Christ Embassy Alvin - Texas

Today's Daily Devotional Rhapsody of Realities

HE NEVER LEAVES YOU

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever (John 14:16).

In the New Testament, we don’t ask the Lord to be with us, or pray and fast so He never leaves us. We know He’s with us and in us because He said so. Christianity is the living reality of Christ in you and with you always, not sometimes or only when you feel spiritual, but always.

Many try to judge God’s presence by their emotions. They say, “I feel like God is with me,” or “I don’t feel His presence anymore.” But your feelings don’t determine His presence; His Word does. He said, “…I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” (Matthew 28:20 NKJV). When He said this to His disciples, they hadn’t been born again.

Today, the Holy Spirit isn’t just with you but in you always—when you feel it and when you don’t. The Lord Jesus said, “…he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:17). Now that you’re born again and have received the Holy Spirit, you’ve become inseparably one with Him, mingled with Him in oneness: “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:17).

Therefore, His presence isn’t sustained by your emotions; it’s established by His truth. Being ignorant of this is the reason some have taught that when a Christian sins, fellowship with God is broken and the Holy Spirit withdraws from that person until repentance is made. But think about it: if the Holy Spirit truly left you, how would you ever come back? Who would guide and restore you?

The very fact that a Christian is corrected by the Holy Spirit and guided back into the light of God’s Word proves that the Holy Spirit never departed. This doesn’t mean sin is permissible; rather, it means the Holy Spirit doesn’t abandon God’s children. The Lord Jesus didn’t say He would be with you only when you “perform” right. That’s the power and glory of the New Testament relationship we have with the Father.

The Holy Spirit is your ever-present helper, teacher, guide and comforter. Without Him, you can’t live the true Christian life. He’s the One who causes the Word to come alive in your spirit and helps you walk in righteousness. Therefore, cultivate the consciousness of His constant presence in you and with you. Walk every day with the assurance that you’re never alone. Praise God!

Prayer / Confession
Dear Father, thank you for the blessed Holy Spirit who lives in me and abides with me forever. I walk in the consciousness of His indwelling presence, yielded to His guidance and His wisdom that mantles my heart. I’m guided, strengthened, corrected and empowered by the Spirit to live triumphantly today, bringing glory to you, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further study
Hebrews 13:5; John 14:17; Romans 8:14

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Today's Daily Devotional Rhapsody of Realities

THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

In Romans 5:1, we read something absolutely profound that also parallels what we read in our theme scripture. It says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Being justified by faith means we’ve been declared righteous by faith. Therefore, you must affirm and live in the consciousness of that righteousness.

Every so often, declare, “In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I am righteous with the righteousness of Christ.” If you don’t do that, you may struggle endlessly, trying to attain by works what God already gave you as a gift. Many live this way without realizing it. On days when they think they’ve behaved well or done nothing wrong, they feel more confident that God will hear their prayers.

But that’s a dangerous mindset because it means basing your confidence or approval with God on personal performance rather than on the finished redemptive work of Christ. God never asked you to establish your own righteousness. The Bible says Jesus was made sin for us so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Some even think humility means constantly denouncing themselves before God, making statements such as, “Lord, I’m nothing; we’re all so unworthy and unrighteous before you.” But that’s not what God wants. He doesn’t delight in your self-denunciation, self-condemnation or self recrimination. One was already condemned and crucified for you, and His Name is Jesus; He took your place.

Acts 13:38-39 (NKJV) tells us, “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” What God wants is for you to believe in and live according to what Christ accomplished in your behalf. The Apostle Paul says, “...if one died for all, then were all dead” (2 Corinthians 5:14). He died that you might live.

Now, you live for Him, in glory and in righteousness, effortlessly pleasing Him. This is the Christian life: it’s not about struggling to impress God through human effort; it’s about responding to His love by walking in His Word. The more you affirm who you are in Christ, the more that reality dominates your life. Therefore, think and speak righteousness. Live in the consciousness of your justification and right-standing with God.

Prayer / Confession
Dear Father, thank you for making me the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I live in the consciousness of my right-standing with you and walk in the light of your Word today. My life is a manifestation of your grace, love, and righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further study
Romans 5:17; Philippians 3:7-9; Romans 3:21-22; Romans 10:1-4

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Today's Daily Devotional Rhapsody of Realities

KEEP LOOKING AT HIM

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image... (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Growth in Christ is relational. The more you know Him, the more you’re like Him, and the more His character, wisdom, glory and nature are expressed through your life. That’s true Christianity; it’s the unveiling of Christ in you. This is why your walk with Christ must remain personal and intimate.

The transformation God desires in your life comes through continual fellowship, beholding Him, as the Bible says: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Notice the progression: as you look, you’re changed.

The word translated “changed” comes from the Greek “metamorphoo,” from which we derive the word “metamorphosis”; a complete transformation from one state into another. Thus, the more you behold Christ through the Word, the more you become like Him. This is why you must never take your eyes away from the Lord.

The Bible says in Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith….” It brings to mind Peter’s experience when the Lord Jesus asked him to walk up to Him on water. Peter walked on water as long as his focus remained on the Master. But the moment Peter looked away and became conscious of the wind and waves, he began to sink (Matthew 14:29-30).

That’s a lesson for every Christian. As long as you’re focused on the Lord, you’ll walk above the circumstances of life. You’ll walk above fear, sin, limitation, failure and the corrupting influences of this world. Hallelujah! Christianity is a call to walk on water, a call to look away from the natural elements, circumstances, pressures and challenges of this world, unto Christ!

Prayer / Confession
Dear Father, thank you for calling me into fellowship with you and transforming me by your Spirit. As I continually behold your glory through the Word, I’m metamorphosed into the same image, manifesting your excellence, beauty, wisdom and glory. I walk above the circumstances of life and glorify you continually, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further study
2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV; Hebrews 12:2 TPT; James 1:23-25