“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed: and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“We’re all going to hell. Might as well have fun on the way there.” Chuckling softly, Ammon grabbed my waist pulling me closer.
“Not all of us are headed there.” Turning my head, I dodge the whiskey on his breath and that look in his eye.
“Look around you.” His slippery grin mocked me. “I don’t see too many saints in here.” Ammon drank deeply; peering through his highball glass, never breaking eye contact.
I watched the colorful lights flicker off the body of the dancer on stage, her distant and glassy expression draws me in.
Turning back to Ammon, I fight the urge to order whatever he was drinking. The numb stupor of that stripper on stage seemed like a much more tolerable way of dealing with this hell on earth. Glancing at my watch, I take note that the club would be closing in forty-five minutes. So far, I had survived three hours of Ammon’s torturous company.
“I can do this.” I tell myself, resolving to stay sober.
“So what makes you better than the rest of us, Skye?” I imagine punching him. Ammon had found my tipping point.
“It’s nothing I’ve done. It is what Christ has done…” As the words left my lips, they shocked even me.
Ammon straightens up. “Are you serious? You’re one of ‘those’ people?” His dark eyes scan my body, searching for some kind of obvious clue. By the look in his eyes, I can tell he feels tricked.
I must admit that my strip club attire didn’t make my sudden stand for God a very convincing one. And although I kept working as a dancer after that night, Ammon’s expression and sharp words haunted me long after he left.
“Was I really a child of God like I claimed to be?”
When I was a young girl, I asked Jesus into my heart. From that life-changing moment, I enjoyed a strong and personal relationship with him. Praying to God and hearing His voice was an exciting everyday experience for me.
But, over the years, I drifted very far from Him. I still knew in my heart that God was real, but I didn’t enjoy thinking about Him or talking to Him like I did when I was younger. I had too many goals and dreams. And, I was certain that God wouldn’t approve of half of them!
So, I pushed everything and everybody out of my life that reminded me of God’s existence. This solution seemed to work quite nicely for some time. It was much more peaceful than the constant nagging of well meaning loved ones who wanted to see me on a better path in life.
But, the word of God is a powerful thing. One day, I picked up the Bible. After reading John 8:31-32 I couldn’t help but feel utter conviction. I didn’t need my mother or an old Sunday school teacher to interpret what it meant.
Jesus said that His true disciples would continue to read and obey His word. And in that obedience, following His truth would result in total freedom.
As I pondered John 8:31-32, I knew was far from fitting the qualifications that Jesus defined as being one of His very own. I wasn’t continuing to read His word nor was I bothering to obey it. I was also light years away from enjoying anything that resembled freedom.
In that moment, I realized that I couldn’t live in my comfortable little bubble of denial any longer. A choice needed to be made. Either I was a true disciple of Christ, or I was just a person who claimed His name but never made Him the actual Lord of my life.
So, who or what is your master? It’s whomever (or whatever) you live your life for. And, no matter if it’s a ‘good’ thing or ‘bad’ thing; if it isn’t God, it isn’t the right thing. It’s your idol.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
You say that worshiping anything other than you is a serious abomination in your eyes.
You are a God of hearts. You created man to not only crave you, but to crave love from you.
Many people have been severely hurt by people who were supposed to love them. But, you aren’t like man. Help every person who is struggling with accepting your love to just relax in it. I am one of those people, Lord.
I will no longer run from the one I need. Lord, forgive me for trying to run the show. I have always wanted to do things my way. My tract record has proven that this hasn’t been successful or fulfilling for me.
I am no longer hungry for things that can’t fill me.
Today, I am only hungry for the truth.
Lord, show me who Jesus is. Swaddle me in His love, so I will know without a doubt that I am your’s and you are mine. This will help me to continue in your word and keep the freedom that Jesus died to give me. I cannot earn my salvation. It is a gift. I will not leave this precious gift unattended. Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: John 8:31-32
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan