Monday
Relying On God
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. Ask Him to deliver you from the sin, the bad choices, and the junk in your life.
Is it easy? Not at first. But when you see that God hears and answers us in His perfect timing, we begin to fully rely on Him.
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. Thanks be to God.
Father God, help us to turn our lives over to You and stop pulling it away from Your hands. Help us give our problems to You, let us leave them there, and stop us from pulling them back from Your loving, capable hands. Father God, help us to know that You do answer prayers. Sometimes it is “yes,” sometimes it is “no,” and other times it is “not yet” because we must grow. 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.
Tuesday
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 for 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.
Wednesday
Hard work and wealth?
“So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety?” (Ecclesiastes 2:22, NLT).
What do we get that has value for all of our hard work? What is it that really matters?
No matter how hard we work and acquire earthly treasures, our relationship with Jesus is the only thing that has lasting value. Without that relationship, nothing else matters.
Dear Lord, open the eyes, minds, and hearts of those that are trying to achieve success in this world. Let them learn that a relationship with Jesus is the only thing of lasting value. In Christ's mighty name and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.
Thursday
Run the Race, let nothing hold you back!
You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom (Galatians 5:7-8, NLT).
Your past can pull you back. IF you let it.
Your friends can pull you back. IF you let them.
Your family can pull you back. IF you listen to them.
The world will hold you back. IF you let it!
The world pulls at our lives from every angle. Nothing can snatch our life's calling from the will of God. Nothing, UNLESS we let it!!!
Father God, give us the strength to fight back and not let our past, friends, family, or this dark world pull us back into our past life. Lord God, You gave us a new life when we came to You, so help us, Lord, to not make a 180 degree turn away from You. Help us to see the greatness ahead and forget about the sin we left behind. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Friday
Tempting Others with Sin
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin (Luke 17:1-2, NLT).
What are we doing that might cause someone to stumble back into an old sinful dependency? We all sin, that is a fact. We all sin differently, that is a fact too. We need to be conscious of our actions around others. Our actions might cause someone to stumble back into an old addictive sin.
Thank You, Lord God, for loving us so much that You gave us forgiveness through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Let us relive Your mercy today. Amen.
Saturday
Thank God for All That Have Given the Ultimate Sacrifice
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:12-13, NLT).
Jesus paid the ultimate price for our eternal freedom. No one can do what He has done to those who surrender to Him as Lord and Savior.
But many place their lives in danger for our safety even now.
Our American military signs their life away for the freedom of our nation, thus our individual freedom. Our First Responders place their lives on the line in our communities, towns, and cities on a daily basis. They do their best to protect us from criminals, fires, and natural disasters. They transport us to emergency facilities when we can't get there under our own power. Unfortunately, they give their lives in order to save and protect us. They are angels that live among us.
Thank You, God, for securing our eternal freedom through Jesus and for each man and woman that signs on the dotted line, to lay down their lives for our nation. I pray today for the safety of those that serve the citizens of our nation. May You, Father, keep them in the mighty palm of Your amazing hand. I ask and pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Sunday
Pray Continually
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For,
There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.
This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time (1 Timothy 2:1-6, NLT).
Pray, pray, and pray some more. This is the foundation of worship. Jesus demonstrated the need for prayer on many occasions. We should pray for ourselves, our nation, our friends, our family, and for our enemies. Don't leave anyone out. Our Lord desires an intimate relationship with each of us and that all people be saved through the grace of Christ by faith in Him.
Pray for the sick, the needy, and the injured. Consider yourself an intercessor for them.
We have an open prayer line of communication with God. He wants to hear our pleas and our needs…but don't forget to take time to listen for His response. He can speak to you in many ways, but mostly God will speak directly to your heart. Listen and obey and you will be blessed.
Lord God, thank You for the direct line of communication to Your Throne. You are the mighty God of all creation and You want to hear from each of Your children. Praise be to You, our Heavenly Father. Amen.
