DO YOU KNOW HIM???

Posted on Jun 1, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: , , , , ,

By Anita Mondragon
 
We’ve all heard it.  Perhaps at times, we’ve even said it.
 
“Oh my God!” is now a common term.  There is even an acronym for it OMG!  Cursing and using the name of God and Jesus can be heard many times throughout the day.  It may be used more in the world than in the church!  You hear God’s name used at work, in the general public, and especially on TV and in movies!  The name of God and His Son Jesus, are now among the common expletives used to express our deepest anger.  How sad!  Because the name of Jesus is LOVE of the purest kind!  He died so that we could live….But my question to those of us that use it so loosely is this…DO YOU KNOW HIM?  I mean, do you KNOW Him in a personal way?  Is He your friend?  Is He your refuge?  Is He your Savior?  
 
Years ago, when I was married to my first husband, he used God’s name very freely in conversation.  It wasn’t used in the sense of invoking the power of God into a situation, nor was it used to seek repentance.  It was in the midst of foul language and curses.

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WAR!

Posted on May 27, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: , , , , ,

By Anita Mondragon
 
If you belong to Jesus, you need to know…we are soldiers in the army of God!  
 
Most of us live our lives as though all is at peace in the world.  We don’t care to trouble ourselves with the weight of the world’s problems.  We know where we will end up when this life is over, so we are satisfied to sit on our Blessed Assurance and let the world go it’s way.  But let me remind you (me included), WE ARE AT WAR!  
 
A few years back, there was a movie called the War Room.  The lady in the movie had many prayer requests, so she made her closet the place where she’d pray.  She hung sticky notes with her requests to God.  She would daily go into her closet, close the door, and bring each request before the throne of God Almighty.  This closet became known as her War Room.  

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EVEN WHEN I FAIL

Posted on May 25, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: , , , ,

By Lee Pierce 
 
Have you ever felt like you let the Lord down? Done things you know would not please Him? Fail despite your best intentions to serve Him and be there for Him? I have to admit, that describes me way too often! I sometimes have the very best of intentions…then I blow it!

It’s safe to say, however, that none of those failings surprise our God. He knows us well and understands how weak we can be. Yet He still always loves us, and that fact never ceases to surprise me. Which is surprising in itself since He is God & His ways are not our ways [Is 55:8-9]. I should never expect God to react to people and circumstances the way I would in my fallen flesh. Thankfully, He doesn’t! Read more…


LIFE COACHES…HOW DO YOU FIND THE BEST ONE? 

Posted on May 20, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

By Anita Mondragon
 
Nowadays…you hear a lot about Life Coaches.  Everyone wants their own, ‘personal” life coach.  I know I need to make some changes in my own life…so I went to google to find out exactly just what a life coach really is.  Here’s what google told me….

“We help people move forward and set personal and professional goals that will give them the life they really want. Most life coaching clients are healthy, successful people who might be a bit stuck or simply want to make a big change in their lives and want the support of their own personal coach to do so.”

Okay.  That’s exactly what I thought a life coach was 

Then I wanted to know the cost of employing a life coach….

 “Life coaches charge rates similar to other helping professionals. Most life coaches charge somewhere between $75 and $200 per hour. However, you can find coaches who fall outside of that range.”

Well, I shared all of that with you because we are ALL IN NEED OF A LIFE COACH!! Read more…


A B C – VERSES OF THE BIBLE

Posted on May 18, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: , , , , , ,

By Anita Mondragon
 
Here’s some ABC’s we should all learn!  These would be great verses to teach our kids! Take a look…

A– Abide in Me, and I in you…

B– Be still, and know that I am God…

C– Come unto Me, all you who are burdened and heavy laden, and I will give you rest…

D– Do good to those who despitefully use you…

E– Even so, come Lord Jesus…

F– Forgive one another as I have forgiven you…

G– Give, and it shall be given unto you…

H– Happy is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…

I– I come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly…

J– Jesus said unto them, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life…

K– Keep yourself from idols…

L– Love one another…

M– Magnify the Lord…

N- Narrow is the gate that leads to Life everlasting…

O– Obedience is better than sacrifice…

P– Peace…be still! …

Q– Quicken us together…

R– Run with patience, the race that is set before you…

S– Seek the Lord with your whole heart, and you will find Him…

T– This is true religion that our God our Father accepts as pure and faultless…

U–  Uphold me with Thy Spirt oh Lord…

V– Vengeance is Mine says the Lord, I will repay…

W– Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved!…

X– eXault the Lord…

Y– Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me!…

Z– your Zeal has provoked many to believe…


BUT GOD…

Posted on May 11, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: , , , , , , ,

By Anita Mondragon
 
I heard a statement the other day that totally changed my mind about myself….It was this:
 
“Don’t allow yourself to be defined by those who leave.”
 
I’ve had a lot of people leave in my life.  Left in a burning house when I was four years old, because a box of books seemed more important than me.  Left on an empty apartment floor after being raped.  Left alone for nine months while carrying a child-the result of that rape.  Left twice due to divorce.  All of their departures made me feel worthless, unloved, unwanted, unappreciated, alone.  I could use more words, but you get the picture.
 
I gave my all to these people, and they abandoned me in return for my loyalty to them.  Has that ever happened to you?  I’m pretty sure if we’re honest, it’s happened to all of us.  But God…

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JUST LIKE JESUS

Posted on May 8, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: , , , , ,

By Anita Mondragon
 
As Believers, we are called to be like Jesus.  
 
I don’t know if I’m the only one who at times struggles with this, but sadly enough…I do!  I just told my husband the other day, “I’m so tired of being the forgiver and never the forgiven!  Everyone else seems to think they can have a human moment, and temporarily  ‘fall from grace,’ and I’m supposed to forgive them…but when I am guilty and do the wrong things, forgiveness from them is nowhere to be found!”
 
Did I really think that…and then voice it out loud???  Yes!  I did.
 
You see, my dad was a preacher for over forty years and my brother and I were always supposed to be the example.  There was always someone running to my dad to report on our failings and trespasses!  All the other kids in the church were forgiven when they made a mistake, but not my brother and I.  So…here I am, some sixty years later still having to be the example because I’m in ministry.  
 
I get it.  I KNOW I’m supposed to be like Jesus.  Not only because I’m in ministry…but most of all because I am a Believer, a follower of Jesus.  He’s my Savior and Lord!  
 
So I said all of that to say this…we are ALL human.  We all make mistakes and displease the Lord at times.  But let’s stop passing judgment and take the beam out of our own eye before we try to remove the splinter out of our brother’s eye!  
 
GOD FORGAVE US…AND WE SHOULD BE QUICK TO FORGIVE OTHERS!  Romans 5:8 says: But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  If we are truly going to be like Jesus, then we need to love those around us and forgive them as Jesus forgave and still forgives us!

AT THE END OF THE WAY…

Posted on May 4, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: , , , , , , ,

By Anita Mondragon
 
I was watching a movie the other night that had the Crucifixion scene of Jesus in it.  As I heard the thief hanging next to Jesus say, “Lord!  Remember me when you come into your Kingdom…”  it struck me that perhaps that’s what a Believers heart cries out to our Heavenly Father in our last dying breaths.  Remember Jesus’ response to him? …”Today, you shall be with me in Paradise!”  And peace fell on the thief!
 
I’ve been at the side of dying loved ones twice.  They were in much agony and pain.  Tears and loud cries were heard as they begged death to come quickly; but in the last few moments, when they came to the end of the way, a perfect peace came over them as a smile crossed their face and arms went up to greet the One unseen-the Prince of Peace!  A quietness filled the room and peace was tangible. Jesus Himself was there!
 
The folks I was with KNEW Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  He was there with them, carrying them through the valley of death.  They were not alone!  He assured them that they would shortly be in Paradise with him where all suffering and pain would come to an end.
 
Do you have a fear of death?  Does the thought of coming to the end of the way frighten you?  Then call on Jesus.  You won’t have to go alone.  He’ll be carrying you as you go from this life to the next.
 
Anita Mondragon

Saturday Salvation: Shall Be…

Posted on Apr 29, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: , , , ,

By Art Herrera
 
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord Shall Be Saved” (Acts 2:21).
 
There are three important truths in this verse. The first is that “whosoever” shall call on the Lord and be saved.
 
The second thing the verse tells us is that we don’t have to have perfect faith or the faith of a Daniel—our faith in Jesus must be simple enough to “call upon” Jesus and then we are saved. BUT please note that the verse does not tell us that we must call upon Jesus in addition to other things.
 
Lastly, God is telling us that when we call upon the Lord, we “SHALL be saved,” not that we might be saved or may be saved. And He’s not saying that we will be saved if we do enough good works. Praise God, this verse tells us that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord SHALL be saved!
 
Have you invited Jesus Christ into your heart, if not what’s stopping you? You could pray this simple yet sincere prayer inviting Jesus into your heart.  “Jesus, the door of my heart is open and I invite you to come in, forgive me of all my sins and wash me clean in Jesus Mighty Name.”
 
If you prayed that prayer, I welcome you to the family of God. You can also contact us to speak with a counselor/pastor

Untitled

Posted on Apr 27, 2021 in Forgiven- A Daily Devotion | Tags: , , , , , ,

By Debbe Block
 
We are not so removed
from the first Garden
Sin has followed us here
It found us just as foolish
Just as human
Just as flawed
Just as hopeless
But God
Rich in mercy
Loved us in our sorry state
And embraced the pain of death required
To bring us home again
 

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