Simple Devotions

Tag: Christ love

  • whoever calls

    In Romans 10 we read about needing the gospel.

    Especially Israel, while they have a zeal for God, it is not according to God’s righteousness which is established in Christ Jesus, but according to their own righteousness. This is the same for spiritual Israel. Those who try to earn their way into heaven instead of depending on what God has already done for them.

    The blessing of salvation is for every soul. Nothing but our own choice can prevent any one person from becoming a partaker of the promise in Christ by the gospel.

    This is what the scripture says: ” Anyone who believes in Him (Christ Jesus) will never be disappointed.” [ v. 11] There is no difference between Jews and Gentiles. The same God is Lord of all and responds to anyone who calls on Him for help. The Word also says whoever calls on the Lord will be saved. [v.13]

    God does not compel us to give up unbelief, no this is a free will decision and before us are light and darkness, truth and error.

    It is for us to decide which we will accept. The human mind has the ability to know right from wrong – we were created in this way.

    Which means the evidence and free will given will be how an individual chooses to call upon Christ, abiding in the way, the truth and life or not calling upon Christ and thus denying Him.

    The Lord says: ” All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people..”

    Today you can call out and He will hear you.

    Heavenly Father~I pray You will forgive us for sinning against You. I pray that whomever is reading this will look to You for the answers and trust in Your outstretched hands towards them through Christ Jesus the Lord. That they would ask You to give them the ability to weigh out the evidence of Your Words and compare scripture with scripture, and that the truth stand out to them and set them free from the lies of the enemy. and when we doubt and create within us a heart that desires trust more fully in You to know Your truth, empowering us to walk in obedience to it. May all this be in accordance to Your will. In Christ Name, Amen

  • backsliding

    a call to repentance, commit your ways to the Lord..

    I have been adding in my prayer journal recently on the word “Healing” today’s entry was in Jeremiah 3:22

    When I hear the word “backsliding” my thoughts go to trying to climb up a slippery place only having slid back down not towards the goal. It is likely because I didn’t take the right path. I chose for myself my own way, thinking I was right and wiser for it. Let’s call this thinking, pride.

    Eventually I fall on my face or maybe my knees if I’m doing it safely.

    It’s there I look around to find a better way, or ask for help.

    Had I looked first and considered the way I was headed I would have avoided the whole ordeal. But pride.

    Throwing caution to the wind is a common place for most, but with this comes consequences. Again, we have choices before we put ourselves in any situation. Maybe you didn’t think about that scenario however most agree that backsliding is not good, no matter the case.

    When you read about spiritual backsliding you will see just how parrell this is to my personal interpretation. It’s so avoidable, especially when we “lean not on our own understanding”.

    Proverbs is the book that tells us to “wise up” and gives visual truths about these types of situations in life.

    In Proverbs 3: 5-6 says if we acknowledge God in all our ways, He will direct (which means to smooth or to straighten) our paths.

    Psalms 37:3-5

    Reassures us that when we pay attention to His counsels it will go well for us. Remember His promises = His provisions.

    We must understand that “backsliding” in the Lord’s eyes is not good. It’s not something He contends with, the saying ” don’t ask permission but ask forgiveness..” is reckless. That’s not how this works.

    To do our best work which is closest to us ei. family; work; community is to commit our ways to God, while watching for His providence. This is the choice of safe guidance.

    I invite you to not continue to try on your own, but trust Him and ask for His guidance. His Word is full of good safe advice and He will never let you down, and when it’s hard to climb He will be there to help strengthen you.

    In Christ Love, Amen