Aug 23 2024

Today's Bible Verse

Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

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In this verse from Psalm 105, we are called to seek the Lord. We have the opportunity to get to know Him on a deeper and deeper level each day. Seeking His presence in a purposeful, intentional way will help us become more like the Lord and bring us joy in our relationship with Him.

What does it mean to seek the Lord? It is important to note that seeking is an action; it is not merely a mindset or a belief. Seeking the Lord means that we intentionally try to know Him more and more, and it happens in a variety of ways. Perhaps most obviously, it means that we spend time in the Bible and attend church, which are commands. We also should pray to Him, setting aside a time each day to be with Him.

Seeking the Lord also means that we obey His commandments to love other people, honor our bodies, and live with integrity. These things, while sometimes difficult, allow us to remain in communion with God, protecting us from sin.

Seeking the Lord takes a lot of effort, but it is so worth it. When we begin to grow in our relationship with the Lord, we'll become more and more like Him over time. We will begin to see our desires shifting away from sinful things of the world and instead find ourselves hungering after righteousness. While reading the Bible might once have felt like a chore, once we begin to see it change our hearts and minds, we long for extra time so that we can learn more about the Lord.

The Lord will help us as we seek Him. He is not waiting for us to be able to quote an entire chapter of the Bible or until we've had a perfect week of prayer time. Instead, He's with us even in our failure to live up to our own standards. Sometimes, seeking Him looks like simply asking Him to help us where we are. It might look like asking Him to give us extra grace when we're burdened or struggling.

Regardless, seeking the Lord looks like developing a relationship with a loving, merciful Father who gladly helps us in our weakness and shows us His love and kindness.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for being so good to me. Help me to seek you and to get to know you better and better. Help me to see your face and love you on a whole new level as I never have before. Thank you for your great, everlasting love. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Aug 22 2024

Yesterday's Bible Verse

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. :

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Yesterday's Bible study

In this verse from 1 Timothy, Paul emphasizes that Jesus is the only mediator between us and the Lord. There is no other god or path to salvation; Jesus has atoned for our sins and we need Him to be saved. This verse reminds us of the power of Jesus to mediate between us and the Lord, as well as the exclusivity of salvation.

Sometimes, people disagree with the doctrine that salvation comes through Jesus alone. Many popular figures suggest that people can get to heaven by believing in any god or through being a "good person." However, this is not true because it suggests that we do not need Jesus. Any proposed way to heaven that does not include the atoning working of Jesus on the cross is a false gospel.

When we understand why we need Jesus as our salvation, the doctrine begins to look anything but exclusive. All humans were dead in sin; none of us could approach the Lord, a Holy God, because we had defiled ourselves. We could not get forgiveness for that sin; the only appropriate payment for it was death. When Jesus died for us, He took on the blame for our sin and died an innocent death.

By shedding His blood for us, the price of our sin was paid, and forgiveness became available to everyone. Anyone could ask for forgiveness and receive it; there were no exceptions to the rule. Thus, Christianity offers a way forward for anyone who seeks Him. No one is excluded.

Because of Jesus, we can have a relationship with the Lord. When we call out to Him to forgive us for our sins, He cleanses us with His righteousness. At the same time, if we do not call out to the Lord, asking Him to save us, Jesus will not mediate on our behalf. We must take the initiative, recognizing that we need the Lord to save us.

Today, reflect on the grace that the Lord has shown you. Think about Jesus, who loved you so much that He was willing to die so you could have the opportunity to be forgiven. Rejoice in the fact that Christianity is open to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord!

Yesterday's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for providing a way of salvation for all who call on your name. Help me to remember that you are a good, good God and that you love me so much. Thank you for Jesus, Lord, who made my relationship with you possible. In Jesus' name, amen.
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