Define Your Reality - Day 1

***This post was part of a Define Your Reality Devotional Series during the 30 Days of Prayer for Family Life Church in March of 2020. It was written by Robbie Ashlock.***

But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” -Romans 10:8-11

What are you going to do with God’s Word? Because what you do with His Word, defines your reality.

Think about it this way. Reality is defined as the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or national idea. Reality is the truth of what is, and the only way that we can stand firmly in reality is to walk in God’s light and truth.

God’s Word is His gift to us pointing us to the truth of this world and the truth of His love for us. When we take God at His Word, we take the truth of reality, our existence, and choose to live in it. Allowing God and His Word to shape our lives.

This takes place when we come to fully understand the Good News of Jesus Christ. Because God loved us so much, even though we were lost in sin and rebelling against His love for us, He sent His one and only Son to die in our place that we might know and live in the righteousness of God.
Reality check: This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 3:22-24 and Romans 5:6 & 8).

Our reality is that we have a God who loves us. He knows everything there is to know about us. He knows the lies, the anger, the lust, and so much more.  He knows the secrets that we have so carefully kept hidden from those around us. He knows the desires, the struggles, the loneliness.  He sees our very hearts and HE LOVES US. Regardless of our sin and shame, God knows us, and He loves us. He loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son that we might know Him and the reality of His love for us.

Today, if you have never experienced that love and grace, it is yours for the taking. If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God has raised Christ from the dead you will be saved. It is the finished work of Christ Jesus on the cross and at the grave that has set us free from all of our sin and shame.

That is our reality. We are no longer slaves to fear and shame because of the precious blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.  We are no longer lost, we are found! As you pray today, ask God to open your eyes to all that He has done for you in Christ Jesus.

Take a few moments to write down what your life was like before you understood the love of Christ. Then ask God to reveal to you all that He has made new. Everything that God has for you is nearer than you think because, Christ made a way when there was no other way. Choose today to live in the reality that God loves you, flaws and all. He is calling you to a new life, abundant and free!  

              Keep the Son in your eyes, Pastor Robbie

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