Amos McCarthy

Monday, July 26.

Many people believe that piling up good works makes them right with the Lord. Yet the only payment for sin that can satisfy divine justice is death. This is why God sent His Son Jesus to die in our place. Jesus’ death satisfied God’s justice and brought us … 

New Life. Our spirit is made alive in Christ the moment we acknowledge that we are sinners, turn from our rebelliousness, and believe that His death paid for our sin debt in full. 

Freedom. At salvation, sin’s power over us is broken, and we are set free from its hold. Jesus raised us from the pit of disobedience, and now we can exercise our newfound freedom and follow Him. 

Security. When we accept our Savior’s sacrifice as payment for our sins, we are permanently adopted into the heavenly Father’s family. Our status changes instantly: Once objects of wrath, we are now children of God. And someday we will be seated in the heavenly realms with Christ to enjoy life everlasting. 

God, the very one against whom we rebelled, substituted His Son Jesus to receive the punishment that was rightfully ours. How will you show your gratitude to the Father for His saving grace?

Memory verse: Romans 6:23.

“Grace in women has more effect than beauty.” William Hazlitt

Friday, July 23.

A common hindrance to our prayer life is a lack of perseverance. Many Christians feel that once they’ve prayed for something, the answer should immediately be forthcoming. But God is not a bellhop, waiting to give us what we want the moment we petition Him. Imagine if the Lord instantly provided whatever we request—we might not develop virtues like patience, trust, and dependence upon Him. 

The Lord is faithful to answer our prayers, but not always in the way we expect. Yet even when the answer is no, we can be sure that what He gives is better than what we requested. Though he repeatedly asked for relief from his “thorn in the flesh,” he was given something more spiritually beneficial. God not only protected Paul from pride but also used the apostle’s weakness to display divine power..

Since Paul’s prayer wasn’t answered the way he’d originally hoped, you might wonder about the requests you bring to the Lord. The truth is, we don’t always know how to pray as we should, but thankfully, we have a Helper in the Holy Spirit, who intercedes for us according to God’s will. If we don’t receive what we hoped, we can be sure that the Spirit knew exactly what to ask on our behalf—and that what we received as a result was best. 

Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 12

“Four things to ever keep in mind: God heeds prayers, God answers prayer, and delivers by prayer. E. M. Bounds

Tuesday, July 20.

God has called believers to walk by faith, trusting Him and His Word in every situation. But sometimes, like the people in today’s passage, we start to doubt the Lord and His ability to do what He has said. So let’s learn from the Israelites who suffered 40 years of wandering in the wilderness because of their unbelief. They listened to the wrong voices. Instead of trusting God, they believed the bad report of some of the spies (Numbers 13:25-33). To walk obediently with the Lord, we need to guard against the influence of those who don’t recognize His greatness. 

They relied on human perspective. The Israelites focused on the obstacles rather than the power of God. When we choose to trust the Lord despite the seeming impossibilities, we’ll discover He is bigger than any obstacle. 

They let feelings overcome faith. Emotions constantly fluctuate, but the facts about God never change. So instead of making decisions out of fear, let’s rely on what we know about the Lord. 

Unbelief often results in aimless wandering and decisions we come to regret. But when we courageously trust God and His Word, we will find fulfillment in His purpose.

Memory verse: Proverbs 31:25.

“To trust God in the light of nothing, but trust him in the dark. That is faith.” C. H. Spurgeon

Monday, July 19.

Almighty God reserves the right to reveal some things and conceal others. Although we may not know why natural disasters occur, three biblical truths we do know with absolute certainty allow us to trust the Lord even in times of great suffering. 

The Lord is in control (Psalm 103:19). Nothing in heaven or on earth is outside of His authority. He does not react to events but sovereignly ordains or permits them in accordance with His plans. 

God loves people and wants them to be saved (John 3:16-17). Giving His Son for the salvation of mankind proves the Father’s love. This truth stands firm despite the fact that many reject the Savior. 

Whatever god allows is for His good purposes (Genesis 50:20). Though we cannot fully comprehend what He is doing in each incident, every disaster is an opportunity for the world to know God and lean on Him.   

God loves us perfectly and is sovereignly working everything for our good and His glory. This realization should fill us with hope, even in the midst of a crisis. Then, instead of reacting in fear, we will find refuge in Him.

Memory verse: Genesis 50:20.

“God is never late but on time.” Michelle Murray