Daily Devotion-January 2, 2023

Daily Devotion-January 2, 2023

1 Peter 2:1-5

Therefore rid yourselves of all evil, all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all slander. Like newborn babies, crave the pure milk of the word so that by it, you may grow up with the result being salvation. Certainly, you have tasted that the Lord is good! As you come to him, the Living Stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious, you also, like living stones, are being built as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, in order to bring spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We pray that you forgive us for all the ways we are loveless to those around us and those close to us; forgive us for the ways we fail to love you. When we realize our sins, we also know how much we need a Savior, and your word tells us of Jesus. So please give us all the spiritual craving to hear repeatedly about your love and mercy for us. Lord, only there do we hear of the salvation you made possible and the peace that came through Jesus’ holy life and innocent death. Through Jesus’ work, all our sins are removed, and you have reunited us with you—true peace.

Lord, in your word, you told us many people would reject Jesus. However, what glorious news you give us; as believers, we are not alone, but each one of us is connected to the others through Jesus. Faith joins us into a spiritual house—your invisible church on earth. We are all one, united in Christ and accepted by you because Jesus died for our sins. These gifts are delivered to all by faith alone.

Lord, please provide us with opportunities to share the good news of Jesus’ forgiveness with someone who does not know or has rejected him. We pray that your Holy Spirit will work in their hearts and ignite that spark of faith so they will also believe and be saved. Amen.

Written through Pastor Roger Emmons

Salvation is for you through Christ Jesus. He came to this world to shed his blood for you so that you would have everlasting life. Salvation is delivered to you by faith that the Holy Spirit begins in you.