Devotion for 2/3/21 6 Minutes

Devotion

Good evening everyone watching by video this evening,,, it's time for our weekly devotion.

I'm praying that all of you are having a wonderful week so far.

As I've said the last several weeks,,, we need to continue to remember those that are dealing with this virus.

Those that are sick,,, since there are many others dealing with this sickness as it continues to grow and,,, those that have lost loved ones,,, we need to continue to remember them as well.

Remember the medical teams that are dealing with this and any others that must work and take a chance of contacting this virus.

Also,,, continue to remember those on our prayer list,,, and our country and it’s leaders.

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Our devotion this evening comes from Billy Graham's devotion titled "Wisdom for Each Day".

Our scripture will be Psalm 145:8 and John 3:17 and I'll be reading from the King James Version Bible.

Psalm 145:8 (KJV 1900)

8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; Slow to anger, and of great mercy.

John 3:17 (KJV 1900) — 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this evening.

Let us pray:

Dear Lord,,, as we begin this evening,,, with all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen.

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Psalm 145:8,,, written by David,,, gives an excellent example of how God is the same God written about in the New Testament.

Some people just cannot see how the God in the New Testament and the Old Testament both,,, can be a God of love.

This verse gives a hint as does the verse in John 3:17.

At the same time though,,, we seem to forget that God is also just,,, and we can be punished for our sins.

Billy Graham said in his devotion,,, Imagine what the world would be like if God were only a God of love,,, who never judged evil or tried to stop it.

Criminals could carry out their plans without fear.

They would never have to worry that God would judge them or try to stop them.

Then he said,,, Now imagine what the world would be like if God were only a God of judgment,,, who punished us every time we did wrong.

If God were like that,,, none of us would ever have a chance,,, for we sin every day.

Sometimes,,, however,,, God does correct and discipline us — not because He hates us,,, but because He loves us and wants us to turn from the destructive path we are on.

If you are a parent,,, you love your children,,, but at times you need to discipline them for their good.

In a far greater way,,, God loves us,,, so He also disciplines us when we need it for our good.

The Bible says, “Do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves” (Hebrews 12:5–6).

There are some that might ask,,, Why would a loving God send anyone to Hell?

Billy Graham said,,, Let me answer that question with a question.

And he said that If someone deliberately commits a crime and is caught,,, who is to blame if that person is found guilty and sentenced to jail?

Is it the judges fault —or the person that broke the law?

Whoever breaks the law is to blame for what has happened to him,,, not the judge.

Yes,,, the judge sentenced him,,, but he broke the law,,, and he is the one responsible for the penalty he received.

The judge was only following the law.

The person that broke the law can’t blame the judge; he can only blame himself.

In the same way,,, when we break God’s law,,, we stand condemned,,, and we ourselves are to blame for what happens to us,,, not God.

We can only blame ourselves for the consequences.

But we don’t have to pay the penalty for our sins because Christ has already paid it for us.

By His death on the cross,,, Jesus took the punishment you and I deserve.

Jesus suffered judgment and Hell for us.

We should be so thankful to God for His love,,, and Praise God,,, for His love!

Graham, Billy. Wisdom for Each Day . Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.