Category: Devotionals

Scripture: “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23

Examination: Jeremiah writes of the anguish in his soul. Because of all the troubles he is facing, he feels abandoned and without hope until he begins to think about the goodness of God. Although his suffering is not alleviated, he remembers that it is God who promises deliverance from his enemies and his tribulations, and he recognizes that the Lord will be faithful now as He always has been; He never gives up on those He calls His own.

Application: Raising two teenagers was quite challenging for me. As the first of my friends who married and had children, I was embarking alone on a new adventure with zero guidance. I definitely had unexpected obstacles to overcome, but I never gave up… although there were times when I felt I was failing miserably as a mother. In hindsight, I know it was the Lord who brought us all successfully through those years.

In every season of my life, there have been time when my world was tumultuous and seemed to spiral out of control, but as a child of God, that really is never the case. While I may choose paths to follow that are not completely aligned with the Lord’s will, He never abandons me. He is always quietly helping me, even when I think things are beyond help. The truth is that once I was saved, the Spirit of God indwelt me 24/7, and He has always brought me successfully through every seemingly hopeless situation. I know that I will never be separated from my Saviour, and He will never give up on me!

Philippians 1:6 tells us of God’s promise, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”. This simple statement speaks volumes. It tells me that once I am saved (the good work that He began in me started at that moment), God began working on my life, making me more like Jesus every day, and He won’t be finished until that moment He takes me to my heavenly home. Even when I am unyielding to Him (which unfortunately occurs more times that I’d like to admit), He never gets tired of chiseling away the unwanted parts of me in order for His righteousness to be seen in me by the world. Isaiah 40:28 states, “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.”

God’s love never expires. He continually loves His children, doing His work in each of us to accomplish His perfect will in our lives. One day, His work in us will be finished. We will be exactly what He has always desired for us to be, a reflection of His precious Son. That’s the result of His persistent love!

Memory Verse: “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” – Isaiah 46:4

Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

(from “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by Thomas O. Chisholm)

Scripture: “And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.”  – Jonah 2:2

Examination: As a prophet of the Lord, Jonah had been given the task to warn the people of Nineveh of the coming judgement of God. Jonah chose to disregard the command, and he fled to Tarshish. When a fierce storm threatened to destroy the ship on which Jonah found passage, the sailors ultimately tossed him overboard. After he is swallowed by a great fish, he prays from inside the belly of the whale and miraculously, God hears him and delivers him.

Application: When my children were youngsters, I could usually differentiate their voices above others when we were in a crowded environment like the playground, the schoolyard, or someplace similar where lots of other children were excitedly talking. However, when they were a bit older and played a bit farther away, I didn’t always hear them calling out to show me something they’d found or a new trick they’d learned until they waved their hands and got my attention.

Fortunately, God always hears us when we call out to Him. The Bible tells us, “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.” (Psalm 4:3). No matter where I am or where I go, God is always able to hear my voice, and each time I call out to Him, He listens as if I were the only one praying! 1 Peter 3:12 affirms that God hears His children. “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers:” In fact, God loves us so much that He wants to hear from us constantly! Here is what He says in His Word.

• “Pray without ceasing.” – I Thessalonians 5:17
• “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” – Colossians 4:2
• “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” – Romans 12:12
• “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” – Ephesians 6:18

In a world where the busyness of life often gets in the way of us really listening to one another, it is good to know that God never is too busy to hear us when we pray.

Memory Verse: “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.” – Jeremiah 29:12

Trouble knockin' on your window pane, stormy weather at your door
And the outlook for the day ahead like the day before
People tell you prayin' changes things, but the words don't stop the fear
The prayer is only pious rambling without a Father's ear
He will not turn away when His people pray

When God's people pray and take the pains of earth to the doors of Heaven
When God's people pray, there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven
And miracles you can't explain away when God' people pray

(from “When God’s People Pray” by Wayne Watson)

Scripture: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Examination: Jeremiah is writing to those in captivity in Babylon. He explains that their captivity will last for 70 years, but that God will never abandon them. His plan for them is to return to Israel and prosper after 7 decades.

Application: When I was in high school, my dad and I had several talks about my future career choices. He recommended teaching or nursing to which I was dead set against. I had more grandiose ideas! Maybe a cardiac surgeon or famous singer. Regardless of what path I would choose, he was very firm about me attending and graduating from college… the first to do so in my family. No matter what would later become my chosen career, my father most assuredly had definite plans for me that would help in being successful in whatever I decided to do.

Dad wanted only good things for me in life. He offered me advice, steered me in the right direction, and surprisingly to me, I settled on both of my father’s suggestions! I was a nurse for many years before switching careers and teaching middle school. It was my father who had my best interests at heart. Not a neighbor or even another member of the family. My dad wanted the best for me; I was his daughter, and he loved me.

Our heavenly Father also wants only the best for His children. He has a divine plan for each one of us as stated in Ephesians 2:10,“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” It begins with our salvation, and then He continues to work in us to make us more like His precious Son. Philippians 1:6 affirms this, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

God desires for us to have an abundant life with Him, starting now in this world and continuing for all eternity because of the great love He has for each one of us. Jeremiah reminds us of God’s declaration, “…Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (31:3)

However, we must remember that God is also a gentleman, and He doesn’t force any of us to place our faith and trust in Him. While Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead to be our Saviour, it doesn’t happen automatically, nor does God compel us to be saved. He extends the invitation, offers the gift, and it is up to each of us to accept it. That’s the amazing love of God! Every wonderful thing that God has planned for you is just a prayer away!

Memory Verse: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” – Psalm 32:8

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee,
Ever, only, all for thee.

(from “Take My Life and Let It Be” by Frances Ridley Havergal)

Scripture: “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” – Revelation 21:5

Examination: Most Christians know that Revelation is the last book of the Bible and chronicles the events of the future tribulation and judgment upon the earth. In this second-to-last chapter of the Scriptures, we read about the glorious beginning of eternity-future, where Jesus declares Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end! The new Jerusalem has been created and is for those who are found righteous in Him. This is a time when He wipes away every tear forever, and all things are made new!

Application: In Japan, there is an art form known as “kintsugi” where broken pottery is not tossed out, but rather repaired with powdered gold. The end product is considered a work of art and is often more valuable than the original piece. Once restored, it serves as a reminder that from brokenness can come beauty.

A kintsugi bowl is a beautiful example of mankind’s relationship with the Saviour. In our sin, we are “broken” when compared to the righteousness of our Creator. We are scarred by our sin nature, and thus, we are so unworthy of His love. But that’s not how God sees us.

The Bible tells us that in His eyes, we are precious. Psalm 139:17 states, “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” Instead of discarding us, God had a plan to redeem us, but instead of gold, He used the sinless blood of His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

When a sinner repents and accepts Christ as his or her personal Saviour, the marks of sin are covered by His blood that He willingly shed on the cross of Calvary. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that God, in reference to His Son, “… hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” We are no longer an unsaved sinner on our way to an eternity in hell without the Lord, but we become the redeemed children of God with a promised forever in heaven.

Psalm 23:3 states, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Because of Jesus’ great love for us, we can be restored to an eternal relationship with God! In a sense, His love has enabled us to become a “kintsugi” child of God! Wholly restored, beautiful to behold, and beloved in the eyes of our Father forever.

Memory Verse: “And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” – Jeremiah 24:7

Restore in us, O God, the splendor of your love;
Renew your image in our hearts, and all our sins remove.
O Spirit, wake in us the wonder of your power;
From fruitless fear unfurl our lives like springtime bud and flower.

Bring us, O Christ, to share the fullness of your joy;
Baptize us in the risen life that death cannot destroy
Three-personed God, fulfill the promise of your grace,
That we, when all our searching end, may see you face to face.

(from “Restore in us, O God” by Carl P. Daw, Jr.)

Scripture: “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” – Jude 1:21

Examination: Jude is warning believers to be wary of those who have infiltrated their assembly to spread false doctrine. He cautions that the false teachers may not be easily recognized, so the Christians must be diligent to hold to what they know is the truth.

Application: After my mother-in-law passed, I had the responsibility of going through her belongings to determine what should be kept and what could be donated to a local charity. One item was a beautiful set of silverware, and I remember her polishing it on a few occasions. Upon examination, I discovered her collection was actually multiple sets of silverware mixed together. One group of utensils was sterling silver, which was of great value, and another was silver-plated and not worth much at all. The reason was that one set was made of a costly precious metal, while the other was an imitation and had only a thin coating of silver over other more common materials. It was hard to tell the difference, but since I knew what to look for, I could distinguish which set to keep and which to give away.

In today’s world, there are many different Christian denominations, and within those denominations, there are often many different subgroups. The differences often are based upon culture, history, and traditions that have been passed down through time. Ultimately, the source of one’s beliefs must be based upon the Scriptures alone.

Because there are so many distinct divisions within the religious realm, we must be diligent to know the Bible ourselves, not rely simply on the man, or in some cases, the woman, standing behind the pulpit. Acts 17:11 shares the example of the Bereans, who strove to authenticate what they heard preached. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Even when a Christian belongs to a church with a pastor who diligently searches the Word of God for his messages, it continues to be the responsibility of the hearer to read the Scriptures as well.

God loved us so much that He wanted us to know Him personally. To do that, He gave us His Word, the Bible. Within its pages is the love story between Creation and its Creator. Even when we sinned against Him, the Bible details the restorative plan God had to reconcile us to Himself. Additionally, the verses of Scripture provide teachings on how we ought to live, how we should worship and honor the Lord, how we can serve Him… there is so much within the Bible that God wants us to know. There is no way that sitting in a one-hour church service each week will provide us everything God desires for us to know about Him. We must be diligent to study and know the Bible ourselves. 2 Timothy 2:15 clearly defines our responsibility, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

If we do not make time to spend in God’s Word, we will be utterly defenseless when false doctrine invades our places of worship. We will rely on the interpretation of men instead of the illumination of the Holy Spirit, and fall prey to deception as the truth of God’s Word is slowly adulterated with the lies of Satan.

Be like the Bereans. They knew that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16). God’s Word is just like His love; it is undisputed, it’s been proven, and it endures forever!

Memory Verse: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” – Isaiah 40:8

The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled, and pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure: the saints’ and angels’ song!

(from “The Love of God” by Frederick Leyman)

Scripture: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” – John 15:11

Examination: Jesus is speaking to His disciples at His last Passover just prior to His crucifixion. He is giving His last words to them, urging them to remember who He is, and that if they continue to follow His teachings and example, they will be blessed by God. He reminds them of who they are in Him, and that when He is gone, He will send His Spirit to continue to give them strength, wisdom, peace and joy.

Application: In the dictionary, joy is defined as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune” and “a source or cause of delight”. The biblical definition of joy is “a deep-seated, spiritual contentment and abiding happiness.” True joy is rooted in a relationship with God; it is not circumstantial.

The joy of being loved by the Lord is manifested in two ways. We have an eternal joy that emanates from our salvation. Being forgiven of our sins and adopted into the family of God creates an everlasting joy. We know to whom we belong and where our eternal life will be, but there is so much more to the joy of being loved by God.  We have a “here and now” joy as well. Jesus didn’t come just to provide an eternal home for us with Him. He came to give us a life of abundant joy. In John 10:10, Jesus told his followers, : “… I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

What does a joyful life in Christ look like?

• Joy in the realities of life
  • The joy of the Lord doesn’t disappear when we face tough times and the outcomes are unknown to us. His joy offers encouragement, hope, and peace in good times as well as hard times. Psalm 30:5 promises, “… weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
  • Even in the most difficult times, we are kept in the hand of God, and He will see us through every struggle we face. How? By trusting in Him and remembering that God loves us and is faithful to His promises. Knowing those truths brings us His peace… the peace that passes all human understanding. Isaiah 36:3 states, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
• Joy in reaching out to others
  • There is so much joy in sharing with others our God-given gifts like teaching, hospitality, singing, etc. Galatians 5:13 states, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
  • When Christians gather together, there is a joy that is almost indescribable. We share a common salvation through Jesus that will last forever, and we are all brothers and sisters in the family of God! Psalm 133:1 explains, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
• Joy in the relationship with Jesus
  • There is a deep contentment in being close to God. Knowing that He wants me to speak to Him through my prayers and teach me through His Word fills my heart with so much joy! After all, He is the God of all creation! The joy in knowing that He loves me so much fills my soul to overflowing! When I think that the Lord Jesus Christ knows my name and calls me His own, my soul rejoices! Psalm 16:11 affirms this, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Today is a day to celebrate love, and there is no greater love than that which Jesus demonstrated long ago on an old rugged cross. His love is beyond measure; nothing can ever compare with it, and nothing will ever separate us from it. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Memory Verse:  “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13

I have found His grace is all complete, He supplieth ev'ry need;
While I sit and learn at Jesus' feet, I am free, yes, free indeed.
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, oh, the half has never yet been told.

I have found the joy no tongue can tell, how its waves of glory roll!
It is like a great o'er flowing well, springing up within my soul.
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, oh, the half has never yet been told.

(from “Joy Unspeakable” by Barney Elliott Warren)

Scripture: “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” – Romans 12:9

Examination: Paul describes how we should live as Christians. We are to be wholly dedicated to serving the Lord and other believers. He tells us that as children of God, the evil in this world will not overtake us, rather we will overcome the evil through living a godly lifestyle.  

Application: Black cats, broken mirrors, the number 13… these are all considered “bad luck” symbols, especially today. Friday the 13th has long been considered a day filled with frightening omens and superstitions. In truth, evil doesn’t confine itself to one day of the year, and it’s not as harmless as the world would have us think.

The evilness of this world has forced its way into every aspect of our lives. Television, music, books, even our schools boldly present demonic themes as acceptable and even desired. Every aspect of our culture… our language, dress, behaviors, etc., no longer speaks in whispers about things that once were considered to be unspeakable. Satanic influences are everywhere and embraced by a world that has no idea that the powers of hell are focused on the destruction of all that is holy.

While allowing a black cat to cross your path or opening an umbrella inside the house is nothing to be fearful of, the reality of evil in this world is a very present demonic truth. The Bible speaks of a spiritual war that is constantly being waged around us between the powers of hell and the angelic army of God. The heavenly host fight to protect us against the forces of hell that constantly seek to destroy the souls of men. Ephesians 6:12 states, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

In spite of the evil that surrounds, we need not fear. One of the most wonderful things about the Bible is it tells us the end of the story, and we know who wins. In truth, the victory was already won at the cross. Jesus’ holiness and sinlessness enabled Him to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. The wickedness and evil that is inerrant in all of us was paid for with his precious blood once and for all.  Then death and the grave could not hold him; Jesus rose victoriously to be the Saviour of the world.

Because of Jesus, we need not fear the evil in this world, but we also should not take it lightly nor should we embrace it. It needs to be exposed for what it is. Movies that glorify evil should not be viewed; video games that promote murder, anarchy, or insurrection should not be played; books that highlight demonic activity and create heroes and heroines that practice the dark arts should not be read. All of these things are part of Satan’s master plan to desensitize us to the evil and wickedness in this world. Choose movies, books, music, etc., that promote those values that God regards as good.

On this Friday the 13th, if you drop your mirror that shatters, don’t worry that you may suffer dire consequences. Instead, turn your eyes upon Jesus. His love has overcome evil; His love has overcome sin; His love has overcome Satan. Philippians 4:8 tells us the things that we should set our eyes upon. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Chaos, fear, uncertainty, and hopelessness are the results of a life of wickedness and sin. Allow the power of God’s Word and His love to envelop you, guide you, and fill you with His perfect peace and rest. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” With His love, there is no need to fear anything in this world… ever.

Memory Verse:  “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18

Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage;
Your mighty Defender is always the same.
Mount up with wings, as the eagle ascending;
Victory is sure when you call on his name.

Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord,
And be of good courage for he is your guide.
Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord,
And rejoice for the victory is yours.

(from “Be Strong in the Lord” by Linda Lee Johnson)

Scripture:  “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” – Philippians 2:9

Examination: In the second chapter of Philippians, Paul describes the character of the Lord Jesus Christ. He explains that we should live with the same humility that Jesus lived. We should have the heart of a servant, bringing glory and honor to God with our lives.

Application: Lately in my church, we’ve had several ladies who are expecting babies. It’s a wonderful time of celebration, and the baby showers are beginning! When my husband and I were expecting our children, one of the most exciting responsibilities we had was choosing a name for each of our two babies. I remember buying a baby book that had hundreds of names and their meanings listed. There were so many of them! Finally, we chose each child’s name, and it was perfect for each one.

Finding a good name is as important today as it was in times gone by. I remember that many of my older relatives were named after other family members, especially the firstborn son. He was often named after the father. That’s how it was in biblical times as well. In Luke 1:59, the expectation was that Zacharias would name his son after himself. “And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.” Instead, the baby was named “John” as directed by an angel of the Lord (Luke 1:13).

When the time came for Jesus to be born, like John, His name had been given to his earthly father by an angel in a dream. “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” (Matthew 1:24-25).

There are many other names by which Jesus is known in the Scriptures. Here are a few of them.

• Redeemer – “As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.” – Isaiah 47:4
• Emmanuel – “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” – Matthew 1:23
• Saviour – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:11
• Son of God – “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” – 1 John 4:15
• Lamb of God – “And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!” – John 1:36
• Lord – “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:11

Isaiah 9:6 gives us a beautiful summary of several other names for our Lord. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Jesus is the embodiment of God’s love. He came to us to die for us and redeem us unto Himself. Matthew 1:21 affirms this, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Jesus… Saviour… Son of God… What a beautiful name… the name of love!

Memory Verse: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” – Philippians 2:10

There have been names that I have loved to hear,
But never has there been a name so dear
To this heart of mine, as the name divine,
The precious, precious name of Jesus.

Jesus is the sweetest name I know,
And He’s just the same as His lovely name,
And that’s the reason why I love Him so;
Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.

 (from “Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know” by Lela B. Long)

Scripture:  “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” – John 14:6

Examination: Jesus is preparing His disciples for the time when He will no longer be with them. In their distress, He reminds them of who He is and the reason He will be leaving them. He goes on to assure them that He will send His Holy Spirit to help and comfort them, and in this, they will have His peace.

Application: I love road trips! Ever since I married my husband, road trips have been a part of our lives even after our children were born! It’s highly possible they’d been across the country on a road trip before they could walk! Back in those days, we navigated with a paper map (my job), and took many side trips to discover some pretty unique sites in our country.

These days, paper maps have become obsolete with the advancement of technology and the invention of GPS. However, even with the change of methodology, road trips continue for us, and we usually reach our intended destinations without much trouble. Unfortunately, there have been times when we’ve taken a wrong turn from either an unlabeled map or a GPS that hasn’t been updated. When that happens, we end up in a place where we didn’t want to be.

That’s a lot like another trip on which we’re all traveling. It’s a spiritual road trip, and where we end up depends on whether or not we pay careful attention to and follow the directions we have been given. The destination is heaven and, as you’ve probably guessed, the map or GPS is the Bible. There’s only one way to get there, and the directions are very simple to follow. Here are the Scriptural signposts that mark the way.

Signpost #1

• “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” – Romans 3:23
  • The realization that we are all sinners and can never measure up to God’s holiness on our own is the first stop.

Signpost #2

• “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
  • We must understand that our sin results in eternal separation from God, but the Lord Himself provides the way to everlasting life with Him.

Signpost #3

• “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
  • God’s love for mankind is so great that He sacrificed His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, so that humanity would have the opportunity to have their sins forgiven and be reconciled to Himself.

Signpost #4

• “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” – Romans 10:9
  • Realizing that as sinners, we need a Saviour is critical to our salvation. By placing our faith and trust in Christ… His death, burial, and resurrection… saves us. We cannot pay the sin-debt we owe; we cannot be good enough for it; we cannot work for it. The only way to reconcile ourselves to God the Father is through God the Son, Jesus.

Signpost #5

• “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13
  • Salvation is as easy as A-B-C:
    • Acknowledge that you are a sinner.
    • Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins, was buried, and then rose from the dead 3 days later as the Saviour of the world.
    • Call upon the Lord to be forgiven of and saved from your sins.

Signpost #6

• Congratulations! You have now been adopted into God’s family, and one day you will reach your final destination. Jesus is currently preparing a place just for you in His heaven, and soon He will come again and take you to be with Him forever! “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2-3).

When you ask GPS how to get to a specific place, it often gives several options from which you can choose your route. Be careful on your spiritual journey. Despite what the world may tell you, there is only one way to heaven. The Bible clearly states that Jesus is the only way. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). Don’t get lost on a detour! Choose your route wisely!

Memory Verse: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

I've found a friend who is all to me,
His love is ever true;
I love to tell how He lifted me,
And what His grace can do for you.

Saved by His pow'r, by His pow'r divine,
Saved to new life, to new life sublime!
Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
For I'm saved, saved, saved.

 (from “Saved, Saved” by Jack P. Scholfield)

Scripture:  “Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.” – Isaiah 43:4

Examination: In this chapter, the Lord is speaking to those held in captivity in Israel, and He reminds them that He will be the One to save them from the Babylonian exile. He speaks of His love for them even when they have rebelled, and assures them that He will restore them to the land of Israel.

Application: One of the frequent natural disasters in the foothills of southern California, where I once lived, is wildfires. Most of the time, the fires were not near my home, but one year, there was a rapidly spreading fire that came dangerously close to my home. It was burning down the slopes of the hills across the street, and the firefighters told us to be ready to evacuate. I rushed to gather the things I believed were most important and packed them in our car. Some of the most precious things I packed were my photo albums. The pictures chronicled the life of my family and were priceless to me. I didn’t want to lose them.

There was one other thing I grabbed that was too precious to leave behind. That was my Bible. While I could have purchased another Bible in the event this one was burned in the fire, it wouldn’t have all the special verses highlighted and notated… verses that drew me to Jesus and led me to placing my faith in Him… verses that proclaimed the incredible love that God has for me… verses that gave me hope when all seemed lost… verses that helped me to grow in my faith as I learned more about my blessed Lord and Saviour.

The faith I have in Jesus is so precious! Peter affirmed this when he wrote, “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:” All through the Scriptures, I find the love of God for me in its pages! Nothing compares to His love. Nothing means more to me than knowing that I belong to Jesus, and He belongs to me. The love He has for me will never fade, never grow cold, never be replaced. Here are a few of my favorite verses that affirm His love for me.

• “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” – Jeremiah 31:3
• “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” – Ephesians 2:4-5
• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

Oh, what a precious love God has for you and me!

Memory Verse: “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” – Psalm 139:17

Through the love of God our Saviour, all will be well.
Free and changeless is his favour, all, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us, perfect is the grace that sealed us,
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us, all must be well.

Though we pass through tribulation, all will be well.
Ours is such a full salvation, all, all is well.
Happy, still in God confiding, fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
Holy, through the Spirit’s guiding, all must be well.

We expect a bright tomorrow, all will be well.
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, 'All, all is well.'
On our Father’s love relying, Jesus every need supplying,
In our living, in our dying, all must be well.

 (from “Through the Love of God Our Saviour” by Mary Peters)