Daily Devotional ~ Where the Spirit of the Lord Is There's Freedom
Worship: If you'd like to play a song before you begin or while you read, may we recommend "I Surrender All" by Israel Houghton (Ho-ton).
Daily Verse: “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
☆Matthew 6:25-27 NLT
Let's Talk About It: For far too long we have clung ferociously to the things of this world. We have forgotten our God. We have removed Him from virtually everything and everywhere, except our money.
That screams, "in God we trust." But do we? I can't even go on a college campus and invite people to a Young Adults church meeting. I can't pray loud and boldly in public without being heckled. My child doesn't get to learn about creation in school, but every other known argument (whether backed by science or theoretical-meaning it cannot be proven) is handed out on silver platters.
We have placed money as the upmost importance in our lives. We miss soccer games and school plays for that almighty dollar, because we want to give our kids something we never had.
What about Jesus?
We've left Him out of our lives (and I'm not speaking to individuals here, but society) so long, but there is good news, all we have to do is repent. Repent literally means to turn away from. Some people associate with that the fact they have to stop living life like they do now. While that's true, we don't accomplish this by simply turning away.
We accomplish overcoming our sin by choosing Jesus over our idols. To the drug addicted Christian who hates their dependency, you've got to decide to choose Jesus instead of the drugs. He WILL lead you away from it-one day at a time. And I should know, at one time in my life, over 15 years ago, I was addicted. Christ is who set me free. Not me trying to quit on my own. I tried that everyday and I still couldn't stop. That's because I was choosing myself and my own capabilities, and I simply could not do it.
But when I chose Jesus, HE made the way. He told me who I could confide in, and who would support me during that time. When the whole world turned it's back on me, Jesus did not.
Listen friend, I know today is not easy. You may have a REAL NEED right now and I believe Christ is going to meet every single one. He cares for you. He loves you. He supports you. And He is for YOU!
Maybe you don't have a problem with drugs, but maybe you do have a problem with shopping to much, eating too much, gossiping, staying on social media for extended periods of time, or maybe even working too much (I've been there too).
None of that is going to count for anything when we stand before Christ on the Bema seat and are judged. Let's take this time to get our priorities right, friend. After all, God may have stopped the entire globe in her tracks for just the purpose of preparing His church. Will you take advantage of this time and allow Him to fix all that He wishes?
Additional Reading: “But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
☆ Ezekiel 18:21 NKJV
Prayer: Father God, I thank you for this beautiful day. Lord, I thank you for showing me where my heart lies so that I can take everything that I've placed above you, at your feet. Thank you for freeing me from that which holds me hostage. Jesus, thank you for giving me strength when I am weak, food when I am hungry, water when I am thirty, and healing when I am hurting. Lord, you are my refuge. I submit to your ways Jesus. Teach me how to live like you lived. Allow me to see the world as you see the world, Lord. Thank you for doing a good work in me. I trust you, Lord, and I choose to pick up my cross and follow you not just today, but every single day for the rest of my life. Thank you for setting me free from all that keeps me from you. I love you Lord, and in your name I pray, Jesus, amen.
Daily Verse: “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
☆Matthew 6:25-27 NLT
Let's Talk About It: For far too long we have clung ferociously to the things of this world. We have forgotten our God. We have removed Him from virtually everything and everywhere, except our money.
That screams, "in God we trust." But do we? I can't even go on a college campus and invite people to a Young Adults church meeting. I can't pray loud and boldly in public without being heckled. My child doesn't get to learn about creation in school, but every other known argument (whether backed by science or theoretical-meaning it cannot be proven) is handed out on silver platters.
We have placed money as the upmost importance in our lives. We miss soccer games and school plays for that almighty dollar, because we want to give our kids something we never had.
What about Jesus?
We've left Him out of our lives (and I'm not speaking to individuals here, but society) so long, but there is good news, all we have to do is repent. Repent literally means to turn away from. Some people associate with that the fact they have to stop living life like they do now. While that's true, we don't accomplish this by simply turning away.
We accomplish overcoming our sin by choosing Jesus over our idols. To the drug addicted Christian who hates their dependency, you've got to decide to choose Jesus instead of the drugs. He WILL lead you away from it-one day at a time. And I should know, at one time in my life, over 15 years ago, I was addicted. Christ is who set me free. Not me trying to quit on my own. I tried that everyday and I still couldn't stop. That's because I was choosing myself and my own capabilities, and I simply could not do it.
But when I chose Jesus, HE made the way. He told me who I could confide in, and who would support me during that time. When the whole world turned it's back on me, Jesus did not.
Listen friend, I know today is not easy. You may have a REAL NEED right now and I believe Christ is going to meet every single one. He cares for you. He loves you. He supports you. And He is for YOU!
Maybe you don't have a problem with drugs, but maybe you do have a problem with shopping to much, eating too much, gossiping, staying on social media for extended periods of time, or maybe even working too much (I've been there too).
None of that is going to count for anything when we stand before Christ on the Bema seat and are judged. Let's take this time to get our priorities right, friend. After all, God may have stopped the entire globe in her tracks for just the purpose of preparing His church. Will you take advantage of this time and allow Him to fix all that He wishes?
Additional Reading: “But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
☆ Ezekiel 18:21 NKJV
Prayer: Father God, I thank you for this beautiful day. Lord, I thank you for showing me where my heart lies so that I can take everything that I've placed above you, at your feet. Thank you for freeing me from that which holds me hostage. Jesus, thank you for giving me strength when I am weak, food when I am hungry, water when I am thirty, and healing when I am hurting. Lord, you are my refuge. I submit to your ways Jesus. Teach me how to live like you lived. Allow me to see the world as you see the world, Lord. Thank you for doing a good work in me. I trust you, Lord, and I choose to pick up my cross and follow you not just today, but every single day for the rest of my life. Thank you for setting me free from all that keeps me from you. I love you Lord, and in your name I pray, Jesus, amen.