Salvation

January 31st – Matthew 9:9

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Matthew 9:9

Each of the men Jesus called to be disciples, never once hesitated to follow Him. They didn’t take time to try and clean up their lives. They didn’t take time to wean themselves off the trappings of the world. And they didn’t take time to let go of the people and things of the past for a new and better future. Jesus met them and wanted them right where they were, and in a leap of faith, they answered His call straight away and began a life dedicated to the Lord. Just as He called the disciples, Jesus also calls each of us. “Follow Me!”, cries the Lord. “Follow Me and I’ll give you heavenly riches greater than the world could ever offer. Follow Me and let My love fill your hearts with a peace and joy that can never be shaken. Follow Me and I’ll give You eternal life purchased with My own precious blood. Follow Me, and help save the world!”

January 31st – Matthew 9:9 Read More »

December 7th – John 13:35

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

John 13:35

As one of His last acts before His sacrifice on the Cross, the Lord performed a task usually reserved for the lowest slaves in the house. He knelt and began to cleanse the feet of the disciples. Such an expression of self sacrifice, Jesus did as an example of humble love. Throughout His life on earth, everything Jesus did He did in love. And He made it perfectly clear that we are to do the same. But such a calling isn’t easy. For undoubtedly as soon as you make a commitment to love others, along a person will come as a test to your resolve. But the goal of the Christian walk is to become transformed into the image of Christ. And God never calls us to go it alone, nor to do what He asks in our own strength. Our strength comes from the power of the Holy Spirt. And through His power we can walk like Jesus and serve others joyfully and humbly. Our strength comes from the power of the Holy Spirt. And through His power we walk like Jesus and serve others joyfully and humbly.

December 7th – John 13:35 Read More »

December 6th – Matthew 24:13

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Matthew 24:13

One of the things I love most about God is His great love for us. There is nothing we can do, buy, or earn to climb our way to the Father. So He climbed down to us. Our mighty King traded His majestic throne in heaven for a bed of wood and hay. The Lamb of God came as a humble, helpless child, but the Lion of Judah will return as our conquering King and Ruler of all. Jesus made it clear that the life of a Christian will be filled with trials, persecution, and peril. Yet for those who stand strong in their faith until the end, no matter the circumstances, God promises deliverance from their enemies. And even better, a life spent by His side filled with eternal love and peace. As we bring this turbulent year to a close, the holiday season is a much needed time of joy, thankfulness, and festivities. And while we celebrate the glorious birth of our Savior, it is also the perfect time to celebrate His promise to save all who persevere!

 

December 6th – Matthew 24:13 Read More »

November 28th – 1 Timothy 1:15

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

1 Timothy 1:15

I am thankful that God loves a sinner like me 

When it came to Christians, Paul was public enemy number one. No one persecuted God’s people more fanatically than him. Yet even though Paul was intent on destroying God’s church, when he accepted Jesus as his Savior, he received God’s forgiveness and unmerited grace. And so Paul says to all of us, “Look at me. If God is willing to save someone as wretched as myself, He’s willing to save all of those who believe in Him.” Could there be a more amazing truth? No matter who we are or what we’ve done, God wants us!  He wants to be our Father and cover us with His loving grace. We live in a world that fiercely opposes God’s truth. Even so that shouldn’t deter us from sharing the gospel, never giving up, and always fighting the good fight. For God’s Word is true, and “to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Tim 1:17)

November 28th – 1 Timothy 1:15 Read More »

November 25th – Proverbs 17:17

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Proverbs 17:17

I’m thankful for the Friend we have in Jesus

Who doesn’t want a friend who loves you at all times? Not just through the good ones, but especially through the bad ones. Jesus is that friend. He accepts, shelters, loves, and died for us. Fully knowing the betrayal, brutality, and rejection He would face, Jesus willingly left His glorious throne in heaven to ransom His life. Matthew 26:53 tells us that with one word Jesus could have summoned more than twelve legions of angels for His rescue. Instead He bore our burdens and much more for the sake of our salvation. This sacrificial act of love and friendship demonstrated by Jesus is one which we do not deserve. We fail Him daily. We are selfish, self-centered, and bent on our own needs and wants. Yet despite all of this, God wants a close personal relationship with us. He asks nothing in return, and instead offers us His friendship and gift of eternal life!

November 25th – Proverbs 17:17 Read More »

November 18th – Isaiah 53:5

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Isaiah 53:5

I am thankful that the punishment I deserve, Jesus took upon Himself. 

With the advancement of modern medicine, there are very few wounds that cannot be healed. Except for the wound of death. No doctor, pill, or surgery can resurrect the dead. There is only One who has the power to save. Only One who has conquered death forever. Jesus Christ, the perfect, unblemished, Lamb of God is that One. Our Lord and Savior came to take away the sin of the world and reconcile us back to God. Even though that meant He had to suffer and die for us to live. The Lord knew all He would endure at the hands of the very people He came to redeem. Yet He came anyway. And Jesus did all of this to fulfill the will and plan of the Father, walking in perfect obedience and surrender to Him. And how thankful we are that because He took our punishment, even to the death on a cross, we are healed!

November 18th – Isaiah 53:5 Read More »

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

I am thankful when all have heard the gospel, Jesus will return for His bride

Knowing Jesus was about to leave and return to the Father, let the disciples discouraged. Yet Jesus comforted them saying that He went to prepare a place where all who love Him will dwell with Him forever. (John 14:1-3) And when the time was right, Christ would return for His church. This wonderful event is known as the rapture. A time when we will hear the Lord’s call. And in the twinkling of an eye, we who are living will join those who have already passed in the sky. Together we will receive new, glorified bodies and be with the Lord forever! How awesome is that! And what’s truly exciting is there is no Bible prophecy that has to be fulfilled for the rapture to happen. When the last person has had a chance to hear the saving message of Jesus, He will return to bring us home!  It could literally happen at any  moment! So “lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 Read More »

November 12th – Mark 10:45

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Mark 10:45 

I am thankful Jesus came to ransom His life for mine

Today’s world equates greatness with influence and fame. But Jesus says greatness isn’t found in power and glory. Rather it’s measured by our ability to live lives of sacrifice as servants and slaves to others. And He knows of what He speaks. As Creator of the world, Christ sits on His glorious throne in heaven. Yet at the request of the Father, He willingly left that throne. Out of great love, Jesus came to earth to become our sin substitute. Even when that meant not coming in pomp and circumstance. Or being welcomed with a grand parade. But instead coming in humility in the form of a servant. And facing hurt, betrayal, torture, and ridicule, all to offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. God makes one thing abundantly clear. The greatest in His sight are those who humbly serve. And as slaves of Christ, what a privilege it is to serve others as our Lord came to serve us.

November 12th – Mark 10:45 Read More »

November 11th – Acts 4:12

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Acts 4:12

I am thankful for name of Jesus Christ by which I am offered salvation

When the apostle Peter healed a lame man, he was asked what power he used to perform this miracle. In response Peter said he did it through the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The only name that has the power to save. The word salvation comes from the the Greek word, sōtēria. It means “deliverance and preservation.” To be rescued from enemies, or spiritual rescue. And that’s exactly what Jesus does. From His unmerited love and grace, He reaches down to pull us up from death and destruction. The only begotten Son of God, Jesus took the form of a man to pay a debt that we owed. And it is by His glorious name alone, can we have the gift of eternal life. Satan and his minions try to tell us there are many paths to God, and many ways to be saved. But he is father of lies. Christ who was born without sin and lived a sinless life, sacrificed His precious blood to save us. And there is no other that can offer us salvation than our perfect Savior!

November 11th – Acts 4:12 Read More »

November 9th – Romans 10:14

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Romans 10:14 

I am thankful to have received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior

In the book of Joel we get a wonderful declaration from God. “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord, will be delivered.”(Joel 2:32) How awesome is that? But the apostle Paul teaches God’s promise comes with a condition. He warns that we can play the part of a Christian, confessing Jesus as Lord. But unless we truly believe it in our hearts, and show it in our actions, it isn’t genuine faith. And if our faith isn’t real, how can we call on Christ for deliverance? How can we turn to Him for help, if we truly haven’t made Him Lord and Savior of our lives? But then Paul goes one step further. How can anyone receive Jesus if they haven’t heard of Him? And how can they hear of Him if no one is preaching the saving grace of Jesus to them? Our loving Father promises victory to all who are truly His. And out of thankfulness for His saving grace, we need to share the message of that grace to others!

November 9th – Romans 10:14 Read More »