Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 6-19-18

June 19, 2018

Revelation 21:22-22:5 New Living Translation (NLT)

I love praise time in our worship gatherings each week when collectively God’s people lift their voices to exalt him; to express heartfelt gratitude for his great love and provision. Praise is warfare initiated by lifting up One who is so much greater than he who is in the world.  Scripture teaches God inhabits the praise of his people and I am aware of His presence each time we seek Him with praise.  

In our passage from the Apostle John today, he tells of a time when God pulled back the visual curtain separating the heavenly realm and allowed John to observe the praise room of heaven.  The room was illuminated by God’s glory and the people were able to look upon the face of God.  Can you imagine?  This room has the complete absence of evil and a river flows from the throne of God and the Lamb.  Trees with medical leaves line the river; the leaves heal the individuals as well as the nations under heaven.  Praise is the occupation of everyone there; unrestrained praise of God and the Lamb for the love that is self-emptying. 

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Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 6-18-18

June 18, 2018
Galatians 6:11-18 New Living Translation (NLT)
The Bible is the rule of Christian faith.  If we have given our life to Jesus, we know the Bible is to be followed and applied in our daily living.  The entirety of Scripture is our spiritual food.
Some of the early Christians from Galatia were preaching that circumcision was necessary for salvation and holiness.  Paul reminds them salvation comes through the cross alone and holiness is the work of the Spirit in us. With God the condition of our hearts is what really matters.  As the people of God, let’s place our hearts before the Lord every day and allow him to bring the necessary transformation.