Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY TUESDAY!

Last night I was up pretty late, with a lot on my mind. Life, in general, has its moments where everything just hits you all at once, and I had one of those moments. When I started to think about what I've endured, I was a little overwhelmed, but that's how the enemy targets us. He tries to get us caught up in our tribulation, instead of focusing on our blessings. I've been attempting to read the Sermon on the Mount, in it's entirety, since I wrote about it a few days ago, so I picked up the bible and started with Matthew chapter 5, and the first 16 verses gave me so much strength. Jesus understood the plights of His followers, so He gave us something to cling to, in those times when it feels like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. If you've been feeling that way lately, I highly recommend it. Getting the answers to life, from the mouth of Jesus, is the best way. Have a wonderful day, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about the certainty, and the rewards of death. One of my favorite quotes is, "I'd rather live life as if there is a God, and die and find out that there isn't, rather than to live life as if there isn't a God, and die and find out there is". To some, that may not make much sense, but to those of us who are saved, we understand all too well. There are so many different religions and beliefs in this world, that it's hard not to question who God is, or even if we're serving the "right God". Who's to say that Buddha or Allah isn't the way to Heaven, and not Jesus Christ? Nonetheless, we all know that we will eventually die, but before then, we must know exactly what we believe, and why. The one thing I know for sure is that Jesus is the truth, the light, and the way, and no man can go to Father, unless through the Son. Jesus proves Himself true in my life everyday, and through Him I have victory over death. Not only do I have victory over death, but I also have life in Heaven forevermore, and that's been made possible simply by my belief in Christ. Jesus laid down His life, to give me everlasting life in Heaven. The Bible gives us accounts of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. There are stories written about Him, appearing to many people, after His resurrection. He did this, just to ensure that several people could testify to His life after death. Right before His ascension into Heaven, He appeared to a group of people, which included all eleven of His disciples, and they were all terrified. He asked them, "Why are you troubled?” and even showed them the wounds in His hands and feet, from being nailed to the cross. Even after that, they still didn't believe that it was He, so He sat and ate with them. It's written: Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:36-49) After all of this, Jesus blessed them, and was carried up into Heaven. This is where He still sits today, awaiting our return to Him. This may seem like a fascinating fictional tale, but everything written in the Word of God is the truth. Jesus did live as a human being, and still lives in Heaven, so that we can one day get there. For Jesus’ believers, death is victory. It's the end of imperfection, and the beginning of perfection. It's the end of sickness, disease, hurts, and pains, and the beginning of everlasting joy. The Prophet Isaiah predicted this, before Jesus was born, and it's written: He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken. And it will be said in that day: “ Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” (Isa. 25:8-9) Whenever you think of death, you should think of the rewards you'll face, so that you won't fear the natural process of life. Some people spend a lot of time being so afraid of death, that they don't allow themselves to live. All of the fears and phobias need to stop today, because God intended us to enjoy our life, here and in Heaven. He's blessed us with Salvation through Christ, because He no longer wanted to see us suffer, at the fate of our own hands. I challenge you today to live! Live as if today is your last, and rejoice in the fact that if it is, you'll spend all of Eternity in the presence of the Lord. Share this with as many people as you can, so that you will reunite with your loved ones in Heaven. There's so much more to know about Heaven, but salvation is the greatest, yet easiest gift to receive. All you need to do is believe that Christ lived, died, and was resurrected for your sins. Pray and confess that you're a sinner, and repent of your sins. Finally, ask Jesus to come into your life as Lord and Savior. Once you do this, your name will be written in the Lambs book of life, so when Jesus returns, or you're faced with physical death, you’ll have absolutely nothing to worry about. Make sure you strengthen your relationship with God along the way, because Jesus suffered and died to give you that privilege. My favorite verse today is: To live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455314&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!