We all have things we have prayed to the Lord about
and we are still waiting for the answer. We tend to
want to give up when the answer doesn't seem to be
coming when we think it should. That is human nature.
When we get our minds off our own nature and focus on
God and His great plan, we see a much different picture.
The answer we are waiting for is on the way. It will come
at just the right time in just the right way. Not our way,
but His way. We can count on it.
Heavenly Father, forgive us when we become impatient
that our prayers are not answered when and how we
think they should be. Forgive us for thinking from our own
human nature and forgetting that You are in control, that
You are God, and that You hear us when we pray. We ask
it in Jesus' name.
Read Habakkuk 2:3
"For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of
end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come and will not delay." (NIV)
"For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it
shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because
It will surely come, it will not tarry." (KJV)
©2010
How could we expect to break laws and rules without
ever having to own up to it and pay the price. We all have
committed wrongs against God and our fellow men. If we
were to be called into account for them now we would be
in the most desperate of places. But God in His infinite
wisdom knew we would be strong in intentions and weak
in spirit, so He sent Jesus Christ to settle all those accounts
for us. It is in His name we are made righteous.
Heavenly Father, please forgive us for our weaknesses and
our transgressions. We are unworthy of Your grace and
mercy, but You are the God who gives us the way to be
worthy in Your eyes. Thank you for sending Jesus Christ.
It is in His name we pray.
Read Psalm 25:11
"For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity,
though it is great." (NIV)
"For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for
it is great." (KJV)
©2010
There aren't too many of us who enjoy taking tests or
being examined. It puts us on the spot and might reveal
that we are not up to par or that we are deficient in some
way. But the only way we can find out if something is wrong
is be tested or examined. As Christians we are to be in the
habit of examining our own thoughts, feelings, motives, and
actions to see if there is any thing in us that is displeasing
to our Lord. Only when we find and expose those things
can we change them and be in perfect tune with our Lord.
Heavenly Father, forgive us for neglecting to examine
ourselves for things in our lives that should not be there.
Help us to make it a regular practice so that we can be
clean before You. In Jesus' name.
Read Lamentations 3:40
"Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return
to the Lord." (NIV)
"Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord."
(KJV)
©2010
How often are our prayers focused on pleading with the Lord
to take away a trial or tribulation? When our faith is strong,
we may thank the Lord for hearing our prayer and ask for
strength to wait for the answer. At times of weaker faith,
we might ask God why He isn't answering our prayer and
let Him know we don't know how much longer we can carry
on with this burden. No matter what our problem is, the
answer to our prayers is in the Word. His grace is sufficient.
In the midst of our problem, the power of the Lord will burst
through us when we praise Him and give Him honor for who
He is.
Heavenly Father, we ask for Your forgiveness when we fail
to give You honor and glory because we are too focused on
our problems. We acknowledge that Your grace is all
sufficient and we pray that Your power will show through
our lives in spite of our trials and tribulations. In Jesus' name.
Read 2 Corinthians 12:9
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my
power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast
all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's
power may rest on me." (NIV)
"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." (KJV)
©2010
Isn't it a bit gratifying to think for a few moments about
some of the things we've done in our lives that have been
good. There's nothing wrong with remembering and feeling
good that we have accomplished something. The problem
comes when we fail to remember that it is the Lord who
has done all good things through us. He gave us the talent,
the time, the strength, the gift, the very breath to complete
those things. Without Him, we are nothing.
Heavenly Father, forgive us when we fail to remember all You
have done through us and for us. Help us to always give You
glory for all things because without You we can do nothing.
In Jesus' name.
Read Isaiah 26:12
"Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have
accomplished you have done for us." (NIV)
"Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also
hast wrought all our works in us." (KJV)
©2010
More often than not, there are things in this world that
catch us off guard, sort of knock us off our feet. That's
the way this world is. But we are not of this world any
more and we don't have to allow the things of this world
to determine how we think, feel, or behave. We can stand
strong knowing that Jesus Christ has already won the
victory for us. The work it takes for us to keep God's
armor on and remain immovable is work that will never
go unrewarded in eternity.
Heavenly Father, we can't thank you enough for the victory
wrought in Your Son, Jesus Christ at the cross. Help us to
keep Your armor on so that we can stand strong and not be
shaken by the things of this world. In Jesus' name.
Read 1 Corinthians 15:58
"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move
you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,
because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
(NIV)
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye
know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (KJV)
©2010
We've all had someone who has been angry at us and
began speaking in a loud, unpleasant voice. Our first
reaction is to get angry ourselves that they would treat
us that way. Then we want to say something just as loud
and hurtful right back at them. That's the way of human
nature. As Children of God, we are no longer bound to
our human nature and we can freely respond to such anger
with gentleness. It is amazing how this calms down the
angry person. God's way works best.
Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we have gotten
caught in the anger of the moment and followed our old
human nature. Help us to remember we are not bound to
that way of responding anymore and we can reply to
anger in a gently Godly way. In Jesus' name.
Read Proverbs 15:1
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs
up anger." (NIV)
"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words
stir up anger." (KJV)
©2010
If we want to worship our Lord in the way that is the most
pleasing and joyful to Him, what would we be doing? Would
we be spending hours a day in deep prayer? That is certainly
a good thing. Would we be reading and studying our Bibles
with great focus and attention? Of course that would be
good for our spiritual growth. But what would be the most
pleasing to Him? It is giving our lives, our every day living
to Him to use as He sees fit. It is laying our selves out
before Him without any intentions but to be used by Him.
That is the natural response for us who have received
His unending mercy.
Heavenly Father, we are so blessed by Your mercy to us.
We know that in ourselves we have nothing we can give
You that would repay what You have done for us. We come
before You, giving You all we have, our lives, for Your
pleasure. In Jesus' name.
Read Romans12:1
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy,
to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing
to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." (NIV)
"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." (KJV)
©2010
Can we say with all honesty say that the joy we experienced
at the time of our salvation is as fresh and strong now as it
was then? In this battle we wage against our human natures
we tend to become a bit spiritually tired and weary. The good
news its, we can ask God to give that first, energizing joy
back. If we really want to keep it, we can go to the Lord each
day, remembering what He did to save us, giving Him praise
for what He has done.
Heavenly Father, we ask you to forgive us for letting the
things of this world rob us of the powerful joy you gave us
when we became your children. Please give us the will to
accept this joy back from you and to keep it through daily
thanksgiving for bringing us out of sin and death into Your
glorious kingdom. In Jesus' Name.
Read Psalm 51:12
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a
willing spirit, to sustain me." (NIV)
"Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me
with thy free spirit." (KJV)
©2010
A hint is a very slight or hardly noticeable amount.
It is very easy to have a hint of something that hardly
anyone would notice. God plainly tells us in His word
that we are not to even have a hint, a very slight or
hardly noticeable amount of immorality, impurity, or
greed in our lives. These are things that ungodly
people have in their lives, not children of God.
Heavenly Father, search our hearts and reveal to us
if there is a hint of anything that is displeasing to you
and unbecoming of us as Christians. In Jesus' name.
Read Ephesians 5:3
"But among you there must not be even a hint of
sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of
greed, because these are improper for God's holy
people." (NIV)
"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness,
let it not be once named among you, as becometh
saints." (KJV)
©2010
Most of us understand the concept of sowing and reaping.
If we plant corn, we get corn. If we plant potatoes, we get
potatoes. Sometimes we behave as if we really don't under
stand the concept of sowing and reaping. We tell ourselves
it's all right to tell a little white lie, to take small items home
from our work, to repeat gossip about our neighbor. We tell
ourselves it won't hurt, no one will know, it will be all right.
That is like planting corn and expecting wheat to grow. Kind
of a foolish thing isn't it. It is not only a law of nature, but it's
a law of God almighty, that we will reap what we sow. There
will be consequences for every action we perform.
Heavenly Father, please give us wisdom and vigilance to be
careful when we act because we know we will reap what we
sow. In Jesus' name.
Read Galatians 6:7
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps
what he sows." (NIV)
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap." (KJV)
©2010
Did you know we all have a treasure inside of us? We
do. It is a treasure given by God. A light shining in the
darkness. It lights the face of Christ. From His face, we
can see the knowledge of God. This treasure is put into
our hearts when we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour.
God puts this majestic treasure in our mortal bodies so
the world can see that it is God who has the power,
not us.
Heavenly Father, how wonderful is your grace and
mercy that you would put such a treasure in us. We
pray that we reverence this great gift so the you will
receive glory and honor in this world. In Jesus' name.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that
this all-surpassing power is from God and not from
us." (NIV)
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the
excellency of the power may be of God, and not of
us." (KJV)
©2010
We all have reasons why we do things. Sometimes our
motives are honorable and Godly. However, at other
times, we want to look good to others, win favor from
someone, or get personal gain. We are always quick to
judge someone else's motives, but we feel justified in
our own. The truth is, whatever our motive is for doing
anything, God will expose it for what it is. Some of us
will stand embarrassed and ashamed, while others will
be honored by God.
Heavenly Father, we humbly ask that you will help us to
search ourselves and truly know our motives before we
do a deed. If our motive is such that it displeases you, we
ask that you reveal it to us so that we can act accordingly.
In Jesus' name.
Read 1 Corinthians 4:5
"Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait
till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in
darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At
that time each will receive his praise from God." (NIV)
"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord
come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of
darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts:
and then shall every man have praise of God." (KJV)
©2010
There have been times when we have done something
that we thought would make no difference, but that one
act changed our whole lives. This is what happened that
day in the garden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God
with one act of disobedience. The result was a cursed
world and death for all humans that would ever be born.
The good news is, God provided a one time act that would
bring freedom and hope from this cursed world. He sent
His Son, Jesus Christ, who died once on the cross. Now
the whole course of those who accept Him is changed
back into right relationship with Him, in one act.
Heavenly Father, we are so thankful that you gave your
Son to bring us back into right relationship with you.
Help us to be aware that all we do affects something or
someone and that the things we do for you will further
your kingdom. In Jesus' name.
Read Romans 5:18
"Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was
condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act
of righteousness was justification that brings life for all
men." (NIV)
"Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon
all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of
one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of
life." (KJV)
©2010
Make the world go away! Get me out of here! As
we watch the evil and disasters all around us, we
wonder how we can ever escape without getting hit
by the harsh, unrelenting torture this world brings.
Jesus prayed that we be kept in the world, so that we
will increase our faith and trust in God. But He asked
the Father that He would be with us every step of the
way and protect us from being spiritually overcome by
this lost and evil world. The Father listened to the Son.
Heavenly Father, how thankful we are that you never
leave us while we are here in this world. While we know
bad things happen and we get hit hard by the evils of
this world, we know that You are with us, protecting our
souls. In Jesus' name.
Read John 17:15
"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world
but that you protect them from the evil one." (NIV)
"I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the
world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the
evil." (KJV)
©2010
Now which way do we go? Here we are at a crossroad and
there is no sign to point the way. Most often we will take one
of the directions hoping it was right. If it wasn't, we find a
side road to turn around and go the other way. We find this
in the Christian walk many times. We wonder what way we
should go, which choice is the best. We don't have to worry
when we are in tune with the Holy Spirit, in close
relationship with our Lord. The still small voice will tell us
which way we should be going. Our Saviour and Lord will
never leave us guessing. Keep the fire of faith burning and
we will hear Him tell us, "Go this way."
Heavenly Father, how wonderful you are that you love us so
much. Forgive us for forgetting that sometimes. We can trust
that you will keep us on the right path and we ask that you
help us to keep our relationship with you so that we can hear
your voice. In Jesus' name.
Read Isaiah 30:21
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your earls will
hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in
it.'" (NIV)
"And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This
is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and
when ye turn to the left." (KJV)
©2010
If we insist that we have the answer, that we need
no more information, that we know enough, we are
close minded and full of pride. We can have our own
beliefs, but if we listen to those that we know to be
full of Godly wisdom, we will gain knowledge and
wisdom. We are never so wise that we don't need
to be open to God's wisdom.
Heavenly Father, forgive us for being prideful and for
feeling we have the answers. Help us to surround
ourselves with Godly people who are full of wisdom
and to have the humility to accept truths you would
have us to know. In Jesus' name.
Read Proverbs 13:10
"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in
those who take advice." (NIV)
"Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well
advised is wisdom." (KJV)
©2010
If we know the speed limit is 40 mph and we are in a hurry
and drive 45 mph, we are guilty of breaking the law. If we
know there is no fishing in a particular area of a lake and we
ignore the sign and fish there anyway, we are trespassing.
If we know how God wants us to live and walk and we don't
do it, we are Sinning against God.
Heavenly Father, we know that we are responsible for the
way we live knowing your Word for our lives. We pray for
awareness, courage, and strength to do what we know
you would have us to do, so that we may glorify your name.
In Jesus' name.
Read James4:17
"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't
do it, sins." (NIV)
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to
him it is sin." (KJV)
©2010
Imagine for a moment how we feel when we are about to
give a talk in front of people. We rehearse what we are
going to say, going over and over our talk. Or recall the
last visit to the doctor's office while we wait for them to
call our name. We are going through the list of things we
wanted to discuss with the doctor. Imagine what we would
be doing knowing that Jesus is coming back very soon. We
make sure that we are walking on His path, carefully being
mindful of the Holy Spirit. We keep the distractions of the
world from choking out our relationship to the Lord, and
pray without ceasing. Stay alert and pray, Jesus is coming
back soon.
Heavenly Father, we earnestly ask you to help us to stay
focused and aware that the coming of Jesus Christ is near.
Help us to always be about your business that you may find
us faithful servants. In Jesus' name.
Read 1 Peter 4:7
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded
and self-controlled so that you can pray." (NIV)
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober,
and watch unto prayer." (KJV)
©2010
God's Word is truth whether we believe that it is or not.
Those of us who trust in God, also trust His Word. His
Word tells us that He will never leave us and that He
watches over us always. With our God and His unfailing
love and mercy, we have no reason to fear men. Who
are they to stand up against the Almighty Eternal God.
In God we trust.
Heavenly Father, we just praise you and thank you
because of who you are. We know that by putting our
faith and trust in you, we will never be disappointed.
Help us to remain faithful and to share this good news
with those we meet. In Jesus' name.
Read Psalm 56:4
"In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will
not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?"
(NIV)
"In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my
trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me."
(KJV)
©2010
Many stand ready to give us their beliefs and opinions.
And many will pay money and drive long distances to
hear them. True men and women of God do not speak
of their own beliefs and opinions, but they speak the
words that the Holy Spirit puts within them. Some of
those words will bring joy and comfort, but some of
the words will sting and bring conviction. Those who do
not really want to know the truth will close their ears
and walk away, just as they did when Jesus spoke the
truth he heard from the Father.
Heavenly Father, we know that we live in a world that
craves words that create feelings of self-satisfaction.
Help us to recognize those people who say they are
proclaiming your word, but are only saying what they
feel will appeal to the hearers. We long for your truth.
In Jesus' name.
Read 2 Peter 1:21
"For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but
men spoke from God as they were carried along by the
Holy Spirit." (NIV)
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:
but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the
Holy Ghost." (NIV)
©2010
What's in a name? If we do a search and study on the names
of God, we will be amazed at how many names God has been
given by humanity. Each time God's intervention was evident,
He was given a name that reflected the situation, i.e. God
who provides, God who heals. God revealed His true name to
Moses at the burning bush: I AM. The more we know God and
His attributes revealed in His names, the more we will trust
Him. The greatest leap of faith is in knowing Him as 'I AM.'
Heavenly Father, we praise you because you are the only
true God. We thank you that you reveal yourself to us
through your mighty works. We ask that you would give us
the desire to know you more so that our trust in you will
grow. In Jesus' name.
Read Psalm 9:10
"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord,
have never forsaken those who seek you." (NIV)
"And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for
thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." (KJV)
©2010
Many, many people in the world today claim to be
Christians. The truth is, their lives do not even give
a hint that they are children of God at all. We can claim
to be Christians, and if we are, the fruit of the Spirit and
the light and love of Jesus will be evident to all who
come near us. If our claim is true, we'll be living it.
Heavenly Father, we praise you for your grace and mercy
to us. We thank you that you made the way for us to
become your children. We ask that you would help us to
walk as Jesus walked so that we bring glory to your name.
In Jesus' name.
Read 1 John 2:6
"Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." (NIV)
"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk,
even as he walked." (KJV)
©2010
Do we really understand what Jesus Christ gave and
continues to give as our Lord and Saviour? We know that He
conquered death, hell, and the grave, and that all things are
now put under His feet. Do we realize that He gives us
freedom to use His victory shield when we need it. We know
that after Jesus rose from the dead and went back to the
Father, He sits at the Father's right hand, in eternal glory
and majesty. Do we realize that He stoops down and reaches
out to the lowest, most vile soul that calls on Him for help. We
do realize that we serve a mighty God.
Heavenly Father, how blessed and honored we are to have a
God that loves us so much that He gave His all and He keeps
giving to us. Give us spiritual insight to realize His great,
powerful and precious gifts meant just for us. In Jesus' name.
Read 2 Samuel 22:36
"You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make
me great." (NIV)
"Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy
gentleness hath made me great." (KJV)
©2010
We all know what it's like to be in town or in the country. We
are familiar being in our own homes. We can also know what
it's like to be in Him. It is there we have access to knowledge
of the Son who came so that we could know the Father. It is
there we are in the Truth. If we are already there we can bask
in it. If we need to be there, we can ask for it.
Heavenly Father, we know that you are Truth and that you
sent your Son, Jesus Christ, so that he could show us who you
are. We ask that you would show all who need it, how to
accept Jesus Christ as their own personal Lord and Saviour
so that they can be in Him and can know Truth. In Jesus'
name.
Read 1 John 5:20
"We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us
understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we
are in him who is true--even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is true
God and eternal life." (NIV)
"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us
an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we
are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is
the true God, and eternal life." (KJV)
©2010
When we cover up and keep our sin secretly inside,
we fail to grow and prosper spiritually, In addition, we
tend to carry around guilt for the sin, fear we will be
exposed, and become physically ill from the pressure
of carrying sin. On the other hand, we all sin. But if we
stop sinning and confess our sin to God asking for
forgiveness, God will give us grace, mercy, and a clean
slate.
Heavenly Father, how grateful we are that you are always
ready to forgive us for our sins when we confess them and
turn from them. Give us courage and strength to face our
wrong doings and to confess and repent so that we will have
nothing standing in the way between you and us and we will
have clean consciouses. In Jesus' name.
Read Proverbs 28:13
"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever
confesses and renounces them finds mercy." (NIV)
"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso
confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (KJV)
©2010
The majority of us are very dissatisfied with our jobs or
even our daily home responsibilities. Some of us start the
day with less than an enthusiastic attitude and have fallen
into a "just get the job done" quality of work. Have we
forgotten that the Lord sees our hearts and the effort we
exert. We are to do our work, whatever it is, knowing that
it is the Lord who is our overseer and it is He that will reward
us for our attitude and effort.
Heavenly Father, we praise you and thank you that you have
given us the ability to work and jobs that provide the means
to meet our daily needs. Please help us to remember that you
are the one we work for, not companies or humans. Give us
the enthusiasm to work as we remember we work for you. In
Jesus' name.
Read Ephesians 6:7
"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men." (NIV)
"With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men." (KJV)
©2010
To hide something is to put it in a secret place.
It is a very personal act that protects what is
hidden and makes it available to the one who
hid it. Hiding God's word in our hearts is the
way of making His word a part of our hearts
so that every step we take is guarded by His
word. It is buried within us. Of course we share
the Word with others, but we never remove it
from its place there in our hearts.
Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise
you for your word that gives us light to find
our way. We praise you for allowing us to
hide your word in us so that we can always
please you and do your will. In Jesus' name.
Read Psalm 119:11
"I have hidden your word in my heart that
I might not sin against you." (NIV)
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that
I might not sin against thee." (KJV)
©2010
Sometimes we lose site of the really important
message of God. Jesus Christ, His life, death,
and resurrection are the message we are to
live and give. Too many times we get caught
up in little side roads that we insist are just as
important and it causes divisions. At times,
we question and debate about the things of
God about which we have no knowledge.
We are told not to argue about personal,
group, or denominational beliefs and ideas
that are not a part of the basic Gospel
message of Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, please help us to keep
our witness on that which really matters
and what we know to be truth: the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. In His name we
pray.
Read 2 Timothy 2:23
"Don't have anything to do with stupid
and foolish arguments, because you
know they produce quarrels." (NIV)
"But foolish and unlearned questions
avoid, knowing that they do gender
strifes." (KJV)
©2010
Our minds are bombarded with information, lifestyle needs,
and things that grab our attention. So often God is crowded
out by all these things going on in and around us. We have
to make the choice to think abut the things of God in order
to stay on the narrow path and to see God working in our
lives.
Heavenly Father, we need your help in keeping the things
of this world from taking over our attention preventing us
from thinking about you and the lives you want us to live.
Please help us to keep our minds focused on you. In Jesus'
name.
Read Colossians 3:2
"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
(NIV)
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the
earth." (KJV)
©2010
