What does your life currently look like?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
(2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV))

What do you do when something gets old?

If you are like most people, you hold on to things until they are no longer of value. It is at this point that you decide to throw away the old things, the trash, and replace them with something new.

What happens when the old things have more value to you than is obvious from the current state of the objects?

Think about that last question in relation to antique cars that are lovingly restored. What about antique furniture or very rare musical instruments? In the eyes of the right person, even old, dilapidated things have value and are worth restoring to new condition. This is how our Father sees each of us. In His eyes, we are worth so much more than we are worth in our own eyes. He has freely given each of us a way to be restored. God’s plan for restoration does not leave us in our sinful, fallen state. All that we have to do to be restored is to accept the offer freely given through the cross of Jesus Christ!

Do you long to be a new creation?

It is as easy as ABC.

A is for admit that you are a sinner in need of a savior.

B is for believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Him from the dead.

C is for call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.

If you can honestly profess this and claim it as your own, then you are a new creation in the eyes of God. The old has gone! The new is here!

What does your life currently look like?

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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What is it in our life that you place before God?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

“You shall have no other gods before me.
(Exodus 20:3 (NIV))

We know that this is the first Commandment that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai, and ever since then the Judeo-Christian ethic has placed its foundation on the complete Ten Commandments.

We know that in the End Times there will be a false religion that will control the whole world. We also know that Satan loves to counterfeit whatever God has done. The most recent counterfeit, and possibly the biggest counterfeit to date, just occurred also on Mount Sinai. Religious leaders met and went to Mount Sinai to unveil 10 new commandments about the rapidly growing religion of climate change and worship of the earth.

They are worshiping the creation instead of the Creator!

Do we have our one world religion that we have been told about in God’s Word?

Is this how the enemy has convinced all religions to come together? Have these people been duped into worshipping the planet?

I honestly cannot understand how this can happen, yet, I know full well that God foretold that it would happen. I also know that it is happening right in front of our eyes!

It is time to take a serious look into what you have placed as your god, and repent immediately. It is time to accept the gift of grace freely given on the cross through the atoning blood of Jesus. It is time to make sure that the God of the Bible is the only One that is being worshipped.

I firmly believe that, with all that I am seeing, time is short. Now is the time to repent and profess a faith in Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior!

What is it in our life that you place before God?

Copyright 1998 – 2022 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Only God’s Word is eternal!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
(Matthew 24:35 (NIV))

We have this idea that our surroundings are a permanent fixture that we simply pass through for a few years, but are they truly permanent? From our limited perspective, they may appear that way for they were here when we were born, and unless Jesus returns soon, they will be here when we leave this world.

But, we have a very limited perspective!

Our days may come to seventy years,
     or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
     for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
(Psalm 90:10 (NIV))

God’s creation is much older than our limited life span, yet, His creation was made for us. If the fall from grace had not happened, we can only imagine what our world would be like today. Unfortunately, the fall from grace did happen and we are now living in a sinful, fallen world that we are promised will be made new when the Lord returns and makes His dwelling place among His creation.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
(Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV))

In essence, Matthew hinted at what we were given in detail in Revelation. Our God will make things new again and those who profess a faith in Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior will see His promises fulfilled.

Only God’s Word is eternal!

Copyright 1998 – 2022 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Do you fully comprehend the majesty of our Lord?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
(Colossians 1:1 (NIV))

At this time of year it is easy to think of Jesus as the firstborn, as a baby, but too many of us fail to go beyond that miracle to embrace all of the other miracles and wonders that are Jesus!

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
(Colossians 1:16-20 (NIV))

If I try to expound on what Paul wrote, I will fail miserably. All that I will say is that we must look at Jesus as so much more than the baby in the manger. We must look at Jesus as so much more than a great teacher. We must look at Jesus as so much more than a man. I realize that it is beyond our human understanding to fully grasp that Jesus was fully man and that He was also fully God. The human side we understand, but we have no way of truly knowing what fully God means. We have no way of truly putting into words what that means simply because we do not understand what it means to be God!

Do you fully comprehend the majesty of our Lord?

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Do you understand the implications?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
(Colossians 1:15 (ESV))

What is your image of Jesus?

Is He still the baby in the manger?

Is He still a performer of miracles?

Is He still the one who hung on the cross?

Is He still the one who arose from the dead?

Is He still the one who ascended into heaven?

Is He still the one who sits at the right hand of God the Father?

Is He the firstborn of all creation?

Do you understand the full concept of the firstborn son in many cultures, especially those cultures in the lands where the events of the Bible have unfolded?

In our world today, we have the mindset that anyone can achieve anything no matter where they come from or their birth order in their family. We like to think that we rise and fall in this world based on our own merits, including how we are viewed within our own family. In order to fully understand the authority that Jesus has, we must learn to put our current mindset on the back burner. We must learn to understand the title, position, role and authority that a firstborn son in ancient cultures truly had.

The firstborn was to receive all authority over his father’s land and possessions. If the father were a king, the firstborn was to succeed the father and inherit all power and authority within that kingdom. He was the one and only rightful heir to the throne. If you consider that Jesus is the firstborn Son of God, by that title alone He has inherited all power and authority over all that God has created. He is superior to any created being. He is higher than any man or woman. He is higher than the angels who were created to worship and serve. He is higher than the one who was cast out of heaven.

Why do so many of us, as part of sinful humanity, simply try to ignore Jesus completely? If we don’t ignore Jesus, then why do we ignore His firstborn status over all creation? Why do we ignore the authority of the King of kings and Lord of lords when His authority has been established from the beginning? Why do we try to usurp that authority over our lives and claim it for ourselves?

Are you ready for His return?

Do you understand the implications?

Copyright 1998 – 2021 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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He is the great I Am!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
(1 Chronicles 16:26 (NIV))

If you remember from just a few days ago, an idol is an impostor, a pretender or a false god. With this clearly defined, it is easy to come to the conclusion that all of the gods of the nations are impostors. They are pretenders. They are false gods! They only exist in the minds of the ones who created them no matter how many nations may worship the same false god. But, there is more to this than organized religions. What have you made into a false god in your life?

Money

Fame

Prestige

Power

Do I need to go on and list more, or do these suffice to tell of the things that can become false gods on an individual basis? Have we, as a nation, succumbed to any of these false gods? Do you see large segments of the population worshipping these pretenders? All of these are fleeting and anyone who strives to attain these things sadly has set them up as their own false gods. What can these do for you? Do they give you life? Do they give you breath? Did they create anything or are they simply creations of our own sinful natures? With that last question in mind, there is one question that should spring from your answer. Can any of these bring grace, mercy and eternal life?

There is only one Creator. There is only one Lord and God of all. He created all and knows all of creation by name. Do any of these pretenders even have the cognition to be considered a living being? Think about that from the standpoint of an idol being an impostor. Who is the father of lies? Who was cast down from heaven? Who made the heavens? Who cast the pretenders out of heaven?

He is the great I Am!

Copyright 1998 – 2020 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Is there such a place?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
(Psalms 139:7 (NIV))

Based on this passage, how do you react to people who tell believers to take our God and leave? How do you react to people who say that He only belongs in church?

Sadly, they have no understanding of just who God is and exactly how everything came into being. They fail to acknowledge Him and they also fail to understand that they cannot go anywhere in all of creation where His Spirit will not be. They fail to realize that He knows every single time that they reject Him!

This simple truth, as painful as it may be for those who choose to reject the Lord, is also a welcome truth for the time when they do have a change of heart. Because He is everywhere, all that anyone needs to do is simply say, “Lord, I am a sinner in need of a Savior!” Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we no longer have to go to a temple, the Temple, to sacrifice for forgiveness of our sins. We can repent and turn to the Lord anywhere we may find ourselves. It is a process as simple as A, B, C.

A. Admit that you are a sinner.
B. Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins, was buried and that God raised Him from the dead.
C. Call upon the name of the Lord by confessing that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords.

If what David wrote were not true, how could any of us be saved? How could we be heard? How could the stirrings in our hearts and the thoughts of our minds be known? How could we be saved by simply following these steps to salvation if the Spirit of God was not everywhere?

Too many people try to place God in a box based on their own understanding. They try to limit where God can go!

Is there such a place?

Copyright 1998 – 2020 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Do you have the faith to do something?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

      What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
      But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
      Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder.
(James 2:14-19 (NIV))

We are told that we will be known by our fruit. What fruit do you bear?

We are told that we cannot earn our way to salvation through works. Does this mean that we do not do good works?

We are told that actions speak louder than words. Are you actions louder than a whisper?

Too many members of the Body of Christ cling to the notion that because we are saved by grace and that we are freed from the law of sin and death, we are also free from doing good works. Too many believe that since good works do not get you into heaven, they are not needed. Nothing could be farther from the truth!

Works without faith will not save us. Faith saves us. However, faith without works is not a true manifestation of faith. When we are fully aware of the grace that we have been given, we should fully desire to share that love and grace with all that we see. We should not simply sit upon our laurels and falsely profess that we have our salvation and the salvation of everyone else is not our responsibility.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
(Mark 16:15-18 (NIV))

Jesus gave us the responsibility.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.”

Are you ready to accept the responsibility that Jesus has given us?

Do you have the faith to do something?

Copyright 1998 – 2020 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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How is your confidence?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
(Hebrews 4:16 (NIV))

Today is not the time to be timid with your faith!

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
(Hebrews 11:1 (NIV))

How is your confidence in what you profess to believe?

We are facing very unusual circumstances in today’s world. Many people believe that what we are seeing unfolding is what is foretold in the books of Revelation and Daniel. To be honest with you, there are so many evil things happening in the world during this time that it wouldn’t surprise me if we are seeing these things unfold. With this high possibility, I have one very important question for you to ask yourself.

If what we are seeing is what is foretold, will your confidence and faith bring you grace and mercy?

We have been given a blessed hope. That hope is firmly rooted in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We know that God has a plan of salvation. We know that God has a plan to defeat the enemy. We know how God’s plan unfolds, yet we fail to see the signs that say that it is unfolding.

He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
(Matthew 16:2-3 (NIV))

All through out this unusual year, I have heard numerous believers say that they wish things would get back to normal. They are planning for a return to what we used to know. They are either overlooking the idea that they will not return because they love the way things used to be more than they love the Lord, or they are too afraid to admit that they don’t know enough about what the Lord has told us. Either way, they are looking at the world and placing their hope in man and the creation instead of placing their hope and confidence in the Creator.

We have been given an insight. We know who wins. We should be confident of that as we face the hours, days and months ahead. There is a saying that comes to mind. “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” As we face the future, we must face it with confidence in the One who holds the future.

How is your confidence?

Copyright 1998 – 2020 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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Do these words echo your heart?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.
Those who are far from you will perish;
    you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
    I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
    I will tell of all your deeds.
(Psalms 73:25-28 (NIV))

Have you told anyone about what God has done?

If you are like most people, you probably are more willing to tell what He has done specifically for you. No matter who the recipient of God’s actions may be, have you told someone of the greatness of God?

How can we fulfill the command from Jesus if we don’t tell anyone?

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
(Mark 16:15 (NIV))

In order to preach the good news, we must be willing to tell of God’s deeds, for it is those deeds that have allowed us to be saved. We have no other recourse to salvation. We have no other means by which we can be saved.

David wrote about this, for he had experienced the abundance of God firsthand. He was willing to tell others about what God has done for him. He was willing to tell of God’s deeds even before God sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our salvation. Now, we have an even greater message to tell about.

Are you telling others about what God has done for you?

Do these words echo your heart?

Copyright 1998 – 2020 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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