Month: July 2020

Title: City of God
Author: Warren Wiersbe

Read Psalm 87:1-7

Most of us have places in this world we love in special ways. It might be an old home or perhaps a school. It might even be a church or a place in that church building where God met you in a significant way. God also has a place He loves especially. “The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob” (v. 2). The psalmist refers to the city of God.

Zion is important to Christians also. Of course, our citizenship is in the heavenly Zion (Phil. 3:20), where one day we shall walk the golden streets. But we can give thanks for Jerusalem, the earthly city of God.

First, our foundations are in Zion. This means the foundations of our spiritual life. The Word of God, the Bible, originated from the Jewish nation. The knowledge of the true God came from the Jewish nation. And the Son of God, the Savior of the world, came from the Jewish nation.

Second, our family is in Zion. The psalmist speaks about one who was born there. People born in Jerusalem are proud of their birthplace, just as we are proud of our birthplace. But Christians have been born from above. We have been born again spiritually because we trust Christ as our Savior.

Third, our fountains are in Zion. “All my springs are in you” (v. 7). The word springs means “fountains”–our refreshment, our strength, our spiritual power. They all come from our heavenly Zion.* * *

Believers in Christ are citizens of heavenly Zion. Are you a citizen of the city of God? If not, why not trust Him as your Savior and begin your pilgrimage to Zion?

Daily devotions courtesy of Devotions.org, a ministry of Back to the Bible.
The Prayer, Praise & Promises daily devotional is provided courtesy of Back to the Bible

THE ROMAN ROAD

Everyone has Sinned: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

The penalty for our sin is death: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:23)

God demonstrates His Own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

To be forgiven for our sin, we must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ: But what does it say? “The Word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the Word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:8-10)

………………………………………

Can you see how much Jesus cares for you? So much that He came to earth, died on a cross (in your place, for your sins), and rose again that you might be saved by believing in Him and have everlasting life though Him. See, you are special and worth more than you could ever imagine to Christ. He loves you! Are you ready to be transformed??? It’s easy really, just believe in your heart that Jesus died for you and accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior. Make Him the Master of your life instead of the world being your master. A simple prayer such as the one below can transform your life forever…

True or False?

Read Jeremiah 28:1 through 30:24

Do you remember taking tests in school that had true and false questions on them? They were really easy if you knew the answer. If you didn’t have a clue, you had only a 50 percent chance of being right.

The Jews struggled to discern who was a false prophet and who was a true one. Many times their sin blinded them to the true prophets, and they chose to accept the false prophets’ teaching. Even today, it can be difficult for some to know the difference between what is true and what is false.

But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the Lord only if his prediction comes true (Jeremiah 28:9).

The false prophet Hananiah prophesied that the Babylonian captivity would only last two years and then everything would be fine again. This was what the people wanted to hear. But Jeremiah told Hananiah that because he preached rebellion against the Lord (Jeremiah 28:16), he would die. Hananiah died two months later, just as Jeremiah had prophesied. Now who was the true prophet?

Prayer Suggestion: Father, help us to be able to discern the true from the false in spiritual matters.

Quicklook: Jeremiah 28:5–17