Christian Devotional
The Door to Heaven and Eternal Life
How would you describe yourself? Would you ever use “door” to describe yourself? I certainly wouldn’t. But Jesus did. In John 10:9, He said, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved.”
Why would Jesus describe Himself as a door? He wants us to know that there is an “outside” of heaven and an “inside” of heaven. Heaven is a place, and we are “outside” until we go “into” heaven through Jesus.
Make no mistake. Everyone will not live “in” heaven. Only those who enter through Jesus will be in heaven. Our Heavenly Father sends a personal invitation to everyone to enter eternal life in heaven through Jesus who paid our entrance fee by dying on the cross for our sins. Knocking on the door is not required. Repenting of sin and confessing Jesus as Lord is.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being the DOOR through whom I can enter heaven and live eternally.
Would you like to learn more about Jesus being the door to eternal life in Heaven? Watch Debbie’s teaching on John 10 by clicking HERE. As you learn more, record your prayers and praises in the Prayers of My Heart Praise and Prayer Journal. If you don’t have a copy, you can get one HERE.
Ho-Hum or DIVINE?
Divine. We often use the word casually. “The cake is divine!” “It was a divine vacation.” However, 2 Peter 1:3-4 uses the word “divine” in relation to God’s power and nature saying, “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
Peter continues, “For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”
These are incredible truths for us to grasp. Christ’s divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness. Christ has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises so that by them we may become partakers of the divine nature.
In other words, God’s intention is for us to live by His divine nature; not live a ho-hum or defeated life. Believers have God’s divine power through the Holy Spirit and God’s divine promises in the Bible. Are we living by them?
Lord Jesus, DIVINE Holy One, thank You for Your divine power through the Holy Spirit and for Your divine precious and magnificent promises. I worship and adore You.
Do you want to learn more about living by God’s divine nature? Grab a copy of Living by the Divine Nature Instead of Our Fallen Nature – 2 Peter Bible Study. It’s a 4-week, verse-by-verse study of 2 Peter that is sure to bless and encourage you as well as help strengthen your walk with the Lord. The study includes videos and podcasts, which can be accessed under “Bible Studies” on the homepage.
Feast Your Eyes On This Crown
Throughout time, people have sat on thrones and worn diadems. Some leaders have worn their crowns well and brought honor to their people. Others have brought shame. The latter was the case with the chief tribe of the Northern Kingdom of Israel at the time of Isaiah, the prophet.
In Isaiah 28:5, he contrasted the leaders who wore crowns of shame with the Lord Jehovah, saying, “In that day the LORD of hosts will become a beautiful crown and a glorious diadem to the remnant of His people.”
Herbert Lockyer expounds on the Lord being a crown of beauty. “What a charming combination Isaiah gives us of Jehovah renowned for His luster and loveliness. A “crown of glory” is fitting for Him who is the “King of Glory,” and whose righteousness is “radiant with excess of glory” (2 Corinthians 3:9-11). In the crown, there sparkles His excellence, worth, sovereignty and glory. Truly, He is incomparable! In Jesus’ intercessory prayer, Jesus prayed that His God-given glory might adorn our lives (John 17:22).” 1
In our society where leaders are not always honorable, how wonderful that our king, the Lord God, is a crown of beauty.
Lord Jesus, crown of glory, DIADEM OF BEAUTY, I worship You. Fill me with Your glorious Spirit so that I shine forth Your light to others.
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1 Copyright Herbert Lockyer, “All the Divine Names and Titles in the Bible,” page 80, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1975.
The Right Person for the Job
Are you familiar with the saying, “I’m your huckleberry”? Several summers ago, my husband, Keith, and I visited Glacier National Park. Right outside the park, we stopped at a restaurant that had everything huckleberry: huckleberry pie, huckleberry pancakes, huckleberry coffee. And for those of you who know Keith, you won’t be surprised that he wanted to buy me a T-shirt that said, “I’m your huckleberry.” I wasn’t quite sure what it meant to be someone’s huckleberry so I did a little research. To be one’s huckleberry is “to be just the right person for a given job or a willing executor of some commission.” 1
What does any of this have to do with Jesus? There was only one person who could fulfill the righteous requirement of the law. Only one person could pay our sin debt. Only Jesus, “in whom all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9).
Jesus, in whom all the fullness of Deity dwelt in bodily form was “just the right person for the job” of saving us. Jesus is “just the right person” to empower us to live the Christian life.
Are we rejoicing before Jesus? Are we daily thanking Him? Are we walking by His Spirit?
Lord Jesus, One in whom all the fullness of DEITY dwells, God’s perfect provision and “just the right person for the job” of saving and sanctifying me, I love and praise You.
Would you like to learn more about being led by God’s Spirit and become better equipped to discern God’s voice? Listen to this free podcast teaching: “Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit.”
1 Michael Quinion, “Huckleberry,” World Wide Words, December 14, 2002, http://worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-huc1.htm.
If You’re Struggling with Darkness
Have you ever been without electricity and light for a significant period of time? In 2021, a winter storm in Texas caused our home to be without electricity for six days, during which I experienced darkness to a greater degree than ever before. Sitting in the darkness, I thought of what unbelievers will experience in eternity; forever separated from the light of Christ, who the prophet Zechariah referred to as the “Dayspring from on high” (Luke 1:78).
What did Zechariah mean when he used the term “Dayspring from on high” in reference to Jesus? No doubt, “Dayspring” refers to what we would expect—the light of day. Jesus, the Dayspring of heaven, brought heaven’s glorious light to our dark world. He brought it not only to our world at large, but to us individually when we turn to Him.
If you know someone who is not a believer, share with them that Jesus is the Dayspring from on High through whom they can have eternal light.
If you are struggling with darkness, if your thoughts are dark, if your perspective is dark, turn your face to the Dayspring from on High. Ask Him to rid you of any darkness, of any sin, and to fill you with His glorious presence, the Dayspring from on High.
Glorious DAYSPRING FROM ON HIGH, shine the light of Your presence on me and in me. Show me sins I need to confess. Forgive me. Fill me with the Light of Your presence.
Would you like some resources to help you triumph? Check out these books that can be read individually or used as group Bible studies: The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World and Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion.
A Good Reason to Follow the Owner’s Manual
Have you ever questioned the “why” behind God’s commands? If so, it helps to remember that God created us as Genesis 1:27 reminds us. “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Our Creator knows what is best for us and what hurts us. Jesus’ commands such as those found in Matthew 6:34 not to worry and in Ephesians 4:31-32 to forgive and to put bitterness away from us are examples of our Creator’s instructions that serve our best interests. They help us have more peace, contentment, and joy.
What can happen if we, the creation, ignore our Creator’s ways? Romans 1:24-25 warns us. “God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.”
God created us. His Word is our instruction manual; far more important than a car or appliance manual. If we want our life and relationship with Him and others to run smoothly, we’re wise to read and follow His instructions. How well are we following our Creator’s instructions?
Heavenly Father, CREATOR, forgive me for too often ignoring Your instructions. Awaken me to the importance of reading and following Your holy teachings.
Would you like to deepen your relationship with God? Discover the many resources on our website that can help you grow in your walk with the Lord. We offer several free resources, including podcasts, video teachings, listening guides, and more!
Broken Promises? Not This Time
Has anyone ever broken a promise to you? More than likely, you answered “yes.” Promises are broken every day, but there is One, God, whose promises you can count on today and for eternity.
Beginning in Genesis, God promised to never destroy the earth again with a flood. God kept His Noahic Covenant, another word for promise.
God promised Abraham that He would make a great nation out of his descendants. The nation of Israel is the fulfillment of God’s covenant.
God made a covenant with King David that he would have a descendant on the throne forever. That covenant/promise is fulfilled in Jesus.
God promised a new covenant fulfilled by Jesus. “And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins’” (Matthew 26:27-28).
Yes, Jesus made a covenant, a promise, sealed with His blood that anyone who repents of sin and believes in Him for the forgiveness of their sins will be saved and given the Holy Spirit.
Other people may have broken their promises to you, but the Lord, the Covenant Maker, can be trusted today and for eternity.
Lord Jesus, COVENANT MAKER, thank You for the peace and eternal life You give me through Your blood sacrifice. I worship and praise You.
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One More Reason to Praise God If You’re a Believer
Would you rather God contend—plead a cause—for you or would you rather Him contend against you? If you answered that you would rather God contend “for you,” then you have reason to jump up and down for joy. Why?
Isaiah 51:22 states, “Thus says your Lord, the LORD, even your God who contends for His people, ‘Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of reeling, the chalice of My anger; You will never drink it again.’”
Did you catch Isaiah’s words? “Your God who contends for His people.” Yes, God contends for, not against us.
A “hallelujah” with hands raised in praise is appropriate because as God has dealt with Israel, so He deals with those who place their faith in Christ.
Lord, I thank You that You are a God who CONTENDS FOR—not against—Your people. I praise You with hands raised high.
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Heavenly Consolation
When Simeon, anointed by the Holy Spirit, saw the infant Jesus at Christ's presentation in the temple, he knew He was seeing the long awaited Messiah. Jesus is the Consolation of Israel, but He is also the Consolation for any person who turns to Him for salvation.
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Thank you for Your COMMANDments
Are you familiar with the Ten Commandments listed in Exodus 20:1-17? How many of them do you know by heart? Before reading the following list, jot down from memory as many as you can.
“You shall have no other gods before Me.”
“You shall not make for yourself an idol…”
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.”
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.”
“You shall not murder.”
“You shall not commit adultery.”
“You shall not steal.”
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife …or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
How many of the ten did you recall? Which do you need to ask God to help you better remember and keep? The Lord is the Commander of our lives. Are we following His commands?
Lord, You are a holy COMMANDER. Forgive me when I ignore Your commands. Help me be more faithful to live in a way that honors You.
Have you ever struggled to find the right words to pray? In those times, it can help to pray God’s Word. Click HERE to discover prayers for discernment, discouragement, knowing God’s way, and forgiveness.