Marie’s daily verse: 

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation (1 Peter 1:3, NLT). 

DAILY DEVOTION, October 3, 2024

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8).

This verse from the book of 1 Peter reminds us that our faith is not based on physical sight but on a deep, spiritual connection with God. We serve an invisible God, which can be difficult. Unbelievers ask, “How can you believe in a God you have never seen?” I remember being asked this question, which made me pause. But then I realized my faith is not based on what I can see, touch, or taste. It’s a deep, personal connection that I feel in my heart.

God is indeed invisible to our sight. However, when we trust Jesus, the Holy Spirit enters our soul and reveals God. That is difficult for an atheist to comprehend, but for a Christian, the reality of God is an absolute certainty. The Holy Spirit is a powerful persuader! Jesus once promised that a day would come when certain people would see God. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Our hearts are never 100% pure in this life. We will be purified entirely in heaven, and then we shall see God. This promise fills us with hope and anticipation, an inexpressible and glorious joy. It will be a day to see our God in all His glory.

Even now, our faith brings us “inexpressible and glorious joy.” We can hardly imagine what heaven will be like. Keep trusting our invisible God, for He is the source of our strength and hope.

Father, I long to know You better. I look forward to that day when my heart will be purified, and I will see and know You more completely. I can hardly imagine what that will be like, but I know it will be glorious. Thank You that even now, the Holy Spirit ministers to my spirit, assuring me of Your reality. In Jesus’ blessed name, I pray, Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

DAILY DEVOTION, September 30, 2024

Jesus wept (John 11:35).

We all know this verse as the shortest verse in the Bible. Lazarus has died, and his sisters, Mary and Martha, are deeply troubled. Jesus is moved to tears. His tears are not just a sign of His power but a profound expression of His empathy and deep understanding of the pain Mary and Martha are going through. These are comforting words, reminding us that in our darkest moments, Jesus is not distant but intimately connected to our pain.

When we find ourselves in the depths of despair, we can find solace in one certainty – Jesus cares. The tears of Mary and Martha moved Him, and our tears also move him. In our moments of pain, it’s not enough to passively hope for His comfort. We must actively turn to Jesus, seeking His presence and His peace. He will never turn away those who approach Him in faith. His response may not always align with our desires, but He will always be there, ready to assist us, always according to the will of God. So, let the two simple words, ‘Jesus wept, ‘remind us to entrust all our burdens to Him. He cares.

Dear Father, we are filled with gratitude as we reflect on Jesus’ immense sacrifice. He willingly left the splendor of heaven to come and aid us in our darkest moments. Even before we knew it, he had already addressed our greatest need by securing our pardon on Calvary. In times of despair, may we always remember to turn to Him, knowing He cares deeply for us. In His name, we pray. Amen.

Marie’s daily verse:  Psalm 29:11: May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!

DAILY DEVOTION, September 29, 2024

Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will (Ephesians 1:5).

Predestination, a term that may unsettle some, is a source of great comfort for us as Christians. It signifies that God has preordained a plan in His infinite wisdom. At its core, this plan is centered around His Son, Jesus. It is God’s divine will that all who trust Jesus are not just accepted but fully adopted into the family of God. Through our faith, we are liberated from our old father, Satan. As Christians, we are endowed with all the rights and privileges inherent to God’s children, providing us with a deep sense of security and belonging.

Some interpret predestination as God’s predetermined choice of who would be saved and who would be lost. They believe that God acted to convert those predestined to salvation while disregarding the lost. While I may not align with this perspective, I respect those who hold it. I, however, believe that God predestined a plan to save all those who would place their trust in His Son. When we encounter the Gospel, the good news, and entrust our faith in Jesus, our Messiah and Savior, God welcomes us into His family. It is the plan that is predestined, not the individuals. This understanding can inspire profound hope and a transformative sense of personal identity in us.

Why adopted? Are we not all children of God? No, we are not! We are born into this world with an inclination to do our own thing, ignoring God. We become children of God by adoption when we trust in Jesus. This adoption is not a mere formality but a profound blessing that signifies our acceptance into God’s family, with all the rights and privileges that come with it.

Father, I am deeply grateful to You for adopting me as Your child. I confess that before I received Jesus, my life was a mess. Thank You for loving me and forgiving me. Thank You for Jesus, who did everything necessary to make me into Your child. In His name, I pray, Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. — Romans 8:28 NIV

DAILY DEVOTION, September 28, 2024

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you (John 15:15).

Jesus is speaking to His apostles, who have transitioned from servants (slaves) of Christ to friends. Early on, the apostles did not know everything Jesus taught. Now, they know everything the Father revealed to Jesus. A servant does what he is ordered to do. Friends know each other’s hearts. Rather than simply responding to orders, friends of Jesus know His heart and act out of a loving relationship with Him.

These words are not just for the apostles but for us as well. We are blessed with a unique privilege- to know even more about Jesus than His disciples did when He spoke those words. We have the entire, complete, and final revelation of the Gospel of Jesus in the pages of Scripture. Yes, He still guides us, not as a distant authority figure but as a friend.

We often sing, ‘What a Friend we have in Jesus.’ It is more than just a hymn; it is a profound truth that reminds us that Jesus is not just our Savior and Lord. He is our personal friend, a friend like no other. If Jesus is your friend, you can turn to Him for every need. If Jesus is your friend, He will personally guide you into heaven when you leave this life.

Father in heaven, I am so grateful to learn that Your Son is my friend. He has already gone the extra mile for me, taking my sins into His body on the cross. I want to honor His friendship by doing my utmost to introduce Him to others so they may receive all the benefits of friendship with Jesus. Amen.