Monday
Good and Bad Times
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises (Psalm 34:1 NLT).
Do you praise God at all times? Do you always praise His name, or do you use God as a good luck charm? When things are going well, do you forget to thank Him? When things go bad, do you blame Him?
Let's think about this for a minute. God does not cause bad stuff to happen in our lives, although He uses them for His purpose. The broken world we live in takes care of supplying our problems. God will use these bad times to show you His glory if you will let Him. Look for His blessings, you will be surprised at what you will see.
Never forget He loves you more than you will ever understand. Praise Him in good and bad times. Trust in His love for you.
Dear Father, help us to have a real relationship with you. Help us to see our failings and realize that you are God and not someone to blame when things go bad. Lord, you are not our good luck charm, either. You are God, Creator of all things. Lead us, Father, as you would sheep on a rocky, mountainous path. Thank you, Lord, we will put all of our trust in you! We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday
Who Or What Are You Worshiping?
I will exalt you, my God and King,
and praise your name forever and ever.
I will praise you every day;
yes, I will praise you forever.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure his greatness (Psalm 145:1-3 NLT).
Man is not who we should be praising and glorifying. It is God that we should turn all of our attention to and give thanks to because of His faithfulness, mercy, love, and grace.
Oh, Lord God, forgive us for not praising your holy name with our every breath. We get into routines and get busy in our lives and neglect you who have given us ALL things. Forgive us, Father, for we have neglected and abandoned you. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Wednesday
Help from God
I look up to the mountains –
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth! (Psalm 121:1-2 NLT).
In our times of trouble, when no friend is there, we can look to the heavens for an answered prayer.
Thank you, Lord, for loving us more than we deserve. We praise you! Amen!
Thursday
Lean On The Lord
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand! (Psalm 139:4-6 NLT).
The children of God are led by His amazing hand. We are led down the paths of life and into an eternal future. God knows our every step and will direct and bless us as we travel through life's trials and tribulations.
God doesn't direct us into sin but gave us a way to step out of sin, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Sin doesn't have to control our lives, it's our choice. We have the decision of accepting God's blessing of deliverance and salvation or choosing the world's deception of riches and pleasures.
I pray this Christmas season that we will turn from our sinful ways and lean on The Lord and His blessings in our lives. May God be with each of you and direct your every step, today and forever. Amen.
Friday
Probing Your Heart
O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night –
but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you (Psalm 139:1-12 NLT).
These are comforting words for God's children but disturbing words for those who are not His.
Think about these verses. Do you feel comforted or do you feel anxious?
Father God, thank you for loving us more than we deserve. Open the minds and hearts of the lost so they will come to you in thanksgiving and repentance. Help them to remember your arms are wide open and you accept them as they are. May they come to you with exclamations about who you are. We love you, Lord God, and praise your mighty name. We praise you and pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Saturday
Giving Of Ourselves
Then celebrate the Festival of Harvest to honor the LORD your God. Bring him a voluntary offering in proportion to the blessings you have received from him (Deuteronomy 16:10 NLT).
Because of all God has blessed us with, we should offer ourselves to Him in dedication of His gifts.
We should give of our time, our wealth, and our abilities as a sacrifice, for our many blessings.
We would be nothing without God.
May we lift our hands high to God, in praise. Thanks be to Him! We pray to Him and praise Him, from whom all blessings flow. Amen.
Sunday
Do You Know Him?
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” (John 14:6-7 NLT).
These words are from the mouth of Jesus. Do you believe in Him? Do you know Him? If you know Jesus, you know our Father God. If you don't know Him, isn't it time to search your heart and ask Him to be your Savior? These are serious questions. Please think about where you are placing your trust and belief.
Lord God, open the minds and hearts of those who are balancing on the top rail of the fence. Lord, let them realize that they are either with you fully or not at all. Father God, help them to realize that the decision will not only affect their lives today but most importantly, their eternal life. We sincerely pray for them and ask these prayers in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 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.)
