Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY MONDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you’re enjoying the beginning of another workweek (for most). I’m doing well, and have been enjoying the last few weeks of vacation. This weekend we’re having our 1^st Annual Pig Roast fund raiser at my Church, Saturday, June 11^th starting at 4pm. All is welcomed, so if you don’t have anything planned, please bring the entire family out for fun, food, games, and prizes! Please see our website for http://fairfaxchristian.org/ for further details, and directions. I would love to see you there! Enjoy the remainder of your day, and be blessed family!

Today’s scriptures are about the unconditional love of God. I’ve heard all of my Christian life that God loves me unconditionally, yet there are times when I feel like I’m not worthy of His love. Especially times when I know I’ve fallen short of His commandments, or have made wrong choices and bad decisions. I know that God will forgive me as soon as I ask, but I also know that I will reap what I sow. The devil is very smart and crafty, however he’s no match for a wise Christian, because we know how to put on the full amour of God. At the same time, he’s always going to attempt to place fear, doubt, and guilt into our lives, so that we lose sight of the fact that God does love us unconditionally. There’s nothing we can do or say to stop His love, because it is indeed “unconditional”.

Let’s think of the human body, and how much God put into creating us. How much care, attention to detail and love it had to take to create such complex yet simple creature. Compared to all of His other creations, we are superior, and were made with great precision. He took His time and molded us, and made sure that there are no two that are alike. He loves each individual that much that we’re unique in our own way. That alone should tell us just how much He loves us. The enemy doesn’t want us to know that, so he tries make us feel like we’re unworthy of God’s love, but the fact still remains that Jesus died for all mankind. I don’t care what type of sinner you are, He loves you no matter what. If you go to Him and repent, with a right heart and spirit, then you’re forgiven, no questions asked. There’s nothing that you can do that will separate you from Him for all eternity, once you’ve been saved. Look at where you came from and the type of stock you’re made of—you were created for a reason, because you are special to Him.

We can never base the love of God on the love of mankind—not even your mother can love you as deeply as God does. I know the love of a mother, and my mom would literally die for me, but she still cannot love me the way that God loves me. My mom has a limit to the things she’ll take from me; though her forgiveness runs deep, she is only human, and has a breaking point. God however, does everything for our good, even when He punishes us, or allows us to go through trials and tribulations—they’re all meant to work together for our good, we just have to pay attention and take the wisdom from it. I’m a firm believer that if we truly understood how much God loves us, then we can better love Him. We wouldn’t be so quick to sin against Him, because we’ll understand the sacrifices Jesus made so that we can have life.

Through Jesus we are blessed and highly favored, and we have inherited the Kingdom of God, and we’re truly righteous. You have authority by His Name to rule over all of the evil on this earth; remember through Christ, God has made your enemies your footstool. There aren’t many things that happen in our life that happens without our say; we have choices in everything we do, and those choices make up our life. Yesterday is Gone, tomorrow isn’t promised, all we can do is be better today. I was feeling a bit lost over the last week, and I’d been struggling with focusing on the wrong things, and when I spoke to God, He lead me to read Psalms 37. I absolutely love David’s Psalms because he truly bears his soul. He tells us like it really is, and he’s the first to say, “I’m not perfect but I love God, and God loves me”. If we each take responsibility for the choices we make in life, then we’d have a better relationship with God, because He truly understands what we’re going through, He simply asks us to confess and repent. Remember He was here in the flesh once before. I urge you, if you feel like you’re lost, and that God is just done with you, then think again. He will never be done with you, and will work on you until the day that you die. He loves you! Just love Him with all of your heart, and do the best that you can. When you seek Him, He will show Himself to you. He’s waiting for you. If you don't know Jesus as Lord, please take that first step, and ask Him to come into you life as Lord and Savior. Take a few moments to take the God Quiz right now! My favorite verses today are: The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: but because the Lord loved you. (Deuteronomy 7:7-8)

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Anytime you’re felling weak, Psalms 37 is a great Psalm to turn to. I found great strength in these words:

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
²⁴ Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.

²⁵ I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
²⁶ He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.

²⁷ Depart from evil, and do good;
And dwell forevermore.
²⁸ For the LORD loves justice,
And does not forsake His saints;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.
²⁹ The righteous shall inherit the land,
And dwell in it forever.

Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Today’s scriptures are about making the best choices in life. The great thing about life is that we have choices. One of the gifts and curses of "The tree of knowledge of good and evil", was that it gave us the ability to make sound decisions. Once Adam and Eve made the choice to eat from that tree, they were given the knowledge of the ways of the world, and the ability to choose which way that they wanted to go. This rule is still in place, but the problem is, our flesh is so weak that we often choose the evil over the good. Although we now have the gift of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus as our intercessor, which makes our choices a little easier, we are still susceptible to choosing evil. Knowing the God we serve, we don't have to choose evil, we just do--it's just as accessible to choose to do good, and be good as it is to do evil. This takes effort and discipline, which requires work and dedication. There are so many people who dwell on how difficult living a righteous life is, but most things are difficult at first. We have to build a relationship with Christ. Since we were born in sin, and have sinful natures naturally, we have to allow the conformation from sinner to Saint to happen. Each day we're given on this earth, we have to live on purpose, and actively seek the face of the Lord. When we're doing that, above all else, righteousness will come.

I can testify to this personally, because only God knows how much fighting we had to do for me to get here. It reminds me of when Jacob wrestled with God--I wrestled with Him for many years. The wonderful thing about this story is that Jacob kept fighting, it's written: When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Gen 32: 25-26) Jacob wouldn't let go, even after his hip was out of socket, but waited until he received a blessing from God. Jacob left there with physical pain, but his heart was healed. I was saved at a very young age, maybe nine or ten years old, and I was baptized on my 15th birthday, but after that I didn't attend church regularly. I didn't care for or nourish this new relationship that I'd entered into, so I didn't know how to be righteous. Sure I felt God's calling on my life, and the Holy Spirit's warnings when I was about to make the wrong choices, but ignored them, because of ignorance. I always felt like I was wrestling with something, but I never knew what it was. I knew that I wanted to do the right thing, and live a better life, but I never knew how or why, I just felt like I was in this battle against myself. Have you ever felt that way?

It wasn't until about six years ago when God finally took my "hip out of socket". I was physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotional disabled. I was in so much pain that I couldn't get out of bed in the morning, yet I felt God's calling, but I just kept making the wrong decisions. It wasn't until I figured out that I wasn't alone, and that this thing that I was wrestling wasn't the devil, it was God. It wasn't until I understood that just like Jacob, I had the option to tell God, "I'm not letting go until you bless me". I finally understood what Jesus preached about at the Sermon on the Mount, when He said do not worry. I learned how to cast my cares on the Lord, as the Apostle Paul preached so diligently. I learned that I didn't have to let go of the fact that I wanted righteousness yet couldn't quite achieve it on my own, because that could only happen if I surrendered to Christ. The choices I made were made because I hadn't stood up and taken my right place in the Kingdom of God. When God revealed all of these things to me I was far from perfect, and was terrible at making the right choices. The best choice I have ever made in life was to completely follow Christ, flaws and all. Even though I enjoyed partying with my girlfriends two to three times a week, and I drank just because it was Tuesday--despite the fact that I still smoked a pack of cigarettes every other day, and my marriage was falling apart--I still choose God, and never gave up. I fell down, but I got right back up, and kept pushing forward in Christ.

At this point, I told God that I wasn't letting go until I was blessed with wisdom and knowledge to make better choices, and He did just that. It didn't happen overnight, but it happened more quickly than I realized. I was still limping around though life, because I was broken, and in the process of being healed, but I noticed that each day, when I prayed, meditated, and sought righteousness, I got a little better. I no longer wanted the cigarettes, and being drunk was no longer fun. Instead of enjoying myself at the clubs, I started feeling out of place, and analyzing and praying for all of the young women and men that were making really bad choices. I began to yearn for anything righteous, and was drawn to positive activities, and other like-minded people. These changes didn't happen until I finally let go of the old life that God had been slowly leading me away from, and allowed Him to bring me to where He needed me to be. I am still very much a work in progress, but if you can take a look at where I came from, to where I am now, I am a living and breathing testimony to the fact that if God changed me, He can change anyone.

I am so indecisive that choices usually make me anxious, only because I know that if I make the wrong choice I may fail. However, in most day to day decisions, it isn't that hard to choose good over evil. Remember, we have the knowledge thanks to Adam and Eve; we just have to hone those skills. Satan is crafty and wise, and he'll do what he can to throw us off, but "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world". Our Savior Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price so that He could be with us every step of the way, and make our choice that much easier. If you don't know Jesus as Lord, or aren't sure, then that's the most important decision you will ever make in your life. Please take a few moments to take the God Quiz right now! My favorite verse today is: Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed: and make you a new heart and a new spirit. (Ezekiel 18:31)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Today's scriptures are about learning how to live by the principles of God. It's so easy to hear sermons, and read devotionals about the forgiveness of God, but it's very hard to stand on the ones that hold us responsible for our own conduct and choices in life. There are so many people that start to question God, their salvation, and even the validity of the Bible, at the first feeling of conviction, because the real truth is hard to bear. God gives us as the responsibility to choose Him, each and every moment of the day. That's how most of us have to live, moment by moment, because the devil is always working to steer us onto the wrong path. However, we give him way too much credit, because in everything that we do, we have a choice. No one is making us choose to do the wrong things, we're just weak to the flesh. Some are more weak then others, so it's up to us to live our own life, and go down the path that God has laid out for us. One of the hardest things to do in life is to admit that you're wrong, but the easiest thing to do is to make excuses for the wrong that you've done. How many people use the infamous line, "the devil made me do it"? In all actuality, he really don't matter, one way or the other, in the life of a believer. From what we learn about him in the bible, he was kicked out of heaven because wanted to be equal with God, but he is in no way equal. Jesus Christ, who lives inside of us, makes us much stronger than he.

It's time for us to start living in victory--like the Saint's that we are through Christ. He's not looking for a perfect believer, but a believer that will at least try. Samuel tried to explain this to King Saul, because Saul had lost sight of this very thing. It's written: "...The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.” (1 Sam 13:14) There you have it, the simple truth--The Lord seeks men and woman who are after His own heart, and He exalts them in His Kingdom. His commandment to love Him with all of our heart shouldn't be taken lightly. Jesus said: "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21) The only way to keep Jesus' commandments is to be aware of His presence, and to learn His ways.

We must first know what Jesus expects from us, before we can do what's required, and it takes some practice. It takes the study of His Word, and our praise and worship. It takes fellowship with other believers, and a yearning for righteousness. Everyone who has confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior, has been anointed with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit not only convicts us when we do something wrong, but He warns us before we even make the choice. However, if we've consistently ignored His warnings, then we'll become immune to His voice, and will go on to make bad decisions. I don't know if you know anyone who confesses Jesus as Lord, but still lives like one of the biggest heathens on earth, but I sure do. I remember when I was one of those people, so I understand why they can live like they seemingly have no conscience or the Holy Spirit. However, the good News is, that the Holy Spirit is a living breathing Spirit of God, and He's always waiting to be called by you. He's been sent to live within us to be our helper, and Spiritual "tour guide" of sorts, as we continue on this journey to righteousness, among this wicked and perverse nation. Consult Him before you make a decision, especially when you're not sure if it's good or bad, and He'll be right there to help you along the way. Just as Jesus' job was to go to the Cross, the Holy Spirit's job is to be our helper and "Spiritual Adviser".

If God appointed Jesus as our Savior and High Priest, and the Holy Spirit as our "Helper", then surely He's appointed each and every one of us a job to complete on this earth. The first job is to be sure that we're trying our best to make better choices. You don't have to curse everyone that makes you mad, or drink every time you go to a party or social event. You don't have to fornicate, or commit adultery just to please your flesh. You don't have to wear provocative clothes just to get attention, because when we allow Jesus to completely purify our heart, His light will shine so brightly in you, that everyone will notice. These are just some of the surface, and most common sins; we all know that it gets way deeper, but we don't have to let all of these frivolous things have control over us. You can choose to live like Christ, because you are in fact a Christian, which gives you the power to overcome the world and the temptations of the flesh. Jesus paid a great price to give us that opportunity, so it's time to choose Him.

If you're feeling like no matter what you do in life, something is missing, then it's time to make better choices. I know how it feels when you're growing in your finances, career, and personal relationships, but you still feel like there's something missing. I ignored God's calling on my life for so many years, and in those years I was miserable, depressed, and lost, but the moment I made a conscious decision to at least try to live for Him, my life changed drastically. I'm not referring to the outward changes only, but my inner peace--my ability to trust Him for everything I could ever want or need in life--which freed me to live again. If you're ready to live again, please take a few moments to take the God Quiz right now. Choosing Jesus is the first "right choice" you can make in life. Next, be aware of every decision that has to be made, and if you're not sure what the right choice is, consult your Holy Spirit. My favorite verses today are: The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:11-14)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Today’s scriptures are about the road to redemption. With everything in life there’s a beginning and an end. In most cases, like math—you’re given an equation, and there’s only one answer, but several ways to get it. God has always given us freedom to choose the way that we go in life; however, He has a will for each of us. First and foremost, He’s called us to be a part of His Kingdom, and there’s only one way to get there—redemption by the blood of Jesus. Once we’ve received redemption, we’re working towards our reunion with the Lord. We’re storing up treasures, as well as doing our part to strengthen the Kingdom of God. No matter how you look at it, as children of God, and joint heirs to His Kingdom, we’re each given a path to follow, some may vary, but they all will end up at the same place.

Let’s think of the road of life for a moment. It’s written: In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. (Prov. 12:28) We know that when we choose Jesus, His blood cleanses us of all inequity, and we’re considered “righteous” in the eyes of God. Nonetheless, this doesn’t excuse us from the consequences of sin, because we still “reap what we sow”. The truth remains that there is no condemnation for the righteous, but we still have try our best live righteously. When we chose the path that leads us to Jesus, we’re redeemed; however, salvation is just the beginning. From that day forward we start on life’s journey, which is referred to as our “faith walk”. Jesus instructed us to: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14)

Life is challenging for every human being, it’s simply the way of the world. The flesh wants what the flesh wants, when it wants it, but through Jesus, we’re no longer a slave to it. That freedom doesn’t stop the temptations of the flesh; it just offers us the option to live above it. Remember, we must choose to live right, but as a wise man recently told me, “If it were easy everyone would be doing it”. Jesus said Himself that difficult is the way which leads to life, but He died so that we can be lead in the right direction; all we have to do is choose Him. There are no longer any road blocks or barriers between us and God, so we can talk to Him any time day or night. We can ask for anything we want or need, in Jesus’ Name, and He’ll answer. We are forgiven of our sins, as soon as we ask, because of the blood of the Lamb of God.

It’s downright foolish not to choose Jesus, and yet we still choose the flesh. When you think of how much Jesus endured for us, and all that He offers us, it just makes sense to enter in that narrow gate. However most people think that easy is better. It’s written: The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession. In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. (Prov. 12:27-28) The only way to stay on that road of redemption is to finish what we started. We must be diligence in our faith walk; because that’s the only way we’ll be able to live the type of life that Jesus died to give us. Jesus said all who thirst He will give them living water, so they will never thirst again. He has everything that we could ever need to be good and faithful servants of the Lord; all we have to do is seek it, and we’re guaranteed to find.

Jesus also offers us everything that we could ever need to be free; we must follow the path that He’s laid out for us. The road of life is the same for everyone—we’re born, we live, and we die, and the only thing we have control over is the way we live. We’re placed here for a purpose and Jesus holds the key to that purpose. The key is dangling right in front of you, just reach out and grab it. Salvation and redemption has never been a secret; there are people who will shout the way to Christ from the rooftops if given a chance, but there are way too many who don’t take the first step on that road. Probably because it requires action on their part, but either way you look at it, we’re always held accountable for everything that we do. Jesus has already taken care of the hardest part, now it’s up to you. If you’re ready to step onto that road of redemption take a moment and pray to God, confessing your sins, asking Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, and you’re well on your way. For further information, please take the God Quiz right now! My favorite verse today is: By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY MONDAY!

Today’s scriptures are about being sanctified through Christ. I remember hearing the “Elders” at church say that they were “saved, holy, and sanctified through Christ”, and I always wondered what sanctified meant. I thought maybe they were special because of the role they played at the church, or because of the many years that they’ve been saved, but I knew for sure that I wasn’t sanctified. I honestly thought that I somehow wasn’t at a point in my walk with Christ, to be at the sanctified level—almost like being sanctified meant that you graduated to higher level of Christianity. However the word “sanctify” is defined: to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate. So you see anyone who’s accepted Jesus as Lord and savior is sanctified by His blood. We’re separated from darkness, and placed on high—righteous through Christ Jesus. If you’re anything like I was, in thinking that I wasn’t worthy or “good” enough to be sanctified, then you can rest assured in knowing that you are. You are just as righteous as the next Christian; there is nothing that’s separating us from each other, only us from the world.

I love the Gospel according to John; in chapter 16 Jesus warned His disciples that He would be leaving them. He explained how sad they would be, but eventually, their sadness would turn into joy, when finally realized what He’s done for them. He explained how His leaving would make way for the “Helper” (or Advocate in NIV), who will come to convict the world of sin (16:8-9). That’s not all He came to do, but it’s just as important, because how can truly be righteous with sin? More often than not, we sin and don’t know we’re sinning, so we need the Holy Spirit to help us make the right decisions, and lead us to repentance for our wrong decisions, through conviction. Jesus sanctifies us, but we’re still in the flesh, and are still tempted by the enemy daily. Some people mistake conviction for condemnation, and there’s a big difference between the two. It’s written: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:1-2 NIV) Through our sanctification, we will never be utterly cast down, but we will however be convicted, to be brought back into obedience by the confession and repentance of our sins.

Jesus went on to say: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. (John 16:12-15) Aren’t you glad that you’re saved, sanctified, and holy? Hallelujah! Jesus came into this world, and turned everything upside down. Now the lost can be found, captives set free, and the sinners are sanctified, by His blood. There’s no one too high or low for Jesus Christ. There’s nothing too bad, evil, or despicable, that we could’ve done in the past that Jesus won’t fix. On our own we are nothing, but with Him we are everything, and being righteous children of God is more valuable than any amount or money or prestige in the world. Through Christ you were free, as soon as you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. It was then that He gave you the Holy Spirit, Who is responsible for giving you the wisdom, knowledge, and strength to overcome and endure the world.

We each are exactly where God needs us to be, there are no mistakes in life—all things happen for a reason. Don’t get so caught up in the world’s idea of success, but rather seek God’s definition of success for you. A lot of us can’t go any further in life because, 1) we haven’t taken the time to be grateful for where we are now, and 2) we aren’t obedient to the Word of God. There are times when I feel like God has given me all of the tools I need to build a solid foundation and an indestructible structure for my life, but I haven’t pulled them out of my toolbox. The toolbox is definitely open, and I even have instructions and a Helper, but I sometimes get confused as to where to start. When I start feeling that way, I go back to “square one” or some may call it “the drawing board”, and start with the Gospels of Christ. I follow His life from the beginning to the end, to get a perfect example of sanctity. There’s nobody greater than Jesus.

When I read His prayers for us in John 17, I can’t help but fall in love with Him all over again, because He asked God to make me perfect just like Him. How awesome is that?! Jesus only prayed this prayer for all believers, and I hope that’s all of you. However, if you don’t believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, what are you waiting on? He’s called you to be a part of His body; one with God through Him. All you have to do is ask, and He’ll do the rest. He has your toolbox waiting for you, and after you confess Him as Lord, He’ll also give you a Helper, Who will stay with you every step of the way. Sanctification is a choice, to find out more take the God Quiz right now. My favorite verse today is: The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

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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 THURSDAY!

Today’s scriptures are about the effect of righteous. I pray that each day I write a devotional, I’ll help you gain important life principles, which come from the word of God. Today I have a simple one that you can commit to memory, and recap it each and every day—“The effect of righteousness is Peace”. I was looking up some synonyms for the word effect, and I came up with the words result, consequence, outcome, and end product, just to name a few. All of these words help make the point of today’s scriptures. The consequence, outcome, or end product of living a righteous life, is peace. The word of God confirms that all we have to do is live right, and our life will be full of peace and contentment. But wait, that’s nothing new; we’re taught that from early childhood—doing the right things makes us feel good.

As a Christian, the Holy Spirit convicts us when we do wrong. Even before we receive the Holy Spirit, God created us with a conscience, which also convicts us when we do wrong. It’s a part of our makeup, so we all know about the choices we have in life, and the consequences. Some of us are null to the immediate effects of wrongdoing, because we continue to do wrong. That’s why the world is in such a state now, because of the evil that’s lurking, and the people with dull consciences, or who have learned how to ignore the convictions of the Holy Spirit. The enemy knows how to manipulate our mind, by offering us false peace, joy, and happiness. However don’t be fooled, the enemy offers nothing but emptiness and deceit. It’s written: “There is no peace”, says the Lord, “for the wicked”. (Isa. 48:22)

Trust me when I say that those people that you see (some may be close friends or even relatives), that look like they have it all together, but isn’t living righteously, lack inner peace. When a person purposely lives life chasing lust, fame and fortune, otherwise known as “temporary fulfillment”, they’re trying to fill a void in their heart that only Jesus can fill. Everyone wants the “quick fix”—if you’re depressed have a few drinks, it’ll dull the pain—if you don’t like your body, get plastic surgery—if you have problems with your spouse, divorce them and get another one. We all know the ways of our society, and all of these things put bandages on our problems, but never really fix them. The only way to find peace is by seeking righteousness, and then it’ll exude from the inside out. It’s about making that transformation from sinner to saint, but that takes time and some effort on our part. That time changes the way we see the world. God gives us a chance to see the world through brand new eyes, the eyes of Jesus Christ. So while the enemy is making the lives of the unruly sinners look glamorous and fun, keep your eyes stayed on God. Ride the waves of adversity with praise on your lips, and joy in your heart. Understand that God has just begun molding your perfection, through Christ.

No matter what anyone else tells you, if you know Christ as your Lord and Savior, you have righteousness in your soul. Some of us don’t understand that, so we’ve yet to tap into it. I’m challenging you today to tap into your inner righteousness. Repentance is a soul cleansing act that is necessary to gain that righteousness, which leads to inner peace. All you need to do, on a daily basis, is try your best to do right. When you fall short [and you will], don’t hesitate to take that to the Lord. Allow God to be Lord of your life and make the necessary changes to your Spirit, by surrendering to Him. Cast your cares on the Lord and He will take them, and fix them. Be open to the wisdom that comes from your trials. Repentance is not just saying “Father forgive me for this sin”, and then go right back and sin tomorrow, but it’s about asking for forgiveness with a contrite heart, and really trying not to commit that sin again.

Admitting to God that you’re not perfect, your life is broken, your ways are broken, and you need to be fixed, is the first step to living in righteousness. Humbling yourself, by letting Him know that you need His help is the beginning of something special. Jesus came to give us peace, joy, and an overall abundant life, all we have to do is reach out to Him. We’re meant to be here, it’s a privilege, by the Grace of God! He wanted us to have peace so badly, that He died to give it to us, so claim your rightful place in the Kingdom of God. It’s written: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

Know that one sure part of God’s will for your life is for you to live in righteousness, by the blood of Jesus. When you claim that righteousness and live by it, the effect is peace. Because of your salvation, you never have to worry about one hair on your head. God clothes the lilies of the field in all of His beauty and splendor, surely He’ll take care of you. If you don’t know Him as Lord and Savior, or would like more information about salvation, take a few moments to take the God Quiz right now! My favorite verse today is: The effect of righteousness [shall be] quietness and assurance for ever. (Isaiah 32:17)

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