Devotion
Everything is Working out For Your Good
Chipo Biti
As Christians we know that the following things are true:
We love God with all our hearts and we are loved by Him too
As His children, we have been called according to His purpose
He has known us long before we came into existence
His plan of salvation for the world was predestined. It was a plan that was always meant to come
God desires that we be conformed to the image of his Son - that we become just like Christ in everything that we say and do
We have been justified by the blood of Jesus Christ
We have also been glorified, by Christ, as a result of receiving Him into our lives.
Romans 8:28-30 is one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible. It sums up God's intention for us and for our lives. In a world filled with trials and tribulations of many sorts, we can be confident because we are loved by God and we know that the plans that He has for us will always work us.
Think of it like this, God managed to sort out the greatest thing of our lives - our salvation. Without Jesus Christ, we would all be damned to hell and there would be nothing that could save us. But God, out of His endless love for us, sent His son to take the fall for us so that we would be able to live. Now, as Christians, we walk confidently because we know of where we are headed. We have received eternal life. A life that will not be revoked from us because of the love that we have for God.
Prayer
In a world filled with hopelessness and uncertainty, we can walk with our heads held high because we know that all is truly well with our lives. If God could turn around our eternity, the greatest thing in our lives, for us, what can't he do? Is there anything more important than the fate of our eternity? No!
So walk tall, dear believer, and know that you are covered. God has filled your life with his assurance and He will always be with you. Not only are you justified but you have been glorified as well. You have received a heavenly inheritance, as a child of God, and you have a glorious future to look forward to. Hallelujah!
Night Prayer
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Inspiration
When multiple flocks of sheep become blended, there is no need to worry. The good shepherd will call out to his sheep, and they come directly to him because they know his voice and will not confuse it with others. As God's people, we often become mixed up in things of the world. Sin is tempting as we surround ourselves with the wrong crowd; God is always watching and calls us back to the fold. We find Him when we are lost because we know the sound of His voice; it's the only one we've chosen to follow, and we do not confuse it with others.
Prayer
Dear God, when we are lost, we listen for You. Your voice is precious and will guide us back to the fold where we belong. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
The Word of God
Frances Taylor
If there's one thing I know about Christians and the Bible, is that there is an ongoing debate about whether it is the word of God or the word of men, and what that means. We all agree that the Bible is the living revealed word of God, but! There are wide differences in how that is interpreted. There are some who believe that every word of the Bible was dictated to someone who wrote it down. For others it is purely men's thoughts. For others, men were inspired by God to write their experience of God. I don't know where you find yourself on this continuum.
For most people who believe that the Bible is inspired either word for word or as guided by God, the Bible tells God's truth. Unfortunately for those of us who speak English, we have to rely the sources we have had over the years as guides to how the Scriptures should be interpreted. I have had many people ask me which translation is correct, but there's no clear answer.
The Bible has been translated ...
Morning Prayer
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Inspiration
Suffering will be a part of our lives as Christians. The New Testament is filled with warnings about the suffering Christians will incur because of their decision to follow Christ and not the ways of the world. Millions of Christians across the world are subjected to torture, isolation, and mockery just because they have chosen to follow Christ. But Christ has also assured us that we will not endure this suffering alone, and a reward lies ahead for all of those who suffer for the name of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that in times of persecution and great tribulations, may you strengthen me and encourage me to keep going on. I also pray for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who endure great pain and torture for choosing to follow you. May you comfort them in these trying times, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
