Psalm 68:20 ” Our God is a God Who saves; from the sovereign Lord comes escape from death.”

The Lord saves us from what?  In a single word – condemnation.   John 3:18 tells us that from the womb we are condemned already…destined to Hell.  No amount of good works will ever save you.  Nor will you ever make it to Heaven on your believing Grandmother’s shirt-tails. But most strikingly, you will never be able to save yourself.   Only the Lord Jesus Christ can deliver you from the wrath that is to come.  Only He can offer you freedom from an eternal sentence of Hell.

John 10:10 ” The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “

Make no bones about it – Satan would like you dead…and He’s out to kill you by any means he can.  He’d love to get you entangled in an addiction that would take your life, or get you to compromise and make bad choices that would lead to your demise.  You see, Satan doesn’t have an ounce of compassion or regard for you.  He’d rather take your joy…ruin your life…and ravage your body than watch you grow strong in the Lord.  But in Jesus Christ…you are stronger than any threat Satan can throw your way…you are more powerful than any addiction that holds you bound…and you are tougher than you could ever imagine yourself.

Proverbs 14:9 ” Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.”

When those of the world get caught doing wrong, they’re sorry…sorry that they got caught.  And the rest of the world will scorn them for doing so.  What’s happened to doing the right thing…to owning up to our mistakes, and with authenticity, making restitution for it?

Luke 4:3 ” The devil said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.’ “

Satan was questioning Jesus’ authority.  Satan knew who Jesus was – but used intimidating language , wanting Jesus to falter.  Never allow Satan to force you to question if you’re saved or not…if God really loves you or not… or if He can heal you or not.  For if Satan can get you to waver in your belief and trust even a little, fear and doubt will rush in and take over.  And when they do, God’s plan and purpose in your life will be stymied.

John 8:42 ” Jesus said to them, ‘ If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on My own; but He sent Me.’ “

God sent His only Son to earth in order to save us from  our sins.  Jesus Christ came from God to take our place on that cross.  So if you know God…you love Jesus…and if you love Jesus and accept Him as your Savior, your sins are forgiven…and when your sins are forgiven, you receive eternal life.

Luke 11:9 ” Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Today marks the 1500 devotional I’ve written over the last 4 1/2 years.  What would have happened if I had not askednot sought…not knocked?  God tells us He will supply all our needs…all we have to do is supply the trust.  And in additional to that, we need to have the insight to realize what we “want” may not be what we need.  As I look back today at how He’s worked in my life with Safetypinlove, I see the plan and purpose He had for me when I first asked, sought, and knocked.

Hebrews 10: 39 ” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”

The scripture today is a continuation of the thought from yesterday…a encouraging thought for all of us… that we are stronger than we think, braver than we can ever imagine, and only need to trust the Lord in order  to succeed.  We are exhorted here  that we are not of those who shrink back, but rather have faith.   For what hangs in the balance is simple…eternal life, or eternal damnation.

Proverbs 26: 28 ” A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”

Words can cut deep…and if they’re deceitful on top of that, they’re deadly.   Why then do we choose to lie?  It’s simple, if the truth doesn’t serve us well – we lie.  If we want to get back at someone we dislike – we’ll lie.  If we want our way – we sweet talk and flatter…saying what we know the other person wants to hear.  Lying can become a way of life – where no two stories are ever the same, and we say whatever will get us the results we desire.

Jeremiah 3:12 ” ‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt.’ “

In God’s perfect plan,  not one  human-being would experience Hell and  eternal death.  But  He’s also not sitting up in heaven with a big sledge hammer,  relishing the thought of punishing sinners.  Quite the opposite, for in II Peter 3:9 it says, “The Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  Our Lord is graciously waiting for all to turn to Him…but we have to make the first move…not only admitting our sin, but accepting responsibility and confessing… we need You,  Lord.

Acts 5: 18-20 ” They arrested the Apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. ‘Go, stand in the Temple courts,’ he said, ‘and tell the people the full message of this new life.’ “

Even though the Disciples had lived, traveled, and witnessed miracles by Jesus –  this was now becoming tough times.  Jesus was gone, they were on their own, and  preaching the Good News was becoming more and more difficult.  They had been thrown into jail…again, when an angel broke them out.  But rather than telling them to flee for their lives, he commanded them to go right back to the Temple and speak.  How many of us would have the same kind of boldness and courage to go right back into enemy territory?  They realized  the life-giving Word they preached overshadowed the momentary fear they felt.