Devotion
A Sincere Relationship
Chipo Biti
We need to be sincere in our hearts when it comes to our relationship with God. There is no need for us to feel as if we need to pretend in God's presence. God knows us more than we know ourselves. When we commune with Him and act like we are without any worries or thoughts, we are only being hypocrites. Our hypocrisy will actually prevent us from totally connecting with God. God pushes us to come to him wholeheartedly, ready to fellowship with him without any restrictions or doubts.
In all honesty, God is the only one we can express the depths of our hearts to in confidence. When we tell people, there is a high chance that we will be let down. But when we tell God, there is a definite possibility that we will receive peace, assurance, and the wisdom to handle the situation.
Our hearts have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, making us free from the power of sin. This allows us to come to God with a clear conscience, free of guilt and shame. We have been purified by Christ. This is what this bible verse, Hebrews 10:22-23, is trying to tell us. We have been assured of our purification and there is nothing that should convince us otherwise.
As Christians, we really have become new creations in Christ. We no longer define ourselves by our sinful nature. We identify ourselves in Jesus Christ.
We are to hold on to the faith with all our heart, mind and soul. There are many factors in the world that will try discourage us from having faith in God. We cannot afford to pay attention to any of them. This is why we need to remain rooted in God's word.
Prayer
God's Word will keep us firmly rooted in faith, always reminding us of the goodness of God and the glory to come.
Devotion
The Barrier is Removed
Frances Taylor
Moses had brought the Israelites out of Egypt and now they were wondering if they were any better off! They had reached the Red Sea, and couldn't see any way around this barrier that had been placed before them. But God knew what he was doing and Moses followed his instructions and the sea parted so that the Israelites could pass through on dry ground. A question sometimes asked at a job interview is, "What do you do when you face an obstacle?" How would you answer? Would you try to go around it, through it, or perhaps over it? Moses could not go around his obstacle and knew that without help, he could never bring all the people, animals and supplies through it. So, he asked God for help. Was that the first thing you thought of? There is a saying, "If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it." The key here is to ask God to bring us through it.
We often face challenges in our lives, especially when we are trying to live as Jesus wants...
Morning Prayer
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Inspiration
What is grace? It is the free and unmerited favor of God, his gifts to us. One such example was the salvation brought to us by Christ. It is state of being favored and of being the chosen people. One such further example would be the Israelites, who God led to their promised land. We today, have inherited this grace. We today, are simultaneously unworthy of him, yet we are his chosen. Rejoice, rejoice in his grace.
Prayer
To my Lord God almighty, who art in Heaven, I thank you for your divine light and grace, given to me every day. I may not be worthy, I may not be pure and perfect, but I beg you to be merciful. For in your grace, in your faith, I may go on to improve each day. In your grace, I will strive to be a better servant, here as in Heaven. Amen.
