Monday
Pull Back the Curtains
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 8:12 NLT).
We must shine His light. God didn't place us in this world to be passive beings. He placed us to go and do. He placed us to be disciples for His kingdom. Maybe we aren't able to physically “go,” but that doesn't mean we can't make a difference in the world. Each of us should be active in shining His light. Our activity might be a social media post, a phone call, a text message, or even a handwritten letter so that His light will shine on those in need? If we have the ability to physically “go”, there are no excuses for not being a disciple of the One who gave us so much. Jesus commands us to go and share His light. It's not just a suggestion.
Now, I'm going to get personal. Are you tired of sitting in the dark? Stop sitting there and do something. Maybe you are the one that needs to be blessed by His light. The first thing you must do is stop sitting there in the dark! Just because you aren't seeing God's light, doesn't mean that His light isn't shining. Just because it's cloudy outside doesn't mean that His light isn't shining. Just because there might be a storm going on, it doesn't mean that His light isn't shining. God's light shines through even the darkest of life's conditions.
Lord God, Your light is shining. I pray that we will open the drapes and let Your light shine into our lives. May Your Holy Spirit be released on the lost souls that are struggling to see a glimmer of hope and may He also prod those who are sitting and spur them to get moving for Your kingdom. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday
Forgiveness
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight (Romans 4:7 NLT).
There isn't a sin we have committed that cannot be covered by the blood of Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus.
So what do we have to do to be covered by His grace? Nothing more than to believe in Him, have faith that He is our Savior, repent of our sins, and come humbly to the foot of the Cross.
Jesus accepts us as we are but loves us too much to leave us as we are.
Lord God, thank You for forgiving our sins. Lord, you paid such a high price for us that didn't cost us one cent. Thank You, Lord, for your love, mercy, and grace. Lord, help us to forgive those who have wronged us so that we might experience the gift and freedom that giving forgiveness brings. Lead us and direct us this day and for all the days of our lives. It is in Your mighty name that we ask and pray. Amen.
Wednesday
The Need
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless (Isaiah 40:29).
We need to know that God's plan is living in us and through us. We need to know that He will accomplish all that He has laid out for us if we are obedient.
Also, we need to realize; WE are invincible to Satan's attacks, not by our power or abilities but only by the power of Jesus Christ.
Satan can ruin our families, work, ministry, and our lives if we don’t stay focused on the main thing and that main thing is keeping Jesus the main thing.
Today focus on Jesus since He is the main thing. When we keep Him first in all that we do, we will be victorious in all aspects of our lives.
Dear Lord, help us to die to self and live in You. Amen.
Thursday
Unseen Blessings
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT).
The best is yet to come. Don't get caught up in the "poor ole me" syndrome. God promises much more. All we need to do is run the race that is laid out for us.
Dear Lord, help us endure the valleys of life. Help us to keep looking up and to know that we can't even imagine how great You will bless us on the mountaintop. We ask and pray in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Friday
It's Possible
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible (Matthew 19:26 NLT).
All by ourselves, we really can't reach our potential.
All by ourselves, we will never be what God designed us to be.
All by ourselves, we will miss the joy that God has laid out for us.
All by ourselves, we might accomplish huge things,
But with God, our lives will be complete and full.
Lord God, thank You for Your continued work in our lives. You will never leave us. You are always working to help us become who You designed us to be. We are not in this life, all by ourselves. We praise Your name. Amen.
Saturday
Shelter
The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe (Proverbs 18:10 NLT).
Without God in our lives, we have no shelter. We are homeless for eternity. But God made a way for all of us to reap the rewards of heaven.
That way is the Good News. God sent Jesus so that those who put their lives in His hands will have everlasting life in heaven.
Lord God, thank You for making a way for Your undeserving children so that we might come to You in eternity. We pray in the mighty name of the one who saves us, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sunday
God's Grace
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me (Psalms 51:1-10 NLT).
There is nothing we can do to save ourselves. God sent Jesus so that we might be saved. Salvation is only available by the blood of Christ which was shed for all people. The only thing that can keep us from salvation is our very selves, by not accepting God's gift of love, mercy, and grace. We each have a choice to make.
The choice is, do you accept Jesus as your Savior? Do you repent of your sins? Do you proclaim Jesus as the Son of God? Have you made a public confession of your belief?
The gift of salvation is a free gift from God. We can't claim to earn any part of our salvation because Jesus did it all. We have the easy part, just accept Him and His gift.
Salvation is the beginning of a wonderful walk with our God. We are secure in our eternity when we claim God's gift, but that is only the beginning of a Christian life.
Lord God, thank You for new beginnings. We praise You and lift the name of Jesus up so that all might hear and see what He has done for the world. We praise You, Lord! Amen.
