It is For You

devotional

“If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Peering through the fence, the girl longed to see the game herself! She strained to see as much of the field as possible. Someone tapped her on the shoulder… “Would you like to go in? I’ve paid your way”. She could hardly believe it as she walked through the gate and the sights and sounds surrounded her.

Often we see others enjoying a relationship with God but don’t know how to experience it ourselves. We linger outside with a longing in our hearts.

Sometimes we focus on our circumstances and blame God for the things gone wrong. We keep focused on ourselves. Sometimes we keep God at such a respectable distance that He feels untouchable. Sometimes we realize our own lack of virtue and simply think it can’t be for us. Lots of reasons leave us peering longingly outside of God’s presence.

Yet the ticket was bought for you when Jesus died on the cross. You simply need to believe you are invited because the price has been paid. Paid out of love for you! Once you believe His love is real and personal you can move from being a longing spectator right into His presence as His treasured child. Don’t focus on yourself… focus on God and His forgiveness and His open arms. Simply say, “I’m sorry God, I’ve messed up. Please forgive me.” This is taking the ticket in your hand and entering the gate. Then He cleanses, He renews, and He begins to rebuild.

Release your life and all your mistakes to God. Release your sin to Him. Answer the longing in your heart and know that you qualify to enter into a relationship with God… not because of you… but because of Him!

Dear Heavenly Father, I need you. I’m sorry for going my own way. Please forgive me. I don’t want to peer through the fence any longer. Thank you that you accept me right here, just as I am. Please begin your work of renewing and rebuilding in my life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. devotional

The Purpose of Life

As surely as a child breathes, he will someday wonder, “What is the purpose of my life?” Some search for meaning in a career.  My purpose is to be a dentist. Fine vocation but hardly a justification for existence. They opt to be a human doing rather than a human being. They work many hours, because if they don’t, they have no identify. For others, who they are is what they have. They find meaning in a new car, a new house, new clothes.  They are great for the economy because they’re always seeking meaning in something they own. Sports, entertainment, cults, sex, you name it. Paul says in Romans 1:22, “Claiming themselves to be wise without God, they became utter fools instead.” Contrast that to God’s vision of life when he said, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to devote ourselves to the good deeds for which God has designed us!” (Ephesians 2:10).