Surrender All
Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Hello friends and good morning to you. Such a day to be thankful; to feel gratitude for everything we have and everything around us; whether family, friends, worldly possessions or just everything God created for us. Today I found myself thinking of how the many definitions of surrender differ and how we all use each one of those in our lives. When we first think about it; it is the thoughts of war and power where we “cease” or “submit” to that power. Deep there; but we also allow ourselves to surrender to worldly medias, electronic devices, groups or influencers; not really understanding the power they can have on our minds, or souls. Then we have the one that should have been a part of us; surrendering to God. In the Bible, surrender is yielding one’s will, desires and life to God’s purpose. Though the other ones have an evil purpose wrapped up in them, spiritual surrender is different. We become saved by surrendering of our personal control of trust and obedience. This type of surrender is not a loss but actually a path to true freedom, purpose, spiritual victory. We surrender to use our faith and humility for the purpose of doing God’s will. Once we accept Him, we find a transforming from the sinful self to an instrument of righteousness, filled with His spirit; causing us to produce love, joy and peace. Surrendering to Him is a gradual process of trusting our lives totally to Him. There’s an old hymn that says, “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give.” It also tells how you can live daily in His presence and accepting His love and care so you can have His blessings fall onto you. With the turmoil in this world, I believe I will keep surrendering to God. His promise of life in heaven holds a much better reason for true surrendering of all to God.
Scriptures:
Read: Proverbs 23:26, Luke 9:23-24, Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 26:39, Mark 8:34-36, Psalms 9:9-10, John 15:1-7, I Peter 5:6-10, Matthew 6:33, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 11:29-30, John 3:30-31, Psalms 37:7-11, Hebrews 10:22-23, II Corinthians 5:17, Colossians 1:10-12, James 4:8-10
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for showing me what Godly surrender is. Thank you for giving me a guide to follow so that the influences of this evil world will not pull me away from the loving relationship you offer. Please Father, continue to influence me so that I can spread the news of a better surrender to others; so they can have the promises you give. Amen.
Goodness Runs After Me
Romans 15:14, “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.”
Greetings on this another day provided to each of us by a loving God. Today thoughts of goodness have me questioning others and their personalities. Daily we come in contact with people who seem so angry at the world and life in general. Many times, during my childhood, I asked why was my dad so bitter, strict, belittling to us/mom; and I really questioned it after he was ordained as a minister! He was constantly working to get rid of the old self; and accepting God to deliver him to his new self! In some truths; becoming a child of God is a continued process daily. We must fight the devil daily to keep the old self away and become the new self. I found that thinking of God’s goodness running after me, loving me, accepting us with all our sins, was and is stronger than anything in our past! God’s goodness; which is grace, mercy, compassion, love, patience; is a powerful addition that can move mountains, cross valleys, sail oceans; just to be within each of us! When we encounter the types of people who need the goodness of God; reach out through prayer first and always! God doesn’t make bad people, or angry people, or bitter people; He created each of us uniquely, filled with love. Remember, this world and the devil will influence everyone; the key is to not let them win; not let them inside; not give them rule! Goodness is in everyone; finding the way to get goodness to come out; come back from being hidden inside; well that is a continuous job. Even if you have known someone like this all your life, or if it’s a co-worker known a few years; or just a stranger you observe while out; pray first! If you see them daily, start with one positive act of kindness every day; pray more. While you also work on your own goodness, share goodness; the acts of grace, mercy, compassion, love and especially patience will touch others! Now, go out today working on goodness because God ran after you, and He will continue to run after you! His goodness can become your goodness!
Scriptures:
Read: Psalms 25:8, Romans 8:28, Psalms 145:8-9, Galatians 5:22, I Chronicles 16:34-36, Psalms 143:6-12, Psalms 33:1-5, Nahum1:7, Psalms 69:16, Ephesians 5:8-10, James 1:17, Psalms 23:6
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you immensely for your goodness and that you will never stop running after your people. Thank you for creating each of us with goodness, and then giving us the guide in your word to learn how to pull that goodness back out so that we can reach others. Continue Lord to show us your compassion, your grace, your mercy when we let the world take over. Please Lord, never stop letting your goodness run after us! Amen
Diasters
Mark 13:7, “And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.”
Morning! Why do we focus on the disasters around us? Do we genuinely feel compassion for others as they go through this? When we hear of such things, are our hearts brought to the realization that it could happen here, or to us, or close to us? Some Christian scholars believe that many disasters happen because of someone, some city, some country; is punished due to sin or rebellion against God. They also say it is a reminder of human mortality and spiritual vulnerability! That, in itself can be true in instances in the Bible. I find that the devil is at fault instead of God due to him wanting people as a whole to fall apart or get angry with God. He tries finding a way to pull people away from their relationship with God using these happenings because they bring about grief and suffering. But if you have witnessed hurricanes, floods, fires, etc.; we have watched the coming together of ALL people of different backgrounds, race, social status. The people today are changing due to several Christian public platforms and Christian people seeing that God is the answer and spreading God’s word! Disasters only help us to have hope beyond suffering, faith without consequences, unification beyond race or status. Disasters serve as reminders that life is short, and we must endure suffering with patience and trust; accepting that God will provide the strength we need. Billy Graham said, “We can lose everything in only a second, and perhaps for the first time we are brought face to face with the reality of death- and our NEED of God.” Life is fragile, it brings us disasters great and small; some in our personal lives. We need to pray more; seek God more; rely on His ability to help us! Keeping God’s presence within us at all times, we can become encouraged and find hope and patience during any disaster!
Scriptures:
Read: Psalms 46:1-2, II Corinthians 4:6-9, Psalms 91:2-4, Isaiah 43:2-3, Nehum 1:7, John 16:33, Mark 13:7-8, Luke 21:9-13, Romans 12:12, Isaiah 54:10, 13-14, Psalms 18:6, II Peter 3:8-13, Revelations 21:1-7, Proverbs 3:25-26
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for your love, grace and mercy. Thank you, God for the caring heart that we have to help others in whatever disaster may arrive. Help us, dear God, to find compassion, unification during times of disasters. Give us continued instructions and guide us to find them within your words in the Bible. Place within us a desire to seek you during all times and not just during crisis. Amen.
In Darkness
I Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Greetings friends. Are we adjusted? Are we thankful for the day? Are you the early riser that gets everything ready for everyone else in the house? Maybe you are single and you are the only one in your home. Either way, has the sun peaked over the treetops, high rise buildings, the mountain tops, maybe even the ocean? Many are seeing darkness still; like the southern states in the U.S.A.! This is usually in the winter months when for some reason they choose to have daylight savings time and no one knows why! Or those countries with Polar Nights; experiencing dark months! This day begins when you begin! Mornings are before the light comes slowly in; like the evenings when the sun slowly takes the light away to bring darkness. Think about it; the only thing that darkness is afraid of, is the light! Within our hearts, sometimes we forget that we need to not let the darkness stay. In this, I mean that when life brings trials, heartache, pain, or anger; we simply choose to stay in that negative atmosphere. We need to grasp that staying in darkness is not the answer and especially not the solution. The only thing that defeats darkness is light; and the light that can change that is God. No other name but His can be called out and He will answer you! If you are a new believer, get in His word, talk with your friends who are already trusting Him, find a mentor that’s older and been through the same. True faithful Christians are willing and able to help you find the way to pull out the darkness from within and reach out to God’s light! So maybe today look out the window, look at the horizon, and watch as the sun; brilliant, massive, beaming, rising over the darkness to bring light! God is that light; He created that light to explain His own brilliance! In the darkness find your light. Push through from that darkness; search for the light God is offering! He can show you the light in the darkness; the moon, the stars, constellations; beauty of light in the darkness! Choose light!
Scriptures:
Read: John 1:5, II Corinthians 4:6, Acts 26:18, John 8:12, Luke 1:79, Colossians 1:13, John 3:19-21, Ephesians 6:12-18, I Thessalonians 5:5, Psalms 18:28, Romans 13:12-14, Isaiah 50:10-11, Isaiah 42:16, John 12:46, Isaiah 60:1-2, Micah 7:8, Psalms 27:1, John 12:35-36
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for guiding us, showing us the way through your word. Please heavenly Father, give us the light to show others who have difficulty rising from the darkness. Father, place those in our path that can prove that your light is the true light. Thank you, Father for placing the moon and stars into the night so that we can SEE how light conquers darkness! Help us to see that darkness is not the answer and there is a light at the end of every tunnel! Guide us to understanding and accepting your light in this dark world. Amen.
Lead Me Through Fires
I Peter 5:10, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
Morning Friends. Greetings on another day that God hath truly made. Let’s just openly thank God for giving us today. There may be times that we wake with negative thoughts and really need to just spend a little extra time conversing with God so that He can give us more encouragement for anything that may be working its way into our journey. Daily we have trials or decisions that determine the outcomes of our choices. Most feel as if they are weighing us down, pushing us to forget to call on that one constant, God. Some may even say that we struggle because the decisions are more complicated, but are they? Our choices should be made with careful planning, but have we truly brought them to God? I know some choices we feel are just simple and God doesn’t have time for the menial or mundane things we have going on. But, God tells us in His word that we can bring all things to Him; that He will carry those burdens or decisions for you and guide you through them all! Like the three Hebrew men who refused to bow to an idol because their faith and trust in God was strong. God protected them, walked beside them in the fire and then led them out of the flames! He proved His continual love time and time again by walking His chosen people through every day trials and decision making. If you take time to remember any situation you have been brought through; it was God protecting you, guiding you, carrying you. So, when you are getting those feelings of despair, pray a little longer, then lean on God, then give it to God and trust Him to lead you through the fires and out of the flames!
Scriptures:
Read: Daniel 3:25, Isaiah 43:2, Jeremiah 23:29, I Peter 1:6-7, Psalms 66:12, Zechariah 13:9, Joshua 1:9, I Corinthians 3:11-16, Romans 8:28, 38-39, Philippians 4:13, John 14:27, Psalms 66:10, Hebrews 12:28-29, I Peter 5:10, II Timothy 1:7, Romans 5:3-5
Prayer:
Precious Father, today we want to thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for giving us a place to come and lay our needs or burdens at your feet. Guide us Father daily to trust in your abilities, your strength to carry us across any obstacles that may come during our earthly journey. Thank you, Father for showing us that the flames may grow higher, they may feel hotter, but you Father can lead us through those fires without harm. Amen.
Love Your Voice
Psalms 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Good Morning! Can we say thank you Lord for another wonderful day that can hold only good things if we go ahead and speak positive truths? Every day we use our voices to speak. We take the thoughts within our head and we put those thoughts outward into the air for others to hear! At times we may not realize just how powerful our voices can be; like when we comment, or critique another. I can remember many times how my mother would tell me to “just go ahead and stick your foot in your mouth”. I didn’t really comprehend that meaning until years later! In truth, everyone tends to speak their minds yet not thinking through how those words need to come out! When God gave us voices He intended for us to speak truth, speak kindly, speak humbly; so that our voice would influence, comfort, and inspire others around us. We are to specifically be intentional, wise and focused on spreading only positive messages of His love, His mercy, His grace, and His promises to us. Sometimes we fail to think before we speak, thus making us move away from the positive impact that God intended. Other times, we think our voices will not be heard; aren’t strong enough; we intentionally doubt what good impact our voices can really bring! Herein lies the problem, yet is it? We must ask God to help us acknowledge that our voice and the ability to communicate are actually a gift from God! We must use that God given voice to praise Him, share our testimony, champion causes that help spread His truth, and especially to build others up! Find the voice that God intended and share it with purpose, wisdom, and support. Learn to love your voice! Think of it as powerful yet encouraging; impactful without giving pain; a calming and caring sound that will help others and yourself! Whether in song, speeches, conversations; love your voice! Let God continually help you to think before speaking and then speak the words He can give you! Love your voice because someone may be listening that needs that sound!
Scriptures:
Read: I Peter 3:15-17, Romans 1:15-16, Proverbs 31:8-9, Romans 10:9, Ecclesiastes 3:7, Ephesians 4:15, 29, Jeremiah 1:8-9, Acts 18:9-10, Colossians 3:16-17, James 3:5-6, Psalms 34:13, Proverbs 15:4, James 1:19, Colossians 4:6, Proverbs 15:1-2, Hebrews 13:15, Psalms 141:3, Acts 4:18-20, Matthew 12:36-37, Zechariah 8:16, Proverbs 16:23-24
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I truly love your voice and how you can bring calmness to the storms of life. Please Father, continue to guide me with your voice that my voice will become a loving, caring and impacting part of my life. Help me Father to seek you and your voice when I feel my voice isn’t enough. Show me daily how to also control my voice by thinking before speaking! Help me to take this gift of voice and share you and your promises with others. Amen.
Call Me Worthy
II Corinthians12:10, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
Morning! May today be worth every moment that you are given. If it is the weekend, maybe plans are just for relaxing; possibly catching up on chores; attending kids sporting events; or just letting go of the weekly grind! At times, we may feel unworthy of getting that break, that vacation, that “me time”! There are times we don’t feel worthy to go to events, celebrations, or even church. There will always be moments we feel broken, lost and defeated; we know turning to God for guidance and love is the answer but we just feel the mistakes we made keeps that from us. Thoughts of not attending church because of our past, our family’s past, our friend’s past, show and cloud the realization of what church is all about. Think about this for a moment; did you really listen to where each chosen person God called really came from? Moses was a murderer, David was a murderer and adulterer, Jacob a liar and cheat, Mary Magdalene was delivered of demons, Saul became Paul once a persecutor of Christians, the woman at the well was an adulteress. God did and does not choose the perfect nor the well-established unless He has a divine purpose; He calls the humble, the poor, the lowly of worth! In truth, no one is worthy! This is why He calls those, because He sees the inside heart of every person; the part that He created to begin with; the soul that He knows will be true followers, believers, disciples! The real truth is that there is not a single person that deserves God’s love, but His grace and mercy allows us that worthy relationship! So don’t give in to desires of being the perfect Christian, child of God, perfect anything! Strive only to be what God made you to be. Take that “me time” to get back in the word so you can be the best imperfect child of God that is willing to be worthy of all He is giving! Reach out for only His approval while saying call me worthy! Your potential is what God has given you, trust Him, then let others see Jesus in you!
Scriptures:
Read: Colossians 1:9-12, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 4:8-9, Revelations 5:12-13, I Corinthians 6:9-11, Philippians 1:26-30, Matthew 10:37-40, John 3:16-17, Romans 6:8-11, Hebrews 13:5-6, Psalms 138:6-8, II Corinthians 12:6-10
Prayer:
Lord today we come asking forgiveness for thinking that we cannot be worthy because of past or present actions. Lord, please help us daily to know that it is not what others think or believe, but you Lord are the one who decides. Help us Lord to reach out to you when thoughts of negativity come in. Help us to remember that you chose us for your purpose. Teach us Lord to always look to you in those times and use the Bible as the teaching tool you created to help us get back to what your plan for us is. Amen.
Every Breath
Genesis 2:7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
Good Morning Friend! How are we all today on another blessed day to say God awakened me to this new day? Today let us reflect on how every breath is a gift from the almighty. In the beginning, God created all things and then last but not least He created human beings. At that moment when God himself said He wanted to have a companion He breathed the breath of life into Adam and then He saw that Adam needed a companion so He took a part of Adam, then breathed life into Eve! As we ponder on every breath; let us grasp that each one is a gift from God. We literally have no existence without breathing! Another thought would be to search out the meeting of Jesus and the disciples after He rose. He breathed on them the Holy Ghost signifying a new spiritual creation! This breath would empower them to do the mission that was planned for them all along! We become Christians; children of God thus receiving a new body, new life, and a new path! Knowing that through generations you and I have received God’s breath, and become a new creation with a new spirit, with a vision of hope and restoration! Wow! Can you not feel that divine reminder as you breathe in and out? Our dependence is truly relying on Him for our ongoing existence in this world. Today as we breathe; let’s remember our calling; let’s remember to be thankful for breath; let’s use that breath to spread the news of how precious each breath is! Use your breath to speak out about the savior and show and tell others just how blessed you are; give them a desire to find that same vision of hope and restoration that you have found! Find time to cherish every breath!
Scriptures:
Read: Psalms 46:10, Job 33:4, Psalms 150:6, John 20:22, Isaiah 42:5-6, Acts 17:24-28, Psalms 33:6, Job 32:8, Job 12:10-13, Isaiah 11:2, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Ezekiel 37:4-6, I John 4:6, Psalms 139:13-17
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you sincerely for giving us the breath of life! Thank you for the knowledge of how we as your children can use that breath to further the mission set forth by Jesus to His disciples; that today we can do as they did. Lord, please continue to give us guidance in how we can help others receive that same breath of life. Thank you again Lord for that first breath breathed into Adam and Eve; but thank you for that Holy Ghost breath that Jesus placed on the disciples. Lord breathe that same breath on us today that will allow us to become better disciples for you. Amen.
Faithful and Good
Deuteronomy 7:9, “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generation.”
Morning to all! Let us start the day with the prayer that will help us to gain faithfulness and goodness! Let’s take what that devil, the enemy, wanted to steal to make evil and turn it around into something good! As we start the day, let us remember to use our God-given abilities to bring glory to Him! When we use outward actions like spreading the gospel or helping others, we are going to receive the joy of the Lord. Also, if we remember that God rewarded us with great responsibilities when we accepted the call and chose Him to enter into our hearts to make us brand new! Bringing that faithfulness into our daily lives gives us the desire to be more like Him. A faithful servant can be characterized by humility, obedience, diligence and integrity; all while exhibiting compassion and commitment. Find your inner joy by showing the devil he cannot still your joy, because your joy comes from the Lord! When you start showing your actions as being loyal with a selfless attitude, you are letting others see that the goodness of the heart can please God and help you gain a closer walk with Him. By continuing to maintain a focus on good works, whether at the job, at school functions, at family outings, church functions, even vacations; you are modeling that behavior for others to see, thus showing them how much better life is when we are doing good! In every day, we must remember that unbelief and disobedience can lead to unhappiness; dragging us back into the abyss that God with His mercy saved us from! God tested the Israelites time and time again. We face trials daily but when we put the devil behind us and realize the importance of faith and obedience; our goodness will come alive and show outwardly! As a faithful and good believer, we will then see God’s blessings show up. Do not rely on quick fixes when the devil comes at you but rely on God’s blessings; even if it takes a little longer! Sometimes it’s the waiting that is blessing you! Stay faithful and good; the beauty is in doing what is right however long it takes!
Scriptures:
Read: Psalms 119:90, Proverbs 3:5, I Peter 4:19, Romans 4:20-21, Romans 3:28, I John 4:17-19, Hebrews 2:13-15, Matthew 17:20, Psalms 23:4, I Corinthians 4:2, I Corinthians 10:13, I John 1:9, II Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 10:22-25, Revelations 2:10, Matthew 25:21, I Corinthians 1:9, II Thessalonians 1:3-5, Revelation 17:14, Galatians 5:22-23, Proverbs 28:20, Psalms 36:5, Psalms 40:10-11, Deuteronomy 32:4
Prayer:
Precious Father, we come to you believing that in all things your goodness and mercy is everlasting. We ask humbly that you continue to create in us a clean and good heart. We thank you for daily helping us through the evil of this world by surrounding us with your love and protection. As we go through each day please guide us in the goodness that can come from our faithfulness. Lead us Lord, even in troubles so that we know that goodness is waiting up ahead for us. Amen.
All My Life
Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Hello again! May this be a Day of Reconciliation, or revelation with your own life and the journey you are on! It takes strength to overcome the negative. We laugh when children say something with the phrase “all my life”, for they haven’t even begun to have life at its fullest! But, their view of life is simple and filled with honesty, empathy, joy and love. Jesus quoted, “And said, Verity I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 8:3-4 KJV Such innocence, yet true understanding of how life should be held. Children are not concerned by what yesterday was or what tomorrow will be. They are just taking in the moments of today and all the adventures, experiences, ups and downs, that this day holds! We find ourselves bringing negative vibes through focusing on what was; not on what is! God allows the life we lead; and gives you the opportunity to make the best choices. What we get out of life is what we GIVE in life. All our lives have been designed with all kinds of obstacles just so we can decide what path we should take. You cannot say that the better path wasn’t offered. You cannot say God allowed the bad times; when you chose to not follow His path. He didn’t leave you or forsake you; He is always beside you. He allowed you those opportunities so you would find your way back to the path He created. He knows your heart better than you do. Had He only let you receive good things, where would you have developed strength, resilience, stamina, honor or love? For you to become your true self, you must push through the bad decisions and reach the good ones. The secret is to find Him first, then give up the old self so the new, improved self can begin. What you can take from the knowledge of what a child says? You must become a child again with God as your Father! All your life you will struggle to find you; until you remember who made you first! So, find Him and begin all your life again in a renewed spirit that will lead you to eternity! Place your life in the hands that created you so you can travel the path already mapped out!
Scripture:
Read: Genesis 2:26-27, Matthew 10:39-40, Matthew 16:25-27, John 14:6, John 3:16, John 6:35, Romans 6:23, John10:10, John 8:12, Galatians 2:20, Proverbs 21:21, James 1:12, John 11:25-26, I Timothy 6:12, I Peter 3:10-11, Proverbs 10:17, Proverbs 14:21, Philippians 1:20-21, Jeremiah 29:11-13.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please continue to help us to find the right paths, the right choices. Guide us daily to achieve what you knew was our destiny from the beginning. Help us Lord to show others how much better all our lives can be when you are the teacher, the comforter, the healer, the provider. Thank you, Lord for the choices, the failures and the successes. Amen.
Sing Goodness of God
Nahum 1:7, “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust him.”
Greetings friends! Today let’s lift praise to the one who is providing us with another day in which we can continue life’s journey. Let’s start out knowing that with God all things are possible if we give them to Him. Every day is another day worth all the moments of challenges, obstacles, the pains, the hurts, the joys and successes. Even in the down times we must be assured that God has a reason and that all things work for the good of those who love Him. Many times, in distress we blame God, or we blame others; then we call on God; all of which shows our human weaknesses. The truth is, when we have good times, successes, achievements; do we praise Him? Do we remember where our help comes from? In everything we need to sing to the goodness of God. During the hard times and the good, we need to realize our journey has already been planned. In reality, we need to blame ourselves when the journey gets too hard, too easy, seemingly unbearable. Every time you begin something new, do you not rely on God’s timing, or His guidance? Do you remember all the people who made even the smallest impact on your life as you were growing? Have you said thankyou to any of those who were a part of your journey? The big question, did you thank God for placing those people, those obstacles, those failures in your path? Even strangers who offered such small gifts; do you sing your praises to all those parts too? At some moments in life a song brings joy, or sadness, or encouragement, or release. The music whether upbeat or peaceful fills our souls with grace, understanding, then enlightens us. Find relief in knowing you need to be thankful of all things great and small! CeCe Winans’ song “Goodness of God”, says it all! God has been faithful all our lives through every moment; so, find time to sing of the goodness of God even when you are at the lowest; then He will show you the highest!
Scriptures:
Read: Exodus 34:6, Psalms 145:5- 9, I Chronicles 16:34, Ezra 3:11, Psalms 25:8, Psalms 23:6, Mark 10:18, James 1:17, Psalms 143:10, Matthew 7:11, Psalms 27:13, Psalms 33.9, Psalms 34:8, Psalms 100:4-5, Psalms 107:8-9, Psalms 103:13-14, Psalms 119:68, Psalms 69:16, Nahum 1:7, Psalms 31:19-20
Prayer:
God today we are asking forgiveness for not being more thankful. We humbly ask for your continued guidance through the good times and especially the hard times. We thank you for the obstacles you place in our path and especially for those people who show up during that journey; even if but a moment. Help us Lord to keep singing the goodness of all your blessings! Amen.
Mountains Awakening
Matthew 17:20, “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of a mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
Morning! Welcome to today and all that it may hold for each of us! Let’s start with a positive attitude, and a positive mindset. For every mountain we have to climb today, let the world know that nothing is going to stop that forward motion to succeed in getting over and through to the other side. Most of us know that walking, hiking, climbing; all take certain skills, equipment, shoes, and clothes, to actually be more comfortable in the journey. Daily life is the same way! There are routine actions taken on a daily basis to ensure that the day begins as scheduled, with hopes of no interference of any sort! I am sure that we all can attest to the fact that nobody has a perfect journey, however long or short it may be. Be thankful even for the little hiccups that might occur just to test you. Having the right skills in everyday life seems to be the easiest, but are they? Finding the right equipment to aid in the struggles definitely gives way to easier travels. Making sure you are dressed appropriately and wore the right shoes gives you another advantage in the details of the outcome of the journey also. In truth, every moment of every day requires direction, teaching, learning, then gaining the knowledge to choose the best route to your destination. You wouldn’t want to wear winter clothes in the spring or summer, or a bathing suit on a thirty-five-degree winter day! It does take a degree of common sense to realize being correctly dressed does add to the skills department! Finding the right education or knowledge about everyday situations as well as planned out trips will give you more stress free journeys. This being said, today find yourself trusting in God to have the answers. While we usually place big questions into God’s hands, we need to realize, He can also place needed advice into your small needs too! Though you feel they may be insignificant, you will be amazed at the God winks that awaken just like the miracles. Simple little things will arrive at just the right time to give you more trust in what God is capable of! Trust today to give all your needs, whether it be a mountain or a jog in the park, to the one who sends answers. Awaken to the ways He can equip you in all situations!
Scriptures:
Read: Mountains- Psalms 16:7-11, Isaiah 54:10, Isaiah 2:2, Mark 11:22-26, Psalms 121:1-2, I Corinthians 13:2-8, Jonah 2:6-10, Micah 4:1, Nahum 1:5-7, Psalms 90:1-2, Isaiah 52:7, Psalms 72:3, Isaiah 55:12, Isaiah 2:2-5, Psalms 95:3-6, Job 9:5-6, Amos 4:13, Matthew 21:21-22, Awakening- Ephesians 5:14-17, Romans 13:11-14, Titus 3:5-7, I Peter 1:13-16, Matthew 24:42-44, I Thessalonians 5:5-11, Revelations 3:3, Ephesians 6:18, Luke 21:36
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for equipping us daily in all things pertaining to life’s journey. Thank you for guiding us through all things, even the small ones. Thank you for the mountains, the valley’s, the journey. Continue to be our comforter, teacher, deliverer and lift us so we can lift others. Amen.
Love You Lord
Mark 12:33, “And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Good Morning! Today is a blessed day just because we are in it, we are accepting it, we are going to cherish every moment of it! We want to rejoice in everything by being thankful. Find your meditating spot; whether it’s in a room, outside on the porch or in the car on the way to work! Take time and just openly say how much you love the Lord! Tell yourself and God just how much loving the Lord has changed every moment since you accepted salvation and made the changes to your life! Realizing the true benefits of what the real meaning of loving the Lord brings out within your life and others who see your life changing daily; it is awesome and mind blowing. Daily we tell loved ones how we love them; then we tell friends we love them; imagine if we tell strangers they are loved! The power of love is beyond merely understanding. It can bring the lowest person up to the highest. It can bring hope even in the darkest moments. Finding out that you were loved even before you were formed, brings feelings of total completeness. This brings us to the knowledge that even before we were born, God loved us; even before our mistakes, before our transgressions, even in our failures, even through our joys! God has always been inside of all of us, waiting for us to accept the love He had already given within us. This brings us to what Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all your heart…then He said to love thy neighbor as thyself ”… thus showing us that love is universal and all consuming. Without loving God, we cannot have love for ourselves or others. Placing our love in the one who loves us daily can only lead us into the ability to love ourselves, then gives us the need to love others. So today, tell the Lord how much you love Him, and need Him; then tell others how much you love them; even strangers!
Scriptures:
Read: Deuteronomy 6:5, Deuteronomy 7:9, Deuteronomy 10:12-13, Romans 8:28, I Peter 4:19, I John 4:19, John 14:15, I Corinthians 13:4-7, 13, John 13:34-35, Isaiah 54:10, Joshua 22:5, Mark 12:30, I Corinthians 8:3, James 2:5, Jude 1:21
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for your all-consuming love. Thank you for showing us love in the worst times and in the best times. Thank you for never leaving or forsaking us. Thank you for the teachings of how much your love can change our lives, thus allowing us to love ourselves. Thank you for providing love that needs to be shared with all mankind. Continue to share your love and presence within our hearts. Amen.
Sing Good Morning
Psalms 143:8, “Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.”
Hello friends! Let’s start our day on a positive note; pushing aside any negative thoughts that may want to enter our minds. No matter what task are needed for completion today, take a moment to just meditate and asking God to enter in and fill you with peace, tranquility, strength and love. Making time for you first thing is a necessary tool to endurance. Even if there is a dark cloud hovering nearby, use positive thoughts to tell the devil, not today! Every cloud has a silver lining, a way to stop the storms that want to take your joy. Sometimes finding a joyous song to listen to or even to take your voice and sing along; leads your heart into a place of satisfaction. It will build on each note to find the melody, then the words, then the song! Every step of positive thinking leads to the inner self finding joy in all things, not just the happy ones; but peace about the sad ones. Even sad songs give words of love, promise, releasing endorphins that though you cry or shed tears; your body has released negative feelings. Singing good morning, like making up positive reinforcement of joyous words, releases happiness in all sorts of ways! It can catch others off guard, yet it will stimulate in them a need to find out what is causing your joy. Seeing someone happy, just singing or whistling a tune; you can’t help but feel it too! Yes, you will question the how and why; but do you really need to? The secret to receiving joy is returning the joy, and sharing that joy; even if you only sing it! Seeing others rejoice for no reason means there is a song for you out there; one that will help you be more positive, more giving, more humble; just MORE! So, today, let’s find that song, that melody, those words that lead to singing good morning! You never know who is watching, listening or receiving that needed song!
Scriptures:
Read: Genesis 1:5,31, Psalms 57:7-11, Psalms 59:16-17, Proverbs 8:17, Psalms 5:3, Lamentations 3:22-25, Psalms 30:5, Psalms 130:5-6, Psalms 91:9-11, Psalms 118:24, Isaiah 50:4, Mark 1:35, Psalms 23:1-6, Isaiah 33:2, II Timothy 1:7, Revelations 22:16, Psalms 55:17, Psalms 92:1-2
Prayer:
Lord, today bring out that melody, that song, those words, that will lift my spirits as we begin the day. Help us Lord to show others the joy of song that we are extending their way. Thank you, Lord for the gift of songs, melodies, music. Thank you for those who create those musical melodies that bring us to the releasing of pain, or joy. Continue Lord to create in us a sweet melody of praise for all you do, teaching us to share the joy of what wonderful lives we have by giving ourselves to you. Amen.
You Hold It In Your Hands
Isaiah 64:8, “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”
Greetings Friends! We are again allowed another day in which to give you honor and praise. Let us today go willingly into this day with an open mind and heart to all that it holds. The thoughts of being molded and shaped into the person we are called to be just gives insight to many things we are experiencing daily. Have you thought for a moment how God holds us? How He manages to take each of us and plan our journey already knowing the outcome of our futures? The Bible describes it so well by relating our bodies to the church so as to be one. This means that a church cannot function without all the members and yet will die if they do not come together and then work together to build the body. Each individual plays an important part in the growth of a church. Another way that the Bible uses a description, is to form an image of God’s hands as He holds clay. He becomes the potter; pinching, coiling, molding, forming, hand-building, then placing on the rotating wheel for better results. We as his followers become the clay; which His hands begin working daily to form each of us into the product that will best serve him in a large capacity. His hands are our lifeline to becoming a molded piece of clay; perfect, yet imperfect form of His likeness. He then provides the guidelines that will help us to navigate through life and all the struggles that will come during our journey while here. In each scenario, we are held in His hands, being molded, formed into disciples; each learning, then practicing what we learn. We are all in His hands being protected, provided for and taught what it takes to become skilled disciples. Do you know what kind of vessel you want to become? Have you got what it takes to be the vessel God is forming in you? Take today and realize how God has you in His hands, and is working in you and through you, providing the necessary molding you need to succeed! When you feel afraid or lonely, remember who holds you in His hands!
Scriptures:
Read: Isaiah 41:10, Psalms 104:27-28, Isaiah 64:7-8, Job 12:9-10, Psalms 145:16-18, I Peter 5:6-7, Isaiah 40:10-12, Psalms 95:3-6, Ecclesiastes 9:1, Isaiah 48: 12-13, Psalms 118:14-17, I Chronicles 29:11-13
Prayer:
Father, thank you for holding each of us in your hands. Thank you for protecting, providing and molding us into your disciples. Thank you for the guidelines you provide in your word so that we can become the vessel you have molded and be used by you for your purpose. Continue to bring your presence into our hearts when we need a hand of comfort or healing. Help us Lord to become potters and aid in the building process of others, helping them to find your hands of protection and direction. Amen.
Hallelujah
Psalm 117: 2, “For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.”
Good Morning! It is definitely a daily prayer that each of you will have a great day no matter where you are. Truth is, we need to constantly be in prayer for everyone to have positive thoughts as they begin every day. Trying to succeed in being happy and joyful takes a great amount of effort from each of us. We all seemingly start out the day just by saying thank you Lord for waking me! Don’t you think that as the disciples woke each morning on that journey with Jesus, they felt a hallelujah jump up in their souls? Just knowing they were in the presence of Jesus and He was teaching and leading them to become fishers of men! Should they have held some ecstatic feelings that couldn’t be contained? Or rather did that knowledge leave them so in awe that they had no words or emotions to express? Were they holding back due to being reverent, or being mature, maybe just fearful? So many times, during moments in life we want to shout those feelings of elation, joy, excitement. God wants us to say hallelujah in praise to Him and to any accomplishment which He provided the way to. Lifting your voice in hallelujah shows worship, praise and admiration to the one true God! Praising even when we are in the valley, or trudging up the mountain; sing hallelujah! The more you praise the comforter, the way maker, the miracle maker; the more blessings will flow to you. Awake every morning knowing that you are given one more day to sing His praise; one more day to thank Him for His presence when you are weak; one more day when you may be fearing that medical news; one more day missing that loved one; just sing hallelujah! Lift His name in every moment so the next moment will feel closer to His coming. Just one more moment until the celebration of all God’s people together as one; praising, singing, lifting hallelujah! Be joyful every moment inside your heart or happily sharing that feeling with those around! Just sing hallelujah!
Scriptures:
Read: Revelations 19:1, 5-6, Psalms 150:1-6, Psalms 106:1, Isaiah 12:2-6, Psalms 112:1, Psalms 146:1-2, Isaiah 44:23, Psalms 111:1-4, Colossians 3:16, Psalms 135:1-3, Psalms 148:1-5,13-14, Zephaniah 3:17, Psalms 117:1-2, Ephesians 5:19-20
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for the feelings of hallelujah, the feelings of joy and celebration. Thank you, Lord, for all the things you provide. Thank you for all the obstacles that keep us praising through to the positive outcomes. Lord, teach us how to be joyful in all things, through all things; just giving you the glory for each and every day you allow us to share your love and kindness to others, while cherishing that relationship with you. Amen.
This Side of Grace
II Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Morning! Thankful for another day. We are looking to find peace and tranquility even in the storms. There will always be times to need understanding into the meaning of what the events happening in our lives are truly leading up to. Even in the good times, there was always something negative or positive that was leading up to those moments. Our relief comes when we realize God has a plan all along. He wants us to celebrate the successes, but not let those accomplishments change our perspective on how life will go on now! If we still have the misconception that everything will be better now that we have overcome an adversity in our journey, we lose track of how to deal with future obstacles. You have to have two mountains to form a valley. One mountain is where you’ve come from; then the valley is everything leading to the next mountain on which you are headed to. We cannot climb the first mountain without difficulty; to achieve that we need God’s grace. Then when we’ve made that initial mountain, we then come to the valley; again, relying on God for help and guidance to forge that valley in route to the next mountain. Bearing in mind that nothing comes easy, but finding grace in the battles with God’s help, leads to victories over every obstacle! If you find yourself being overconfident and thinking you’ve made it; you will then get the mindset of not needing God. The mindset of achieving is okay except when we forget who makes the ways possible. This side of grace allows you to be in celebration of the good things but also celebrate the bad things. Every adversity has an accomplishment, every accomplishment has a destination and every destination has an arrival time. Today be open to getting the negative turned around to the positive. Pushing the positive to grow within and without, will keep providing room for the grace of God to show up just in time. Start today celebrating this side of grace, acknowledging grace is why you keep “making it”!
Scriptures:
Read: Ephesians 2:8-9, James 4:6-7, Hebrews 4:16, I Corinthians 15:9-10, John 1:16-17, Titus 2:11-14, II Corinthians 9:7-9, II Peter 3:9, Isaiah 40:31, I Peter 5:9-11, Acts 20:24, Ephesians 2:5-8, Romans 5:20-21, Romans 3:22-24
Prayer:
Precious Lord, thank you for your grace in times of troubles and adversities. Thank you for allowing us to grow through the journey by accepting your grace. Thank you for being our everlasting help in times of good and bad. Thank you for keeping the promises you gave so many years ago. Continue to be present daily in our lives allowing us to understand how much we need to be humble in all things. Continue to show us the difference between this side of grace and the other side. Amen.
Good Morning Mercy
Psalm 25:6, “Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and they lovingkindnessses; for they have been ever of old.”
Greetings! Are we starting today on a positive note? Can we brush aside anything negative so we can receive God’s blessings that are waiting for us? Many times, even as we wake in the morning, our minds quickly jump to the negative. In life, our journey has moments of the unknown which we need to seek guidance with. Though we went to bed with positive affirmation, we awoke with apprehension again. Finding trust in the outcome takes a building up of our faith within so we can produce it on the outside. We need to remember all the grace and mercy God has shown us during our lives; even the mercy He provided before we became His children. During our time before salvation, God was always there protecting and reaching out for each of us to come into the folds of His arms. Choosing to accept salvation brought you out of a path of destruction and into the journey of completeness. We choose to walk the right path whether anyone else follows. When we accept God’s mercy and grace we have the desire to love like He says, and trust like He says. He just doesn’t meet you half way, He comes directly to you, accepting you as you are, offering a new beginning and a better ending! Every person has the opportunity to make the right choice; because this world has nothing lasting to offer. Daily we are being shone grace and mercy, even when we deny Him. Maybe today, when the negative thoughts appear, stop and say good morning mercy, let’s get started!
Scriptures:
Read: Matthew 5:7, Hebrews 4:16, I Peter 1:3, Lamentations 3:22-23, Psalms 23:6, Psalms 103:8,11,17, Proverbs 28:13, Luke 6:36-38, Titus 3:4-7, Colossians 3:12, Psalms 25:6-7, Ephesians 2:4-6, I Corinthians 10:12-13, Jude 1:20-22, Micah 7:18
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for your daily dose of grace and mercy, even in our moments of denial. Thank you for offering salvation that grants us a way to build up our faith and trust. Thank you for coming directly to us, showing us, you were just a step away, waiting and watching. Continue to guide us in this life even when we fall. Please God stay close with open arms and catch us when we forget where mercy comes from. Amen.
Stop Overthinking
Psalm 34:4, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
Good Morning! Just want to tell you that you are loved and that you can do all things if you trust in the one who is in control! Daily we find ourselves bringing the negative when pondering on how to get things done. Everyone is reluctant to believe that they over think about even the smallest decisions. We have all done it. We take a mole hill and then make a mountain out of it. Finding the longest way around something when there was already an easier way to complete the task. By pushing our minds to gather information that was really unnecessary to complete the job, we ruin the simplest task. The majority of the time when we are overthinking, we are really trying to find excuses to why we shouldn’t just do something! While we are doing this, it just looks like we have run a goose chase around the actual task so that we ultimately will not do it. Finding ways to stop the overthinking is a slow process; sometimes needing professional help. Take a moment to see what the primary emotion is behind the thoughts that are producing overthinking. Usually what is the main cause is that you are playing that thought repetitively and need to let go and actually have concrete action. By allowing negativity to use these overthinking moments, you are allowing it to contribute to developing depression and anxiety. First, we need to know that God is working with you. Our mind needs to find new tools to help change our mindset by pushing negative out with a positive thought. Once you submit a positive thought to counter the attack of the negative; you become stronger. God can provide the peace you need in your mind to conquer any negative thoughts so you can replace them with positive. When you become willing to face the problem of repetitive thoughts, place a positive in, you can then stop the overthinking! It is all part of the mind; once you get the thoughts working together positively to become one, everything will get done!
Scriptures:
Read: Psalms 28:7, Psalms 46:1, Romans 14:22-23, Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:6-9, 13, Jeremiah 29:11-13, II Timothy 1:7, Joshua 1:9, John 16:33, Colossians 3:1-2, Hebrews 11:6, Proverbs 28:25-26, Proverbs 3:5, Zephaniah 3:17, Isaiah 1:18, II Timothy 3:15-17, Psalms 34:4, Psalms 59:9
Prayer:
Precious Father above, we come to you now thanking you for your love and ever-present hope to help us in times of need. Thank you for helping us to learn ways to control our overthinking so that we can rest easy from worry. Remind us daily to lay those worries or burdens at your feet. Continue to stay within our hearts and minds helping us to push out the negative. Amen.
You Were Always Working
Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Hello Friends! So glad to have another day in which we can celebrate just being alive and thankful in all things. Many thoughts come to mind on how we got to where we are today. There were hard times and there were good times. Every journey will have those obstacles the devil throws out to test your faith. But there is peace in knowing that God never leaves us; sometimes we leave Him. So many times, we feel that no one is there, no one is encouraging, no one understands, and how will we get through. For a moment, stop and close your eyes. Start asking yourself if He walked away or did He just give you that moment to bring your focus back to where you needed to be? What if you chose to try working out things in life on your own? Maybe, you weren’t seeing the good that He was bringing because it didn’t come when you wanted it to or in the answer you chose! The hardest part of accepting God’s promises is the waiting. The waiting is for your own benefit; a faith building moment. God never leaves; He just needs us to place that trust into what He has already planned for your life. That job opportunity that just showed up; that friend who cried along with you, that test result that turned out okay, that spouse you met by chance; could we not go on and on about God always working in the moments we forget. Let us take today and focus on the waiting and realize that good things do come to those who trust in God during the waiting! God is always providing, improvising, breaking from the norm; just always working for each of us in some way or another. Just think how miserable life would be if we didn’t let God keep working.
Scriptures:
Read: Jeremiah 1:5, Psalms 139:1-4,14-17, Philippians 2:13, John 14:12, Matthew 5:14-19, Galatians 2:20, Jeremiah 29:11-12, John 15:1-13, Philippians 4:13, Hebrews 13:21, Matthew 7:7-8, Philippians 1:6, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalms 90:17, Ecclesiastes 3:10-11, Jeremiah 33:3, Romans 8:27-31, Romans 9:11
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the waiting and thank you for showing us daily how you keep working to provide all our needs. Help us Lord to not forget that your time is not ours. Continue to teach us to have faith and trust in your plans, for you already know the outcome. Go with us today and always so we can dwell with you in eternity. Amen.