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Daily Inspirational Devotionals
Defined by Freedom What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. (Romans 8:18) Does it surprise you that Paul could sit in a jail cell and write some of the things he wrote? Could you have had the same level of faith and boldness and heavenly perspective under similar circumstances? From the depths of a cold, hard dungeon, with chains binding his hands and feet, he writes to Timothy, “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self discipline. So you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord …. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the proclamation of the Good News” (2 Timothy 1:7-8). From a prison in Rome he writes, “Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2-3). Some of Paul’s greatest words of victory came in the middle of his most despairing and seemingly hopeless days. His weakest moments on earth led to some of his most profound thoughts about heaven. Paul was able to live this way because he didn’t define himself by his imprisonment. Even in chains he saw only his freedom in Christ. The walls that surrounded him could never keep him from his true destiny. The men who guarded him could never squelch his love for Jesus. Paul knew that even though he was a prisoner on earth, he was a king in heaven. Ever know anyone like Paul? Ever have friends who never find the time to complain about their circumstances? They go through the same trials and troubles as the rest of us but somehow are able to rise above them. They are able to see past their present woes and into the future. What they know that so many of us have missed is that with God deliverance is always right around the corner. They understand that their circumstances don’t define who they are but where they just happen to be at the moment. “What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later,” writes Paul to the church in Rome (Romans 8:18). The greatest thing about living in Christ is that you know things will only get better. Even when we are down, we know that he will soon lift us up. There is nothing we could go through on earth that could put a damper on what Jesus has planned for our future.
Today’s Reading Romans 8:18, 35-37 Reflection How can we define ourselves by God’s plan for our future instead of our present sufferings? What can we learn from Paul’s example?
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The best-selling Left Behind series has captured the attention of millions of readers, and it has changed lives. It has brought millions of believers the motivation to examine their hearts. Are you ready to embrace eternity? Live each moment as if it could be your last? Your future is more important than your past. Where you are going matters more than where you have been. What you do from this day forward means much more than what you have already done. You may be affected by your past, but you are not defined by it. Not in the eyes of God. What does it mean to embrace eternity? It means grasping each breath as if it could be your last, living life moment by precious moment with your feet planted firmly on earth but your heart aimed squarely at heaven. It means learning to embrace the role of dual citizenship—living in one world while belonging to another. It is a lifestyle of living like there’s no tomorrow and then dying so that your real life can finally begin! This 365-day devotional explores the themes introduced in the Left Behind series—themes of salvation, grace, obedience, and faith. New believers as well as mature believers will find a message of faith that will inspire and motivate daily.
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