Monday
His Love
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)
Because God loves us, He bore our sin for us. That is LOVE!
Lord, thank You for loving us as we are, but loving us so much that You will never leave us as we are. Amen.
Tuesday
What Is Your Desire?
The one thing I ask of the LORD — the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple (Psalm 27:4 NLT).
This Scripture is point on when asking ourselves and searching our hearts for what we desire. What would we ask God to grant us? Put brokenness and sickness aside. Put the temporary problems this world throws at us away.
What do we most desire of our God? I believe that Psalm 27:4 answers that question.
Thanks be to God for His love, mercy, and grace. Amen.
Wednesday
The Search Goes On
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life (Psalms 139:23, 24 NLT).
We all fall short of how we conduct our lives. We are well below the "bar" that God has set for us. We need to drop to our knees and ask Him to help us achieve the level of life that He wants us to live. We are so broken without Him. Thank you, Lord, for never giving up on us.
Dear Lord, help us listen to You when You are showing us our sins and our failings. Help us to change so that we might realize Your desires for each of our lives. Help us Lord that we might fulfill those plans You have designed for us. We ask in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Thursday
Jesus Sets Us 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.
As I stood in worship at my church, God placed this on my heart.
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 can 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. He didn't design us for a life that kills our very soul.
Isn't it time that we should turn from our sin and return to Him? Without Jesus, we can do nothing good, but with Him, all things are possible.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for dying for me and for the world so that we might have a relationship with God. Amen.
Friday
Everyday Is a Battle
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NLT)
We are in a battle everyday. There is a war going on around us. Stay strong and stay in God's word. Pray often. Pray fervently. Pray for protection and help in a battle that we can't see, but know that the war is "on" and raging.
God wins and by staying in a relationship with Him, we win too!
Lord God, thank You for victory. Help us to stand firm. Help us to always rely on You. Give us strength and resolve to live a life that glorifies You. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Saturday
Become More Like Christ Today
Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come (1 Timothy 4:8 NLT).
I spend a part of several days a week, working out my physical body. But I spend much more time filling my mind and heart with God's Word, spiritual training. Reading God's Word and various articles and books of great pastors, it rounds out my total being. After all, when this earthly life is over, this old shell of a body will return to dust. The real focus is becoming more like Christ, each day. I realize that this is a goal that can never be achieved, but our growth in godliness is broadened by our trying to emulate our Lord.
Father God, help us to get serious about our spiritual needs. Help us to study Your Word and apply it to our daily lives. Lead us and direct us today and everyday that You have blessed us with. We pray in the matchless name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sunday
Totally Dependent
The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving (Psalms 28:7 NLT).
I am totally dependent on our Lord and I am not different than you. We are like a floundering fish out of the water, without our God.
I don't know why in the world that I kept Him at a distance for so many years. I look back on those years with a sense of loss, but I can also look at that same time as I was working on my testimony.
Folks, life cannot be full without our Lord. Without Him, it's an empty time. We don't realize how much of a desert it is until we start living in His will. We are truly new creations when we open our hearts and ask Jesus to come into our lives.
If you are still trying to do life without Him, I pray that you realize you will only be made whole by His presence.
Lord God, bring Your lost sheep home and into Your loving arms. We ask and pray in the mighty name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.