Monday
Being Free
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:19-25 NLT).
Okay, let’s talk about free will and sin. I know, not much fun to talk about since we are all broken sinners, but we must look at God's Word on these matters.
God gave us the ability to choose, good or evil; light or darkness; Satan or Jesus and from that heaven or hell. It's our choice. Pretty simple, but Satan throws many roadblocks in our path and what should be simple, isn't necessarily so.
Have you made the choice? Are you going to choose sin and death or righteousness and everlasting life in Heaven?
Please think about it. Seriously, this decision should not be put off because it has eternal consequences.
Dear Father God, draw those that are running from You into Your magnificent arms. By the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Tuesday
The Bible Doesn't Say Life Will Be Easy
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).
I've heard these words many times from new Christians who are struggling with the pull of worldly desires, "Why is everything not going well? I gave my life to Christ, but I'm just struggling with everything. I thought things would be perfect now."
Folks, we aren't promised a perfect life in this world. What we are promised is eternity with Jesus when we leave this old, broken world. We are also promised that no matter what we are going through that God is with us and will never leave us. A perfect life in this broken world is only possible by dealing with our problems while leaning on the power, strength, and love of Christ. That is as perfect as we can expect from our deceitful world.
We must remember to not give up and keep on doing good, sharing Jesus, and leaning on His perfect love.
Father God, give us Your strength to deal with the junk in our lives and this world. I ask in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Wednesday
Lifelong Pursuit
“Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. I said to the LORD, ‘You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you’” (Psalm 16:1-2 NLT).
Trusting and relying on God should be a constant pursuit of a Christian. Learning to be strong in faith is a lifelong process.
When we accept Christ and begin the walk with Him, we undergo many changes. Just because we have accepted God's amazing grace of Christ's gift of salvation, doesn't mean we have "arrived" as a Christian. What it means is we are saved and we must learn to be a Follower of Christ.
Being in Christ is a lifelong pursuit.
Jesus, thank You! You are our King. Teach us to walk in Your ways. Amen.
Thursday
Our Brokenness Cries for Mercy
“Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2 NLT).
Through God's grace and our faith, anyone can have a total life change. This is not a change that is available by worldly standards, this is an eternal change by the mercy of God. This is a change that is only made possible by Jesus Christ entering our lives. We need to thank and praise God, our merciful Father.
Wash us, cleanse us, and restore us, Lord. We are broken sinners with no hope outside of your mercy. In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.
Friday
Stop, Turn Around, & Start Again
“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4 NLT).
STOP! Stop believing what the world tells you to believe.
TURN! Turn to the pages of God's Word, read, and absorb His truth. Believe what God is trying to show you through the Scriptures. Turn around, do a 180-degree turn. Isn't it time?
START! Start over. Leave your past behind and open a new chapter of life. A new life with Jesus. Our Lord provides us with do-overs. Isn't it time to re-start? Isn't it time to forgive yourself? Isn't it time to accept Christ and His blessings?
Folks, last time I checked, right is still right and wrong is still wrong. No matter what the deceivers of this world proclaim. Moral will always trump immoral. God's Word will reign, forever and ever.
Lord God, thank You for coming into our lives and wiping the slate clean so that we can have a do-over. Help us, Lord, to forgive ourselves, and we also ask that You help us forgive those that have hurt us deeply. Lead us today and direct us as You will. May we bring glory to Your holy name. We ask and pray in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Saturday
God's Justice
“God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11 NLT).
A person may think they are slick and no one knows the lies and deception that they are perpetrating, but we can't fool God. He knows and justice will be His. Those who feel powerless about things going on around them can be assured that in the end, God's justice will prevail.
So don't be depressed or upset, just trust the situation to God. Pray His perfect will on whatever the situation, not our will but His. Remember that it is His justice, not ours but His. Thanks be to God.
Father, Thank You for being a just and loving God. Amen.
Sunday
Survival
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:2-4 NLT).
When we are up to our chin in problems and all things seem to be going the wrong way, we can trust in God. By having faith in Him, and trusting in Him, we will survive the trials and tribulations of life. After all, when God is for us who can stand against us? We also need to focus on the fact that God didn't cause the problems we are facing, but He will surely use these bad times to draw us closer to Him. Thanks be to God.
Dear Lord, help us to let You do the "heavy lifting" in our lives. We understand that You are with us and will never leave us, but sometimes it's hard to see You through the fog of life's problems. Please Lord, help us to know that You have our backs. We ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
This blog originally appeared on The Stand.
