Daily Devotional

A daily devotional to strengthen your relationship with God.

Today's Devotional

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

“Am I only a God nearby,”
declares the Lord,
“and not a God far away?
Jeremiah 23:23

The popular saying, 'out of sight, out of mind', may explain why many people are wary of long-distance relationships. Unfortunately, many people behave in one way when they are close and another way when they are far away. The truth is that proximity to others is a determining factor in many people's behaviors and feelings.

For example, some children act badly when they are away from their parents (guardians), employees "take advantage" when their bosses are away, or spouses are unfaithful if their partner is not around. This was also the case with the Israelites in the desert when they complained to Aaron that they couldn't see God, nor Moses who was on the mountain receiving the Law from the Lord. They sinned, were unfaithful to the Lord, and built a golden calf (Ex.32) because they thought God was far away...

A Christian's life shouldn't be like that. Especially their communion with the Lord. He is the God near and far. Our relationship with Christ is based on love and trust, not on sight. Although we can't see or touch him, by faith we walk in his company, keeping the Lord in our hearts. He loved us first, so we love him too...

God is never far away, He is omnipresent and omniscient, He fills both heaven and earth. His presence is everywhere. The verse here is a reminder of the all-encompassing nature of God's existence and knowledge. The passage goes on to say that not only is he 'near and far', but that no one can hide from Him, and He is intimately involved with all aspects of creation.

Out of Sight, in my Heart

  • What matters more in your life: being upright and honest (near and far) or being deceitful and unfaithful?
  • Pray and recognize that God is near, even if you are far from him.
  • Read the Bible and seek to obey it, doing everything for God's glory.
  • Keep firm in your faith and love for God, even when you feel He is far away or silent.

Pray:

Lord, forgive me! Help me to be faithful and true to my neighbor and to you. May sincerity and truth guide my conduct, even when no one is around. You are God near and far! Help me not to turn away from you, today and always. In Jesus' name, amen!

Yesterday's Devotional

His life is priceless and the cost was paid with love

"7 No one can redeem the life of another
or give to God a ransom for them—
8 the ransom for a life is costly,
no payment is ever enough—
9 so that they should live on forever
and not see decay."

Psalm 49:7-9

Who could pay the price of a life? What value does a life have? The value of life absolutely goes beyond what we could pay, but God paid this price and rescued us from death.

Jesus gave himself up for us as a payment: life for a life. By sacrificing himself in our place, Jesus freed us from eternal damnation (Isaiah 53:5). No one else could pay that price but God himself.

God doesn't charge us for life, but wants us to recognize what He has already done. By believing in His sacrifice and accepting Jesus as our Savior, we can enjoy this endless life free of charge.

Thanks to him, we receive eternal life, and all because he loved us first!

Your life has value and the price has already been paid by Jesus!

  • Read the Bible; in it, we come to know our value to God.
  • Recognize the sacrifice Jesus made for you: thank him for it.
  • Talk about Jesus' sacrifice with your neighbors, everyone has value to him.

Pray:

Lord Jesus, thank you so much for your love and grace. You paid a price for my life that neither I nor anyone else could pay. Your sacrifice saved me, so I praise you with my life!
Thank you Jesus! Amen.

Day Before Yesterday's Devotional

The road to conversion

"29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws."
- Psalm 119:29-30

Much of the world still doesn't understand exactly what a conversion is. They think it's just a change of habits or something psychological that a person has decided at an important moment in their life. An example of this is when people speculate on how or when they should start, stop and choose their religion.

It happens, however, exactly in the way this psalmist describes. Notice that he doesn't turn away, but is 'kept' away from deceitful ways. In other words, conversion is not through our strength, it is through God’s strength. What brings about this conversion, however, is not a mere reflection or event, it is God's grace that does it.

Conversion is also not a diversion from a deceitful path to an empty road, quite the opposite. When we leave the deceptions of the world, we come across a road full of truth and life, which we need to know and dedicate ourselves to.

After being reached by grace, the author decides to follow God's path.

Make your decision

Have you left the deceitful ways of the world, or are you still deluding yourself with them? Turn to the Lord!
Recognise that it was by God's grace that you were saved
Like the psalmist, make your decision to follow God's ways and be faithful to the Lord of the universe

Pray:

Lord, I ask you to help me reach maturity. I thank you for having reached me at my lowest, on the road of deceit, and for having placed me on the path of Truth, where your Holy Son Jesus Christ dwells. Lord God, open my eyes and teach me your Law, so that I may keep it in my heart and live joyfully. I ask this in the name of Jesus!

See also:

What is the Daily Devotional

The Daily Devotional is a special moment of your day that you dedicate to having a precious time of intimacy with God. It is very simple to establish an exciting routine of discovery and spiritual growth. You will achieve this by setting aside a moment each day to draw near to the Lord. During the Devotional, you will read a Bible verse with a meditation on the text. Then, you will meditate on the teachings and how to apply them in your life. In the end, you can pray.

How to do your Daily Devotional

Here are some tips for making the most of reading the Bible message during the Daily Devotional:

  1. Set aside a moment and choose a specific place: your devotional time will be more beneficial if you set aside the hustle and bustle and invest in a pleasant time alone with God.
  2. Read the verse or Bible passage attentively: develop a lifestyle committed to the Word of God every day and avoid distractions.
  3. Read the daily meditation: reflect and try to understand God's purpose for your life through the comments.
  4. Practical application: jot down your findings and don't forget to put into practice everything you have learned through the Bible.
  5. Share what you learned: try to share with people around what God has been teaching you in your moments of daily devotion as you go about your daily conversations and interactions.

Don't forget the importance of living a life fully committed to the Word of God!

See also: