Path of Everlasting Life

Psalm 139:23-24 -- Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."

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Sin is all around us. There is no way to completely avoid it. However, we have power over sin through Jesus Christ. When we recognize our sin, and repent of it we are forgiven and can live on a path of everlasting life.

The tricky part of this plan is recognizing the sin. The big ones are fairly easy to identify: serving only one God, don't kill, steal or commit adultery. However there are many more subtle sins, which are things that become between you and God. These are things like pride, gossip, lying, worrying, putting material possessions and or time over time with and focus on God.

For example, how do you start your day (when you get that moment to yourself)? Do you spend it on checking email, Facebook or Pinterest? Do you spend it with God and His Word? These are the ins that become harder to see.

King David asks God to search him, know his heart and his thoughts and for God to show him his weaknesses and what makes him slip up. You can ask god to help you in the same way, for Him to show you what is or even what can make you stumble.

When he shows you what that may be -- and it will be different for everyone -- repent and ask God to help you break free and remain free from this stumbling block. By being progressive and seeking out God's council to point out anything that offends Him, often you can catch these subtle stumbling blocks before they manifest into walls that separate you from God.

Dear Lord,
Please search my heart and my mind and show me what offends you. I want to repent and continually focus on you so I may walk along the path of everlasting life.

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Study God's Word and be Blessed!

We Belong to Each Other

Romans 12:4-5 -- "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other."

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The body of Christ is the church. Paul explains how the church is suppose to function properly. Our body is composed of many parts, each with a special function. We wouldn't be able to speak without a mouth, see without eyes, hear without ears, stand without feet or reach out without arms. To be without any of these features would be considered a handicap.

The church, believers in King Jesus, works in the same manner. Everyone has special gifts which we are born with, made to work within the whole to complete the body. Some have the gift to speak to others, to spread the Good News or command a crowd. Others can see the needs in other and offer help. Some can hear the call of God or hearts of those near them and deliver messages. Others are proficient in scriptures who can stand up and teach the Word of God. And still others reach out and encourage everyone around them.

We all have a special part to play within the body of Christ. If any of these features are missing then the church is handicapped causing it to be unable to function properly. Every individual is unique and a child of God. We are all different, but we belong together. We should not be boastful of our talents for they are a gift from God. We should not be jealous of other's talents for they are only doing as God has called them.

Our differences do not divide us, they bind us together  One without another would be worthless -- if the body cannot work together, it cannot work at all. We all belong to Christ and we all belong to each other.

Dear Lord,
Help me to find my gift and use it in your name within the body of Christ, the church. Help me to not be prideful or envious, but to love my neighbor and lift up your name in honor.

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Study God's Word and be Blessed!

Wordless Wednesday *Linky* Carolina Sunset

I had a wonderful Mother's Day! I hope all the mothers out there did as well! To end the day, we witnessed this beautiful sunset over the Charleston bay (SC). It was beautiful! A perfect way to end a great day!

Link up and join me in the Wordless Wednesday fun!

  

Examine Yourself

2 Corinthians 13:5 -- "Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith."

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It is important to reach out to others and be among believers. But it is also important to have times of quiet and reflection when you are alone, just you and God. It is during these times that you can examine yourself. By looking inward and making sure your faith is genuine, it gives you the opportunity to be honest with God and make sure you are operating within His will.

During these quiet moments between you and God, you can gauge whether you are growing closer to God and not more distant. We should look for a growing awareness of Christ's presence and power in your life. If you find Christ's presence in your search, then keep doing what you are doing, growing and learning more. If Christ is absent, then you must seek Him out. This is not an easy task, but it leads to joy and life abundant.

Dear Lord,
Help me to be honest with you and take time to examine my faith. Lord, I want an intimate relationship with you and to always grow, learn more and to know you better.

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Study God's Word and be Blessed!

We Suffer Now, But Not Forever

Romans 8:18 -- "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later."

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We all suffer. We live in a broken world and we all have sinful hearts -- suffering is inevitable. However, you do not suffer alone! Jesus is by your side through all of your pain and trials.

It is true we suffer, but that is not the end of the story!

Revelation 1:17-18 -- "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave."

Jesus died on the cross for our sins claiming victory over the world. Jesus reveals in the end that he is alive and He holds the keys of death and the grave. We suffer now, but not forever. Jesus has conquered sin and death will no longer have a sting. There is no need to fear because we are under the right hand of Jesus and when the day comes for the final judgment we will be by His side when He conquers the grave forever.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for sending your son to gain victory over sin and to obtain the keys of death and the grave. I praise you that my suffering is only temporary and that I will stand alongside Jesus as He conquers death forever.

There are more Devotionals where this one came from!

Study God's Word and be Blessed!