Monday - Wisdom for Life
"A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born" (Ecclesiastes 7:1 NLT).
Do we realize how important our reputation is for us? We can have many things in life but a good reputation will go before us and will linger after we leave. Are we leaving an honorable memory for our children and grandchildren?
Another question for each of us is: Are you living your life realizing that there is much more after our time on earth is done? Are you wrapping your arms around the greatest Gift ever given, Jesus Christ?
Just a couple of quick questions/statements today. I praise God today and always because, without Him, I would still be wandering around in the wilderness.
Thank You, Lord, for blessing us beyond our ability to understand. We pray in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday - Looking for Jesus
"Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name.
'Zacchaeus!' he said. 'Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.'
Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. 'He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,' they grumbled.
Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, 'I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!'
Jesus responded, 'Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost'" (Luke 19:1-10 NLT).
To what length are you willing to search for Jesus? How high are you willing to climb? In the Gospel of Luke, Zacchaeus was willing to climb up in a tree just to be able to see Christ as he walked by. Are you willing to go to extraordinary measures to see Him?
Jesus also knew that Zacchaeus was there. He called him out of that tree. Is Christ calling you out of your sinful life? Is He looking at you, eye to eye, and saying “come to me, leave your sin behind”?
Jesus made Zacchaeus' home His resting place. Jesus moved in. Are you willing to let Christ move into your heart?
Are you worried about what others will say about you when you begin living with Christ in your heart and your life? Don't be. It's all good for you from that point on. People are going to talk, people are going to hate. Come to Christ and never look back.
Are you willing to give of yourself and your possessions to further the Lord's kingdom? Are you willing to lay down your transgressions for the freedom that Jesus offers? There is total freedom by giving yourself to Him. Freedom happens when we claim Christ as our Savior, acknowledge Him to be the Son of God, repent (turn) of our sins, and give of our self, our time, and our finances, to show people the love of God.
What are we blessed with by coming to Christ? We will experience total life change and salvation. Plus, an eternal home in heaven with Him. Folks, it doesn't get any better than that. Jesus came, lived, was crucified and died for YOU! He poured out His blood for you. He offers you a personal relationship, but you must accept it, claim Him, and come to Him in repentance. It's your choice. Please choose wisely. There is not any sin that is too big for Jesus. There is not a problem, too big for Jesus. There is nothing too big for our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Lord God, please save us from ourselves. Father, help us to put away our old ways and come to You. We ask and pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday - Our Firm Belief
"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see" (Hebrews 11:1 NLT).
Faith – (defined) firm belief in something for which there is no proof.
I can't help you with this. Our faith is a personal walk with God and that He is God.
Faith is putting our trust and hope in God without any tangible proof that He is there. Stepping out on faith is a scary thing until we take that step. Then we realize there is a God and He is our God. He will never leave us or forsake us.
Lord God, thank You for loving us when we are so unlovable. Thank You for not giving up on any of us. Thank You, Lord, for your love, mercy, and grace. Thank You for coming to us as we are and not leaving us as we are.
We praise You, Lord. Amen.
Thursday - God's Amazing Grace
"For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son" (Romans 5:10 NLT).
God sacrificed his only begotten Son so that we might have a relationship with Him. Without Jesus taking our sin to the grave we could never have that relationship. We are a broken, sinful people -whom God loves- but in our sinful nature, we could not enter into His presence without something or Someone removing that sin. We cannot be saved without the sacrifice of Christ.
The only one that could cover our sin is the Lamb of God. Nothing or no one but Christ could ever do that. Perfection died for us, a filthy bunch of rags. We are so undeserving, but because of God's love for us, He deemed us worthy. The gift of grace is all about God's mercy, grace, and love for us. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, laid his life down to save us from ourselves. It doesn't get any better than that.
Lord God, thank You for the glorious gift of salvation. We praise You and Your Holy name. Amen.
Friday - Trials Equal Growth
"For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow" (James 1:3 NLT).
We all go through our valleys in life. We have many trials and tribulations as we walk through this world. It's a part of our broken nature. Stuff will happen. We also must know that this "stuff" happens to everyone, even the strongest Christians will suffer in the valleys of life.
Satan hates a Christian and especially one that is truly following God's will. That is why it's so very important to regularly read Ephesians 6:10-18. These verses instruct us on how to fight the spiritual battle that rages around us. We must be vigilant in prayer for ourselves and our fellow believers. Prayer is vital and we should be in a continual conversation with our Lord.
Be cheerful, brothers and sisters, as we fight the battles of life. God has already won the victory for us through His Son and all we need to do is walk each day with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Claim that victory! Take one step at a time by the grace of our God.
Father God, help us to study Your Word and let us be strong in Your truth. Instruct us on how to wage battle with the unseen world. Show us how to strap on Your armor and how to be ready for war. Thank You, Lord Jesus, our King, and our Savior. Amen.
Saturday - Armor Up!
"Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11 NLT).
Put on the armor of God and watch sixes. It's fixing to get interesting in this broken world. The longer we suppress the truth and glorify wrong, the more ground Satan gains. Armor up!
Dear Lord, we have read Your Book and we know You win. Let us stand firm in Your truth and glory. Amen.
Sunday - Our Burdens
"Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest'" (Matthew 11:28 NLT).
Are you tired? Has life dealt you more than you feel you can handle? When we stand alone we can be overwhelmed. But when we ask Jesus into our lives we have an Advocate who will battle with us.
Give your life to Christ today and never fight alone again.
Lord, thank You for being in this tough fight with us. Help us see the joy that you want us to see and help us experience peace in any storm. Lead us today by Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.
This article originally appeared on the Stand.
