Devotional Archives

April 8, 2024April 7, 2024

Return O Sinner

²¹ Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. ²² I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. ~ Isaiah 44:21-22

Israel had forsaken the One True God and began to chase after worthless idols. Even though they had turned their backs on Him, God was still pleased to forgive, not willing to completely blot out their name from under heaven. He told them that they will not be forgotten by Him, but He will blot out their transgressions and their sins.

And it is the same with us, because God is a respecter of no persons. God loves everyone and treats everyone alike, and give each the same chances, which is really good for us. Because sometimes we mess up, sometimes we slip up, and sometimes we fall down. Sometimes, we even willingly wander far away from God, but He does not want us to stay gone. For He is compassionate and forgiving. He wants us to return to Him.

No one is too far away from God. You’re not too far away or done too much that He won’t forgive you. You are still called to what God has called you to. Just remember His Word in Isaiah 44:21-22 and insert your own name or the name of the one you’re praying for.

Return to God _____, He has not forgotten you. Return and have your sins forgiven and your transgressions blotted out.

Heavenly Father, forgive me, for I have transgressed. Teach me Your ways that I might walk in them. Remind me that I am Your child and that You love me unconditionally. Thank You for redeeming me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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God’s Favor

⁵ For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. ~ Psalms 30:5

If God loves you, and He does, He will discipline you, and that is how you know you are a son or a daughter because God does not discipline an illegitimate child. But know this: when God does discipline you, it’s only for a short time because He loves you. But His favor, His love, and His mercies last a lifetime; they are forever.

His favor will open doors that were once closed; His love brings that promotion that was out of reach. His mercies will protect the wayward child and restore the broken relationship. His kindness is the reason why weeping will only last a night, but when the sun comes up, it brings joy, new hope, renewed mercies, and fresh blessings.

Here is a truth: God does not want to be angry; He would much prefer to be generous. And when He is angry, He will always look for ways, or for someone to stand in the gap so that He will not have to carry out the deserved punishment. Whatever God does, it is always for our own good.

Rejoice in the fact that God loves you and cares for you. Rejoice that He notices you among all the billions of other people that inhabit Earth. We are like His pride and joy, and He loves us.

Be blessed today, be joyful today, and be hopeful and optimistic today; God loves you and cares for you.

Father, we, Your children, come and present to You the offering of praise. Receive it today and leave behind a blessing. Thank You, in Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Make Disciples

¹⁸And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:18-20

Many Christians believe that it’s not their place to tell others about their faith, religion, or relationship with Christ. When it comes to correcting sin, they forcefully say they weren’t put on this earth to judge. What, then, was the point of Jesus giving His disciples The Great Commission? Christians who believe they’re to keep their religion and beliefs to themselves and share Jesus with the world are Christians who don’t believe their own religion.

Paul touches on this in his letter to the Romans:

¹³For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ¹⁴How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”

Romans 10:13-14

It’s our job to go into the world and share the good news. It doesn’t matter your race, ethnicity, sex, or nationality. God calls both men and women. God uses all races, ethnicities, and nationalities. God has called all who believe to follow Him and spread the good news of Jesus Christ. For how can they believe if they have never heard?

If we, the Church, refuse to spread the good news, then we are refusing to follow Jesus. We’re saying that the world is better off not knowing about Christ. What we do and don’t do directly reflects what we do and don’t believe. Therefore, tell everyone willing to listen about Jesus.

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

Matthew 9:35-38

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Make Disciples.

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Build Your Spiritual Wall

¹⁰His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. ¹¹The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.~ Isaiah 56:10-11

Throughout the Old Testament, God reproves His watchmen, the ones He has placed upon the wall, to watch and sound the alarm at any and all approaching danger. The idea comes from the ancient world when a wall surrounding a city protected its inhabitants from bands of marauders, invading armies, and any such perceived danger.

Towers were built into the wall, and watchmen patrolled the top of the wall and were also stationed inside the towers to see far distances so that they could give a warning far enough in advance so that the people and the resting, or sleeping, army could prepare to defend their city.

Today, God is still trying to get the attention of His watchmen. There is still a Biblical mandate for watchmen to be stationed upon the walls to watch and sound the alarm of any and all approaching danger.

We, Christians, are called to be watchmen. Watchmen for our community, families, friends. We aren’t to just stand by and watch evil rule our world; we’re to sound the alarm. We’re to pray and fast about the current world we’re living in, building a spiritual wall around our homes, families, businesses, etc.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Build Your Spiritual Wall.

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Power To Overcome

⁴ Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. ~ 1 John 4:4

John said, “Little children, you are from God …” What does he mean by that anyway, that we are from God? Well, John was explaining that those who do not believe that Jesus has actually come in the flesh are not from God, and those who do believe are. If you do not believe that Christ has come, you have a spirit of Antichrist on you.

The spirit of Antichrist is always trying to convince the world that there is no God. That Jesus did not die for your sins. That Jesus the Messiah has not come into the world as yet. In short, it does not want you to believe that God even exists. But we must overcome that spirit with truth. Truth that Jesus did come and that He suffered and did die and was buried for three days and three nights and rose again to life on the third day, and that He is coming back for us so that where He is, there we shall be also.

We must make a special effort to be a witness for Jesus. To tell of His loving kindness and about His goodness and His grace. The grace that He lavished on us. Mercy that He poured out on all. Jesus is willing to save anyone who will come to Him. He will not turn away one soul with a repentant heart. Because that is the reason He died in the first place. So that He might bring many sons and daughters to the Father.

And finally, we have overcome because we have God living on the inside of us, and there is no power on earth that can match His. Do you need power to overcome? There is power in the blood.

Our Father, help us to forsake the wrong and choose the right. Teach us how to connect with Your power so that we can indeed overcome. For there is forgiveness, healing, peace, and joy in your presence. Help us to receive today. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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The Wages of Sin

²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD. ~ Romans 6:23^NIV

The wages of sin is death, but God’s gift of eternal life is in Christ Jesus. What exactly does that mean? Have you ever heard the expression, “Pay the Piper?” Some people will say, “You have to pay the Piper if you want to dance.” Well, it is the same concept that Paul is teaching, only this is not figurative, this is for reals, and for keeps.

Sin, when dabbled in, demands payment when it is all over, and it only knows one currency, that is death. Nothing else will satisfy its payment demands.

Therefore, when we indulge in sin, we must pay with our own lives since the wages of sin is death.

But on the flip side, there is good news. Jesus has paid the demands of sins with His own death. Peter put it this way,

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

1 Peter 3:18^NIV

Through Jesus, the wages that sin demanded, is no longer a standing debt against us, and now He offers us a gift, free of all charges. All we have to do is say, “Yes, LORD, I accept Your free gift, Jesus,” and He will give it to us.

Have you accepted His free gift? Are you living for Him? If not, here is how. Repeat this prayer and mean it from your heart, and Jesus will come into you and give you His free gift of life.

Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me of my sins. I am so sorry for offending You. Please help me now to live the rest of my life for You. I joyfully accept Your free gift of life. Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the cross in my place. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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I Am Healed

²Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. ~ 3 John 2

God’s desire is that you be prosperous and healthy not only spiritually but physically as well. Have you ever heard someone praying for the sick and in their prayer, they say, “LORD, if it is Your will, heal this person;” that always troubled me. Think about it. Why would Jesus pay such a heavy price for our healing but then say, “Just kidding, it really isn’t My will to heal you.” That does not make much sense. If you think about it, that is not a prayer at all, that is really a disclaimer. It is like saying, I’m going to pray for you, but if you don’t get healed, it’s obviously not God’s will for you.

I don’t believe that is the way God operates. He doesn’t dangle a carrot before us. He doesn’t give us false hope. If it doesn’t work, the fault is not with Him; it is with us. All of His promises are yea and amen towards us, His blood-bought, the redeemed. He says what He means, and He means what He says. Peter, quoting the prophet Isaiah, said,

²⁴He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

1 Peter 2:24

Peter said it is already done. We have been healed.

If you are experiencing any kind of illness, place your hand on the place and believe as we pray.

Heavenly Father, I believe You sent Your Son Jesus to not only die for my transgressions, but the chastisement that brought me peace was placed on Him, and with His stripes, I am healed. Help me with my unbelief. Teach me to receive all that You have for me. Please help me to receive my healing right now. Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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The Scars

²⁷ Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.” ~ John 20:27^CSB

Many of us are ashamed of our past. We’re ashamed of all the times that we fell into temptation. We’re ashamed of all of the things of our past, so we try to cover our scars and keep them hidden from the eyes of the world, but why?

Scars don’t mean you lost the battle; scars are proof of your victory. They are your testimony to the world that you endured the temptation and made it out the other side. Never be ashamed of your scars, for these scars are your Testimony. The Word of our Testimony is the second most powerful weapon we have against the enemy, the first being the Blood of the Lamb.

Our scars are our evidence of all that you have overcome. Christ kept His scars and proudly displayed them for Thomas to see and truly believe, so why should we do any other?

Dear LORD, thank You for Your scars and thank You for my scars, for in them is the proof of Your love and faithfulness towards me. Thank You that You’ve remained faithful, even when I haven’t. Thank You that You always make a way for me to return to You. Thank You, LORD, for all that You’ve done for me. Please help me to never be ashamed of my scars. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Our Risen Savior

¹ Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. ²And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. ⁴And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. ⁵But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. ⁶He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. ⁷Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. See, I have told you.” ~ Matthew 28:1-7

Early Sunday morning, the day we Christians call Resurrection Sunday, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb of Jesus. But they found an empty tomb. Jesus was not there; He had risen as He said He would. He lived, though He was dead, and now He is alive forevermore. Paul said that if Jesus indeed had not risen from the dead, then we have no salvation, and we are still in our sins, and we Christians are most to be pitied of all people. Not only that but they are found to be false witnesses about God because they testified that He raised Jesus from the dead.

Friends, I want to assure you that Jesus did die a physical death; He was buried and laid in the tomb for three days and three nights, and He did rise again, holding the keys of death and Hades in His powerful hand.

There is something else I want you to notice. The Scriptures declare that an angel descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. But the account does not say anything about Jesus coming out of the grave at that time. Instead, it says,

… the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay …”

Jesus had already risen by the time the angel got there. Because, after all, it was not the angel’s job to let Jesus out, but to let the believers in, and to prove to the world the empty tomb. If the angel had not rolled the stone away, the world would never know that the tomb is empty. But the soldiers saw the angel come down. They saw him roll the stone away. They saw that the tomb was empty but did not see Jesus emerge from the tomb, yet they had seen His dead body go into the tomb, and they feared greatly, so much so that they became as dead men. There was no denying that Jesus had risen from the dead. The empty tomb proved it for them.

You and I can rejoice in knowing that what we believe is true. What we hold on to is not a cleverly devised lie but the everlasting Truth. We can be assured that what was passed down to us about the Resurrection is an eyewitness account. So, rejoice in your salvation, and rejoice in the resurrection of your LORD and Savior.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, who was obedient to You and accomplished everything that You sent Him to accomplish. I accept His free gift of life, and I rejoice in the fact that He is alive forevermore and that He is coming back for me. Help me to live for You and to serve You wholeheartedly without becoming disillusioned or weary. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Make It Sure

⁵But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon Him; And with His stripes we are healed. ⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. ~ Isaiah 53:5-6

There was no other way because we all, like sheep, went astray, and each one of us turned to our own way. Therefore, there was no more hope for us unless the Father laid all of our sins and all of our iniquities on Jesus.

Jesus bore the punishment for our sins and iniquities with the blows that He took and with the nails that pierced His hands and His feet. He suffered the punishment that brought us peace by bringing us back into right standing with God the Father and with Himself.

Then, to top it all off, Jesus was whipped with a terrible beating on His back that purchased our healing. We don’t have to live in sickness; our healing was purchased by Jesus Himself.

Look at what He suffered on our behalf. To be cut off from the land of the living means that Jesus suffered literal death. Jesus did not just look like He was dead; He was dead for three days and three nights before being resurrected on the third day.

That is true favor. That God, the living Creator God, would leave His throne on high to come and suffer such a violent death in order to give us a blessed and highly favored eternity. We’re not talking about 70 or 80 years. We are not even talking about 120 years. We are talking about eternity.

When we’ve been there 10,000 years
Bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first began

That, my friends, is true favor. You can’t buy it with gold. You can’t purchase it with silver. You can’t borrow it. You can’t steal it. You can’t even find it. You must receive it, and only from Jesus.

Eternity is a long, long time. Are you preparing for eternity? Are you living your life as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable? Are you ready to enter eternity? Each day is a gift from God; tomorrow is promised to no one, so don’t put off your salvation. This Easter, make your salvation and eternity sure.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Make It Sure.

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