Monday
Disobedience
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes – these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true (Ephesians 5:3-9 NLT).
There is nothing more God wants than for each of us to come to Him in repentance and acceptance of His Son. He loves us so much but lets us walk the path we choose. He has given us the free will to do as we desire. The big problem is, with that free will, we tend to do our best to destroy ourselves with sinful life choices. We look for the pleasures and the thrills of the world instead of the peace He offers. We are disobedient children.
A huge problem arises from this sinful life and that problem is a separation from God. God can't be in the presence of sin, thus we cannot have a relationship with Him as unrepentant sinners. It's our choice. God has already provided all we need to become one of His dearly beloved children, so it's up to us to choose His way or not.
Dear God, open the eyes of those who are living in continual, unrepentant sin. Open their hearts to your love, mercy, and grace. Lord let them see, feel and smell your goodness. Lord, let them feel your peace. After experiencing your peace, let them never wander away. Lord may you keep them in your mighty hand. Father, love us and continually draw us closer to you. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Tuesday
Only God is Perfect
“I am the Lord, and I do not change” (Malachi 3:6a NLT).
God never changes. His Word is perfect. Remember, God never changes but people do their best to change His Word and instructions to meet their needs. People try to justify their sin by adjusting, misreading, and misinterpreting God's Word to mean what it doesn't.
Don't be fooled by false teachings and false religious doctrine. If you want answers, seek the face of God and study His amazing Word, the Bible.
Lord God, help us to seek you first in all of our decisions in life. Help us to trust your Word and not the word of men. Give us discernment, Lord God. We pray in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday
Search Me, Lord
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life (Psalm 139:23-24 NLT).
A good friend uses this phrase quite often, “Now let us pray God's words back to Him.” So, today, please take the time to pray the words of Psalm 139:23-24 back to God.
I suggest you pray this multiple times today and then continue this pattern for the next few weeks. Our nation is in a mess. We all have junk going on in our lives that only God can help us with.
While we pray this, be honest with God about our struggles. He already knows exactly what is in our hearts and minds anyway. He knows we are broken and in need of His assistance. God is there to help us get through any valley we might be crossing.
Today, be honest with God and let Him show you where you need work. Let Him fine-tune your heart and your life.
Today, let God be God in your life. Let His Word be our prayer:
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life (Psalm 139:23-24 NLT).
Amen.
Thursday
Accept or Reject
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me (John 14:6 NLT).
My friends, you might reject me and what I write or say, but please, please don't reject Jesus Christ.
Lord, open the hearts of those who are rejecting you and your truth. I pray all will be saved. The way of salvation has been provided through Jesus. I pray all will accept your way, Lord. Amen.
Friday
Grace Not Law
I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die (Galatians 2:21 NLT).
We can never accomplish keeping His law because we are broken sinners. By His grace, we are saved! Thank you, Jesus!
Dear Lord, thank you for your sacrifice for us. Amen.
Saturday
Reflection
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him (Colossians 1:15-16 NLT).
Today, I would like to reflect on how awesome our God is, how He is our Creator, how He is our Redeemer, and how His plan is perfect from the beginning to the end.
Scripture illustrates His perfect plan. A relationship with Jesus is the only way we can approach the throne of God. Don't put off your personal relationship any longer. Your decision has eternal consequences.
Thanks be to God. I thank Him for loving me and chasing me for all my wayward years. If you are running from Him, why don't you stop and let Him catch you?
Dear Lord, we ask you to bring the lost to you and may they bow at your feet. Father God, thank you for sending us your amazing Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from ourselves. It's in His name we pray. Amen.
Sunday
The Peace of Christ
(Jesus speaking)
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT).
Real peace and comfort are in Jesus. He is the answer to all of our needs. He is our Rock and our Comforter. We should stop looking to the things of this world for what only He can provide.
Dear Lord, I pray those who are struggling with life will look to you for all their needs. In your name, I pray. Amen.
(Editor's Note: "God Has a Gift for You" that is the good news that restores the broken relationship we have with God because of our sin. Read and listen here for more.)
