Living in Christ's Love

"So now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears we may have boldness and not be ashamed before Him at His coming"  - 1 John 2:28-29 / HCSB

Even though we are imperfect, fallible human beings, even though we have fallen far short of God's commandments, Christ loves us still.  His love is perfect and steadfast; it does not waver - it does not change. Our task, as believers, is to accept Christ's love and to encourage others to do likewise.

 

In today's troubled world, we all need the love and the peace that is found through the Son of God.  Thankfully, Christ's love has no limits; it can encircle all of us.  And it is up to each of us to ensure that it does.

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"If you come to Christ, you will always have the option of an ever-present friend. You don't have to dial long distance.  He'll be with you every step of the way"

== Bill Hybels

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Lord, we know that You love us today and that You will love us forever.  And we thank you for Your love today and forever.

Blessed Beyond Measure

"May the Lord bless you and keep you.  May the Lord show you his kindness and have mercy on you" -- Numbers 6:24-25 / New Century Version
 

Have you counted your blessings lately?  You should.  Of course, God's gifts are too numerous to count, but we should at least attempt to count them nonetheless. Your blessings can include life, family, friends, talents, jobs and possessions, for starters.  And your greatest gift, a treasure that was paid for on the cross and is yours for the asking is God's gift of salvation through Christ Jesus.

 

As believing Christians, we have all been blessed beyond measure.  Yes, there will be days of hardship and days of loss, but we have been blessed in many other capacities.  Thus, thanksgiving should become a habit, a regular part of our daily routines.  Today, let us pause and thank our Creator for His blessing.  And let us demonstrate our gratitude to the Giver of all things good by using His gifts for the glory of the kingdom.

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"We prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts He has in store for us, because we do not give thanks for daily gifts" = Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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Lord, You have given us so much, and we are thankful.  We know that every good thing You have given us is to be shared with others. We give thanks for Your gifts  . . and we will share them. 

A Relationship That Honors God

"My mouth is full of praise and honor to You all day long"  -- Psalm 71:8 / HCSB

 

As you think about the nature of your relationship with God, remember this: you will always have some type of relationship with Him - it is inevitable that your life must be lived in relationship to God.  The question is not if you will have a relationship with Him; the burning question is whether or not that relationship will be one that seeks to honor Him.

 

Are you willing to place God first in your life? And, are you willing to welcome God's Son into your heart? Unless you can honestly answer these questions with a resounding yes, then your relationship with God isn't what it could be or should be. Thankfully, God is always available. He's always ready to forgive, and He's waiting to hear from you now.  The rest, of course, is up to you.

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"A faith that hasn't been tested can't be trusted" -- Adrian Rogers

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Lord, we praise You from the depths of our hearts and we give thanks for Your goodness, for Your mercy, and for Your Son. Let us honor You every day of our lives through our words and through our deeds. Let us honor You with all that we have and all that we are. 

God is Love

"The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love"  --  1 John 4:8 / HCSB

 

God loves you.  Did you hear me?  He loves you more than you can imagine.  His affection is deeper than you can fathom.  God made you in His own image and gave you salvation through the person of His Son Jesus Christ.  And as a result, you have an important decision to make.  You must decide what to do about God's love; you can return it . .. . or not.

 

When you accept the love that flows from the heart of God, you are transformed.  When you embrace God's love, you feel differently about yourself, your neighbors, your community, your church and your world.  When you open your heart to God's love, you will feel compelled to share God's message - and His compassion with others. God's heart is overflowing. Accept His love; return His love; and share His love today!

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"Often, in the midst of great problems, we stop short of the real blessing God has for us, which is a fresh vision of who He is"

-- Anne Graham Lotz

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Lord, the Bible tells us that You are our loving Father.  We thank You for Your love and for Your Son.  We will praise You, we will worship You, and we will love You today, tomorrow and forever.

Choosing to Please God

"I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.  Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, love the Lord your God, obey Him, and remain faithful to Him.  For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land the Lord swore to give to your father Abraham, Isaac and Jacob"  -- Deuteronomy 30:19-20 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

 

Sometimes, because you are an imperfect human being, you may become so wrapped up in meeting society's expectations that you fail to focus on God's expectations.  To do so is a mistake of major proportions - don't make it.  Instead, seek God's guidance as you focus your energies on becoming the best "you" that you can possibly be.  And, when it comes to matters of conscience, seek approval not from your peers, but from your Creator.

Whom will you try to please today:  God or man?  Your primary obligation is not to please imperfect men and women.  Your obligation is to strive diligently to meet the expectations of an all-knowing and perfect God.  Trust Him always. Love Him always. Praise Him always. And make choices that please Him. Always.

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"Faith is not a feeling; it is action. It is a willed choice"  -- Elisabeth Elliot

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Lord, today, we will choose to please You and only You.  We will obey Your commandments and we will praise You for Your gifts, for your love, and for Your Son.

The Gift of Cheerfulness

"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up" 

-- Proverbs 12:25 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

 

Cheerfulness is a gift that we give to others and to ourselves.  As believers who have been saved by a risen Christ, why shouldn't we be cheerful?  The answer, of course, is that we have every reason to honor our Savior with joy in our hearts, smiles on our faces, and words of celebration on our lips.

 

Christ promises us lives of abundance and joy if we accept His love and His grace.  Yet sometimes, even the most righteous among us are beset by fits of ill temper and frustration. During these moments, we may not feel like turning our thoughts and prayers to Christ, but that's precisely what we should do.  When we do so, we simply can't stay grumpy for long.

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"The people whom I have seen succeed best in life have always been cheerful and hopeful people who went about their business with a smile on their faces"

-- Charles Kingsley

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Lord, You have given us so many reasons to celebrate. Today, let us choose an attitude of cheerfulness.  Let us be a joyful Christian, quick to smile and slow to anger.  And, let us share Your goodness with all who we meet so that Your love might shine in us and through us.  Amen.

Courage During Times of Change

"Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own"  -- Matthew 6:34 / Holman Christian Standard Bible
 

Are you anxious about situations that you cannot control?  Take your anxieties to God.  Are you troubled about changes that threaten to disrupt your life?  Take your troubles to Him.  Does your corner of the world seem to be trembling beneath your feet?  Seek protection from the One who cannot be moved.
 

The same God who created the universe will protect you if you ask Him . . . so ask Him . . . and then serve Him with willing hands and a trusting heart.  And rest assured that the world may change moment by moment, but God's love endures - unfathomable and unchanging - forever.

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"When we are young, change is a treat; but as we grow older, change becomes a threat.  But when Jesus Christ is in control of your life, you need never fear change or decay" 

-- Warren Wiersbe

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Lord, help us to become that person who can be and should be.  Guide us along a path of Your choosing and let us follow in the footsteps of Your Son, today and every day. Amen.

Faith

" ... because whatever has been born of God conquers the world.  This is the victory that has conquered the world:  our faith"  - 1 John 5:4
 

The first element of a successful life is faith:  faith in God, faith in His Son, and faith in His promises.  If we place our lives in God's hands, our faith is rewarded in ways that we as human beings with clouded vision and limited understanding can scarcely comprehend.  But, if we seek to rely solely upon our own resources, or if we seek earthly success outside the boundaries of God's commandments, we reap a bitter harvest for ourselves and for our loved ones.
 

Do you desire the abundance and success that God has promised?  Then trust Him today and every day that you live.  Then, when you have entrusted your future to the Giver of all things good, rest assured that your future is secure, not only for today, but also for all eternity.  You will suffer loss in this world - I have.  And all those who read this, know this is true.  But, even though I have suffered great loss, I desire the abundance and success that God has promised to me.  And I trust Him today and every day that I live.  I know my future is secure.  Is yours?

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"Every man lives by faith, the nonbeliever as well as the saint; the one by faith in natural laws and the other by faith in God"  -- A.W. Tozer

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Lord, in the dark moments of our lives, help us to remember that You are always near and that You can overcome any challenge.  Keep us mindful of Your love and Your power, so that we may live courageously and faithfully today and every day.  Amen.

Eternal Perspective

"He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior so that having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life" 

-- Titus 3:6-7 / Holman Christian Standard Bible
 

Our vision for the future, like our lives here on earth, is limited.  God's vision is not burdened by such limitations. His plans extend throughout all eternity.  Thus, God's plans for you and me are not limited to the ups and downs of everyday life. Our Heavenly Father has bigger things in mind . . . much bigger things.

 

Christ sacrificed His life on the cross so that we might have eternal life. This gift, freely given by God's only begotten Son, is the priceless possession of everyone who accepts Him as Lord and Savior. So, when you encounter troubles, keep things in perspective.  Although you will experience occasional defeats in this world, you'll have all eternity to celebrate the ultimate victory in the next.

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"All that is not eternal is eternally out of date"  -- C. S. Lewis

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Lord, we know that this world is not our home.  We are only here for a short time.  You have given us the priceless gift of eternal life through Your Son Jesus.  Keep the promise of Heaven in our hearts and help us to pass through this world with joy, with perspective, with thanksgiving, and with praise on our lips for You. Amen.

The Right Kind of Behavior

"This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him:  by keeping His commands"  

-- 1 John 2:3 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

When we seek righteousness in our own lives -- and when we seek the companionship of those who do likewise -- we reap the spiritual rewards that God intends for us to enjoy.  When we behave as godly men and women, we honor God.  When we live righteously and according to God's commandments, He blesses us  in ways that we cannot fully understand.

Today, as you fulfill your responsibilities, hold fast that which is good, and associate yourself with believers who behave in good fashion. When you do, your good works will serve as a powerful example for others and as a worthy offering to your Creator.

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"A pure theology and a loose morality will never mix"  --- C. H. Spurgeon

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Dear Lord, this world has countless temptations, distractions, interruptions, and frustrations.  When we allow our focus to drift away from You and Your Word, we suffer.  But, when we turn our thoughts and our prayers to You, Heavenly Father, You guide our path.  Let us discover the  right thing to do - and let us do it - this day and every day that we live.  Amen.