Daily Devotional Free

  On a plateau high above the Atacama Desert in Chile, one of the world's largest radio telescopes is giving astronomers a view of the universe never seen before. In an Associated Press article, Luis Andres Henao spoke of scientists from many countries "looking for clues about the dawn of the cosmos - from the coldest gases and dust where galaxies are formed and stars are born to the energy produced by the Big Bang". The Bible celebrates the mighty power and infinite understanding of God who "counts the number of the stars" and "calls them all by name" (Ps. 147:4). Yet the Creator of the universe is not a remote, uncaring force, but a loving heavenly Father who "heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (v. 3). "The Lord lifts up the humble" (v. 6) and "takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy" (v. 11). He loves us so much that "He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes ...

  Dear Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine. Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine. Take all my will, my passion, life, self and pride. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, oh Lord. Let Your Holy Spirit guide me in my prayer and in thought, and grant me the grace to listen and hear Your Word. Soften my heart, that I may be directed by Your truth, and not the devices of my body and mind. Let me go forth in thanks for the victory I have been given through our Lord Jesus Christ. May I be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, and always remembering that in the Lord our labor is not in vain. In the name of Christ I ask this. Amen

  Recently, while watching a video of a church service held in South America, I noticed something I had never seen before in church. As the pastor passionately called his flock to yield their lives to Jesus, one of the parishioners took a white hankie out of his pocket and started waving it in the air. The another, and another. With tears running down their cheeks, they were expressing full surrender to Christ. But, I wonder if there was more to the moment than the flags of surrender. I think they were waving flags of love to God. When God told His people to "love the Lord your God" (Deut. 6:5), it was in the context of His urging them to surrender their lives to Him. Surrender is God's love language. From God's point of view, life with Him is far more than just trying to be good. It is always about relationship - relationship in which surrender is the way we express our grateful love to Him. Jesus, in amazing love for us, surrendered Himself on the cross to rescue us...

  Dear Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine. Let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty and Thy glory in my valley. Help me to yield my will to You and to follow where You lead. Thank You, Lord, for Your love and care. Thank You for sending Your Son, our Savior, to fulfill Your promise of forgiveness and restoration. Show me how You want me to use my gifts for Your kingdom. May I be willing to be hidden and unknown today, yet ready to speak a word to those who are weary. May Your Spirit touch my words and make them Your words that enrich and refresh others. Give me grace today, so to live by obedience that I may increase in faith and in the understanding of your Holy Word. Amen

  The Lord's Prayer is a relational prayer. And, though it might surprise you, it reveals a lot about our relationship with God. In these well-known lines, He reveals Himself to us - who is He is and what He has done for us. The prayer also reveals how we should respond to Him. Its initial focus is on God's glory, affirming His paternity and person (Matt. 6:9), and His program and His purpose (v. 10). Then, it shifts from a contemplation of the Holy God to who are - vulnerable children who are totally dependent upon our heavenly Father. The focus turns to God's grace, assuring us of His provision (v. 11). His pardon (v. 12), and His protection (v. 13). "Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy" (v. 9) affirms the intimacy of the Father-child relationship as we reverently approach our perfect Father. "May Your kingdom come soon (v. 9) speaks of royalty and the loyalty offered to the King by His subjects. "May your will be done on earth, as it is i...

  Dear God, most mighty and merciful father, I, Your unworthy creation and servant, once more approach Your presence. Though not worthy to appear before You, because of the many sins and transgressions which I have committed against Your divine majesty; yet I pray You, for the sake of him in whom You are well pleased, the Lord Jesus Christ, to let me give You thanks and praise for Your many and varied mercies extended toward me, for the quiet rest and repose of the past night, for food, clothing, health, peace, liberty, and the hopes of a better life through the merits of Your dear son's bitter passion. Continue Your mercy and favor to me this day. And always, give resolution to all my lawful undertakings. Let me have all my directions from your Holy Spirit, and success from Your bountiful hand.  Bless the people of this land, be a father to the fatherless, a comforter to the comfortless, a deliverer to the captives, and a physician to the sick. Let your blessings guide me and...

  Although seventy percent of the world is covered by water, less than one percent of it is drinkable by humans. Water conservation and sanitation are crucial matters in many parts of the world, as all life depends on having sanitary water.  Jesus went out of His way to introduce a lost woman to another kind of life-giving water. He deliberately chose to go to a town in Samaria, a place where no respectable rabii would set foot. There, He told this woman about "living water". Those who drink of it, He said, "will never thirst". It will "become in Him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14). The living water is Jesus Himself. Those who receive Him have eternal life. But the living water He provides also serves another function. Jesus said of those who receive it: "Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). The living water that refreshes us is to refresh others also. As fresh-water distribution is u...