Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 2-28-18

February 28, 2018

John 12:36-43 New Living Translation (NLT)

From the beginning of time, despite the amazing and magnificent miracles of the Lord, people did not want to believe or submit to God.  Jesus did one healing after another as people witnessed the “praise of God” or power resting on Messiah.  Many were astounded, but did not believe or put their trust in Messiah even then.  

God is still moving in miraculous ways in our world, but many struggle to confess belief because loving Jesus and believing in the Living Word causes offense to others.  That is why Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are not offended by me” (Matthew 11:6).  Why would Jesus respond that way?  Because in Christ we have the invitation to allow the “praise of God” to rest on us as we live in fellowship with the Father.   But as we will see in our passage today, people sometimes desire human praise rather than the “praise of God.”   Allow the Word to do its work in your heart, mind, will, and emotions, and enjoy the “praise of God” abiding in your life.  It is SWEET!

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Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 2-27-18

February 27, 2018

Hebrews 11:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT)

It is our faith that rises like a sweet smelling fragrance before the Lord; our faith pleases the heart of God because it acknowledges the Lord as Source.  When we come to God with faith believing that he desires to bless us as his children; he is a proud Abba.  We all think we know what will make us happy or fulfilled as we pray and petition God, but sometimes we are looking at things from a very shallow perspective and unable to see the greater options.  That is why we come by faith to the throne of God.  He knows us and He knows our needs.  God knows your needs, today.

One thing we must all keep in mind, the rewards and treasures God imparts to us may not always be what we are looking for in the beginning nor recognize as such when they arrive.  Those spiritual blessings will, however, be the very things we are the most grateful for as time goes on.  God knows how to give good gifts to his children; they are always eternally connected to the inheritance of Christ the Anointed One. Put your faith out for the Lord and expect him to bless you because of Jesus!  Be an example of great faith by believing for God to meet every need in your life.

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