Category: <span>thoughts by Rev. D. Forster</span>

by Rev. Daniel Forster

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.’” Isaiah 48:17 (ESV)

Are you waking up today with a serious case of the Mondays? Does your life feel like a prison that is keeping you bound in chains of grief, shame, guilt, and sin? Sometimes we need a good reminder of how free we are and why praise and thankfulness should always be on our lips.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” (Ephesians 1:3-10, ESV)

In verse four we see that we are chosen by Him for a purpose. Each and every one of us has been handpicked by God our Father. Whatever binds or chains are holding you down today, God wants to remove them. God sent His only son to be a sacrifice so you would not have to bear the weight of these chains anymore. We are free because of the grace (undeserved love) God has given us in Jesus Christ.

We are no longer all alone. We are united with the Father, Son, and Spirit (vs.10). We have victory in Christ Jesus over our sins, our past, our guilt, our shame. We are free to be transformed and reborn by the blood of Jesus, Hallelujah!

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.’” (Isaiah 48:17, ESV)

Praise God our Redeemer, our Savior, let us seek His face today. Let us have praise and thanks for Him on our lips today, and in our hearts and souls.

Lord, let us profit from seeking You, so we may be blessed with Your presence, Your Holy Spirit to guide us, and direct us, and pray for us. May You lead our way today, out of the prison we have created into freedom in you. Let us be free in your mercy, your love, free from ourselves. In the mighty and wonderful name of Jesus, Amen!

Question: What in your life is holding you down like a chain to a prison wall? Will you take this thing and repent of it, and lay it at the feet of Jesus?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/10/15/df_freedom-from-the-prison/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster

By Rev. Daniel Forster

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12, NLT)


online devotional
read James 1:12-18.

It does not matter if you are a new believer or a long time believer in Jesus, we all face temptations every day. Temptations lead us to the same dark path of sin. Our flesh and our mind will lie to us and tell us a little indulgence of a temptation here and there is ok. In fact, we usually convince ourselves it is for the better of our overall health. Other times we find ourselves facing large temptations, and we ask, “Why is God tempting me? Why would He allow me to be tempted?”

James points out a very important piece of wisdom here that temptations come from our own desires. It is through God that we are able to identify these temptations. It is by us leaning on our everlasting Lord, that we can identify these lies and deceits of our sinful selves and find the strength we seek in Him.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)

We find in our temptations, either the path of darkness (a slow fade or fall) or we find our anchor amongst the waves and winds of the world. Our anchor is Jesus Christ. Find Him, seek Him, when you feel the temptation coming on, do not rely on your strength or your will power. It is in Him we find our peace and rest from the snares of this world. It is in Him we find strength and confidence like we never had before.

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Our lives are busy and full of to many things to do, with never enough time. Take a moment in your life, make a moment in your life, to allow His word to strengthen you and encourage you. Seek His word, seek to store it deep in your heart and soul. Seek His word for the endurance and encouragement you need, it is your anchor, it is your life line.

Lord let us say the prayer today as you taught us in your Word (Matthew 6:9-13, ESV): “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil’ Amen

Question: What do you do when you face temptation?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/09/08/df_temptation-in-your-life/

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Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster