Monday
His Promise
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it (Psalm 145:13-15 NLT).
The Lord, our God, is with us. He has promised to never leave us, but many times we choose to leave Him. Our Father has supplied us with an everlasting kingdom but it's our choice whether we accept the gift of Christ and salvation or choose the worldly path. He lifts us up from our brokenness and supplies our needs...but we have to meet Him in a relationship.
Much of our brokenness is our choice, God has the answer and the remedy to our earthly failures. He offers hope and provides for all of our needs...if we invite Him into our lives.
Dear Lord, lead those who are fallen, back into your presence. Let those who have never known you, see your amazing work in their lives and the lives of those around them. We ask and pray in your Son's holy name. Amen.
Tuesday
Our Duty
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it (James 4:17 NLT).
It's our duty/job, as Christians, to be Christ's hands and feet.
Father God, open our hearts and minds to the fact that you created us to serve others by living out the gospel. Help us fully understand that we are the hands and feet of Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday
His Love, Mercy, & Grace
The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe (Proverbs 18:10 NLT).
Our shield is in our God. Our protector and savior is always available for His children. Run, my friends, run to Him for all your needs. Fall on your knees and worship Him, giving thanks for all He has, is, and is going to do; in your life.
He is the living God and is just as alive today as ever. Thank you, God, for your love, mercy, and grace.
Dear Lord, remind us that we can come to you for all of our needs. Remind us that many times, we have not because we have asked not. Help us to rely on you, Father fully. I ask and pray in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.
Thursday
Prayer-Don't Complicate It
When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! (Matthew 6:6-8 NLT).
Prayer is between you and God. Prayer time is a time for lifting up our thoughts, desires, needs, wants, and the needs for friends, family, the world, and our nation. It is also a time for listening. We must take the time, and sit in silence/stillness so that we might receive the message that God wants us to hear.
Each of us should have a specific time and place to get away from the “noise” of the world and spend quality time with our heavenly Father. We should - no we MUST - make time in our busy lives.
Prayer time may also come in ordinary places. I know that I've had some of my best prayer times when I used to ride my Harley down the Natchez Trace. Prayer time can come at any time or any place. This prayer time should be in addition to a regularly scheduled quiet time with God. Time in that special, relaxing place, where you are certain that God can get your attention. A place where you will hear His soft whisper.
In praying to our amazing God, you don't have to be a great orator, a theologian, or a seminary-trained pastor, to have that “two-way” conversation with God. Basically, all you need to do is make the time and then let God lead you. You don't have to have fancy words, just open your heart to pray and listen.
God already knows your needs before you ask, but, I believe He loves to hear you pray to Him. I also believe that He also loves to speak to you, through your heart.
God hears us, but are you listening to what He is telling you?
Praise be to a wonderful God who wants us to bring our needs to Him. He wants to hear from us, but He also wants to speak to us. Thank you Lord God, we are praying and listening. Amen.
Friday
The Tempter's Lies
"Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman (Genesis 3:2-4 NLT).
This world will feed you lie after lie. The Devil is running rampant these days. Maybe he knows his time is short? One thing that you can bank on is the Devil will lie to you.
Satan can and will use any one of us to spread his deceit, just as he used the serpent in the Garden of Eden. He will disguise himself as a friend and he will lead you into sin and rebellion from God's truth.
So, how do we determine truth from a lie? God's Word is the answer. If God says something is good, it's just that, good. If God says, something is bad, believe it. God's truth is always truth. His Word doesn't change.
Friends, step back from the lies and political correctness that are destroying our country. We must analyze this worldly information, using God's Word as a filter.
Thanks be to God for giving us the perfect Guide for life, His Holy Bible. Don't be like Adam and Eve and believe the lies of the serpent, trust in God's Word, it never fails.
Father God, help us trust fully in you and your Word. Lord don't let us believe the lies of this world and the Devil. Lead us and direct us by your Holy Spirit. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Saturday
Zero Separation
No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39 NLT).
Nothing, I repeat, nothing can separate us from God's love! Because God loves us, He bore our sin to save us from ourselves. That is LOVE!
Lord, thank you for loving us as we are, but love us so much that you will never leave us as we are. Amen.
Sunday
Set Free
Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
“No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:10-12 NLT).
Jesus frees us from sin. He does not give us the right to continue to commit sin, just because we are set free.
Jesus didn't come and die a horrible death so that we may continue to live the life of a hellion. He came as a sacrifice for our sin - to put our sin to death.
Jesus died so, that by our faith in Him and our repentance, we might TURN from our sin and our destructive life. He didn't die on the cross so that we might continue to live a life that doesn't honor Him, a life that kills our very souls.
Let me speak directly to each of you. Isn't it time for you to turn from your sin and return to Him?
Without Jesus, we can do nothing good, but with Him, all things are possible.
Thank you, Lord, for dying for me and for the world so that we might have a relationship with God. Amen.
