Monday
No Greater Love
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13 NLT).
Our Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders need our thoughts, prayers, and support. They are on the front lines of an increasingly dangerous world.
I would like to especially pray for all the families that have lost loved ones who were battling the evil in our streets. We have lost too many brave men and women who are working, in sometimes horrible situations, to protect and serve our communities.
God, be with our LEO's and First Responders. They go into their daily jobs to protect and serve.
Lord, be with all the families that have lost loved ones. Place Your mighty hand of healing on every wounded officer/responder, whether it be mental or physical wounds. In Jesus' mighty and matchless name and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.
Tuesday
The Peace of Christ
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33 NLT).
Real peace and comfort are in Jesus. He is the answer to all of our needs. He is our Rock and our Comforter. We should stop looking to the things of this world for what only He can provide.
Dear Lord, let those who are struggling with life look to You for all their needs. In Your name, I pray. Amen.
Wednesday
Wait On God
For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth (Psalms 33:4-5 NLT).
When we don't understand the reasons things happen in our lives, we can trust that God does. Nothing catches Him by surprise.
So when we are sick, mad, frustrated, dejected, or just confused, stop relying on our abilities and our understanding and trust in God. He has this. Let Him be God. Let Him work and wait on Him.
Father God, help us to be steadfast in our trust in You. Help us to understand how much You love us and that You will work in mysterious ways in our lives. Forgive us, Lord, for not totally trusting in You. Lead us and direct us today, so that we might see the amazing things that You are doing in our lives and in the lives of people around us. Thank You, Father! We praise You! We pray in the mighty name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thursday
Total Love
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 NLT).
There is no greater love than this. Today, be reminded that no matter what we are going through and what we are dealing with in this life, God loves us. He will not only lead us through our problems but will carry us in His amazing arms when we can't take another step.
Friends, God loves you. Rejoice in Him and His holiness, His righteousness, and His grace.
Dear Father, thank You for becoming flesh, in the body of Jesus Christ, and dwelling among Your people, living a sinless life so that Jesus might be a perfect sacrifice for our sin. Thank You Father God for raising Jesus from the dead so that we too might be raised when our earthly life is over. Father, Your love is greater than the human mind can ever discern. We praise Your mighty name today! Amen.
Friday
The Deceiver Is Doing His Job
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33 NLT).
Man, the ole Devil has been busy lately. Seems he is trying to derail all things that are good and all things that are right. But that is his job and goal. Why are we surprised?
Folks, send that sucker back to hell where he belongs. Stop accepting his meddling in your business and tell him to get out if your life and out of your family’s affairs, by the power of the mighty name of Jesus. The Devil cannot stand where Jesus is. Claim the power and victory of Jesus. He overcame the world so let's live in Christ's glory!
Father, give us the desire to dig deep in Your word. Help us to realize the power that is available to us through the mighty hand of Jesus. Protect us from the slings and arrows of Satan and his demons. Father, we pray in the mighty name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. It's by the power of His blood that Satan has no control over us. Keep us strong in Christ so that we can fight the spiritual battles that rage around us. By the power of the blood of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.
(BTW, I've read The Book, Jesus wins and the Devil loses.)
Saturday
The Good Fight
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-8 NLT).
Every day is a battle. A spiritual battle. Some days are just hard, as it seems that the ole Devil throws everything he can to distract us or he whispers lies into our ears or he blinds us from seeing the good things around us. Satan glorifies the destructive choices and subdues the choices of goodness and righteousness. The Devil is good at what he does. Satan is a liar and a deceiver and he perverts all that is good. It is a battle, every day.
So, how do we know good from evil? It's all determined by our knowledge of God's Word, having Jesus in our hearts, and the Holy Spirit as our guide. Do you want to fight the good fight? If so, get in God's Word, ask the Holy Spirit to guide your mind and your heart and follow Jesus into the battle of the day. When all is said and done, Jesus Christ does have ultimate victory. Are you going to be with Him or against Him?
Dear Lord, help us fight the good fight and remain faithful to Your commands. I ask this in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sunday
Accepting Responsibility
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church (Ephesians 4:14-15 NLT).
One of the biggest reasons, our world is so broken is that no one wants to be responsible for themselves. A man should step up and be a man and support and lead his family. A woman should a mom and make sure her family is loved and the home is a safe and secure place. Children should respect their parents and the parents should be deserving of that respect.
Maybe that unaccepted responsibility is getting a job and working to pay the bills. Maybe it's paying your debt. Maybe it's paying your child support payments. Just maybe that responsibility is asking someone for help to get away from an addiction and not using the addiction as a crutch. It might be that you should claim responsibility for your lifestyle or addiction instead of blaming God or someone else.
But the biggest reason that we are living in a broken and fallen world is that we, the people, have decided that we are smarter than God. We have decided that we don't need Him to lead our lives. We have decided that what His Word says is old fashioned and not relevant to today's world. We have decided that if it feels good, it's okay to do it. We have decided to believe the lies of Satan and the world values instead of God's values.
Folks, we must return to God. If we come back to Him, He will overshadow any problem in our world, our nation, and our lives. He is the Creator of all things and loves us very much. He will never leave us but He surely will let us choose our fate. Come back to Him and your life will become richer and fuller and more satisfying. With Him, we can live the life that He has planned for us. Our nation can again prosper. Come to Him!
Dear Lord, open the hearts and minds of the lost and bring them to you. Lord, give those who are struggling with life issues discernment on how to battle the issues that are plaguing them. Lord, bring our nation back to You. We need you, Lord. We desperately need You. We pray in Jesus' mighty name, Amen.