Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY MONDAY!

Today's scriptures are about God's pardon of our sin. What a mighty God we serve! He’s above anything we could ever think of, and loves us more than anyone ever could. When we sin against God, and chose evil over His goodness, it grieves His heart (Gen. 6:1-7). Take a few moments and think about the Love of God. He created us to do great things, and we're so unique, that we each have something special to bring to His kingdom. He knew us before we were formed in our mother's womb, and we were chosen to live out all eternity with Him. Think of how it might make Him feel when we deliberately live in evil and wickedness, with no regard for what He's asked us to do. No parents want their child to grow up to be an alcoholic, drug addict, or a mean and evil person. When your child is born you look at them with love and hope. You do your best to nurture them and make sure they have all they need, but when they fall off of the path that you've worked so hard to help them achieve, it hurts. If they end up being ungrateful and rebellious against you, that hurts even more. Now apply those principles to the almighty God in Heaven. I know this is a much-used verse, but it’s the key to life, so lets take a moment to examine it. I want you to read this aloud: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) His love doesn't stop there, though eternal life is the greatest reward we could ever ask for. Even those who never do a good deed, sin every day of their life, could receive it, if he asked with a clean and contrite heart. Jesus was sent to do much more. It's written: Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38:39) All of this is possible through the grace and mercy of God. Sin causes disconnection, but Jesus brings reconnection. Sin leads to strife, anger, bitterness, remorse, depression, sadness, heartache, pain, and death, but Jesus gives us the power to overcome it all, and truly “live”. God is always waiting with open arms to receive us, and working to make us better, by creating in us a clean heart and a right Spirit. He reminds that we're "nothing but Dust", and He understands our frailties, so out of love He'll forgive us of our sins each time we ask. Not only will He forgive, but also when we repent, sin’s forgotten. He won't hold those things against us, because that would be condemnation. It’s written: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1) Now say this aloud three times, “All God wants from me is love”, how profound is that? God doesn't require that we be perfect little Angels, because that isn't possible, however, He expects us to love and respect Him enough to follow His will. He wants to carry the spirit of humility and admit when we're wrong, ask for forgiveness, and make a conscious effort to change. That's good enough for Him, and He requires us to expect the same from others. Forgiveness is a two way street, and when we practice this selfless act, it allows us to understand that we're not perfect. Every parent thinks their child is the best child ever created, well God thinks that about every one of us, because we're created in His image, and He knows our heart. If you don't know Jesus as your Savior, then your sin will continue to weigh heavily on your life, and everything in it. Allow Jesus to give you freedom, because sooner or later it will catch up to you. If you’re a Christian, but haven't had an honest conversation with God, confessing your sins, and asking Him to forgive you and give you the strength to repent, then you need to have that conversation today. Don't put it off until tomorrow, because tomorrow holds sin of it's own. Make it a habit, and enjoy being lighter and free. My favorite verses today are: Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:18-19)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455264&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!