| Hope | Are You Clothed Properly? |
| In | Spiritually Victorious |
| Characteristics of Christianity | Devotionals 1-5 |
| Devotionals 6-10 | Devotionals 16-20 |
HOPE *
A researcher at the University of North Carolina placed a rat in a tightly sealed vat of water. In three minutes the rat had drowned. He then proceeded to place another rat in the same vat; but this time he left the lid slightly open, providing the rat the hope of escape. The rat swam for 36 hours finally before succumbing to exhaustion.
We live in a world that is dying from the lack of hope. Life is hard and people feel powerless toward it. Yet when the Christian faces trials, the result is hope rather than despair. We are confident that the God who conquered death through Christ will also provide us from eternal life, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you," I Peter 1:3,4. Share a little hope with someone this week. Have a great day!
"Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble" (I Pt. 5:5) This world puts a lot of value on outward appearance, good looks, fine clothes, etc. Do Christians buy into this philosophy? Are we more concerned with our mode of apparel than we are with what God desires, i.e., clothed with humility? Do we tend to look at the outward appearances of others instead of looking at their hearts? God is concerned with what is on the inside, what we have put
on our hearts. Colossians 3:12-14 -- "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Are you clothed with humility? Make sure you have put on the things that please God. Have a wonderful day!
IN *
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Eph. 1:3). Paul tells us that God has placed all spiritual blessings in a particular location—Christ.
In the this first chapter of the book of Ephesians Paul speaks of numerous blessing enjoyed in Christ.
In Christ:
That is why Paul would in the second chapter of Ephesians that if we are outside of Christ we have no hope (Eph. 2:12) Are you in Christ, where has placed all his wonderful blessings for one to enjoy. Have a great day.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (I Peter 5:8) From this verse we learn that either we can overcome the devil or the devil will overcome us. Each day we engage in spiritual battles and we should be thankful to God that He has provided us the means to emerge victorious from these battles. In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul speaks of the importance of putting on the whole armor of God and then lists each piece of God’s armor we must put on.. The reason we are to put on the whole armor of God is so that we can emerge victorious over our enemy the devil. So today as we enter into battle, will we be victorious or will we be defeated? It is only when put on the whole armor of God that we can and will be victorious. " Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6:101) Have a great day.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRISTIANITY
Patrick Henry wrote in his will: "I have now disposed of all my property to my family; there is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion. If they have that, and I had not given them one shilling they would be rich; and if they had not this, and I had given them all this world, they would be poor."
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mat 16:25-26) Have a wonderful day!
* Devotional By:
Mike Gurganus
PO Box. 916
Henderson, NC 27536
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