[You, Lord, as our Maker have empowered your children to live according to what is right. “By his divine power he has given us all we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him…” (2 Pet. 1:3)]. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want….” Psalm 23:1

However, for those who are not your children–they who reject your offer of mercy, forgiveness and adoption, who rely on their “good works” to save them–for them the outcome is very different. As it says in Rev 20:13,15 “each person was judged according to what he had done…If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Our own works bring not salvation, but condemnation. However, there is that wonderful “IF” in this sentence “if our names are…written in the book of life.” And praise God that, for all people this is a possibility, and for believers in Christ, this is a reality: our names ARE written in that book of life by the Lamb of God Himself!

Glory be to you, O mighty and loving Lord, the all-seeing God, for you are worthy to be honored, obeyed, lifted up and praised throughout this day. May I do so wholeheartedly, continually, persistently, for this is the purpose of my life, to glorify you in whatever comes. Even in the cold you make all beautiful.