Author: mary

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Verse of the Day

Hebrews 11:5

It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying-“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.

Hebrews 11:5

Walk with God

The story of Enoch has always intrigued me. Here we have the recount of the story from Genesis. Enoch walked with God and had a pure heart, so God spared him death and took him to heaven to be with Him. He was known as a person who pleased the Lord. Can you imagine what that must’ve been like? Did people see? Did people wonder what happened to Enoch? Were they so aware of his faith that they knew he must have gone to be with the Lord?

This should be every Christian’s goal. Not to escape death, but to walk with God in such a way that their lives are a mirror of who God is. They please the Lord with every word and every action. Take some time to really pray and ask God to help you walk with Him everyday.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
May I walk with you everyday. Help strengthen my relationship with you. I long to have the type of friendship with you that Enoch had. Amen.

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Today’s Truth

Today’s Truth: Salvation Alone

The best gift that we receive from God at the moment of salvation is the promise of eternal life with Jesus. Romans 2:6-7 says, “He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.”

To those who place their hope and trust in Jesus will inherit eternal life. This verse is not saying that heaven is based on works, but based on the fruit of the Christian life. If someone professes to know Christ and is one of His children, then they will want to serve the Lord. Works are a part of the fruit for the Christian. Salvation is not based on works alone, but it is the driving force behind the works.

Many believe that their works alone will get them to heaven. However, this is a lie that the enemy would have you believe. Our works are a product of the gratitude we feel for the one who saved us.

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Verse of the Day

Hebrews 11:4

It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

Hebrews 11:4

A Tainted Sacrifice

In Hebrews 11:4 we see a reminder of a tragic story of pride and jealousy. Cain and Abel were Adam and Eve’s sons. They both worked hard and reaped what they sowed in more ways than one. Cain was the firstborn son. Cain was the farmer and Abel was the shepherd. While they both made sacrifices to the Lord, God loved Abel’s sacrifices more. He knew something that they did not. While they both made sacrifices, Cain’s heart was far from the Lord. When God did not accept his sacrifice, Cain murdered his brother and lied about it to God. God predicted this event in Genesis 4:2 when he told Cain that sin crouched at his door. Sin took hold of Cain and did not let go.

Unfortunately, this still happens in churches across the world today. Many go to church and “make their sacrifices,” yet their hearts are far from the Lord. Take some time to pray for your own heart, that you would not allow sin to crowd out your sacrifices for the Lord.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
Protect my heart. Help me forgive. Forgive me for my sins. May my sacrifices be that of Abels, pleasing to your heart. Amen.

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Today’s Truth

Today’s Truth: A Blessing and Privilege

It is a blessing and privilege to serve the Lord. Jesus made service possible when He died on the cross for mankind. Ephesians 3:7 says, “By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.” So why doesn’t man spread the news that he has so freely been given? What stops him?

Man can be so distracted in everyday life. Instead of seeing the Gospel as the most important thing, he (or she) puts everything above God: spouses, family, friends, careers, success, etc. Over time, man can crowd God out of his life and leaves no room for God to dwell. Is this you? Have you become so distracted that you have pushed God out of your life?

Maybe this is a question that each one of us needs to ask ourselves. We need to truly look inside ourselves and really take a look at our priorities. Do we truly spread the truth and are we diligent in carrying the Gospel everywhere we go?

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Verse of the Day

Galatians 5:1

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Galatians 5:1

Freedom in Christ

Freedom. What do you think of when you hear the word freedom? Do you think of a prisoner of war set free? Or the freedom to say what you want to say? The freedom to choose the career you want or the life you want? Everyone wants some sort of freedom. Children want freedom from their parents. Parents sometimes want freedom from the children! Employees want the freedom to show their bosses what they are capable of.

The greatest freedom we can ever find; however, is freedom in Jesus Christ. The best gift He gave us was the gift of freedom when He died on the cross for our sins. He freed us from the bondage of sin. This verse tells us to live in our freedom and stay free. Do not get tied up in the yoke of slavery once again. Live in your freedom. You will find peace, joy, and a life of love when you live in your freedom.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
You are the giver of freedom. You gave us such a beautiful gift when you sent your Son Jesus to the earth to die on the cross. May I always live in your freedom. Amen

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Today’s Truth

Today’s Truth: Blessed

Romans 4:7-8 tells us that “”Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”” These verses say a lot about the Christian life. When you come to know the Lord, you experience His blessings. Forgiveness is a blessing because it allows you to feel free sin. God’s grace of God is a blessing. It is given when it is not deserved. It allows God to dismiss the sins of His people.

The Christian life is such a blessing. It is a blessing and joy to serve the Lord in your community and nation. It is a blessing to get to know the Lord through prayer and His Word. It is a blessing getting to know other believers in the body of Christ, encouraging and lifting one another up. It is a blessing being a part of the ministry of Christ. Everything is such a blessing.

If you know someone who needs to know the forgiveness, grace and mercy of our God, then pray and ask God to help you focus on Him and who He is.

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Verse of the Day

John 16:22

So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.

John 16:22

Rejoice Again

The joy God gives the believer is eternal. When someone comes to know Him, he places His joy down deep in the believer’s heart so that it never goes away. No one can steal that joy. No matter what happens in this life, His joy will be with you. When you lose a loved one after a hard battle with cancer, His joy will be there. He will work good in the midst of sorrow. When you lose your job and can’t seem to figure out what comes next in your life, His joy will be there. It will carry you through. When you see the hardships that others go through, whether it is family or friends, His joy will be there for you to spread. His joy is always there. His Word brings rejoicing. His hope brings rejoicing. His peace brings rejoicing.

So lift your head up and rejoice, oh child of God. He has given you reason to rejoice. You belong to Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you. His joy will always be there, even when it’s difficult to see. He is always rejoicing over you, so rejoice in Him.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
You have placed your joy in my heart. Thank you for never leaving me and always rejoicing over me. May I find my hope, joy, and peace in you. Amen

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Today’s Truth

Today’s Truth: Living by Faith

There have been many people throughout the Bible that were known for their faith and how they walked with the Lord. Hebrews 11:2 says, “Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.” Romans 4:3 more specifically says, “For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”” Abraham’s belief in the Lord was counted to him as righteousness. Abraham trusted God and followed Him to a new land. He continued to show his faith when he was willing to sacrifice his son to show his love and devotion to the Lord.

Noah showed his faith by building an ark and preparing for a worldwide flood before it happened. Joseph showed faith by trusting in the Lord his entire life even when life was very difficult. Ruth followed her mother-in-law and her faith to another land. Esther trusted that God could deliver their people. The list goes on and on. There are so many who showed their faith throughout the Bible.

What about you? What will be said of you when your life is over? Will you be known for your faith? Spend some time praying today and asking God to help you live by faith.

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Verse of the Day

Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23‬

Fruit of the Spirit Devotional

Salvation is just the start of a new believer’s beginning. God places his Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer at the moment of conversion and the transformation begins. The Holy Spirit is meant to continually help and guide the believer through this life as he or she makes decisions every single day. When faced with a choice, the new believer will now have the direction of the Holy Spirit and can pray and ask for help at any time. Not only does the Spirit offer His wisdom, but He also produces fruit that will bloom throughout the believer’s life. So the old way of living vanishes and is replaced by a new life with the Lord. What is the fruit you may ask? This verse tells us the fruit the Spirit produces within us is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And the wonderful part of it all is that there is no law and no limit to these fruits which are constantly being produced.

Take heart that whether you are a new believer such as the one described here, or a seasoned believer, you have the Holy Spirit living and breathing inside of you, working to produce a life that pleases the Lord. The Holy Spirit never leaves, is always interceding on your behalf, and never stops producing well within you.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to work inside of me. Thank you for never leaving me and always working to make me someone who is pleasing to you. May my life be a sweet aroma before you.
Amen!

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Today’s Truth

Today’s Truth: For All Have Sinned

Since the law shows us our desperate need for a Savior, Jesus shows us His grace through which we are saved. Romans 3:23-24 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Every person has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. In other words, we are all in need of a Savior. We all need His grace and mercy. This is the first part of this verse that gives us hope.

The second part of this verse tells us that at the moment of salvation, we are justified freely by His grace and the redemption of Jesus. We have been given this gift of salvation freely; it cost us nothing. However, it cost Him everything. God gave His one and only Son for His people and their sins.