Devotional for 2/15/15
Apart from God we are nothing. We are unable to do anything to please Him on our own. Some people are separated from God out of ignorance - not knowing about his saving grace. Others know about it but refuse to believe it, choosing instead religious belief in nothing or in some other false god such as "nature" or "spirituality" apart from God, etc. Still others believe in the true God but have fallen away out of lack of a close relationship, or their faith growing dim until the once glowing flame becomes such a tiny spark that it is at risk of forever being extinguished and becoming a cold ash. Those who are separated from God for whatever reason are lost souls. Some of those lives even turn to evil ways, or reveling in sinful actions.
But once we are given the Spirit through baptism, we have received the gift of faith - that glowing ember within our hearts. If we continue by God's power to fan the flame of faith through conscious contact with Him in prayer, meditation, praise and worship, we will desire to thank him with our good works and witness to the world. We are set free from the bondage of sin. Our lives become transformed as we reflect to the world the love of Jesus Christ who died and rose again for all.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NIV) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Dear Lord in heaven, I praise your holy name for all that you have done for me. My life is nothing without you. But by your loving and merciful forgiveness I have been transformed. By your mighty power make me a light to the world, reflecting your glory to others in all that I say and do. Help me when I falter or stray from your side, bringing me back into the fold. Keep me strong in faith so that through my witness others can be brought into a loving relationship with you. In Jesus' name, Amen.
written by Jan Andersen
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