Tag: hope

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: November 24

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 1 John chapter 3

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

What a great privilege it is to belong to God! We who have been saved are sons and daughters of God. It does not yet appear what we shall be. But God has given us the hope that when Jesus appears we shall be like Him. Since we have this hope, and since Jesus is holy, we must strive for holy living. An unholy life reflects that we do not belong to God. John stated, “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil…” 1 John 3:8 ESV) The evidence that we are saved is that we practice righteousness, and that we possess a love for other believers. Anyone who does not love the fellowship does not know God. Jesus taught us how to love. Jesus laid down His life for us and He is our example. We must be willing to lay down our lives for the brothers. What are you willing to sacrifice, what are you willing to endure for the sake of your church family?

Prayer: “Lord, let us experience a confident hope, and may we demonstrate our relationship to You by the way we live and by the way we love. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: August 5, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 2 Corinthians chapter 5

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

Paul said, “If we are crazy, we are crazy for Jesus!” (Paraphrase)
The great missionary Paul was constrained by the love of Christ. He had been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ and had been given the ministry of reconciliation. Each one of us who has come to faith in Christ is a representative of the cross of Jesus, and has been given the ministry of reconciliation. We know that God has not given us what we deserve, and that Jesus took our sins upon the cross and paid for them with His blood. We believe with Paul that “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” And with Paul we have hope of a glorious future. We know that we will one day appear before Christ, and we will receive a reward. Our temporary bodies which are decaying, will be replaced with glorious Christ-like bodies. We are accepted by Him and will be present with Him. We understand this and are assured of this by faith. And as an affirmation of our faith God has given His Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our future inheritance. People used to give earnest money when they were making a purchase of a home. Earnest money was a guarantee or promise of purchase. God has given us the Spirit as a guarantee that heaven is our future home.

Prayer: “Dear Father, thank You for giving us hope, faith, and love. May we walk by faith and not by sight. Thank You for reconciling us to God through Jesus Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is John chapter 20

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

We’ve all been in situations where we felt it was hopeless, or maybe a circumstance that seemed impossible. When Mary came to the tomb that is how she and the other followers of Jesus felt. They were discouraged, and it seemed as though all was lost. But on resurrection morning the stone was rolled away! God did not roll away the stone so that Jesus could go out, but He did it so that we could see in. There is hope in any situation because Jesus lives! This is why Paul prayed, “That I might know Him (Jesus) and the power of His resurrection.” We need resurrection power to face life and it’s difficult problems. Resurrection power means we have been given victory through Jesus Christ. God who raised up Jesus will also raise us up. Resurrection power means we have hope through Jesus Christ. Don’t be discouraged and don’t be without faith today. Believe God for resurrection power to give you victory over temptation, patience and endurance in your storms, and hope to live life with joy, love, and courage.

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, may we know You and the power of Your resurrection today. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is John chapter 11

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

The shortest verse in the Bible simply says, “Jesus wept.” The tears of Jesus remind us of our Savior’s great compassion. He loves you and me and He identifies with our sorrow. He knows what you are going through and He cares. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your cares upon Him (Jesus) for He cares for you.” The tears of Jesus remind us that we can bring all of our burdens to the Lord and leave them there. Whatever you are going through, whatever you are facing bring your troubles to Jesus and leave them at His feet. His tears show you that whatever troubles you also troubles Him. Perhaps Jesus weeping also means that He is deeply troubled over sin and death. Maybe His heart is crushed under the weight of grief because He sees suffering and He knows our plight. He is saddened by the fact that our human state is such as it is. He sees the effect of sin and death and it breaks His heart. Jesus is such a compassionate Savior, He died for us that we might live. He took our sin and He buried that sin in the grave. When Jesus arose He left our sin buried. It is gone! Our sin is buried with Christ. Search and you will never find it. It is as far as the east is from the west. His tears identifies with our tears but one day Jesus will wipe away every tear from our eyes.

Prayer: “Lord, we stand in awe of who You are. Your tears remind of Your great love. We know we can bring and worries and fears to You today. Thank You for loving us so much. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron