Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 106:7-12
Ps 106:7-12
When our fathers were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. Yet he saved them for his name's sake, to make his mighty power known. He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; he led them through the depths as through a desert. He saved them from the hand of the foe; from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them. The waters covered their adversaries; not one of them survived. Then they believed his promises and sang his praise.
Phil 1:18b-21
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
As we study the scriptures and we view life from the mind of God, we can see how often God must be grieved with our behavior. He created man in his image and we were made to enjoy the perfect place of peace he made on earth but because of our rebellion and sin, we are living in a world of trouble. Death reigns, sin abounds, and the world is filled with hatred, bitterness, and strife.
The closest we can get to heaven here on earth is when we are serving God along with others who live for him too. As long as our hearts are set on living for him and allowing him to live in us, we will have joy, and peace will reign. As with Adam and Eve in the Garden, trouble comes only when we fail to live according to his will. But we cannot serve two masters, we either live for Christ or for self.
As we live with others who are serving Christ, we find ourselves encouraging and helping each other become stronger and more determined to do his will. This lifestyle goes way beyond keeping a set of rules (no matter how right the rules are). It is willing service from the heart because we want to be like Jesus as we take on the very nature of God within us. This is keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Our only goal is to glorify our Father and Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father I am so blessed in so many ways and you deserve all the praise and all the thanksgiving. You have given me an abundance of material things and the more I appreciate each one, the more I realize just how blessed I am. You have given me opportunities to help others with what you have given to me, and I ask you to keep me from ever being selfish. Even more, you have blessed me in Jesus Christ and I ask you to help me share your good news of salvation. Use me to encourage the ones who are struggling each day. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
