Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY MONDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you’re enjoying the beginning of the workweek (for some). I’m doing well, and feeling great, after a wonderful weekend with family and friends. Most people got to enjoy a 3-day weekend in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was a great Civil Rights Activist, as well as father, Pastor, and Disciple of Christ. He fought for equality among the human race, and was an advocate of peace on earth. Dr. King took on the title “Christian”, with new meaning, and He definitely strived to be like Christ, in so many ways. He helps me be proud to be an American, but most importantly a “Black American”. Dr. King, and others who followed him, helped pave the way for the African-American race, and the freedom we take advantage of. I urge you to take a moment and reflect on your life, and how different things could be if it wasn’t for the unselfishness of Dr. King. This man left a legacy so great, that he will always be remembered. He was called to accomplish this great task by God, and he followed God’s will to the end of his life. If we don’t take anything else from his life, we should take the importance of following the will of God. Our job may not be on as grand of a scale as Dr. King’s, but we matter just as much. Never forget that you were destined for greatness, whether big or small live by these simple rules, love God and love each other. Enjoy the remainder of your day, and be blessed family!

Today’s scriptures are about being saved from the pits of life. Our salvation is so multifaceted, that it’s hard to know exactly what we’re being saved from—well not really hard to know what, but I think we sometimes forget. There are many pits in our life, there are pitfalls, there are days that we feel down and out (referred to as “the pits”), there are pit stops, and then there are the pits of hell. Jesus came to save us from every type of pit that we will every face in life. None of us want to fall into the pits of life, but it’s a reality for us all. The only pit that is optional for us are the Pits of Hell. Hell is a real place, and Satan is real. It’s been said that he was an angel in heaven, but was cast out, for wanting to be more powerful than God. There isn’t a lot written about that in the bible, but there are some scriptures that mention it. Nevertheless, hell is a true and absolute fate for those who don’t believe in Jesus Christ.
Before Christ, salvation was nearly impossible, because we (humans) were required to live righteously on our own, and if we couldn’t, we were required to make the different sacrifices found in the book of Leviticus. I for one am grateful that that era is no longer, because I don’t know what I would do. Jesus came in and laid down His life, to save me from the pits. I no longer have to worry about hell, or the attacks from the enemy, because the blood of the Lamb protects me and keeps me near and dear to the heart of God. This is the same promise, for anyone who believes in Jesus Christ. If you confess to God that you’re a sinner and you need Him, and then ask Jesus to be Lord of your life, then you too can be saved from the pits.
When we trust God with every aspect of our life, we have this continuous light that guides us, which makes it more difficult to fall into the pits. When we trust in man, or in our own ability, it’s as Jesus said: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:39-40) If we follow the instructions of Christ carefully, we’ll be able to live a peaceful life, however, when we stray, and fall into the traps of the enemy, we’ll feel that uneasiness in our heart. I think we’ve all felt like this psalmist, when we make terrible mistakes: I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength. I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care. (Psalm 88:3-5) The good news is that when we feel this way, we don’t have to stay in that place. We’ve been delivered by the Love of God! There’s times when we feel like there’s no place to go, be we can always go to the Lord, Hallelujah!
It’s written: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 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 1:3-8) James gave us some great advice and instructions, through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. All of these things are the base of knowing how to avoid the pit falls of life. Jesus did the hard part; He gave up His life, so that we can live with God for all eternity. However, all of the days of our life will be a Spiritual challenge. The enemy will never stop trying to bring us down, so we must have patience, and keep faith in God’s promises. If we don’t know how to do that, then all we need to do is ask for wisdom in any area that we feel that we lack. We also need to be confident in who we are in the Lord; never doubt your place in His Kingdom, and the devil will never win.
If you don’t know Jesus as Lord, then you’re lost, and will go to the pits of hell, as well as fall in many pits in life. You’ll feel the way they Psalmist felt on the inside, many times in life, and there’s nothing that can change that. The only hope in your situation is the blood of Jesus Christ, which is offered to everyone, by the grace of God. Don’t spend any more time looking for the answers to life, because they can only be found in Jesus Christ. Pray and ask Him to be Lord of your life, and ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and He will. If you want more information, please take a few minutes to take the God Quiz right now. My favorite verse today is: I waited patiently for the Lord. He brought me up ... out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock. (Psalms 40:1-2)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455579&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio
http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional

I love you!