Monday
He Spoke
The Lord merely spoke,
and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born.
He assigned the sea its boundaries
and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
Let the whole world fear the Lord,
and let everyone stand in awe of him.
For when he spoke, the world began!
It appeared at his command (Psalm 33:6-9 NLT).
What an amazing God we serve. He spoke creation into existence. A mere word from His mighty lips, and the planets were hung and universes created. Wow, just wow.
As you start your Monday morning, dwell upon that Scripture, and think about how big our God is. He spoke all creation into existence, and He loves each of us as His child. Raise your hands in praise and fall to your knees in reverence. He deserves our worship.
Dear Lord, my God, I praise you and thank you for loving me, a poor broken human. Lord God, you love us as we are but after we invite you into our lives, you change us. Lord, you accept us as we are but will never leave us as we are. Thank you, Father God. We pray to you in the name of our Savior, your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tuesday
Reflecting God's Greatness
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together (Psalm 34:1-3 NLT).
Are we exclaiming God's greatness to the world? Are we speaking His praises? Are we showing the helpless His love, mercy, and grace?
My guess is that we are not. I know I'm not doing all that I should, how about you?
Lord God, help us to be your hands and feet in this lost and dying world. Help us to be your mouthpiece to the lost and needy. Help us to be doers of your Word. We ask and pray in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday
Our Plans or His?
But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;
his intentions can never be shaken (Psalms 33:11 NLT).
Are you going to choose your plan or God's plan? Which do you think will last? Which plan is perfect?
Is it time to ask God for His direction in your life?
I will answer this question for you...absolutely. What are you waiting for?
Dear Father, show us your plan for our lives, and then let us pursue that path. Help us to have faith and trust totally in you and your plan. Help us to put our plan aside and make your plan our focus. We pray and ask this in the mighty name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Thursday
Helping Others
(Jesus speaking)
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28 NLT).
I was honored by a friend calling me to take him to a doctor’s appointment. He said he just didn’t feel he should be driving that day. Folks, I’m so thankful he thought of me when he needed a helping hand.
My question is, are we truly making ourselves available to our friends who are in need? I know I can do much better than I have done. I may need some help one day too.
Dear Lord, help us to be open to others’ needs and to serve them as you have served us. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
Friday
Hope, Help, and Love
We put our hope in the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
for our hope is in you alone (Psalm 33:20-22 NLT).
What more do you need? Let His Word speak to your heart – enough said.
Father God, thank you. It's in Jesus' mighty name that we pray. Amen.
Saturday
Designed By God
(Jesus speaking)
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5 NLT).
Jesus spoke and taught in parables so His followers would understand in layman's terms, our need for a Savior. Thus, today's Scripture relays what it means to be in connection with God.
We are designed by God. We have a need for Jesus like a limb needs the main trunk.
He supplies for our needs. We are dependent on Him to nourish us. With His nourishment, we will prosper and grow. Without Jesus, we will wither and die and produce nothing.
Lord God, thank you for speaking plainly and to the point so your church might understand the structure of our relationship with you. We pray in your holy name. Amen.
Sunday
All-Encompassing!
He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything (Colossians 1:17-18 NLT).
God is the first, the last, and everything in between! He is the Alpha and Omega. Thank you, Jesus, for saving us from ourselves.
Dear Lord, lead us in your glory and your ways. We ask and pray in the name of Jesus. 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.)
