Celebrating Our First Love

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – June 26, 2024

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  —Matthew 11:28-29

“He came as the Divine Restorer, bringing to oppressed and downtrodden humanity the rich and abundant grace of Heaven, that by the power of His righteousness, man, fallen and degraded though he was, might be a partaker of divinity…” Unlike Earthly Kingdoms Devotional Reading

“With a heart ever touched with the feelings of our infirmities, an ear ever open to the cry of suffering humanity, a hand ever ready to save the discouraged and despairing, Jesus, our Saviour, ‘went about doing good’ (Acts 10:38)….And all who are members of the kingdom of Christ will represent Him in character and disposition.” Unlike Earthly Kingdoms Devotional Reading

Studying and meditating on the life of Christ is the foundation of our heart-to-heart relationship with Him. In fact, His life and character are so important to our spiritual growth and transformation, that we have the perspective of four disciples who documented the ministry of Christ to ordinary [and rejected] people who desperately needed a Savior.

To fall in love with Jesus repeatedly, study the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Then read the Apostle John’s vision of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God in Revelation 5.

Worthy Is the Lamb: “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’ Then I saw a Lamb…” (Revelation 5:1-6, NIV).

To prepare ourselves to worship Jesus, our Triumphant King eternally, we should honor Christ through love, loyalty, praise, and worship daily on earth.

Prayer: Jesus, You are the Lamb, our Savior, and King. With gratitude, we praise You for all You have done for us. You are our First Love. In Your Holy Name, we honor You, Amen.

© 2024 SDJ-Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Your Word Is a Lamp

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – June 24, 2024

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” —Hebrews 4:12

Lift Him Up Devotional, EGW

The Word of God is the living seed, and as this seed is sown in the mind, the human agent must give diligent care to the successive stages of its growth. How is this to be done? After the Word has been prayerfully received, it is to be cherished and practiced in the daily life.

It is not enough to study the Bible as other books are studied. In order for it to be understood savingly, the Holy Spirit must move on the heart of the searcher. The same Spirit that inspired the Word must inspire the reader of the Word. Then will be heard the voice of heaven. ‘Thy Word, O God, is truth’ will be the language of the soul.

The mere reading of the Word will not accomplish the result designed of Heaven; it must be studied, and cherished in the heart. The knowledge of God is not gained without mental effort. We should diligently study the Bible, asking God for the aid of the Holy Spirit, that we may understand His Word. We should take one verse, and concentrate the mind on the task of ascertaining the thought which God has put in that verse for us. We should dwell on the thought till it becomes our own, and we know ‘what saith the Lord.’

The Word of God is the bread of life. Those who eat and digest this Word, making it a part of every action and of every attribute of character, grow strong in the strength of God. It gives vigor to the soul, perfecting the experience and bringing joys that will abide forever. Signs of the Times, EGW, 1902

“Then He said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.’ ” —Exodus 3:5

Moses understood the true meaning of holiness. Before we study the Holy Scriptures, to receive spiritual wisdom and the discernment to hear the Voice of God, we pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Studying God’s written words is a holy experience, through prayer, we invite God’s presence into our physical location which means being surrounded by His Shekinah Glory. “…it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’ ” (1 Peter 1:16).

“I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.” —Psalm 7:17

Prayer: Lord, we live in a world where compromise and the blending of the sacred and the common are standard practices. We ask for the wisdom to know the difference and to always approach You with reverence and honor. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

© 2024 SDJ—Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions