Ps. 145:18 "The Lord
is close to all who call on Him."
Prov. 30:5 "Every
word of God proves true. He defends all who come to him for protection." NLT
APRIL DEVOTIONALS
THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE.
REJOICE.
May 1
Romans 1:4
And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God
powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit.
JESUS
Jesus is adequate to meet whatever need we have. He is always able. His
power is not limited and His concern for us is always great. Jesus is
Lord.
May
2 Romans 1:8
Let me say first of all that your faith in God is becoming known throughout
the world. How I thank God through Jesus Christ for each one of you.
YOU
Jesus knows you. He has not forgotten where you are and what you are going
through. Remember that His power is most effective in our submission and
obedience. Treat the people you meet every day as if they are important and
you will become important. Trust and obey and Jesus will use you.
May
3 Ephesians 1:3-5
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for
you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been
my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first
heard it until now.
PARTNERS
We are participating together with Jesus Christ as ministers of the mystery
of God: God loves you and has provided a way for you to be a member of His
family. He has a plan for your life that is important. We are co-workers
spreading the Good News. Jesus has come that we might be free.
May
4 Ephesians 1:6
And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue
his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes
back again.
WORK
Obey Jesus. It may seem that what you are doing isn’t changing the world
but it is. We are world changers when we let Jesus lead us. Daily equip
yourself by His Word and His presence and go change the world.
May
5 Ephesians 1:7
It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a
very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of
God, both when I was in prison and when I was out, defending the truth and
telling others the Good News.
HEAR
We are never more than one generation away from paganism. It is so critical
that as we partner with Jesus we tell others about Him. We must share the
Gospel by Word and we must share the Gospel by what we do. It is always a
balance. When people know we care they will care about what we know.
May
6 Ephesians 1:8-9
God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion
of Christ Jesus. I pray that your love for each other will overflow more
and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and
understanding.
LOVE
Love is evidenced by what we do. It is an action. When I treat people like
I would like to be treated I am expressing human love. When I treat people
like Jesus treats me it is a Christ like love. Jesus loves me. I need to
love people. It is a very simple process-when I am a Christian I will care
for others especially those that are hard to love.
May
7 Ephesians 1:10
For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live
pure and blameless lives until Christ returns.
LIFESTYLE
Jesus is Lord. When we surrender to Him we will change. Change is
fundamental in the Christian life. Our lifestyle is always being drawn by
the world. His Word guides us to live like Him. When I live like Jesus I
will change the way I live.
May
8 Ephesians 1:11
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation – those good
things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ – for this will bring
much glory and praise to God.
LIFESTYLE
Do the next right thing. I cannot focus on the future. Life is lived in
the now. I am charged with the opportunity to connect with our Lord Jesus
on a moment by moment basis and live as He would have me live. Guidance and
direction come from Jesus. If I spend time with Him and listen to Him I
will do the right things.
May
9 Ephesians 1:12-13
And I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that
has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone
here, including all the soldiers in the palace guard, knows that I am in
chains because of Christ.
LIFESTYLE
I do not look to the world to know how to live. How I live is not dictated
by my circumstances. Wealth or poverty do not define me. If I live in a
close relationship with Jesus I will become more like Christ. If I focus on
the world and the things of the world I will be tossed about like a rowboat
in heavy seas. Jesus is Lord.
May 10
Ephesians 1:14
And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained
confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ.
PROCLAMATION
By truth and word and deed we share the Gospel. When I am weak He is
strong. When I am yielded He is active. Telling the Gospel story is simply
speaking about my relationship with Jesus. I will always share what is Lord
of my life.
May 11
Ephesians 1:15-18
Some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about
Christ with pure motives. They preach because they love me, for they know
the Lord brought me here to defend the Good News. Those others do not have
pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition,
not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But whether
or not their motives are pure, the fact remains that the message about
Christ is being preached, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.
GOSPEL
The Gospel is for all. Jesus died that all might have forgiveness. It is
not a private event nor is it an event that is limited in scope. I do not
decide how the Lord will work in the world. I only participate in His
activity of telling the world of His salvation and love.
May 12
Ephesians 1:19-20
For I know that as you pray for me and as the Spirit of Jesus Christ
helps me, this will all turn out for my deliverance. For I live in eager
expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but
that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that
my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die.
FINALLY
Lord don’t let me mess up now. Even in Paul there was an awareness of the
devastating impact of sin in the life of a believer. I am to be on the
alert. I am to constantly be striving to grow into Christ likeness. The
Lordship of Jesus in my life is a daily activity. I let Him have control.
I am the one that must obey. The Christian life is not an end, it is a
reflection of the Lord in my life.
May 13
Mark 16:8
The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, saying nothing to
anyone because they were too frightened to talk. Then they reported all
these instructions briefly to Peter and his companions. Afterward Jesus
himself sent them out from east to west with the sacred and unfailing
message of salvation that gives eternal life. Amen.
MESSAGE
We can have a relationship with Jesus. He is alive. He offers us the free
gift of salvation. This gift equips us to live now and forever. I rejoice
in Jesus because He paid a price I couldn’t pay and gave me a relationship I
couldn’t earn. Jesus is Lord.
May 14
Romans 4:25
He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the
dead to make us right with God.
MESSAGE
Jesus did it all. My life has value and worth because as a child of God I
am in partnership with the Lord of the universe seeking to do His will and
follow His guidance. Peace and joy are a part of this partnership.
Significance and usefulness are a result of this partnership. Jesus
provides all of this for each one of us. Christ is our salvation.
May 15
Romans 10:9
For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
SALVATION
Salvation is gift from the Father. It is offered to each one of us as if
there were no other of us. It is a free gift that once accepted is
eternal. I don’t earn salvation. I don’t lose salvation. This gift is
literally the presence of the Lord in an eternal relationship with each on
of us that accept His free gift forgiveness of sin and eternal
relationship.
May 16
Acts 3:15
You killed the author of life, but God raised him to life. And we are
witnesses of this fact!
PURPOSE
The
purpose of God will not be thwarted. What man means for evil the Lord can
use for good. Be alert, be grateful and serve willingly. Our lives count
in Jesus.
May 17
Acts 2:23-24
But you followed God's prearranged plan. With the help of lawless
Gentiles, you nailed him to the cross and murdered him. However, God
released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life again,
for death could not keep him in its grip.
LIFE
Very often we face the fear of the unknown. What will happen if and what if
and on and on. Jesus changes that for us. He has faced the final conflict
and by the power of the Father defeated death and the unknown. In Christ we
find confidence for our life. In Christ we live in victory.
May 18
John 11:25
Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe
in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again.
VICTORY
My life counts. What I do and say is important to Christ. He uses each one
of us in His plan to share life with every person. We are messengers and
members of His family. Eternal life although difficult to imagine is ours.
Jesus would that all find Him. That is my goal.
May 19
1 Corinthians 1:14-15
I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,
for now no one can say they were baptized in my name.
JESUS
Jesus is our everything. I live in Him. In Christ we have access to the
Father and power for living. In Christ I find my service and the
fulfillment of my life. In Christ I live in victory and will not succumb to
defeat. Jesus is Lord.
May 20
John 2:19
"All right," Jesus replied. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I
will raise it up."
LIFE
This life is a mirage that is always seeking to seduce man. This world
condemns, destroys and defeats us. Life in Christ gives us truth. We are
somebody. The Father does hear our prayers. Our life has value and worth
and the Father is patiently using us as His messengers. Life in Christ is
victory. Life in Christ is eternal.
May 21
John 20:18
Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, "I have seen the Lord!"
Then she gave them his message.
POWER
The Lord gives us the power to be ourselves. He makes our pathways safe and
this world cannot destroy us. The Lord Jesus gives us the strength we need
and the wisdom to deal with crisis now. His strength is always a present
strength that equips us to obey Him.
May 22
Mark 14:3
Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had
leprosy. During supper, a woman came in with a beautiful jar of expensive
perfume. She broke the seal and poured the perfume over his head.
VALUE
People count. All people count. Jesus makes us whole. His love forgives
us and brings us into the family of God. Life lived in Christ is a life
that is worthwhile. Obedience is the foundation for this life in Christ and
produces joy and confidence in our hearts. Peace becomes a reality in our
lives each day.
May 23
Psalm 23:3
He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to
his name.
GUIDANCE
It is all about Jesus and His love for each one of us. As I grow in Christ
I discover that I am better equipped to deal with those that spitefully
abuse me. People count with Jesus and as I become more like Christ they
count with me. Not so that I can achieve my goals but so that they can know
Him and the power of His resurrection in their life.
May 24
Psalm 23:4
Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
DISCIPLINE
Just as the soldier must learn discipline I too must at times be
disciplined. His discipline creates strength and wisdom. His discipline is
all about my best good. When I bend the knee quickly to His discipline I
find strength, peace and joy that much quicker.
May 25
Psalm 23:5
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me
as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
LIFE
Life is difficult. It demands that we learn to live with the unknown.
Faith is responding to life with the realization that Jesus loves me. His
love underscores my value and my life. Christ is my hope of glory and
serving Him is my response.
May 26
Psalm 23:6
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my
life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.
PURSUIT
Jesus is always looking for you and for me. I am always on His heart.
Every thought He has for me is a thought for good. Good or bad, rich or
poor, the Lord is with me and is working out His good plan for my life.
May 27
Ephesians 1:21
For to me,
living is for Christ, and dying is even better.
ETERNAL
We cannot control the world. We can control our life. In Christ we have
everything we need for real life. Worth, value, joy and peace are products
of our eternal relationship with Jesus. Think with me today how truly
wonderful it is that Jesus loves us.
May 28
Ephesians 1:22-24
Yet if I
live, that means fruitful service for Christ. I really don't know which is
better. I'm torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and
sometimes I long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me,
but it is better for you that I live.
RELATIONSHIP
The more I know Jesus, the more I want to see Him. Time passes so quickly
and it is so difficult for us to see the good we do that at times my
yearning is to finish my course and be with Him. Yet I know that He has a
perfect time for me and by faith I know that His plan for me is much better
than any emotion I feel or plan I could work up. Life is Christ and in Him
I live and move and breathe.
May 29
Ephesians 1:25-26
I am
convinced of this, so I will continue with you so that you will grow and
experience the joy of your faith. Then when I return to you, you will have
even more reason to boast about what Christ Jesus has done for me.
JESUS
Each one of our lives is so personal and unique. And yet in our very
uniqueness we find a common thread, Jesus is our Lord. Your victory in
Christ brings me joy. Your love for Jesus encourages me to love Him more.
May 30
Ephesians 1:27-28
But
whatever happens to me, you must live in a manner worthy of the Good News
about Christ, as citizens of heaven. Then, whether I come and see you again
or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side,
fighting together for the Good News. Don't be intimidated by your enemies.
This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that
you are going to be saved, even by God himself.
VICTORY
We belong. We count. Our master is the creator and ruler of all things and
we know Him as Lord and Father. His spirit resides in us and as we voice
our prayers we know that He is with us to encourage us and direct us how to
pray. There is sweet joy in knowing that He is the giver of life and the
sustainer of our life. Jesus is Lord and in Him we have eternal victory.
May 31
Ephesians 1:29-30
For you
have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the
privilege of suffering for him. We are in this fight together. You have
seen me suffer for him in the past, and you know that I am still in the
midst of this great struggle.
SUFFERING
You will suffer for your faith. So often it seems like bad luck or so
unfair that we experience difficult times. Sometimes this is just life but
often it is the spirit of the evil one seeking whom he might devour. As
committed servants we are sometimes in the line of fire. The powers and
principalities of this world do not like us prevailing against them and they
will strike out against us. Do not worry. If you are suffering for your
faith you are in good company. Jesus loves you.
contact Clay:
clay@lifesongs.com
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Scripture quotations are
taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright© 1996. Used by permission of
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NASB Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New American
Standard Bible, copyright 1975. All rights
reserved by the Lockman Foundation.
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