At the wake of everything going on in this world, in our own cities and our personal lives, I wondered what would today’s devotion be about? 

Today’s headlines are about the attacks on the nightclub in Orlando and it being this nation’s deadliest mass shooting in history. As I watched the news reports, I immediately thought of this scripture:

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

To take and give life is not in our hands. The enemy devises schemes and tactics to prevent you from wholeheartedly submitting to the voice of Jesus. If he can kill or destroy you before you surrender…he wins. He is plotting to destroy people while in their sin or before they truly make up in their mind to surrender. It’s almost like a game: get you to do you, make you feel as if you’re in control, and then show you that you aren’t. 

We have to wake up. Time is not on our side. If you were hurt by people that go to church…that’s what they are- people…who…GO…to church. Not Christians. A purpose of a Christian is to compel. Not to judge; to show the love of Christ, not the wrath of Satan.

Jesus has compassion. Jesus said if it’s possible, we should live peaceably with everyone. 

Our lives lay in the balance daily – everywhere we go.  Think about this. If we truly were in control, we would know what’s going to happen the next day. Even the next minute. If we have so much control over our lives, we could determine how many years we would want to live. If we were in control, we would know how to choose the sex of the child that we want during conception. But we are not. 

The only control/choice we have is the decision to choose whom we will serve. Everything else in life is based upon that decision. 

Get to know Jesus for yourself. Have a personal relationship with Him for yourself. God hates sin – not you.