Christian Devotional

“I can’t be the Christian I’m supposed to be. I can’t overcome this sin.” Have you ever said those words? If we sometimes feel incapable of being the Christian we want to be, we’re not alone. The Apostle Paul, who was instrumental in helping spread Christianity, once referred to himself as the chief of sinners.

Here’s the good news. God knows that we can’t live the Christian life by self-effort. That’s why He reminds us in Galatians 3:5 that He’s provided us with His Holy Spirit: “So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”

We don’t please God by trying to improve our old selves. We please God by learning to walk by His Spirit who is in us. Instead of saying we can’t live the Christian life or we can’t accomplish what God’s called us to do, we can ask Christ to fill us and accomplish His work through us. Then, we can practice walking by the Spirit. Will we walk by the Spirit perfectly 100% of the time? No, because our fleshly nature will oppose the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). We’ll also struggle against spiritual forces of darkness/wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). But we can practice walking by Christ’s Spirit, confident that God is at work in us, perfecting us. 

Lord, my PROVIDER, thank You for Your Spirit by whom I can walk. 

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.”

Does the prevalence of evil in our society cause you to be fearful for loved ones, yourself, and even those you don’t know? Once, after speaking at a church, a mom confided in me that she feared for her child. Part of her fear was because she had been molested as a child. Part was due to the moral decline in our nation and the increase in lawlessness throughout our world. What hope was I able to give her?

Prayer. Jesus teaches us to pray in Matthew 6:13, “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” We can pray daily for others and ourselves. We can pray for the unsaved and those who are blinded by evil. We can pray God will open their eyes and they will turn to the Truth and Light.

The Bible. The Bible is a safeguard that teaches us what to do and not do. We can teach our children to respect and obey God and His Word which will keep them from walking in evil ways.

Eternal Salvation. We can’t escape all evil influences, but,

2 Thessalonians 3:3 comforts us that the Lord is faithful and will strengthen and protect us from the evil one. That is a promise to which we can cling. 

Which of the above could you strengthen to safeguard you and your family from evil?

Heavenly Father, You are the PROTECTOR of my loved ones and me. Thank You for Your Word that shows us how to live. Thank You that I can pray to You rather than be afraid.

Today, we remember 9/11, a day when our nation was shaken by evil. But evil didn’t win then, and it will never ultimately win. Christ Jesus is the victor over evil. He overcame sin and death. All who place their faith in Christ will live eternally in His glorious presence.

Today and continually, we remember the loved ones, friends, and countless others whose lives were taken that day. We also remember with deep gratitude the courageous first responders who sacrificed their lives to save others. Today we also remember with utmost gratitude the Lord Jesus, who sacrificed His life for our souls. We must never forget either.

Would you like a special place to record your prayers for your loved ones and our world? The Prayers of My Heart prayer journal is available HERE. 

Are you familiar with the Rolling Stones’ 1965 song “[I Can’t Get No] Satisfaction”? 

Keith Richards and Mick Jagger’s lyrics, “can’t get no satisfaction” resonated with people in the 1960s and also today. But do you know who has found satisfaction? God.

First John 2:2 says, “He [Jesus] Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” 

The word propitiation means satisfaction. This verse tells us that Jesus satisfied God’s righteous requirement that sin be dealt with rather than ignored. 

How did Jesus do that ? He substituted His life for ours. How incredible!

If its been a while since we thanked Jesus for satisfying God’s righteous requirements of the law on our behalf, now would be a good time to do that. 

Jesus, PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS, thank You for sacrificing Your life for my sins. I love You! 

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Have you ever called a psychic hotline or used Tarot cards because you wanted to know what was in your future? If so, you’ll be encouraged to know there’s a better option.

Ezekiel 13:7 tells us not to seek knowledge by means of divination (Tarot cards, psychic hotline, etc.), but rather to look to “…Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people” (Luke 24:19). 

Yes, God tells us to look to Jesus and the Bible for wisdom, insight, and comfort and to trust Him for today’s and tomorrow’s needs.

When we want to know the future and want to know what to do, we are to read the Bible and pray. 

Jesus is the One we are to seek. He is the One we can trust.

Jesus, You are God’s PROPHET who speaks truth. Stir my mind and heart to seek You and Your will when the future is unsure and I need direction. Help me walk trustingly in how You guide me.  

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. You can also find free printable Scripture-based prayer cards HERE.

Have you ever promised something and then didn’t fulfill your promise? 

If you have, you know what a horrible feeling it is. Maybe we promised, “I’ll never say that again.” Then we did. Or, maybe we said to God, “I promise if you get me out of this mess, I’ll do better next time.” Then we failed to do as we said. Or maybe we don’t trust people because they’ve made promises to us they didn’t keep.

When it comes to God, Romans 4:21 assures us, “that what God promised, He was also able to perform.” 

In other words, we may be well-intentioned, but fail. Not God, though. What He promises, He will do. What a blessing to know that God keeps His promises.

In the midst of failed promises and lies, it’s a great time for us to read God’s promises in the Bible. Our hearts can be at peace as we read them because we know they are true.

Heavenly Father, in a world that is filled with lies and failed promises, I praise You for being a faithful PROMISE KEEPER.  

Happy Labor Day! Find rest and renewal in God’s presence today by spending time in His Word. Our printed and free online Bible studies can help you become more familiar with God’s promises and apply His truth to your life. Explore our printed studies HERE or begin a free online study HERE.

Do you ever get perturbed when someone tells you, “Chin up! Everything will get better”?

I get it. People may be well-intentioned, but the fact is, things may not get better. We may not be able to keep our marriage together. Our child may have special needs for the rest of their life. Our job may be tough. A person may refuse to forgive us. That’s why 2 Thessalonians 3:16 tells us to find our peace in Jesus, the Lord of peace—”Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.”

Is it easy? No. But, it’s real. I experienced it when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when I was 29 years old and again in 2024 when I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. I also experienced it when my parents were dying. 

In John 14:27, Jesus describes His peace as “out of this world.” In other words, it comes from heaven into our hearts so we can go through our day with inner peace. 

Changing the position of our chin doesn’t change anything… unless we are raising our faces toward heaven and opening our hearts to the Prince of Peace. He changes everything. 

Thank You, PRINCE OF PEACE, that You supersede circumstances. Fill me with Your peace that is not of this world.

Would you like more grace and peace in your life? Peace with God? Peace with others? Watch Debbie’s teaching on 1 Peter 1 HERE, listen to it HERE, or purchase a hard copy of the study HERE. 

Are you familiar with the legal term “double jeopardy”? It means that a person can’t be tried for the same crime twice. 

In God’s system, it means the same, which is an incredible blessing. Jesus was tried for all the sins we’ve committed and that we will commit. God has promised to not try us for sins that Jesus has been convicted of and paid for on our behalf. Our sins past and future are paid for with the blood of Christ once for all of eternity. 

As if that weren’t enough of a blessing, there’s more. 

Hebrews 2:17 explains that after Jesus died for our sins, He entered into God’s presence and became our High Priest.

“Therefore, He [Jesus] had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”

The resurrected Christ who paid for our sins with His very life is now seated at God’s right hand. What is He doing? Praying for us. 

Jesus is praying for you. Personalize this unbelievable blessing and gift by saying out loud, “Jesus is praying for me.” Go to Him in gratitude. Live for Him faithfully.

Lord Jesus, I praise You, my Lord and high PRIEST! Thank You for taking my place at the judgment seat and dying for my sins past and future. Show me how I can gratefully serve You.

Jesus demonstrated the greatest love when He died on the cross for our sins. To learn more about His ultimate sacrifice, watch Debbie’s teaching on John 19 HERE or listen to it HERE.

Have you ever thought of God as being a life preserver? 

Psalm 116:6 describes Him that way. “The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.” 

The word “preserve” in this verse means to save a life. No doubt Jesus fits the description. He rescues those who are drowning in sin when they call on Him for salvation.

We understand the need for someone to save us from raging waters. Do we understand the need for Jesus to save us from raging sin? 

We understand the need to be saved from physical death. Do we understand the need to be saved from spiritual death?

Jesus, You are the only One who can rescue me from sin and PRESERVE my soul for eternity. I love You and thank You.

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¹ “Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible, 1995 Update (Chicago: Moody Press, 2008).