Small Steps Devotions for Feb. 27 - March 5

Monday

The Sacrificial Lamb

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:6-11 NLT).

I drop to my knees and confess that Jesus Christ is my King, my Savior, and my Redeemer. Thank you, Lord. You gave up your throne to come into this world for people like me; broken, lost sinners. We can't praise you enough. We can't worship you enough. We can't love you enough. We can't understand the love that you have for us. But we can praise your mighty name. Thank you, Lord. Thank you!

Lord God, your love, mercy, and grace abounds. Help us spend more time studying your Word and worshiping You. Bring us closer to you, Lord God. Thank you, Lord! It's in your mighty name that we pray. Amen.

Tuesday

Who or What?

Then God gave the people all these instructions: “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me (Exodus 20:1-3 NLT).

Have you placed something or someone between yourself and God? Have you made an idol out of something in this world? This old world makes it easy to find something or someone to come between us and God. It could be a car, motorcycle, home, wife, kids, or even grandkids. When we start placing something, anything, at a more important place in our lives than God, we have a problem.

Who should we put first and foremost? God, of course. There should be no contest. The 2nd Commandment's point is to love God, know Him, worship Him, and place Him in the highest place of your life.

Thank You, Lord, for giving us a road map for life and everlasting life. Help us turn from life's distractions and give you our full attention. We pray in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.

Wednesday

Our Fault

People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord (Proverbs 19:3 NLT).

We are our own worst enemy. We foul up our lives and then look for someone to blame. Some people even blame God for their foolishness and mistakes. How many times have you seen this from different people, friends, or even yourself?

People are so fickle. We get ourselves in a jam and then can't figure out why God didn't or hadn't intervened, then get mad at God for our own stupidity.

God gives us free will on how to live our lives. But He also gives us His guidelines (Bible) to follow, so that we might lead a good life in this old broken world.

When we follow our path instead of the righteous path which He has laid out for us, it usually doesn't work out well by picking our plan over His plan.

Lord God, forgive us, for we are broken creatures. Amen.

Thursday

By Our Actions

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God (1 John 3:18-19 NLT).

Jesus commanded us to love each other. Do we? Or are we just full of beans and baloney? Are we just saying pretty words, or are we showing people that we really love them?

Dear Lord, help us love others as you have loved us. In your name, I pray, Amen.

Friday

A Wise Decision

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock (Matthew 7:24 NLT).

Where have you built your "house?" I'm asking because it has eternal consequences.

Father God, help us build our "homes" on your solid ground. We ask in the mighty name of Jesus, who is that solid Rock. Amen.

Saturday

In His Hands

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7 NLT).

What are you doing holding all that worry and heartache inside you? Let God have it. Give it to Him. He loves you more than we can ever understand. Give Him your pain and troubles, after all, there are not any problems bigger than Him!

Dear Lord, we give you our worries and our troubles today. I pray that you will take them and put them under your feet. Lord, give us faith that you are in charge and you are the King of all things. May You give us peace through our trials and tribulations. We ask and pray in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Sunday

Our Majestic Lord

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you. When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers — the moon and the stars you set in place— what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority— the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! (Psalm 8 NLT).

Our God is bigger than we can ever imagine or understand. To think the One who formed the heavens placed the stars in their places and created all things is the God who loves us. Yes, He loves each of us.

Our God loves us so much that he created us and gave us a place, just below Himself. He has crowned us with His love, mercy, and grace. He gave us control and authority over all of His earthly creation.

This is our God.

Father God, thank you for creating each of us in your own image. Lord, help us to live a life that glorifies how great you are. Help us, Lord, by your Holy Spirit, so that we might have discernment and knowledge to be the best person that we can be. Help us to reach out to the lost and the downtrodden. Help us to be loyal followers of you and your Word. Lead us today into the green pastures of life. We ask and pray in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.