Posted on Mar 3, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: blog, daily devotion, daily dvotional, home, home is where the help is, Lord 'Im coming home
By Anita Mondragon
I was watching the movie GI Joe the other night. That’s where I heard the above quote which I used for the title of this post.
Remember the old hymn, ‘Lord, I’m Coming Home’ by William J. Kirkpatrick? It goes like this…
- I’ve wandered far away from God,
Now I’m coming home;
The paths of sin too long I’ve trod,
Lord, I’m coming home.
- Refrain:
Coming home, coming home,
Nevermore to roam;
Open wide Thine arms of love,
Lord, I’m coming home. Read more…
Posted on Mar 1, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: Addiction, blog, daily blog, daily devotion, daily devotional, Drug Addiction, forgiven blog, Substance Abuse
By Eileen Martinez
Jude 1:24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen
Addiction – noun
The fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, activity or practice.
Synonyms: dependency, dependence, craving, habit, weakness, compulsion, fixation, enslavement: informal monkey: informal jones
Jealous – adjective
Fiercely protective or vigilant of one’s rights or possessions.
Synonyms: protective, defensive, vigilant, watchful, heedful, mindful, careful, solicitous, attentive.
Addictions… we all have them. They disguise themselves as good habits like exercise, money makers, clout chasers, and for some just plain bad habits. These are just a few: Alcohol, nicotine, bad thoughts, low self-esteem.
Read more…
Posted on Feb 24, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: blog, daily devotion, daily devotional, forgiven blog, PCC, why cant I forget
By Esther Hernandez
Genesis chapters 37-47 tell the story of Joseph, Jacob’s 11th son. Joseph was favored by his father Jacob and his brothers were jealous. They mistreated him, talked about him, hated and rejected him. They even sold him to a caravan of Midianite merchants going by in the field where they were. Joseph landed up in Egypt. But Joseph trusted God even in the strange land where he was. In Genesis 41:51 he named his first son, Manasseh, because God helped him forget all his trouble and all his father’s household.
Sometimes we can’t forget because we don’t fully accept or receive all that God has done for us in bringing us back to Himself. Isaiah 64:6 says all our righteous acts everything good we’ve done are like filthy rags. We forget what God has done for us in giving us life, redemption and forgiveness of sin – past, present and future. Read more…
Posted on Feb 22, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: be the light, blog, daily devotion, daily devotional, forgiven blog, here and there
By Anita Mondragon
Have you ever become unsatisfied with your life? Have you ever looked around and thought…”I wish I wasn’t HERE in this place! “? When you observed the success of your friends, have you longed to be THERE in their shoes? I think we have all had a bite out of that apple.
I went to a gathering last night. It turned out to be a rip-roaring party. Mostly family, a few new acquaintances, and some folks I’d never seen before. It started out with light conversation and food but soon turned into something else. I have to admit I felt pretty alone and uncomfortable. I was shocked and saddened by those closest to me. I thought Jesus and His teachings had rubbed off on them a little more. I sat quietly and refused the drink offered to me. When asked “Why?”, I merely said, “I don’t drink.” Now being a Christian, I could have started quoting Scripture to them. I could have pulled out my Bible and slapped them upside the head with it, but instead, I was a quiet witness. I hopefully let them SEE the Jesus in me.
There are four things we can do when we find ourselves in this situation. They are as follows:
1. Stand firm in the truth. If we are firmly grounded in the truth of God’s Word, we will not be swayed to join in.
2. Continue in every good work and word. We must keep the attitude, speech, and conduct that will reflect Christ.
3. Have a prayer life. You can pray quietly to yourself and ask God to give you an opportunity to share the truth. Your simplest words done in love can have an amazing effect on someone when those words are directed by the Holy Spirit.
4.Stay in obedience to the Lord! Godly influence on others will only come if we ourselves are obedient to our Father in Heaven!
People watch us. They listen to what we say, and they watch how we respond and act. You can’t say one thing and then live differently. Folks want to see if you really believe what you’re saying is TRUTH.
I used to be in that place of HERE, wishing I could be THERE… Then someone showed me the only difference between HERE and THERE was the cross. Jesus in my life made all the difference.
BE A LIGHT. SHOW OTHERS HOW TO GET FROM HERE TO THERE!
Posted on Feb 19, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: blog, corona virus, daily devotion, daily devotional, forgiven blog, peace in jesus
by Art Herrera
Today at the gas station a man yelled at me using some very colorful language…! He said for me to use hand sanitizer that way I do not infect him and his wife with this virus that is going on. I didn’t see any hand sanitizer so I asked him to show me. He came over next to me really close and showed me where the sanitizer was attached. I pointed out to him that he was only two feet away from me and if one of us was infected now both of us are. The man asked me why I am so calm with all of this that is going on in our world. I told him I have great peace because God is the one that has given me the peace.
Posted on Feb 17, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: blog, daily deotion, daily devotional, forgiven blog, jesus doesnt care
By Anita Mondragon
Some of you may be scratching your head right now saying, “Now…wait a minute! I thought this was a Godly blog…”
Well, it is! My point here is that we as Christians sometimes concern ourselves with things that really don’t matter to God. We set our own standards of ‘how’ folks should behave…we have different ideas about sin-maybe we hold one sin greater than another; we pass judgment on certain behaviors, while God sits back in amazement at our forgetfulness of how WE were when He found us.
Like the religious people of Jesus’ time, we think because we are educated, have jobs, cars, houses, and the like, that we are better than those not as blessed as we. Read more…
Posted on Feb 15, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: blog, daily devotion, daily devotional, forgiven blog, unusual times
by Clem Fitzsimmons
What if God has taken away the things that (we think) are so important to give us more of what we really need: Himself. The very Giver of life, the One who made everything (John 1:3) and in Whom ‘we live and move and have our being’ (Acts 17:28) knows what we need. Many times I have held regret over certain things not coming to pass in life, or have lamented certain things that have happened. I think most of us have.
This is a fallen world and a land this side of Heaven. And yet, I can’t help but wonder that if Christ is who He says He is, namely the Word, the One who made us and in Whom we have our being, then there must be no other Person who would know us and what it is we need like He does. Call on Him today, throw yourself on the mercy of God for He delights ‘to show mercy’ (Micah 7:18).
Read more…
Posted on Feb 12, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: blog, daily devotion, daily devotional, windstock christian, windstock christianity
By Anita Mondragon
We’ve all seen them around town. They attract attention to businesses. They are long, bright-colored tubes with faces and arms. When the power of the blower (wind machine) is turned on, they beckon folks to come in. They are inviting.
But to be a windsock Christian is a distraction! Christians are supposed to be stable, confident, and steadfast! So I ask you…
Are you a windsock Christian?
Are you on fire for God one minute, but unsure of your beliefs the next? Do certain ideas of the world confuse you and cause you to question if you’re too old fashioned because you just believe God’s Word? Do you dabble in astrology, New Age, or Eastern thoughts as a way to “cope” with everyday life? As a Believer, do the sanctimonious, self-righteous attitudes of some throw you for a loop and cause you to stumble? These are questions we should all ask ourselves from time to time because there’s so much out there coming at us on a daily basis…even in the church!
Yesterday, this came to mind as I pondered on the pastor’s sermon-especially the last part of it where he was talking about the attacks of faith sent to us by the enemy. Read more…
Posted on Feb 10, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: blog, daily devotion, daily devotional, forgiven blog, mama, note to my son, remember me
By Anita Mondragon
I wrote this poem years ago for my son Micah Mondragon. He was in grade school at the time. Here’s my little note to him, and the poem that followed.-Anita
Micah…I thought of this poem one day when I went to pick you up from school. The wind blew a leaf off of one of the trees where I was parked, and it reminded me of the day we picked up colored leaves and brought them home. Do you remember us doing that? Anyway, I hope all of the things we do together will never be forgotten by you. Even when I am gone…I’ll be looking down from Heaven on you…I’ll still be there with you! I’ll see you soon son! Love, mom
As the years come and go
And you move away… Read more…
Posted on Feb 3, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: blog, daily devotion, daily devotional, forgiven blog, oceans of love and forgiveness
By Anita Mondragon
This morning when I awoke, I saw a full moon shining brightly over an ocean of blue sky.
Small clouds of different shapes and sizes – colored bright orange, were clumped together like a huge coral reef.
A few stars peeked out beneath some large dark clouds like barnacles on a ship.
A light cool breeze softly blew, and seemed to chart a course, that slowly pushed those dark clouds like ships as they sailed across the blue expanse.
It was then I recalled the mercy of God! As my own ship has sailed on this ocean called life, God has guided my vessel through the rough waters and the calm as well.
I stood at that window and marveled at the mercy and goodness of God! I’m completely amazed that when I allow Him to be the Captain of my ship, He will take the helm of my vessel and safely steer me home on His Ocean of love and forgiveness!
