“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36, 37 KJV)
“‘The Books Are Opened.’ From the Book of Life, ‘Thy book which Thou hast written,’ the Father, who ‘presides’ in the Judgment, calls a name, Is it my name? Is it your name? The record of our life that has been written in the Book of Remembrance is read by the guardian angel before the Father, Christ the Judge, and the angel witnesses. Here every generous and thoughtful deed, every kind word, every tender, loving thought prompted by God and done in His name, has been faithfully registered. Every prayer offered, ‘every temptation resisted, every evil overcome, every word of tender pity expressed, is faithfully chronicled.’ GC 481. Every little act of self-sacrifice made for Jesus’ sake, every trial endured for Him–every one has been written, and all will come up in remembrance before the Father when our name is called.
“Also, before the angel witnesses, is opened the Book of Sins, the book of death, containing the record of all our wrong doings. In this book has been entered with terrible exactness every wrong and idle word (Matthew 12:36, 37), every selfish act, every unfulfilled duty, every secret sin, and every attempt to deceive. Unheeded warnings, neglected reproofs, wasted moments, unimproved opportunities, the influence of our example with its far-reaching results, all have been written by our recording angel. (See GC 482.) Are repentance and reformation written after each sin?” PTG 145
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13 KJV).
Merciful Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving us so much that You provided a way of being saved from the power and wages of sin. Your love is beyond mere words. Please move upon my heart to fully repent: confessing and forsaking every selfish act, unfulfilled duty, secret sin, and deceptive practice. Please bless me to so love You that I will embrace the kind and tender loving ways and life of Your Son Jesus, in whose name I pray and thank You. Amen.
NOTE: These devotionals began as daily texts to encourage my academy roommate and dear friend of nearly 50 years, until she suddenly passed a few weeks ago (Feb 2023). Now I continue to compile and send them to anyone who wants to receive them and to her family in honor of their mom. First, I pray and look for a Bible verse or passage and find a suitable commentary (or vice versa) and add a prayer. Some days, only a Scripture and prayer are ordered. I might even add a song. If you agree to receive them, then this way I not only honor God but the memory of a very dear friend whom I desperately miss. My personal prayer is that God will bless me to find ways to multiply this gift. So please feel free to forward to your loved ones or to anyone, as God leads you. I’m calling them Barb’s Devotionals.