Thursday Devotional - Condemned or Not Condemned?

We can’t ever be good enough or meet God’s expectations. We are born sinners, sinful and condemned. That’s why God sent Jesus to live the perfect life we couldn’t. As the perfect human, He paid for our sins to save us from our condemned state.

John 3:16-18       For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

The only way we won’t remain condemned is by believing in Jesus’ work and letting His righteousness cover us. He then gives us the Spirit to help us live the life He intended us to live!

Romans 8:1-4      Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

How are you and I submitting to the Spirit, allowing Him to rule our minds? What areas of our mind do we still need help to give over?

Let’s praise God for His mercy to save us from condemnation and live in freedom by submitting to the Spirit!

Alice

Finding Rest

 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

The doctor asks, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how severe is your pain level?” My wife replies, “Seven.”  I thought to myself, “Seven?”  She didn’t tell me that!  And in a moment, my week began not with the plans I had made or the various arrangements to ensure a very productive week.  Now, I had to make do with a new plan.  Focus on Loretta.  Then as the minutes went to hours, my focus went to my daughter.  What do I do about her dinner?  I can’t leave my wife’s side!  And I have so much work to do and things to plan for next weekend’s church service.  How am I going to figure this out?  Lord, I can’t.  I just can’t!  And then, I read words that I had heard numerous times.  “Come onto me.  All ye that labor.  And I will give your rest.” (Matthew 11:28b – KJV)

We should always take a moment to focus on God where we are. Not just as part of a ritual.  We all have various points in life where all of its issues and burdens seemingly come together.  It can be challenging and difficult to put things together, and you may feel out of sorts.  But Jesus Christ understands not just who you are but whose you are.  Furthermore, He is not only our savior at prayer time but also at stormy times.  We must always remain focused on the simple fact that when things are out of control, He is always in control.  We must rely on Him with the perfect peace that only He can provide.

There is nothing too big that our God cannot handle. It is paramount we remember that while we may not know the outcome of our story, we know who ultimately wins; Jesus Christ!  As such, we must remember that while we may struggle in our times of troubles there are a couple of stories that should instill confidence in Him.  First, Peter, when he started to sink while walking, “Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”” (Matthew 14:31)  Finally, Jesus reminds us in times of trouble, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  Where are you filled with sorrow, grief, and worry today?  What can you do to ensure you find the peace Jesus Christ speaks of?  My prayer is that when we are worn down with the various troubles of the world, we find rest in our savior; Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tues Devo: In and Out

Hello,

So yeah, not really talking about the burger place today – sorry for the false hopes there.

These days we hear a lot about the impact/effect that food intake has to people. We are vigilant with various allergies – for some are very aware of the reaction to certain foods. If you have kids you might be careful about when they get chocolate (I only like to do that when I know they can outside and burn it off!) or other sugar, because you know the reaction it will have.

What we put in us, impacts what comes out.

Of course, this is nothing new.  The Bible has many food references, but also has several mentions of that which is in the heart coming out in what we say. I like in Luke, where we see this extended on the front of the equation - Luke 6:44-46 “For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” (NASB)

At the end of v46, we are not informed that the mouth speaks from the heart – but from “that which FILLS the heart.” That is, what we put into our heart will impact what comes out.

We have to guard what we put into us, what we consume, what we choose to surround ourselves with. What we put in, will impact what comes out.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill