Later, in Titus 2:14 it says, “Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people who are His very own, eager to do what is good.” If as a Believer, we could fully grasp just how valued and cherished we are in the Lord’s sight, we would be radically changed. But we can grasp it in a fashion. Jesus Christ died in our place on that Cross…taking upon Himself our sins, in order that we may have a pathway to God. You want to know how precious you are to the Lord? Take a look at His hands and feet…He willingly endured that for you.
Tag: daily encouraging devotional
Acts 4:12 ” Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
There’s no other name, but Jesus. There’s no other way, but through Him. There’s no other person, thing or place that can give you eternal deliverance from God’s wrath and hell. I Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all men -” Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the price for your sins… in order that you may have eternal life. Yes, there’s no other name, but Jesus.
Exodus 3:3 ” So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight – why the bush does not burn up.’ “
Moses was not frightened by the extraordinary phenomenon he saw before him. Neither was he hesitant or doubtful in his mind that this was a supernatural happening. It says in the next verse, that God called to Moses from within that burning bush as he got near. The Lord gives us visions…such wonderful and great concepts that are almost too much for our feeble minds to take in. But if we approach that vision with boldness and not doubt or fear…God will speak into our hearts…and extraordinary things will happen.
Luke 15:24 ” For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found…”
If you think about it…we’re all like the prodigal son. We were all spiritually dead – separated from God the Father, with no hope of eternal life…when we were made live again, by the blood of Jesus Christ. For we all had wandered away from our Heavenly Father, just like the prodigal son…and just like the prodigal son, when we had come to our senses in the middle of that pig pen – we realized we couldn’t make it on our own. That’s when we returned. We returned to a loving Father with outstretched arms, rushing to meet us and draw us to Him.
II Chronicles 7:14 ” If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
The requirements of the Lord are many in this scripture. The prerequisites He has laid out are strict, fundamental, but necessary. If we want to see God moving in this world…we need to fulfill our part in this scripture first. For it says, “Then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” We do our part…then He’ll do His.
Luke 10:29 ” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ “
This question stemmed from an expert of the Law who had asked Jesus how he could obtain eternal life, and where could it be found in the Law. Jesus recited Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18…basically saying, love God and love your neighbor. But the man wasn’t satisfied with the answer, and wanted Jesus to be more specific as to just who ” his neighbor” was. In other words, he was asking – what is the bare minimum requirement of who represents “my neighbor”. In most of our minds,” our neighbors”, are anyone in close proximity to us…either by blood or bond. But Jesus wants us to realize that “our neighbors” go far beyond mutual ties of kinship or nation. Our love and concern for one another should be pro-active…not passive or stingy, and should extend far from our imagined boundaries of just who “our neighbors” are.
Hebrews 12:7 ” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?”
Discipline is earnest correction which leads to education. As parents, we always wish our kids wouldn’t have to learn things the hard way. So training and instruction is for their benefit, not us just trying to be mean. The same goes for our Heavenly Father. We learn much from adversity…we discover just how strong we are, and are able to realize the true depth of God’s love and mercy for us . Proverbs 13:24 says, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” Remember that our loving and ever watchful Heavenly Father is wanting only the best for us when hardships head our way.
Psalm 18:1 ” I love You, O Lord, my strength.”
I praise You Lord. For when I am weak, You are my source of power. When I am frail in mind and spirit, You support me and give me endurance. When I feel feeble and ready to give up, You reinforce my backbone and give me toughness to move ahead. In Exodus 15:2 it says, “The Lord is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation.” I will make music in my heart, for You have given me victory on all sides. Amen.
James 1:19-20 ” My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
The next time you’re in a heated debate, take notice of your body language. Are your arms tightly crossed over your chest? You’re being defensive and resistive to the person and words that are being spoken to you. Are you shaking your head ” No “as someone is speaking to you? You’re not listening, but rather formulating what you want to say in response as soon as that person takes their next breath. This scripture shows that the art of communication is listening deliberately, speaking carefully, and not allowing knee-jerk reactionary anger to prevail.
Ecclesiastes 7:29 ” This only have I found: God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes. “
We are the crown of God’s creation…created uniquely and distinct from the rest. We were created in God’s image…righteous and pure. But that all changed in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve decided they knew more than God. And from then on, mankind has connived, conspired and contrived hair brain schemes…thinking we too know more than God.
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