Tag: Sabbath Devotional

We Are More Than a Conqueror

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” John 5:14

When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him. If you will leave yourself in His hands, He will bring you off more than a conqueror through Him that has loved you. EGW

Praise and Worship Music is one of the most powerful resources that God has blessed us with. The lyrics should focus on the divinity of God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. There are times when the vicissitudes of life are so overwhelming that worry and anxiety replace the joy and peace that Jesus has promised us. Memorize one song that reminds you of God’s love for humanity and hum or sing it throughout your day. You will develop a spirit of gratitude for the never-ending love and mercies from our Heavenly Father.

Stay in His presence through prayers and praises. Jesus’ love is matchless for His sheep. He is our Shepherd and will lead us to the Promised Land of the New Heaven and New Earth. Redirect your focus from yourself to Jesus Christ.

Prayer: God, please help us to understand that we were not created to carry our burdens alone. We need your help. We ask for the wisdom to realize when our focus has turned away from You. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.

The Desires of Jesus’ Heart

Sharing this wonderful Devotional, from His Healing Love by D. Winn

THE LONGINGS OF JESUS’ HEART

“I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3, N.I.V.

Our understanding of heaven takes its first shapes from the stories and pictures of childhood. I can recall the time when heaven seemed attractive to me for three reasons. I would be able to fly without effort, I would be able to play with a lion without fear, and I wouldn’t have to pull weeds.

As I grew older and faced a few more of the realities of this sin-damaged world, I began to be drawn toward heaven because of its promised relief from pain and death. I have found that heaven can be craved as an end of poverty, war, prejudice, and even taxes! Unfortunately, our desires for heaven often fixate at these rather materialistic levels, and we fail to let God stir in us greater longings. We seldom even know what those desires should be.

So let us listen with our hearts to Jesus’ own longings about heaven. What about heaven stirred Him to look forward to it with such eagerness? In His well-known farewell conversation with His disciples Jesus told them that He was returning to heaven to make preparation for His friends. But then He made a very personal promise. He said that He Himself would return for us, to “take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

In Jesus’ mind the most satisfying joys of heaven are not centered in its lovely architecture, its economy, or even its ecology. For Jesus, heaven is a great place to be with His friends–with us! Jesus knows that the greatest need of our hearts is not for a tame lion, quick transportation, or even a weed-free garden. Our greatest need is for a loving, trusting relationship with a close friend. We are, after all, made in His image. Those needs are a reflection of His own heart.

Of course, heaven will be a marvelous exquisite place, with nothing to mar its perfect joys and beauties. But that’s just the way He does things for His friends. He did not intend that the tearless bliss of heaven should be a sop for our selfishness. Rather He intended that nothing should be in heaven that would detract from the enjoyment of its truest essence: loving, growing friendships.

Wouldn’t you love to spend eternity with such a Savior?

Prayer: God, help us to take the focus off of ourselves and think of Jesus who gave Himself for sinful humanity. Thank you, Jesus for your great sacrifice. We love you and ask this prayer in your Worthy Name. Amen.