Devotion for Tuesday, August 22, 2023

“And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name” (Revelation 14:11).

You are either heading in the direction of becoming like Christ or else heading towards hell.  There are only two directions.  There is no in-between.  The torment is in the insane mind that thinks it can be the center of all things.  The beast is pride and the worship is of the self.  The mark is the self-destruction that pride brings to all who live with it.  Hear the word of the Lord; choose life and live.

Lord, pride is within me.  My mind does play games, and I think all kinds of things.  Help me to live life as it is meant to be lived.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I may walk humbly with You, my Savior and Lord.  You know us and You know the mess we are in.  You have come so that we might be lifted out of our messes to live life as You have created it to be lived.  Lead me to abide in You, Lord.

Lord Jesus, save me from myself.  Save me from that beast, pride.  Guide me in the way of Christ-life so that I may become more like You each day.  Help me to understand that in You alone is life and liberty.  Thank You for bearing my burden so that I could walk in the freedom of Your grace.  Thank You for the salvation You purchased to redeem me from the eternal smoking pit.  Amen.