Daily Inspirations
Scriptural “tidbits” and devotions to connect the Bible to our lives…
It’s About a Relationship
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” – Philippians 3:8-11 (NLT)
While belonging to and attending a church, participating in worship services and being involved in ministry can absolutely help bring us closer to God, only through a deep, personal relationship with Christ can we truly experience the peace, majesty and love our Heavenly Father offers us. It’s not about a religion, it’s about a relationship.
The Most Powerful Act of Love in History
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (ESV)
For many, the onset of February brings thoughts of love to the front of our minds. However, as we’re inundated by the seemingly endless procession of bright red gift boxes and jewelry advertisements, it’s important that we remember the single, most powerful act of love in history; the divine birth, life, death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
One Significant Obligation
“Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.” – Romans 13:8-10 (NLT)
As Christians, we have one significant obligation to everyone; to love them, as Christ loves us. When we strive to wrap our lives in the outpouring of His mighty love, we draw ever closer to meeting those guidelines that God laid down for us. For in the light of true, all-encompassing love, sin cannot exist.
Trust Begins With God
“Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD.
Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.” – Psalm 37:3-6 (NLT)
Trust isn’t easy. As we live our lives, finding people we can place our trust in can be a difficult and sometimes painful process. However, when we place our full faith and trust in God and allow Him to guide our hearts when making those connections, the result is stronger relationships that glorify Him as well.
Our Past Does Not Define Us
“Though I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, yet if he trusts in his righteousness and does injustice, none of his righteous deeds shall be remembered, but in his injustice that he has done he shall die. Again, though I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ yet if he turns from his sin and does what is just and right, if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life, not doing injustice, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he shall surely live.” – Ezekiel 33:13-16 (ESV)
Life is a journey. Our Heavenly Father knows that we’ll make incorrect choices, and stray from His path from time to time. And yet, while we need to remain diligent in our pursuit of righteousness and fulfilling God’s desires for our lives, when we do err it’s important to remember that those moments don’t have to define us; when in humility and repentance we ask for forgiveness and learn from those mistakes that we’ve made, God joyfully refreshes our spirits and draws us to Him.
Called to Share
“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”” – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (ESV)
God doesn’t restrict His calling to deliver the gospel message to those of stature; the scholarly, the wise or the influential. For the Lord knows our hearts, and joyfully shines through all those who seek to glorify Him, and not themselves.
Combatting the Onslaught
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” – Ephesians 6:13-17 (ESV)
Each and every day, our hearts and minds are tempted and assaulted by the broken nature of the world we live in. To combat this onslaught, it’s vital that we “armor up” in the resources that God has Blessed us with; firmly defending that which we’ve given over to Christ.
Joining Together in Unity
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)
As members of the Body of Christ, one of our most important responsibilities is to join with other believers; to worship together, to encourage one another, and to reach out in unity and share the ministry and message of our Savior.
A Common Misconception
“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.” – 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NLT)
When people first come to Christ, it’s a common misconception that their lives will somehow become easier, or that at least their fears, anxieties and struggles would dissipate to some extent. In effect however, that’s rarely the case. With that Blessed renewal of our spirit, in some respects our lives can actually become more complicated as we strive to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. The important thing to remember however is that trials in His name are in fact Blessings unto themselves; drawing us closer to His path, and bringing joy in the knowledge that He shares our struggles with us.
Our True Identity
“And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”
Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.” – Galatians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Too often, we see our own worth and identity in terms of this world; what job we hold, what social status we’ve attained, or how much wealth we’ve amassed. It’s important to remember however, that all of those things are temporary, and in the end don’t truly define who we are. Through Christ Jesus, we’ve been “adopted” into God’s family and infused with His divine Spirit; we are His Beloved Children, we are loved, and in that permanent relationship we find our true identity.
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
