Devotion

A Reason to Hope

/ Gail Johnson / 11 Comments

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (Hebrews 4:12-13 KJV).

When reading the above scripture, one would think it is a hopeless situation. There is nothing hidden before God. We stand open and naked before Him. Our best effort of being good isn’t good enough. Our righteousness is as filthy rags. We need an Intercessor, for we are incapable of interceding for ourselves.

But, all is not lost. In fact, we have hope. There is One who’s perfect, and He alone paid the price for our sins. He alone is our Hope and Great High Priest. As children of God, we can approach His throne anytime day or night! It is at His throne we find mercy and grace!

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV).

I’m so glad He is our High Priest. He always knows what we’re going through, and He has made provisions for us. We can rest in peace knowing He has everything under control. Our circumstances doesn’t surprise Him because He holds tomorrow in His hands. And that my friend is a reason to hope!

Click to Tweet: I can rest in peace knowing He has everything under control. #hope #peace @GailJohnson87

I wouldn’t say my posts this year are full-length devotions. Instead, I’d like to refer to them as devotion prompts, something to get you started. If you’d like to read more about this subject, Hebrews is a great book to read more about our High Priest. The following scriptures are some of my favorites.

Hebrews 7:24-27

Hebrews 8:1-2

Hebrews 9:12

Hebrews 9:24

Hebrews 10:11-14

Hebrews 10:21-23

What nugget of hope have you found in the book of Hebrews?

For God So Loved

/ Gail Johnson / 11 Comments

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:16-17 KJV).

For God So Loved

Webster defines savior as one that saves from danger or destruction; one who brings salvation.

I would say both definitions describe our Savior.

This month we celebrate love. But it’s not the love we have, or should have, for one another I wish to talk about, but the incredible love God has for us!

For God So Loved

According to Paul in his letter to the Romans, God loved us while we were yet sinners.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8 KJV).

I love that scripture! Many think we must clean up before we show up. We must stop doing this or that before we begin the journey to the cross. Not so. We come as we are, and He does the cleaning. He alone makes it possible for us to become sons and daughters.

However, the choice to become sons and daughters is ours alone. The story in John 4 reminds us that no one can make that decision for us.

And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world (John 4:42 KJV).

As you can see, the Sychar residents made their own decision.

Hope of Salvation

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11 KJV).

Savior: one that saves from danger or destruction; one who brings salvation.

God sent His Son because we needed a Savior to save us from our sins. Through Him, we have hope of eternal life.

I’m so glad I heard the good news of Jesus, and his truth brought me the hope of salvation.

Have you discovered the hope of His salvation? If not, click here to get started.

Click to Tweet: For God So Loved #hope #love @GailJohnson87

What is your favorite scripture on God’s love for us?

Original Photo by Will O on Unsplash

Sagging Middles

/ Gail Johnson / 22 Comments

Once upon a time...

Fairy tales often begin with once upon a time, but the tale doesn’t stop there. It can’t. A story ends well if we find the answer to one question…

And then what happened?

Without that question, we have no plot. And there must be a plot. The plot drives the story forward. Right?

But here’s where our story differs from the fiction we read and write. Our stories have sagging middles. And I don’t mean I-quit-doing-my-sit-ups sagging middles. The sagging I refer to is the endless waiting, wandering a circuitous path.

It’s during these middles we, as doers, feel helpless because the forward movement has stopped. There is no action. Or is there?

We fail to comprehend this new plot twist because we’re not the author of our stories. The Master storyteller holds the pen, and He knows the exact pace needed to accomplish the character arc He desires.

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:3-4 KJV

Truth: Sometimes we need a sagging middle to move us forward.

The Lord alone knows how to structure our story to bring us to a delightful ending.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 KJV

He has made the needed provisions for our salvation, and He’s making the necessary revision in our lives. Hence, the sagging middle. Hang in there. We can and will finish strong if we yield to His hand.

Another fact to rejoice over is our Lord never suffers from writer’s block! He has known the end of our stories from the beginning.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

As writers we understand, only the Author who knows the ending can finish the story. And He alone will finish the story. May we all allow Him to write His story upon our hearts.

Who’s writing your story?

Click to Tweet: Sometimes we need a sagging middle to move us forward.