Rob's Daily Devotions June 10 – June 16

Monday

All Circumstances

“How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you.  We have never even heard of another God like you! (2 Samuel 7:22 NLT)

We must look for God in all our circumstances.  He is with you in the good times and in the bad times, in sickness and in good health.  God never leaves us.  Wake up and realize His presence in everything you experience.  Thank you, Lord!!!

Father God, You are always with us.  You are loving, merciful, and forgiving.  You are judge and jury.  You are sovereign and full of grace.  Thank You, Father, for loving us more than we deserve.  Thank You for calling us worthy.  We praise Your holy name.  Amen.

Tuesday

Only One Place to Turn

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10 NLT)

When you are scared, under attack, beat down, or just need a place to hide; God is there.

Father God, there are a lot of my friends who are being beaten up by this world.  Stuff is just going on that's crazy in their lives.  Some of the stuff is self-inflicted but some are inflicted by others.  Some stuff that is whipping them is just plain ole life like health issues, etc.  Whatever is beating them down, I pray that You will touch them and let them know You are there and will never leave them.  Draw the lost ones back to you and strengthen those that are Your children.  I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Wednesday

Grab the Life Jacket

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!  Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.  With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.  I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great.  You have rescued me from the depths of death. (Psalm 86:11-13 NLT)

We all need to realize that without God we are floundering in a lake of stagnant slime.  With Him, we are floating in a crystal clear stream – the stream of life.  That life is available now and for eternity.  God threw us a life jacket, so grab it and put it on.  Put on the free salvation that Jesus Christ offers to all that accept Him and repent of their sins.  Stop floundering with no hope and come into Christ's light.

Father, open the eyes, minds, and hearts of Your lost sheep so that everyone might realize the need for You in their lives, presently and eternally.  We ask and pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.

Thursday

Stumbling around Life

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you.  Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. (Psalm 25:4-6 NLT)

Are you worn out with the life that you are living?  Are you just tired?

There is a right path for us to take, but when we are blinded by the sin in our lives, it's hard to see through the fog.  We live in a world that tells us it's okay to continue living in our sin, but we have a God that tells us that our sin leads directly to destruction.  So, how do we live, and live life more abundantly?

God's word provides us with the road map for life.  Isn't it time to get on the right path?  Isn't it time to lay down the sin that is destroying you?  God's plan for you is to prosper you and fill you with His love, mercy, and grace.  God's plan is not only for our eternity, but it is also for our daily, earthly life. 

His word is as true today as it was when it was written.

Open, read and study, the GPS for life, God's word – the  Holy Bible.  It is God's Positioning System!

Lord, bring us back to You and Your direction for our lives.  Let us lay down our sin and pick up Your cross.  Help us to be steadfast in turning away from sin and looking to You for all that we need.  Lord, we love You.  Help us, Lord God.  We ask and pray in the mighty name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Friday

God's Timing, Not Ours

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.  Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.  The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants.  And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.  These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. (Galatians 5:16-17 NLT)

Life is full of choices, good and bad.  When you are dealing with issues, try leaving them in God's capable hands.  Ask Him to lead you through the trials and deliver you from the sin, bad choices, and the junk in your life.

Is it easy?  No, not at first.  But when you see God hears our faithful hearts and answers us, in His perfect timing, we begin to fully rely on Him.  Remember, God works on his time-table and not ours. 

Don't get impatient or think He is not hearing your needs.  You must continue to trust in Him and have faith in His provisions.

God gives us free will so we can make our own choices.  He never forces Himself on us.  We can make our choices that include Him or not.  I know, personally, what works best – following God’s lead.  Thanks be to God.

Father God, help us to turn our lives over to you and stop pulling it away from Your hands.  When we give our problems to You, let us leave them there and stop pulling them back.  Forgive us for thinking we can do better.  Father God, help us to know that You will answer prayers with either “Yes,” “No,” or “Not yet.”  Help us to wait on you as Your timing is perfect.  Thank You, Lord, and we ask and pray this in the mighty name of Jesus.  Amen.

Saturday

Test Your Choice

The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.  (Proverbs 12:26 NLT)

We should be cautious at who we follow, who we take advice from and who we associate with, as they might not be who we think they are.

Test all decisions by comparing them with the word of God.  Read His word.  Pray about all of your choices and decisions, even the smallest.  Then we must listen for God's response and follow His path.

Lord God, help us to come to you in all situations.  Give us the desire to search Your word for truth and direction.  Father, help us to make time for prayer.  Help us to silence the busyness and clutter in our lives so that we can hear Your voice or feel your nudging.  Lead us today, Lord, and help us to be willing to follow You and not the vices of this broken world.  It's in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus that we pray.  Amen.

Sunday

Clarity

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 NLT)

At the age of 64, I really began to realize how short this life is and how quickly it will be a memory.  Even if I live past my life expectancy, I probably only have 20 years left on this earth.  What will I leave behind so that people will see Christ in me and see the free gift of salvation from our God?

As we get older, the reality of life becomes clearer.  Our time in this world is short, a mere vapor, a mist.  We learn by studying God's word, through prayer and a personal relationship with Jesus that this is not our home.  Our home, for God's children, is in Heaven.  We are merely passing through this world.

Father God, we pray that many people will open their hearts to Jesus.  We pray soul after soul will be saved.  Help us understand the enormity of everlasting life.  Your gift of salvation is truly the greatest gift of all eternity.  It's our choice on whether to accept this gift or not.  Help us, Lord, to choose wisely.  We ask and pray in Jesus' mighty name.  Amen.