DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2020-07-04
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Galatians 3:26-29
TRANSLATION: Good News Translation (GNT)

BIBLE TEXT: ²⁶ It is through faith that all of you are God’s children in union with Christ Jesus. ²⁷ You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself. ²⁸ So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of Abraham and will receive what God has promised.

OBSERVATION: How refreshing to be reminded that there is no division among God’s children! If you feel like there is division, then obviously sin has entered the house and causing you to attempt to undo what Christ did for us on the cross. Praise God, He created all of us as His children! He sent His Son, Jesus, to die a very cruel death at Calvary for all those who choose to accept His gift of salvation. As we examine what God has in store for us today in His Word, I believe it is important to consider all that our Father did to love, care for and prepare for our future with Him, for all who would believe – all who would place their trust in Him, so that we all could be together in heaven some sweet day!

APPLICATION: In growing up around a family with 5 kids, we would often tease mom and/or dad about who we felt their favorite was! I bet you did also! However, we soon learned that there was something in common between the kids – we were all born of the same mother, fed by the same dad, and shown in very special ways that we all were loved way more than we probably deserved, but equally by our parents. I believe that God looks at His creation in much the same way, for we are all His creation and He shows His love for us in much the same way each and every day. Although I am blessed to have never seen separation in relationship between my parents and either of their children, I realize that it is an unfortunate reality in some families. However, I am convinced that our God loves us, His children, equally and to the ultimate understanding of what true ‘love’ really is. In spite of our attempts to run away from God and not have anything to do with His church at times, I believe that through His Son Jesus, God still looks at us and loves us unconditionally. I also believe that God will not force Himself on any of us that choose to go our own way, but I don’t believe that He would ever give up on us to try and get us back on the right track. An example is fresh on my mind: yesterday I heard that a husband had just told his wife that they would start going to church. Friends, that may sound like something very trivial or insignificant to you, but I know that prayers are being answered there, and I know that Satan would not awaken one of his to start going to church, so where do you think that encouragement came from? ONLY GOD, and I am at the top of the list of friends praising God for this new decision to attend church. I believe that today, more than anytime in our history, it is vitally important to listen to the voice of God and to obey Him promptly. Satan is so busy trying to tear down families, destroy churches, leading husbands and/or wives astray, encouraging children to become involved in things that will keep their attention from the Savior of the world. And Satan is using every possible tactic to confuse the world about the simple truth of the Gospel. You see, no matter what Satan may cause you to think, there is only one cross for sinners to kneel before. Only one heaven where sinners saved by the grace of God will wind up with the One True God. Placing your faith and trust in Jesus is not dependent on anything else but faith. It doesn’t matter how rich, poor or smart you are, nor the background from which you came or the church you attend. Notice none of these were mentioned in today’s Scripture as conditions of Christ accepting you, but simply through faith alone, in Christ alone. My friend, Jesus loves you today just as you are. This world may have given you lots of reasons why no one would love you, but I’m here today as a representative of Jesus Christ, to remind you that you are loved by the Master of this universe, and He would have an awesome celebration in heaven today, should you decide to accept His gift of eternal life and seek to serve Him until He calls you home. Please stop what you’re doing and take time for this most important decision. Have faith in God today, won’t you?

PRAYER: While here on earth there are lots of ways that Satan is working to keep unbelievers dedicated to himself. But all praise to You oh God, You have already settled the dispute, and convinced us that You died so that we might live eternally in heaven with You, if we simply accept You as our personal Savior. It all sounds too simple, because we place so much emphasis on what separates us down here on earth. Please help your children to really get it today – You love us all with a love that opens the doors of heaven for the vilest of sinners to come home. In spite of the artificial differences that we place on ourselves here on earth, what a joy it is to know that we are important enough to be called sons and daughters of the most High God. Regardless of our achievements, our degree of sin, or the ugliness of sin that has held us down, we are all considered children of God when we accept You as Lord and Savior. Oh that today may be an overwhelmingly urgent day of decision-making for our friends and family, and for all who will read my blog today. May we all be able to sing in unison by end of day ‘When We All get to Heaven’! Oh what a day of rejoicing that will be, thanks be to God! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!