Someone Will Come Running
Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
Good Morning! I pray this is finding you in good spirits and that today you are finding positivity already in the hectic morning routines as your day begins! True, only morning people are exhilarated about rising and shining, but can we just pretend or join them today? During our lives we as Christians always look back at the stories we were taught in the Bible. When I am reminded of them, I keep asking myself how could they NOT believe? God showed them in person time and time again! The ones that stand out the most are the ones where someone was given a task/job and God said complete it; I’ll be right there with you. But every time, that chosen person chose to either reject, to run, to turn away, to just go another path. Each time God had to chastise, reprimand, scold; but teach them all that He knows what needs to be done. He gave instructions and simply ask you to continue so that His work would be done. In their eyes, I am sure they thought they were simply not the man/woman for the job; their experience wasn’t enough; or even, maybe they didn’t believe they could accomplish that task. A few believed they could do their own thing without consequences. Today many of us have those same feelings of inadequacy; that fear of failure; and the lack of faith that we cannot run to the one who is in control. As children, we find solace in the arms of parents, grandparents; we know their arms are open. As teens and young adults, we know who to come running to, but… we become afraid that there won’t be acceptance or understanding. We, many times, forget that a loving, giving, faithful God was always right beside us. Though we may not listen to earthly family, friends; God sees you, hears you. If we don’t ask if we can come to family, friends; how will we know? If we don’t ask God, how will our trust, faith and love grow for Him? The prodigal son came running back prepared to be scorned, rebuked and cast out; BUT by the grace of God; his father welcomed him! So today if you feel too far away, or you messed up the task, or you are letting fear control; stop, take a moment to pray! Someone is waiting for you to come running, just ask!
Scriptures:
Read: Exodus 14:14, I Corinthians 9:23-26, Psalms 121:1-8, Hebrews 12:1-2, Romans 5:1-5, Psalms 46:1, Isaiah 40:31, Matthew 24:13, II Timothy 4:7-8, Galatians 5:7,16, 25, Psalms 119:32-35, Romans 8:24-28, Philippians 3:12-15, Joel 2:7-8,12-13, Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 2:16
Prayer:
Precious Lord, we come to you, running to you, with open arms in need of your embrace to comfort our hearts. Lord, we ask that you help us to see that you are always right beside us, whether in good times or bad. Please Lord, choose us, then teach us to accept the task you lay before us knowing you have the instructions we need to accomplish all things. Lord please remind us daily that we can run to you with everything. Amen.
Reach Out Your Hand
Ephesians 1:4, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”
Hello again my friends! Are we basking in the fact that our God has given us a new and glorious morning in which we can be blessed? What if we just think positive and start our prayer this morning with just thank you Lord! My thoughts today are that we as a people seem to never reach out any more. There are many of us who are taught to do it yourself, find your own way, suck it up and press on. I am all for that, but in truth there are times that each one of us needs that hand to pull us back from adversity, push us out of the way of danger, snatch us awake to see that it is okay to accept help. Reaching out in acceptance of help is not making us seem needy or inferior or less than able. When we need God, all we have to do is call on Him. In the quiet of our prayer closet, in route to work/school, on our knees at the church altar, maybe sitting quietly on a park bench; the place doesn’t matter. God is already where you are and He is always ready and willing to give you support; even if He sends you another person at that moment; He has provided part of the answer! Every day we are asked to reach out to others, to deliver advice or opinions, to share the love of God. Those moments of just being there at the time someone else has a need; it may just be God sending you to be that person who accepts the hand that needs reaching. God uses you as a helping hand many times when you had no idea someone was asking. Our same God can help you to realize you may not can do a certain task without a little assistance. But also, do not take advantage of helping hands. This means be humble and grateful in the accepting, but don’t use that hand as an everyday “hand out”! When you are truly in need, God will provide that angel in disguise to show up just in time! He will also give you the strength to say okay, I do need to accept the help. While you are in need, try reaching out your hand to someone in need also; the benefits will bring an unexplainable joy to your heart!
Scriptures:
Read: John 15:16, Galatians 6:2, John 3:16-17, I Peter 2:9, Hebrews 13:16, Romans 5:8, I John 3:1, Proverbs 19:17, Acts 20:35, John 6:44, Jeremiah 1:5, Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 5:16, II Thessalonians 2:13, I Peter 5:5-11, John 14:1, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Ephesians 5:17, Jeremiah 31:3
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come today just in awe of how easy it is to just ask; to believe in the answers you provide. Thank you, Father for providing that bond of a heavenly relationship with you; to trust and have faith that all answers come from you. Father take this day to show us how reaching out to others can change how we reach out to you. Please Father continue to guide us through each day helping us to reach for you; then accept the helping hands here; then to extend our own hands to others. Amen.
The Lamb
Revelation 17:14, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”
Greetings! Good morning to all and may today be blessed in every way! The Easter season is upon us and everywhere we see celebrations of colors, flowers, dresses, suits, shoes and bonnets! Though we have passed traditions down through the ages, their meanings have been lost within those symbols of Christ death and resurrection. The Old Testament had sacrifices of the first-born lamb, the symbol of the coming Christ who would eventually give his life as a sacrifice for the world’s sins. A pure, spotless, lamb; just like Christ. There is nothing typically wrong with celebrating traditions as long as you don’t forget the real reason behind the season. The message of the cross is the most powerful. In I Corinthians 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” The devil doesn’t want the unsaved to know that Jesus gave His life for them; to cleanse them of their sins and deliver them to heaven instead of hell! We must remember to celebrate the stone was rolled away, Jesus rose again; defeating death, the grave, the devil! He endured suffering just for each of us so we would one day join Him in heaven! So, this season as you and your family adorn yourselves, head to worship service; take time to show thanks to God for the greatest gift ever given! Show true appreciation for the resurrected Christ who gave that great gift just for you! The season truly is about the Lamb!
Scriptures:
Read: Isaiah 53:3-11, John 1:29,36, I Peter 1:18-19, Isaiah 53:7, Revelation 13:8, I Corinthians 5:7, Revelation 12:11, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 22:3, Revelation 21:23, Revelation 7:17, Acts 8:32, Revelation 21:27, Revelation 17:14, Isaiah 9:6
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come now humbly celebrating the death and resurrection of your son. Thank you, Father, for granting us grace and mercy. Thank you, Lord, for giving the greatest gift so that we would not have to suffer the same fate as your son. Lord please help us to celebrate you first and then traditions. Help us Lord to pass down the true meaning of Easter to our families so they too can celebrate you from now until forever. Amen.
Easter Expectations
Philippians 1:20, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”
Morning dear friends! This season of Easter blessings must be placed in daily positive emotions and actions! Let us find inside ourselves a feeling of gratitude for all things we have acquired, accomplished and future blessings that God has in store for each one of us! What are our expectations about this season of Christ suffering, His death, and the ultimate gift of resurrection? Do we just pass the time living in denial of how His death gave way to victory for each and every one of us? Have we finally pushed ourselves to accept His offer for eternal life so we can now take our Christianity to higher levels? Challenging ourselves to a happier more abundant life doesn’t mean it happens overnight! Each day is another step on our journey to better lives. We must now take time to understand what a powerful gift has been given to us. Each of us must now expect a newness of life that was really never imagined! C.S. Lewis explained how it changed his life when he said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it, I see everything else!” Powerful words to describe how the light of the sun illuminates everything so we can see God’s creation; the good and the bad. Also, that though we may not see God, He is still there, guiding our paths. Our expectations should be that “seeing isn’t believing, believing is seeing”; for many saw Jesus, His ministry, His death and His resurrection, but still didn’t believe. His own disciples; though with Him daily, hid in fear, did not fully understand; until AFTER He appeared back in their presence! It’s sad that they were near Jesus, saw Him, experienced His miracles, yet their expectations were not of God. We must accept with the heart and soul that God is real and His love for us can transform our lives with great expectations. It truly means Easter is not about the bunny, but the Lamb of God! Today, let’s have expectations of the real meaning of Easter!
Scriptures:
Read: Isaiah 53:3-12, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 8:31, Isaiah 40:3-5, Malachi 3:1, John 11:25-26, II Corinthians 10:14-18, Philippians 1:20-21, Hebrews 3:14, Philippians 3:20-21, Psalms 62:5-8, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 23:18, Philippians 4:6, Micah 6:8, II Corinthians 9:8
Prayer:
Father, we come to you accepting your offer to save our souls, and to provide us with great expectations of what our heavenly home will be like! Thank you, Lord for providing us with your son, who gave His life to save ours. Help us Lord today and daily to follow your guidelines to assure us of all your promises. Amen.
Life Without Futility-Uselessness
Ephesians 1: 18, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” ESV
Good morning! How are we this fine new day? Are we putting one foot in front of the other and pushing toward the positive? Are we still hanging on to the precept that we are useless? Every person was created by God with individual abilities. Even as children, we all have the want of being needed. But there are people who cannot show outward emotion that will help that feeling to subside. And there are people who dole out hands on emotions that for some, are smothering! People with the advantage of having both these types of people in their lives are blessed. As we mature and grow physically, mentally; we need to acquire knowledge that will aid us in dealing with the feeling of being useless. Truth is, we are all needed, but we may never see the actual need through our eyes but only in our hearts. Learning to accept that people don’t always show they need us is definitely a trying endeavor! Your ability to give of your time simple as it may seem, is recognized often, yet not verbalized or shared. In God’s eyes, we are needed daily to fulfill His needs in being His called disciples. Whether we preach, teach, advise, volunteer; we need to share the love of God. We need to live our lives so that others see how happy and blessed one can be when needed by God! We must think positive about family who cannot and will not show their need for us! And yes, they will notice when you aren’t there! Though the world can’t see our worth, God can! God shows his need for you with grace, mercy, blessings and fulfilled promises. His word can help encourage your mind to see your worth! Moses thought he couldn’t lead, Noah thought he couldn’t build a boat, David thought he couldn’t be king, Mary thought she couldn’t birth a savior! The list is endless of those who only thought they were useless! Start today knowing that you are needed, by someone, somewhere; who just doesn’t know YET how you can be useful!
Scriptures:
Read: I Corinthians 12:8-14, Romans 8:28, Romans 3:22-24, Ephesians 2:8-10, Matthew 19:26, II Timothy 2:15, Ephesians 5:1-2, 8, Ephesians 1:5,11, 18, Genesis 1:26, Jeremiah 29:11, Luke 12:6-7, I Samuel 16:7, I Peter 3:3-4, Joshua 1:9, Ephesians 4:15, Psalms 139:13, II Corinthians 5:17, I Peter 2:9, Jeremiah 17:7, Isaiah 41:10
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for accepting us, each with different abilities. Thank you, God, for allowing us to have your word to help us realize our value to you, so we can share your saving power with others. God, please continue to help us succeed without thoughts of others opinions; with only positive thoughts of how much you need us. Help us God each day to grow in our usefulness by learning of our worth! Amen.
Life, Death, Resurrection
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Morning friends! Greetings to you this the day that the Lord made! May we know that above all else you are here with us in every moment. Jesus’ life was like no other; raised as a boy, taught to be a carpenter, yet he taught God’s word in the temple at age 12! He told his parents he needed to be about His father’s business; already on a path recognized only by himself and God. His parents knew He would become the man God called him to be, though painful it would also be. In only three years, He fulfilled the prophesy by going, teaching, preaching just as it was told. He lived a sinless life to lead by example; calling those few disciples from their regular lives into a journey of Godly knowledge. Though they followed and learned; they would then deny, hide and be filled with fear. Their fear led them to where Christ would appear to them again! They knew, yet they couldn’t fully understand until they saw with their own eyes! In the world, we find we cannot truly believe until we see it; but true believing is knowing faithfully that we can see, hear and understand with our hearts. We don’t have to see God to know He is there, but because we believe, He will provide our needs. Jesus told his disciple, the one that people say doubted, in John 20:29, “…Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” I don’t believe he doubted, I believe he grieved deeply and he actually didn’t want to hurt more if the Master didn’t show up again. He was passionate, understanding the true purpose of Jesus’ death, finally, wholeheartedly. Know that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection serve a deep spiritual purpose; they give us hope in a hopeless world, faith in a faithless world, love in a loveless world, and an eternal home one day with God. Imagine a world where everyone loved everyone; a world of peace, tranquility. Live each day as if the next day, and the next, etc., leads you to a home in heaven.
Scriptures:
Read: Isaiah 53:3-11, Acts 1:11, John 11:25-26, Revelation 21:4, Lamentations 3:32, Psalms 147:3, I Corinthians 15:42-44, Psalms 49:15, John 14:1-3, I Corinthians 15:52-53, Philippians 1:20-21, Philippians 3:20-21, Hebrews 2:14-15, Isaiah 25:8-9, Ecclesiastes 3:11,14-15, I Thessalonians 4:16-18
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the life, death, and most assuredly the resurrection of your son Jesus! Thank you for the salvation we can receive by giving our lives to you. Please help us daily to live a life that is pleasing to you and will lead others to want the same life. Please Lord, continue to bless us with your presence though we might not see you physically, but that we may feel your loving presence in our hearts. Amen.
Seeing Clearly, the Emptiness of the Tomb
Luke 24:5, “And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?”
Greetings! Today let us be thankful again for this day. Life is a precious thing and should not be taken lightly. Every day is a gift and should be cherished. History reminds us that Jesus’ life was a beacon of light to the world in every aspect. Three different times, He tried to relay the message to His disciples that His destiny here on earth was coming soon, and the world would deny Him but He would sacrifice His own life to save theirs and the people of the world. Many times, I find myself saying, “I’m listening” but then am I really hearing what is said? I feel that His disciples just didn’t want to hear that their Master could be ridiculed, mocked, beat, then crucified. The true meaning of His journey with them; preaching, teaching, healing; would finally be accepted after He died on the cross. Maybe we should see if we are listening with the intent on actually hearing! That tomb became empty so that we can accept that before we can have true salvation, we must empty the old and begin the new. Every step we take we must leave something behind. Just like in birth, we let go of the womb; in marriage we commit to unity letting go of independence, in careers we let go of things that keep us from striving in it. Before embracing a new life in Christ, we must empty ourselves of the old sinful ways and surrender to faithfully living a life like Christ did! Even in death we will be filled within His presence! We will leave the emptiness of this world and embark on eternal life in heaven! The emptiness of the tomb leads to a fullness of peace and everlasting joy!
Scriptures:
Read: Heb.11:1, John 10:10-11, Jer.2:12-13, Col.2:8-9, I Cor.13:12, II Peter1:9, Isa.44:18, Mark8:31-33, Mark 9:30-32, Mark 10:32-34, Matt.28:6-8, Luke 24:1-9, Rom.6:4-10, Rom.10:9-11, John 14:6-13, Rom.8:34-39, I Cor.15:1-4, Matt.28:18-20
Prayer:
Father, we come to you now asking your help to empty us of the old self and fill us with your everlasting love! We thank you for sending your Son, for His death, but most of all for His resurrection! Thank you for the emptiness of the tomb. Take us now daily, teaching us to know that the old self needs to be put away. Lead us to the fulfillment of knowing life with your grace and mercy is never-ending, and the reward is coming soon! Amen.
Are You Sacrificial?
Luke 6:23, “Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”
Good Morning! Welcome to another day! During the spring we ready ourselves for the rebirth of new things. Winter has finally come to a close for most, with hopes of flowers and trees beginning to blossom or break through the ground. Maybe we are finding ourselves being fake or superficial in how we act or react to others. Sometimes I am sure we get the superficial confused with sacrificial. Instead of giving in to the newness of spring we are putting on fake per saunas, trying to fool people. We have let negative feelings reside inside our hearts, causing unseen pain. Truth is, we are fooling ourselves the most. Praying for a better outlook is just the first step to finding rebirth. Fill your prayers with thankfulness! Job was in a state of shock, disarray, deep depression, but God! He realized through faith that despair diminishes your whole outlook on life, but, getting up, starting over, seeing the newness of life, leads to rebirth. Having sacrificial actions toward yourself leads to those same actions toward others. Luke 6:38, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Though you feel you have nothing to give in your depressive state, you have much to give! Just by getting up, starting the day positive, pushing yourself to believe in yourself; helps others too! Jesus sacrificed for everyone, even those who were not yet formed! His legacy of how He treated others is how we should be. He feared of dying, but His faith in the rebirth of new things to come opened up peace inside! He knew doing for others was the ultimate goal to fulfill His father’s promises. Throw out that superficial self and become sacrificial by giving up personal desire, comfort, time, so you can follow Jesus; doing for others! Take today and heal inside by giving yourself to God then others in all you do! The results are endless!
Scriptures:
Read: I Peter 3:8-12, II Peter 1:5-11, I Thessalonians 5:15-23, I Corinthians 13:4-7, Romans 12:10, Mark 12:31, Leviticus 19:18, Luke 6:22-28, 35-37, Galatians 5:14, Hebrews 13:5-6, Philippians 2:3-4, Proverbs 19:17, John 15:9-14, II Peter 2:5-9, Ephesians 4:29-32
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we come now humbly asking for strength in the day to day. Thank you for showing us in your word that our relationships with others leads to our relationship with you. Help us Lord to see that loving others helps us to love ourselves too. Please teach us daily to live by example; showing others unconditional love, even when our hearts fear it. Help us Lord to see that what we give we will receive full circle. Amen.
The Blood Applied
Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”
Morning! Greetings to you all on this another day God has given us. The seasons bring us close to Easter time, reminding us of what it’s really all about. Sure, Easter is never the same day year after year; either late March or early April. Scholars study for years trying to pin point exact occurrences. Truth is, it isn’t just about the date it happened, but the meaning of the day it happened! The Bible holds truths of prophesy from Exodus to Deuteronomy, then the Psalms, in Isaiah, then in Zachariah; that a Messiah would come. Each time the sacrifice of a perfect lamb’s shed blood would bring peace. Many people believed it to be a worldly king to sit on a throne here on earth. They were partially correct; He would be a boy raised in a profession of carpentry. This means He made old things new, new things better, repairing what was broken. Then He began His true calling; Messiah; bringing hope, restoration and transformation, like carpentry. The profound connection between an earthly profession and His divine purpose! Throughout history many still can’t fathom that God sent His son, and that His son would be crucified on a cross. They find negative reasons instead of accepting that He paid a price of redemption so that His people wouldn’t have to suffer the same fate. He was spotless, pure, sinless; His death would be the atonement for humankinds own sinful lives. Just imagine, Jesus loving you so much, even before you were formed; then taking your place on a cross just to save you! Long before we can realize, Jesus applied the blood; forgave us, restored us, saved our souls; promised a heavenly home! Let’s take today and keep Easter in our hearts all year long!
Scriptures:
Read: Isaiah 53:3-12, Romans 5:8-11, Ephesians 1:7, I Peter 1:18-21, Colossians 1:20, Hebrews 9:12-15,22, I John 1:7, Leviticus 17:11, Luke 22:20, Matthew 26:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 3:28
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for choosing a profession that would build you up into a glorious Messiah. Thank you for providing a way for us to be forgiven, cleansed, and rewarded. Thank you for taking our place on that cross, suffering, just so we can have peace. Help us Lord to always remember the sacrifice and give us strength to use that memory to complete the task before us. Thank you for that heavenly home that awaits us! Amen.
The Sacrifices
Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Morning Again! It is to be a day like no other! First find your peace in prayer and thanking God for another day in which to be joyful in all things! I am sure not everyone wakes with happy thoughts, happy beginnings or just happy! Sometimes we need to make the change and begin with positivity. We all make sacrifices each day; in decision making, in activities, etc. We use resolutions on day one of every new year, to expand on the “life changes” and discipline we must forge to complete them. Just quit pushing yourself on that one day and start living every day giving up something that, if truth be told, it isn’t good for you anyway! Cutting down on calories is easy if you stop filling your plate as if two people are eating! Just do it and it becomes habitual. Our bodies are to be treated like temples because Christ died to cleanse us from sins, and if we don’t take care of them, how can we do His work? If we feel better we look better, then we work better! Our sacrifices are nothing compared to what Jesus did for us. Because God loved us, He gave His son to take away our sins by being brutally sacrificed on a cross. So, sacrificing letting go of things should only be a step towards grace. Sacrificing the letting go of worldly sin will be the most uplifting process in anyone’s life. Having God’s guidance allows an inner peace that really outweighs anything you’ve ever known! Using that release of happiness brings you to an outward glow! Others will see Jesus in you and in turn lead to them asking how to get to that point of peace! Waking up knowing God is there to guide you through the day, through the exercise, through your job, school; is worth the sacrifices of letting go! Whatever you are feeling you can’t let go of, stop, ask yourself first, is it worth losing your soul, your life for? Is it worth feeling bad every day? Is it worth waking up unhappy every day? Christ believed your life was worth dying for, worth saving, so it’s your turn to believe it too!
Scriptures:
Read: Hebrews 9:28, Mark 10:45, Ephesians 5:2, Romans 5:8, Proverbs 21:3, Luke 9:23-25, Hebrews 13:16, I John 4:10, John 15:13, Matthew 9:13, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Titus 2:14, Romans 5:5-6, Jonah 2:9, Romans 6:13-14, Galatians 2:20, Psalms 51:17, Philippians 1:20-21, Ephesians 2:8,10, Romans 6:10-11
Prayer:
Lord, we come now thanking you for the sacrifice you made by giving your son as a sacrifice to take sin away. Help us daily Lord to search for your guidance in our lives that will bring joy to you. Please Lord, help us to help others accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, so that they too can reap the rewards of a heavenly home! Bless us Lord to see the good life you offer! Amen.
Don’t Feel Strong?
Joshua 1:9, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Good Morning. Praying you have been given a new day to start fresh and continue in the positive vibes I know God has placed in your heart! Today we want to focus on the feelings of strength and how to find ways to not become weak; whether in the physical or in the psychological sense. Many times, we get up in the mornings and our physical body just is not cooperating, causing us to move slower, react slower; just feel like the day is already dragging! When we stop and ask God for strength we must realize His strength is valued and has purpose that we may not always comprehend; this is why we must get into His word. We must decide to start meditating on scripture, pray without ceasing, confess our struggles and needs, then thank Him daily for those words, and then be totally obedient to what He has planned for us. The moment we realize that, with His strength we become self-disciplined and can now overcome challenges, or obstacles that are in our paths. With His instructions we will feel that unconditional love and inner happiness that He has been providing on a deeper level. Having His love, we can receive relief from anxiety, fear, or unworthiness and know that there is new life with an eternal hope for our future. That knowledge will help us to accept the strength He is providing so that we can now develop and use the God given talents He gave us to grow and share that faith. So today, as you get up; stop and pray for the strength that you have been given to show up! Take time to accept what He offers and realize it’s been inside you, you just needed Him to push you to use it! When in doubt, search for God, search His word, then accept you are not alone; He is always there! Your “don’t feel strong” will begin to change and you will start to FEEL the power of an inner strength come forth!
Scriptures:
Read: Isaiah 40:29, Ephesians 3:16, Colossians 1:10-12, Psalms 27:1, Psalms 28:7, Psalms 46:1-3, Philippians 4:13, Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalms 118:14, Psalms 59:9, I Chronicles 16:11, Ephesians 6:10-13, Psalms 73:26, II Corinthians 12:9, Exodus 15:2, Isaiah 40:31
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we come today asking in humble adoration for you to fill us with the ability to feel strong in all our senses. Please Lord provide the scriptures that will encourage our inner strength to build and come forth allowing us to push through. Lord, we ask for your guidance in searching your word to find the answers to anything that may hinder our journey in this life. Help us Lord to become faithful, to admonish you as the one true constant that can guide us through each day; trusting you to fill us with that strength within. Amen.
Hearing While Falling
Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Salutations dear friends! We have again been given a new day to find joy, peace, and all that is positive in our journey. Today let’s focus on how we fall. Sure, we can talk of tripping, stumbling; but can we talk about how those things are part of our relationship with God? There is not one person among us that hasn’t lost footing, tripped on something (sometimes nothing at all!), stepped on Legos (world’s worst thing!) or sharp pebbles/objects, or maybe you lost your balance due to dizziness, or stepping wrong! In life, there are also things that we fall over. If you are a seasoned Christian, you will realize life gave you so many trials, struggles, grief, pressured decisions; I’m sure the list goes on! At any of those times, we all felt we had faltered, stumbled, tripped and suddenly landed on our faces. But, as you chose faith over fear, God showed you grace, and unconditional love. He was/is always there. He provided that little voice in the back of our minds warning us we were about to fail due to not remembering He had the answers. Then came the tripping, stumbling again; making you finally accept that He alone can help you to land on your feet if life throws an obstacle into your path! Essentially, God provides all the tools to keep your path clean and free of debris. But remember that when we override or forget whom that still small voice is that is pricking our hearts and minds; the obstacles come back! We need to focus on how we can stop the stumbling. From today on, let us choose healthy ways to live caring for our physical/mental; healthy relationships with purpose and meaning; find balance in personal growth choosing love, respect; and the best for last; choose God first! When giving God all your true self/life, you have chosen Him to guide your path thus insuring your journey to have a complete and happy ending! Listen for His voice, for He is the one who can break your fall and position you for a soft landing!
Scriptures:
Read: Isaiah 30:21, Psalms 37:23-24, Deuteronomy 4:29-31, Luke 11:28, John 10:27-28, Romans 10:17, Matthew 6:32-34, Job 33:14-17, Jeremiah 33:2-3, Psalms 29:1-4, Romans 3:22-24, I Corinthians 10:13, Proverbs 24:16-18, Psalms 34:17-19, Acts 5:29, Psalms 145:14, Proverbs 4:10-13, II Corinthians 4:8-10, 17-18
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come now in humble adoration, asking for forgiveness on not hearing your voice as you spoke to us. Thank you, Father for never leaving us even as we strayed. Please Father, continue to show us the right paths to follow by searching your word and praying for your answers. Help us Lord to go from this point on, listening for your voice so we may become the disciple you called us to be. Amen.
Forgotten In Nowhere
Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Good morning! Today I want to appeal the any generation that feels forgotten or feel they are or were left in nowhere. We know that in some families there are children who feel they get the short end of the stick, as the old saying goes. Then as adults, that feeling is still a memory that is difficult to let go. Speaking from experience, as a child you tend to ignore the obvious and just carry on with life. You just decide within you, that it must be how all families are supposed to be. As an adult, you finally realize that there are still times of favoritism and then you actually start to recall the moments of childhood. Take time to just call on God for the ability to have forgiveness and understanding of the whys or why nots you endured. Find acceptance in the fact that God was always there during all those times. The great news now, is that He is still here to provide what is you need to be fulfilled. It is a time for us to no longer feel forgotten. If you are the one that doesn’t get the invite, wasn’t group chatted, wasn’t emailed; just accept the knowledge that those types of people are not the Godly people you need to be a positive influence in your journey! Sad, at times, families will do the same. But God has you, He will guide you, He will lead the right people into your life at the precise moment you need them! Our first step is to forgive all those people who provided those “nowhere” times and moments. Yes, forgiveness takes away the pain, and then gives you an inner peace; this is because God is entering and filling those voids! Trust God and know that you are never forgotten; not even when you strayed. Now your job is to help others with this same feeling to give of themselves to Christ so that He comes and fills them also! Your nowhere becomes the somewhere you’ve been looking for!
Scriptures:
Read: Isaiah 44:21, Deuteronomy 31:6,8, Psalms 32:6,10, Psalms 27:10-14, Jeremiah 29:11-12, Jeremiah 31:3, Psalms 19:14, Isaiah 64:8, Hebrews 13:5-6, Hebrews 13:1-2, Luke 12:6-7, Acts 2:25-28, John 3:16-17, Psalms 105:8,42, Exodus 2:25, Numbers 10:9, Psalms 98:3, Psalms 106:43-48, Psalms 111:4-9, Psalms 36:5-12
Prayer:
Dear God, WE come to you humbly asking for the filling of the voids that may be in our hearts. WE ask you God to console us of our bad memories, our anger, our resentment. WE truly need your guidance daily to help us to let go of the negative and pursue only the positive. Teach US God to allow you to fill any voids we have, to bring into our journeys only those who can give positive energy and love. May WE God find you in all the times we slip into nowhere! Amen.
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.