Above Only Daily Devotional http://cgmglobal.org/aboveonly Monday, FEBRUARY 19 Never Take God for Granted

Above Only Daily Devotional
http://cgmglobal.org/aboveonly

Monday, FEBRUARY 19

Never Take God for Granted
Matthew 10:28 (NIV), Psalm 130:3-4 (NLT), Romans 2:4 (GNB)
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. *Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. *Or perhaps you despise his great kindness, tolerance, and patience. Surely you know that God is kind, because he is trying to lead you to repent.

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God loves us so much, yet He does not want us to live carelessly. He sent Jesus to suffer and die to save us from sin because He hates sin. He does not want us to continue in sin because sin is evil and it kills and destroys. He is a God of righteousness and justice and one day after Jesus returns, He will exert His wrath upon all who rejected the provision He made in Christ, 1Thes.1:10. The Bible says, “For off this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person such a man is an idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.” Eph.5:5-7 (NIV)

Consider what the living Bible says about God in 2Peter 3:9: “He isn't really being slow about his promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But he is waiting, for the good reason that he is not willing that any should perish, and he is giving more time for sinners to repent.” God has not forgiven us so that we can continue to do the things that He hates. God has forgiven us and He has changed our nature. If we sin, He wants us to receive His forgiveness and turn back to Him, 1John 2:1. He does not want us to continue in sin. He wants us to come boldly to His throne of grace to obtain His mercy and receive His grace to stand, Heb.4:16. He wants us to love righteousness and hate iniquity, Heb.1:9. He wants us to perfect holiness out of our reverence for Him, 2Cor.7:1. You have a glorious destiny in Christ. Your heritage is colourful and glorious. Do not be lazy, put things in order, and give the word its place in your life. As you do this the word of God will make your life honourable, glorious, beautiful, healthy and victorious.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending Jesus to save me from sin. I receive Your grace to honour and serve You continually.

BIBLE IN A YEAR READING PLAN: LEVITICUS 25; MARK 1:23-45

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