The Work Never Ends

The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. (John 5:15-17) 
 
Jesus does not ever stop working with us or on us. At the time of Christ, the religious leaders were angry with Jesus for making a sick man well on the Sabbath. They exclaimed that Jesus had no right to do such a thing on the Sabbath. To us, this statement does not make sense. God is good and He can choose to be good whenever and on whoever He wants. 
 
Jesus showed us a quality of God’s character that the Jewish religious men did not represent due to their self-righteousness. Jesus is “God with us.” Through His Holy Spirit, Jesus is now “God in us.” So God is continually working on us, and in us, despite the day or circumstance at hand. God’s desire is that we be whole and healthy. Jesus came to break the bonds of sin and habits that keep us captive; behaviors that do not bring glory to God, but keep us focused on ourselves. Jesus is continually working on and in us and He is never in a rush. God is too gracious and merciful to bombard us with attempts to change all the areas in which we fall short all at once. 
 
Trust Him for your shortcomings; sometimes we are our own worse critics. Recognize that God is not always worried about, or surprised by, or in a rush to fix some of the weaknesses which concern us so much. We need to be honest, be open and be willing to be obedient. The Lord will be faithful to complete the work He began, because Jesus is always working. 
 
When I read this devotion it blessed me. We are indeed our own worse critics. The key to today’s devotion is this, be honest, be open and be willing to be obedient. 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 (Philippians 4:6). 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Romans 8:6-8

 



God’s Time

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (2 Peter 3:8) 
 
Time is an amazing concept. We can only understand time by how we experience it and how it applies to our lives. Our lives revolve around a 24 hour day, 7 day week, 4 week month, and 12 month year, give or take a few days. We measure time in increments by celebrating markers such as birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. We discuss time in terms of how fast or how slow it passes. We know that time is moving but we cannot see it, so we watch the sun rise and set, and we keep track of time with our watches and clocks. Our entire life is one constant span of time, uniquely purposed by God for each one of us. 
 
Peter writes to tell us one more truth about time: God’s idea of time is not the same as ours. We understand time as a constant, linear progression but God sees time without boundaries, limits or schedules. Can you imagine one day being as a thousand years, or vice versa? The Lord’s definition of time does not fit into our neat box of calendars, clocks and sunsets.. 
 
As Christians, we must learn to live in God’s timeline. We must surrender to His timing in all things. And we must be careful not to think that we have control over time, even our own. 2 Peter 3:10 says it best: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” There is a day coming when this earth will burn and those of us in Christ will be safe with Him. For those not in Christ, they will spend eternity forever separated from Him in a terrible place called Hell. God is waiting even now just for one more person to come to Him, before it is too late. One day could take a thousand years to complete, or a thousand years could be as one day, and then time is up. Is there time for one more person to come to Jesus? Only God knows; and that is why our time here on earth is precious. 
 
Maybe you know someone who needs to come to Jesus. Maybe the Lord has been telling you to share His message with them, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Maybe time is running out and this may be their last chance. Do not let time pass by carelessly. One day the Lord will say to Jesus that time is up for people on earth. Are you ready for that time? 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is John 3:20-21


Advice from My Father

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5) 
 
After being laid off from an editorial job, I prayed, asking for God to help me find a new one. But when weeks went by and nothing came of my attempts at networking and filling out applications, I began to pout. “Don’t You know how important it is that I have a job?” I asked God, my arms folded in protest at my seemingly unanswered prayer. 
 
When I talked to my father, who had often reminded me about believing God’s promises, about my job situation, he said, “I want you to get to the point where you trust what God says.” 
 
My father’s advice reminds me of Proverbs 3, which includes wise advice from a parent to a beloved child. This familiar passage was especially applicable to my situation: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6). To “direct thy paths” means God will guide us toward His goals for our growth. His ultimate goal is that I become more like Him. 
 
This does not mean that the paths He chooses will be easy. But I can choose to trust that His direction and timing are ultimately for my good. 
 
Are you waiting on God for an answer? Choose to draw near to Him and trust that He will guide you. 
 
Lord, thank You for guiding and caring for us every step of the way. Help us to trust in You daily. Amen! 
 
I felt this devotion was important to share, some days the waiting can feel agonizing and burdensome but we must remember in whom we have believed. His timing is incredibly perfect and if we will find peace in the waiting, we have found all that we need. Why? Because He’s there with us, every step of the way, there is never a moment in waiting that we are alone, if we feel alone it’s only because we chose it. We must remember, God knows what is best for you and I, trust Him on the path He has placed you on today and allow Him to lead and guide you along the way, faith believing that He’s got it all figured out and in His time all will be revealed. Trust Him with ALL your heart. Remember this, if God brings you to it; He will bring you through it. 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Colossians 3:13 


In Time

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 1:3)

The key word in today’s verse is the word “time.” When the Lord says, “the time is near,” He is referring to time from His perspective, not from the perspective of time that we have. Our minds cannot comprehend God’s concept of time, which puts us in a place of trusting Him for His perfect timing in all things.

Time seems so finite to us on earth, but in the kingdom of God, time is very different from what we know today. Even setting the clocks back one hour throws our schedules and internal systems off. It takes many of us all week to get adjusted to the time change. How can we begin to even imagine time being eternal? But it will be eternal for our spirits, and the choice of where we will spend it is up to us. For those in Christ, eternity in Heaven awaits us and the concept of time will no longer matter. For those who die without knowing Christ as their Savior, eternity consists of a Hell too terrible to comprehend.

Today, we should value time from the perspective that it is too short and is running out fast. Let’s get out and spread the Good News before time runs out. The book of Revelation is written so that we will know of what is to come and to believe that the “time is near.” We must never become complacent or apathetic regarding the Lord’s prophecies and promises. His words will come to pass…in time.

When I read this I couldn’t help but think, find me ready Lord, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Time is short and we must focus on what truly matters in life. I challenge you this week or even this month, to read Revelation with me. We must equip ourselves with God’s word. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:28).

Make today beautiful!

Today’s Reading is Psalm 23