Author: mary

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.

Titus 3:5

The Works Christ Has Done

His salvation was not anything we could do. It was His doing, His sacrifice, His gift. He was the one who did the work, not us. This is one of the best parts of Christianity; it is not a works based religion like so many others. Instead, it is a choice, a decision, a commitment. In His mercy, He gave His Son up as a sacrifice, He poured out His grace, and washed us of our sins. He gave us a new life. A new chance to start again. A chance to walk in the way of the Lord and in His freedom instead of living in chains.

Have you accepted this free gift? While it cost Him everything, it cost you nothing. Even if you have accepted His gift, do you live in your freedom or continue to allow sin to bind you and hold you captive? Thank God for the freedom He has given you through Christ!

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
Your gift is free and beautiful. Thank you for that great gift. May I live in your freedom every day. Amen.

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Matthew 7:22-23

The Point of Salvation

This verse is a hard pill to swallow. However, the reality is that there are many who will say they knew the name of the Lord, and yet, they will not see heaven. They will not spend eternity in the presence of the Lord. So why is this? Many people have a misconception of who God is and their role in the body of Christ. Eternity begins with the regeneration of man. There has to be a point of salvation in the believer’s heart, a turning point that begins with asking for forgiveness. Everything after that is an outpouring of the salvation that has been given. It is possible that someone can spend their life serving without ever asking for forgiveness. Who were they serving? Man or God?

It isn’t our place to judge someone’s salvation, but we must communicate the redemption and restoration of God often to those around us.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
I pray for those around me who do not know you like I know you. May they know you in an intimate way and trust in your salvation. Amen.

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood before the crowd after the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the people and preached, urging them to repent and turn to the Lord. In Acts 2:22-25, Peter tells about God’s plan from the beginning. He then goes on to say in verse 25, “I see that the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.” What great hope that Peter gave the people that day!

God has given us that same hope. He is pleading with us to repent and be baptized first. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, leading you through this life. When you receive His gift of salvation, you also have the promise of His presence with you as verse 25 says. If you have already accepted this gift, then you need to spread the gift of salvation with those around you, just as Peter did on the day of Pentecost!

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
Thank you for your gift of the Holy Spirit. You have saved me and given me this great gift so that I will never be alone. You are a good God. Amen.

He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
     He will carry the lambs in his arms,
 holding them close to his heart.
     He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. Isaiah 40:11

The Great Shepherd

Jesus is the good shepherd. If you have ever seen any of the old pictures of a shepherd carrying a sheep and His flock following behind, then you understand what it looks like for Jesus to be our shepherd and believers as His flock. We are all sheep who have gone astray and need our shepherd to seek us out and carry us back. Just as a shepherd loves His flock and cares for each one of them, Jesus loves every believer and holds them close to His heart. He leads them to walk right beside them, always being their guide. He cares for each one of them individually.

Have you allowed Jesus to be your shepherd? Have you allowed Him to pick you up when you are broken? Carry you when you are weak? Lead you back to the flock? He is the good shepherd and loves us with an unconditional love.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
You are the good shepherd. You love us and want us to follow after you as sheep follow after their shepherd. Thank you for always carrying me when I cannot even lift my head. Amen.

He was oppressed and treated harshly,
     yet he never said a word.
 He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
     And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
     he did not open his mouth.
Isaiah 53:7

Like a Lamb to the Slaughter

When Jesus went to the cross, He was a man. He was man and God. He was a human with emotions; He felt as humans feel. He was also God who knew what He had to do, and He followed God’s will. He never complained. He never tried to get out of it. Jesus obeyed the will of His Father and in obedience, He went to the cross willingly. The hardest thing He had to do, and yet, He was silent.

How many times do we complain about what is being asked of us? We follow our own plan instead of seeking the will of God. When we know He is calling us to do something, we act like Jonah and run the other way. More than likely, He is not asking you to sacrifice your life as He asked of Jesus. But He may be asking you to share your faith with someone or serve your church. Pray and ask what it is God would have you do to be a follower of Him.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
Thank you for your Son Jesus. You sent Him to sacrifice Himself so that I may live. Help me live my life in such a way that is pleasing to you everyday. Amen.