Monday
All of Us
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Praise him, all you people of the earth.
For his unfailing love for us is powerful;
the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.
Praise the Lord (Psalm 117 NLT)!
We all should praise our Lord. All people and all nations of the earth should praise the Lord. We shouldn't have to be told this. After all, just look around and see what great things He has done in your life and the lives of others.
His unfailing love for us is beyond our understanding. How powerful is His love for us? Yes, each of us. His faithfulness never ends. He is faithful even when we aren't. Imagine that.
Lord God, thank you for not giving up on us. Forgive us for our sins. Thank you for your faithfulness, love, mercy, and grace. We love you, Lord God. Amen.
Tuesday
Rejoicing in His Glory
This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Please, Lord, please save us.
Please, Lord, please give us success.
Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, shining upon us.
Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.
You are my God, and I will praise you!
You are my God, and I will exalt you!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever (Psalm 118:24-29 NLT).
What a blessing it is to rejoice in our God. He supplies all our needs and many of our wants. I am so thankful for His love, mercy, and grace. Thank you, Lord!
I would recommend reading Psalm 118 this morning because there is more there than I can cover in this short devotional. Please take the time and read, study, and pray on this Scripture.
Lord God, thank you for your Word. We ask that you continue to bless us with your presence in our lives. We love you and trust you. Hold us close, Lord, in our times of need. May we always remember to praise you in the good times and the bad. Thank you, Lord God. It is in the mighty name of Jesus that we pray. Amen.
Wednesday
Real Joy
Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully.
Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me (Psalm 119:1-8 NLT)!
Are you joyful?
Are you uncompromising with sin and evil?
Are you attempting to follow God's commands?
Are you reflecting the goodness of God through your life?
Father God, help us to live a joyful life so that we might reflect your goodness through our actions. Help us to study your Word and do our best to live by your commands and instruction. Lord God, please continue to bless us as we walk through this evil world. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Thursday
Keep Looking Up
I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever (Psalm 121:1-8 NLT).
I think of a local TV evangelist, Rev. Eugene Digby, and remember him closing each of his television programs with the words "Keep Looking Up!" Have we fixed our eyes on God? Do we realize that God is really the only single constant in our lives? He never changes. He never waivers. He is always with us. Are we looking up?
Lord God, thank you for watching over us. Thank you for loving us when we aren't so lovable. Lord, help us always keep looking up! It's in the mighty name of Jesus that we pray. Amen.
Friday
Security Is in Trust
Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever (Psalm 125:1-2 NLT).
Because of our trust in God, we will never be defeated. We are secure. We will endure now and forever. God has surrounded us with His protection. Praise be to God.
Lord God, thank you for the security that can only be achieved by our trust in you. Lead us today by your Holy Spirit. We know that the demons in our lives, in this world, and around us must flee by the mere mention of Jesus’ name. Drive out the demons that have tormented us. Help us to stand firm in the mighty name of Jesus. Father, thank you for loving us. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Saturday
Sin, Forgiveness, & Fear
Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
who, O Lord, could ever survive?
But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you (Psalm 130:3-4 NLT).
We are all sinners and should suffer for our sins. But God is in the business of forgiveness. His forgiveness comes when we humble ourselves, repent and fall to our knees in fear.
The word fear is better understood as respect, honor, and submission to a Holy God. We serve a wonderful God.
If God forgives us of our sins and failures, how much more should we forgive those who have wronged us? We are commanded to forgive others, but have you done that?
Father God, help us to live a life in which you approve. Help us to come to you in reverence and fear. Lord, we need help in forgiving some people who have hurt us. Send the Holy Spirit into our lives to help us get through the process of forgiving those who have hurt us. It is only by your hand that we might forgive others. Lord, may we be forgiven for our transgressions that caused hurt and pain to others. Lord, we pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Sunday
Christian Brothers & Sisters
How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting (Psalm 133:1-3 NLT).
We are called to unite under the mighty hand of God. We are called to live in peace and harmony with one another. When we do this, we are refreshed and will be blessed by our friendship, fellowship, and brotherhood.
Dear Lord, help us to realize how important it is to gather together and to do it in peace and harmony. Help us to love one another in the mighty name of Christ. Help us put small differences in our denominations behind us. Help us realize the common bond of all Christians: one God, one Holy Spirit, and one Son. Lord, may we bond and be drawn into fellowship by the fact that you sent Jesus to die for our sins and that He is the only way to you. None can come to you Father except through the Son. Lord God, bring us together in brotherly love for your glory. We praise you, Father God! We pray in the mighty name of the King and Savior, 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.)
