Devotion
You are not an exception to God’s love
David Jacobs
It's often a challenge to imagine that God forgives us, especially when we can't seem to truly forgive ourselves. Any time you hear it being preached that God loves all His children and has a purpose for their lives, you can be sure that someone hearing it is having trouble believing it.
The truth is that none of us deserve care and protection from the Father, but thankfully, deserving is not the basis for God's love. In fact, God's very nature is love, which He demonstrated through the death of Christ. He cares so much for us that He gave each of us a place in His plan for the world.
What is happening when Christians can't see this? When they consider themselves exempt from God's love? This happens when we simply aren't looking for the opportunities He sends, and become distracted by the lying voice of Satan.
Satan might actually use our knowledge of God against us! Having come to know the will of God as Christians and how important it is, and then realizing that we have broken it, we become convinced that God could not forgive us. Satan has tried to blind us from God's love! When we study the scriptures to understand not only God's will, but also God's love, then we can come to understand the forgiving nature of the Lord.
Prayer
Lord, I have come to know your will. I acknowledge that I have wavered in my faith and strayed from your will. I have sinned. In the name of your son, I pray for your forgiveness, as I forgive those who hurt me. I pray that you would show me your love and your mercy so that I cannot deny how great your love is, and may love in turn pour from me to my brothers and sisters. Amen.
Devotion
Give Good Example
Frances Taylor
If we ever needed a reminder of how important it is to practice what we preach, this is it. Not only are we encouraged to help others, but we are also warned about giving bad example or leading others, particularly children, away from the Lord.
I have spoken to many people who say that they became a Christian because of the example of people in their family, friends or strangers whose joy is so great they want a part of it. I also know people who have turned away from the faith they once had because they consider those who proclaim themselves to be Christian are hypocrites. Most people don't start out wanting to be Christians because of doctrine. They are influenced one way or another by people. Are you someone whose life exhibits the joy of knowing Jesus and his saving power? Am I? Do your actions give testimony to your beliefs? A person can go to church each week, Bible classes during the week and give every impression of being a devout follower of ...
Morning Prayer
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Inspiration
There is nothing at all – nothing on the earth and nothing in the spiritual realms – that can separate us from the love of Christ. No matter what any person or principality tries to do in our lives, they will never be able to quash the love Christ has for us. The love God has for us is eternal – it is here to stay for good.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you for the love that you have for me. Thank you, Lord, that this love will never leave me and it will never forsake me. No matter what anyone tries, or whatever may come my way, Lord, I thank you that your love will always be with me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
Inspiration
As Christians, we know that we find peace in God. And today, we’re reminded that He promises peace to His people. But we have to do our part, which is listening. It’s when we turn away from wisdom and pursue foolish and selfish endeavors that peace eludes us. But when we turn our ears to His wisdom, He leads us on the path to peace.
Prayer
God, in You I have received peace that passes understanding. Speak Your wisdom to me, and teach me to not be distracted by my own foolish ambitions. Give me ears to hear You so that I may remain close to You and move in Your peace wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
