May 04

Daily Devotional

From the day you were born:

Introduction

From the moment of birth until the moment of death, the Scriptures in The Living Bible (TLB) declare that God the Father maintains a complete and unerring record of every human life.

This heavenly documentation encompasses every thought, every word, and every action—nothing is hidden, overlooked, or forgotten. These records form the basis for divine judgment. Yet the Bible also reveals a glorious provision of grace: Through faith in Jesus Christ, genuine repentance, and complete surrender to Him as Lord and Savior, every sinful entry in those records is DELETED, and the believer’s name is eternally inscribed in the Lamb’s Book of Life, securing a place in heaven forever!

If a person dies without accepting Jesus Christ as personal Savior, he or she will stand before the Great White Throne Judgment and be convicted according to the unbroken record of deeds. The penalty is eternal separation in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:15 TLB (The Living Bible Version)).

Tonight’s blog examines these twin realities—accountability and redemption—solely through the clear testimony of the TLB.

Chapter 1: The Heavenly Books of Record — Every Thought, Word, and Action

The Living Bible teaches that God possesses comprehensive records of EVERY human life. At the final judgment these records will be opened and examined:

“I saw the dead, great and small, standing before God; and The Books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to the things written in The Books, each according to the deeds he had done.” (Revelation 20:12 TLB)

These “Books” contain the full account of every person’s life from birth to death. The Bible confirms that God’s knowledge is total and inescapable:

“He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from him.” (Hebrews 4:13 TLB)

This includes not only outward deeds but inner thoughts and every spoken word. Jesus Himself warned:

“And I tell you this, that you must give account on Judgment Day for every idle word you speak.” (Matthew 12:36 TLB)

Likewise, the Preacher in Ecclesiastes summarizes the scope of divine scrutiny:

God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. (Ecclesiastes 12:14 TLB, paraphrased in TLB context)

Every secret thought, careless word, and hidden motive is recorded. No one escapes this accounting on his or her own merit, for “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23 TLB) and “we must all stand before Christ to be judged and have our lives laid bare… Each of us will receive whatever he deserves for the good or bad things he has done in his earthly body” (2 Corinthians 5:10 TLB).

Chapter 2: The Lamb’s Book of Life — The Book of Eternal Salvation

In contrast to the Books of Deeds stands the Lamb’s Book of Life. This is the registry of the redeemed, those whose names are written for eternity. The TLB describes the Holy City of God:

“Nothing evil will be permitted in it—no one immoral or dishonest—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” (Revelation 21:27 TLB)

Names are entered into this Book through faith in the slain Lamb, Jesus Christ (see also Revelation 13:8 TLB).

“Everyone who conquers will be clothed in white, and I will not erase his name from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that he is mine.” (Revelation 3:5 TLB)

Once a name is secured in the Lamb’s Book of Life, it is never blotted out.

Chapter 3: The Gospel of Deletion and Transfer — How the Records Are Erased

The wonderful news of the TLB is that the condemning records can be completely cleared: ALL FILES DELETED!

When a person accepts Jesus Christ as personal Savior, repents of all sin, and surrenders complete control of life to Him, the old files are DELETED and a new eternal status is granted.

The foundational promise is:

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 TLB)

Salvation requires heartfelt confession and belief:

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9 TLB)

Repentance brings immediate cleansing:

“Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19 TLB)

In that moment of genuine faith and repentance, the Books of Condemnation are cleared. Every thought, word, and action previously recorded against the sinner is blotted out. The name is transferred—written forever in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The believer is no longer under judgment for those sins; Christ has paid the penalty in full!

Chapter 4: The Great White Throne Judgment for Those Who Reject Christ

For those who die without accepting Jesus as Savior, the records remain intact. They will stand in the line described as — the Great White Throne Judgment:

“And I saw a great white throne and the one who sat upon it, from whose face the earth and sky fled away, but they found no place to hide… The dead were judged according to the things written in The Books, each according to the deeds he had done… And if anyone’s name was not found recorded in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire.” (Revelation 20:11-12, 15 TLB)

Because every person has broken at least one of God’s holy commands, the verdict is certain: guilty.

The sentence is the second death—the eternal Lake of Fire. There is no appeal, no second chance after death.

Conclusion: The Urgent Choice Before Every Soul:

The TLB presents a clear, urgent message: God is recording every detail of your life right now. Yet He offers immediate and complete forgiveness through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Accept Him as your personal Savior today.

Repent of every sin.

Give Him complete control of your life.

In that instant your old records are deleted, your name is written forever in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and heaven is reserved for you for all eternity.

If you have not yet made this decision, the Scriptures plead with you: “Now is the time to repent and turn to God so that your sins may be cleansed away” (Acts 3:19 TLB).

Do not wait until the Books are opened on Judgment Day. Choose life in Christ today, and your name will be found in the only Book that matters—the Lamb’s Book of Life.

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If you have questions, please call the 24-Hour BGEA Prayer Line at:

(855) 255-PRAY.

CONTINUE:

Let us Praise Him Daily!

A good way to learn to Praise God is to memorize the first 6 Verses of Psalms 148:

1 Praise the Lord, O heavens! Praise Him from the skies!

²Praise Him, all His angels, all the armies of heaven.

³Praise Him, sun and moon and all you twinkling stars.

⁴Praise Him, skies above. Praise Him, vapors high above the clouds.

⁵Let everything He has made give praise to Him. For He issued His command, and they came into being;

^{6 H}e established them forever and forever. His orders will never be revoked.

PLEASE read the last 6 Chapters of Psalms: 145-150 so that you will learn how to Praise God like David did!

If you don’t want to get your Bible, Here they all are, just click on each Chapter and I will read them to you:

PSALMS 145 PSALMS 146 PSALMS 147 PSALMS148 PSALMS 149 PSALMS 150

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JESUS IS:

THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH,

THE LEADER,

THE ORIGINATOR,

THE LORD & MASTER,

THE SUPREME LEADER,

OUR HOPE,

1ST BORN FROM THE DEAD WITH AN IMMORTAL BODY TO NEVER DIE AGAIN,

THE 1ST FRUITS OF THE RESURRECTION,

HE IS OUR FESTIVAL OF HOPE,

OUR PARDON,

GIVEN 1ST PLACE IN EVERYTHING,

HAS BEEN EXALTED AS SUPREME OVER EVERYTHING,

IS ENOUGH,

THE FULLNESS OF GOD DWELLS IN US THROUGH JESUS,

JESUS HAS BROUGHT US INTO HARMONY WITH GOD,

HE HAS BROKERED A PEACE TREATY BETWEEN GOD & MAN,

YOU WERE BORN ON THE WRONG SIDE, BUT BY ACCEPTING JESUS

YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE NOW,

YOU ARE BEYOND REPROACH,

JESUS WAS THE SOLUTION BEFORE YOU HAD A SIN PROBLEM,

NEVER GET OVER WHAT JESUS HAS DONE FOR YOU!

NOW:

THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH:

TO TEACH US TO LEAD OTHERS TO CHRIST!

AMEN!

(You might want to copy those down and memorize them!)

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DAILY BIBLE READING:

>1. Chapter for the DAY in Proverbs;

>2. PLUS: 1 NEW Chapter from the Old Testament AND

>3. PLUS: 1 NEW Chapter from the New Testament Daily:

Chapter 04 in Proverbs for today: (MAY 04 (MT) (ESV)

4 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
    and be attentive, that you may gain^[a] insight,
²for I give you good precepts;
    do not forsake my teaching.
³When I was a son with my father,
    tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
⁴he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
    keep my commandments, and live.
⁵Get wisdom; get insight;
    do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
⁶Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
    love her, and she will guard you.
⁷The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
    and whatever you get, get insight.
⁸Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
    she will honor you if you embrace her.
⁹She will place on your head a graceful garland;
    she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

¹⁰Hear, my son, and accept my words,
    that the years of your life may be many.
¹¹I have taught you the way of wisdom;
    I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
¹²When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
    and if you run, you will not stumble.
¹³Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
    guard her, for she is your life.
¹⁴Do not enter the path of the wicked,
    and do not walk in the way of the evil.
¹⁵Avoid it; do not go on it;
    turn away from it and pass on.
¹⁶For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
    they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
¹⁷For they eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.
¹⁸But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
    which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
¹⁹The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know over what they stumble.

²⁰My son, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
²¹Let them not escape from your sight;
    keep them within your heart.
²²For they are life to those who find them,
    and healing to all their^[b] flesh.
²³Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life.
²⁴Put away from you crooked speech,
    and put devious talk far from you.
²⁵Let your eyes look directly forward,
    and your gaze be straight before you.
²⁶Ponder^[c] the path of your feet;
    then all your ways will be sure.
²⁷Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
    turn your foot away from evil.

Footnotes

Proverbs 4:1 Hebrew know
Proverbs 4:22 Hebrew his
Proverbs 4:26 Or Make level

CHAPTER 2 IN ECCLESIASTES for today: (MAY 04 (TLZ) (ESV)

2 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity.^[a] ²I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” ³I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. ⁴I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. ⁵I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. ⁶I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. ⁷I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. ⁸I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines,^[b] the delight of the sons of man.

⁹So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. ¹⁰And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. ¹¹Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

The Vanity of Living Wisely

¹²So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done. ¹³Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. ¹⁴The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them. ¹⁵Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. ¹⁶For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! ¹⁷So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

The Vanity of Toil

¹⁸I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, ¹⁹and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. ²⁰So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, ²¹because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. ²²What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? ²³For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.

²⁴There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment^[c] in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, ²⁵for apart from him^[d] who can eat or who can have enjoyment? ²⁶For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Footnotes

Ecclesiastes 2:1 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verses 11, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 26 (see note on 1:2)
Ecclesiastes 2:8 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
Ecclesiastes 2:24 Or and make his soul see good
Ecclesiastes 2:25 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts apart from me

Revelation 19

for today: (MAY 04 (NN) ESV)

19 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
² for his judgments are true and just;
for he has judged the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth with her immorality,
and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

³Once more they cried out,

“Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”

⁴And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” ⁵And from the throne came a voice saying,

“Praise our God,
all you his servants,
you who fear him,
small and great.”

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

⁶Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
    the Almighty reigns.
⁷Let us rejoice and exult
    and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
    and his Bride has made herself ready;
⁸it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

⁹And the angel said^[a] to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” ¹⁰Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

The Rider on a White Horse

¹¹Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. ¹²His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. ¹³He is clothed in a robe dipped in^[b] blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. ¹⁴And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. ¹⁵From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule^[c] them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. ¹⁶On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

¹⁷Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, ¹⁸to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave,^[d] both small and great.” ¹⁹And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. ²⁰And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence^[e] had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. ²¹And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

Footnotes

Revelation 19:9 Greek he said
Revelation 19:13 Some manuscripts sprinkled with
Revelation 19:15 Greek shepherd
Revelation 19:18 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
Revelation 19:20 Or on its behalf

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Please Remember:

“CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS

AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD!”

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The Steps to Salvation:

> Repent: Repentance means that you are turning away from sin to turn to Christ. It does NOT mean that you will be perfect.

> Believe/Receive: Salvation is through Faith in Jesus and by the Grace of God. Believing means putting your Faith in Jesus and receiving forgiveness of sin.

>Walk in the Newness of Life: Jesus died so that we might live. We walk in the Newness of Life being Born Again by His Blood.

Additionally, if you feel you need someone to Pray for you,

please call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association,

24 Hours/Day, at: 1+855 255 PRAY (This is the same as: 1+855 255 7729).

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GOD THE FATHER IS THE SOVEREIGN KING
AND CREATOR OF THE ENTIRE
UNIVERSE AND BEYOND!

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