"Blessed by His Blood"
5 daily devotionals from Pastor Dan Zirkle’s Sermon
Day 1: “The Foundation of Our Faith”
When we talk about the Christian faith, we often hear about the blood of Jesus. But what does this really mean for us today? The blood of Jesus isn't just a religious symbol or a historical event—it's the very foundation of our relationship with God. In the Old Testament, God established a covenant with His people that required animal sacrifices. These sacrifices temporarily covered sin, but they couldn't permanently remove it. They were a shadow pointing to something greater to come. Then Jesus came and changed everything. His sacrifice wasn't temporary—it was complete and eternal. His blood doesn't just cover our sins; it completely removes them. It breaks the power of sin in our lives and restores our relationship with God in a way that animal sacrifices never could. Think about that for a moment. The creator of the universe loved you so much that He provided a permanent solution to the problem of sin. Through Jesus' blood, we have direct access to God—not as strangers or outsiders, but as beloved children. Today, take a moment to reflect on this foundation of your faith. The blood of Jesus isn't just something we sing about in church—it's the reason we can approach God with confidence, knowing that our sins have been completely removed.
Day 2: “Made New Through His Blood”
Have you ever wished you could start over? That's exactly what Jesus offers us through His blood. When we come to Him, we don't just get our old lives patched up—we receive something entirely new. The power of Jesus' blood goes beyond forgiveness. It transforms us from the inside out. We aren't just forgiven sinners; we are new creations with a new identity. The old person we used to be—with all the guilt, shame, and bondage—has passed away. In its place, God gives us a new life and a new nature. This transformation isn't something we accomplish through our own efforts. It's not about trying harder or making promises to do better. It's about receiving what Jesus has already done for us through His blood. His sacrifice paid the price for us to have this new life. When God looks at those who are in Christ, He doesn't see their past failures or present struggles. He sees people who have been made new through the blood of His Son. He sees His beloved children, clothed in Christ's righteousness. Today, instead of focusing on your shortcomings or past mistakes, remember who you are in Christ. You are not defined by what you've done but by what Jesus has done for you. You are a new creation, made alive in Him.
Day 3: “Overcoming Through His Blood”
Life is full of battles. We face temptations, fears, doubts, and spiritual opposition. Sometimes these challenges can feel overwhelming, leaving us wondering if victory is even possible. The good news is that through the blood of Jesus, we already have everything we need to overcome. The blood of Jesus doesn't just save us—it empowers us. It gives us authority over sin, Satan, and every spiritual force that comes against us. When Jesus died on the cross, He didn't just pay for our sins; He defeated the enemy completely. As believers, we share in this victory. We don't fight for victory; we fight from victory. The battle has already been won at the cross, and the blood of Jesus is our guarantee of that victory. But how do we access this overcoming power? According to Revelation 12:11, we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Our faith-filled declarations work in partnership with what Jesus accomplished. When we speak God's truth over our situations, we're applying the power of the blood to our specific circumstances. Today, whatever battle you're facing, remember that you have been given the authority to overcome through the blood of Jesus. You don't have to be defeated by sin, fear, or the enemy's attacks. Stand firm in the victory that Jesus has already won for you.
Words have power. The Bible tells us in Proverbs that life and death are in the power of the tongue. What we say matters—especially when it comes to activating the power of Jesus' blood in our lives. Many Christians understand the concept of Jesus' blood intellectually, but they haven't experienced its full power because they haven't learned to apply it through their words. To 'plead the blood' isn't about repeating religious phrases; it's about declaring God's promises with faith and authority. When we speak God's Word over our situations, we're releasing the power of the blood. It's like a lawyer citing the law before a judge—we're standing on the legal ground that Jesus' sacrifice has provided for us. We're reminding ourselves and the spiritual realm of what Jesus has already accomplished. Our words can either align with God's truth or contradict it. When we speak words of fear, doubt, or defeat, we're actually working against the very power that Jesus died to give us. But when we declare God's promises with confidence, we're activating the full benefits of Christ's sacrifice. Today, pay attention to your words. Are they releasing faith or fear? Are they aligning with God's promises or contradicting them? Choose to speak words that honor the blood of Jesus and release its power in your life.
Day 4: “Speaking the Power of His Blood”
Day 5: “Standing on His Promises”
Have you ever felt hesitant to approach God with your needs? Perhaps you've wondered if you're worthy enough or if your requests are important enough to bring before Him. The blood of Jesus changes everything about how we approach God in prayer. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, we can come boldly before God's throne. We don't come as beggars hoping for scraps; we come as covenant children with legal rights to God's promises. The blood of Jesus has sealed a new covenant that guarantees our access to every spiritual blessing. When we pray, we can remind God of His promises—not because He forgets, but because this act of faith honors what Jesus accomplished through His blood. It's like presenting a contract that has already been signed and sealed. We're not trying to convince God to do something new; we're claiming what He has already provided through Christ. Every promise in God's Word is covered by the blood of Jesus. When we stand on these promises in prayer, we're activating the power of the blood in our specific situations. We're declaring that what Jesus did on the cross applies directly to our needs today. Today, approach God with confidence. Bring your needs before Him, not with uncertainty but with the assurance that comes from knowing you are covered by the blood of Jesus. Stand firmly on His promises, knowing that they are guaranteed by the most powerful covenant ever made.