Category: Prayer

Paul and living for Jesus

February 11, 2021

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

As I read these verses I think about the change that overtook Paul after his conversion. He was no longer driven by selfish ambition, he was a changed man.

Paul was convinced that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sin. This is the message he took everywhere. As a result of knowing this, he couldn’t live his life for himself any more.

Paul lived for Jesus Christ because he believed that he has died with Christ (Romans 6:6, 11). He believed that dying with Christ meant that he should live for Jesus (Galatians 2:20).

His heart was changed. He had a new focus. It was all about living for Jesus and pouring himself out for others (2 Timothy 4:5-7).

How about you? Has your life changed since you came to Christ? Have you got a new reason to live? Are you living for Jesus today?

Prayer

Dear God, help me not to live for myself, but to live for You and Your Kingdom. Help me to always remember that Jesus died for me and that I have been raised to a new life in Christ. Amen

Confess and be blessed

January 6, 2021

I was reading Psalm 32:1-5 this morning for my devotions. It listed a number of blessings that happen when we confess our sins to God.

1. It starts by saying blessed is the one whose…

  • Sins are forgiven by God
  • Sins are covered by God
  • Sins do not count against them
  • Spirit has no deceit in them
2. Next it talks about when we keep our sins silent…
  • My bones felt like they were wasting away
  • Your hand [of judgement] was heavy upon me
  • My strength felt like it was sapped
3. Then it talks about what they did next and the result…
  • Confessed my sins to God
  • Did not try to hide or cover up my sin
  • God forgave their sin
Confession should be a key part of our lives if we want to be happy and right with God. It helps us to walk lightly before God.
When I first came to Christ and confessed my sin to God I felt like the world had been lifted off my shoulders. Now when I confess my sin and it keeps me right with God.Now just let me clarify what I mean by confession. I don’t mean sitting in a small room confessing to a Priest through a partition. I mean sitting alone with God and saying sorry for the wrong things I have done.

In saying this though, there have been times in my Christian life where I have been struggling with an issue and I have shared it with a friend so they could pray for me. But 99% of the time, I am alone with God.

A great passage from 1 John reminds us that we all sin and we all need to confess and receive forgiveness. I John 1:8-9 says…
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

The key for us today is confess our sin and be free of it. Don’t cover it up or try to hide it. Confess and be blessed.

If you would to find peace with God and have your sin forgiven, I would encourage you to visit the salvation page on my website.

The importance of love

December 17, 2020

1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:1-3‬ ‭says, “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.”

This passages talks about the importance of love in our lives and in our service to God. There are three reminders in it about love.

1. We can speak heavenly languages, but if we do not love others it is likened to a noisy gong.

2. We can speak words of prophecy and understand God’s plans, but if we do not love others we would be nothing.

3. We can give everything we own to the poor, but if we do not love others we have gained nothing.

If you are like me and feel that you need to be more loving towards others, you can join me in praying this prayer.

Prayer

Dear God, please help me to understand the importance of love in all I do. I pray that when I pray, when I prophecy or when I give, that love is my ultimate motivation. I pray that I will love You and love others more and more each day. Amen.