Monday
God is Light
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:5-7 NLT).
Are you living in the Light?
Father, let those who see only darkness, see your amazing light. I ask in the mighty name of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tuesday
Freed from Sin
We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin (Romans 6:6-7 NLT).
Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we are free from the grip of sin. Our chains are broken.
Lord God, thank you for saving us from ourselves. Your gift of salvation should never be under-estimated. It was a gift to us that cost you your life, Lord. Your blood was shed for all of us. Without your sacrifice, we would never be able to enter heaven and have a relationship with God. Today and forever, we praise your holy name. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday
Hope and Service
Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality (Romans 12:11-13 NLT).
Laziness is not a part of hope. We are to be fired up and work hard to serve the Lord by serving others. We all serve in different ways, but we must serve in whatever capacity we are called to do. We serve others because of the hope that God has given us. Service is or should be a daily part of our Christian life. Because of the hope which salvation brings, we serve. We should be the first in line to serve the Lord, by serving others.
Help others, in the name of The Lord. Help others because it is the right thing to do. Serve others because of what Jesus did for us. Serve because we are called to serve. Serve in whatever capacity you can, but serve.
Dear Lord, push “the church” out of the confines of the four walls of the church building so that they might serve those in need. Give them the desire to serve the community and show your amazing love and your hope, through their actions. Don't let “the church” rest on their pews on Sunday. Lord, nudge (push) "the church" to get going and serve others. Dear God, convict Christians and bring them to the reality of the needs of their neighbors and communities. Dear Lord, bless those who come in your name. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
By the way, "the church" is you and me. Get going, brothers and sisters!
Thursday
Accepting Correction
“Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others” (Proverbs 12:15 NLT).
Sometimes we have blinders on and can't see that the path we are on is not a good one. We must be willing to listen to a good friend who is speaking the truth to us.
Sometimes that truth cuts deep into our core. When this happens, compare your friends rebuke with the Word of God. If they agree, you must adhere to your friend’s rebuke. Remember, it's for your own good.
Dear Lord, help us to accept correction from credible sources. We all go astray. Lord, help us to listen to others. Help us get back on track. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Friday
The Vine
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5 NLT).
Jesus is (or should be) the center of our lives. Everything should begin and end with His counsel. We must weigh our choices in life as to what Jesus taught. After all, Jesus is the beginning and the end of our faith. He is where our roots should be solidly grounded. Without His guidance, we will be lost.
Lord, we walk around searching for physical items to bring into our lives, so that we might be fulfilled. We look for girlfriends/wives, boyfriends/husbands, cars, boats, houses...etc. to fulfill our wants. We even try to self-medicate ourselves into feeling happy or content. Lord, help us to realize the only true contentment, happiness, peace, and fulfillment is having Jesus in our lives. Help us to grow down deep in your love, mercy, and grace. Help us to grow deeper into your Word. When we have a strong “root” system, we will have what we are looking for in life. Help us, Lord God. I pray and praise your mighty name today. Amen.
Saturday
Walking the Walk
My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins (James 5:19-20 NLT).
Walk the walk, and talk the talk. Do not vary from sharing Jesus with all who you meet. The old saying holds true, "You and your actions may be the only Bible someone ever reads".
If you claim Jesus as your Savior and are a professed Christian, you are (and should be) held to a higher standard. Remember, people are watching. Your actions can show them Christ or turn them away from Him.
May God grant us His mercy, grace, and love so that we might share the truth of Jesus in this lost and dying world. Amen.
Sunday
Freedom
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT).
If you want to experience real freedom, ask Jesus into your heart. Freedom may be experienced in a shock-wave or it may begin to trickle into your life. We will stumble at times, fall at times, mess up at times, but if we continue to look to our Lord, His freedom comes to us. Freedom comes as we try to live a Christ-centered life!
Dear Father, help us to realize what the true meaning of freedom is, Lord. It's not what government gives us, it is what you have given us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
