Christian Daily Devotionals

By Idelette McVicker

“Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth”. Psalm 54:2

Once, after walking the streets of the most destitute area in our city, I asked a friend who lives there as a missionary about taking a person through the process of coming into freedom. As a couple, my missionary friends have spent their lives working with people who want to grow whole in Christ.

Knowing my own healing journey, I could hardly imagine the time and commitment required for someone who has suffered deep trauma and beyond.

He said that once, while in prayer, his wife felt God saying that the hours and hours they put in for someone to be set free is so they would appreciate when Freedom comes in an instant.

I look forward to the day when we can all be healed and well in an instant. In the meantime, I look forward to appreciating the miracle as we put in the work and the love.

Thank you, Jesus, for taking us through the process of life. We long for your healing and your renewal of all your people, however you choose to pour it out on us. May your Kingdom come. We love you, Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/06/im_wholeness/

by Idelette McVicker

“The time is coming”, declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah” Jeremiah 31:31(NIV)

I recently heard this wonderful illustration to show why God couldn’t continue covering us under the old covenants or agreements. It is like taking a clean dinner plate and filling it with spaghetti bolognese. Someone would be happy to eat it. Then, instead of cleaning the plate, place a napkin on it and add the next meal, let’s say a broccoli chicken casserole. Someone who’s hungry would probably still enjoy it. Then again, instead of cleaning the plate, place another napkin on top to cover up the old food and add another layer of food. With every covenant God renewed in the Old Testament, it was like a new covering over the old sin. But when God sent us Jesus, He came to clean our plates. He washed away our sins and gave us a clean start.

Thank You, Jesus, that You clean my plate. Thank You that by Your life we may have a new covenant and that we can start fresh every day, in spite of how messy our lives may get sometimes. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/02/24/im_clean-plate/

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by Idelette McVicker

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross …” Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

One of my close friends suffers from chronic headaches. She lives with pain. It is something I am, thankfully, rather unfamiliar with. Her suffering, however, has introduced me to the huge realm of those who suffer from severe pain. Sometimes I just feel helpless. Most days I stand on the sideline and watch her endure.

While reflecting on the power of the cross again, it dawned on me that dying on a cross meant, for Jesus, enduring unfathomable pain. He doesn’t stand as a bystander, removed from the pain. Jesus became intensely familiar with pain. When you talk to Him about pain, He knows. He knows what you’re talking about. He has entered into Pain with you. This is the amazing God we love. There is nothing too far removed from Him. I may not be able to enter into the pain with my friend, but her closest Friend can and already has.

Reflect:
We have all suffered pain, whether emotional or physical. Imagine Jesus being right there with you. Then thank Him for enduring a pain that is so far beyond our imagination. Thank Jesus for being willing to suffer, so we may call him Friend in the places where we need Him most.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for Your incredible sacrifice on the cross. Not only did You carry the sins of the world—past, present and future—but You died an extremely painful death, all for us. You are the best Friend we could ever ask for.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/02/12/im_knows-pain/

by Idelette McVicker

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me”.  Revelation 3:20

I recently caught snippets of “Thelma & Louise” again on TV. Right after I put our eldest to bed, this bit of dialogue woke me right up:

Thelma: Are you awake?

Louise: I guess you could call it that. My eyes are open.

Thelma: Me too. I feel awake ... Wide awake. I never remember feeling this awake. Know what I mean? Everything looks different.

I remember when Jesus became the center of my life. There was life before Jesus and life after Jesus. How grateful I am that He banged at the door of my life and came in to wake me up to Himself.

Reflect:

• Do you remember the time when you made Jesus the center of your existence? How has life changed for you since then?

• How awake are you today?

Jesus, You are my Awakening and my Life. Breathe on me today and fill my body with life so I may worship You with all that I am.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/02/02/im_waking-up/