Run to God - Day 365

Run to God

Day 365

Your recovery from grief is likely not complete, but we pray that you are encouraged to grow forward on your journey. We wish God's best for you. 

"The greatest and deepest Christians I've ever met are not the ones with the advanced degrees and not the ones who are always happy and cheerful, but they are people who have found God to be faithful in the worst moments of life," says Dr. Ray Pritchard. "Instead of running away from God, they ran toward Him. And they know things about God that the rest of us haven't yet experienced."

Run to God, and praise His name. 

"But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like valves released from the stall" (Malachi 4:2).

Lord, when I have truly surrendered to You, I will be free. Amen.  

Your Restoration - Day 364

Your Restoration
Day 364

Not only does the Lord want to restore you, He wants you to come to know Him in a closer way than you ever knew possible. When Jesus described His ministry in the fourth chapter of Luke, He quoted a passage from the Old Testament in Isaiah. This will be His ministry to you.

Jesus speaks about His role in your healing:

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all tho mourn" (61:1-2).

His gifts to you: "[to] provide for those who grieve in Zion -- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair" (v.3).

The results in your life: "They [those who grieve] will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations" (vv. 3-4).

Praise God! Look again at those promises that He has given to you. Healing, freedom, favor, comfort. A crown of beauty instead of ashes, gladness instead of mourning, praise in place of despair.

Yes, your life will be rebuilt and renewed through Jesus Christ.

Lord, my healer, Your ministry to me is wonderful and true. I want to know You more and experience Your love more deeply. Amen. 

Are You Ready? - Day 363

Are You Ready ?

Day 363

When the time comes and you die and your eternal destiny is sealed forever, where will you spend that eternity?

"According to God's Word and our Lord, Jesus Christ, only those who have received Christ can go to heaven," said Dr. Bill Bright. "That sounds so narrow and bigoted, but the Scripture says there is no name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved [Acts 4:12]. Jesus put it this way. 'I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by Me' [John 14:6].

"Now that is the most presumptuous, arrogant statement anyone could ever make -- unless it's true. He is God. Of all the religious leaders of the centuries, there is no one with His credentials. Not only did He live the most holy life ever lived, teach as no man has ever taught, perform miracles such as no one has ever performed, but He died on the cross for our sins in fulfillment of what the prophets of the Old Testament said. Then, miracle of miracles of miracles, on the third day He was raised from the dead and now is available to live within every believer. We invite Him to come into our lives by faith, and when we do, the miracle of new birth takes place."

Please don't put off making that choice. If you believe, take action on that belief. 

"You also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Are you concerned about your salvation? If you died today, are you sure you would go to heaven? If you are not sure, consider these questions: Do you believe God sent His Son Jesus Christ to be the Savior of the world? Do you believe Jesus died on a cross, was buried and rose again on the third day? If so, pray this prayer:

Heavenly Father, I need You! I believe You sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world. I receive Him as my Savior and Lord. Come into my life; forgive me of all my sins. Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for me and for rising on the third day. As you gave Your life for me, I now give my life to You. Thank you for becoming my Lord and Savior and show me how to live for You. Amen. 

Jesus Is the Treasure - Day 362

Jesus Is the Treasure

Day 362

"When it comes to heaven itself," says Dr. Richard Bewes, "all eyes will be on the throne."

All the benefits of heaven that you have read about so far are awesome, but they pail in insignificance to the real treasure in heaven, which is Jesus Christ himself.

Joni Eareckson Tada says, "So many people think of heaven as a place, but really it's a Person. Jesus, who is at the very center of heaven, is what makes it exciting to me. We have something like a homing detector in our hearts, and it's just not ringing for earth. It's ringing for Him in whom our deepest longings will be answered. 

"So heaven is not just a place, it is a Person, that Individual for whom we were made. What makes heaven exciting to me is being with the Lord Jesus where I will be perfectly and utterly at home."

You will marvel at Jesus someday, and His very name will cause you to bow down on your knees in reverence and honor. 

"On the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believe our testimony to you" (2 Thessalonians 1:10).

"At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Philippians 2:10).

Teach me to love You, Lord. Show me how to place You at the forefront of my life and my thoughts so that I may experience a touch of heaven. Amen .

No Sorrow or Pain - Day 361

No Sorrow or Pain
Day 361

In the final chapters of the Bible, heaven is described as a place of wonderful freedom from all pain, sorrow, and suffering.

Darlynn, who lost her grandmother, says, "There won't be any violence there. We won't have to worry about nation against nation or if a bomb is going to be dropped today. We don't have to worry about asbestos killing us, because our bodies are gong to be glorified, and we're going to be happy. We're going to smile. We won't have any more tears. So I'm looking forward to being with my family members and my friends. There will be joy."

Believe this promise with all your heart because our God is the great God above all and only speaks what is true:

"He will swallow up death for all time, and the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, and He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken" (Isaiah 25:8).

Holy Lord, the pain and emptiness of this world do not exist in heaven. I will be set free. Amen.

Heaven Isn't Boring - Day 360

Heaven Isn't Boring
Day 360

One of the things known about heaven from the Bible is that it is not a place of inactivity. In fact, there will not be a single moment in heaven that is boring.

"Our experience in heaven won't be static; it won't be inert," explains Joni Eareckson Tada. "It will be active. It will be dynamic. And it should be, because we as humans are only inspired by the active and the dynamic, never the inert or static."

Dr. Erwin Lutzer says, "In heaven, first of all, we worship God. It is spontaneous worship of God. It is a worship of God that is fulfilling. It is a worship of God that does not weary us. Then, the Bible says His servants shall serve Him. We will be given assignments. I think some of the same vocations here on earth are going to be continued in heaven. I can imagine an artist continuing to do artwork. I can imagine a scientist continuing to study the universe."

Your work in heaven will be completely exciting and satisfying to you. On earth you are fortunate if your work is occasionally exciting or satisfying! Think of the opportunities for hands-on learning and intellectual growth that will be available in heaven from biblical leaders and historical figures who have died before you. Think of meeting the God of the Universe!

"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father - to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen!" (Revelation 1:5-6).

I worship You, O God, my King. Blessing and honor, forever and ever, belongs to You. Amen. 

Heaven Is Full of Joy - Day 359

Heaven Is Full of Joy 
Day 359

Another aspect of heaven is the presence of endless joy.

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand" (Psalm 16:11).

Joyful moments on earth are just that -- moments. They seem to end so quickly. In heaven joy is eternal.

Joni Eareckson Tada says,  "Your best memories are those that are timeless, that seem to live on in your mind and in your heart forever. They seem so crystal clear and so crisp. That's because the joy that surrounds those moments is of the Lord.

"Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and the Spirit is eternal. So when you experience His joy, it has a sense or a smell of eternity about it. It becomes timeless. Sometimes I think those joy-filled moments down here on earth are like sneak previews to what your appetite for heavenly glories above. I think that's God's way of yanking your heart every once in a while a little bit closer to heaven out of the mud of earth and onto the solid, real ground of heaven."

Thank you, Lord, that my joy will be full as I live in Your presence. Amen.