Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

I'm grateful for the Lent season, and happy I decided to follow this religious tradition. Being "in the wilderness" has allowed me to understand much. As well as challenged me to focus on the ways and teachings of Christ, and really strive to be like Him. Jesus was an extraordinary man (still is), who had all of the answers to living a peaceful life. In some cases He taught in parables, but this was meant to challenge us, and help us relate is teachings to "real life" experiences. Have you started reading the Gospels yet? I've started reading the book of Luke, and once I get started I can't put it down. The stories come alive, and I'm discovering so much more than I did before. The miracles and wonderful wisdom He shared, are awesome, so trust your Holy Spirit to guide you through this process. Get started tonight, if you haven't already, I promise you’ll will learn more each time you pick it up. Enjoy the rest of your day, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about trust over logic. I talk about this subject with friends frequently, because it's important that we know that God doesn't always work according to the world’s logic. We’re led in ways we never thought possible, and we find ourselves questioning God, instead of trusting Him. He's equipped us with salvation through Jesus Christ, the Holy Bible, and step-by-step guidance by the Holy Spirit, so why the lack of trust? The real key to a life full of peace, joy, and happiness lies in three simple things, trust, love, and obeying God. The world works on the logical, and most people believe that everything is black and white, but what constitutes black and white? Logic is defined: reason or sound judgment, as in utterances or actions. It's acknowledged that we're in spiritual warfare, which consists of good versus evil. When we awake to see a new day, our main goal should be to follow the will of God, and create some good in the world. We can do that on many different scales, from something as small as smiling at someone who looks like they're having a bad day, or by stopping to help someone who appears stranded. It could go deeper with our professions, volunteer work, church affiliations, etc. Now logic says if we do good things we get good things in return. Even the bible says, "we reap what we sow", but what, how, and when, we should expect that good that we reaped, to be sown, remains a mystery to us. Isn't it logical that if we work our job eight hours a day, five days a week, the following week we should receive a pay check for forty hours of work? God doesn't totally work that way, He wants us to put our trust in Him, and work to store up our treasures in Heaven. He’s in control, so we must trust Him for everything, everyday, because our main commandment is to love Him. Trusting God to take care of our every need, without any tangible evidence of His existence, is a huge way to show Him love. Knowing in our heart of hearts that there is a God, and trusting Jesus Christ as our Savior, is what will get us into Heaven. No amount of good deeds, money, or power could do it. Let's look at the story of the Jesus and the rich young ruler: Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. (Luke 18:18-23) Now does this story sound logical to you? Do you think Jesus is literally saying you can't be rich and go to Heaven? Jesus was able to read this young man's heart, and so He knew that he would trust his money, more than he trusted God. Jesus simply challenged this man to make a decision, whether logical or not. Ultimately choosing God is all that matters. We do have moral rules to follow, so that's why Jesus named the Ten Commandments, but overall faith in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is most important. It's written: “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”— because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.” (Mark 3:28-30). We're expected to make mistakes in life, so I urge you not to sweat the small stuff. Be diligent in learning the ways of Christ, growing in the wisdom of God, and making a conscious effort to change you sinner ways, but trust in God first, and He'll make sure you do the ladder. Trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and He'll spend the rest of your life proving His love to you, and He only asks that you do the same. My favorite verses today are: Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:8)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455259&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547

I love you!