READ | 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
Yesterday we learned two ways to prepare for life’s difficulties: biblical thinking and balanced judgment. First Peter 1 has further instructions, which include . . .
Fixing our hope on Jesus (v. 13). No matter how hard the circumstances, life has purpose and meaning in Christ. The Savior has promised always to be with us and to keep watch as a shepherd cares for his sheep (Matt. 28:20; John 10:14). Through the Holy Spirit’s transforming power, troubled times can become opportunities to learn more about God’s faithfulness, draw on His strength, and experience personal growth.
Resisting our former lifestyle (v. 14). When troubles come, it is tempting to revert to ungodly habits or take up new ones. In these seasons of life, Satan will encourage us to pursue any path that leads away from the Lord. We need to remember that we are new creations whose lifestyles are to match our position as God’s children. That old behavior does not fit us anymore.
Making holiness our goal (v. 15). Being “holy,” or “set apart,” begins with giving up control over our life to the Holy Spirit. As we submit to Him, He will begin to express the life of Christ through us. By learning what pleases God and acting accordingly, we cooperate with His efforts to conform us to the Son’s image.
While struggles are part of everyday life, we do not have to be overcome by them. Think about a specific step you can take to start carrying out these instructions today.
From: InTouch - Early Light Devotionals
Monday, November 17, 2008
When Love Is Real
0
comments
Labels: Bible Devotionals, Christian Lifestyles, Daily Devotions, Instant Daily Devotion, Max Lucado, Spiritual Reminder, Youth Devotionals
Labels: Bible Devotionals, Christian Lifestyles, Daily Devotions, Instant Daily Devotion, Max Lucado, Spiritual Reminder, Youth Devotionals
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
Romans 12:15 NASB
The summer before my eighth-grade year I made friends with a guy named Larry. He was new to town, so I encouraged him to go out for our school football team…
The result was a good news-bad news scenario. The good news? He made the cut. The bad news? He won my position. I tried to be happy for him, but it was tough.
A few weeks into the season Larry fell off a motorcycle and broke a finger. I remember the day he stood at my front door holding up his bandaged hand. “Looks like you’re going to have to play.”
I tried to fell sorry for him, but it was hard. The passage was a lot easier for Paul to write than it was for me to practice. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
You want to plumb the depths of your love for someone? How do you feel when that person succeeds?
From: Max Lucado
Romans 12:15 NASB
The summer before my eighth-grade year I made friends with a guy named Larry. He was new to town, so I encouraged him to go out for our school football team…
The result was a good news-bad news scenario. The good news? He made the cut. The bad news? He won my position. I tried to be happy for him, but it was tough.
A few weeks into the season Larry fell off a motorcycle and broke a finger. I remember the day he stood at my front door holding up his bandaged hand. “Looks like you’re going to have to play.”
I tried to fell sorry for him, but it was hard. The passage was a lot easier for Paul to write than it was for me to practice. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
You want to plumb the depths of your love for someone? How do you feel when that person succeeds?
From: Max Lucado
Praise and an Untrue Heart
0
comments
Labels: Bible Devotionals, Christian Lifestyles, Crosswalk Devotionals, Daily Devotions, Instant Daily Devotion, Spiritual Encouragement, Youth Devotionals
Labels: Bible Devotionals, Christian Lifestyles, Crosswalk Devotionals, Daily Devotions, Instant Daily Devotion, Spiritual Encouragement, Youth Devotionals
Pride is not the only thing that can keep us from praising God. An untrue heart can squelch both the desire and the ability to develop a life of praise. An untrue heart is a heart that is insincere, hypocritical, or filled with doubt. The writer of Hebrews said:
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).
There are some people who try to honor God with their lips while their hearts are full of anger, bitterness, or envy. However, God knows the status of our hearts and our weaknesses.
We cannot develop a life of praise alone or in our own strength. Instead, we must surrender our intellect, feelings, and will to the Lord. As we do this, God will empower us to develop a habit of praising Him—regardless of our circumstances.
In Genesis 22, when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, He was asking him to surrender the object of his love. He was asking Abraham to give up something that meant more to him than anything else.
Did God want Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? No. God wanted to be certain that Abraham was willing to surrender everything to Him. Like Abraham, God wants us to surrender to Him. He wants us to praise Him. Praise is a sacrifice that costs us our pride, our plans, and our desires. True praise requires that we place everything on the altar to the Lord.
Don’t let pride or an untrue heart keep you from a life of praise. Yield to the Lord, come before Him in humility, and God will give you His strength and power to live a victorious life.
From: CrossWalk Devotionals
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).
There are some people who try to honor God with their lips while their hearts are full of anger, bitterness, or envy. However, God knows the status of our hearts and our weaknesses.
We cannot develop a life of praise alone or in our own strength. Instead, we must surrender our intellect, feelings, and will to the Lord. As we do this, God will empower us to develop a habit of praising Him—regardless of our circumstances.
In Genesis 22, when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, He was asking him to surrender the object of his love. He was asking Abraham to give up something that meant more to him than anything else.
Did God want Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? No. God wanted to be certain that Abraham was willing to surrender everything to Him. Like Abraham, God wants us to surrender to Him. He wants us to praise Him. Praise is a sacrifice that costs us our pride, our plans, and our desires. True praise requires that we place everything on the altar to the Lord.
Don’t let pride or an untrue heart keep you from a life of praise. Yield to the Lord, come before Him in humility, and God will give you His strength and power to live a victorious life.
From: CrossWalk Devotionals
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
