#1018 God’s Presence – Our Desire

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today when we as Christians talk about being in God’s presence we may be referring to knowing that God sees and watches over us at all times or we may be referring to the inner presence of the Holy Spirit.  In the Old Testament the Israelites experienced God’s presence in the tabernacle, but we know that His presence was with them on their journey.  Later, God’s people “felt” God’s presence when they went to the “house of the Lord” or the Lord’s “temple.”  But a physical location was not as important as living in God’s presence.  David sought to “dwell in the house of the LORD,” his desire to be in God’s presence.  What about each of us?  Is it our greatest desire to live in God’s presence each day of our life?  Doing so will give us the relationship that the Lord desires we have with Him.

Do you not only desire but also practice the presence of God daily?

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.”   (Psalm 27:4)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#920 Being a Christian – Our Description

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When Jude revealed to whom his epistle was written, he did not reveal where they were from but did identify their relation to the Father and Son.  He did so by using three words that identified them and their position as believers:  called, loved, and kept.  These words also describe Christians today, and demonstrate the work of the Godhead in our salvation experience. Our “calling” is through the work of the Holy Spirit; “love” being a continuing manifestation from God the Father toward us; and “kept” describing the ministry of Jesus Christ in providing us assurance of our future. With knowledge that we as Christians are called, loved and kept, we have the peace and power to contend for the truth of God’s Word in the face of the apostasy, heresy, and unbelief we may encounter.

As you contend with the unbelief in today’s world, take comfort in the fact that God’s presence has been, is, and will be with you to provide guidance as you faithfully serve Him!

“To those who are the called, loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ.”  (Jude 1:1c – HCSB)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#917 Heaven – Our Hope Tomorrow

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Eternity has no dread for us knowing where and with Whom we will spend it.  We can look forward with hope because we have the blessed assurance of Heaven.  As Christians we have the Holy Spirit, Who is God, working within us to guide and direct us on our earthly journey; our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is God, allows us to have the certainty of our tomorrow in Heaven.  Scripture tells us Christ is coming again to receive us unto Himself, and we should watch expectantly for that to happen; however, He may choose to take us home before He comes again.  Knowing our eternal destination enables us to face death with courage, comfort, and an inner peace that can only come from a close relationship with God.

Live today and every day as though the Lord is returning.

“But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation.  My God will hear me.”   (Micah 7:7 – NASB)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#600 Deeper Christian Life – God’s Desire

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

With many different aspects involved in a deeper Christian life, we often lose sight of the One for whom we are living that deep life, our Lord.  Before we can commit to this deeper life, we must know God, who He is and the reason we worship and live for Him.  When we think about whom God is, the first thing we should remember is that He is the Creator of all things, and we are His, having been formed and redeemed by Him.  We were created for fellowship with Him, and when sin ruined that fellowship, redemption was needed to regain that fellowship.  It was because of God’s love that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to die on the cross for our sins, and when we accept Christ by faith we can have the relationship and fellowship with God that He desires.  Is there any better reason for us to strive to live a deeper Christian life?

As a Christian, is our fellowship with God superficial or based on a deep relationship with Him?

“Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him;” (Job 36:26a)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#598 Deeper Christian Life – Living the Deeper Christian Life

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For the previous few days we have been looking at a few of the characteristics of what it takes to have a deeper life in Christ:  constant communion with God, full commitment to God, guidance of the Holy Spirit, knowledge of God’s will, a strong foundation, undivided loyalty to God, and an in-depth dedication to God.  As we exhibit these traits we will find that the deeper Christian life will be evidenced in further ways that will be pleasing to our Lord.  We will enjoy a relationship and fellowship with God that will be pleasing not only to Him but also to us, one in which our Christian walk will be so close to Him as to have everyone with whom we come in contact know beyond a doubt we are a follower of God.  Additionally, we will be eager to tell others about the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and what He has done in our lives, seeing results for the Lord as He blesses our ministry for Him.  These outward evidences will be joined with a daily increase in knowledge of God and His Word, allowing us to continue to mature spiritually and grow more Christlike.  What a blessed privilege it is to live the deeper Christian life.

As you look at your life, can you say you enjoy such a close relationship and fellowship with God that those around you and with whom you come in contact know you are a Christian?

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”   (Colossians 1:10)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#577 Chaotic Lives – A Nurturing Family Life

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of the foremost difficulties faced by those who have been overwhelmed with the hectic pace of life is handling themselves when arriving home.  Many come home stiff-necked and carrying the stress of life with them, screening out those they love and those who love them.  Little or no conversation or interaction with the family leads to family problems that only add to the stress, resulting in a rut that grows deeper and deeper.  This situation usually leads further to a neglect of fellowship with God, less time being spent in Bible study, prayer, and worship.  It is times like these that it is necessary to step back and seek the peace that only God can provide, asking Him to provide the wisdom and understanding that can overcome the stress.  It is God’s desire that our family lives be such that honor and please Him, that both spouses and children are nurtured with love and respect.

Examine your home life, asking yourself, “Am I allowing stress from my hectic schedule to alienate myself from my family?”  If the answer is “yes,” seek the Lord’s help in being the family person with whom He would be pleased!

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you:  not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  (John 14:27)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#505 Judgment and Promises (Isaiah 65) – A Glorious Relationship of Prayer

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our God is faithful, and Isaiah tells the extent our relationship will be with God, whether in the millennial kingdom or in the eternal new heavens and new earth, a relationship that indeed will be glorious.  The personal relationships mentioned by Isaiah are ones that we have the privilege of having today.  Just as today, prayer will be an integral part of the new creation of God, and so close is the contact between God and His people through prayer in that day that God will anticipate their desires, see their needs, and grant them the blessings they need.  Today, God anticipates our needs before our prayers and provides us answers for which we have not yet directly asked Him by laying the foundation and means for granting the needs.  When we think of daily blessings we receive from God, many, if not the majority, are those we have not directly asked of Him.  God’s grace is entirely sufficient for His people.

In the next few days, notice the blessings God bestows upon you, thinking of how many of them you have asked of Him, and then thank Him for each one of them!  

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer.”  (Isaiah 65:24a)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#487 The Armor of God – Total Dependence on God

 Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we complete devotions on The Armor of God, we become conscious that Satan’s temptations and life’s struggles have a purpose as they assist us in achieving patience and spiritual maturity.  As we depend on the Lord we develop an intimate walk with Him, experience the fellowship of His sufferings, and come to the realization that He is all we need.  Realizing we cannot fight the devil in our own flesh, we can overcome his temptations when we allow the Spirit of Christ to be prevalent in our hearts.  We allow this prevalence by walking in the Spirit, reading and meditating on God’s Word, obeying and submitting to His commands, instructions and guidance, staying in touch with God through prayer, being vigilant, and putting on the whole of armor of God.  May each of us follow and obey God’s guidance, placing our total dependence on Him.

Trust in and depend on God, putting on the whole armor of God, for all of your battles against Satan, the world, and the flesh!

“And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’S, and He will give you into our hands.”  (I Samuel 17:47)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#443 “The Generation That Seek Him”

Guest devotional by Dr. David L. Lowrie, Jr., Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, El Paso, Texas 

“This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob.” (Psalm 24.6)

Every generation seems is known by its own distinctions and unique values and customs. As you scan the music dial of your radio you can pick out the distinct music and rhythms of each generation. As you walk through the mall you can practically pick out generations by the clothes they wear. Even though the challenges facing each generation are different and varied, the need for a relationship with God remains the same for one and all. One generation cannot ride the coat tails of those who have gone before them. No each generation must seek God for themselves. It is my prayer that our generation will be known in heaven as a generation that seeks the face of God. It is intriguing that the Psalmist brought in the name of Jacob to this conversation. Jacob, the crocked one, had a twisted path to the throne of God—yet he arrived there with a limp. Your path to this point may have been twisted and broken, but set your face toward His face and you will experience “His goodness and mercy” all along the way.

Seek His face today above all others!