Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Be Mine? A Treasured Moments Devotional


Did you open your Valentine last week? Everyone has received a very special gift and it can be opened not only on Valentine's Day but any day of the year. This gift isn't wrapped in fancy gift wrap or with sparkling bows. Instead, the gift came to Earth as a tiny vulnerable human baby born in a filthy enclosure with stinky animals, bedded on hay, and wrapped in old cloth. Yet, this gift has such priceless value as it offers each one of us not only an unconditional love that we cannot even begin to fathom the depth of but also bore the price of our sins so that we can spend eternity in Heaven's Glory. He was beaten, pierced with a sword, and hung upon a cross. His death was painful and Jesus suffered greatly for our sins. He chose to do so that we might have eternal life. What incredible love our Heavenly Father and His Son have for each one of us! God is asking you today, "Be mine?" How will you respond, dear one? Will you open the wonderful Valentine God has for you or will you discard this precious gift?


"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17


Father God,

Thank you for loving us so much that You would send Your only Son to die for our sins.Help each one of us to choose wisely as we consider this precious gift you have given each one of us. Draw us closer to you each day and help us to be good stewards of Your love.

In Jesus' name,
Amen!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Trust in God: A Treasured Moments Devotional

Place your trust in your Heavenly Father for He loves you so much more than you could ever imagine. He longs for you to call out to Him. He will guide your path and fill you with His hope, peace, love, and joy! No sin is too great that it will keep us apart from God. Only our pride prevents us from asking forgiveness and seeking God's mercy. Embrace God today and see the difference His love can make in your life. 






"In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant." Psalm 25:1,4-5,8-10

Monday, February 4, 2013

Living Faith: A Treasured Moments Devotional



One of the very first questions my sweet son asks everyone he meets is “Are you a Christian?” At 11 years old, he has such a passion for God that he longs for everyone else to experience His love as well. My son has decided what is most important to him. He doesn’t worry about rejection or social norms. He simply lives his faith out loud. I find myself wondering What would happen if we ALL had the courage to live our faith out loud, If we allowed our passion for God to shine through us in ALL that we say and do?

 
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14


What do people see when they look at you? Do you project God’s grace and love? Do your words and actions match the faith you proclaim? I know what I want people to see when they look at me. I want them to see a person humbly broken and forgiven and relying completely on my Savior to be my everything. I want my words to be encouraging and healing. I want my actions to be kind and loving. I want people to see God’s goodness and grace shining through me when they look at me. I want to live my life as a living testimony of thanks to the one who gave His everything for me. I want to decide that loving God, being His beloved child, and sharing His hope are the most important things to me. I want to live my faith out loud. Will you live your faith out loud?


“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Galatians 2:20-21

Father God, Thank you for being our everything! Help us to live a life that is pleasing to you. Help us to exemplify Your love, Your goodness, Your grace, and Your mercy in ALL that we say and all that we do. In the name of Your precious son, Jesus, Amen!