Rapture Flight to Heaven

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In Loving Memory
  April 29, 1947 - September 5, 2020



Update: On Saturday, September 5th, 2020, the founder, administrator, and head moderator of this forum, Valerie S., went Home to be with the Lord.  Her obituary can be found on https://memorials.demarcofuneralhomes.com/valerie-skrzyniak/4321619/index.php.

This posting is dedicated to the forever memory and honor of Valerie, who was the founder of, and the inspiration for, this Web site.  The Web site will continue to operate in Valerie's remembrance, as requested by her family.  God bless!

Dedicated to God  the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit​​​​​​​
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

   For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.     

​​​​​​​2 Timothy 4:7-8
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing
.

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Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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JVIM - Today's Devotional - January 15
Matthew 25: 14-30 - Faithfulness

Memory Verse:
His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord (Matthew 25:23).

Christians are stewards. Immediately after the return of Christ, we will all give an account of ourselves: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10). This judgment will not determine salvation but will be to evaluate our use of time and talents in the service of our Saviour.
Looking forward to this time, Jesus stressed the importance of faithfulness. The most underestimated rewards of all time are those that will be given to the faithful from the Lord’s hand. It is not surprising that there will be some tears in heaven. When we see what could have been had we been more diligent and faithful in His work it is sure to bring some regret.
“The saddest words of tongue or pen
Are simply these: ‘It might have been.’”
Jesus set the example of being faithful. He endured the mocking, the scorn and the cross for us. How can we do less for Him? Our petty grievances seem small when measured in the light of His great sacrifice.
Why have you stopped serving? What made you resign your office? What trifle touched off your temper? What changes are necessary to have “FAITHFULNESS” describe your life? Remember, there’s a “WELL DONE” waiting for the faithful.

https://www.jvim.com/todays-devotionals/

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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BLB Daily Promises (January 16th)

Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

Reflection
Find your warmth and care in the loving arms of the Lord for He will ever comfort you. His love for His children is enormous and unceasing. He will dry your tears and replace your sorrow with joy. He shall lift you up and shall be your strength in times of trouble.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/index.cfm?doy=16

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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Work It Out - harvest.org
by Greg Laurie
January 16


Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. —Philippians 2:12


During the Gold Rush of the mid-1800s, people came to California from all around the world because they had heard there was “gold in them thar hills.” Apparently some people imagined they would arrive and find chunks of gold just lying around in the streets. Well, there was a lot of gold in California back then, but people quickly discovered that the gold wasn’t as plentiful as they’d hoped. Yes, a lot of gold was in the mines, but it was necessary to work hard and stay with it in order to find that mother lode.
This is the idea the apostle Paul was conveying to the saints in Philippi when he wrote, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). We need to work out what God has worked in. We need to discover what God has done for us.
However, we don’t work for our salvation; we work it out. Salvation is a gift from God. We are told in Ephesians 2:8–9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” So we don’t work for it; we work it out.
Remember, Paul was directing this statement to believers. The idea of working out one’s salvation is referring to living out one’s faith—carrying it out correctly. In fact, the term work out carries the meaning of working to full completion. So we need to carry it to the goal.
As believers, the work of God is in our hearts, but we need to live it out. Like the gold seekers in California’s early days, we need to mine it. That means carrying to the goal and fully completing our own salvation with fear and trembling.

https://www.harvest.org/devotions-and-blogs/daily-devotions/2018-01-16

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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BLB Daily Promises (January 17th)

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10)

Reflection
Our love for God cannot save us, but His love for us can. It is because of His love that we are given His grace to enter the kingdom of heaven (Ephesians 2:8).

My Prayer: Thank you for Your endless love! It is only through your grace that I can be granted eternal life.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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The Answer to Doubt
by Greg Laurie
January 17

"I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life."—John 5:24

One question that I’m often asked is, can Christians lose their salvation? People are afraid of this, and I think it’s for good reason. New believers often experience moments of doubt, and so do Christians who have known the Lord for many years. In fact, the first temptation the serpent presented in the Garden of Eden was to doubt God. He said to Eve, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1). In other words, “Did God really say what you thought He said?”
When you have thoughts like, Maybe I’m not saved; maybe Christ really isn’t living inside of me, you need to stand on the Word of God, not on your emotions, because emotions will fluctuate. When they do, here are some Scriptures to remind you of God’s faithfulness:
All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. (1 John 5:10)
For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:16)
“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” (John 5:24)
I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)
During His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus responded to each challenge with the words, “It is written,” and then He quoted the Scriptures. Jesus stood on ground that we, too, can occupy. As we quote the Scriptures, it will bolster our faith. That is why we need to know the Word of God.

https://www.harvest.org/devotions-and-blogs/daily-devotions/2018-01-17

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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BLB Daily Promises (January 18th)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)

Reflection
Absolutely every good thing comes from our Father who tends to all our needs according to His purpose. Amazingly, our gracious Father never changes, but remains the same through all eternity. May we continue to give thanks to Him who pours forth His love and peace to all who believe.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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Eyes to See
by Billy Graham
January 18

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light...
—Acts 26:18

The blind man, Bartimaeus, threw off his cloak and ran trembling to Jesus. And Jesus said, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” In that moment as he said, “Lord,” his spiritual eyes were opened. And Jesus said, “Your faith has made you whole.” Notice-not your intellectual understanding, not your money, not your works-but your faith. Faith! That’s all it takes! Immediately Bartimaeus, who had been blind all of his life, began to open his eyes, and the first thing he saw was the face of Jesus. What an experience-to open one’s eyes and look straight into the strong, tender face of Jesus! Bartimaeus met Jesus and the record says he “followed Jesus in the way.” When you go back to your business, or your home, or your neighborhood, or your friends, or your school, you don’t go alone. Christ goes with you.

Go deeper: Listen to Billy Graham’s message on spiritual blindness

Prayer for the day
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for healing me from my spiritual blindness!

https://billygraham.org/devotion/eyes-to-see/

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. (Hosea 14:4)

Reflection
Praise be to God that He, in the midst of our depravity, drew us to Him with the sweet chords of His melodious grace. We were wretched and iniquitous, yet He chose to love us freely. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, provider of our salvation and promise of hope!

https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/index.cfm?doy=19

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Reflection
All things. Every circumstance. The entire realm of possible events. All of these conspire toward a single goal: the good of the Redeemed! Whether trial or blessing, whether great joy or greater sorrow, whether prosperity or suffering, every last detail in the universe works together for the benefit of God's children!

https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/index.cfm?doy=20

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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JVIM - Today's Devotional - January 20
Mark 10:35-45

The Mighty and the Minister
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
James and John, like many of us, longed for places of power: “They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.” Jesus rebuked them for their carnal craving and taught them the value of ministering. That, He said, was His purpose in coming to earth.

And what a minister He was. As a boy in the temple, at the age of twelve, He ministered to the religious leaders, answering their questions. He ministered to the sick. They came to Him with all manner of diseases and He healed them all. He ministered to the grieving, weeping with them, and often He went to the heart of their grief, restoring their loved ones who had been lost in death. He ministered to children and parents. Though He was here on heaven’s most important mission, He had time to lay His hands on little children and pray for them. He ministered to His disciples, taking a towel and basin and washing their feet. He ministered to lost sinners, explaining the way of eternal life. He ministered to a multi-married woman at the well of Samaria and gave her living water to quench her thirst of soul. He ministered to a dying thief who longed to be forgiven for a life of sin and to be remembered in the Kingdom. He ministered to His crucifiers as He prayed for their forgiveness.

What lessons there are in the life of Jesus to show us the sin of self exaltation! He humbled Himself and gave His life a ransom. We will do well to follow His steps by ministering to others today.

https://www.jvim.com/todays-devotionals/

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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[[A Song of degrees.]] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)

Reflection
From the high places that surround us come every foe and bandit, seeking to destroy us and make of nothing our faith. How can we stand against such villainy? Where are we to turn for aid in the spiritual war in which all the children of God are engaged? Turn to the Lord. He is your help. The creator of heaven and earth who holds power over every living thing will protect His child from every spiritual harm. Take comfort and love Christ.


https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/index.cfm?doy=21

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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Hoekstra's Day by Day by Grace - (January 21st)

The New Covenant Inaugurated for the Church

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises…And the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us…"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts"…Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us. (Hebrews 8:6; 10:15-16, 19-20)

This new covenant of grace (promised to Israel eventually) has already been inaugurated for the church now. The book of Hebrews documents this fact repeatedly. "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." Here in chapter 8, verse 6, the new covenant is referred to as "a better covenant." Then, the instituting of this new covenant is described in the past tense, "was established." It has already been put into operation for the church.

In Hebrews 10:16, the promise of the new covenant is quoted from Jeremiah 31. "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts." In the previous verse, we are told that this quote from Jeremiah includes a message from the Holy Spirit to us, the church of Jesus Christ. "And the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us."

Furthermore, in Hebrews 10:19-20, the new covenant is applied to the access of the "brethren" (the church, God's children) to their holy God and Father. "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us." Through His death on the cross, Jesus consecrated (that is, inaugurated, instituted, established, put into operation) the new covenant for us today!

Of course, this all fits perfectly with the application of the new covenant to the church celebrating the Lord's Supper. "In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood'"(1 Corinthians 11:25).

Dear Lord of Glory, I rejoice with great gladness that Your new covenant of grace is the wondrous manner in which I am invited to relate to You. In this rich covenant, I have found forgiveness of all my sins. Praise be to Your name! In this bountiful arrangement, I can grow in intimacy with You. Blessed be Your name! In this generous provision, I anticipate being changed and enabled by You from deep within my heart. Glory be to Your name forevermore!

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (Acts 15:11)

Reflection
Sweet is the aroma of such a glorious salvation as ours. When once we bloated in our spiritual death-rot, we now stand cleansed and brilliant, arrayed in robes of purest white and crowned with life eternal. We were dead. We were destined for death everlasting. Yet now, believer rejoice! For our destiny is life never-ceasing!


https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/index.cfm?doy=22

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. (Psalm 27:5)

Reflection
Impregnable is the bulwark of defence the Lord has provided in the regenerative blood of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! Take great courage and comfort in the sure bastion of the Lord's sovereign plan. He cannot be thwarted. He cannot be dismayed. His chosen people can never be trampled or destroyed. Be strong in passion for this truth and proceed in your battle boldly! You are called to righteousness and evangelism-and God's power will be your power in these things.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/index.cfm?doy=23

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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Our Example to Follow
by Greg Laurie
January 23, 2018

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. —Mark 9:2-3
The miracle of the Transfiguration wasn’t that Jesus shined like the sun; the miracle was that He didn’t shine like the sun all the time. When Jesus came to Earth, He never gave up His deity. But we might say that He shrouded His glory and laid aside the privileges of His deity.
Jesus Christ is God. He is a member of the Trinity, coequal and coeternal with the Father and with the Holy Spirit. Jesus was God before He was born, and He remained God after He became man. His deity was prehuman, pre-Mary, and pre-Bethlehem.
Jesus laid aside not His deity, but the privileges of deity, to model what it is to be a servant. Paul told the believers in Philippi, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5–7).
We are to follow His example. If Jesus could lay aside the privileges of divinity, then how much more should we, as human beings with sinful hearts, be willing to put the needs of others above ourselves?
This isn’t easy. In fact, we could say that it’s virtually impossible—apart from the power of the Spirit. This is not so much about imitation as much as it is about impartation—Christ Himself living in us and giving us His love and power. It’s the only way we can put the needs of another person above our own, love people whom we really don’t like all that much, or effectively die to ourselves. It seems impossible. But this is the way God has called us to live.

https://www.harvest.org/devotions-and-blogs/daily-devotions/2018-01-23

Christian Basics Devotionals
https://www.harvest.org/devotions-and-blogs/daily-devotions/by-topic/christian-basics

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, [ye are] God's building. (1 Corinthians 3:9)

Reflection
Once we have devoted our lives to Christ, we become a working part to further the kingdom of God. We are His field that He cultivates as we produce fruits for His glory. We are the structure of His building as He resides in our hearts. Yet, we are only His field and building by the grace of God. The triumph of Christ over death allows us to be used to His glory. After all, to be used of Christ is one of the greatest blessings in the Christian life.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/index.cfm?doy=24

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)

Reflection
The compelling blood of Christ offers great power to Christians as they fight this spiritual battle against evil. By the magnificent name of Jesus Christ, we can conquer all things and nothing shall destroy us! We are victorious because Christ is with us; therefore, no one could possibly be against us (Romans 8:31).

https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/index.cfm?doy=25

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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The Question of the Ages
by Greg Laurie
January 25, 2018

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?"
—Matthew 22:41-42


Without question, Jesus Christ is the most controversial figure who has ever lived. He is loved, worshiped, and followed by some. He is hated, despised, and rejected by others. He is disregarded and ignored by most. But it always will come down to Jesus.

Who is Jesus? Two thousand years ago, Christ Himself asked the question: “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” (Matthew 22:42). And to this very day, people are still confused about the answer. Maybe there has never been a time when more people profess faith in Jesus yet at the same time have no clue as to who He really is.

Many will speak with respect about Christ. They will say things like, “I believe that Jesus was a great prophet” or “I believe that Jesus was a messenger sent from God” or “I believe that Jesus was the best of all men.”

Yet the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ was the unique Son of God, not a man becoming God. He was God becoming a man. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the second member of the Trinity. And it also teaches that He was supernaturally conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary. He was not merely a good teacher but the greatest teacher—God in human form.

The Bible teaches that Christ was physically crucified and that He bodily rose from the dead. The Bible also teaches that Jesus was not one god among many but is the only God, equal with the Father and above all others. That is why the death of Jesus, and the death of Jesus alone, meets the righteous requirements of God.

Jesus never became God. He always was God. He walked among us as an ordinary looking man, yet He was God incarnate.

https://www.harvest.org/devotions-and-blogs/daily-devotions/2018-01-25

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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And I will bring the blind by a way [that] they knew not; I will lead them in paths [that] they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16)

Reflection
The incredible love of the Father shines upon His children bringing them out of their evil darkness and into His glorious light. His light guides His people through the shadows of death. And through the grave difficulties of their lives, they are brought into places of indescribable peace and joy. As believers of Christ, we are promised this ever-present light that will lead us into the gracious sanctuary of the Lord. In this we can find hope in an everlasting rest.


https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/index.cfm?doy=26

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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Thou [art] my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. (Psalm 119:114)

Reflection
The Lord promises to protect us from the attacks of our enemy, the Devil. It is in God's Word that we find the salvation that gives us hope to live

https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/index.cfm?doy=27

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. (Proverbs 8:35)

Reflection
Whatever wisdom exists finds its identity in the person and being of Christ Himself. Seek this wisdom and thereby seek out the Lord of our rest. In Him alone lies all life and love and joy and meaning. Turn to Him and embrace true wisdom! Turn to Him and be comforted with the promise of eternal Sabbath! In Christ alone stands our hope!

https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/index.cfm?doy=28

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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Psalm 44
https://gracethrufaith.com/the-psalms/psalm-44/

July 11, 2017
We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our fathers; you crushed the peoples and made our fathers flourish. It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.

You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
Selah

But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies. You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us. You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations. You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale. You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us. You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us.

My disgrace is before me all day long, and my face is covered with shame at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.

All this happened to us, though we had not forgotten you or been false to your covenant. Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path. But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals and covered us over with deep darkness.

If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart? Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love.

And elderly farm couple was driving along a country road in their battered old pickup, when a shiny new convertible swooped past them. The two young people in the convertible were seated so close together, her head on his shoulder and his right arm holding her tight, they almost looked like one. The old woman looked across the bench seat to her husband of 40 years and said dreamily, “Remember back when we used to sit that close together?” The old man replied, “I’ve never moved.”

Sometimes it feels like we’re out there all alone. Our God, Who once felt so close to us now seems so far away. It’s a dark hour. Where is He? Why doesn’t He respond?

He created us for a love relationship with Him. It’s the only thing He needs from us, and He needs it so badly that He gave His life to make it possible. His love is the one thing we can count on in this world. His mercies are new every morning. There’s no way, having gone to such extremes to redeem us that He would ever abandon us. “And surely I am with you always,” He said, “To the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20)

When Peter, having gotten out of the boat and begun walking on the water, began to sink, he cried out, “Lord! Save me!” Immediately the Lord was at his side, holding him up, bringing him back to the boat. There’s no place you can go where He cannot rescue you the minute you ask.

If you feel so far away, maybe you’re the one who’s moved. Try confessing your sins and then ask Him if you’ve somehow taken the wrong fork in a road you were going down together. Spend more time reading your Bible, praying. You’ll find him again.

And when you do, and recall how close the two of you used to be, you’ll hear Him gently say, “I’ve never moved.”

Grace thru Faith is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Copyright © 2018. All rights reserved.

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29)

Reflection
If we seek God, it is promised that we shall find Him. How wondrous then that it is God who makes us to be seekers of Him! In His beautiful supremacy over the history of His redemptive purpose, God has ignited in each of His chosen people, a divine and unquenchable spark of desire to know Him. So rest, O believer, assured in the fact that you love God because He first loved you—and because of His love for you, He will in nowise cast you out!

https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/index.cfm?doy=29

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The Heart of the Matter
by Greg Laurie - https://www.harvest.org
January 29

"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."—Matthew 9:13
When Jesus walked this earth, He reserved His most scathing words for self-righteous, religious hypocrites. When a woman caught in the act of adultery was brought before Jesus, the religious elite said to Him, “Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” (John 8:5).

Jesus stooped down and began writing something in the sand. Whatever He wrote must have been very revealing, because one by one, they all left, from the oldest to the youngest. Then Jesus turned to the woman and said, “Where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” (verse 10).

“I have none Lord,” she said.

“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (verse 11).

He could have said, “Haven’t you heard what the Bible says? Why are you breaking the commandments of God?” But Jesus didn’t give her a lecture. In fact, He got rid of the religious hypocrites and dealt with her graciously. I think Jesus knew she already had realized the enormity of her sin and was willing to turn from it. Thus, He pardoned her. Does that mean Jesus approved of the way she lived? Far from it. God is very clear about how He wants us to live.

I think we spend too much time boycotting what nonbelievers do and not enough time giving them the answer to their problems. There is a place to say what we’re against. But the bottom line is that people are empty. They need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s expend our energy there. Let’s expend our energy in proclaiming the gospel, because the heart of the matter is that people are lost. They need Christ, and we need to take that message to them.

https://www.harvest.org/devotions-and-blogs/daily-devotions/2018-01-29

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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JVIM - Today's Devotional - January 30

Revelation 1:1-8 The Time Is At Hand

Memory Verse: 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).

Israel is a nation.
Russia has a form of government built on atheism.
The Common Market moves toward a United States of Europe.
What does it all mean?
To most students of the Bible it means that we are living in the last days.
The weight of evidence for the truth of Bible prophecy is now so strong that any informed person would have to close his eyes to escape seeing its fulfillment.
Christ is coming!
He will come in fulfillment of His promise to the disciples:“I will come again, and receive you unto myself” (John 14:3).
He will come as promised by the two angels who appeared at His ascension. These heavenly messengers announced, “This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
He will come as described by Paul, the apostle: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17).
Yes, Jesus will return.
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

https://www.jvim.com/todays-devotionals/

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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Thou [art] my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. (Psalm 32:7)

Reflection
The Lord our God is the High King of Deliverance! There is no calamity so great that He might be unable to rescue us. Even when we were dead of spirit and purebred haters of Him, He saw fit to rescue us from ourselves. He gave the dead new life. There is no difficulty so strong that He cannot save us. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and He will surely deliver!

https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/index.cfm?doy=30

Re: Today's Promises & Devotionals From the Bible - January 2018

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But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

Reflection
My Prayer: Dearest Father, please cause me to desire to walk in Your light. Make me to take such joy in the fellowship of the body of Your Son and in His shed blood that Your light will overflow from my life.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/promises/index.cfm?doy=31