Good morning, dear Lord; I love You! WE love You, dear God! Thank You for another day of life today, God; please help us each to redeem the time that it won't be wasted in Your eyes, Lord. Father God, there are so many needs! Today we boldly request that You please end all wars on the earth, God. Lord, today will You please feed every hungry mouth with food and every hungry soul with Your Spirit and Your Word, God. Please protect the unborn from slaughter, dear Lord! Please meet every human need on planet earth today, in Jesus' Name, God. Please work through us, the redeemed, that Your light shine in and through us to the saving glory of Your Name. Father God please save ALL flesh today, Lord! Please reveal the mysteries of the Gospel to all Who seek it, God. Please meet the needs of all veterans, widows, orphans, foster children, the disabled, the poor. Lord, please work in and through our leaders today; we ask for You to please remove evil leaders and replace them with those who You choose, God. We thank You and ask for all of these things in Jesus' Name, amen.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
πThe morning of Tuesday, April 30th, 2024π
Good morning, dear Lord; I love You! WE love You, dear God! Thank You for another day of life today, God; please help us each to redeem the time that it won't be wasted in Your eyes, Lord. Father God, there are so many needs! Today we boldly request that You please end all wars on the earth, God. Lord, today will You please feed every hungry mouth with food and every hungry soul with Your Spirit and Your Word, God. Please protect the unborn from slaughter, dear Lord! Please meet every human need on planet earth today, in Jesus' Name, God. Please work through us, the redeemed, that Your light shine in and through us to the saving glory of Your Name. Father God please save ALL flesh today, Lord! Please reveal the mysteries of the Gospel to all Who seek it, God. Please meet the needs of all veterans, widows, orphans, foster children, the disabled, the poor. Lord, please work in and through our leaders today; we ask for You to please remove evil leaders and replace them with those who You choose, God. We thank You and ask for all of these things in Jesus' Name, amen.
Monday, April 29, 2024
Galatians 2:20 ☦
Sunday, April 28, 2024
My Idolatry Exposed! On Sunday, April 28th, 2024
Here's where I see myself in that (video, above): Well in several of the cases he describes, but primarily I see that I have become legalistic, which has always been a weakness of mine. Oh and also I used to worship my idea of Jesus, one where He winked at/ ignored sin and I could just do anything that I wanted to because He loves me and forgave/forgives me no matter what; He was my Sunday-only Savior (but not yet Lord and Master). Yes, I worshipped my idea of Jesus, not the Person of Christ Himself. It's unnerving how easy a trap that is to fall into, in fact!
But going back to the word legalism, let's look at that one by starting with the (secular) definition of the word:
So, for years and years, I used to worship at the altar of Self and would spend the very first part of my day dedicated to Vanity, pure and simple. And it's a good thing to repent of because, that wasn't just a routine for me, but an act of actual worship (at the altar of Self) because my heart was wrongly focused on Vanity, Self as an idol, pure and simple. In other words, God did not have first place in my heart, and for that reason, to me, it became sin. In my case, at least, this was true. Fully realizing repentance for that Sin (of mine) will probably take the rest of this life to fully walk out, but I'm grateful for what He's done in me so far in these last couple of years and I'm determined to follow Him wherever He may lead.
See, I thought that I could avoid that (that is, limiting God, or my concept of Him) if I'd just not adhere to any strict doctrine other than:
Prayer:
Good morning, dear Lord! You are a Mystery to me, great and awesome God! Please reveal Yourself and Your will to us today, Father God. Please destroy all false concepts of You and replace them with the Truth of Who You really are, Lord! Please help us to receive Your Word into our hearts and souls today and use It to bring change, God, to us, and to the world around us, in Jesus' Name, Lord. Today we ask that You also please end all wars that are currently raging across the planet, God; but let Your Will be done. Father, we ask that You please prevent the murder of abortion today, God, that You would protect all of the little babies today, sweet Jesus; but let Your Will be done. Lord, I also ask for You to heal all of the sick, shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, cure the sick, save the lost, and bring religious believers like me out of deception and into the marvelous Light of the real reality of Who You are, God. Thank You for interrupting my religion in lieu of real relationship with You, God. Please prevent me from ever following a concept of You instead of the Spirit of the Living God and forgive me, please, for being so religious, God. Father, please show us the true Way. In all of these requests, though, may Your will be done. Almighty God, together we stand in agreement against the wicked principality of Deception and declare Your victory over it, God! Thank You for everything, dear Lord, in Jesus' Name, amen.
Oh, dear Reader, I am undone by Truth!
The Righteous Are Bold as a Lion
Saturday, April 27, 2024
π Saturday Morning Prayer and Proverb, April 27th, 2024 π
Good morning on another fine day on this side of the Grave, dear Reader, and welcome. I hope that your day is starting/ going well. I have loved that song (above) for years, and it's the cry of my heart; basically "Lord, please make me MORE compassionate!" I have so far to go. Sometimes I just cry before Him, broken-hearted by my own sin and limitations. However, it is a process. We must be patient with ourselves as well as with one another. Today I remind both of us, dear Reader.
Hubby's up with me this morning and we're having coffee with YouTube praise and worship music playing through the living room TV. That makes my devotion time different, but Life doesn't operate by my rules, so I have to be flexible.
Prayer:
Good morning, dear God, and thank You for another day of Life! Father God, please please please make me more like You. God, please heal me of sin and remove character weaknesses far from me! Please make me worthy of the call You have placed on my life, sweet Lord, to the glory of Your Name. Father God, we come to you in agreement and ask again for You to please end ALL wars on the planet, God, in Jesus' Name. Lord, we lift our leaders up to You and ask that You work in and through them to the glory of Your Name. Lord, please remove all wicked and evil people who are currently in leadership in this nation, Father God. Please replace the wicked with good and Godly leaders, Lord, in Jesus' Name. God, please extend Your healing hand to all who are sick and in need of a touch from You, Lord. Please rebuke all disease, dear Lord. Today we also ask that You feed the hungry all across the globe today, God. Please provide for ALL who are in need, dear Lord, please meet their needs according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Also, we ask that You please meet all of the needs of: veterans, widows, orphans, the disabled, the unloved or unwanted. God, You see them; they are never far from Your heart. Please, raise up people and organizations to meet their needs, Father God! Show us how to help them, dear Lord! We also ask, Father God, that You send Your saving Spirit to ALL flesh today: to us, to our loved ones, family and friends, to our acquaintances, to our enemies, to ALL flesh, God. It's Your Will for NONE to perish and for ALL to be saved so we ask You to please do precisely that Lord. And for all things, and in all things, we give you grateful Praise. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Psalm 27 NKJV:
My Son, Be Wise
27 Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,
But a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.
4 Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent,
But who is able to stand before jealousy?
5 Open rebuke is better
Than love carefully concealed.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
7 A satisfied soul [a]loathes the honeycomb,
But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest
Is a man who wanders from his place.
9 Ointment and perfume delight the heart,
And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by [b]hearty counsel.
10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend,
Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity;
Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,
That I may answer him who reproaches me.
12 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself;
The simple pass on and are punished.
13 Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger,
And hold it in pledge when he is surety for a seductress.
14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning,
It will be counted a curse to him.
15 A continual dripping on a very rainy day
And a contentious woman are alike;
16 Whoever [c]restrains her restrains the wind,
And grasps oil with his right hand.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
18 Whoever [d]keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit;
So he who waits on his master will be honored.
19 As in water face reflects face,
So a man’s heart reveals the man.
20 Hell[e] and [f]Destruction are never full;
So the eyes of man are never satisfied.
21 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And a man is valued by what others say of him.
22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.
23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks,
And attend to your herds;
24 For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
25 When the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows itself,
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,
26 The lambs will provide your clothing,
And the goats the price of a field;
27 You shall have enough goats’ milk for your food,
For the food of your household,
And the nourishment of your maidservants.
Footnotes
Proverbs 27:7 tramples on
Proverbs 27:9 Lit. counsel of the soul
Proverbs 27:16 Lit. hides
Proverbs 27:18 protects or tends
Proverbs 27:20 Or Sheol
Proverbs 27:20 Heb. Abaddon
And, since "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing the Word of God", here is Psalm 27 read aloud:
Friday, April 26, 2024
π Friday, April 26th, 2024
Good morning, dear Reader! We find ourselves alive again today to enjoy the gift of this existence here on the mundane, tumultuous mud-ball that we call Earth. Let's give Him some praise for that, right out of the gate. π
Prayer:
Good morning and thank You for another day above ground, Lord! I love You, please help me and anyone reading these words to love You more than we do at this moment, and please also increase our capacity to love all others, Lord! God today I confess to You that I am still immature and need You, Your Word, Your Holy Spirit to change that within me. Today, Father God, I lay all of my flawed human emotions down at the foot of the Cross of Christ and ask that You empower me to place Your Word and Your Will above literally everything else, Lord.
Father God, we ask for You to please bring peace to the entire world. Will You please bring an end to ALL wars on the earth, Lord?
We also ask for You to work in and through our leaders, Father God. Please bring conviction where there is sin. Please expose all corruption in high places and bring about Your Justice, God. Let God arise and His enemies be scattered. Please remove all evil rulers in high places, Lord, and replace those people with Godly servants who will serve You in wisdom, love, and Truth, God.
Lord, we ask for You to please heal the sick today. Father, please let all who seek You out for healing today find that healing and more in You, precious Lord. Please remove all disease today.
We ask for You to please provide for all orphans, veterans, and widows, Father God. Please don't forget the disabled today, Lord. Please remember the homeless and give them shelter, dear Lord. Please change the hearts of men today, God. We ask for You to please bring ALL souls to You, that all be saved according to Your Word and Your will, that none should perish. Father we lift up to You today our loved ones, friends and family; we lift up our acquaintances to You, Lord, and our enemies as well. Basically, God, we lift all flesh up to You and ask for You to move in and through all today to the glory of Your Name, the Name that is above ALL names. Please give us understanding and real knowledge of the mysteries of Your Word, Lord. And we ask for all of these things with gratitude and reverential awe of You, in Jesus' Name, amen.
This morning I'm reading various things, starting with Proverbs 26 and I Corinthians 15 (which, that last one, I'll have to read it over and over to better understand it). Maybe you comprehend the things you read the very first time and so do I (to a degree), but to glean a truly deep understanding (for me, anyway) it takes much more than just reading it once.
Well, you may or may not know this, but I've got issues, man. One of those issues (problems, failures, faults, weaknesses, sins, whatever you prefer to call them) is a short temper. Even after all of this time walking with the Lord it remains a thorn in my flesh today. I hope and pray to obtain some healing in this area and more Christian maturity by virtue of confession and repentance, since that's what the Word tells us to do with those things. So I suppose, in a way, I've confessed that sin to you just now, dear Reader.
Here's what I think about confession of sin: if we've sinned against an individual, it's important that we make confession to that specific person. In that way, we make the relationship healed and whole. Often the person we've offended/hurt/sinned against is the very last person we wish to speak to about the matter; we're ashamed, we feel guilty, we're afraid that we won't be received, we're afraid that we won't be forgiven. I want to encourage you here, that even IF we are rejected, it's still the right thing to do before the Lord.
Of course it's best to submit all of these things to the Lord that He will provide the best timing for that to occur. Allow Him to guide the process; if He doesn't put it on your heart to call that person or go to see whomever it is you've hurt/sinned against, He might very well bring that person to you and create the perfect opportunity that way.
I know (now more than ever before, at least) that it grieves God when we hurt one another. If for no other reason, this should motivate us to seek to set our wrongs right. If you find that you just don't have it within you to make confession and ask for forgiveness, ask Him to give that to you, and He will. He will empower you to do everything that He asks of you.
This morning, I'm going to post I Corinthians 13 for us to take in to our souls. From the NKJV, here it is (full text, highlighted):
The Greatest Gift
13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not [b]puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, [c]thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is [d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Footnotes
1 Corinthians 13:3 NU so I may boast
1 Corinthians 13:4 arrogant
1 Corinthians 13:5 keeps no accounts of evil
1 Corinthians 13:10 complete
Well thank You for joining me this morning on the search for Truth in the Lord, dear Reader. I pray the Lord answer all of your prayers today. May He fill your hearts and minds with His truth; may He empower You pursuant to His will for you and your life today. May the eyes of your understanding be enlightened. Please take care; have a good day, dear Reader, and know that He IS with you. π
Thursday, April 25, 2024
☆ Thursday, April 25th, 2024 ☆
Good morning (afternoon, et cetera) on yet another day of Life today, dear Reader. First, a song of praise to help us get our hearts and minds into focus on what really matters:
No matter where you are on your walk with God, be encouraged. All that matters is that you're on the path that He's chosen to guide you on. Now, that path gets narrower and narrower the longer we pursue it, and that's by Design.
Prayer:
Good morning, sweet dear Father God, beautiful Holy Spirit of God, and glorious, exalted Son of God! We love You and worship You today, no matter how we feel in the flesh. Please help us to subdue the flesh and make it submit to Your will today, Oh God. It's the daily fight that wears us down the most, God; therefore we ask for You to strengthen us and help us today, in Jesus' Name. Thank You, dear Lord, that as of today, we still have the freedom to worship You. Your Word tells us to worship You in Spirit and in Truth; please show us the way, Father God. Lord, we come to You and humbly ask for You to please end ALL wars that are currently raging across this planet that You've made, God. Dear Lord, You alone are Sovereign. Please reign supreme in the hearts of men today, God. We ask You to bring Peace and cause it to overcome War today Lord. Father God, we also lift up ALL of our friends and family to You; all of our acquaintances, and yes, all of our enemies too and ask for You to move in and through them today to the glory of Your Name. Lord, please let NO soul be lost that You have created, Father God! Please use us as You see fit today, God. Please help us to pour ourselves out to bless others, using the many gifts You've given to each of us, that we may glorify God Who is in Heaven. Thank You for everything, sweet and wonderful Lord. Father God, we also ask for You to please work in and through our leaders today. Lord, we also ask for You to please remove any and all wicked/evil leaders currently in power and ask that You replace them with wise and Godly servants of Christ. Lord, please empower us to carry the cross today. Please teach us to seek Your face rather than merely Your hand of blessing. We want to see Jesus. We love You and thank You for everything, including the times when the answer to our requests is "No" because You remain Worthy! Thank You, dear Lord. Please show us how to love you more and more. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Here *are today's readings, starting with Proverbs 25 from the Book of Wisdom:
Thank you for joining me for morning devotion today, dear Reader! My hope and prayer is that you're able to squeeze some good wine from the grapes that I place before you. I pray the Lord encourage you and empower you unto good things today, in Jesus' Name, amen. π
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Good morning! π Wednesday, April 24th, 2024
Good morning (afternoon, et cetera, depending on where you are in the world) dear Reader on this beautiful day above ground. Thank you for coming by, I pray that the things herein are of benefit, even value, for you, now and to take with you as you walk the path of Life.
Worship:
Prayer:
Good morning, dear Lord, we love You! Thank You so much for another day to be alive, Father God. It's a gift; please help us each to use the time wisely today, Lord. We thank You today for Jesus; thank You for Your Holy Spirit; thank You for Your Word, God! We thank you for each other as well. Lord, today we ask that You please redeem the ones who do not yet know You. Father God, please pursue each of them and capture their hearts, in Jesus' Name. Lord, we also ask again that You please stop ALL wars on the planet, Father God. Please protect all humans in all war zones in the world, God. Lord, today we ask for You to protect the unborn, God. Please touch the hearts of those in crisis and give them a love for their unborn, God. Today, we also lift up our friends and family to You, God. We lift up all of humanity and ask for You to move powerfully as You see fit, Lord. Let Your will be done. Please use us to glorify Your Name, Jesus. Please cause us to mature and grow in You so that we may become more useful for Your cause. We love You, God. Please help us to love others the way You first loved us. Again, God, we even ask that You please touch our enemies today and bring all souls to a saving knowledge of Jesus, Who is the Christ. Father God, please humble and guide our leaders to the glory of Your Name. We humbly ask for all of these things in Jesus' Name. Amen.
I like to start out things asking for as much as I can think of, because I am basically greedy for all the things of God. π It's true, and I freely admit it. Hey, I figure that it never hurts to at least ask, right?
Here's a link to today's Proverb from the Book of Wisdom.
Proverbs 24 NKJV
Other reading for today:
Psalm 51
John 1
Galatians 5
and these:
Sometimes, all I have to share with you is prayer and to tell you what I've read today. The times that other things drop in my heart, I share those too. Still I pray that the things I've shared with you today are of a benefit to you somehow. May the Lord bless you and keep you today, in Jesus' Name, amen. π
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
π The Morning of Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024
Good morning, et cetera, dear Reader, and welcome to another beautiful day above ground.
Prayer:
Good morning, dear Lord, and thank You for this day of Life today! Father God, please prepare our hearts and minds to receive Your Truth today. Lord, please reveal the mysteries of Your Word to us. Dear Lord, today we come together to praise You for Who You are. Also, Father God, we lift our leaders up to You and ask that You please work in and through them today for the glory of Your Name. Dear Lord, we boldly ask for You to please stop all wars raging in this world today, God; please let there be peace. Lord, please help us to walk out our salvation hand in hand with You today; please help us to learn a new thing today, Father God. Lord, we lift up to You our family and friends; we lift up our acquaintances to You, and yes, Lord, we lift up our enemies, and we ask for You to please draw every single soul unto Yourself for healing, wholeness, and salvation God. Please empower us to not sin today, dear Lord. Please change us to become more and more like You. Please let the light of Your Truth shine through us, though we are imperfect vessels. Let us lift Your Name on high, Lord. In all things let us defer to You, dear Lord. Please make us more like Jesus and we ask for all of these things in Jesus' Name, thank You. Amen.
Without any delay, this song is called "Dead Come To Life" (Jonathon Thulin).
Monday, April 22, 2024
Morning Prayer on Monday April 22nd, 2024
Sunday, April 21, 2024
π Morning Devotion on Sunday, April 21st, 2024
Good morning, dear Reader! Welcome to another gorgeous day on this side of the Grave; we are so fortunate.
Good morning, dear Lord! I love You! Thank You for this day of Life today, Father God; please help me to not squander it. Lord, please bring Your peace to the globe today and please cause all wars to cease. Please flood our world and our hearts with Your spirit and Your Word, dear Lord. Please bring Your light where there has only been darkness. Father God, please heal the wounded and bind up the broken hearted today, Lord. Please cause Your holy Light to pierce all darkness and please silence the enemy. Also Lord will you please redeem our family, friends, acquaintances, and enemies who do not yet know You. We pray for all of these things in Jesus' Name, amen.
This morning I'd like to do things a little differently. First of all, this Truth is one that all believers need to be familiar with; from the Book of Revelation, the same Book that tells of Jesus' ultimate victory!
See, it took a while for the Lord to woo me into the habits that I have today. Specifically, the habit of seeking Him first thing when I wake up, every day, without exception. It is a habit that had to be developed over time, so I'll tell you about how that happened (in my case).
It all started the Lent season of 2022; I'm not even Catholic but felt strongly led by the Holy Spirit to give up doing my makeup for that entire time. I didn't understand why, but I obeyed. (At that time) my habit had been to roll out of bed and immediately start "getting myself ready" by jumping into a shower, getting dressed, and doing my hair and makeup. That seems pretty normal, right? I'm sure that it is, but I had been craving and needing to go deeper in the things of God and He began to deal with me, for that reason.
Ok. So I was obedient during that Lent season to abstain from wearing makeup; I can't say that it was easy, but it was rewarding. I feel like that period of abstinence was used to break a stronghold in me.
Fast-forward a year to the Lent season of 2023. THAT time, He convicted me to give up wrong speech (see Ephesians 4:29): swearing, speaking idly, but I came to learn through that lesson that the most important thing to the Lord about how we use our speech is that, first and foremost, that we do NOT speak ill of others. I'd say that particular lesson took about at least a year of me walking it out daily to really get the gist of that one. In fact, I didn't really understand how much it grieves Him for us to speak ill of one another. That is actually the most important take away to me from that entire (long) lesson.
So you see, dear Reader, that it has taken literally years of submitting to Him in little things, every single day, as He reveals them to get to the point that I'm at today, where I easily roll out of bed, greet Him, and plunge right into praise and worship and searching the Word for Wisdom first thing in the morning instead of worshipping at the altar of Self, which I did for years and years. Salvation happens in the blink of an eye, but walking out that salvation on the path of righteousness, that's a whole 'nother story right there. That is something that we do daily, moment to moment and hour by hour, and that's by Design, so don't feel condemned. We're all at different places in our walk with Him and there's nothing wrong with that, at all.
Therefore, be encouraged! He is loving, kind, and patient. He will work with you and He definitely works FOR you as well. He can be trusted implicitly. Especially during those times when we're tempted to ask "Why, God?" I find that it's best to instead say to Him "I trust You, Lord".
Here is today's Proverb from the Book of Wisdom (Proverbs 21 from the NKJV translation).
I hope that this has encouraged you, dear Reader, especially with regard to your own walk with God. So often He walks us through this life, step by step. The Word does say this:
Thank you for joining me for morning devotion today, dear Reader. I pray the Lord will use this for your benefit, and I pray that you will become aware of His love for you in a new way today, in Jesus' Name, amen.
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Morning Devotion on Saturday, April 20th, 2024 π
Good morning, dear Reader, and welcome to morning devotion on this beautiful day above ground. Right now it's time to shed a few tears, y'all. I just saw the headline in my newsfeed that this beautiful songbird of the Lord has been taken from us. She was only 47.
Here is Mandisa with her inspiring song, "He is with you":
Today's reading:
All of us (saved, not saved, what have you) have hearts that we just can't trust. Look, here's another verse from the NT Book of Jeremiah that backs that up:
Now, you might be tempted to despair over this reality, but please don't. God has made a way! He's given us His Word, Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (Bible) and He's given us His Holy Spirit. He's also given us each other so that we can encourage one another (yes!) but also so that we can hold one another accountable too.
If you ever read anything (in the Bible, here, anywhere) that makes you feel a certain kind of way that is less than pleasant, I want to encourage you to not let that temporary emotion cause you to shy away from whatever it is that He's dealing with you about. Everything that God does is out of Love for us. He IS love. He doesn't show us our shortcomings to rub our face in it; He shows us our shortcomings so that we can deal with it and bring it to the foot of the Cross of Christ. So don't make the mistake of shunning Him, please! Instead, take it to your Daddy Who is in Heaven and please let Him love on you. The Word says that He disciplines those who He loves, I can prove it:
And, in contrast, we'll also look at the 1828 dictionary's definition of guilt (because I wish to contrast the two):
GUILT, noun gilt.
1. Criminality; that state of a moral agent which results from his actual commission of a crime or offense, knowing it to be a crime, or violation of law. To constitute guilt there must be a moral agent enjoying freedom of will, and capable of distinguishing between right and wrong, and a wilful or intentional violation of a known law, or rule of duty. The guilt of a person exists, as soon as the crime is committed; but to evince it to others, it must be proved by confession, or conviction in due course of law. guilt renders a person a debtor to the law, as it binds him to pay a penalty in money or suffering. guilt therefore implies both criminality and liableness to punishment. guilt may proceed either from a positive act or breach of law, or from voluntary neglect of known duty.
2. Criminality in a political or civil view; exposure to forfeiture or other penalty.
A ship incurs guilt by the violation of a blockade.
3. Crime; offense.
Please note that conviction is productive: it leads us somewhere. Conviction impels us to the Lord for remedy. Conviction will bring about healthy confession so that we can then be forgiven and healed. Guilt, in contrast, masquerades as conviction but affords with it no remedy. Therefore let me please encourage you, dear Reader, that if and when you feel judged by something you hear, see, or read, I believe that it's only the Lord revealing it to you so that you can seek Him out for remedy. That's it. And, again, I reiterate that He shows us these things out of love. Just like we discipline our children because we love them; a child who isn't disciplined and given set boundaries doesn't really feel loved. So it is with us. We need those healthy, Godly boundaries and we constantly need to submit our hearts to Him. But He is loving. He is kind and gentle. He will never, ever give us more to deal with than we can bear. Look here:
Reader, please go through the rest of your day walking in the confidence that you are loved with an everlasting love that will never fade or die.
Thank you for joining me for morning devotion today. I pray that your heart is filled with the love of God and that you draw closer and closer to Him, in Jesus' Name, amen.
Friday, April 19, 2024
Morning Devotion on Friday, April 19th, 2024
Morning prayer:
I Corinthians 4:6-8
The answer, then, is to fix our eyes upon Jesus, not one another.
The Word clearly says:
Proverbs 19