I think there are many people who were either brought up Christian, or had been practicing Christians, but went astray and got into activities and lifestyles that they know were wrong.

When they consider returning to practicing their faith, they don’t believe that they could be accepted back, because of the things they have done. Additionally, the devil, who is also called the “accuser of the brethren” in the Bible, puts thoughts of unworthiness in their minds.

Many, if not most, of the people God uses, to tell his story in the bible, had flawed characters in their past but became leaders and teachers of his message. From Abraham, who distrusted God’s promise for a child, and chose to have a child with a servant, to Jacob who deceived his father into giving him his brother’s inheritance, to David who had Bathsheba’s husband killed so he could marry her, to Paul who persecuted the Christians, and Peter who denied knowing Jesus, and many others; God used people like this to show future generations, like us, that no one is un-forgivable.

Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:15-16, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.”

So if you feel un-forgivable, or you know someone who may feel this way, remember it only takes a moment to accept the gift of forgiveness God gave us through Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, your grace is so amazing, that no one is beyond your love and the opportunity for forgiveness. Help us remember this for ourselves, and share the peace that comes from this knowledge, with others. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

Have you noticed people who seem to have everything they could ever want, but they can’t seem to be happy? If they really want to find happiness and joy, they need to realize that it does not come from outside themselves getting more and more. It comes from inside us, by having a state of peace that then allows us to be happy in any circumstance.

Psalm 128:1,2 says, “How joyful are those who fear the Lord— all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!”

Dear Lord, we cannot truly find peace and joy until we have you in our hearts, and follow your ways. Help each of us to recognize this so we can experience the joyful prosperous life you promise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

Writing to the Christians in Rome, Paul tells them how the many details in the Old Testament laws can be simplified.

In Romans 13:9,10 he writes, “The commandments say, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

This simplification ties right to the answer Jesus gave to the Pharisees when asked, what was the greatest commandment. Jesus told them loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind, but the second greatest is to love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:40 says, “The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Even today, remembering these two simple rules is the basis for how God wants us to live. If we evaluate our actions against these two rules, we can see if we are staying on the right course.

Dear Lord, “Love You and love our neighbor,” is really the essence of living the Christian life. Help us all to remember that. If we all did, our world would become a much better place. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

The internet has become such an amazing resource for so many productive activities, such as education, collaboration, shopping, sharing and connecting with others. However like so many technological advancements, it is also used for wasteful, destructive, and distasteful activities.

Proverbs 15:14 says, “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” NLT

It is up to each of us to decide how we will use the resources God gives us. Every day, even each minute, we are making decisions whether to pursue the positive or “feed on trash.” Will we click on that trashy headline about some celebrities’ arrest, or drunken misadventure, or the keep our minds on higher things?

Paul writes in Philippians 4:8, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Dear Lord thank you for the incredible technologies that we have today, help us to use them for good and focus on the best you things you have created. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

I think we all have seen the adventure films where the hero is racing through some foreign city trying to reach the US Embassy before being captured, or the pictures of people surrounding a free country’s embassy trying to find refuge as revolutionaries are taking over the country.

Envision that scenario as you read Psalm 91:9-10 which says, “If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.”

God is our refuge, where we can find safety and security. The classic words of Psalm 23 should always be in our minds when we are afraid, (I remember the King James version) Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Dear Lord, We thank you that though we may go through frightening and difficult times in our lives, you are our refuge. Help us remember to come to you for refuge and comfort. We know you will not disappoint us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box