Charge it to My Account (II Corinthians 5:21)

II Corinthians 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The stealing had to stop. Deep in the heart of Russia, local police were on the lookout for a thief who got away with hundreds of dollars’ worth of merchandise. Neither the local businesses nor the residents could afford the losses or the increased prices any longer. The stealing became a federal crime. The Russian czar made the offense punishable by 40 lashes.

Police finally caught up with the crook and brought her to the Town Square where she would be tied to a post to get 40 lashes. The czar came, along with hundreds of villagers from the city. But the czar recognized the woman’s face as that of his mother. Everyone looked at him to see what he would do. Would he pardon her, or would he make her pay the price for her crime?

The czar knew the crime had to be punished, but he also knew his mother could not survive 40 lashes. So he walked over to the post where his mother was tied and took off his shirt. He chose to take the lashes in her place and the people were touched.

Over 2,000 years ago, the world was guilty and condemned before God because of sin. We deserved to spend eternity in Hell, but God took our place through His Son on the cross. He didn’t just sweep our sins under a rug and pretend nothing ever happened. He didn’t say, “I’ll let it go this time—just don’t do it again.” Blood had to be shed. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He paid the purchased price for our redemption. Three days later, He arose from the dead as proof that His payment had been accepted by the Father. You and I can be completely forgiven for every sin we’ve ever committed or will commit if we just accept Christ’s free gift.

The very core of the principle of justification is here presented. The great substitutionary work of Christ is in view. God made Jesus to be sin for us. He, the sinless One, who never knew sin and never will, had the iniquity of us all laid on Him. Nevertheless, God imputed to Him our sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. It is the very heart of the great doctrine of justification.

Jesus placed your sins on His account. If you will go to the LORD, He will take Christ’s righteousness, which is perfect, and He will accredit it to your account so that when you stand before God you will stand before Him as though you have never sinned. Not because you’re sinless, but because of your account. If you will receive Jesus Christ (Gospel) He will credit your account with perfection because He has already accredited your sin onto Jesus Christ. Jesus earnestly wants to impute your sin to His record and impute His righteousness to your record.

Friend, the price has already been paid for your sins. Accept Christ’s free gift today, and you will find complete forgiveness.

Like me, you will one day stand before the LORD and give an account of your life. Because God is perfect and just, He is going to judge us according to His Law. We have all broken God’s Moral Law (lying, stealing, hate, lust. selfishness, blasphemy, etc.) and we are going to be found guilty. He will have to punish us for our sins; the consequence being an eternity in Hell. But there is good news! God provided an escape. Jesus Christ, the Messiah and God manifest in the flesh, took the punishment that we, as guilty sinners, deserve when He suffered under God the Father’s wrath and died on the cross. He then defeated death by rising from the dead. God commands us to repent (to turn away from our sins) and trust in Jesus alone to save us, because no amount of good works will ever be enough to get us into Heaven. Jesus said, “ye must be born again” (John 3:7).
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Prayer: Father in Heaven, thank You for sending Jesus to pay for our sins that we would be made righteous in Your sight. Every day I want to live to bring honor and glory to You and to share my testimony and the Gospel with others. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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A New Man with New Plans (II Corinthians 5:17)

II Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

We are truly a new person in Christ. The grip of a great God molds us into new creations in Christ. The transformation that is brought about by the new birth is not only an instantaneous miracle but also a lifelong process of sanctification. Everything changes; the old things have passed away. All things "become" new. This carries the idea on continual results. God is continually working in our lives. When we become new in Christ, old values, ideas, plans, loves, desires, and beliefs vanish, replaced by the new things that accompany salvation.

Jack Eckerd, the founder of the Eckerd Drug Stores, the second largest drug store chain in America years ago, trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior after reading about the resurrection of Christ in Chuck Colson's book, Loving God. Eckerd wondered why he did not feel anything, but Colson assured him he was saved because he was trusting in Christ. The Spirit of God immediately began to work in Jack's life. One of the first things he did after he was saved was to walk into one of his drugstores. When he walked down through the book shelves, he saw Playboy and Penthouse pornographic magazines. He had seen them there many times before, but it never bothered him. Now he saw them with new eyes. He had become a Christian. Jack Eckerd went back to his office and called in his president. He said, "Take Playboy and Penthouse out of my stores." The president said, "You can't mean that, Mr. Eckerd. We make three million dollars a year on those magazines." He said, "Take 'em out of my stores." And in his 1,700 stores across America at that time, by one man's decision, those magazines and smut were removed from the shelves of Eckerd Drug Stores because a man had given his life to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colson called Mr. Eckerd and asked, "Did you do that because of your commitment to Christ?" He said, "Why else would I give away three million dollars? The Lord wouldn't let me off the hook." Mr. Eckerd was submitting to the lordship of Christ in his own life. He did not stop with his own stores. Jack Eckerd wrote a letter to all the other drugstore operators, all the other chains, and he said, "I've taken it out of my store. Why don't you take it out of yours?" Not a one answered him. He wrote them some more letters. Meanwhile, God blessed Eckerd's decision. Eckerd's Drug Stores began to get floods of people coming in to buy things at Eckerd's because they had taken Playboy and Penthouse out of their stores. Then People's Drugs removed the magazines from their shelves and then Dart Drug removed them from their shelves and then Revco removed them from their shelves. Over a period of twelve months, while the pornography commission in Washington was debating over what to do about pornography, stores across America were removing pornography from their shelves. The chairman of 7-11 stores, who sits on Jack Eckerd's board, finally gave in and five thousand 7-11 stores removed the magazines. In a period of twelve months, 11,000 retail outlets in America removed Playboy and Penthouse, not because somebody passed a law, but because God wouldn't let one of his men off the hook. God used a changed man to bring a change in society. God is passionate about the total transformation of people. Let Him change you. God is willing to do whatever it takes to make you more like Jesus.

PRAYER: Lord, today I am dedicating myself as a living sacrifice to be used in whatever way You choose. With all my heart I vow to give You my soul, my emotions, my spirit, my body, and everything else that I am and that I possess. I consecrate myself to You. I want to live a life that is pleasing to You. In Jesus name, AMEN!

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Flourishing in Faith (Jude 20-21)

Jude 20-21, But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

As we learn the Bible and understand its truth, we are strengthened, we grow, we mature, we are built up. Without the Scriptures there is no growth. Without the Word there is no maturity. Without the gospel nothing of eternal good will last. Like the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat, it is vital that we daily ingest and digest God’s Word and its truth.

The thought of building is to strengthen. We are to strengthen, or build, our faith (II Peter 1:5-10). We are never to cease or stand still spiritually. We must always be growing. A growing believer is a healthy believer. These verses have been referred to as “The Believers Building Program”. We are to build on a solid foundation (I Corinthians 3:12; Psalm 127:1; Luke 6:48). We are to build cooperatively (Ephesians 2:22). We are to build on the Word (Acts 20:32). We are to build by preaching the Gospel (Romans 15:20-21). We are to build by praying in the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 14:15; Romans 15:30-33).

As believers, we must take the initiative to grow spiritually (II Peter 3:18). I’m grateful and very blessed that the Lord has allowed me to pastor a wonderful church where His people love Him, His Word, and others. If we are not growing as a Christian, we have no one to blame but ourselves. We need to have the craving to be a better Christian and be willing to take the sacrificial steps to make that a reality.

When we talk about dedication to task or goal we must ask ourselves how badly we do we want to achieve this. Paul was very focused on serving God with his life (Philippians 3:13-14). We need to be focused completely on our service for God and our relationship with him. Too often God is treated as a low priority and many other things often interfere with serving God.

When we are really motivated it is amazing what we can do. When I was in Bible College, a quote was stated that I have remembered more than any other, “What you do with the Bible determines what God will do with you”. It has been my life’s desire to read it, study it, obey it, and apply it. My desire has been to serve the Lord, love Him, and to find and finish the course He has set me on. Acts 20:24, But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. I’m truly thankful the Lord has given me a faithful help meet who has never hindered me from following Him.

Jesus loved us enough to give His life for us on Calvary. It is our responsibility to identify with Him! We live in a day when more and more are refusing to identify with Him or make mention of His name. It is time for God's people to publicly identify with their Saviour and Lord! The imminent return of Jesus Christ motivates us to live a holy life and promotes the purity and separation of the church from the world (Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:13). If we knew for certain the Lord would return tomorrow, we would have lived much differently today. Well, the truth is He just might come tomorrow. Live each day as if it might be your last. We have no guarantee of another day and there is still so much to be done.

David Livingstone, the missionary to Africa, walked over 29,000 miles. His wife died early in their ministry and he faced harsh opposition from his Scottish brethren. He ministered half blind. In his personal diary, he wrote, “Send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever me from any tie but the tie that binds me to your service and to your heart”.

Question to Consider:
Do we inspire anyone else by the way we live, love, and labor?

Point to Ponder:
His perseverance provokes me to keep on serving the Lord in spite of my oppression and affliction.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I know I’m a work in progress, but thanks to Jesus, I’m not the man I used to be. I need Your help, as I continue to learn from You, lean on You, love You and look for You. In Jesus Name, AMEN!

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A More Excellent Sacrifice (Hebrews 11:4)

Hebrews 11:4, By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, was a shepherd, who had strong faith in God. He gave God a pleasing offering of a first-born lamb. He was killed by his older brother Cain, whose offering was not pleasing, nor accepted by the Lord. His blood cried out for vengeance from God.

Faith is defined as believing God and acting on what God has said or revealed. God had revealed the way of sacrifice, and both Cain and Abel knew what God had said. Abel believed and by faith he brought an animal sacrifice. Cain didn’t believe and decided to come his own way. Cain and his offering of the fruit of the ground were not accepted. Cain was rejected because he came his own way, not God’s way. John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me. The Bible couldn’t say it any clearer. The only acceptable approach to God is through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Abel’s offering foreshadowed the greatest offering ever made, Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Jesus was the best sacrifice offered to God. In Him, is no sin (II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 9:14; I Peter 2:22; I John 3:5), absolutely holy. The shedding of the blood, which occurred in the slaying of the animal in sacrificing it, foreshadowed salvation through the blood of Christ. "Without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22); "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (I John 1:7); and "being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him" (Romans 5:9). The slaying of the lamb spoke convincingly of the Lamb of God, "slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8), and "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Cain's offering did not foreshadow Christ at all; there was no lamb, hence no blood, no Christ, no cross.

When the Abel brought “the firstlings of his flock” (Genesis 4:4), he was acknowledging his trust in the perfect Lamb of God who would one day be slain for sin. He knew his brother’s offering was a rebellious declaration against God. Cain exalted his own efforts at righteousness, while Abel humbled himself as a sinner who needed a Saviour.

Abel came God’s way. God’s way was the way of animal sacrifice. Abel’s sacrifice looked forward to the one Great Sacrifice that was to come in the future. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, would go to the cross and die for the sins of the world. Abel believed God, and acted on what God had said. This is what faith is all about. Abel approached God offering an animal sacrifice by faith. God’s way today is to approach God on the basis of the one Great Offering that was pictured in Abel’s sacrifice the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Abel’s “more excellent sacrifice” pointed to Christ, the perfect offering for sin. Jesus was “a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Peter 1:19). The lamb slain by Abel represented the coming “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” John 1:29. Abel was not made perfect through his own works. It was not Abel who professed himself righteous, it was God who declared that Abel was righteous. He “was righteous” through the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. Abel was declared righteous by the very mouth of God because Abel, by faith, offered the one sacrifice which spoke of Jesus Christ, Who, by dying on the cross of Calvary, provided mankind with salvation.

"He being dead yet speaketh." One does not stop speaking when he dies. Our lives send messages long after we have died, and it is not just what we may have on our tombstones. What decides whether your message is a good one or not has to do with faith. What will your life say after you have died? The truth is that your life will speak after you died by how you lived before you died.

PRAYER: Help me to be a dedicated ambassador, to preach the Gospel fearlessly and ceaselessly. Give me the confidence to preach the Gospel at all times under whatever condition and make me a useful instrument to further Your Great Commission. I ask you to give me the grace to proclaim Your good news, so that other people can be saved also. Do not let me be an obstacle to evangelization, but help me to support it and to spread it further.

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God Will Complete His Plan for You (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Jeremiah 29:11-13, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

God spoke to His captive people in Babylon through Jeremiah. His announcement was that they would seek and find Him when they did so with all their hearts. That principle remains to this day. God hears the fervent prayer of His people. Those who seek God with all of their hearts will find him—to this day. The Lord promised the people that His plans for them were not to harm them, but rather to bring them peace and prosperity. Note that God’s plan offered them a very bright hope and future. If the people placed their trust in the Lord, He would deliver them from their captivity in Babylon and return them to the promised land. God could have promised them no greater hope and future.

When Mike Foscolos returned to his destroyed California home after recent fires, he discovered a reminder of God's love for him despite the tragic circumstances. Foscolos was evacuated Saturday, October 25th when fires burned dangerously close to his home. He returned that evening to find a pile of smoldering black ash where his home once had been. As he surveyed the scene with his flashlight, Foscoloso saw a piece of paper fluttering through the air like a butterfly. He stepped on the paper with his foot to hold it down, and realized it was a singed page from his own Bible. Foscolos said, "It was the first Bible I received as a new Christian and I had saved it in the garage." The surviving page contained a message of hope from Jeremiah 29:11-13. The passage read, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Mr. Foscolos plans to have the page framed to keep in his rebuilt home as a testimony. God promised in this passage, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." God desires that we give Him whole-hearted effort with all our heart (Deuteronomy 4:29; II Chronicles 15:15; II Chronicles 31:21; Psalm 119:10).

PRAYER: Father in Heaven I know the thoughts and plans You have for me are for Your glory and for my good. Whatever I may face today, I can expect that You are working for good in all of it. So, I’m going to step forward in faith, trusting You in all things & seeking to cooperate fully with Your plans for me. I know I can’t possibly imagine all the good You have planned for my life, but I also know it’s all coming in Jesus’ name, so I can say, Amen!

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On the Run from the Lord (Jonah 1:3)

Jonah 1:3, But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

When God records the failures of His people, it's not to discourage us, but instruct, help, teach, and warn us. What can we learn from Jonah? Nineveh was a city of wickedness in desperate need of the Lord. The opportunity for revival was great, but Jonah was not concerned about their need. Jonah's self-will took greater priority in his life than God's will.

Jonah had no interest in going to Nineveh to preach to those people. Jonah was willing to serve as long as it was something that was pleasing to him. The problem was not that Jonah did not understand the will of God, but that he did not like it. Choosing your personal will over God’s will always results in consequences. Running from God is a dangerous position in which to be. We can run but we have to "pay the fare." Jonah paid more than the monetary fare for the trip. He paid dearly for his rebellion to God. It costs to disobey and you will pay for the ticket. The fare included many hidden expenses. Sin costs more than the price tag. Obedience to God will help the economy of an individual, of society and of the nation more than anything else.

When Jonah refused to do the will of God, we find that the devil had a boat waiting. While running from God, Jonah hitched a ride with some Gentile sailors. God sent a storm that threatened to capsize the ship, so the sailors began to wonder about their Jewish stowaway. Even Gentiles knew about the Hebrew God and these guys had no interest in finding themselves on the business end of his wrath. They knew the risks of harboring a fugitive from the God of Israel. They fell to their knees and pleaded for mercy, then threw Jonah overboard. Favorable circumstances and the absence of pain or difficulties do not mean we have gotten by with disobedience. The storm was disciplinary, intending to teach Jonah and call him back. It was also damaging. Sooner or later others will have to pay for our disobedience.

Jonah was sound asleep (Jonah 1:5) and God had his eye on him. The worst thing about running from God is that one day we run out from behind His protection and are turned over to Satan (I Corinthians 5:5). Still in His permissive will, we miss the blessings of His desired will. James 4:17 tells us, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin”. The lesson is clear, don't run! If you are running, go back now! Before running from God, ask yourself, How much is my sin going to cost those around me? Because it is usually those near us that suffer the greatest harm for our mistakes.

Jonah had no interest in going to Nineveh to preach to those people. Jonah was willing to serve as long as it was something that was pleasing to him. The problem was not that Jonah did not understand the will of God, but that he did not like it. Unfortunately, there are many Christians who do not want to do what God is leading them to do. Just because we do not like it does not give us a right to reject it.

Questions to Consider:

• Are you fleeing from a Nineveh?
• Have you ever bought a ticket to Tarshish, trying to put distance between yourself and a situation the Lord wants you to deal with?

Points to Ponder:

• You can always find a ship going to Tarshish.
• You will never be disappointed if your will is submitted in the will of God.

PRAYER: Lord, I know that You pursue me because You love me. Forgive me for the times I have failed to fulfill Your plan for my life. Thank You for hearing me call out to You as You heard Jonah call out to You. May I have the courage and passion to do Your will the next time You call upon me. In Jesus name, AMEN!

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God’s GPS (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

When traveling abroad or to an area I’m unfamiliar with, I travel with my GPS. The GPS lets you know where you are and where you need to go. Once you enter your destination within seconds you have detailed directions anywhere in the world. It is so detailed that it allows you to begin your journey from the place you are currently at. From the location you are currently at it will take you to your desired destination. All you have to do is trust it (Psalm 119:105; 48:14).

At times, we may feel like we are off course. Perhaps we feel like we have taken a wrong turn or failed to make a turn and believe we are heading in the wrong direction. All because the way doesn’t seem right. As with the GPS, if we get off course, it doesn’t shut down; its reconfigures. It turns us around and gives us a detailed path to put us back on course. We may ignore the GPS, but it still continues to configure and never stops. So, it is with the Lord. He will never leave us nor forsake us. However, the LORD is with us at every turn. God has a plan for your life. If we trusted the Lord the same way we trust our GPS, life would be far less complicated. Many people fail to embrace His plan because they do not realize the starting point. Right here, right now, God is inviting all of us to follow Him, to trust Him, and to listen to Him. Like a GPS, as soon as we deviate from the designed path charted for us, the device lets us know we have gone off course; so it is with the Spirit of God. Psalm 37:23, The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way

He has mapped this way, He has scouted the trail, He has charted the course. He has already surveyed the scenery and knows the exact turns we should take. Start at your current location and listen to His instruction and guidance. Right here, right now you can begin to trust God. Not only will you get to your desired location, you’ll enjoy the trip.

Faith is like a GPS:
1. You Have to Listen for Direction
2. You Have to Start Where You Are
3. You will have to Re-route from Time to Time
4. You will be Responsible for the Drive

Life doesn’t always follow a planned route. At times in our Christian walk we come to a juncture and we need to know the direction God has for us. At other times the road may be filled with obstacles, littered with pot holes, or tied up in “construction.” Just like David, we need to hear God’s advice and counsel. Here is the great part; all we have to do is turn on our GPS (God’s Positioning System). He is our creator, our Father, and friend. God says in Psalm 32:8, I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Just as a compass can guide sailors through dark and uncharted waters, God’s Word can guide us through uncertain and difficult circumstances. We must simply trust it over our feelings, over our own wisdom, and over contrary advice others may give us.

He will never lead us down the wrong route or leave us when the road gets rough. Although we may not always understand why He steers us on a particular road, we can be confident that He knows how to get us safely to our final destination. Jim Elliot said, It’s His (God’s) business to lead, command, send, and call…it is your business to obey, follow, move, respond. If we don't know where we are going, find out which way God is moving and then get going in the same direction.

Throughout Scripture we are reminded of God’s direction over our lives. He is our good Shepherd who leads us and He desires that we follow the path that leads to joy and contentment. When we pray for God’s guidance and for discernment through the Holy Spirit, we can rest assured that God will provide wisdom! We do not have to worry about our next step or about tomorrow because we know Who guides our way! God not only knows the way – He knows the best way, and He knows the way you should take today. By faith trust Him, listen to Him, and enjoy the ride. Do not rush your day without going before God to seek guidance!

Question to Consider:
Who do you listen to when seeking direction in life?

Point to Ponder:
We must not try to direct our own lives, but yield to the direction of Jesus.

PRAYER: Lord, Heavenly Father, thank You for Your guidance. Forgive me for getting ahead of Your plans, and help me know when to stop and listen for Your direction. Your ways are perfect. In Jesus name, AMEN.

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Disconnected (Psalm 10:1)

Psalm 10:1, Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

Those who follow our daily devotions page regularly noticed this week that we had not posted a devotion for our website. The issue was out of our control. While this was frustrating for me, it was also out of my control. The more I thought about it, I began thinking of others who were (disconnected) without their internet service. Many people that depend on the internet for business, communication, social interaction, and etc. Then it hit me, what it must be like to feel disconnected from the LORD?

Have you ever had a time when it seemed that you were disconnected from God? Maybe you prayed, but it seemed God wasn’t listening. Like David, sometimes people feel disconnected from Him (Psalm 10:1). There are times in our lives when we have a distant or disconnected feeling from God, like we’ve lost our passion for our pursuit of Him. This is a very miserable feeling. In fact, sociologists report that if the power grids were to fail to produce energy to power our homes resulting in no internet service, within three days the impact would be felt mostly amongst the millennials of our generation. It causes me to ask myself. How long could I bear to be disconnected from communication to the Lord.

The truth is, God has never left us. Omnipresence means present everywhere at the same time, at all times. He has been that way for all eternity. He isn’t contained by this universe (His creation). Yet, He permeates every inch of it. That means He’s there in your bedroom, in your car, at your work, with you on vacation, and with you in times of joy and in times of immense pain and heartache. Whether you are in tune with His constant presence or not, God is right there…always. How would your life change if you lived your belief that God is holy, omniscient, that He loved you, and that unrepentant sin is what separates you from Him? God is very active in our lives. In the end when we feel isolated and alone, it is not because God is gone, but because we do not see Him working.

We sometimes feel as if God has pulled away from us, but in actuality, we have held onto things in our lives that have created that space between us and God, blocking our intimacy with Him. This can come in many forms including people, busyness, disappointment with God, career, or social media. It can come from anything that diverts your attention or drains your energy away from God. When we sin, it creates feelings of guilt, and this guilt destroys our desire for intimacy with God, creating a gap between us and Him. With a habitual sin, we are constantly reliving this cycle of sin, guilt, and repentance that wears on us and makes the space between us and God larger and larger. By admitting our struggle and working to remove a habitual sin from our lives, we close that gap and progress towards reestablishing our walk with God.

We are very grateful that we can publish these daily devotions on our website. We praise the LORD that we have an opportunity to reach the world with the Gospel. We want to thank you for your prayers and encouragement in this ministry.

PRAYER: Lord, I want to thank You for Your ever presence in my life. I want to be more connected with you. Lead the way. Put in my mind and heart, or the circumstances of my life today, what You want me to do. I know You long to speak to me and I desire to hear from You. Teach me that I might have a deeper connection with You, that the Holy Spirit may transform my life that I may perform Your will for my life. In Jesus name Amen.

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The Greatest Statement Ever Made (John 3:16)

John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I cannot remember which professor I received this from while I was in seminary. I hope it is of interest to you.

For God – the Greatest Lover
So loved – the Greatest Degree
The world – the Greatest Company
That He gave – the Greatest Act
His only begotten Son – the Greatest Gift
That whosoever – the Greatest Opportunity
Believeth – the Greatest Simplicity
In Him – the Greatest Attraction
Should not perish – the Greatest Promise
But – the Greatest Difference
Have – the Greatest Certainty
Everlasting life – the Greatest Possession

Our text is completely permeated with love.
“For God” gives the source of love;
“so loved” the fact of love;
“the world” the object of love;
“that He Gave” the act of love;
“His only begotten son” the gift of love;
“that whosoever believeth” the scope and message of love;
“should not perish but have everlasting life” the fruit of love.

John 3:16 is the most-quoted verse in the Bible, but what does John 3:16 mean to someone who has never heard it before? A tired and cold newspaper boy approached a policeman one night and asked, “Mister, where can a poor boy find a warm place to sleep tonight?” The policeman pointed down the street, “At that big, white house. Knock on the door and say, ‘John 3:16,’ and they will let you in.” When the little boy knocked on the door of the house, an elderly lady greeted him. He looked up and said, “John 3:16.” The woman invited the child inside and had him sit down in a wooden rocking chair in front of a large fireplace. As he sat there, he thought to himself, John 3:16— I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm. Later, the woman returned to offer the child food. The little boy ate . . . and ate . . . and ate until he could eat no more. Then he thought to himself, John 3:16 — Boy, it sure makes a hungry boy full. Then the woman allowed the boy to take a warm bath — the first he had ever taken. He thought to himself, John 3:16— it can make a dirty boy clean. Finally, the kindhearted woman brought the child to a large guest room where he could spend the night. As the boy slid beneath the covers, he thought, John 3:16 — it sure makes a tired boy rested. After breakfast the next morning, the woman found a Bible and sat down with the little boy by the fireplace. She asked if he understood John 3:16. “No, Ma’am, I don’t.” The woman found the verse and told the child about Jesus. He accepted Christ as his Saviour and thought to himself, John 3:16 — it sure makes a lost boy feel safe. The best truths are those which are tangible. We can clearly see them as they are applied to ordinary life circumstances. John 3:16 is such a truth. It reminds us of God’s gift to mankind and challenges us to express His love through giving. Love gives. Unleash His transforming power in your life this week.

Prayer, Father in Heaven, thank You for loving all the world, not just some of the world. Help me to continue to grow in my love for You and for everyone else.

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Is God Able?...He is More Than Able! (Daniel 3:16-18)

Daniel 3:16-18, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

When Robert Morrison was on his way to China, where he would serve as a missionary, the captain of the ship was skeptical of his calling and gave him a hard time. As Morrison was leaving the ship, the captain said to him, “I suppose you think you’re going to make an impression on China.” “No,” Robert Morrison replied simply, “I don’t think I will make an impression on China but I believe God will.”

The three young men answered firmly: they refused to plead for their lives. Trusting and loving the Lord with all their hearts, they surrendered themselves into the hands of God. They informed the king that they did not need to defend themselves, that their first loyalty belonged to the Lord and Him alone. Moreover, they knew that their God was able to save them from the fiery furnace. In fact, they were casting themselves upon the Lord to actually rescue them. But even if the Lord chose not to deliver them, they still could not betray Him. No matter what the king did to them, they could not worship the gods of Babylon nor the gold image that represented the state. The strong, steadfast faith of these young men is a perfect picture of total surrender to the Lord.

In times of trial or temptation, the one thing we need above all else is a strong, steadfast faith. The three young men could have easily compromised their faith. They could have done what we are so often tempted to do and take the easy way out. A solid, unwavering faith is needed to withstand the temptation to compromise. Throughout life, we will face critical decisions just as Daniel’s three friends did. If we choose to deny the Lord, we may escape the threats and the suffering for a brief time, but the day of departure from this world will still come. Therefore, the Lord encourages us to place our faith in Him and to grow a strong and steadfast faith.

Ephesians 3:20, Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Throughout the Bible there are examples of God demonstrating His ability. The whole point of prayer is to ask God to do what we cannot do in our own strength or ability. If we think that we can pull it off ourselves, then we don’t need to pray. God often puts His people in impossible situations to display His power and glory. God is not just able to do beyond what we ask, but abundantly beyond. But that’s not enough, He is able to do far more abundantly beyond what we ask. But, we still aren’t to the limit: The Lord our God is the God of omnipotent ability. The Omnipotent God operates in a realm that is far beyond our ability to even understand. His ability is absolute. What limitless power! His power is unlimited. He can do anything He wills. Omnipotence knows no obstacles. He is not hanging around and just sitting there—He is working within us. Whatever is required to accomplish the purposes and promises of God, “He is able” to perform.

God is never defeated. Though He may be opposed, attacked, or resisted, still the ultimate outcome can never be in doubt. Do you serve a God that can? From Genesis to Revelation, we see God’s mighty power at work. He is the God that walked with the 3 Hebrew children in the fiery furnace and rescued them out of Nebuchadnezzar’s evil hands. He is the God of Daniel who quieted the mouths of the Lions and was able to deliver him from their grasp. He is the God of Moses who parted the Red Sea and drowned the Egyptian army that pursued God’s people. He is the God of David that guided the single stone from David’s slingshot to Goliath’s head. He is the God that raised Jesus from the dead and defeated death, hell and the grave. He is a God that is greater than my understanding or ability to explain who He is. He is the Lord God almighty. How big is your God? Is He a God that can?

PRAYER: Father, although I will never fully understand Your Almighty power, I do know that nothing is ever too hard or difficult for You. I know that Your plans for me are far larger than I can imagine. Help me to never limit or hinder Your work in and through my life. In Jesus name, AMEN!

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