All in Daily Devotional
Once we accept the fact that God is our creator and the God of our lives, and we have recognized Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer, we receive by grace the gift of eternal life, but is that gift absolute? Is it a firm commitment on God's part? How about on ours as we receive it? The discussion of topics such as this can either divide us or bring us together.
Jesus is without sin, and perfect, but is there any hope for us to be perfect as He is? Is perfection something that we are even capable of? The glorious surprise of our faith is that we are not simply being transformed into righteous people seeking to behave as God does, but ultimately into perfect extensions of God Himself, as Jesus is. It is God’s desire to flow forth from us, His resurrected children, but do we aspire to this, the lofty will of God, or stop ourselves short of being eternally perfected and transformed by our Heavenly Father?
Are we being tempted with Jesus Christ even today? In that temptation do we continue on with Him, or do we turn away from Him and leave? This is a question Jesus asked His disciples at the last supper, and which is still valid today. Let’s ask ourselves one more question... when we give into our temptations are we saddling and shaming Jesus with sin again?
Are you sad today? I am referring to the sadness that occurs when we realize that Jesus is asking us to let something go that we believe we are unable to give up or that is impossible for us. Perhaps it is our wealth, but just maybe it has to do with our poverty.
When you pray the Lord's Prayer and say the words "lead us not into temptation", what do you think that means? Do you think you are asking God to keep you from experiencing temptation? Do you understand it to mean that you are asking God Himself not to tempt you? Do you think it literally means that God should not purposely lead you into tempting situations? Or, do you feel you are asking God to lead you away from your natural inclination to be tempted and sin?
Do you have questions about faith, or revelations about yourself that you need to communicate to God? Are there things so personal that you blush with embarrassment and shame at the mere thought of them? These are the most pressing things that you need to reveal to the Lord, and they require a secret place where you can be absolutely open and honest with Him.
Do we have hidden sins that are undoing us? They don't have to be huge or incredibly sleazy, but dishonest to God's law, and to the commandments of Jesus Christ all the same. Tolerating such minute changes in our behavior will surely undo the good work that has been done in us, and we will slowly, and certainly, become blind in our faith.
How do you know when you have been in fervent prayer? Is it when you end your sentence with Amen, or is it when you unfold your hands, open your eyes, or get up off your knees? Those can all be indications of having prayed, but the real give away regarding fervent prayer is your heart; when the fingers of your soul begrudgingly let go of the hand of God as you return to your body... and language serves you once more.
God never leads us by the ear into salvation. He never forces us to acknowledge Him against our will, or badgers us until we finally give in and begin our journey of faith. No, a tiny seed is planted within us and upon germination it becomes our responsibility to tend to it as God grows it. Or, we can simply let it lie unattended until it eventually withers away. What will our choice be?
Do you worry about the salvation of your family members? Are you one of the believers who doesn't trust that their households are saved? Well, take heart, your belief has more than likely saved them all. By your faith and your example you are bringing the Word of the Lord into your home, and by doing that you are influencing the rest of your family.
Have you prepared yourself for the challenges of a life of faith ahead? Are you ready for the trials that lie before you, or are you totally out of spiritual shape? Be as Jesus was... ready for the moment of God's calling... to do our Father’s will, and to be prepared to join with the Holy Spirit as you run the race of your life.
Do you claim the glory of God for yourself? When doing great things that you have been called and gifted to do, do you puff out your chest and swagger as if they were about you? We are tempted as spiritual men and women to claim earthly rights over God's work when it moves through us into the physical world, but we must defeat that inclination lest we sin, and are humbled by God Himself.
Do we feel particularly unworthy this morning? When we rose from bed did we feel dulled by the world as if we had lost our spiritual sheen? Well, cast that feeling off because we are living stones... pieces of heaven. When we look into the mirror we should rejoice, and see ourselves as a reflection of Christ’s perfection; we should see ourselves as a reflection of the Kingdom which is to come.
Are you tripping over your feet of faith? Do you begin to run in the understanding of God's will for your life only to fall flat on your face? Well, what do you do when that happens? Do you spring at once to your feet, slowly pull yourself up, or just lay there and cry? Then again, maybe the Lord delights in your way, and He catches you so that you don’t fall at all.
Have you always wanted to be the kind of Christian that is a blessing to others? Perhaps you have watched saints in your church and wished you could touch other people in the same way that they do. Well, don't discount yourself because you may be rippling out blessings at a much higher rate than you think!