THE SIGN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

THE SIGN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Romans 4:6-12
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+4:6-12

Dear Father,

Thank you that the words your servant David spoke apply to us:
"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are
covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count
against him" (Psalm 32:1-2).

Thank you that you blessed Abraham before he was circumcised,
(while he was a Gentile!) so he could be the father of all who
believe. Thank you that he is the father not only of those who are
circumcised but of those who follow his example of faith.

Praise to you, God, for giving to Abraham circumcision as a sign
of the righteousness he had through faith before he was
circumcised.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

VERSE:

VERSE:
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye
continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall
know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
-- John 8:31-32
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=John+8:31-32&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
There are few things more coveted than freedom. People die for
it. People pray for it. People strive for it. True freedom comes
from knowing truth. Knowing truth ultimately comes by living in
obedience to Jesus. Truth is not just something you think about or
believe. Truth is something you do, you live. Jesus' teaching often
ends with the exclamation: Blessed are you who do these things!
Only by doing will we ever know the truth that liberates us.

PRAYER:
To the only true God be glory, honor, power and praise. Father I
seek not only your presence in my daily life, but also your
pleasure in the choices I make. Please teach me more of your truth
as I pledge to live today in obedience to your word and your will.
Through Jesus the living Word I pray. Amen.

CREDITED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS

CREDITED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS

Romans 4:1-5
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+4:1-5

Dear Father, friend of Abraham,

Thank you for the wonderful relationship you established with
Abraham. Through him you have blessed the world. Through that
relationship you have blessed me. Thank you, Lord, that through it
you will bring even more blessings, now and for ever.

Thank you that Abraham's relationship to you was not something he
earned; it came because "Abraham believed God, and it was credited
to him as righteousness."

To one who works, wages are not a gift but payment due. We thank
you that our relationship is not that of a hired hand. We do not
work for wages. We work for you out of a faith and a love that you
fired in our hearts. We trust you as the one who justifies the
ungodly and who credits our faith as righteousness.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

VERSE:

VERSE:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old
things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
-- 2 Corinthians 5:17
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Corinthians+5:17&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
We all like "do-overs" or second chances. God does much better
than that! He allows us to become new again. Being the "God of new
things" he can even make us new. Beyond forgiveness, beyond
cleansing, he makes us holy through Jesus. Let's use the
opportunity of a New Year as a springboard for living a life fresh
and new and alive for God!

PRAYER:
O LORD, thank you for a New Year and a fresh start. Please give
me wisdom and strength to serve you with integrity and faithfulness
in this coming year. I pray that your work be done in my life as I
offer myself, my plans, and my future to you. I pray this through
Jesus my intercessor and Lord. Amen.

GOOD NEWS FOR PLANET EARTH

GOOD NEWS FOR PLANET EARTH

Romans 1:1-4
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+1:1-4

Dear Father, who commissioned the Good News to earth,

Thank you for the Good News for planet Earth which you promised
through your prophets in the Holy Scriptures.

We love you for giving us this Good News about your Son, who,
though he was descended from King David according to the flesh, was
designated your Son, the Son of God in power according to the
Spirit of holiness, by his resurrection from the dead.

We exult in thanksgiving for Jesus Christ, holder of all
authority, in whose name we come. Amen.