Wiser and Happier: Devotions From Time of GraceSample

Personal Integrity Adam and Eve were created in the image of God. They were born loving and wanting the right things, hating and rejecting what was wrong. Their reckless experiment in disobedience destroyed that image in themselves and their descendants. Bottom line--you and I were born in Satan’s image. And thus what comes easy to us are characteristics from Satan’s mind-set: selfishness, disrespect, pride, revenge, cruelty, lies, lust. Through the splendid intervention of Jesus Christ, the poisonous deeds of our past, present, and future were forgiven by God. Through the planting of faith in our hearts by the Spirit, we tap into that forgiveness and receive it. Through the prompting of our Spirit-Counselor, we develop an interest in living our new identity and becoming more Christ-like. But that’s work. Every feature of Christ-behavior is learned behavior. We need God’s Word and God’s power to make those changes. “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD” (Proverbs 16:20). Do you want to prosper? Do you want blessings in your life? Go ahead--call God’s bluff.