How Great Is Our God

"For to US a child is born, to US a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

I know this is a Christmas scripture but it is a powerful scripture that tells us how Great our Savior is!  It speaks volumes to a negative hurting world today.  The government is on Jesus's shoulders! He is in control of everything that is happening in our community, our town, our state and yes, even Washington DC! In fact, He knows exactly what is happening around the world and yet, He cares about what is going on in our life at this very moment!  So, that means we don't have to worry anymore, right!!!

He is more than Wonderful, He is the great I Am, the Alpha and the Omega! The First and the Last, The Beginning and the End! He is our Counselor, we can talk to Him about any problem we have (or our family has) and He can help us with the situation, all we have to do is lay our burdens at His feet and leave them there. "Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."
~Psalm 55:22

He is the Mighty God. He is greater than any problem that might arise in my life and in yours!  He is the Everlasting Father!  He totally completely loves us...even when we don't deserve His love, He still loves us!

And most importantly, He is the Prince of Peace!  He wants us to have perfect peace, absolute hope without fear, and overflowing joy!  "You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of JOY; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." ~Psalm 16:11.

The Christmas season is just around the corner and we will celebrate the birth of our precious Savior. However, that is just the beginning! That Christ Child is our King of Kings and our Lord of Lords!!!!He is absolutely everything we need today, tomorrow and forever! How great is our God!
Do you know Him?

Thank You Lord for daily reminders of Your unfailing, unconditionally love for me. Amen

God Is Near To The Brokenhearted

Growing up, my sister was very sickly. In her younger years she was in and out of hospitals a lot. I remember my mama always telling me to help my sister because I was strong, but she was not. She told me my whole life that I was strong, but she told my sister that she was sick. She spoke blessings over me without even knowing it. Because that was spoken over me, I grew up, believing I was strong, and I could overcome anything. But here’s the thing. When you are told you are strong because you have to be strong to carry someone else, that’s a problem. The problem is, when you fall, and you will fall, the fall is great! We are not created to be strong on our own. It took a lot of brokenhearted days to discover that God doesn’t expect me to carry anyone or anything on my own. Thank you Lord for Psalm 34:18 that says the Lord is near to the brokenhearted. Over the past two years there have been a lot of brokenhearted days, but because I have such a strong will I felt like I was doing something wrong by showing weakness and I shouldn’t be showing any kind of weakness. It was easier to suffer in silence. God is not only near to the brokenhearted,  He reminds in 2 Cor 12:9-10, “ For the sake of Christ, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for when I am weak I am made strong.
So may I  encourage you today? You don’t have to endure anything alone, reach out! Call somebody that you trust. They will pray with you and love on you. Psalm 30:5 reminds us that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning . I promise you! God IS near to the brokenhearted.

The Beauty of Starting Over

We all have a past. We all have things we look back on and regret or wish we could change. But our past does not define us.
One of the beautiful things about God is that He is a God of new beginnings. Regardless of
where we are in life, we don’t have to wait for the perfect time to start over. We can start over at any point.
Isaiah 43:18–19 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing.”
It is easy to focus on our past and spend so much time looking backward that we miss what God is doing right in front of us. We replay the things we wish we had done differently and wonder how life might have turned out if we had made different choices. But we cannot change our past.
We can learn from it and allow God to use those experiences to help us grow.
Regardless of our past, we can be thankful for the lessons we have learned along the way. Even the difficult seasons can shape us, strengthen us, and help us become the person we are today.
God can use what is behind us to prepare us for what is ahead.
Starting over may mean forgiving yourself, changing your priorities, walking away from
something unhealthy, pursuing a dream you gave up on, or rebuilding your relationship with
God. Starting over does not mean that you failed. Sometimes, starting over is simply having the courage to believe that God is not finished with your story.
Lamentations 3:22–23 reminds us that God’s mercies are new every morning. I love that because it reminds us that God doesn’t run out of grace. Yesterday may not have gone the way we wanted it to but today is another opportunity.
Reflection
Is there something in your life that God may be calling you to start over?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God of new beginnings. Help me to stop allowing my past to define me. Give me the wisdom to learn from my past and the courage to trust You with what is ahead. Help me to start over when I need to and faithfully follow Your direction for my life. Thank You that Your mercy is new every morning.
In Your precious name, Amen.

Driven by the Right Purpose


When our hearts are directed toward God, our ambition becomes an act of worship.
Scripture:
“May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him.” — 1 Kings 8:58
When you look up the word “driven,” you will learn that a driven person is highly motivated to succeed and works intensely to achieve their goals. Driven people are determined, focused, and willing to put in the effort necessary to accomplish what they set out to do.
But is it good to be a driven person? The answer depends on what is driving us.
There is nothing wrong with having ambition, setting goals, or working hard to accomplish something meaningful. God has given each of us gifts, abilities, and opportunities to use for His glory. The real question is whether our motivation is rooted in bringing attention to ourselves or bringing glory to Him.
After the flood, a group of driven people came together to construct a tower that would reach toward heaven. Their motivation was revealed in Genesis 11:4 when they said, “Let us make a name for ourselves.” They wanted recognition, security, and greatness on their own terms. Their ambition was strong, but their hearts were pointed in the wrong direction. As a result, God confused their language and scattered them across the earth.
In contrast, when King Solomon dedicated the new temple that housed the Ark of the Covenant, he declared, “I have built the temple for the Name of the Lord.” (1 Kings 8:20). Solomon had accomplished something extraordinary, but he recognized that the purpose of the temple was not to establish his own greatness. It was to honor the greatness of God.
During his prayer of dedication, Solomon asked God to turn the hearts of His people toward Him so they would walk in obedience to His commands.
What a powerful reminder that God is not simply interested in what we accomplish. He is interested in the heart behind what we do.
We can become so focused on reaching the next goal, achieving success, gaining recognition, or proving ourselves that we forget why we started in the first place. Even good things can become distractions when our desire for accomplishment becomes greater than our desire to please God.
Being driven by God does not mean we stop pursuing excellence. It means we pursue excellence with the right motivation. We work hard, serve faithfully, love generously, and use what God has placed in our hands to make a difference in the lives of others.
Sometimes obedience will lead us to accomplish great things. Other times, obedience will require us to slow down, surrender our plans, or serve faithfully when no one is watching. In both situations, our purpose remains the same: to glorify God.
Colossians 3:17 reminds us:
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
The world often measures success by how much we accomplish, how far we advance, or how many people recognize our achievements. But God looks deeper. He sees our motives, our faithfulness, and our willingness to obey Him.
The goal is not to make a name for ourselves, but to make His name known.
When our hearts are fully committed to the Lord, our ambition takes on a greater purpose. We are no longer driven simply by what we can gain, but by what God can accomplish through us.
So today, take a moment to examine what is motivating you. Are you striving for recognition or serving out of obedience? Are you chasing success for yourself or pursuing the purpose God has placed before you?
May we always be people who work diligently, dream boldly, and pursue excellence, but never at the expense of our relationship with God.
Because the greatest success we can experience is not simply accomplishing everything we set out to do. It is knowing that our hearts remained faithful to God along the way.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gifts, opportunities, and purpose You have placed in my life. Examine my heart and reveal any motivation that is rooted in pride, selfish ambition, or the desire for recognition. Help me to pursue excellence without losing sight of what matters most. May everything I do be motivated by a desire to please You, honor Your name, and love Your people. Turn my heart toward You daily, and give me the wisdom and strength to walk in obedience to Your Word. Let my life be driven not by personal glory, but by Your purpose. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Lighthouse

"The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." ~John 1:5.

"There's a Lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life's sea.  When I'm tossed about it sends out a light that I might see.  And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead us o'er.  If it wasn't for the Lighthouse my ship would be sail no more.  And I thank God for the Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him. Jesus is the Lighthouse..." I'm sure most of you have never heard the old song "The Lighthouse". Ronnie Hinson wrote the song when I was a young teen and it quickly became a very popular southern gospel hit. And yes, that was a long time ago but the words still resonate so strongly in my heart today!

"The Lighthouse" was one of those powerful songs that usually brought tears to my eyes. As I thought about those lyrics this morning my mind drifted back to my teen years. Prior to hearing that song, I don't think I had ever given any thought to a "lighthouse". I had visited the one on the Coast but it was just a historical landmark. I had no idea of the importance of a real "lighthouse".

You see, "bank in the day" ships didn't have a GPS system, they relied on the stars for their directions. However, when storms would blow in, clouds would cover the stars. When that happened, which it often did, they had nothing to guide them-- thus the Iighthouse.

Lighthouses were always built on the highest point near the shoreline. The Keeper(s) of the lighthouse worked around the clock to maintain and insure that the light never went out or grew dim. That beacon of light is what guided and allowed the sailors and fisherman to make it back to shore. Without it they would have continued to drift and possibly been lost at sea. The Lighthouse was their hope and their lifeline!

As the years have passed I see how often Jesus has been my Lighthouse. There were many times that I allowed myself to drift way too far out in the deep waters of life where the storms were raging. Some of those storms could have caused me to be lost but thank God for The Lighthouse! Yes, His light was and still is shining brightly in the distance to guide me safely home. "Then my mind goes back to that stormy night when just in time I saw the light. Yes, it was the light from that old Lighthouse that stands up there on the hill." We all face storms in our life. Your storms may be different from the storms I am  facing today but Jesus is still our Lighthouse! He is the Beacon that can help us find our way in a world of loneliness, depression, financial needs, addiction, sickness, relationship issues, etc. Whatever our need is, He is the Light that gives us hope and leads us safely Home!

So today, if you feel as though you have no where to turn, look for The Lighthouse. His Light is shining brightly waiting to lead you to safety, peace, and rest. Jesus is that Lighthouse and His light never goes out or grows dim! He has the answer to whatever storm is raging in your life today and He will lead you safely to the shore! "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of life'.” ~John 8:12
"...and I thank God for the Lighthouse, yes I owe my life to Him."

Simply Trust

Sometimes life can be like a roller coaster of emotions. You may not understand everything that is happening in your life, but you can simply trust the One who does.
When you are having a bad day — remember God is with you.
Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
When you don’t feel supported — remember God is for you.
Romans 8:31: “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
When you feel alone — remember God sees you.
Genesis 16:13: “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’”
When you feel no one listens — remember God hears you.
1 John 5:14: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything
according to his will, He hears us.”
When you feel no one understands you — remember God knows you.
Psalm 139:1–4: “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and
when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”
When you feel like no one cares — remember God cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.”
When you don’t feel appreciated and loved — remember God loves you.
Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.”
Reflection: Which of these reminders do you need most today?
Dear God, thank you for being with me through every emotion, bad days and good. Help me give
You the things I cannot control and trust You through all my days. In Your precious name, Amen

I Am the Righteousness of God - Part 3

For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.
Hebrews 8:12 NASB 95
From the last two devotions we see that as a result of salvation we get to go to heaven
upon our death, we become the righteousness of God, and we get a new spirit. This scripture
declares that our sins are remembered no more (this is also stated in Hebrews 10:17, 2
Corinthians 5:19 and Isaiah 43:25). When we received our newly created spirit, all previous and
future sins were removed from us. When God looks at our spirit, He sees it as spotless. All sin is
gone. He could remember the sins that were there, but He choses not to. I have the ability to
forget things, and the older I get the greater that ability manifests. But I cannot make myself
forget something, no matter how hard I try. If God choses to forget our past, it is gone as far as
the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). That is hard for us to imagine but you can see there are
several scriptures that state that, and scripture does not lie.
To understand who we are in Christ, we must understand the fact that our sins have been
removed and forgotten (Jeremiah 31:34). We will remember all our shortcomings and the devil
will be sure to remind us of them in condemnation. He will help us recall all the bad things we
did to try and convince us we are not worthy of God’s promises. The devil will tell us that we
will never amount to anything because we are such low-life worms, constantly displeasing God.
When we believe his lies, we then condemn ourselves and maybe do not attempt to do some
tasks in God’s kingdom because we think we are not worthy. For example, suppose someone
asks us to pray for strength to avoid a certain sin that they are struggling with in their thought
life. If we struggled with the same sin, we might say I can’t pray for that, I have the same
problem. We must see ourselves as God sees us – as the righteousness of Jesus Himself because
of the blood of Jesus – not because of our strength or ability.
So, every day profess to yourself who you are in Christ, the righteousness of God with a
spotless spirit. Read the scriptures listed above that declare this repeatedly until you know them
by heart. Then remind the devil of who you are and whose you are and command him to leave.
Claim your forgiveness. Walk in your forgiveness. Exercise your authority as a righteous child of
God, always giving thanks and praise.
Prayer: Father, Your love, mercy, and forgiveness are so awesome. The more I
learn about Your goodness and love for me the more I want to know. Holy Spirit keep
teaching me and guiding me. Give me the strength to overcome all the trials and
temptations the devil may come at me with. Help me to understand who I am in Christ
so that I can walk in complete victory. In your name Jesus, amen.

I Am the Righteousness of God - Part 2

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed
away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB 95
My last devotion was based on 2 Corinthians 5:21 which stated we become the
righteousness of God through Jesus’ suffering. Today’s scripture adds to that and says
we become a new creature. Many versions say we are a new creation, a new being.
Now how can that be? To understand this, you must understand 1 Thessalonians 5:23:
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul
and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NASB 95. This scripture says we are a three-part being, spirit, soul, and body. When we
are saved our body does not change; our mind does not change. What changes is our
spirit—the real us. We are really a spirit, we live in a body, and we have a soul (our
emotions, personality, intellect, physical and spiritual giftings). Today’s scripture says we
become a new creature. It is our spirit that is recreated—we get an entirely new spirit,
one that is not tarnished by sin. It’s perfect, just as perfect as Adam and Eve’s spirit was
before they sinned.
As mentioned in my last devotion, all the sins that we committed before salvation
tarnished our old spirit and made us unacceptable in God’s sight. This new spirit is
created with absolutely no sin, no blemishes, no marks—a perfect spirit. So, you may
ask, “Well what if we sin again. Won’t it just get darkened again?” If we sin again is not a
question, we will definitely sin again, but we sin with our body and/or our mind, but not
our spirit. All of our sins were imputed onto Jesus, even those we have not committed
yet, and Jesus’ righteousness was imputed onto our new spirit (see my last devotion). If
that is not enough, Ephesians 1:13-14 says that the Holy Spirit puts a seal on our spirit
that makes it impermeable to sin--we are covered with the robe of righteousness and
any sins we commit with our body or mind is already imputed to Jesus. (In Him, you
also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also
believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of Promise, who is given as a
pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the
praise of His glory Ephesians 1:13-14 NASB 95).
So, as a result of salvation we get to go to heaven, we become the righteousness
of God through Jesus’ finished work on the cross, and we become a new creature. The
real us is a spirit—through salvation this spirit is recreated and sealed forever from the
effects of sin. But we are not finished, there is more as a result of salvation. Chances
are you have never been taught this, at least not this way and I understand it may be a
lot to take in. This is not my opinion; it is what the Bible clearly says. Meditate on it.
Read these scriptures over and over. Memorize them. Constantly remind yourself of
who you are in Christ. See my next devotion for part three.
Prayer: Father God I never stop being amazed by your magnificent plan that you
unfolded so that I could walk in your presence. Your plan was flawless but came at the
expense of extreme suffering for Jesus’ suffering that He freely endured so we could
come into Your presence and have fellowship with You. I thank You Father for Your plan
of salvation and Jesus, I thank You for walking it out, being guided by the Holy Spirit.

I Am the Righteousness of God – Part 1

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become
the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB 95
I believe we all know that asking Jesus to be our Lord and Savior means we
have salvation. All of us should understand that to mean when we die, we will go to
heaven and not hell. That is correct but it is only the tip of the iceberg concerning the
complete meaning. Jesus died for our sins, yes, but as this scripture says He became
sin on our behalf. How could He become sin? Jesus did not become sin itself; He did
not become a sinner for us either; nor did he become guilty of our sins. What it means is
the guilt of every sin committed by man since Adam and Eve, and every sin that will be
committed until the end of the world, was imputed from us to Him on the cross.
So, what does “impute” mean? It is a financial and legal accounting term. It
describes how God transfers a spiritual standing, either a sinful standing or a righteous
standing, to a person’s account. In the case of 2 Corinthians 5:21 it means God
transfers the penalty of the sin of the whole world to his perfect sinless Son and in
return He transfers the righteousness of the same perfect Son to us. When we accept
this transfer as being for us, that is receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we become
the righteousness of God, per 2 Corinthian 5:21. The guilt of sin was imputed to Jesus
as the righteousness of Jesus was imputed to us. Thus, you can see why salvation is
referred to as a miracle.
Something our finite minds have a hard time understanding is eternity. Jesus and
Father God were together for all eternity, always together, never separated. Just before
Jesus died on the cross, He quoted Psalm 22:1 and cried out “My God, My God, why
have You forsaken me.” Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34. The guilt of the whole world’s
sin came upon Him. God the Father hates sin and cannot stand in its presence and had
to turn His face. For the first time ever He and the Son were separated because of our
sin so that we could now come into God’s presence in the throne room. Have you ever
thought of that? Not only did Jesus suffer tremendous physical pain, but He suffered
mental and spiritual pain also.
There are three great imputations in the Scripture. One is when Adam sinned, his
disobedience and guilt were charged to all mankind (Romans 5:12). Jesus was a
human when He walked the earth, born of Mary, but not by the seed of man, He was
conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. The second imputation is the believer’s sin
guilt imputed to Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). The third imputation is Jesus’ righteousness
imputed to believers (Romans 4:22-24).
The bottom line for this devotion I that if you are a believer, the guilt of your sins
has been imputed to Jesus and His righteousness has been imputed to you. You are the

righteousness of God through Christ Jesus. Your debt has been paid for every sin you
ever committed or will commit. Receive that righteousness and walk in it. Speak
righteousness. Act righteous. Live righteous giving thanks and praise to your God for
His mercy and grace. If you are not saved, read the prayer below loud enough for your
own ears to hear and mean what you say and you will be saved. This is not the end of
the devotion. Part 2 will appear another day.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You suffered more than I can imagine for me, not only
physically but also spiritually and mentally. I am still realizing how much You love me. I
accept what you did for me and ask you to come into my heart and be my Savior and
Lord. I repent of my sins that caused you so much agony. Come into my heart and
guide me in every aspect of my life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I love You Lord and
thank you for all you have done for me. In your name I pray, amen.

The Delay That Protected You

Have you ever been running late and a red light or a flight delays you? You can’t find your keys.
Something you spend time planning does not happen when you think it would, and you feel
frustration. We see the delay, but God sees what is ahead.
We may never know how many times God has protected us through a delay. Proverbs 16:9
remind us that we can make our plans, but ultimately the Lord establishes our steps. We
sometimes ask God to guide us, protect us, and direct our path. However, when He allows our plans to change, we may become frustrated because His direction does not look the way we expected. Sometimes protection may look like a detour or delay.
Instead of immediately becoming frustrated when something slows you down, take a moment and remember only God can see what is ahead. And that delay could have been an answered prayer.
You can trust the One who sees the road ahead.
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” — Proverbs 16:9

Reflection:
Has there been a time when something did not happen according to your plans? When you look back, can you see how the delay may have protected you or worked for your good?

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me trust You when things do not happen according to my plans. When I become impatient, remind me that You see what I cannot see. Give me wisdom when plans change and peace in the waiting. Thank You for always protecting me, even when I cannot see.
In Your precious name, Amen.

Now Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." ~Hebrews 11:1

"Now" faith...not something you once had, not something you might have in the future. "NOW" faith...faith for today, for this very minute! Faith that God hears my prayers, faith that God is working everything for my good, faith that everything, E-VE-RY-THING is going to be alright! Faith is knowing that no matter what the situation looks like today, God is working all things for good. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." ~Romans 8:28

Let me tell you friends, I have needed some "now" faith lately because my faith has been tested. Just when I think I'm gonna make it, satan comes at me from another direction. However, today I declare that I won't be defeated and I won't give up!!! I will stand on God's Word, I will pray, I will seek God's will and I will keep believing! I will have "now" faith! The Bible tells me, "...if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it WILL move; and NOTHING will be impossible for you." ~Matthew 17:20. Read that again, "It WILL move and NOTHING will be impossible"! Friends, that promise is ours, we just have to believe it!

So how do we grow in faith? How do we get that "now" faith? We pray, we read God's Word, we meditate on His promises, we believe those promises are ours and then we pray some more! Nope, faith doesn't just happen, faith requires us to take action, to work at it!  "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ~James 2:20.

What are we willing to do to see that mountain move...how bad do we want that mountain to move? Are we willing to pray more, are we willing to seek His will over ours? Do we truly want that "now" faith? My answer is yes, yes yes and YES!

Dear Lord, Your Word says we walk by faith, not by sight. Lord help me walk in "now" faith, faith to stand firm on Your Word so that even when I don't see it and I can't feel it, I know You are working! I want my faith to be alive! I will not give up, I will see my mountain move! Your promises are Yes and Amen! Thank you Lord for answered prayers. I give you praise and honor, in Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
          "For we walk by faith, not by sight!"
                       ~2 Corinthians 5:7.

The Word That Stands Forever

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16
We do not have to defend the Bible. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “There is no need to defend a lion when he is being attacked. All we have to do is open the gate and let him out. He will defend himself.”
The Word of God has been questioned, criticized, attacked, and rejected throughout history, yet it still stands. The Bible will still be the Book of all books when countless other writings throughout the centuries have passed into obscurity. When we open the gates and allow the Word of God to speak, its truth has the power to defend itself.
The Bible was written over a period of approximately fourteen hundred years by at least forty different authors from many different walks of life. They were fishermen, prophets, shepherds, doctors, kings, and religious leaders. They lived in different generations, places, and circumstances. Yet from Genesis to Revelation, one message runs throughout its pages: God’s plan of redemption for mankind through Jesus Christ, His death on the cross, and His resurrection.
Only God could inspire such a Book.
The Bible never grows old or becomes outdated. Its ageless truth remains relevant to every generation because the God who inspired it never changes. Scripture speaks to our victories and our failures, our joy and our sorrow, our questions and our fears. It corrects us when we are wrong, strengthens us when we are weak, comforts us when we are hurting, and gives us wisdom when we do not know which way to go.
God did not give us His Word simply to fill our minds with information. He gave it to transform our lives. His Word reveals who He is, reminds us who we are in Him, and continually points us toward Jesus.
Long after the writings and opinions of men have passed away, the Word of God will remain. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” His Word has stood the test of time, and it will stand throughout eternity.
And one day, our faith will become sight. We will no longer simply read about Jesus, the living Word—we will stand in His presence. The Word that became flesh and dwelt among us will be the One we worship throughout eternity.
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for Your inspired Word of Truth. Thank You for giving us a Word that never changes, never fails, and never loses its power. Let Your Word correct me, teach me, strengthen me, and guide me through every situation I face. May it be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Give me a hunger not only to read Your Word, but to live by it. And thank You for the promise that one day I will be with You—the living Word—forever. Even an eternity with You seems too short.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Power of Your Testimony

The Bible shows repeatedly that sharing what God has done in our lives can encourage others and lead them toward Him.
Psalm 66:16 reads, “Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.” There is power in telling others what God has done in your life and how He met you when you were hurting and gave you strength to carry you through something you thought you would never overcome.
In Mark 5:19, Jesus told the man He had healed, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.”
Your testimony could be how you found comfort through grief, or how you made it out of
addiction, or it could simply be, “I prayed and God gave me peace.” Your testimony is not just a story of what happened to you; it is a story of what God did to help you through. God can take those stories where we struggled and use them to bring comfort and hope to someone else. There may be someone standing where you once stood, wondering if they will make it through. Your testimony may be the reminder they need to make it through.
When appropriate and when the time is right, we can share our testimony and say, “This is what I went through, and this is how God carried me.” As Christians, we are not only called to love and help others, but also to share what God has done in our lives. What once had us feeling hopeless and in tears may someday bring someone else hope.
Reflection
What has God brought you through that could encourage someone who is walking through
something similar today?
Heavenly Father, lead me to people who are hurting. Give me wisdom to know when to share my story and courage to tell others what You have done for me. Use my testimony to bring encouragement and hope to others and also glory to You.
In Your precious name, Amen.

I Must Be Willing

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
~Acts 9:10

Ananias was a devoted and well respected man of the Jewish faith. When God spoke to him, he listened...God told him to go and pray for Saul of Tarsus. Ananias had heard some very disturbing things about Saul. He knew he was an enemy to God's people and had persecuted many Christians. But God had big plans for Saul and He needed someone willing to go and minister to him because he was at a turning point in His life. Saul had just had an encounter with Jesus and as a result of that "bright light" encounter, Saul had become blind. Although he was physically blinded, his spiritual eyes were opened; he realized his wrongdoing. He  repented and was fasting and praying for three days. He also had a vision from God and was expecting Ananias to come.

However, Ananias did not know about the change in Saul's heart and he was afraid of what Saul would do to him. "Then Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem'...'Go! This man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel'...Then Ananias went..." ~Acts 9:13,15-16. Even though he was afraid, he obeyed God. As a result of his obedience and his willingness to go, Saul's vision was restored, he was baptized and his name was changed to Paul the Apostle.

And one more thing, when Ananias got to the house where Saul was staying, he called him "Brother Saul". "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road while you were coming here has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." ~Acts 9:17. Ananias didn't see Saul/Paul as the evil wicked person that he once was, he saw him as God saw him! What a testimony of God's saving grace that both Ananias and Saul/Paul witnessed that day! And yes, that's the same Paul who became a powerful minister of the gospel and wrote many of the New Testament Books.

As I read this passage and the amazing transformation from sinner to saint, I wonder what would have happened if Ananias had been unwilling to do what God asked? Would Saul's vision have been restored, would he have been baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, would "Paul" have preached the gospel to the Gentiles?  Would we know about our precious Jesus or would there have been a different story written?

I know there have been times God asked me to go to someone but I didn't go. I wonder how many lives might be different today if I had only been willing to go, to pray with them and tell them about Jesus. Lord forgive me!

Who knows, one of us might be the next Ananias. Our obedience to go just might be what changes a household, a community, a city and even beyond...I must be willing!  "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: 'Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us'? Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me'." ~Isaiah 6:8

Heavenly Father forgive me for my  weaknesses!  Lord, help me be willing to go and do whatever you ask and more importantly, help me see those who may not look or act like me as my "brothers and sisters". I want to be a willing vessel for you! Amen.

The Greatest of These


“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” — 1 Corinthians 13:13
Faith, hope, and love are three of the strongest foundations of the Christian life. We live by faith, we hold on to hope, and we are called to walk in love. Yet when Paul places these three together, he makes a powerful statement: the greatest of these is love.
Why love?
Jesus was once approached and asked to identify the greatest of all God’s commandments. In His answer, Jesus took the entire Law—all the commandments God had given His people—and brought them down to two:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. Then He added, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus concluded by saying, “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37–40)
Everything hangs on love.
The first commandment deals with our vertical relationship—our relationship with God. We are to love Him completely, not simply with our words, but with our heart, soul, and mind. God isn't meant to occupy one small part of our lives. He is to be at the center of everything.
The second deals with our horizontal relationships—how we treat the people around us. Our love for God should eventually become visible in the way we love people. It should affect our patience, forgiveness, generosity, compassion, words, attitudes, and actions.
We cannot separate the two. The more we understand how deeply God loves us, the more His love should begin flowing through us toward others.
This helps us understand why Paul says love is the greatest.
Faith is essential because we trust God for what we cannot yet see. Hope is essential because we confidently look forward to what God has promised. But both faith and hope point toward something still ahead.
One day, faith will become sight.
One day, hope will become reality.
We will see Jesus face-to-face. Everything we have believed and hoped for will finally be before us. But love will remain.
Love does not expire in eternity because love is part of the very character of God. Scripture tells us plainly, “God is love.” (1 John 4:8)
That means Christian love is more than simply being nice or having warm feelings toward someone. Biblical love is a choice to reflect the character of Christ. Sometimes love looks like compassion. Sometimes it looks like forgiveness. Sometimes it means serving when it is inconvenient. Sometimes it means being patient with someone who frustrates us. Sometimes it means speaking truth with grace.
And sometimes loving people is difficult.
That is why we cannot depend entirely upon our own strength to obey Jesus' command. We need His presence working within us. When Christ is first in our lives, His Spirit changes the way we see and respond to people.
Before reacting, we can ask, “What would love do here?”
Before speaking, “Do these words sound like Jesus?”
Before holding onto an offense, “How much grace has God shown me?”
Before walking past someone in need, “Is God giving me an opportunity to demonstrate His love?”
Putting Christ first helps us remember His faithfulness, His grace, and His patience toward us. When we remain close to Him, He gives us the strength to extend those same things to others.
Love really is the hinge upon which the door of God's commandments hangs. Without love, our faith can become nothing more than religion. Our service can become obligation. Our knowledge can become pride. Even good things lose their purpose when love is removed from them.
So as you walk through the doors God opens today, remember what matters most.
Love God completely.
Love people intentionally.
Let the love you have received from Christ become the love you give away.
Faith trusts Him.
Hope looks toward Him.
Love reflects Him.
And of these three, the greatest is love.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for loving me with a love that never fails. By Your presence within me today, help me put You first and love You with all my heart, soul, and mind. Teach me to see people the way You see them. Give me patience when loving is difficult, grace when I am frustrated, compassion when someone is hurting, and humility to serve when You give me the opportunity. Let the way I speak, respond, forgive, and serve reflect Your love. May people experience something of Your heart because of the way I love them today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

When God Sees What We Cannot


Sometimes it is difficult to understand why someone suddenly walks out of our life or why a
relationship changes. We often wonder what we did wrong. We only know what we can see. But God sees what happens when we are not in the room. He hears the conversations we never hear.
He knows what is said when our name comes up.
Sometimes what feels like rejection may become Gods protection.
We may never know everything God has protected us from. Some things, if we knew may only leave wounds we were never meant to carry.
When relationships change, we can examine our own hearts, pray for wisdom, and trust God and His plan for us.
Maybe you were not meant to hear every conversation.
Maybe you were not meant to know every detail.
God saw what you couldn’t see, and you can trust Him with what you don’t understand.
“The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” — Proverbs
15:3

Reflection
Can I release what I do not understand and trust that God sees the whole picture?
Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing what I cannot see. When relationships change and I do not understand why, help me trust You with the unanswered questions. Give me wisdom to know which relationships to nurture and courage to release what I need to let go. Protect my heart from what I do not need to carry and help me rest in knowing that You see the whole picture.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Shout for Joy

"Shout for Joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name: give to Him glorious praise!" ~Psalm 66:1-2

Have you ever thought what might happen if we got as excited over Jesus as we do a football game, a nascar race or our kids baseball games?

Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with being passionate about your favorite team! I have my favorite team and I yell pretty loud for them too! Yes, It's fun, it's exciting and it gets our mind off all our problems...for a little while anyway. It also allows us to spend quality time with friends and family! When they win, we celebrate, we talk about it for days, we brag and rag our friends, yep, our passion is strong, and that's ok! However, when the game is finished, the season ends, that's it, it's over until next year. Now what do we do to fill the void?

So I ask again, what if we got that excited over Jesus? What if we couldn't wait for the weekend because we "get" to go to church? What if we got up every morning singing and shouting His praise, what if we spent all day talking about our Savior? I wonder if that would make any difference in our lives, the lives of our friends and loved ones? I think it probably would!

Jesus loved us so much that He willingly gave His life on the cross; that alone should make us want to tell everyone we meet that Jesus Saves! We should want to tell them how He gives us everlasting hope, peace, joy and eternal life. ETERNAL...forever and ever! The void He fills doesn't last for just a day, a week, a season, His mercy and His amazing grace last throughout all Eternity. Now isn't that something to get excited about!

It sure makes me want to be more passionate about my Savior and I just might be shouting His praises a little louder!  So, if you see me today, I hope you can see that excitement and passion on my face; I hope you can hear it in my voice, and don't be surprised if I tell you what Jesus has done for me because He is good and He is faithful!

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." ~Deuteronomy 6:5

Don’t Rush the Season

There is nothing wrong with looking forward to what lies ahead, but sometimes we spend so much of our lives waiting for the next thing. We cannot wait to find the right relationship, move into a new house, finish school, get a new job, or get through a difficult season. But sometimes we become so focused on what is ahead that we forget to appreciate where God has us at this moment.
Not every season is meant to be rushed through. There may be something God wants to teach you. There may be memories He wants you to make or growth within you that need to happen.
Sometimes we pray, “God, get me through this,” when sometimes the prayer simply needs to be, “God, show me what You want me to see while I am here.” Do not become so focused on tomorrow that you miss God’s blessings today.
You do not have to have everything figured out. You do not have to be where you thought you would be by now. You can keep moving forward while still being grateful for where God has you today.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 reads, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” This reminds us that life happens in seasons, and each season has its own purpose. We often want to rush through the uncomfortable seasons so we can get to something better or easier.
However, when we are always looking ahead, we can miss God’s blessings and what He may be doing in us right where we are.
Reflection
Am I so focused on what is next that I am missing what God has given me today?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me not rush through the season. Remind me to notice what You are doing right now. Help me appreciate the opportunities, the people, and the blessings You have given me. Give me patience in the waiting and trust in Your timing. Help me to learn in this season and help me enjoy the moments I may someday wish I could have back.
In Your precious name, Amen.

Keeping The Main Thing The Main Thing

One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

The powerful FedEx company  came into dominance by focusing on one service:  overnight delivery. Southwest Airlines became one of the leading airlines by focusing on low-cost, and on time travel. And, when many places focused on food service, Starbucks opened coffee shops focusing on just coffee. Focus is fundamental to spiritual success as well as it is to business success. Making God's will and presence your top priority each day.  Keeping the main thing the main thing...Jesus...can be a challenge in today's busy society. Spiritual growth is a key element to keeping focused on Him. We can sharpen our focus by delving into the Word, prayer and serving others.  Colossians 3:2 says, "Set your mind on things above. " Focus!!  Focus puts our priorities in order. Paul said in today's scripture, "This one thing I do."  He was pressing toward the goal, the prize of the call of God. Focus gives us a forward mindset. Forgetting those things behind us as we reach toward those things ahead. Focus also brings passion to our lives as we "press" toward, meaning an intense endeavor.  Today, let's begin by focusing on Jesus and making serving Him our top priority. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God..."  Put God at the very center of your life, time and choices. Prayer. Lord, help me to focus on You and Your Kingdom. Guard my mind so nothing will be able to take my focus off of You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Return to Me

“I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isaiah 44:22)
Okay, so you are forgiven, redeemed, and a new creature. What happens if you stumble again tomorrow and fall back into an old sin? I know this would be very discouraging, but it does not change the way your Father God sees you. You have to remember and believe that any sins of the future are also wiped out by Jesus’s death. Jesus died for all the sins that were committed before His walk on the earth and for all the sins that will ever be committed after His death and resurrection until His return. When you fall again, and we all fall, the devil likes to jump in and remind us of all our past misgivings. He will tell us
we are a failure, will never be able to get it right before God. He may tell us we are lowly worms and may as well just give in and enjoy sin. Remember that the devil is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). He doesn’t do anything but come to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). All you have to do is rebuke the devil, call him for what he is, a liar, and return to Jesus by turning your back to sin (no matter how many times you have to do this), and repent. You will be at the same place you started the very day you asked
Jesus to be your Savior and Lord. Do not get back into self-condemnation! You have been delivered, and God has redeemed you. True, God was speaking to Isaiah in the Old Testament, but after all Jesus went through, how much more accurate is this verse for us today?
Thank You, Father that no matter how many times I fall, You are there to pick me up and set me back on a firm foundation without condemnation. I know how difficult it is for me to continue to forgive someone that has wronged me for the same wrong over and over again, but that is precisely what You do for me. I am constantly amazed by Your love, and I glorify You for it. I declare this in the name of Jesus.
Amen.

Quiet Time...God is Waiting

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” ~Mark 1:35

Have you ever heard someone make the statement, "it's too quiet"?  I have said it many times and especially this year. I don't mind the quiet unless I am worried about something then the quiet seems to close in on me. When that happens those eerily quiet moments are scary, depressing and lonely.  However, it's during those quiet times that God wants us to trust in Him. You see He desires for us to spend time in His presence, not just on Sundays but everyday. It's during our alone time with Him that He will speak to us, give us direction and calm our worries and fears.

There is so much "noise" in the world we live in today. Honestly, most of us long for a few minutes of peace and quiet. But, how often do we turn off the tv's, the computers, our cell phones, social media and spend some quality time in prayer with our Heavenly Father? Honestly, not often enough...

There are many scriptures that tell us that Jesus spent time alone with God. One of those times was when Jesus learned that John had been killed and He needed comfort from His Father. "When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place...He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there".~Matthew 14:13, 23. 
Another time Jesus needed to know His Father's will so again, He went to be alone with Him, "...Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He prayed to God all night long." ~Luke 6:12.  And most importantly, when Jesus knew His time was near, He chose to spend time with His Heavenly Father, "Then Jesus went to a place called Gethsemane...to pray" ~Matthew 26:36. Friends, if Jesus, the sinless Lamb, found it necessary to be alone, to pray and seek the will of God; how much more important is it for us to make time for prayer, to seek God's  will and listen for His voice?

God is a jealous God, "For you must not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." ~Exodus 34:14. I believe He wants and even requires us to spend time in His presence. It doesn't have to be hours, it can be a few short minutes. Jesus even tells us how to pray in Matthew 6:6, "But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place."  But, that Scripture doesn't end there..."Your Father who sees what you do in secret WILL REWARD YOU!" 

Maybe God allows those quiet times to come so we will spend time with Him. I need to do better and spend more quiet time in His presence every day! You know what else, that "quiet" doesn't seem so eerie anymore because I know God is right there waiting for me to open the door! "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with Him, and He with Me." ~Revelation 3:20

Lift My Hands

There may be days that you don’t understand what God is doing. There may be times when you are carrying pain or grief that seems unbearable. Psalm 63 reminds us that we can still worship in the waiting.
Lifting our hands in worship can be an expression of gratitude, surrender, and praise. It is a
reminder that our help comes from God.
Sometimes worship is easy when life is going well, but it can be more difficult when we are
hurting or waiting for answers. Yet, even in those moments, we can choose to lift our hearts and hands to God. Worship reminds us that God is still good, still faithful, and still in control—even when we do not understand what He is doing.
God is worthy of our praise. Praise Him for what He has done in your life. Surrender to Him
what you have been carrying. Even in the waiting, choose to trust Him and remember that He is with you.
Scripture:
Psalm 63:4
“I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name, I will lift up my hands.”
Reflection:
Do I find it difficult to worship when life is hard?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, regardless of my circumstances, I choose to praise You. Help me to surrender the things I cannot control. I pray that my words and my life bring glory to Your name. You ar faithful and worthy of my praise.
In Your precious name, Amen.

He Knows Your Name


“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.” — Isaiah 43:1
Have you ever had your mother or grandmother try to call you, but before getting to your name, she goes down the list of nearly every other name in the household? She may even be looking you right in the eye, yet somehow she calls you two or three other names before finally getting to yours! And this is the same person who gave you your name!
Many parents go through quite a process when choosing the name of their unborn child. They look through books, search online, consider family names, and talk about what different names mean. They want the name to be special because the child is special to them. Some parents begin calling their child by name before that child ever leaves the womb.
But even the most loving parent cannot know a child the way God does.
There may be hundreds or even thousands of people in this world who share your name, but that makes no difference to God. When you call on Him, He never has to wonder which one of His children is speaking. He does not have to go down a list trying to figure out who you are.
He knows your name.
In fact, God knew you before your parents ever chose your name. He knew who you would be, where you would be, what you would face, and every moment of your life. Psalm 139 teaches us that God knows when we sit down and when we rise. He knows our thoughts and is acquainted with all our ways. There is nothing about us that is hidden from Him.
Think about what that means: The God who created the universe knows you personally.
He knows the deepest need of your heart. He knows the wound you do not talk about. He knows the disappointment you try to hide. He knows the questions you are afraid to ask. He knows your failures, weaknesses, fears, dreams, and even your darkest thoughts.
And knowing all of that, He still loves you.
God does not merely know information about you; He knows you. There is a tremendous difference between the two. You are not just another face in the crowd to Him. You are not merely a number or one person among billions. Isaiah 43:1 says, “I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.”
Those last three words are powerful: “Thou art Mine.”
Your identity does not ultimately come from what other people call you. It does not come from your accomplishments, failures, possessions, position, or reputation. Your security comes from knowing who God says you are and to whom you belong.
There may be days when you feel overlooked by people, but you are never overlooked by God. There may be moments when you feel forgotten, but God has not forgotten you. There may even be seasons when you wonder whether anyone truly understands what you are carrying.
God does.
When you pray, you never have to introduce yourself. You never have to convince God to pay attention. You never have to explain every detail before He understands. Before the words ever leave your mouth, He already knows your heart.
And most importantly, make sure your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can belong to Him and have the assurance of eternal life.
So today, when life makes you feel insignificant, forgotten, or unseen, remember the words of your Creator:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed thee. I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.”
You are known.
You are seen.
You are loved.
And He knows your name.
Prayer
Lord, thank You that I am Yours. Thank You that You know my name and every detail of my life. You know my needs, my struggles, my fears, my failures, and the things I carry that no one else sees. Yet, knowing everything about me, You still love me.
Help me to find my identity and security in You instead of in what others think or say about me. When I feel forgotten, remind me that You see me. When I feel alone, remind me that I belong to You. Thank You for redeeming me, calling me by name, and making me Your own.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

We Need Not Offer Anything for Forgiveness

“This is the covenant that I will make with them…” — Hebrews 10:16
“And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” — Hebrews 10:17
“Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.” — Hebrews 10:18
In the Old Testament, people continually offered animal sacrifices to God for the forgiveness of their sins. The animals were slaughtered, and their blood was offered on the altar on behalf of those bringing the sacrifice. This process continued day after day, month after month, and year after year.
But for those who have made Jesus Christ the Savior and Lord of their lives, no additional sacrifice is needed for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus Christ became the final sacrifice. His blood took the place of the blood of animals offered under the old covenant.
The blood of Jesus does not merely cover our sins; through His sacrifice, our sins are forgiven, and we are made new. Jesus will not die again. There will never be another sacrifice for sin. It is finished.
After receiving salvation, if you sin again—and you will fall short—you do not need another sacrifice to obtain forgiveness. Instead, you repent, confess your sin to God, and receive the forgiveness He has already made available through Jesus Christ. Because of His loving-kindness and grace, we can walk in the assurance of His forgiveness.
The word translated “these things” in verse 18 comes from the Greek word houtos. It is used many times throughout the New Testament and is translated in various ways depending on the context. The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition, helps bring out the meaning of this passage:
“Now where there is absolute remission (forgiveness and cancellation of the penalty) of these [sins and lawbreaking], there is no longer any offering made to atone for sin.”
Verse 17 identifies “these things” as sins and lawless deeds. Jesus’ sacrifice dealt completely with the problem of sin. His sacrifice was sufficient once and for all. There is no need for another sacrifice.
Some teach that if you sin after salvation, you must be saved all over again. Scripture does not teach that Christ must be sacrificed repeatedly. Hebrews presents His sacrifice as complete and sufficient—once for all.
Under the old covenant, when a person brought an animal for sacrifice, the worshiper would lay hands on the animal, symbolically identifying with the sacrifice. The animal served as a substitute as the person sought forgiveness and cleansing before God. But those sacrifices could never accomplish permanently what Jesus would ultimately accomplish.
Jesus became the perfect and final sacrifice for our sins. As Scripture says:
“We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” — Hebrews 10:10
Jesus did what no animal sacrifice could ever do. His sacrifice does not need to be repeated. The price has been paid. The work has been completed.
So today, walk in His forgiveness and grace. You do not have to live continually trying to earn what Jesus has already purchased for you. Receive His forgiveness, turn from sin, and live confidently in the grace made available through Christ.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You have already completed the ultimate sacrifice for my sins, and no additional sacrifice will ever be needed. I am redeemed, forgiven, washed clean, and set free in You.
Thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You that I do not have to earn Your forgiveness or attempt to pay a debt that You have already paid in full. Help me to walk today in the freedom, grace, and forgiveness You have given me.
I glorify You for who You are and for all You have done for me.
In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

When Our Priorities Get Out of Order

There is always something that needs our attention—family, plans, responsibilities, work, and problems that need to be solved. Life has a way of filling every available space. Doing these things is not wrong. They are important. The problem comes when what is important takes the place of what is most important.
Jesus gives us a simple order: Seek God first.
Our responsibilities will always be there. God doesn’t want us to pencil Him in after everything settles down or when we have extra time. Seek Him first. We can become so busy with the life God has given us that we unintentionally neglect our relationship with the One who gave it to us. We may say God is first, but where we spend our time can sometimes tell a different story. When we put God first, everything else begins to find its proper place. God doesn’t want us to stop caring about our responsibilities. He invites us to put Him at the center of them.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” — Matthew 6:33
Reflection
Is there something good in my life that I have allowed to become more important than my
relationship with God?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, there are many things competing for my attention, and sometimes I become focused on what feels important in the moment instead of what is truly important. Teach me to seek You first. I want You to be more than a part of my life. I want You to be at the center of it.
In Your precious name, Amen.