Category: Daily Devotional

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, & the Word was with God, & the Word was God. Deut 4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you. Matt 5:18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven & earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Matt 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. — So thankful that Christ came to fulfill the word! It is He who will accomplish it all! So grateful! Have you ever come up against something that you could do absolutely nothing to change the outcome! This is those hard places that require HELP! Well I am here to tell you He HELPS! And HELPS! How awesome is that! Love Mel

Eph 2:8 For by grace are you saved through faith.  James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. Romans 3:24 We are Justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 2Tim 2:1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Acts 20:32 Now I commend you to God & to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up & to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Gal 1:15 When He who had set me apart before I was born, & who called me by His grace. Titus 2:12 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness & worldly passions, & to live self-controlled, upright, & godly lives in the present age.  —Saved by Grace! Humility in Grace! Redemption in Grace! Salvation in Grace! Justified by Grace! Strengthened by Grace! Built up by Grace! Called by Grace! Live by Grace! It’s all about His Grace! Love Mel

From Bill : Gut check.  Remember salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone & heavenly rewards are merit based.  Note this scripture:  Matt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, & cast out demons in your name, & do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 & then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”  How can we be absolutely sure we know the Lord? —How can we be sure our works will not burn up at the Judgement Seat of Christ leaving us with salvation but little reward?  1.We must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.  2.We should see some progress in our lives over time & Have a desire to be like Him. BUT HERE is the acid test. 3. Do you love God & love each other. This is “the will of God” mentioned above.  Ask God to increase your capacity to love.  Just like faith – it is at once a gift & a decision. Though it may sound confusing it seems to be the eternal currency.  Love is the most important thing. Jesus said we MUST love God & our neighbor.  It’s a command. You Shall love… . Ask for love. Pray for love.  What is love? Love is service. Love is compassion. Love is intimacy with God. Love is crying out inside for the poor, the sick, the hurting.  It is seeing Jesus in everyone.  He doesn’t really care if you heal the sick, feed the hungry or cast out demons if you have not love.  He cares that you love Him & serve others from love.  Love God as daddy & your neighbor as yourself. If you have love you will have it all. Love Mel

rom Bill —Part of a David Jeremiah message. Are you discouraged? After the Jews went to captivity in Babylon for 70 years as a result of sin, it was time to return home. Ezra the priest would restore the Law of God. Zerubabel would rebuild the house of God. & Nehemiah had the task of supervising the rebuilding of the wall to protect the city.  It was hard & the people became discouraged. —Neh 4:10 Then Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing, & there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.” They saw no rapid result & they became Frustrated. & the enemy was trying to kill them such that they labored with swords strapped to their sides.  Fear plagued them. 4:11. & our adversaries said, “They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst & kill them & cause the work to cease.” —How should we respond to discouragement? Cry out to God. Always Looking up. —Phil 4 says: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 & the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts & minds through Christ Jesus.—  & Just keep going. Persist. Don’t stop doing what will get you through. Focus on the big picture & try to see God’s Perspective. God is moving & we win in the end. Gods purposes are being accomplished. Claim His promises. —2 Thess 3:11 says But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. Elsewhere it says in due time you will reap if you do not quit.  —Finally find someone you can encourage. & surround yourself with those that have your back! Sow the seed of encouragement & It will come back to you. Life can be hard. But God is good & we are His. Keep pushing thru the hard times, staying focused on God, & you will get to the mountain top! Love Mel

We have the Power!
            Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against us shall prosper;
            and every tongue that shall rise against us in judgment shall be
            condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord …”

            Luke 10:19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and
            scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall
            by any means hurt you.”

            Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life,
            nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers … nor height, nor depth,
            nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of
            God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

            James 4:7 ” … Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

            1 John 4:4 “You … have overcome them: because greater is He that
            is in you, than he that is in the world.”
Over the enemy! The victory is ours, but we must take the stand! Love Mel