Christian Daily Devotionals

by John Grant
(John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney)

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”” John 14:6

Have you ever stood in a book store and surveyed the number of books that have a number of ways to do most anything? There’s everything from 8 Minute Workouts to 8 Mindful Steps to Happiness to 7 Principles for Making a Marriage and 7 Days to Whiter Teeth. Remember Steven Covey’s, Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People? He put the words “proactive” and “synergize” on the map.

An edition of U.S. News featured on the front cover “50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2006.” The inclusive list covered everything from flossing your teeth to enjoying a massage to joining a singing group. It seems that everybody writes or reads books that boil anything down to less than ten precise steps to accomplish any goal.

We live in a scientific and technological culture where people believe that every problem can be solved by applied techniques (six steps to a better whatever). How much has this way of viewing life shaped you?

Christian bookstores are not immune this way of thinking. Notice how much it looks like the self-help section of your local secular bookstore. Whether it’s a better marriage or a stronger prayer life, there are numerous books that offer it in six or seven easy steps.

Pastors run to church growth conferences to hear the latest “formula,” in however many steps the speaker may think it takes to grow their church. It all seems so right, so logical so reasonable. The sell books like 5 Good Minutes to Change Your Spiritual life and 100 Morning Practices to Help You Stay Calm and Focused All Day Long.

As Christians, we often think there is some magic formula out there to dramatically change us and make all of our problems go away overnight. Well, it isn’t quite that easy. A lot of self help, spiritual and otherwise are on the shelves of local book stores. Some contain sound advice and some are marginal, if not outright incorrect. Be careful what you load into your brain and be sure you know the core values of the author and don’t believe that a few steps practiced and applied in your life can remake you.

There is only one way and it is a one step process. Jesus said:, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). I suggest that if you really want to change your life this year, commit yourself to follow Him and read His Word every day.

In a world that tells us to conform, Jesus tells us to transform and to present ourselves as a living sacrifice.

So, for us all, may this be the year of transformation, the year of presentation, the year we surrender all we have to the one who holds the keys to joy, peace and contentment. The path to that goal is daily Bible reading, committed worship, not just in church, but in all we do. May this year be the year we renew our pledge to love God more, to seek His face and His plan for our lives more clearly and to draw close to His Word each and every day.

Right now is our most exciting time ever. Last year is history. Next year lies in the future, but this is the only time we will ever have to live right now. So let’s live it to the fullest, changing our lives and changing the lives of others.

Question: What is a goal that you have for the future, and how can your goal be used to honor God?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/01/06/jg_precise/

by John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.�? 1 Peter 2:21

It was a beautiful watch, one of the top brands. I loved wearing it and it always gave the right time. I priced one in a jewelry store at more than $5,000. But after wearing it for nearly a year, the stem broke and I threw the beautiful watch in the trash. Now, you might ask, why would I throw away such a valuable timepiece rather than getting it fixed. The answer is that it was a fake, one that I purchased for $25 at a flea market in Beijing. The watch gave every exterior evidence of being the real thing, but inside, it was a cheap imitation.

A lot of Christians are like that…. imitation Christians. "Oh, I believe Christ was our Great Example". I always ask myself, 'What would Jesus do?' and then I try to do it." Sorry, my friend, there’s no place in the New Testament that comments on following the example of Jesus to be saved or in any way confirms the doctrine of "salvation by imitation."

The apostle Peter mentioned Christ (in 1 Peter 2:21) as an example who was sinless even under gross mistreatment and who entrusted Himself completely in His suffering to His Father. Peter continues, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; for by his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24)

We are not saved by imitating Jesus. We are saved by surrendering our life to Him. The biggest problem with being saved by following Christ's example is that we've already blown it. It's awfully hard to imitate someone with a perfect record, especially when the only "passing grade" in that system is perfection.

Jesus is not only our example but He is also our substitute. He took the consequences of our sin upon Himself so that through faith in Him we might receive forgiveness and healing and abundant eternal life. Even if your concept is close, when you try to "be like Jesus" in your own strength, you are doomed to frustration. You can't do it. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life and that comes not from imitation, but from total surrender.

You must transfer your trust from your own "trying" to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. You must divorce your notions of what you think Jesus would do, and accept the Scriptures as the standard for what you believe and do. And, put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross and arose again from the dead, to be your only Savior and the King of your life.

Are you an "imitation Christian" or the real thing?
(a thought on life from John Grant )

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/11/15/jg_imitation/

by Dr. Bill Bright
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“Jesus said, ‘I will only reveal Myself to those who love Me and obey Me. The Father will love them too, and We will come to them and live with them. Anyone who doesn’t obey Me doesn’t love Me�? John 14:23,24

Millions of Christians throughout the world profess their love for Christ each week by attending church services, singing songs, studying their Bibles, attending prayer meetings, etc. Yet, all the talk in the world will never convince anyone that you or I truly love the Lord unless we obey His commandments.

How can we know His commandments unless we study His word? When we study His Word, how can we comprehend what He is saying unless the Holy Spirit illumines our minds and teaches us? It is God the Holy Spirit who inspired the writing for His holy Word through holy men. He alone can help us understand the true meaning of the Scripture and enable us to obey His commands.

Thus, the reality of Christ abiding in us is made possible through a supernatural enabling of the Holy Spirit who came to glorify Christ and through whose indwelling presence the Lord Jesus will reveal Himself to us.

Is Jesus Christ a reality in your life? If not, it is quite likely that you are not demonstrating your love for Him by studying His Word and obeying His commandments.

Bible Reading: John 14:15-22

Today’s Action Point: With the help of the Holy Spirit who enable me to live the supernatural life, I will endeavor to demonstrate my love for Christ by studying His word and obeying His commandments.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/10/17/bb_his-life/

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon. Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer.
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"To him be the glory forever! Amen." Romans 11:36

"To him be the glory forever!" This should be the single desire of all Christians. All other wishes must be come second to this one. The Christian may wish for prosperity in their business, but only insofar as it may help us to promote this--"To him be the glory forever!" We may desire to attain more gifts and more graces, but it should only be that "To him be the glory forever!"

You are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by any other motive than to give glory to your Lord. As a Christian, if you are "of God, and through God," then live "to God." Let nothing ever set your heart beating so mightily as love to Him. Let this ambition fire your soul; let it become the foundation of everything you do, and become your sustaining motive whenever your passion grows cold. Make God your only goal. When I depend on myself, sorrow begins; but my joy will be complete when God becomes my supreme delight. Let your desire for God's glory be a growing desire. If you blessed Him in your youth, do not be content with the kind of praises you gave Him then.

Has God prospered your business? Give Him more as He has given you more.

Has God given you experience? Praise Him by stronger faith than you exercised at first.

Does your knowledge grow? Then sing more sweetly.

Do you enjoy happier times than you once had? Have you been healed from sickness, and has your sorrow been turned into peace and joy? Then give Him more music; increase the thankful fervor of your praise. Practically in your life give Him honor. The "Amen" to your praise to your great and gracious Lord will then increasingly become your own individual service and increasing holiness.

Question: Why is it sometimes tempting to take the praise and glory for ourselves instead of giving it to God?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/10/04/cs_glory/