Devotional #1                


 Saving Joseph

The testimony of my salvation is very precious to me. I welcome the opportunity to share it. I’ve heard many people say that only weak people turn to religion or faith. Perhaps it’s more that people who are bought to a place of seeing their true weak state comprehend their need of God. Even Saint Paul when reflecting on what he referred to as ‘a thorn in (his) flesh,’ saw that God would not remove this trouble from him, which he believed was sent by Satan. Rather, the Lord said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” “Therefore (Paul declared) most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Sadly, people who believe that their lives are going well don’t perceive their need for a Savior. Jesus himself said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

As a pre-teen, I remember watching a TV program where two men were arguing as to whether or not childhood depression was a real phenomenon. I remember almost wanting to jump out of my skin knowing that I had been deeply depressed for about three years. I have a vivid memory on sitting on my bed one evening contemplating my own suicide. But, having been raised a Catholic, I feared God’s judgement more than I understood His profound love. Death and fears of hell plagued my mind! I didn’t however doubt His power, so I cried for hours asking that God would make it be as though I had never existed.

You see, I had a very low opinion of myself. This mostly stemmed from my relationship with my father. As a father now, I see that he did love me and worked hard to care for my sisters and I, but as a  child I perceived that he disliked me and that I didn’t measure up to his standard. I will talk a lot more about that throughout these devotionals. However, I had a great love and was in awe of my oldest sister.

            I thought that my big sister was the coolest person I had ever met! But, she would never make time for me, her annoying little brother, until she came to Christ.  Once she led me to Christ some things changed quickly, I immediately knew in my core that God truly loved me, I stopped fearing death and hell, I had great joy replacing my severe depression, and despite my tumultuous relationship with my father, I now had a Heavenly Father who proved His love for me. I couldn’t read the Bible enough as I sought diligently to learn about Him, and His plans for me. Through prayer not only could I talk to Him, but I began to hear from Him, too!  It’s been a long journey of healing for me, which is still ongoing over thirty years later. When I was saved a great new life began for me. I’ve shared many of my beautiful experiences with the Lord in the devotionals that I'll be sharing here. I hope these devotionals encourage you in your decision to follow Jesus and have a new life in Him.

See It for Yourself: 2 Corinthians 12:9, Matthew 9:11-13, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:10, 23, &10:9, Acts 16:31, John 3:16

Prayer Focus:

Dear Jesus,

I realize that I am a sinner and I ask You for Your forgiveness. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins so that I could receive Your forgiveness, enjoy a real relationship with you and obtain eternal life. I invite You to come into my life right now and become my personal Savior. From this day forward, Lord, I give you full control of my life. Make me a new person and help me to live for You.

Amen.

Working It Out: Getting ‘Saved’ is as easy as “A B C”                   

A- ADMIT you are a sinner. We are all sinners and we can’t save ourselves.

B-  BELIEVE that Jesus suffered and died for your sins. Trust Him   

      alone for your salvation and commit your life to serve Him.

C-  CONFESS your sins (He will forgive you)!