Daily Devotions: August 7, 2014

Today’s Bible reading is 2 Corinthians chapter 7

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

God’s Word is filled with great promises! One such promise is, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)
A promise is different than a principle. Principles do not guarantee the outcome, but promises do. God’s promises are God’s guarantees. Paul said, “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV)
God promises that if we will turn from the world, and turn to Him in faith that He will receive us and be a Father to us! But we must open our hearts and look to Him in faith. Paul greatly desired the Corinthian believers to experience God’s blessings. One of the things that was hindering them was the influence of the world upon their church. They were in danger of becoming a worldly church. Billy Sunday used to say, “Talking about a worldly Christian is like talking about a heavenly devil.” It just doesn’t fit. It is an oxymoron. As sons and daughters of God we must practice separation. He says, “Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” (2 Corinthians 6:14)
The Old Testament Law restricted Jews from putting an ox and a mule together under the same yoke. These two animals do not make a good team. When we team up with God we will begin to walk in holy living and we will no longer be conformed to this world.

Prayer: “Dear God, we come to You as sons and daughters calling You Father because of Your great promise to save us by faith in Your Son Jesus Christ. We thank You In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J McPheron