Monday
Eternal Focus
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT).
Whatever we are struggling with is only temporary. Our struggles are just part of the broken world we live in. Just know, Jesus paid the ultimate price for us, so that those who know Him, really have nothing to fear or worry about.
Lord God, may you bless all those who read this today and let them know, no matter what is going on in their lives, you are with them and will bring them through the fire. I ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tuesday
Total Trust
Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock (Isaiah 26:4 NLT).
Are you trusting in God in all times of life's curves? Let's face the fact that life has many ups and downs. We are broken humans with bodies that break down. We get sick. We get well. We live then we die. It's part of life.
Are you thanking God not only in the good times but also trusting in Him when times are bad? He is our Rock, in all situations!
Thanks be to God! Amen.
Wednesday
Wisdom
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent” (Isaiah 29:14).
So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.
But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength (1Corinthians 1:18-25 NLT).
Many humans want to show their wisdom and boast of their educational accomplishments. Intelligence is a stumbling stone for many highly educated individuals. They deem their wisdom to be so enlightened that they can't believe the truth of the cross. As Christians, we are to pray for these "enlightened" individuals. We also must never let the naysayers cause us to not preach the gospel. We must not be intimidated by those who are highly educated.
So today, we should live our lives as representatives of Christ and show others the love of Jesus through our lives. Don't argue with those who have human wisdom but don't have godly wisdom. Just stand on the Rock with our Christ. Never deviate from the wisdom of God and the truth of the cross.
Remember that those who call the truth of the cross foolishness, have been blinded by their own intelligence. Pray and pray often for them and pray for yourself to have the strength to stand firm on God's Word.
Lord God, thank you for your truth of the cross and the wisdom that your Word provides us. Hold us close when we are confronted by those who can't believe the your Word and truth. Send your Holy Spirit to lead us when we have direct conflicts about our faith. Remind us to put on your armor (Eph. 6:10-20) when we are walk through this broken and lost world. We ask and pray in the mighty name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thursday
Eternal Joy
For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! (Isaiah 64:4 NLT)
An eternity beyond our human imagination awaits those who are His children. I hope we will all rejoice together when we leave this world. We all have a choice, God's way or ours. I hope we all turn to God's way.
Lord God, thank you for your love, mercy, and grace. Thank you for sending your Son to prepare a way for us to spend eternity with you. It's in the mighty name of Jesus that we pray. Amen.
Friday
Worldly Stuff
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today (Matthew 6:30-34 NLT).
Stop worrying about attaining worldly stuff. Focus on what you have, not what you don't have. Stop clinging to the unimportant things in life and strive to praise God for the many blessings that you have.
God loves you. Rest firmly in His arms. Relax and know that He is God.
Father, thank you for understanding our walk through this world. Thank you for giving us hope. Help us to remember there is much more to life than the stuff we accumulate. Lord God, lead us today to be better children. Help us to be more like Jesus today than we were yesterday. In His name we pray. Amen.
Saturday
The Right Path
Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others (Proverbs 12:15 NLT).
Sometimes we have blinders on and can't see that the path that we are on is not a good one. We must be willing to listen to a good friend who is speaking truth to us.
Sometimes that truth cuts deep into our core. When that happens, compare your friends rebuke with God's Word. If they agree, you must adhere to your friend's rebuke. Remember, it's for your own good.
Dear Lord, help us accept correction from credible sources. We all go astray. Lord, help us to listen to others. Help us get back on track. In Jesus' name, amen.
Sunday
No Comparison
LORD, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power (Jeremiah 10:6 NLT).
Nothing... nothing can compare to our God. His love, mercy, and grace are beyond our ability to understand. Just think, the Creator of all things, loves us so much that He wants a personal relationship with us! Thanks be to God!
Dear Father, help us turn from our wicked ways. We are all broken and living in a broken world. Father, help us turn our lives and our nation around and back toward your amazing grace. We pray in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
