Monday
Unforgiveness
And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:30-32 NLT).
Are you bringing sorrow to God, by not forgiving someone for what they did to you?
A few years ago, Dr. Robert Jeffress delivered this thought provoking message.
More people can't live the life that God has carved out for them, a life of richness and fullness, because they are harboring hate and anger toward someone.
We can't fully love like God loves us when we are living with the hate of unforgiveness in our hearts.
God forgave us, why can't we forgive that person(s) that wronged us?
Lord God, help us to forgive those who have wronged us. Lead us by your Holy Spirit. Help us rid ourselves of the sin of unforgiveness. We ask and pray in the mighty name of the One who died for us, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tuesday
Only by Jesus
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12 NLT).
Oh what a sweet name, Jesus. He is our Savior. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
Friends, please don't let another day go by without repentance and accepting Christ as your Savior. We don't know when we will take our last breath. Your decision has eternal consequences. Very simply put, eternity is forever. Choose wisely.
Lord God, may you convict unbelievers and bring them to your amazing grace. Amen.
Wednesday
What's Missing?
Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35 NLT).
Do you have a deep hunger for something that is missing in your life? Are you thirsty for a deep drink of cool water?
The answer for your hunger and thirst is Jesus. Period.
Maybe you have accepted Christ as your Savior but you are living a life that is not where you should be in that relationship. Maybe you have never truly asked Him into your heart, whatever the distance is, He is waiting on you to turn to Him.
If you want to fill the emptiness in your soul, there is only One who can fill it. Jesus!
It's time to subdue your hunger and quench your thirst. Thanks be to God for giving us a Savior.
Lord God, help us to fill the hunger in our souls with your Holy Spirit. Help us not rely on intelligence or human understanding in trying to figure out why our hearts are empty. Help us know that you are God, and you will meet all of our needs. Help us share your love, mercy, and grace with those who don't know you. Lord God, help us bring lost souls to you. We ask and pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ our King. Amen!
Thursday
Real Joy
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations (Psalm 100 KJV).
Our joy should be focused on what God has done for us, not what we do for ourselves. Yes, we should be happy and proud of our accomplishments, but our joy should be in the Lord.
Jesus did for us what we could never do for ourselves. He created the “bridge”, by the way of the cross so that we might come to our heavenly Father. That is why we should wake up each day, with a joyful noise unto The Lord.
Thanks be to God! Amen and Amen!
Friday
The Father of Lies
For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world (1 John 2:16 NLT).
God wants us to enjoy our life as we walk in this world. He smiles when we are having fun.
That being said, we must remember how this world tells us that it's okay to do this or that if it makes us feel good. We must watch out for this form of the Devils temptations. When we give into the desires of this broken world, it isn't good for us and it isn't godly. Our Creator does not smile when we indulge in illicit acts just for pleasure or pride.
Know your enemies, physical and spiritual. Know what draws you away from God's desire for you.
Father, thank you for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By your love, mercy, and grace, those of us who confess our sins and ask Jesus into their hearts are given the amazing promise of heaven. Lord, lead us in your righteousness for your names sake. Amen.
Saturday
Transformed Light Bearer
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:1-2 NLT).
We must strive to be more like Christ, today. This is a daily activity and commitment. We must live according to His truth. We must shine His light! We must be His light to the world. We must live in this world but not be of this world. Focusing on Jesus is our only hope so trust in Him.
Lord, open the eyes of the lost world so that all people might see your love, mercy, and grace. May everyone see the light of Jesus by our life. It's in the name of Jesus that we pray. Amen.
Sunday
The Living Word and You
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV).
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. That has been said by many people for years, and it's so true. Through the Holy Spirit, God instructs us and directs our path. We are equipped, not by what we can do, but what God can and will do through us.
I encourage everyone to sit down with God's Word and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your reading and understanding of His Word. It is amazing what God will show you as you read. You might even be reading the same passage that you have read many times before and God will give you another point He wants you to see.
God's Word is referred to as The living Word. That is an accurate statement. His Word never changes. His Word, being the living Word, will direct your thoughts and understanding to a new level as you ask the Holy Spirit to lead and direct you as you read. His Word is Alive.
Father God, we praise Your holy name. Thank you Lord for not only giving us a road map for life but giving us your Guide (Holy Spirit) to lead us in our understanding of life and the new kingdom to come. Your Word is as true today as it was when it was written. Amen.
