Daily Devotions – Week #3

Day #1

Read the following Scriptures that relate to this question:“How do I know I’m saved?”

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
~ Isaiah 45:22

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. ~ Psalm 34:6

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. ~ Matthew 24:13

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  ~ John 3:17

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
~ John 10:9

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. ~ Acts 2:21

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. ~ Acts 4:12

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. ~ Acts 16:31

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” ~ Romans 10:9-13 NKJ

Suggested Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for this privilege to pray.  Thank you that I am saved from my sins and saved from eternal death.  Thank you that you provided for salvation through Jesus Christ, your Son. Thank you that I entered into salvation by trusting in Jesus.  I confess that Jesus is my savior.  I believe that Jesus died for me and rose again.  I praise you, Lord, for giving me this great salvation.  I trust you as my savior.  I confess you as my Lord, and worship at your feet. 

O, Jesus, giver of life and light, make your light shine in and through me.  Make me your reflection in the darkness and sorrow of those around me.  May my family, my friends, and others see Jesus in me.

Watch over me today.  You know my needs and my cares.  You know how to guide me and help me.  I depend on you, my light and my salvation.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Memorize: 2 Timothy 3:16,17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Day #2

Read the following Scriptures that relate to this question:“How do I hear from God?”

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. ~ Psalm 119:105

Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. ~ Proverbs 8:6

Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.~ Proverbs 19:27

Bow down your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart unto my knowledge.
~ Proverbs 22:17

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
~ Jeremiah 33:3NKJ

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. ~ Isaiah 30:21NKJ

Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; ~ saiah 66:5

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; ~Hebrews 1:1,2NKJ

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. ~ Hebrews 4:12

But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. ~ Luke11:28

Suggested Prayer:

Heavenly Father, from you comes the life giving word.  Your word is the guide to how I walk.  Help me to always walk in its light.  Your word is ever right, never wrong.  Help me to turn from the instruction of man and listen to your teachings, for truth belongs to you. 

Lord, my heart is yours, so remind me to obey with my heart even before my mind understands.  Thank you for the great promise that you answer when I call upon you with wisdom that is beyond me.  Give me ears to hear your voice, even in the dark or in times of trouble.  You know all about me, even what I think about in my heart.  Let your word be clear to me so that I can walk in the truth.  Make my inner thoughts clean.  Keep my actions pure.  I want to hear from you so that I know how to live.

Jesus, you are my wisdom.  I look to you and wait on you, for you are the living word.  Form your life in me so that others will be blessed through me.  Bless my family, my friends, and my Christian brothers and sisters.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Memorize: 2 Timothy 3:16,17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Day #3

Read the following Scriptures that relate to this question:Why is there pain and suffering?(or Why do bad things happen to good people?)

Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
~ Ecclesiastes 7:29

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them…And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. ~ Genesis 1:27,31

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.” ~ Genesis 3:17-19 NKJ

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. ~ Romans :22-23

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: ~ 1 Peter 3:17-18

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. ~ 1 Peter 4:19

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ~ Romans 8:18

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. ~ 1 Peter 4:13

Suggested Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Creator, Maker, Author of Life, everything you have made is very good.  You are good and right and holy.  But we have harmed what You have made.  We suffer because of our original parents’ rebellion and willfulness. The whole world is a place of suffering because we have inherited the results of sin.  I acknowledge that I am in that line of sin and suffering. 

Thank You, Lord, that you sent Jesus to bear our sorrows, to be a Friend who takes our sins and griefs.  Thank you that I can bring all my anxieties to you and know that you will give me help and grace in my time of need.  Thank you for your faithfulness.  Thank you for giving me hope for the future.  Thank you that even though I suffer at times, I can trust you to help me in my suffering.  And thank you that you are preparing a place without sin or suffering.

Give me grace so that when I suffer, Jesus may be seen in me.  Make me kind and understanding to others who are also experiencing suffering, and help me to lift their load.

I trust you with all things, even those things that make me suffer.  I believe that since You are good, You will do good.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Memorize: 2 Timothy 3:16,17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Day #4

Read the following Scriptures that relate to this question:Do I have to keep sinning?

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. ~ 1 John 2:1,2             

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.
Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.
He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. ~  1 John 3:4-9 NKJ

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? ~ Romans 6:1,2

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. ~ Romans 6:6

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ Romans 6:11                                                                                                                                    
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. ~ Romans 6:14,15 

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. ~ Romans 6:17,18 

suggested Prayer:

Heavenly Father, perfectly holy and pure, reproduce your holiness in my heart.  Make me pure inside.  Thank you for Jesus, who made the perfect sacrifice for my sin so that I need not continue in sin.  Destroy every work of the devil from inside of me.  Make my body an instrument for what is right.  Keep me from serving any sin.  I count myself dead to sin. Make me completely alive to my Lord Jesus Christ.  Thank you for the grace that sets me free from sin’s dominion.  I submit to you, to be a servant of righteousness.

Help me today to live moment by moment trusting you.  As the hours go by, keep my life in your hands so that I am a blessing to those around me.  Make me a reflection of Jesus, and help me to be an influence for truth and righteousness.

Bless my family, my friends, and anyone I meet today with your grace.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Memorize: 2 Timothy 3:16,17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Day #5

Read the following Scriptures that relate to this question:What about temptation?

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
~ Matthew 26:41

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. ~ Luke 22:40

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. ~ Matthew 6:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  Do not err, my beloved brethren. ~ James 1:12-16

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ~ James 4:7

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. ~ Revelation 3:10

Suggested Prayer:

Heavenly Father, there is nothing to hard for you.  You know all about me and you have everything I need.  You can help me to face temptation.  I pray that you will keep me from any temptation that I cannot bear.  Give me special grace to bear the temptations that I will encounter.  Help me to endure the temptations that accompany my human desires.  Give me grace to say no to temptation in my heart before I act on it in any way.  Help me to keep my heart in your hands. I submit to you, Lord, and resist the devil in the name and through the blood of Jesus.  Thank you that he has to flee. 

Thank You for Your great protection that is made possible because of the power of Jesus’ blood that was shed on the cross to give me the victory.  I trust in Jesus as my shield from temptation.

Grant me grace for today, and may that grace also reach my family and friends, and all the people of God.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Memorize: 2 Timothy 3:16,17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Day #6

Read the following Scriptures that relate to this question:How can I be holy?

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: ~ Ephesians 1:4

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: ~ Colossians 1:21,22

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. ~ 1 Peter 1:15,16

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. ~ 2 Corinthians 7:1

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:7

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: ~ Hebrews 12:14

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. ~ John 17:17

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. ~ Thessalonians 5:23,24

Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
~ Hebrews 13:12

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. ~ Acts 15:9

Suggested Prayer:

Heavenly Father, your name is holy.  You are holy.  You have called your people to be holy.  You planned before the world was ever created that the people who followed you would be holy.  We humans are not naturally like that.  We have all been born in sin, and have been separated from you.  Yet you sent Jesus, who also is holy, to die for our sins so that we could be made holy. 

Thank you for the call to holiness.  I follow that call now by turning from all the defilement of the flesh and spirit. I place myself at the foot of the cross of Jesus, who died that he might also sanctify me.  Here and now I humbly yield my ambitions, plans, and wishes. Cleanse me at your word through the blood of Jesus.  Sanctify me through and through, my body, soul, and spirit.  Fill me with your Spirit and your divine love. I trust You to do it, because you promised, and You are faithful. Thank you for sanctifying me. 

Lord, let your love flow through me to my family, my Christian family, and those I meet.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Memorize: 2 Timothy 3:16,17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Day #7

Read the following Scriptures that relate to this question:Why should I go to church?

Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. ~ Matthew 16:16-18 NKJ

And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. ~ NKJ Acts 4:27b

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:13

But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. ~ 1 Timothy 3:15NKJ

How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
~ 1 Corinthians 14:26 NKJ

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
~ 1 Corinthians 14:33

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: ~ 2 Thessalonians 1:4

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another,  and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. ~ Hebrews 10:24,25

Suggested Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you have called your people the church.  It belongs to you.  Since it is your church, I am part of it.  I belong to your body.  Thank you for bringing me into the fellowship of believers.  Help me to know how to behave as a member of your church, to learn how to receive blessings through the church and how to be a blessing in the church.  Help me to help make it a fellowship of peace and a place of comfort in trials.  May I be part of your people who help each other do good things and love one another.  Help me to be faithful to the church as your Word has instructed me to be, especially in these times that are so uncertain. 

As I grow in my faith, make me a blessing to others in the church, and a person that attracts outside people to come to you and to your church.

Thank you for your blessings to me, to my family, and to all of Your people.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Memorize: 2 Timothy 3:16,17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”