Today’s devotional: what do you need?
What is the one thing that you need in life? A loving family? Stable finances? A satisfying career? In a devotional at Lifetime Guarantee Ministries, Anabel Gillham argues that all of these perceived “needs” are manifestations of our deep-seated need for security:
…you know–as I do–that our security is severely threatened today. Marriages are “insecure.” Having a Mom and Dad at home is “insecure.” Being financially “secure” can be a dream–or a nightmare–for many people.
There is only one completely secure thing in our lives. That one thing being Jesus Christ and His constant presence with us. No need to fear that He won’t be there when we are hurting. No need to fear He will leave us alone in this scary world. No need to lose confidence as we face a day of demands and schedules and unkind people. No need to wonder about what tomorrow holds. No need to be anxious.
How do we know these things? Because Someone we love and Who loves us has told us this. The deciding factor in our intense need for security is this: Do I believe what Jesus tells me. The place where we live now–this world–is a very insecure place. There are no promises held out to us in this world that cannot be broken, no covenants without loopholes, no perfect people who will never disappoint us. But, this world is merely a training ground’a launch pad. As the old song goes, This world is not my home, I’m just passing through.
Read the full devotional at Lifetime Guarantee Ministries.
Do you recognize the need for security in your life? Do you rest your hope on Jesus, rather than on the unreliable and passing things of this world?
what do i need… i just want to be happy… i need to be succcessful, focus in school, someone to love me like mom n dad.
Dear Ashley Jones,
You need Jesus.
I. GOD LOVES YOU and desires that you:
1. Have eternal life with Him.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16
2. Have an abundant and meaningful life.
Jesus said, ‘… I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.’
John 10:10
But most people aren’t experiencing a meaningful life and aren’t sure that they have eternal life because…
II. Man has a SIN problem that SEPARATES him from GOD.
1. Everyone has sinned.
… For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God….
Romans 3:23 (also ESV, NIV)
2. The penalty for sin is DEATH.
For the wages of sin is death….
Romans 6:23 (also ESV, NIV)
The Bible talks about two kinds of death. The first death is physical. The second death is spiritual or eternal separation from God.
But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the Second Death.
Revelation 21:8
Because sin separates man from God, what is the solution to his problem?
III. JESUS CHRIST is God’s ONLY way to heaven.
1. He is the ONLY way.
Jesus said… ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.’
John 14:6
2. He COMPLETELY PAID the penalty of your sins.
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God….
1 Peter 3:18
3. His resurrection proves that He is the Son of God, the Messiah, the only Savior.
… Concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord….
Romans 1:3-4
4. He promises Eternal Life.
Jesus said … ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die….’
John 11:25-26
However, merely knowing what Jesus Christ has done for us is not enough.
IV. We must place our FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST to save us.
1. You are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the GIFT OF GOD – not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
To be saved by faith means to TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST ALONE to save you. Good works are not the means to salvation; rather, they are the byproducts or evidence of your salvation.
2. Show your faith in Jesus Christ by accepting His gift of eternal life.
[Jesus says,] ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.’
Revelation 3:20
Jesus says that He will come into your heart if you invite Him in. That is His promise to you, and He will always keep His promise!
3. Prove the sincerity of your faith by turning away from a life of sin.
I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. A person who genuinely asks for forgiveness will seek to change his ways.
Acts 26:20 (NIV)
God knows we are not perfect, but the sincerity of our faith will move us to live lives that show our gratitude to God for His free gift of heaven.
You can pray this simple prayer to express your faith in Jesus Christ and to receive Him into your heart as your Lord and Savior. You only have to pray this prayer once, but with sincerity, because when He enters your life, he will never leave you.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I need You. I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that you died on the cross to pay for all my sins. With your help, I will turn away from all my sins. Please come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. I accept your free gift of eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Thank you for coming into my life and giving me eternal life. Amen.
Ashley,
first you must believe that God has an eternal love for u like no other love. Have a deep heart to heart with God and place your burdens and situation at his feet and leave them there, his word says he will never leave nor forsake you. You have to have total faith and trust in God without question, you must have a deep intimacy with him, talk to him every day. He will show you a love like none you’ve ever known. Pray for favor where ever you go. No weapon or enemy formed against me shall prosper, I will lift mine eyes up to the hills from where my help cometh, my help cometh from the Lord. Rejoice not my enemy for when I fall I shall arise, Greater is he who is in me than he who is in the world. I can do all things thru Christ Jesus who strengthens me. God is able to do all things, with God all things are possible. Say these scriptures daily, read the word BELIEVE and you will have unconditional love, success and life more abundantly. He wants only the best for you, to live a life of heaven on earth. Always thank him daily be grateful for each moment be thankful for his correction, repent daily. Love God for who he is and not just fo what he gives you. Your life will change. It doesn’t mean you won’t go thru some things, but you won’t be alone, he’ll always make a way and victory will be yours. God Bless Ashley, I hope this has helped. It what keeps me going, the Love of my father and our relationship. I can tell you God has never failed me-not once.
I need prayer for finances…we need a work van and our finances are in such a state that I’m not sure we can get a loan and the time to do something about a van is now…I lift this request up to my God beliving his word and step out in faith that he will provide this need…