Devotional
-
Christian Devotional – April 17, 2013
VERSE: Ezekiel 3:18–“When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sins, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.” TRUTH: God, speaking here, reminds us that He will judge evil. People can talk about God’s love, which is abundant, but God is also just and righteous. He will judge evil. Plus, He will hold us accountable for warning people about God’s judgment. We cannot turn our backs in apathy toward our fellow man and leave them in…
-
Christian Devotional – April 16, 2013
VERSE: Ezekiel 2:7–You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. TRUTH: God called Ezekiel and all He asked of him was to be obedient to say all that God told him to say. Sometimes we get nervous or worried about how people are going to respond to the message of God. Instead, we must be focused on our own obedience to do and say everything that God has for us to do and say. Are we being obedient to Him? RESPONSE: Father, You are God and You are the One who is in charge of the results of sharing Your…
-
Christian Devotional – April 15, 2013
VERSE: Ezekiel 1:12–Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. TRUTH: This first chapter is a vision that Ezekiel has of God and His glory. Part of this vision shows how God moves. God moves straight ahead and goes exactly in sync with His Spirit. They move together as one and the same because they are one and the same. This same Spirit God bestows on us who follow Him. If we will listen to and obey the Spirit, then we too will be found moving together in sync with all God has planned. Are we allowing the Spirit to…
-
Christian Devotional – April 14, 2013
VERSE: 2 Peter 3:9–The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. TRUTH: God has promised to return and to put right all things, so many people wonder why He’s not done that yet. The answer: He is being patient and waiting to allow everyone to come to Him and repent. He does not desire that anyone would be found in that day without the saving grace of Jesus Christ, so He waits. He gives us opportunities to share and others opportunities to accept. Are we taking advantage of…
-
Christian Devotional – April 13, 2013
VERSE: 2 Peter 2:9–if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the Godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. TRUTH: Sometimes, as we look around us at the world we live in, the world seems to be out of control. It feels like believers are punished and the ungodly get away with their evil. Yet Peter shares with them that if they will look back throughout history, they will see how God has protected those who believe in Him and He has judged the evil ones. We can trust that He is over all things even in our time…
-
Christian Devotional – April 12, 2013
VERSE: 2 Peter 1:3–His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. TRUTH: How can we possible live a godly life? We live it through Jesus as He has given us everything we need to live the life that pleases Him. We are never lacking in anything that we need to be obedient to Him; He has provided it all. Are we living each day through our own power? Do we focus on His glory and goodness or on our own? Only through Him do we have everything we need. RESPONSE: Father, You…
-
Christian Devotional – April 11, 2013
VERSE: 1 Peter 5:7–Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. TRUTH: We are to make a conscious choice to give our worries and troubles to God. It does not come easily or naturally to choose to allow Him to carry these burdens. However, God loves us and cares for us. We can trust Him with our troubles and anxieties. Today, we can choose to turn over to Him all that is weighing us down. We can then choose to trust Him to do what is best in each of those worrisome situations. RESPONSE: Father, You are the one who can handle every burden I have. I…
-
Christian Devotional – April 10, 2013
VERSE: 1 Peter 4:4–They are surprised that you do not join then in their reckless wild living and they heap abuse on you. TRUTH: Non-believers do not understand our commitment to God. They don’t understand our desire to be obedient to what God tells us and as a result, they make fun of us and are mean to us. When we evaluate our relationships with non-Christians, do they see us as different? Do they recognize that we do not do all the things that they do? Regardless of their response to us, we are to commit ourselves to Christ and follow Him. RESPONSE: Father, I will care only about Your response…
-
Christian Devotional – April 9, 2013
VERSE: 1 Peter 3:15–But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. TRUTH: As believers in Christ, we will be asked questions often by non-believers who are watching us. Why do we believe? How can we keep going after something terrible happens? Why do we seem to have hope in hopeless situations? We are to have an answer for them to explain the hope we have. Our answer is to be gentle and respectful, but it is still to be there and…
-
Christian Devotional – April 8, 2013
VERSE: 1 Peter 2:2–Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk so that by it you may grown up in your salvation. TRUTH: There is nothing so incessant as a newborn baby’s desire to be fed. They are single-minded in their focus and desire; nothing else will satisfy. Are we that desirous of God’s word? Only through His word will we be nourished and grow up in Him. We must kindle afresh our passion for the Word of God, the spiritual milk by which we are fed. RESPONSE: Father, You are my everything and yet I don’t always trust You like that. I confess I’ve not always been passionate about You and…