John Hagee Daily Devotional Thursday 13th April 2023 – Philippians 3:7-8

We gladly embrace Jesus as Savior. As Savior, He becomes the sacrifice in our stead. As Savior, He sets us free from sin. As Savior, He delivers us from death. Making Him Lord in our lives requires a new level of submission and trust.

If Jesus is our Lord, we must obey Him. If He is Lord, He has the authority and the right to govern our lives. If Jesus is our Lord, our opinions no longer matter; His will is of the utmost and primary importance. We choose Him and what He says. Every. Single. Time.

As Jesus taught the disciples one day, He asked, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). The point is clear. Loving Him, serving Him, making Him Lord requires more than lip service. If we love Him, we must keep His commandments (John 14:15).

When He is Lord, He leads us. He is our Tender Shepherd. We know His familiar voice, and we will not follow another (John 10:4-5). We do not wander off on expeditions and adventures of our own. Always, He leads us in paths of righteousness for the sake of His name to do the things that honor Him most (Psalm 23:3). If we are careful to observe His commands, He will make us the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). He will cause all the work of our hand to prosper abundantly (Deuteronomy 30:9).

Jesus came as the Suffering Servant. He did not come to do our will, but the will of His Father Who sent Him. Our responsibility is to follow His example. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith; He writes each one of our stories, and He alone has the ability to perfect them with every stroke of the pen (Hebrews 12:2). God has exalted Him and given Him the name above every other name. He truly is Lord.

He becomes our Savior in an instant, but making Him our Lord is a process. Some days, it can seem to be a minute-by-minute decision to place ourselves in the correct posture of bowed knee and submitted heart, to surrender to His purposes and His plan. Lay it all down to make Him Lord.

Blessing:
Precious Jesus, please forgive me for the ongoing power struggle inside of me. Take Your rightful place on the throne of my heart. I surrender to Your purposes and plan. I lay down my will. You are my Savior and my Lord. Lead me. Guide me. Grant me grace to stand in Your strength and to walk humbly before You all the days of my life. In Your name… Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Joshua 7:16-9:2

New Testament 

Luke 16:1-18

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 82:1-8

Proverbs 13:2-3