bled and died for the world. Jesus bled and died for you!

How are you living your life? How does your life represent that you believe that Christ died for you? What are you doing with your life to glorify His name? Does your life show evidence of the fruit of Christ?

Lord God, forgive us for not living a life that glorifies You. We are broken people, living in a broken world. We can't get through this life without You. We can't Lord, but You can! Save us from ourselves, Lord. Pull us back into your grasp. Forgive us, Lord. We are sinners. Amen.

Folks, we are saved only by the grace of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. We can only be saved through this grace by our faith in Christ and what He did on the cross. Thanks be to our heavenly Father for rolling the rock away from the tomb and raising Jesus to new life. Through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, we are able to walk as He did, from this life to everlasting life with you, Father God.

Thanks be to you, Father. I praise your holy name. Amen. 

Sunday

Shine His Light 

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16 NLT).

Serve others, love others, work for the betterment of others and shine Christ's light for all to see.

Take no credit but give God all the glory because we can do nothing without Him. With Jesus, all things are possible.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us the ability to shine your light. Help us to not shy away from the duty you have given us. Amen.