Use the Life Preserver

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(Photo Credit: Bern Altman)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. – 1 Peter 1:3-5

We are lost without Jesus Christ. We have no hope without Him. Someday, we will all depart from this existence, and we must each be ready. Now is the time to turn to God, because we do not know when our life on this Earth will end. By ourselves, we will fail. Even if we live a “good life”, it will not be enough to save us. We are only saved through Jesus Christ. His Name is the saving Name, which is why Jesus is called our Savior.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. – Acts 4:12

If you have walked away from the Lord, away from a righteous life, turn back now. He is your Life Preserver. When you’re drowning because of the decisions you have made, hold on to Him. Seek Him. Cry out to Him.

I walked away from church for 10 years, but when I turned my heart back to Him, He was there to forgive and preserve me again. I did not deserve to be saved at all, especially after walking away from the life God had for me. But He loved me anyway. I turned back to Him, and he responded by welcoming me back.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. – James 4:8 (World English Bible)

Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, I bring myself to you. I ask you to restore hope to me. Please preserve me. In the name of Jesus, amen.

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His Blood and His Heart

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(Photo Credit: Mike Thorn)

For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. – Leviticus 17:11

The Blood of Jesus Christ washes us clean. Jesus suffered, bled, and died, in order to redeem us from sin and death. He endured the cross. He made the ultimate atonement for our souls.

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins. – Isaiah 43:25 (World English Bible)

What an amazing gift! This verse in Isaiah shows God’s beautiful heart. The heart of God, His great love for us, led him to make His precious Blood available to us. In His Word, God is saying that loves you so much that He is willing to remove your sins from you. God is Holy, and He wants you to be without sin so you can be close to Him.

The Church is called the Body of Christ. His perfect love for us resides in His heart. It is the heart that pushes the blood through the body. So God’s heart of love extends the merciful cleansing of His Blood to His Body, the Church on Earth.

Stay connected to the Body of Christ. Let the Blood of Jesus wash you once again. Seek the Lord with all of your heart, and re-experience His mercy and love.

Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, without your Blood, I would have died in my sins. I could not remove my own sins, but you died for me out of your love for me. I’m sorry I turned away from You. But I accept your love and mercy again. Apply your Blood to me once again. Show me your love in the ways I will recognize and understand. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

 

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O LORD, My Strength

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(Photo Credit: Ales Cerin)

I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. – Psalm 18:1

Some verses of scripture are simple and powerful. Psalm 18:1 is one of them. David starts this Psalm by expressing his devotion and love to God. Then he acknowledges God as his strength.

I am very limited in strength, and God is infinite in strength. When I rely on my human strength, whether it is physical, mental, emotional, or moral, I eventually fail. Does God call us to be weak? I think He just wants us to recognize that He has more strength than we do, and rely on Him for strength.

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. – Ephesians 6:10 (World English Bible)

What kind of strength is God’s strength? God is Spirit, so His strength is spiritual. We can receive His strength in the natural world (Samson certainly did), but true strength is pure and holy. The strength and power of the Holy Spirit living inside a Christian is amazing! He gives us strength to endure difficult times and seasons in our life, strength to overcome sin, and strength to love and forgive. The world may not applaud us for it, but God is pleased when we draw on His strength.

Prayer for today: Lord God, you are my strength. I ask you for the strength I need, and the wisdom to use it well. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen!

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What Frustrates Me

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 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. – Jeremiah 10:23

I probably frustrate myself more than anything else frustrates me. I have a knack at times for over-thinking things, and trying to figure out my own way. The scripture above tells us that the path God has for each one of us is not in our human self.

Each time I have tried to live my own way apart from following God, I have ended up frustrated. A lot of times I have been confused too. Even in ministry, when I thought I “figured out” God’s Will and was following it, many times it turned out that I was listening to myself and had not really listened to Him. I analyzed situations, and added my own thoughts, hopes, and desires.

God was kind enough to let me fail, which may not sound kind. But part of God’s great mercy is giving us freedom to make choices, and picking us up afterward when we fail. As long as we go to Him, He will pick us up.

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. – Micah 7:8

Prayer for today: Lord God, show me Your way. I’m frustrated and confused. I cannot figure out the best paths to take in life. But you know all things, and I ask for your direction. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

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Standing Alone?

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I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping. – Psalm 102:7-9

Being alone can be tough. Solitude can be good, and the Bible states that our Lord Jesus purposefully removed Himself from people to pray. But feeling alone is not fun. Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s lonely at the top”? Well, it’s lonely at the bottom too. It can be lonely no matter where you are in life.

We have an amazing promise from God, that He will never leave us, and will never forsake us (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5). When we feel like we have no one to trust, no one to help us, no one to even talk with, we feel alone. But even when God seems distant, He is watching over us. When we appear to be imprisoned in our situations and difficulties, and it seems like there is no hope, God does see us. He knows exactly what we’re going through.

Trust in that. Trust that the Lord is with you in this life. Bring yourself to Jesus, so He can free your heart and mind. Let Him give you hope again.

For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; – Psalm 102:19-20

Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, I feel alone sometimes. It seems like no one is around to truly be here for me. But in this moment, I choose to bring myself to you. Please give me hope. Strengthen me with a renewed relationship and friendship with You. I need you. Something has to change, so I ask you to walk through this day with me, and to be close to me. In your name, Jesus, I ask this.

 

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