Editor's Note: Please visit "God Has a Gift for You" if you want more information about the gospel and the sacrifice only Jesus could pay to restore your peace with God.
Monday
Stillness
“Be still, and know that I am God
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress (Psalm 46:10-11 NLT).
Being still is not a watermark in my life. I'm busy just like many of you are. Busyness can control our lives and take us away from our Lord. Sometimes, being busy “for the Lord” moves us away from what He has prepared for us and moves us to what “we” want.
We must guard against the busyness that takes us down well-intended pathways but away from spending prayer time with God in order to discover His paths for us.
Be still. Listen and absorb His Word.
Lord God, may you touch all of us with your sense of calmness, your sense of peace. Lord, slow us down and speak into our hearts. We ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday
Unleashing God's Plan
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).
Not only did God save us from eternal hell by sending His Son on a rescue mission, but God has a plan for each of us. That plan can only be unleashed by Christ Jesus living in our hearts.
Are you ready to be the masterpiece God created you to be?
Father God, give us the faith we need to be totally dependent on you, Lord. Help us, Lord, to trust in you through the tough times. Father God, pick us up when we have fallen down, lead us when we are blind, help us when we feel helpless. Lord, we give our lives to you. Do what you will with us and lead us down your path of righteousness. Father God, your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. We ask in the mighty and matchless name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Wednesday
Backsliders
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it (Hebrews 2:1 NLT).
We must guard against sliding back into our old ways. It's very easy to do. Satan does all he can to tempt us to do backslide to disaster. He loves to see a man or woman fall back into his grasp.
Put on the armor of God, and study His Word. Remain in Him, and He will remain in you.
God's Word is truth. Depend on it. Do not depend on man's opinions. Thanks be to God. He has provided the true and only path through Jesus Christ.
Father, pull us back into your full grasp. We ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Thursday
Darkness Or Light
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12 NLT).
Do you want to live in the light or live in the shadows of darkness?
It's your choice. Just remember when you live in darkness, you will not find the right path. You will not be able to see the danger. You will not be able to find the true life offered to you by our loving God. If you live in His Light through Jesus Christ, you'll realize how great His love is for you.
Lord, open the eyes of those who are living in darkness so they can see you the Light of the World. Amen.
Friday
All Circumstances
“How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you! (2 Samuel 7:22 NLT).
We must look for God in all our circumstances. He is with you in the good times and in the bad times, in sickness and good health. God never leaves us. Wake up and realize His presence in everything you experience. Thank you, Lord!
Father God, you are with us always. You are loving, merciful, and forgiving. You are judge and jury. You are sovereign and full of grace. Thank you, Father, for loving us more than we deserve. Thank you for calling us worthy. We praise your holy name. Amen.
Saturday
Living A Christ Filled Life
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy (Philippians 2:14-18 NLT).
The apostle Paul is a great teacher. We can all take another lesson from Paul's teachings in Philippians 2. After reading today's Scripture, I was convicted and had to ask myself some questions.
You might also need to ask yourself these same questions.
1- Do I complain about what I'm asked to do?
2- Do I argue with people to avoid criticism?
3- Am I living a clean and innocent life?
4- Am I shinning a bright light into this dark world?
5- Am I holding firmly to the truth that Jesus will come again?
6- Am I running the “race” God gave me to run? Am I being faithful to run His path?
7- Will I be proud (not prideful) of how I shared Jesus with others?
8- Will I be able to rejoice that I lived a life of faithful service to God?
9- Will people see Christ's joy through me and my life?
10- Am I rejoicing in my salvation that Christ so generously provided me?
Just a few questions for myself. Maybe for you too?
Father God, help us to answer the questions above properly according to your Word. Lord, we can't accomplish the race set before us without you leading our way. Help us to study your Word and pray fervently about all things. Draw us nearer to you, Lord God. We have strayed. We pray you will draw each of us back into your fold. We ask and pray in the mighty name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sunday
Grab The Life Jacket
Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death (Psalms 86:11-13 NLT).
We all need to realize that without God, we are floundering in a lake of stagnant slime. With Him, we are floating in a crystal clear stream, the stream of life. That life is available now and for eternity.
God threw us a life jacket through Jesus Christ. Grab it and put it on. Put on the salvation Jesus Christ offers to all who accept Him and repent of their sins. Stop floundering in hopelessness, and come into Christ's Light.
Father, open the eyes, minds, and hearts of your lost sheep, so everyone might realize the need for you in their lives, presently and eternally. We ask and pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
