Monday
Life – Are You Worrying?
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? (Matthew 6:27 NLT).
Why is it we worry about everything? Every time I turn around, I see and hear people worrying about finances, cars, homes, weather, etc. Does any of this worry do anything to help the problem?
I have always heard some very smart people say, “Don't worry about stuff that you can't change.” I will take it a step farther, why do we worry at all? Look, everyday life has its challenges, we can't escape that fact. We must endure and move on. Why worry about something you can't change? And if you can change it, by all means, change it and stop worrying!
Jesus Christ says it best in Matthew 6:27. Will worrying add a single moment to your life? Nope, it surely doesn't help at all, in fact, it probably makes things much worse.
Later, in Philippians 4:6 NLT, we see, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
Dear Lord, today I pray for myself and all my friends, family, and readers that you will grant each of us the peace only you can provide. Father, grant us peace over the destruction that worry causes. May each of us come to you, Lord God, and leave our worries at your feet. Help us to know that you are a loving God who will help us get through all of our tough times. Lord, thank you for loving us so much and grant us the peace that we so dearly need. I ask this in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tuesday
Mercy and Forgiveness
Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, “You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?” Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt (Matthew 18:32-34 NLT).
Jesus speaks volumes about mercy and forgiveness, and we should listen closely. God, because of His mercy for each of us, sent His Son to die for us so that we might have a relationship with Him. Without this mercy, we would not have any hope.
So because of God, we have ultimate and unlimited hope.
On this earth, shouldn't we grant mercy (forgiveness) to others? Shouldn't we forgive and help others feel that same “freeing” forgiveness?
Jesus speaks about this, and we should heed His words. We should forgive as we have been forgiven. Yes, I know it's easier said than done, but it is a command, not just a recommendation. To be forgiven, we must forgive.
Forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean that we forget. Yet we forgive, put it behind us, and move on with life. We each deserve a life that is far better without this burden of unforgiveness that tramples our hearts and destroys our souls. Forgive not only those who sinned against you, but forgive for your well-being.
Lord, we all struggle with forgiving others for actions that were taken against us. Lord, help us to remember that we by our sin nailed you to the cross and even after that, you said, “Forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34 NLT).
Father, let us see how important it is that we forgive each other. Lord, we know that we are unable to accomplish this level of forgiveness without your help. Please, Lord, give each of us the ability to forgive all – from the petty issues to even the worst crimes against us. Lord, grant us your wisdom and the power of your love, mercy, and grace. We pray this in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Wednesday
Jesus = Change
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds (Titus 2:11-14 NLT).
Jesus equals change. It's a change that we all need because without Him we will continue walking a path to destruction. So many people want to say they are Christian even as they continue living like hell on earth. Folks, it doesn't work that way.
When Jesus truly resides in your heart, you will want to turn from the sin that separates you from Him. You will not want to continue in it.
Jesus Christ comes to us as the broken sinners we are with many issues and problems. But He loves us too much to leave us as we are. There is real change involved in your salvation. It's not just words that you say that make you feel good.
Lord God, open our eyes, minds, and hearts to know that we are sinners and without you, we will continue a path of turmoil and destruction. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
Thursday
He Lives In Us
And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God (1 John 4:13-15 NLT).
The real question is: do we live in Him?
Jesus has done His part in our lives. Are we living a life with Him as Lord of all?
Thank you, Lord, for loving us so much that you saved us from ourselves. Amen.
Friday
We Are Not the Vine
I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me (John 15:1-4 NLT).
Our human condition has a real problem with trying to do everything on our own. We think we can (and need to) handle each situation without any help. Jesus tells us to bring all things to our heavenly Father, no matter how big or small they are. He also tells us to abide in Him and reap the benefits of being His followers.
Again, like all things, God gives us a choice. We can try to do things on our own or with Him. Why don't we bring all of our needs to Him and use His power and strength in all of our life issues?
In reality, we can do nothing outside of God. Thanks be to God for giving us a choice to come to His throne and ask for help with our needs.
Lord God, thank you Jesus and help us remain in you. In the mighty name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.
Saturday
Idol Worship
Then God gave the people all these instructions:
“I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.
“You must not have any other god but me (Exodus 20:1-3 NLT).
Have you placed something or someone between yourself and God? Have you made an idol out of something of this world?
This old world makes it easy to find something or someone to come between us and God. It could be a car, motorcycle, home, wife, kids, or even grand-kids. When we start placing something, anything, at a more important place in our lives than God, we have a problem.
Who should we put first and foremost? God, of course. There should be no contest. The second commandment's point is to love God, know Him, worship Him, and place Him in the Highest Place of your life.
Thank you, Lord, for giving us a road map for life and everlasting life. Help us to turn from life's distractions and give you our full attention. We pray in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sunday
Not Afraid
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
When evil people come to devour me
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident (Psalm 27:1-3 NLT).
Why do we fear things in life so much? If we truly place our hope in God, we should have no fears at all. Nothing can separate us from His love. He will never leave us. He is always there for us. What's the deal with our lack of trust? What about our faith?
Yes, if we look at this world without God's filter, we should be very afraid. But by using His filter, His Holy Word, we can see life and its troubles in a different way. The murkiness of life begins to fade and His glory will shine through.
Stop trusting in your abilities/knowledge and trust in God's. He knows the beginning and the end and everything in-between.
Thanks be to God. His love, mercy, and grace endure forever. Amen.
