Monday
A Learned Necessity
“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 sure that I'm busy like many of you. Busyness can control our lives and take us away from our Lord. Sometimes, being busy “for the Lord” moves us farther from what He has in store 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. We must be still and listen in order to discover God's plans for us.
Some of us must learn to be still. It is a necessity of a life filled with God. Be still. Listen and absorb His Word.
Father God, help us to be quiet. Help us to be still. Help us to absorb your Word, and we pray that the Holy Spirit will guide our quiet time. Thank you, God, for your amazing Word and Truth. Amen.
Tuesday
Hesitating To Speak Truth
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38 NLT).
Why do most Christians not speak about the saving power and grace of Jesus? Why is it so hard for us to stand up for the One who gave His life for us? Aren't we all commissioned to go out into the world and make disciples of all we meet? Why aren't we doing it?
I submit that we have become lazy, and we have given in to wanting to be "politically correct." Let's face it, humans don't like to be told that what they are doing will have eternal consequences, and we Christians want to be liked. They turn the tables on us and make us seem like we are the haters and the ones who just don't "get it."
Folks, we get it alright. We understand those who turn their back on Jesus will have the same thing done to them by Christ Himself. If we love our spiritually lost friends and neighbors, we must speak to them about Jesus. We must always speak in love about the truth of the gospel.
We must realize we are all sinners. Some will repent. Some will deny their sins. The gospel can be a hard truth that some unrepentant, lost people don't want to hear.
We must proclaim the truth anyway. Repent and turn to Jesus because nothing else takes priority over this.
Lord, give us your heart of love, mercy, and grace to stand on your Word and truth. Let us be bold in knowing what you have written is true. May we be bold and do that with love. In Christ's name, amen.
Wednesday
Trusting In Jesus
Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.” (John 12:44 NLT).
Have you ever stopped trusting in the promises of Jesus? When we stop trusting His promises, we also fail to trust God, our Father.
Remember God is faithful and trustworthy, so never recant your faith in His Son nor stop trusting in His promises.
Thank you, God, for being faithful and trustworthy, even when we aren't. We ask and pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Thursday
Our Needs
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19 NIV).
Notice how Scripture says needs not wants.
Lord God, thank you for supplying all of our needs. Let us remember that fact. May we remember to praise you for not only providing for our needs but also many of our wants. Help us to be thankful for every breath we take. We pray in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus. Amen.
Friday
The Hope
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13 NLT).
Jesus is all and He is enough!
Enough said.
Dear Lord, I pray each of my friends who read this will turn their lives over to you so they might experience the hope You provide. I pray this in your mighty name. Amen.
Saturday
Our Refuge
This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him (Psalm 91:2 NLT).
So, life is tough and maybe the world is closing in around you. What do you do?
Start digging out of the hole you are in. Open the Bible and gain wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of His Word, and He will show you a way out of the mess you are in. Rest in the Word of God. He is with you and will never leave you. Trust in Him. Rest in Him.
Dear Lord, bring us closer to you in our times of trouble. In Jesus' name, amen.
Sunday
We All Slip
I cried out, “I am slipping!”
but your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me.
When doubts filled my mind,
your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer (Psalm 94:18-19 NLT).
Do you remember sliding down a hill on a Slip ‘N Slide®? It is a big roll of plastic in which you turn on the garden hose to supply water to make it slippery.
Life can cause us to slip especially when we sin. Everything is going great, then next thing you know, you hit a patch where you slip and slide. Your feet go up above your head, and you land flat on your back-side.
Sin creeps into our lives through our daily routines. Next thing you know, it has you wrapped up and living a life far from God's plan for you.
Isn't it time you cry out for God? Isn't it time to ask Him to come back into your life? Isn't it time for you to move and walk in His ways? Don't you want to feel the joy only He can provide? It's your decision, God or sin. You can't have two masters.
Dear Lord, thank you for pulling us back into your mighty grasp. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
(Editor's Note: "God Has a Gift for You" is the good news that restores the broken relationship we have with God because of our sin.)
