There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [John 15:13 (NLT)]
These were the words spoken by Jesus just hours before his betrayal, arrest, sham trial and crucifixion. It was love that brought him willingly to the cross.
Category Archives: God’s Grace & Love
IT’S TIME FOR SPRING CLEANING
Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them in the depths of the ocean! [Micah 7:18-19 (NLT)]
If He can forgive us and throw our sins away, why can’t we? We need to sweep away the cobwebs of the past. Let’s discard any regrets that are cluttering our lives, toss out any negative attitudes that don’t fit our faith, and wash away any guilt that is soiling our souls. It’s time to make room in our lives for God’s love and peace.
GOD’S DELETE BUTTON
It is a great blessing when people are forgiven for the wrongs they have done, when their sins are erased. It is a great blessing when the Lord says they are not guilty, when they don’t try to hide their sins. [Psalm 32:1-2 (ERV)]
God doesn’t just draw a line through the list of our sins; he doesn’t even use White-Out or correct tape. He uses the delete button and then empties the recycle bin in his heavenly computer. Our sins are completely wiped away; they are over, done with, and gone!
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of forgiveness and the blank document on which to write today’s story.
AREN’T WE LUCKY?
But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. [Psalm 86:15 (NIV)]
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. [Ephesians 3:18 (NLT)]
A REASON TO GIVE THANKS
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. [1 Chronicles 16:34 (NLT)]
Have you ever noticed how thanksgiving and joy seem to go hand in hand? It’s difficult to express gratitude for God’s blessings and still have a heart heavy with sorrow or disappointment. Perhaps it’s not so much that God wants thanks from us, rather it is the joy that comes from a thankful heart that He wants for us.
EVERYTHING WE NEED IS WRAPPED IN ONE PACKAGE: JESUS!
I came so that my sheep will have life and so they will have everything they need. [John 10:10b (GW)]
He came so we could have everything we need: everlasting life, God’s unconditional love, His never-ending forgiveness, and His ever-present guidance. What more could we possibly want?
Devotions of the Heart 