Marie’s daily verse: You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.Isaiah 26:3 NIV.

DAILY DEVOTION, November 8, 2022

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7-8).

How can I know that my faith in Jesus is genuine? We all know there are hypocrites in the church. John gives a simple test to check the reality of our faith. “Let us love one another.” The reason love is so important is also clarified in our verse. “love is from God” and when we place our faith in Jesus the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5). You can join the church and be baptized and still be a hypocrite. The mark of a true Christian is love. If love is absent, God is absent.

When love for Jesus and for others overflows from our hearts, we know that we have been born of God. The song, “They will know we are Christian by our Love” expresses this truth. We live in a world that is full of hate. Unbelievers need to look at us and see the love of God in our behavior. Our love will draw others to the Savior.

Father, forgive me for those times when I am angry and unforgiving. I confess that sometimes unloving behavior sneaks into my life. Fill me with Your love that I may know for certain that I have been reborn. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. 

Marie’s daily verse: 1Timothy 2: 1-2Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 

DAILY DEVOTION, November 7, 2022

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).

Jesus is speaking in the Sermon on the Mount. It is so easy to pray for those we love; our families, our friends, and even for ourselves. However, it is a different situation when we realize that Jesus called us not only to pray for those we like, but also for our enemies. He implies that we humans, living in a fallen world, will have enemies. I have had a few over the years!  He even tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. This means the mean people, the gossips who talk behind our backs, those who want us to be harmed, people who hate us should be prayed for in the name of Jesus.

I have talked about this verse in a sermon so I will not go over that material. The main point is clear. Pray God’s blessings on your enemies. It is a command of Jesus. Do it!

Father, I admit that it is hard to pray for those who want to do me harm. It is even harder to allow anger and revenge to take hold of me. So, I pray for ___________________. May Your love and grace surround him/her. I even pray that the day will come when we become friends. All things are possible with you. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NLT)I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: [2] Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

DAILY DEVOTION, November 6, 2022

I give them eternal life. They shall never perish, nor shall anyone snatch them from My hand. (John 10:28).

This is a wonderful promise. Once we have received the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus we will never perish. As long as faith is present in our hearts, we are secure. Jesus has His hand upon us, and no one is strong enough to snatch us from His grip.

Jesus began a good work in us, and we can trust Him to complete it (Philippians 1). We are safe under the wings of God. If you possess a living faith in Jesus, you can rest secure.  Perhaps you were in a situation where you avoided a deadly accident. We do not see the angels of God, but we wonder sometimes if God has sent one of His angels to save us from bodily harm. However, God works to save us from harm, and we can count on Him. Faith is a wonderful thing that brings us under the protection of Almighty God.

Even more important is to realize He protects us from spiritual harm. The devil and his demons can’t snatch us from the protective hand of Jesus. We wander off in the wrong direction at times, but God will always draw us back to Himself. When life goes well, trust in Jesus. When life is difficult, trust in Jesus. No matter what, trust in Jesus and you are in good hands.

Father, I thank You for this wonderful promise. As I trust in Jesus, I am secure. Keep me in true faith unto everlasting life. Amen 

Marie’s daily verse: 

¹⁹My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.  JAMES 1:19-20 NIV

DAILY DEVOTION, November 5, 2022

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Israel is about to enter the Promised Land. They will face walled cities, large armies, and many obstacles. Joshua faced a daunting task. To follow up on a recent devotion, notice God does not ask him to believe in himself. Yes, be strong, be courageous, do not give in to fear. Joshua’s first obstacle was Jericho, a strong, fortified city. Who would not tremble before such a difficult task? Joshua is called to remember one thing: THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO. Joshua can face anything because God is with him.

That is also true for us. We face difficult tasks throughout the course of life. As we remember that God is with us, we can face anything. I love the words of Jesus: “and lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Live each day with faith in His presence and experience the blessings of God.

Father, I thank you that I can count on Your presence daily. I know that because You are with me, I can face anything. Remind me of this truth when I fall into fear and despair. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. 

Marie’s daily verse: Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. ROMANS 14:19 NIV

DEVOTION, November 4, 2022

Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The little word “but” is a conjunction indicating a change in direction. “I meant to go north, but I  accidentally went south.” That is a change in direction. What is the change in direction Paul refers to in Romans 5:8? In Romans 5:7, Paul indicated that we humans would hardly die even for a good person. Then the “but.” Christ died for us while we were still sinners. We are not good people. We are sinners.

So, God loves sinners. That is wonderful news, since we all fit that description. God does not say to us, “Clean up your act, and then I will love you.” He expresses His love to us while we are still sinners, and rebels against His will. He does that by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for us. That is love beyond our comprehension.

The verse ends with four wonderful words. “Christ died for us.” Why would the glorious, eternal Son of God die for us? Love drove Him to the cross. Love for you, love for me. How can we not respond to such love with total faith and love for Jesus? We sing the hymn, “Love so amazing, so divine,  demands my soul, my life my all.” (“When I Survey…” p. 258, last verse).

Aren’t you glad you are a Christian? Aren’t you thankful that you heard the story of Jesus? Doesn’t it thrill you to know how much God loves you? How can anyone believe in Jesus and not want to give everything to Him in gratitude for what He has done for us? 

Father, it still astonishes me to realize that You loved me even when I was a sinner. I do believe in Your Son, Jesus Your love boggles my mind, but I thank you for Your love.  I thank you that Jesus died for me. I will thank You with my dying breath.  In Jesus’ wonderful, holy, loving name, I pray. Amen.