Turing Point – Devotion

 

The world decided to party it up in the 1920s. The Great War was over, and everyone was caught up in flappers, talkies, gangsters, speakeasies, bootleggers, jazz, new-fangled radios, and novel dances. But the mood didn’t last. The Roaring Twenties ran right into the Great Depression.

One hundred years later in the 2020s, it’s still hard to predict the twists and turns of the times. But the Lord has given us insights into the future. Much of the Bible is predictive prophecy. When we study these passages, it contributes to our Christian growth and godliness. We look around at the times, we look ahead at the prophecies, and we ask ourselves, “How should I then live?”

The apostle Peter said, “And so since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives we should be living! You should look forward to that day and hurry it along…. Looking forward to God’s promise of new heavens and a new earth”


I wonder what our lives would be like if we truly believed and lived every day with the knowledge and understanding that every single thing this world has to offer and the influences it has on our lives will be melted away, burned up, and dissolved like worthless waste.

Would we; be more kind, gracious, merciful, repentant, loving, generous, joyful, etc…. I think so.

Would we; despise worry, anger, hate, greed, pride, arrogance, neglect, complacency, boastfulness, gossiping, fear, etc…. I think so.

Would we; spend more time in prayer, studying God’s Word, meditating on it, growing in our understanding of God, His holiness, and our sinfulness, etc…. I think so.

This refrain is so thoughtful;

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Various Quotes

 

We need to confront the lies of Satan with the truth of God’s Word. In Ephesians 6:14, Paul said, “Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth.” In Paul’s day, if a Roman soldier wore a free-flowing tunic into battle, the enemy could grab hold of it and gain an advantage. So the soldier would tuck his tunic into his belt. In the same way, if you have all these what-ifs and if-onlys floating freely in your mind, Satan is going to seize hold of them and gain an advantage in your life. So confront your fears with truth by dealing decisively with whatever is causing anxiety in your life.

I am convinced that to be filled with the Spirit is not an option, but a necessity. It is indispensable for the abundant life and for fruitful service.

We must come to good works by faith, and not to faith by good works.

Satan is the embodiment of evil, so much so that he comes to us as an angel of light and makes wrong seem right, wickedness seem righteous, and evil seem good. He places a veil over our eyes, whispers soothing words into our deepest depravities, and makes a lie sound like the greatest version of our own personal truth.

Putting Christ first in your life means transforming your actions, attitudes, and affections to those of Jesus Christ

God’s purposes always have God’s provision.

“Anger, like fire, finally dies out–after leaving a path of destruction.” 

Learn to ignore petty disagreements. Resolve disagreements with others immediately. Ask forgiveness from those you offend with your anger.

Jesus “I Am” statements; I am the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Door, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the True Vine.

You may be wondering how you can accept yourself since you know how much you blow it and sin. The answer is this: if God accepts you, who are you to reject yourself?

Happy New Year

 

Many New Year’s Resolutions are worthy of changing our life, commitment, and devotion to God:

Faith, Trust, and Reliance – In God for all things present and future

Repentance – A purposeful turning away from sin

Obedience – To the written Word of God and leading of the Holy Spirit

Growth and Maturing – In knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of God’s Holiness, Grace, Mercy, and Love

Application – Of grace, mercy, and love towards others

Generosity – Eyes more open to those in need

Joy and Rejoicing – Our God is in control of all things

Worship and Praise – God is worthy of all worship and Praise

Hope – Keeping our eyes focused on the redemption, salvation, and complete forgiveness of Jesus Christ

Kindness – Being kind to those around us who might never see kindness otherwise

Thankfulness – Having a heart of thankfulness toward God for what He has done, is doing, and will do

Commitment – Reading God’s Word with hunger and thirst and denouncing neglect and complacency of it.

Light – Being a light that shines the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus Christ in a lost and dark world

Prayer – Staying in communion with God, always

Remembering – God is Ever-Present, All-Knowing, and All-Powerful

Goal – Always remember that in all your thoughts, words, and actions, Jesus Christ is to be honored and glorified.

May God richly bless you with all wisdom, knowledge, and understanding this year!