Quick Devotions

It seems like in this day and age there is an abundance of things to fear. COVID, political unrest, the threat of unemployment, social upheaval, the list seems endless. In a world where the only thing that seems certain is that nothing is certain, fear can be a real struggle.

Through my faith in Christ my fears don’t suddenly melt away but through His love, kindness, and faithfulness, I learn to trust Jesus. My faith is being refined. I am learning perseverance. I am experiencing peace that passes all understanding. It’s here in the presence of God through faith in Jesus that I find mercy, grace, and rest (Hebrews 4:16 | Matthew 11:28).

Remember:
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Romans 5:3‭-‬5 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.5.3-5.NLT

Jesus has all power over sickness, death, and anything in creation. The God whom I serve is able to do the impossible, far more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21). The most miraculous transformation and healing isn’t physical, its spiritual. Only Jesus can take the outcast, the worst society has to offer, and give new life, forgiveness, and restoration.

At the cross we see God’s love and humanity’s sin collide. Here the perfect, sinless Son of God gave His life freely out of God’s incredible love for humanity to purchase our lives and free us from our sin (John 3:16). Although death thought it had defeated Him on the cross, three days after His crucifixion Jesus arose conquering death, hell and the grave in the process (1 Corinthians 15:55).

Today my greatest hope is that you would know death is not the end of the story. Eternity awaits and every man, woman, and child will stand before Christ. To those who trust in Jesus as Lord we will enter into God’s peace, rest, and life in eternity. For those who reject Jesus they will spend eternity apart from Jesus in a place of darkness, torment, and destruction.

Someone is going to pay for your sins… is it going to be Jesus or is it going to be you?

As followers of Jesus we are called into a deeper community of fellowship in Christ’s love. In this love we are called to celebrate and rejoice with our brothers and sisters in Christ in times of joy. In times of desperation, pain and suffering, we are called to weep with those who are hurting. In the midst of life it can be easy to rejoice but hard to weep.

I have personally experienced the overwhelming love of the church during times of great crisis. It is this love that transformed the hearts of some who mean the most to me. The love of Jesus in the midst of brokenness through His church transforms the world. To those who rejoice, let us rejoice. To those who are hurting, let us hurt. In Christ we are a family and we won’t face a step alone.

My prayer for you and I today is we would not run from the pain of others. Let our hearts and souls draw near to our brothers and sisters as we cry out as children of God. Brothers and sisters, you are not alone. Our God will not leave us or forsake us. Come all who are weary, Jesus will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).