Monday
Tempting Others with Sin
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin (Luke 17:1-2 NLT).
What are we doing that might cause someone to stumble back into an old sinful dependency? We all sin, that is fact. We all sin differently too. A sin in my life might be different from one in your life. We need to be conscious of our actions around others. The last thing we want to do is entice anyone into returning to sin because of something we said or did.
Thank You Lord God for loving us so much that You gave us forgiveness through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Let us relive Your mercy today. Amen.
Tuesday
Sinful Man
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (Psalms 119:11 NLT).
We have been sinful creatures since the fall of Adam and Eve. We struggle with living in a world that calls sin okay. But those who have Christ in our hearts, know when we sin. We can recognize our transgressions and that knowledge brings a true believer to repentance.
Thank You, Lord, for the conviction of the Holy Spirit when we stray into sin.
If you are living in unrepentant sin, I suggest that you look at your life and realize that God has a better plan for you.
Thank You, heavenly Father, for loving sinners so much that you sent Your Son as a sacrifice that we might have eternal life with You. There is no greater love. We praise You Lord and pray in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Wednesday
Help from God
I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! (Psalms 121:1-2 NLT).
In our times of trouble, when no friend is there, we can look to the heavens for an answered prayer.
Thank You, Lord, amen!
Thursday
Our Commission
The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish (Jonah 1:1-3 NLT).
Are we doing what God has commissioned us to do? Are we going where He wants us to go? Or are we running in the opposite direction from where He has told us to go? Are we like Jonah? Or are we standing on the truth of God's word? Are we watering it down so that we will be liked and make people feel good about the sin they are wallowing in?
Running away from God's directions didn't work out very well for Jonah and it won't for us either!
We know where Jonah ended up, in the belly of the big fish. Where are you going to end up? Is it going to take a situation like Jonah had to get your attention? Think about it.
Father, You have given us a course to follow. Help us to follow Your plan and not attempt to design our own plan of action. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Friday
We Aren't Listening
Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NLT).
As a nation and as a people, we need to listen and pay attention to this Scripture. We must return to God; loving Him with all of our hearts, souls, and strength.
Dear Lord, prick the hearts of the masses and bring us back to You. Amen.
Saturday
Pray Continually
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For,
There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time (1 Timothy 2:1-6 NLT).
Pray, pray, and pray some more. This is the foundation of worship. Jesus demonstrated the need for prayer, on many occasions. We should pray for ourselves, our nation, our friends, our family, and for our enemies. Don't leave anyone out. Our Lord desires an intimate relationship with each of us and that all people be saved through the grace of Christ by our faith in Him.
Pray for the sick, needy, and injured. Consider yourself an intercessor for them.
We have an open prayer line of communication with God. He wants to hear our pleas and our needs but don't forget to take time to listen for His response. He can speak to you in many ways, but mostly God will speak directly to your heart. Listen and obey and you will be blessed.
Lord God, thank You for the direct line of communication to Your throne. You are the mighty God of all creation and you want to hear from each of Your children. Praise be to You, our heavenly Father. Amen.
Sunday
Suddenly, the Storm Stopped
As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.
The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” (Luke 8:23-25 NLT).
What is the current storm that you are going through? Are you thanking God in the midst of the storm? Are you trusting in Him to bring you through this storm? Are you praising God in spite of the storm? Are you realizing that God is working in your life through the storm? Do you understand that God loves you no matter how bad the storm is raging?
It's not about how big the storm is, but how you proceed through it.
It's not about the rain, it's how you dance in the rain!
God will not leave you in the storm. He will deliver you by the storm, through the storm or in the storm. When we have Jesus in our hearts, nothing can change His love, mercy, and grace for us.
Thank You, Lord! Your love endures forever! We praise You and worship You, Lord God. It is by our faith and Your Grace, we are saved. Praise God! No matter how big the storm is, You are with us. Amen.
