Monday
What Is Faith?
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1 NLT).
Faith is an intangible, mysterious thing. I can't give you the faith that I have, and you can't give me the faith that you have.
One thing we can be certain of is when we put our hope, trust, and faith in Jesus Christ, we are placing that faith in the right place. By placing our faith in Christ, we are placing our faith on the Rock.
Thank you, Lord, for being the Rock of our lives. We pray that all who might be struggling with their faith will open their hearts to your presence in their lives. Lord, provide them confidence so they might attain the faith of our fathers. Amen
Tuesday
Created In His Image
So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27 NLT).
I think about how we all want to be something different.
Maybe you have experienced a life changing health event that changed everything you do or how you do it. Are you going to see your strengths through this weakness?
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT).
My point is this, we are created in the image of God. We all have things about ourselves we would change. But by focusing on what we want to change, are we not arguing with God that His plan is wrong? He made us all like Himself, but He also made us all different.
In our differences, we make up a world where, in our weaknesses, God is able to make us strong. He does this by bringing another person of faith alongside you who can fill in the gap with his/her strength.
Realize God has placed you where you are and given you talents so you are able to help others. We all don't have the same gifts, but we all have gifts God will use to help our brothers and sisters.
Dear Lord, let us see our weaknesses and know our strengths. Help us to come alongside those who can use our strengths and that we might be able to use their strengths in our lives. Help us do all this for your glory and not ours. Father, it is all about you and your saving grace through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you, Lord. I pray in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday
Unpack Your Bags
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7 NLT).
Why are you just struggling in life, carrying the burdens by yourself and on your shoulders? God is with you and is willing to help you with that load.
Get right with God, leave those heavy burdens at the foot of the cross, and never look back. Look to the glorious future only Jesus Christ can offer.
It's time to get relief from these burdens. Jesus is the answer. Unpack those bags and give them to Jesus! Thanks be to God!
Lord God, help us to take these heavy bags of burden off our shoulders and lay them at your mighty feet. We are tired and need relief. Help us to see the help and relief we need is from your amazing love, mercy, and grace. Lord, we leave our heavy baggage at your feet. We ask you to save us from ourselves, and we pray in your amazing name. Amen.
Thursday
All Things
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13 NLT).
The NLT translation of God's Word is translated “everything,” and the King James Version (Philippians 4:13 KJV) translates it as “all things.”
It doesn't say this thing or that thing, it says all things. Believe it, and live it. Thanks be to God!
Lord God, thank you for being the God of all things. We praise you for giving us another day on this planet earth. Help us to live as you would have us live. Give us the desire to share your love, mercy, and grace with all those around us. We ask and pray in the mighty name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Friday
Our Duty and Privilege
(The apostle Paul is speaking.)
I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike – the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus (Acts 20:20-21 NLT).
Christians should never be afraid to share the love of Jesus with others. We should never shy away from asking someone if Jesus is their Savior. How will they know Him without being told about Him? Many people have not heard about Jesus and His amazing grace of salvation.
Also, don't think just because someone goes to a church that they are saved by the power and blood of Jesus. They might have head knowledge but not heart knowledge. Don't let an opportunity pass you by to share what Jesus did for you. His mercy, grace, and love trump all other issues.
Dear Lord, help us to understand it is our duty as your followers to share the gospel with this lost and dying world. Also, help us to realize what a privilege it is to be called to go and make disciples so your kingdom expands. Thank you, Jesus, for your gift of salvation and eternal life. I praise your name, Lord Jesus. In your mighty name, we pray, amen.
Saturday
His Grace by Our Faith
So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life” (Galatians 3:11 NLT).
It is by faith in Jesus and what He did for us that we are saved. It is NOT about what we did but what He did for us. We are saved by grace because of God's love for each of us.
Our part of salvation is accepting the facts and repentance.
The facts are Jesus came to save the lost (us), laid His life down for our sins, was dead and buried, then God raised Christ from the dead so Jesus now sits at the right hand of our Heavenly Father.
Through repentance of our sins and our declaration that we believe in the grace God has provided us through His Son, Jesus Christ, we are saved. Thank you, Lord!
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for saving us from ourselves. Thank you for making a path for us to reach heaven and be with you when this life is over. I praise your name and accept your amazing grace. Amen.
Sunday
The Battle for Peace
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you (Isaiah 26:3 NLT).
It seems many people that I talk with are struggling with not having peace in their lives. They fight anxiety in a daily battle.
Folks, the battle has already been won by the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Put your faith and trust in Him and you will find the peace you are craving.
Lord God, grant all who read this the inner peace that only you can provide. Lord, I pray that many people will search for you and find the peace that they so desire. Lord God, you are sufficient for all of our needs, help us have the faith to totally trust in you. It's in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
(Editor's Note: Please visit "God Has a Gift for You" if you want more information about the gospel.)
