Daily Devotional
Have You Decided to Follow Jesus?
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
Ephesians 5:1-2
January 22, 2023
Ponder This
What did God the Father say about who Jesus is? He said, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). God the Father showed us who Jesus is through His actions. When they nailed Jesus up on that cross and put Him in that cold, dark tomb, they said, “He is worthy of death! Crucify Him!” Almighty God reversed the decision of the court and raised Him from the dead. He is shown to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead. (See Romans 1:4.)
I have believed this good news and lived for this good news. Have you? The early apostles believed it. Many of them died for their faith. Men may live for a lie; few men will die for a lie. Men tell lies to get them out of trouble, not into trouble.
Now it’s time for you to consider what you will do with Jesus. Will you crown Him or crucify Him? Will you acknowledge Him or reject Him? Will you receive Him or deny Him? You will decide, and how you live will be evidence of that decision. You cannot wash your hands as Pilate did, and you cannot be neutral.
- What does it look like to live for the good news of Jesus?
- How do you acknowledge Jesus in your everyday life?
Practice This
Consider and journal about what it would look like to grow in how you acknowledge Jesus every day.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
