Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY MONDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you enjoyed the beginning of another workweek (for most). I think of how much of a blessing it is to have a job to go to, in to today's economy. I know a lot of the "recession" chatter is down in the news and in the papers, but being jobless and homeless is a very real-reality for a lot of people, all around the country. I think of how many people lost their jobs, homes, medical benefits, and any feeling of security they had. It's so important for us to remember how fortunate we are, because things could always be worst. I have to confess, I've been falling into this sense of "entitlement" lately, just because I am a messenger, or a child of God, and there's no real reason for me to feel that way at all. God wants us to stay humble and know that our every blessing comes from Him. I thank God for the message I received on Sunday morning, about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, it really opened my eyes. Take some time out today and think of where you would be without God. Thank Him for your blessings because you aren't entitled to them, they're given to you by His grace. God blesses us because He loves us, but none of us are so perfect that we deserve His best, it's by the blood of the only perfect child of God, Jesus Christ, that we have the ability to receive a life in abundance, and we should never forget that. Enjoy the remainder of your day, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about Jesus' presence within us. When we invite Jesus to come into our heart as Lord and Savior, He does just that. His Spirit abides in us, and in return, we're to abide in Him. I read this phrase a lot in the bible, but it took me a while to understand what it meant. Can Jesus really live in our heart, literally? Our heart is our main organ, and without it, and the blood that pumps through it, we cannot survive. The heart is also where we feel love, and the emotions that go with it, which makes it the perfect place for Jesus to dwell. Our Spirit is inside of our body, and the heart is connected to it, and Jesus’ Spirit becomes a part of our Spirit. Through Jesus we inherit the Kingdom of God, and become children of God, and so He will protect and provide for us, as a Father, through the blood of Christ. Whew, that's a mouth full! Try saying that out loud and make some sense of it, keep reading, and I’ll try to break it down.

I think I may write this same thing each and every day, but it's still hard to grasp. It's hard to fathom the fact that Jesus lives inside of us, and He's a part of our life. He's with us twenty-four hours a day, and feel's every emotion we feel. He's here when we're happy, sad, angry, depressed, in love or hate, and He shares in all of it with us. He weeps with us and laughs with us, because He has taken up residency on the inside of us. Why is He there? First we must know Jesus’ purpose and this is how He explains it: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (John 15:1-4 NIV) We're each planted on this earth for a reason, however, God doesn't make us chose Him or follow His will. He gives us life, and we play a huge role in the overall cycle of life. If you're planted here, but don't produce fruit, or follow His will, then you're cutoff from the vine. However if you accept Jesus as Lord, no matter what state your life is in, you are important, and the vine will feed you everything you need to produce fruit.

Jesus goes onto say: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (vs. 4-8) If you think about a grape vine, you see the vine, and then there's individual branches on the vine, that ultimately produces that fruit. However, if the vine is strong and vibrant, but have a few bad branches, those branches will be pruned, to make way for new fruit producing branches. That's the cycle of life. Jesus gave His life to make us fruit producing branches, and all we have to do is love Him, because He's already done His part. If you invited Him into your life as Savior then He's there forever. There's no getting rid of Him. He's going to keep working hard to push us to keep baring good fruit. If we produce bad fruit, it's pruned to allow us to try again.

When we're conscious of His presence in our life, it helps us try harder to keep His commandments. Keeping His commandments allows us to grow in spirit, and gain undisturbed peace within. When we gather together as believers, and pray in His Name, He's present, and we can feel His radiance emanating throughout the room. It's so important to come together as believers and worship, pray, and fellowship together, because all of the branches are always connected on the vine, and we could help promote growth in each other. When we encourage, pray for and with each other, it gives us great power through Christ. I love meeting with a group of believers, because you feel this calming on the inside, as if your spirit is at rest. If you're one of those people who don't think that going to church on Sunday, attending a gospel concert, bible studies, or special Christian events doesn't make a difference in your Faith walk, and overall attitude as a believer, then you're sadly mistaken. I urge you to try your best to find a good church home. Invite the Holy Spirit along, and He'll help you find the right place for you.

If you don't know Jesus as Lord, then you're missing out on a lot. I've been reading a lot about other "religions", and have friends of different "faiths", but when I think about what people are missing in Christ, it makes me sad. I'm not the guru, or the master of theology, but I know what's in my heart. I know God speaks to me and I listen, and it's His Holy Spirit who gives me the wisdom to write these extensive devotionals each day. In the flesh, I'm definitely not qualified to do this, but through His Holy Spirit I am. Can you imagine how much more you could accomplish with the Spirit of Jesus Christ inside of you? If you're confused as to what you believe, but know that something’s missing take a few moments to take the God Quiz today. My favorite verses today are: Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? ... If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:22-23)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY THURSDAY!

Today's scriptures are about being called Sons of God, by His grace, and His grace alone. There's no amount of good work we can do to became "sons (or daughters) of God”, it's a privilege. Because of His grace, He gave His Only begotten Son to die for our sins, and it's His blood that washes us clean, and makes it possible for us to become Sons of God. Before Jesus, we were slaves to the flesh, and we weren't under His law. It's written: But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. (Gal. 4:4-7) When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, and are baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we instantly become heirs; this is the Law of God.

A new life begins when we inherit the Kingdom of God. We become responsible for the "church" as a whole, and not just for ourselves. However, our first responsibility is to grow in the Word, and in our Spirit, so that we could promote growth in others. We must focus on becoming "like Christ", and offering the gift of salvation to the lost. We must offer God's wonderful gifts of healing, wholeness, truth, and deliverance, because these are gifts that could only come through Christ. The world can't give us these things, yet every human being yearns for something more. We all yearn to be completed in some type of way, and those who are lost, will always find temporary fulfillment. The enemy offers many options, and he's working just as hard to win souls. He'll offer us the comfort of a spouse who's all wrong for us, or the ability to escape reality through drunkenness. He allows us to lose ourselves in the physical pleasures of sex with any and everyone that shows us attention. These are the realities of the lost and unsaved, and they face them every day.

I thank God for saving me! I thank Him for delivering me from my enslavement, because I can now see how much of a slave I really was. I share stories of my past, because they are testimonies. I have suffered with Christ, and I'm willing to suffer again, as long as I do my part to strengthen the Kingdom of God. I am filled with so much joy, because of the love and grace of God, that I cannot go one day without telling someone that God is good. He will always get my praises, because I know what He's done for me. He's allowed me to try to accomplish the simplest things on my own, and I tried and failed. He's given me a vision of my blessings, and told me "to receive these things all you have to do is...", and I've completely ignored Him, and did what I wanted to do, so I've experienced His wrath. I've been high and low, close and far, lost and found, so I couldn't I keep these things a secret, because I know I'm not the only one who needs Him. I've gone days without praying, and then experienced the feeling of being lost and alone, and I've spent hours, day in and day out in prayer, and felt fulfilled and immensely loved. I know, without a shadow doubt, that God is real, and He loves me. He loves me, the once old sinful and wicked me. I know for a fact that if He can love me, He can love you. Whoever you were, are, or hope to be! He's waiting to hear from you.

The most wonderful thing about grace is that it doesn't cost us anything. We are rewarded for giving our life to Christ! We're rewarded for loving Him, and having faith. We're rewarded for praying, studying His Word, and loving the people we come in contact with. These things aren't hard to do; all we need to do is give Him some time, spending time on our knees in prayer. Whenever I'm struggling with growth, or moving forward with something I know He's instructed me to do, it always comes back to my prayer life. Communication is the key in any relationship, and we're working to develop a Father/child relationship with God, through Jesus. We're building a bond that cannot be broken by the enemy. Through this, we've taken on the "character of the New Man", as Paul explains to the Colossians: Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Col. 3:10-15)

In Christ we are a new creature, but without Him, we are lost, hollow and alone. That's a horrible feeling, and I would never want to experience it again. From my heart to yours, I want you to understand that Christ is the only way to achieve true peace. Happiness is provisional, because as followers of Christ, we expect to suffer as He suffered, but peace withstands the test of time. Did you know that by God's grace you can pray to Him right now, confessing your sins with a full heart, and ask for forgiveness and He'll forgive you on the spot? There's only one catch, you must also confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Have you done that yet? If know that you haven't, or aren't sure, take a few moments to take the God Quiz right now. My favorite verse today is: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. (1 John 3:1)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Today's scriptures are about delighting in the laws of God. Laws are always put into place for protection and order. We must have some type of boundary set up to protect us from others, as well as protect us from ourselves. According to the natural order of life, everything has a boundary. The Law of God is no different. He's placed all of His laws, promises, and repercussions into one trustworthy book, the Holy Bible. No matter which translation you read, they are all saying the same thing - just as Dr. Stanley says, "Obey God, and leave the consequences to Him". King Solomon, one of the wisest men to ever live, also concluded in Ecclesiastes, one the books the bible he wrote: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Eccl. 12:13-14)

We're not only supposed to obey the Word of God, but we're to delight in His Word. We should enjoy being obedient, not only because we're rewarded, but because we're pleasing our Father in Heaven. It should please us that He's proud of us in everything that we do. He's proud of who we've become in Christ, and our love, fear, and reverence for Him. He knows, because of the flesh, it isn't easy to fight off the temptations of the world. We're bombarded with evil thoughts, evil people, and evil pleasures every day, all day. There isn't a corner that we turn, where temptations aren't lurking, it's the way of the world. God came in the flesh, as Jesus Christ, so He understands what we go through very well. Jesus said, “wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it" (Matt. 7:13). So for us to choose Him, and put Him first in all that we do, it pleases Him tremendously. We should rejoice in the fact that He's pleased with us, and we'll be blessed for doing so.

I mentioned in yesterday's devotional that the Word of God is our Sword. It's what we use to fight against the enemy, when we put on the Armor of God. It's the only weapon that will defeat all of the temptations that come our way. Everything we do in life needs to stand on the Word of God - the way we talk, interact with others (especially the people we love), and the way we conduct ourselves at all times. The Word of God brings the joy to our heart that shines brightly, and shows in the expression on our face. It also brings conviction when we fall short, or are about to take a step in the wrong direction, to help us avoid many pitfalls. I like the way the Psalmist describes it: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105) God's Word helps us navigate our way through life; like our compass of sorts. It tells us which way to go, and how to get there.

Every Word that God speaks is meant to give wisdom and instruction, even those words that you can't quite understand. I remember the first few times I read the bible, as a baby spirit, I just didn't get it. I was so upset about the wars, and the thousands of people being killed, in the stories of the Old Testament. I was even upset by the fact that our loving God would destroy the entire world. However, once I grew in my Spirit, and sought the wisdom in His Word, many reasons were revealed to me. In most cases the people didn't obey His Word, nor acknowledged the Laws given, so there had to be consequences. I will never again disagree with anything I read in the Holy Bible, because it's all be proven, and justified through the Holy Spirit. God is so mighty, that we can't begin to completely understand all that's going on in this world, but He's faithful and true to each of us. If we love Him, we seek Him, and He will reveal everything we need to know. He'll answer every prayer we pray, and bless us with everything we need in abundance. His Law promises that to every believer. That's been proven true in my life, and I'm sure it's been proven in yours.

By the grace of God, and the love of Jesus Christ, the most important laws we should delight ourselves in, are the easiest of them all. Jesus said: “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. ’This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 22: 37:39) All God asks us to do is love Him and love each other. With that comes enough respect for Him, that we don't want to sin against Him, and that we're absolutely elated about pleasing Him. After all, isn't that what you do when you love someone? You're delighted to do whatever it takes to make them happy? It doesn't take much effort at all when you love them with all of your heart.

Although God commands us to love Him, He cannot make us do it. He can't make us choose Him, and accept the salvation offered to us-He allows us to choose. Just as we're to choose Him, we're to love Him, and be excited about that love, which is renewed each time we wake up to see another day. If you don't know Jesus as Lord, then it's time to pray and ask Him to come into your life. If you still aren't sure, take some time to take the God Quiz right now. My favorite verses today are: Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass. (James 1:22-23)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY TUESDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying this "terrific Tuesday". It's beginning to look a lot like fall, and I'm grateful for the cycle of life, and change of season. Each change helps me understand the magnificence of God, and His faithfulness. The fact that the seasons continue to change without fails helps us confirm the promises of the Lord. Life will continue as we know it, until the return of Jesus Christ. We can depend on God to be there for us, whenever we call on Him, because He's faithful and true. He's faithful enough to keep the seasons changing, so He's also faithful to keep His promises to me and you. I was a little under the weather yesterday, not sure if it's the cold or flu, but please keep me in your prayers. My body aches, and I'm a little weak, but other than that I'm fine. Thanks for your prayers, enjoy the remainder of your day, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about the fear of our enemies. It's amazing that in this world we all have enemies, even if we've never done a bad thing to anyone, in our lifetime. The evil that lurks on this earth fuels the hatred in people, which causes a person to want to hurt another, without ever knowing them. When I think of terrorist or unnecessary wars, and how many innocent people fall victim to these senseless acts, it makes me sad. Then I think of the child in school, who may dress differently, or act differently than the other children, who quickly develops enemies, and is often tortured throughout school. This child developed enemies just because he was different. How do you think Jesus felt? Even He had enemies, and He was the Savior of all mankind. He only wanted to help, heal, and uplift others, yet He was tortured and killed by His enemies. How do we explain these horrible acts? There are lots of things that I can't explain, but the wisdom will be given by God, when the time is right. The only thing we can do is trust Him with our life.

A lot of times our enemies are brought on by the the works of the flesh, similar to Paul’s explanation of how to walk by the Spirit. Before he went into this, he said: You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Gal 5:13-15 NIV) The history of enemies starts with the story of the brothers Cain and Able, where one brother struck the other down, because of jealously. Years later, Jesus came, and He was ultimately killed because of jealously, and because some people didn't want to accept the fact that He was the Son of God. All He did was preach peace, love, prosperity, and hope; He never hated anyone, but he had lots of enemies. Jesus never allowed the naysayers to stop His ministry. He never allowed them to force Him into hiding, or to stop preaching the gospel. He knew that He had a job to do, and would complete it. There was nothing anyone could do about that, especially His enemies.

In life, we must also have the attitude of moving forward no matter what we're faced with. No matter if we're ridiculed, threatened, talked about, etc, because God has the final say. From the beginning of time, you've been predestined for a certain task, so when you stay focused on Him no one can take you off of your path. The blood of Christ offers us redemption, protection, as well as salvation. We cannot get this from any man on this earth. Just as it's written: Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. (Heb.10:11-14 NIV) Did you know that this includes every believer?

Everyone has the potential to be an enemy as well, but when we follow God's commandment to love each other as we love ourselves, God will always change things around for our good. To face an enemy with the love of God is the only way to defeat them, with little effort on our part. Remember, the Word of God is our sword, and it's what we use to strike back. Love conquers all, and when we learn to use it against our enemies, it'll make our fight a lot easier. Remember light overcomes darkness, as love overcomes hate. To have fear of an enemy is to show less faith in God. When we allow Him to fight out battles, we have nothing to worry about. Think about David and Goliath; David had no fear, he just knew he had to avenge the Name of the Lord. He faced that Giant with faith, two stones, and a sling shot, and Goliath was defeated. When we have the confidence of David, we too can overcome any enemy in our life, big or small. Even the enemy we have on the inside of us.

Self-hatred is prevalent in this society, and is a big enemy. The hardest enemy to defeat is the one within us. I believe this enemy rears his head, when we fail to see ourselves the way God sees us. Remember that God sees you as His child, and there's nothing anyone can do our say that can change that, you’re free! Jesus is the key to that freedom that Paul wrote about in his letter to the Galatians. If you don't know Jesus as Lord, then you're a slave to the flesh, and have reason to fear all enemies, especially the one inside of you. To live with the covenant of the blood of Christ, is the only way to defeat the enemies and rise above them. Try not to worry about what people say or do to your flesh, just know that God is the key to life without fear. Enemies will come and go in this lifetime, but stay true to God, and He'll walk with you through the valley of the shadow of death, so that you can fear no evil. My favorite verse today is: When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY FRIDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying the end of another workweek (for most). I'm doing well, and really feeling good about what the day will bring. TGIF!!! This week flew by quickly, and as of today, we're already halfway through October. It's amazing how fast 24 hours goes, and the types of routines we become accustomed to. It's also amazing how many hours within those 24 that we dedicate to God. Is it too much to offer Him one hour per day, instead of a few hours a week in church on Sunday? I know how hard it is to stay focused, and prioritize, especially in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Once you go to work, come home, cook and eat dinner, shower, and prepare for the next day, you're beat! However, quiet time with God needs to be at the top our mental checklist. Time with Him is as vital as food and water in our life. Enjoy your weekend, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about the Lord being our strength and shield. Do you know how powerful you really are? Jesus not only offers us salvation and forgiveness of sins, but He gives us the strength to endure, and over come everything we're faced with in life. No matter the inflictions, through Christ, God will help us see our way through. Not only will we be able to get through them, but we'll also come out stronger and wiser on the other end. When we serve the one and only God, who’s all powerful, merciful, and gracious, His strength lives on the inside of us. There's nothing this world could throw at us, that we cannot defeat, with God on our side. He protects us every minute of everyday. It's unbelievable how many times the enemy attacks us a day, which we never see, because of God’s shield of protection that surrounds us. As we grow in our Spiritual faith walk, we mature, and are able to overlook at lot of things. Especially things that are meant for our harm, but God turned it around for our good.

God even protects us from ourselves, because more often than not, we have not clue what we should or shouldn't be doing. We put ourselves in impossible situations, with no way out, but God always seems to come to the rescue. I know I'm not the only one who’s done some pretty foolish things in the past, with no regard for my safety, or no grasp on the reality of the situation. As my co-worker would say, "I was a habitual line walker". In life there are boundaries outlined, and I was always the person to push the lines of the boundaries a bit too far. God always gave me the strength to endure my self-inflicted pain, and I eventually gained wisdom from them.
Then there's my optimistic spirit. I give everyone the benefit of the doubt; I'll trust you until you give me a reason not to. I'm always very understanding, and quick to forgive; most people would call it being naive. However, I like having this type of spirit, because it fills my heart with joy and love. I'm open to everything and everyone that God brings in my life, because I know that they're here for a reason. Don't get me wrong, I have common sense, and the Holy Spirit has helped me build a wonderful spirit of decrement. At the same time, I don't want to live my life thinking everything and everyone is bad, and being constantly on the defensive. God allows me to keep that "free spirit", and protects me from myself, and anyone who means me harm. He shields me from a lot of the evils of the world, because He created me to be the compassionate person I am today. Most of the time, I discover the danger that I may have encounter, or the person who tried to hurt me in hindsight, when it's often too late to do too much damage. I simply praise God for the lessons learned, and for delivering me from that trial, with the ability continue moving on.

We should rejoice in knowing that as children of God, nothing happens in our life unless He allows it. This, and fact that He’ll never give us more than we can bear, helps us live a life full of peace. We have no reason to have fear or doubt, because we are children of God, through Christ. Jesus said: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." (John 15:11-13) Jesus has already laid down His life for us, and He considers us friends, all He asks in return is our love. Live your life in knowing that Jesus Christ is your good friend, and He's making intercessions for you in Heaven. There's nothing anyone can do to take us out of God's hands.

If you confess Jesus as Lord, and believe that He lives, then God considers you one of His children. He'll protect us, as any father would do or his child. At the same time, He allows us to make our own choices, and He gives us all of the tools we need to choose wisely. The first and wisest choice we should make is to choose Jesus as Lord. If you haven't confessed Him as your Savior, then you're open to any and everything this world will throw at you. Take a few minutes to pray and ask Him to come into your life as Lord, and get to know Him today. My favorite verse today is: The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. (Psalms 2:7)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY THURSDAY!

Today's scriptures are about the One Christ, who justifies all. We are each created from the dust, and breathe the same air, drink the same water, and eat of the same land. In Jesus' eyes we're all created equally. When He lived His life, preached His sermons, performed wonderful miracles, and eventually laid down His life, He did it for every living soul on this earth. His living Word was written for all who seeks Him. He doesn't discriminate against anyone because of race, religion or creed, He loves each of us. Anyone can come to Him with a contrite heart, seeking forgiveness and salvation, and He'll save them, with no questions asked. His entire existence, and life's work, is dedicated to freeing those who are under the bondage of sin, and He does just that, every second, of every minute, of every day.

This reminds me of the book (and movie) Woman Thou Art Loosed written by Bishop T.D. Jakes. The story is about this young woman who had been physically and mentally abused by her mother's boyfriend. Because of this abuse, and the hatred and anger she felt toward this man, she herself fell into a life of drug addiction, and violent behavior. She suffered most of her late teen, and early adulthood, because of the trauma she endured as a child, and an unforgiving heart. At the end of this story, she had rededicated her life to God, but at the same time, so did her abuser. She was so angry with the man for what he had done to her, that she killed him, at the Alter of the church, in hopes that He wouldn’t receive salvation. Although this man had finally come to terms with his evil ways, and was going to ask for her forgiveness, and forgiveness from Lord, his life was taken before he had time to do so. This young woman later said that she killed him before he had a chance to be saved, because she had to suffer with him on earth, so she didn't want to have to suffer, by seeing him in heaven for all eternity.

I had the privilege of reading this book before I saw the movie, and that particular line in both depictions made me gasp for air, because I could feel the pain of each character. Both she and the abuser were sinners in their own right, and had done things that they weren't proud of, and were both deserving of forgiveness in the eyes of God. However, this was justice in the eyes of man. In man's eyes one was the victim and the other was the attacker, but Jesus doesn't see things quite the same way. This woman knew this, and she decided to take justice into her own hands. If faced with the same situation, I'm not sure if I wouldn't have done the same thing, because the mind works in mysterious ways. We each are part flesh and part Spirit, and are capable of sinfully wicked things. Jesus came to give us a way out of the wicked things, and lead us toward the light. When we're focusing on Him, studying His life, and doing our best to follow in His footsteps, then there is no room for wickedness in our life.

The truth is, a sin is a sin, and none carries a greater penalty than the other, in God's eyes. No matter what we've done in the past, whether murder or adultery, they each break the laws of God. The flesh is weak, and God had mercy on us, so He offered Himself as sacrifice for our sins. Anyone who believes in Him, confesses his sins, and repents for them will be forgiven. It's written: “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”. (Mark 3:28-29) Jesus’ blood covers all sins, but the only unpardonable sin is to speak ill against the Holy Spirit, and unbelief in Jesus. He is the glue that holds our spiritual and physical life together, and He gives us that much needed balance. He allows us to live freely and peacefully, without the worry of condemnation, which is a burden that unbelievers bear. With Jesus life is certain, here, now, and forever more, so what else is there to worry about?

The Jesus we pray to, is the same Jesus we read about in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The same person we fell in love with because of His compassion and unselfish heart. He makes intercession for us to our Heavenly Father, and fights for us each day. When we ask for anything in His Name, it’ll be given to us, simply because we believe in Him. Not because we're perfect little Angels on earth, but because we love Him, even though we've never seen Him. It's written: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)

When Jesus went to the cross, He went for mankind. He didn't go only for those who believed in Him, but He went for everyone, in hopes that they will eventually come to the light. He even offered Salvation to those who falsely persecuted Him, and He prayed for their forgiveness. Surely He'll forgive anyone who asks, with an open heart. If you don't know Jesus, or don't know where you stand in the Kingdom, take a few minutes and take the God Quiz today. My favorite verses today are: Let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God. (1 Peter 1:20-21)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455484&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio
http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional

I love you!