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Engage exists to provide perspective on culture through the eyes of a Biblical worldview, showing how that worldview intersects with culture and engages it.

We are a team of 20-somethings brought together by a common faith in Jesus Christ and employment in our parent organization American Family Association.

Devotions for your week

01/06/2020
Rob Gardner Rob Gardner
Writer for Engage

Monday - No Gray Area

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! (Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT).

There isn't a "gray" area when it comes to your life with Jesus. It is black & white. You are either on His team or against His team.

Please get off the fence. It's time to become a member of the family of God.

Father God, thank You for saving us. We are broken and so desperately in need of Your saving grace. Praise be to You, Father. Amen.

Tuesday - Wisdom

The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple (Psalm 19:7 NLT).

You will never find Godly wisdom down a forbidden path.

Lord, help us to keep our eyes fixed on You. Help us to stay on the path that You have chosen for us, not deviating from Your moral compass. Give us the wisdom to seek Your will in all that we do. We ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday - Jesus' Life, Death, and Resurrection Paved the Way

We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life (1 John 1:1 NLT).

God incarnate, Jesus Christ!

The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.

John proclaims a personal, in the flesh, relationship with Jesus. His testimony is real, true and factual. Jesus came so that we might have a relationship with God. Without Christ, we cannot approach God, because of the sin in our lives. On the cross, Jesus satisfied our sin debt. Thank you, Jesus, for saving us from ourselves.

Dear Lord, thank You for loving us more than we deserve. We are such an undeserving people, but You claimed us as being worthy, through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us praise Your name. To all the glory of Christ, we pray. Amen.

Thursday - Grab His Hand

The psalmist wrote, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters” (Psalm 18:16 NIV).

Our Lord will reach down to us, but we must reach up and grab His hand.

Lord, we lift our hands high to Your Throne. We are in dire need of You. Many don't know You. Many have turned from You. Lord, I ask that you not forget Your righteous few. Lord, save us from this evil and destructive world. Come, Lord, take our hands. Amen.

Friday - Life Is Short

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog – it’s here a little while, then it’s gone (James 4:14 NLT).

Now is the time to think about your life and your eternal life. What are you going to do with today's gift of life? What difference will you make? Who will you help? Who will you hurt? It's your choice to be a blessing or to be a curse to others. What will you choose?

Eternally, where will you spend eternity? Again, it's your choice. Will you choose Jesus Christ or will you choose to spend eternity in hell? God doesn't send anyone to hell, it's our choice. I pray that you will choose wisely.

Each day of life is a pure gift. We are broken people and live in a broken world. The human body is just that, broken. It is prone to illness and eventually death. We are not meant to live forever in this world. When we are born, we can be sure that we will die. That is life. I'm not writing this to be pessimistic or to be a "downer". I am writing this to remind each of us that life is a pure blessing.

Enjoy today, use it to glorify God and to serve others. Be the person that God designed you to be.

Father God, lead us and direct us to live a life that glorifies You. Help us to understand how precious life is and remind us that life is a true gift. Help each of us to grow closer to You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray this in His mighty and matchless name. Amen.

Saturday - God's Will Not Ours

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing (Psalms 143:10 NLT).

Boy, how I get off in the weeds so many times. I start chasing my will instead of waiting and relying on God's

I'm sure that I'm not the only one that does this. I either want to run out in front of God, lag behind Him or sometimes just ignore Him.

Today, the prayer below comes to mind. It is the prayer of MLB MVP Bobby Richardson. I pray this prayer on a regular basis. Please join me today in praying this and letting God's will reign in your lives.

Dear Lord, Your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen.

Sunday - Resisting the Lures of This World

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world (James 4:7-8 NLT).

The devil is a liar and a thief. God is a loving father, but a just father. God's love for us is greater than any of us can imagine. He hates what destroys us, but loves us enough to let us make our own choices. Basically, we have two choices, God's way or Satan's way.

Father God, We pray that everyone would search their heart and determine who it belongs to, does it belong to God or the devil? Lord, help them to see that if it belongs to the devil, they will have a life of destruction and turmoil and an eternity in hell. Father, bring the lost sheep back into Your fold. I know that You wish no one to perish in their sin. Lead and direct all of us today, so that we might lead a life that is pleasing to You. Help us to be the best, representative of Christ, that we can be. In Jesus' name, amen.

 

This article was originally posted on the Stand.

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