All in Daily Devotion
Were you perfect in the sight of God yesterday, or was it a bad day for you? Did you make it all the day long without sinning once, or were there those moments when you lost control of your tongue, or stepped otherwise into sin? Each of us falls short of perfection in the eyes of God, but that is no reason to stop striving for it. We have a wonderful eraser on the end of our pencil of faith that removes all of our mistakes and perfects us in the end... Jesus Christ.
How do you choose to go about your day? Do you adhere to the scripture which says “pray without ceasing” and contemplate your prayers, wondering when God will answer, no? Then perhaps you contemplate the nature of God and Jesus Christ all the day long, still no?” Well, do you think much about them, and your faith at all? We each have a way and an intensity with which we approach our faith... how do you go about yours? Maybe you are predominately a thinker, a sturdier, a doer, or, God forbid, someone who just blows the dust from his faith on Sundays and Holy days.
When you pray do you refer to God as your Father? When you call Him by this name is it an official title, or a loving one? Sometimes we get confused about who a father is intended to be, and think to give him our respect without remembering to love him. We treat him as the head of the household, but lose sight of how much we love him and he loves us. Do we treat God the Father as a King, or do we love Him with all our heart?
Have you been a Christian for many years, so many that you have now grown dull in your faith with the thrill of it diminishing? Are the things of faith that were once new and thrilling now routine and expected? If so then it is time to reminisce with the Lord, and praise Him anew for blessings long past. Remember the touch of His love, and the awe of His power.
Are you feeling trapped in a life of sin, or perhaps you find yourself in the throws of great temptation, and don’t know how you can save yourself? Well if this is the case, look to the Lord God because it is His intention to redeem you from your sin, and to save you from all temptation.
From the house of David comes the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. He wasn’t made new from the dust as a more perfect model of man, no, and he didn’t come from heaven as a perfected being... He was every bit a man, and yet God as well. He knows what we feel, and the troubles that face us; after all, He was tempted as we are and faced each of our human trials. This makes Jesus our perfect comforter, and lamb of sacrifice... He was chosen from the people.
What is it about ourselves that causes us to be prideful? Do you say “I am a self-made man!” And give speeches about how anyone can do what you have done if they only apply themselves as you have? Such conceit, and arrogance! Who gave you the mind you have, the wisdom and not a mental disability, or the body that is straight and not bent, and a land of opportunity in which to live rather than one of famine? What part did you play in any of this? All you are, and everything you have comes from God... be humble in your thanks.
When times are hard in your life do you think that God has walked away from you, and abandoned the gifts He gave you through Jesus Christ? Do you think that the promise of salvation, His protection, and provision has been reneged on? Well that couldn’t be further from the truth. You see, God’s promises and callings last forever, and remain forever with you as well. When the easy times turn hard, and you suffer, continue to look all the more to God.
You have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, and received the seed of your faith, so if we view your faith as we would a seed, have you sown it in good soil, or amongst the thorns? Have you taken care and gently placed it in rich soil, and watered it with the Word of God, or cast it in the thorns of a worldly life, and sprinkled it with man’s deceit and wealth?
Seeking God, and knowing that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us by His death, resurrection, and ascension; this is the most important quest of our lives. If we fail in this journey then all is lost in a few short years on earth. So what drives us to look for Him, why do some of us fail, and how can we succeed in finding Him?
Do you desire the rest and peace of God? If so, are you striving to be obedient to God’s Word, and to His will for you? We work at those things God would have us do so that on the Sabbath we can experience the same rest He did, but what if we are disobedient? What if our hearts become hardened to Him? Will that rest still await us?
Are you sorrowful, feeling the many pains of life, or otherwise suffering today? Well be of good cheer because a time is coming soon when the tears of your eyes will be dried forever by God Himself, and you will be led by Jesus Christ to founts of living water. For we as Christians the agony of the world is only temporary, but our joy in being with God is eternal.
Are we at war within ourselves? Is our family arguing and in disarray? Are we in constant chaos across the world? Why is this so, and what can we do about it? How can we bring peace and calm to ourselves and the world around us? The secret of course, is to turn to God, and allow Him to provide for us, and to let Him remove the struggling passions and greed within us. The solution is to lean on Him and be happy; to ask for His provision and be satisfied in it.
Are we confident in the promises of God? Are we certain enough to stand before Him and after asking something of Him say “now do as you have spoken.”? We serve a God who is true, and whose Word is perfect and without quibble... his promises stand as if stone and are good forever. So why is it that we fear the outcome of our troubles, or the certainty of our salvation?
Are you inclined to lose heart in your salvation when trouble comes on you with both feet, and fists flailing? Do you lose faith in God’s ability to save, and doubt His love for you in these times of hardship? Well, just as He was able to save you in the hour of your first belief He is there to sustain you in that faith always, and feels your suffering.