Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Today’s scriptures are about expecting strength from God in Christ. I, like every other human being, has had my share of weak moments. As I look at them in hindsight, I can truly see the immeasurable part God has played in my life. I know I’m not the only one who’s gone through times where I was blatantly sinning, but then again, I didn’t really understand what was going on. The universal law of God, for everyone in the world, is “you reap what you sow”. With that being understood, when I would experience my weak moments, I would start going through my sins, and wondering which ones I was paying for. When in all actuality, I should’ve been looking for God’s strength to help me endure these moments. I hadn’t yet realized that when I asked for forgiveness, AND repented, God forgave me, and those sins were forgotten. I’m so grateful for the love of Jesus Christ, because it’s only because of Him that I expect the strength of God. He lives in me, so all I have to do is ask for it in His Name, and it’s given.

I remember when I was living in Oregon and attending school; there were times when things were very tough for me. I was in an accelerated program, so I had classes from 7am-12pm Monday thru Friday. I worked in the financial aid office at the school, so I would immediately report to work, clock in by 12:15pm, and work to 7 or 8:00pm. After school, I’d have to go home, do homework, perform my domestic duties, and prepare for the next day. Now this sounds rough, but it gets rougher. My marriage was at the highest point of trial that it had ever gone through. I was on the other side of the country, with no family, and the one person who was there to support me, was adding fuel to the fire. This seemed like by far the hardest thing I had ever experienced in my life! At the time, I knew that God sent me to Oregon to obtain my degree, so I relied on Him for the strength to endure.

Quitting wasn’t an option, because this was one thing I knew I was required to finish. Things became so bad in my marriage, that once I got off of work and headed home, I would literally run from the elevator to my apartment, because I had been on the verge of breaking down all day. When I closed the apartment door behind me, I’d fall like a puddle of water into the middle of the floor and sob uncontrollably. I was experiencing an indescribable pain, and all I could do was pray. I would allow the sobs to come, until they ran dry. I’d then getup, clean myself up, sit at my computer, put on my headphones, and listen to so some gospel music while doing my homework, or whatever special project I was working on. The next morning, by the grace of God, I would wake up on time, head to school, and do it all over again. I graduated with perfect attendance, and a 3.96 GPA. Throughout this major storm in my life, I confided in only two people, one of whom I’m still close friends with today, and the other was my supervisor. When I told them what I was going through, their answer was, “I would’ve never guessed you were going through that, I don’t know how you do it”. My answer was… Yes you guessed it, “Only by the grace of God”!

I see so many people who go through trials, who stay so low in spirit, because they don’t lean and rely on God for strength. When I tell them to give it to the Lord, and ask Him for strength, they would say, “I’m just not as strong as you”. Trust me when I say that I may be the weakest person you know, but I believed Jesus when He said that by faith I have the strength to move mountains! Some days my faith is stronger than others, but when I understand that God has called me to complete a task, I must do it, I have no other choice. However, I rejoice and delight in the fact that God choose me, and He’s refining me, so that my inner-righteousness will reflect on the outside. When I think of all of the times that God has pulled me through, and I’m talking about on a day to day basis, I can’t help but shout GLORY HALLELUJAH! Thank you Father God, for all that you’ve done for me, and all that you’re doing right now—in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you call on the Name of Jesus in your times of weakness, especially the times when you feel like you can’t take another step, He’ll be right there with you. He said: Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matt 11:29) If you haven’t confessed Jesus as your Lord and Savior you don’t have that option. When you’re weak, you’re weak on your own. Please take a few moments to take the God Quiz right now; Jesus is the only alternative. My favorite verses today are: My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY THURSDAY!

Today’s scriptures are about the common sense of living for the One who gives us life. There are so many smart people in the world, but most don’t have much common sense. Then again, all of us have certain areas of our life where we are clueless, especially when it comes to our faith walk. Those of us, who are believers in Christ, have already taken the most important step towards freedom, peace, joy, and happiness, yet we still suffer, fall short, and sow bad seeds. You ever wonder why that is? There are times when I’m about to do something, that I’ll hear the Holy Spirit say, “Don’t do that”, but I do it anyway. When I’m crying because of my punishment, I’d say to myself, “I knew I shouldn’t have done that”, or “something told me not to take that”. What God warned me about was also just “common sense”, but I didn’t use very good judgment. We all go through those times, usually when we’re succumbing to the temptations of, or pleasing the flesh.

It’s “common sense” to believers that you reap what you sow, and if you’re putting negative out, you’ll receive negative back, and vice versa for the positive. It’s obvious that the words of Jesus, our Savior, are words to live by, but we often do the complete opposite of what He instructed us to do. It’s mostly because of ignorance, or a lack of a personal relationship with Him. However, it’s written: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8) There you have it! If you lack wisdom ask for it, and make up your mind as to what you want to do every day of your life. God said if you don’t love me than you love evil—there is no in-between.

One of my weaknesses is my indecisiveness. I have a pretty close relationship with God, and He speaks to me from time to time, but I still waver in my decisions. Anyone who knows me will confirm that. My friends at work already know to ask me what I want for lunch a few hours before we eat, because I take forever to decide. I’m like that with most things in my life. I’m a people pleaser, but as I mature in my faith I’m understanding that you can’t please God and man—it’s one or the other—yet I still do it. It’s pretty much common sense that if you can’t make a decision about lunch, then you’ll be stumped with the big decisions in life. Thankfully, I’ve learned from different circumstances, who I am, and what I want. Do you know how many people are lost to themselves?

As followers of Christ we know that we’re supposed to strive to be like Him. He was slow to anger and quick to forgive, loving, caring, compassionate, smart, strong, giving, and much more. We know that the more that we grow in Christ, the better we’ll conductive ourselves. This is taught throughout the bible, and in every sermon we’ve ever heard preached. We understand the balance between reaping and sowing, yet we sow bad things in excess and expect to live a great life. We only pray when we’re in crisis, but expect to be able to easily hear God’s voice when we call out to Him. The truth is, obey God, repent, love Him and each other, and do what’s right, and you’ll have immense inner peace.

Paul ended his letter to the Corinthians: Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Cor. 13:11-12) Would you say that you’re of good comfort, complete, steady in mind, and/or live in peace? These are some of the things that Jesus died to give us. It’s ours for the taking, and all we have to do is reach out for it. No one can take anything from us, but we give it away.

Only we have power over our own destiny, and if we use that power to serve God life will be good. Not saying that you won’t experience trials, but you’ll survive them unscathed, yet changed for the better. You cannot live a fulfilled life without Christ! The sun and the moon cannot hang from the sky without God—the creator of ALL things—so why don’t you trust Him enough to surrender every aspect of your life to Him? Isn’t it all just “common sense”? If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Savior, or aren’t sure, take a moment to take the God Quiz right now. My favorite verses today are: Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold; ... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. (1 Peter 1:17-20)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY TUESDAY!

Today’s scriptures are about being made the righteousness of God, in Christ. We speak about righteousness regularly, because God requires it of us, but what exactly does it mean? The word righteous is defined: characterized by, proceeding from, or in accordance with accepted standards of morality, justice, or uprightness; virtuous. If we’re made into righteousness, then we’re expected to conduct ourselves righteously, but wait… How are we supposed to do that, if the flesh is weak, and a man in the flesh is prone to sin? The answer to that question is found in the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness, and it’s because of Him that God sees us as righteous. God created us for Himself, and sin separated us from Him, so He brought us back to Him. It’s written: For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Col. 1:19-20)

We see similar stories every day—a parent sacrificing him or herself so that their child could have the best out of life. Most parents sacrifice their freedom, sleep, money, time, and energy for their children, all because they love them. When you have children you trade yourself for them, and you’d very easily lay down your life to protect them. If we, being sinful creatures, can do this for your children, without so much as a second thought, what more will God do for us? When He came to earth in the flesh, He paid with His life, to afford us the fruits of the Spirit—righteousness, peace, joy, happiness, meekness, and self-control. However, He won’t make us follow the paths He’s laid out for us.

When our children grow into adulthood, we must step out of their way, and allow them to grow and mature. As much as we hope that they’ll follow the plans that we’ve laid out for them, they sometimes stray. However, if we’ve instilled morals and values into them, led by example, and gave them a great foundation and sense of discernment, they’ll get back on the right path. I remember hearing a comedian say that every parent wants their child to grow up and be successful, respectful, intelligent, and able to go out and make a good life for themselves, but that doesn’t always happen. He said, “Nobody will look at their newborn baby and say, ‘ah, look at my little crack-head or rapist’, they say ‘ah, look at my little doctor or lawyer’”. As funny as that was, it struck a chord in me, this is such a true statement, because God feels the same way about us.

We were predestined from the beginning of time to accomplish His will. We are so special to Him, that He knew His thoughts of us before we were formed in our mother’s womb. He was aware of the evil to come in the world, so He gave up the life of His own Son, who never sinned, so that we could have life. Jesus didn’t deserve to die the way that He died, because He did nothing but right. He is righteousness, but He took on our sins, so that we wouldn’t have to pay the ultimate price. With this being true, why do so many believers live as if they don’t know God? Why are so many of us walking around defeated, and wallowing in sin and self-pity? If you’re a believer in Christ Jesus, and you battle with the enemy daily and it feels like he’s winning, then I hope this message frees you today. God loves you much greater than any earthly parent could love a child. He looks at you and sees nothing but your heart, because Jesus blood covers our “not so perfect parts”. In God’s eyes you are righteous, so all you have to do is believe it for yourself, and live accordingly.

I hope knowing that you are made righteous through Christ has lifted the weight of trying to be perfect on your own. Righteousness comes by the grace of God, through Christ Jesus. I love how Paul explains it: Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. (Col. 1:21-22) Paul wasn’t a nice man before he met Jesus on that Damascus road, but God choose him to be a great Apostle, and He can do the same for you. No one is all bad, because we were created by the almighty God. If you don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior, all God sees is the sins you’ve committed, but you can be forgiven and made righteous simply by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. Take that step today! Click on the link to take the God Quiz right now! My favorite verses today are: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.( Titus 3:5-6)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY MONDAY!

Today’s scriptures are about eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus Christ. Have you ever wondered why the bible says that we should eagerly await the coming of the Lord? I know most of us love life, and aren’t quite ready to leave earth, so why then should we wait eagerly on the Lord? Once Jesus saves us from the darkness, His light, love, and peace penetrates our heart, and we start this transformation. Some transform faster than others, but it will happen. The rate of our transformation depends on our obedience and hunger for the Lord. Jesus offers us something that no one in this world could ever give—a close intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. Additionally, He offers eternal life in Heaven, and the sooner we join Him, the better life would be for all eternity. It’s written: “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Rev. 21:3-5 NLT) It’s only by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ, that we have something magnificent to look forward too.

I remember a time when I was so afraid to die. Especially when I was a young child, I didn’t handle death very well, because of course, I didn’t understand it. As I grew older, I accepted Jesus as Lord, and death started to scare me less, because I knew that I had a permanent home in Heaven. However, that didn’t stop the enemy from trying to pull me away from God. As I backslid, and regularly sinned, that fear came creeping back in. Now that I look back on it, I was no longer afraid of going to hell, I was more afraid of disappointing God. What He thinks about me means a lot to me. I always knew that if I don’t do anything else in life, I wanted to make my Heavenly Father proud. In some ways that train of thought brought me closer to God, until the enemy learned how to manipulate that as well. He started to convince me that the way I was living my life, God couldn’t possibly be proud of me, so I started to drift further and further away from Him.

This is where the love and Salvation of Jesus Christ came in. Yesterday my brother was playing the song, “You Saved Me”, by R. Kelly, as he was preparing breakfast for us. When I walked into the kitchen, I stopped what I was doing and stood still, and it’s like I went into this trance. It felt like I was living every world that R. Kelly was singing, because I can empathize with each of the people He sang about. So much so, that I want to sing praises to the Lord, every time I think of how many times He’s saved me! Hallelujah! Jesus saves us from everything, because trust me, the enemy is always looking to steer us wrong. There’s always going to be a spiritual war, but Jesus Saved us from having to fight on our own. God allows us to live, and make our own choices in life, but He always helps us make the most important choices, which also include accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Now I’ll ask you one more time, why is it so important to eagerly await the coming of the Lord? The answer is simple, because He saved you, and gave you a second chance at life. Not only that, but He’s your key to having the best life you can possibly imagine, forever. He promised that one day He’ll return to receive all those who believe in Him. If that happens ten minutes from now, will you be ready? Are you always prepared for His return? We must be sure that we’re living a life pleasing to God, at all times, because we wouldn’t want Jesus to find us at our worst. When we meet Him in the clouds, we’ll want Him to say “well done”, and not lower His head in shame. We’ve all done things we’re not proud of, but that should never keep us from having the closest relationship with Christ. After all, He died to give us freedom from sin, which includes all of the things we aren’t proud of, but we have to hold up our end of the bargain too. We must make a conscious effort each day to be prepared for the coming of the Lord. Repent, and draw near to the Lord.

The first step to making a conscious effort to prepare for the coming of the Lord is to accept your salvation. If you’re reading this, you are called to be a child of God. If you don’t know Jesus, then please take a moment to take the God Quiz right now. I include this link in each devotional because it helps answer many questions that you may have, in more detail. Jesus is coming back, just like He said He would (~Al Green), so if you’re a Christian and aren’t living right, pray and ask Him to help you get back on track. He’s always waiting to hear from you. It’s written: The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. (Psalm 121:7-8) Get prepared for the coming of the Lord, because you know neither the day nor the hour when He will appear. My favorite verse today is: Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (2 Peter 3:14)

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