Monday
Truth
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” (John 14:6-7 NLT)
The most important question that I will ever ask you, “Do you know Jesus?”
Father God, we pray that You will open the hearts and minds of many people today so that they will accept Jesus as their King and Savior. Lord God, without Jesus, all is lost. Lord, help every Christian to exclaim Your truth to the lost. Help us to tell others of what You have done for us. Lord, help us plant the seed and then water that seed. Father God, we leave the harvest in Your hands. Father, this is the day that You have made, let us rejoice in it. Amen.
Tuesday
He Changes Us
No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. (Romans 2:29 NLT)
God works from the inside out to change us so that He might use us for His glory. He starts a work in us when we let Him into our hearts. It's a great work. It's God's work. It's an amazing work.
Now, I am specifically writing to those that have not accepted the mercy, grace, and love of Jesus. Isn't it time that you ask Jesus to take up residence in your heart? He will take a broken, hard, torn, and even mutilated heart and make it new. He will change you from the inside out. He can change a despicable man/woman into a saint. He is capable. Are you willing? This change may come suddenly or over a period of time, but when you let His light shine from the inside out, then your life will never be the same.
Thank You, Jesus, for coming to us as we are, but never leaving us as we are. With You Lord, there is total life change. Thanks be to You, Lord! Amen.
Wednesday
Endure
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. (1 Peter 1:6 NLT)
Life is tough at times. We all struggle through bad times. We all suffer many different problems. We are broken people who are living in a broken world. At times, it may seem that life just stinks and that is probably true while you are walking through your “valley”. But remember, the Son will shine on you tomorrow.
Notice how I spelled “Son” in the above text. The Light of Jesus Christ will shine on you and bring you through your trials and tribulations. He will never leave you, he will help you up, pick you up, and even carry you in His amazing arms … and He will bring you through your valley. Trust in Him and know that He is God and that He is with you and will never leave or abandon you.
God will use today's trial to create, in you, a stronger and more faithful being. He will show you things that you might never see if you were not going through the struggle that you are currently experiencing. Our God is faithful, even when we are not.
In the book of James, James writes:
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:2-4 NLT).
Dear Lord, thank You for loving us and carrying us through our current mess. We know that by our faith and Your grace we will never be left to battle life's problems alone. I give You all the praise and glory. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Thursday
Get Up and Dust Yourself Off
Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12 NLT).
Life can be a struggle but we are not to roll over and play dead. Get up, answer the bell, and fight. Reflect on how God saved you from a life of destruction. Remember that all things are bearable with Jesus as our Savior. He specializes in conquering sin and life's issues.
Don't forget to praise Him and share the good news of what He has done in your life. God wants no one to perish.
Father God, help us to answer the bell and get up and fight. Help us to know that we might not be capable but You, Lord, have already won the war for us. Lead us today in Your roadway for life. I ask and pray in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Friday
In Times of Peril
The psalmist wrote, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters” (Psalm 18:16 NIV).
No matter what is going on in our lives, know that nothing catches God by surprise. He is in control, turn to Him, and trust that He will bring us through the perils of life.
Lord, we lift our hands high to Your throne. We are in dire need of You. Many don't know you. Many have turned from You. Lord, we ask that you not forget Your righteous few. Lord, save us from this evil and destructive world. Come, Lord, take our hands. Amen.
Saturday
So, What's Your Plan?
But the Lord ’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken (Psalms 33:11 NLT).
Your plan or God's plan? Which do you think will last? Which plan is perfect? Is it time to ask God for His direction for your life? Absolutely. What are you waiting for?
Dear Father, show us Your plan for our lives and then let us pursue that path. Help us to have faith and trust totally in You and Your plan. Help us to put “our” plan aside and make Your plan our focus. We pray and ask this in the Mighty Name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Sunday
Failure of the Church
If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring (Proverbs 25:26 NLT).
Folks, we are seeing church after church and pastor after pastor cave into political correctness instead of trusting the truth of God's word. If this continues, our fate is sealed. It's one thing for the government to turn its back on God, but a total tragedy for the church and its leaders to do the same.
I'm praying for our churches and our pastors. Please join me in doing the same.
Dear Lord, save us from the "feel good" product of political correctness. We must turn to truth and not the fact that we want to make someone feel good about their sin and/or immoral lifestyle. Lord, bring all of the church back into Your Word of Truth. Yes, the truth hurts, but not nearly as long as a life of everlasting separation from You. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
