Devotional
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Christian Devotional – August 25, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 5:15–And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. TRUTH: Here, in one simple statement, is the essence of the Christian life. Jesus died for all so that we who are still living can choose to submit to Him and allow Him to live through us. While we are still trying to control ourselves, our lives, and are living for ourselves, we cannot be living for God. As we come to Jesus, we sacrifice ourselves, with our sinful habits and practices, and we choose to live for the one who…
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Christian Devotional – August 24, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 4:18–So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. TRUTH: What are we focused on? As we are going through each day, are we focused with intensity on the eternal things that matter? Or are we focusing on the things that are temporary? The temporary things are more distracting because they are easier to see, but the eternal goals that God has for us require discipline of mind to stay focused on because they cannot be easily seen. Are we choosing to focus on the unseen and eternal or…
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Christian Devotional – August 23, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 3:5–Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. TRUTH: No matter what it is we are thinking of, we are not competent in anything solely by ourselves. The knowledge we have, the understanding we have, these are all gifts from God. We are to be careful that we do not become prideful about what we think we know. Knowledge is from God and He deserves the glory and praise for it. RESPONSE: Father, You are the only reason I know what I know. It is only by Your grace and understanding, and I praise You for allowing…
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Christian Devotional – August 22, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 2:15–For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. TRUTH: When we are following Christ, allowing Him to live through us, our life has a distinctive aroma. Only the aroma of Christ is pleasing to God and as we allow Him to fill us and work through us, our life gives off the pleasant aroma of Christ. Without Christ, our actions and attitude leave a stench that is disgusting to God. Are we allowing the sweet smell of Christ to define our life? RESPONSE: Father, I want my life to be a pleasing aroma to…
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Christian Devotional – August 21, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 1:9–Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. TRUTH: Paul shares about the comfort of God in this first chapter. He explains how they were experiencing horrible trials and how they all assumed it would be death for them. Why did God allow Paul to go through these difficulties? It says in this very verse that the purpose was to teach Paul not to rely on himself, but to rely on God. God is the One we can trust in any circumstance, but often it is hard for…
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Christian Devotional – August 20, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 52:13–He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. TRUTH: Finally, the destruction Jeremiah had warned them about happened. The Babylonians came and destroyed everything that the people valued. God allowed it because He wanted the people to understand that there are consequences for their actions and that they can’t trust in things because they can be destroyed. We can trust in God because He never fails. He is all that we need, but if we trust in other things, God will actually show us that they can be destroyed so that we…
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Christian Devotional – August 19, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 51:15–He made the earth by His power, He formed the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. TRUTH: God is all-powerful. His power is what enabled Him to create the earth and everything we see. His wisdom and understanding are unmatched and no matter what happens, He understands it and is in control of it. RESPONSE: Father, You are in control. That is the truth what I feel that or not. I will trust in Your power, wisdom, and understanding.
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Christian Devotional – August 18, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 50:34–Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon. TRUTH: The Lord prophesied the destruction of Babylon and in the middle of this long chapter about the punishment because Babylon captured Judah, Jeremiah says this verse. The people of Judah can rest and relax in their Redeemer. He is strong. He will vigorously defend the. He brings rest. The Lord is the One who will defend us. He is the only One who gives rest. He is to be our strength. As we…
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Christian Devotional – August 17, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 49:16–“The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle’s from there I will bring you down.” declares the Lord. TRUTH: Pride and a sense of power are very deceitful feelings. They are deceitful because they deceive the people who feel them into believing they are more than they really are. They feel safe and untouchable simply because of who they are or what they’ve done. However, no one is above God and God can bring down those who…
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Christian Devotional – August 16, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 48:10a–Cursed be the one who does the Lord’s work negligently. TRUTH: As Jeremiah delivers another prophecy, the people are told that it’s not just about doing the Lord’s work, it’s about doing it whole-heartedly. Are we diligent or negligent as we follow through with His plans? The Lord has given us all a job to do and responsibilities to maintain in obedience. If we are not diligent about His work, then we are being negligent and God will address that. RESPONSE: Father, You have given me work to do and I will be diligent to follow through with that work. I love You and want to follow through with…