MY SHEPHERD

When we are children, we have total confidence in
our parents to take care of our every need. We can
be free to explore and play, learning about the world
around us. Why is it we have difficulty trusting the
Lord to take care of everything in our lives? We say
we trust Him, but we still worry and fret over things.
If we really stop what we're doing and ponder the
marvelous fact that God is OUR shepherd, we will
understand that there is nothing we will lack or
need to live the life He has given us.


Heavenly Father, how awesome it is to know that
you are OUR shepherd, who loves and care for us
more than a mother cares for her child. Help us to
get this amazing truth into our hearts and minds,
knowing we will have all we need. In Jesus' name
we pray. Amen.


Read Psalm 23:1


"The Lord is MY shepherd, I shall not be in want." (NIV)


"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." (KJV)


     

©2010

COMPETE BY THE RULES

If we try to complete a game and we haven't followed
the rules, there is no way we will be winners of the
game. In life, there are those who try to compete in the
Christian life, but they use their own set of rules and
beliefs on the best way to get where they are going.
There is no compromise in the Christian life that leads
to eternal life with Christ. If we live by the rules in our
Christian walk, we will wear the crown of life.


Heavenly Father, please forgive us for trying to live by
rules and laws that we believe are right for us, but they
are not the rules put in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Help us to discern the rules You have placed before us
so that we will not be disqualified, but we will be
winners in your kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.


Read 2 Timothy 2:5


"Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not
receive the victor's crown unless he competes according
to the rules." (NIV)


"And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not
crowned, except he strive lawfully." (KJV)



     

©2010

GOD SEEN IN OUR LOVE

We are all aware that no one has ever seen God. But,
are we aware that God has designed it so that our
love for others provides a great likeness to God. If
we express Godly love to those around us, even to
those who don't seem to deserve it, we are showing
others who God is and that He is love. No one has
ever seen God, but many have come to know Him by
the love that His children have shown to each other
and to those we can reach. What an honor to allow
God to be seen through us by showing His love.


Heavenly Father, we fall so short of showing the world
who you are. Please forgive us for picking and choosing
who we think should receive love. We know that You
love all people and want them to know you. Help us to
show them who You are by showing them Your love.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.


Read 1 John 4:12


"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another,
God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
(NIV)


"No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one
another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected
in us." (KJV)


     

©2010

BESIEGED NO MORE

To be besieged is to be closed in and surrounded by
those whose intent is to conquer and take over, such
as a city or military fortress that is besieged. We
were besieged by the forces of sin and Satan. There
was no escape for us. We were in position for take
over by the enemy and we weren't even aware of it.
But, God, in His great and unending love reached out
to us with His mighty hand to rescue us. Those of us
who recognized the danger we were in grabbed onto
His hand. Those who believed everything was business
as usual refused God's love and offer of rescue. We
recognized the danger we were in because someone
who had been rescued before us took the time to share
the Word with those of us left in captivity. If we do the
same, God is still reaching out His hand to those still
imprisoned in a city besieged by sin and they will take
hold of His hand.


Heavenly Father, how can we ever show our gratitude
that you came to us when we were held captive by sin
and evil and you rescued us? What great love you have
for us, Lord. Help us toshare that love by telling others
who are still trapped in sin about your love that will set
them free. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.


Read Psalm 31:21


"Praise be to the Lord for He showed His wonderful love
to me when I was in a besieged city." (NIV)


"Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his
marvellous kindness in a strong city." (KJV)


     

©2010

O HOW HE LOVES US

If we just stop for a moment and think about how
awesome and majestic our God is, we cannot help
but be amazed that He cares for each one of us as
if we were the only person on earth. Our God always
was, always is, and always will be. He created all
things and holds the universe in His hands. Yet
when we come to him with our tiny offerings of
praise and thanksgiving, He delights in us just like
a mother does when her little child brings her a
bouquet of dandelions. How awesome our God is!


Heavenly Father, there is no way our human minds
can reallygrasp what a great and mighty God you
are. But in your love, you let us know that you care
for us and you accept our offering of praise and
worship with delight. Oh, how we thank you and
praise you for your boundless and unending love
for us. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.


Read Revelation 1:8


"'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord
God, 'who is, and who was, and who is to come,
the Almighty.'" (NIV)


"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the
ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was,
and which is to come, the Almighty." (KJV)


     

©2010

GREAT IS HIS LOVE FOR US

Do we really understand what was lost when sin
entered the human heart? Before, there was perfect
communion with God and constant presence in His
glory. After, there was darkness, separation from Him,
and vulnerability to evil and destructive circumstances
of a world gone bad. Do we really understand how much
God loves us, that He would sacrifice the most precious
things to Him, His Son, to rescue us from this tragic
and hopeless world?


Heavenly Father, we earnestly seek to know what
was forfeited when sin entered the world. It is in the
light of knowing this, that we can understand the great
love you have for us to save us from the destruction it
caused. We ask this in the name of Jesus' our Saviour.


Read Psalm 86:13


"For great is your love toward me; you have delivered
me from the depths of the grave." (NIV)


"For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast
delivered my soul from the lowest hell." (KJV)


     

©2010

WORKED TO DEATH FOR RICHES

It seems there are a lot of people who approach life
by working many years to accumulate material things.
The goal is to keep up with the latest things or keeping
up with other people around us at home or at work. It
takes time and effort to make the money that keeps
us up with the times. Most often people who do this are
too busy to enjoy the luxuries these things bring. By the
time the age of retirement and rest approaches, health
issues are present and the years of overwork and
pushing the body has taken its' toll. God's wisdom tells
us to live modestly and seek Him. Are we wearing
ourselves out for those things that do not last or do
not nourish our bodies and souls?


Heavenly Father, forgive us for losing sight of the really
important and eternal things of life. Help us to use the
wisdom you have given us to live modestly and to use
our energy and time earnestly seeking You and Your will
for our lives. We ask this in Jesus' name.


Read Proverbs 23:4


"Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom
to show restraint." (NIV)


"Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom." (KJV)


     

©2010

SEXUAL SIN

As Christians, our bodies belong to Christ and they
are temples of His Holy Spirit. There is no partial
ownership in God's kingdom. Because we live in a
sexually corrupt and immoral society, we will be
confronted with sexual temptations. God tells us
to run the other way where sexual immorality is
presenting itself. That includes the depths of our
own minds. He knows how easy it is for us to get
carried and lulled away by its' subtle claws. If we
desire to be clean and holy vessels for Christ, we
will avoid sexual temptation and suggestions at
all costs.


Heavenly Father, we ask for your forgiveness when
we have allowed ourselves to stay in the presence
of sexually immorality, where others were speaking
of sexual things or making sexual jokes. Forgive us
for entertaining sexually inappropriate thoughts we
know are not right. Help us to run the other way
when sexual immorality is present no matter where
it is. In Jesus' name.


Read 1 Corinthians 6:18


"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man
commits are outside his body, but he who sins
sexually sins against his own body." (NIV)


"Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without
the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth
against his own body." (KJV)


     

©2010

DEAD OR ALIVE

When we have been made alive in Christ, the things
of this world no longer have the same hold on us. We
are no longer drawn to the same things that we were
drawn to before. It is like we have died to the world
of sin and self-serving. We have been born into the
life of unhindered communion with God our Creator
and we live in his presence now and forever.


Heavenly Father, we want to give you praise, honor,
and glory for rescuing us from the chains in which this
world wrapped us. We thank you for setting us free to
live lives of peace and joy in your kingdom. In Jesus'
name.


Read Romans 6:10


"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but
alive to God in Christ Jesus." (NIV)


"For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that
he liveth, he liveth unto God." (KJV)


     

©2010

HUGE HARVEST NEED WORKERS

There are so many people in this world, many next
door to us or working along side us, that are lost
with no hope. If we are willing, God will use us as
workers for His kingdom. We can give a smile, some
kind words, or reach out in a helpful way to those
who are hurting and need to know God loves them.
So few of us are willing to sacrifice the time and
energy. Let's pray for each other and all Christians
to have the desire to be workers for this huge
harvest.


Heavenly Father, we ask for your forgiveness for
not doing our part in this great harvest of lost
and hurting souls. Give us fervent desire to go
into the world, wherever we are, to reach out to
those who need You. Help us to remember to
pray for one another so that we will keep the
work going and bring other workers into the
field. We ask In Jesus' name.


Read Matthew 9:37


"Then He said to his disciples, 'The harvest is
plentiful, but the workers are few.'" (NIV)


"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly
is plenteous, but the labourers are few." (KJV)


     

©2010

WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST

Do we truly realize how critical it is to know the
teachings of Jesus Christ? Do we understand that
His words are the key to being able to stand in the
darkest and most turbulent times in our lives? Jesus
said we are not only to listen to them, but live them
so they become a part of us. This will give us the
strength we need to stand victoriously when the
storms of life come.


Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we have
not taken your words to heart and have not made
them a part of our daily living. We pray for the
awareness of your teachings and how to put them
into practice. Give us that deep reverence and
hunger for your words, so that we will seek them
out until they become a part of us. In Jesus'
name.


Read Matthew 7:24


"Therefore everyone who hears these words of
mine and puts them into practice is like a wise
man who built his house on the rock." (NIV)


"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of
mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise
man, which built his house upon a rock." (KJV)


     

©2010

PERFECT GOD

Has there ever been a time when you have questioned
God, or even gotten angry with Him? We have all had
circumstances at one time or another when we feel God
has failed us, abandoned us, or has been indifferent by
bringing us grief. Our faith and the leading of the Holy
Spirit reminds us that God is perfect, holy, and loving.
We can ignore the voice of our faith and the Holy Spirit.
If we nurture any hint, thought, or action that God is
any less than perfect, holy, and loving, we have never
really known Him or who He is.


Heavenly Father, in our hearts we know that you are a
perfect, loving God. But, there are times when we have
doubts because of things that happen in our lives,
leading us to think that you have failed us in some way.
Please forgive us for this weakness in our faith. Help
us to bring honor to your name no matter what is going
on in our lives. In Jesus' name.


Read Psalm 18:30


"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is
flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him."
(NIV)


"As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD
is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him."
(KJV)




     

©2010

PATIENCE OF GOD

So many people, including Christians, ask God why
He allows evil men to flourish and enjoy their dishonest
gain. Especially when we have been wronged by
someone who defies the ways of the God. The Lord is
not impatient like we are. When the time is right, and
His timing is perfect, He will bring justice and penalties
like a swirling hurricane that destroys everything in its'
path. All we have to do is pray, wait, and watch with
Him.


Heavenly Father, forgive us when we become impatient
and want to see those who have hurt us get what they
deserve. When we see them continuing on in their evil
ways and they seem to be getting more and more of the
good things in life, we become angry and impatient.
Help us to rest in knowing that You will take care of
the situation in Your time. In Jesus' name.


Read Nahum 1:3


"The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord
will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the
whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his
feet." (NIV)


"The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will
not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in
the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust
of his feet." (KJV)


     

©2010

LAWS AND STATUTES

When we think about the laws and statutes of God,
it seems contrary to the fact that, in Christ, we are
totally free. If we are free, why do we need laws and
statutes? God's laws and statutes are written on our
hearts to give us guidelines for keeping our ways
separate from the ways of the world and to live lives
of abundance in the shelter of His loving arms.


Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving your laws
and statutes to us so that we can live freely in the
shelter of your care. Help us to be aware of your
guidelines revealed to us by your Holy Spirit, so that
we can be Your people, separate from the world.
We pray this in Jesus' name.


Read Psalm 19:7


"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making
wise the simple. (NIV)


"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the
simple." (KJV)


     

©2010

BE STRONG

If we do not keep our bodies strong by physical exertion
and healthy habits, we will be weak when the test of
physical strength presents itself. If we do not keep our
minds strong by study and contemplation on important
things, we will not be able to pass the test of knowledge
we desperately need at a given moment. Most
importantly, we will be trampled over, deceived, and
eternally defeated if we do not keep our spirits strong
by living in His power. The Word of God says to 'be
strong." The responsibility is ours.


Heavenly Father, forgive us for not doing all we can to
keep our bodies, minds, and spirits strong. Help us to
be sensitive to those opportunities you provide to us
that will make us strong. Discipline us, Lord, so that we
will be found strong and walking in Your power when
You return. In Jesus' name.


Read Ephesians 6:10


"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty
power."  (NIV)


"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and
in the power of his might." (KJV)


     

©2010

STUDY

We are well aware there is a difference between reading
and studying. When it comes to the Holy Bible, God’s
Word, it is well that we take time to read several verses
or chapters on a regular basis. However, we are
exhorted  to “study” the Word. That takes much more
than simply reading then going on our way. It means we
will dig deep to find other scriptures pertaining to this
subject. It means  we will pray that the Holy Spirit will
bring the words alive to us. It means we will take time
to meditate on the verses, look up key words in a
concordance. We do not study the scriptures because
they will save us. We study the scriptures because
they teach us who God is and they lead  us to Him.


Heavenly Father, forgive us when we get hurried
by our schedules and we don't take the time to
study your Word. Help us to discipline ourselves to
take time to study and meditate on the living Word
thatwill give us wisdom and bring us closer to you.
In Jesus' name.


Read 2 Timothy 2:15


"Do your best to present yourself to God as one
approved, a workman who does not need to be
ashamed and who correctly handles the word of
truth." (NIV)


"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth." (KJV)




     

©2010

FAITH VS COMMON SENSE

Faith is a difficult thing. While we have all been given
a measure of faith, it is contrary to our common sense.
Common sense is human logical thinking that works on
the premise things can be explained and understood
by the human mind. On the other hand, faith is total
and unwavering trust in the unseen God. We can only
know and witness the glory of God by faith. We will
miss His great and mighty workings if we try to
explain Him with our common sense.


Heavenly Father, forgive us for relying on our common
sense to try and understand Your working and Your
ways. Help us, Lord, to use the faith You have given us
and to increase our faith by study of Your Word. We
ask this in Jesus' name.


Read John 11:40


"Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed,
you would see the glory of God?" (NIV)


"Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou
wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?"
(KJV)


     

©2010

WATCH WITH HIM

When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior,
we are prone to be somewhat self-centered and to
be very conscious of what the Lord is doing for us and
in us. We get used to the idea of Jesus watching over
us and watching with us. There is no harm in this,
because He does watch over us. But when we mature
as Christians, we find that Jesus Christ asks us to
watch with Him. He wants us to see things through
His eyes be aware of His working in the world
around us. Are we still focused on Him watching with
us, or are we watching with Him?


Heavenly Father, we need your grace to be able to
watch with you. You know that we are humans and
have the tendency to only be aware that You are
watching with us. Help us to mature so that we can
watch with You. In Jesus' name.


Read Matthew 26:40


"Then He returned to his disciples and found them
sleeping. 'Could you men not keep watch with me
for one hour?'" (NIV)


"And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth
them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could
ye not watch with me one hour?" (KJV)

     

©2010

FLOWING RIVERS OF FAITH

If we understand the nature of streams, we know that it
is virtually impossible to know all the places the flowing
water touches. It passes along snags and reroutes itself,
it collects at some barrier and overflows around that
barrier. The Lord tells us that our faith in Him will be
like streams, flowing out of us, and we will have no
idea the places it will reach. Just because we can't
see where it is flowing and spreading doesn't mean it
isn't reaching places only known to God. On that day,
when we stand before Him, we will see the mighty
work God has done through our faith.


Heavenly Father, help us to realize the miracle of faith
that you give to each of us. Help us to remember that
our faith not only affects our relationship with you, but
our faith affects lives and circumstances we know
nothing about. In Jesus' name.


Read John 7:38


"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said,
streams of living water will flow from within him."
 (NIV)


"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said,
streams of living water will flow from within him."
 (KJV)

     

©2010

BE ANCHORED

An anchor is a device made to hold a ship firmly in
place so that it does not move from the place it is
intended to be. Our hope in the Lord is our anchor
to keep us firmly fixed in God's hands. With this
anchored hope, we can go right to the throne of
grace because we have been kept safe from
wandering off into waters unpleasing to Him. What
a marvelous anchor He gives us if we just ask.


Heavenly Father, forgive us when we feel that we are
anchored too tightly and cannot experience the things
of this world. We thank you that you let us know that
it is best for us, that our joy is complete, and we are
closer to you. Help us to hold on to this hope that
anchors us to you and your love and grace. In
Jesus' name.


Read Hebrews 6:19


"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and
secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the
curtain." (NIV)


"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both
sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within
the veil." (KJV)
     

©2010

THE DAY THE WORLD SHOOK

When Christ died on the cross, there was a terrible

earthquake and everything went completely dark.

That's when God shook at knowing His Son loved

and obeyed Him unto death. Then God shut His

eyes because the terrible load of sin Jesus bore

was so great God couldn't look at it. Let's take

time to really understand what Jesus Christ did

for you and for me.

Read Matthew 27:51 and Luke 23:44

"At that moment the curtain of the temple was

torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook

and the rocks split." "It was now about the sixth

hour, and darkness came over the whole land until

the ninth hour." (NIV)

"And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in

twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth

did quake, and the rocks rent; And it was about

the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over

all the earth until the ninth hour." (KJV)

     

©2010

LIGHT

Once we've been in a dark room for a while, our eyes
seem to adjust, at least to where we can barely see
things enough to get by. That is exactly how each of
lives in this world before we accept Jesus Christ as our
personal Saviour. We see enough to get by and enough
to feel that we don't need to change the way we live.
Once the Light comes on, we become amazed at the
things we missed, the things we misunderstood, and the
things we didn't even know were there. Living in the
Light allows us to live life to its' fullest and to see the
truth of God and His creation.


Heavenly Father, forgive those of us who still feel that
we have enough light on our own to make it in this
world. Help us all to walk in Your light so we can know
the truth. In Jesus' name.


Read John 8:12


"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am
the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (NIV)


"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the
light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk
in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (KJV)


     

©2010

JESUS CAME

Jesus did not come to this earth seeking people who
saw themselves sufficiently righteous and without need
of being saved from any sin. Those are the people Jesus
condemned as having a religious spirit and He left them
to their prideful lives. Jesus came to reach those who
were sorely aware they were trapped in their sinful
lives and were in need of a way to get free. That's the
way it is today. Jesus will answer the call of one who
recognizes sin's hold and reaches out to Him in faith.


Heavenly Father, how great is Your love to us that
You seek and save those of us who are lost and have
recognized our need for Your salvation. We pray that
You will use us to reach others by our actions and
words, that they will see their need to be freed from
the bondage of sin. In Jesus' name.


Read Luke 5:32


"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance." (NIV)


"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance." (KJV)


     

©2010

SHELTER AND REST

A shelter is a place of protection and safety from all
danger and harm in a place where danger is present.
God has given us His word that He will be our shelter
if we live within the boundaries of His will and His
eternal Word. To some, this might seem like being
confined to a certain set of laws or rules that limit us.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Allowing
ourselves to be sheltered by God gives us rest and
safety that knows no limits. We are free to live in His
safety with total peace and abandon.


Heavenly Father, we thank you and give you praise
that you have made a way for us to be safe and at
peace in the shelter of your wing. Help us, Lord, to
learn the boundaries of your shelter and to live there
in total freedom. In Jesus' name.


Read Psalm 91:1


"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will
rest in the shadow of the Almighty." (NIV)


"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (KJV)


     

©2010

THE RIGHT MINDSET

It is truly difficult to stay focused in this day and age.
Yet we can purpose in our hearts to keep our focus
on the things of God and the prompting of the Holy
Spirit. If our prayers include asking the Lord what it
is He is wanting from us today, He will reveal it to
us and will help us to keep our minds set on what
He wants for us. This is what should be directing
our thoughts, not our own logic and desires.


Heavenly Father, forgive us for failing to stay focused
on what you desire for us and for following our own
desires. Help us to direct our thoughts to you and what
you want for our lives so that we will be pleasing in
your sight. In Jesus' name.


Read Romans 8:5b


".....but those who live in accordance with the Spirit
have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." (NIV)


".....but they that are after the Spirit the things of the
Spirit." (KJV)


     

©2010

FOCUS ON THE JOURNEY

When we prepare for a long journey, we are usually careful
to prepare in advance to have the things we need and make
plans so that our time is well spent. As Christians, we are on
a long journey. Have we been careful to make sure we have
the things we need and to be sure our time is well spent?
The one thing we need for this journey through life is His
strength to endure and focus. Without that, we will fall away
or get lost. If we will commit to this journey, walking in His
will, we will be blessed.


Heavenly Father, as your children, we are all on this journey
through life. It is a difficult journey at times, Lord, and we
need your strength and the steadfast heart to commit to the
journey until the end. We thank you that you stand ready at
all times to provide what we need for the journey. In Jesus'
name.


Read Psalm 84:5


"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set
their hearts on pilgramage." (NIV)


"Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose
heart are the ways of them." (KJV)


     

©2010

DISCIPLINE

Not too many of us like to be disciplined for our mistakes
and punished for our wrong doings; but the Lord
chooses to discipline us and to let us reap what we have
sown. He does so because His discipline gets us to the
place where we will submit to His will and we will
become holy, as He is holy. It is a good thing to be
disciplined by the Lord. It shows us we are His children
and that He is watching over our walk with Him.


Heavenly Father, we thank you that you discipline us
for the times when we fail to do what is right. Help
us, Lord, to accept your discipline and to remember
that it will bring us closer to you and make us more
holy. In Jesus' name.


Read Hebrews 12:5,6


"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because
the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes
everyone he accepts as a son." (NIV)


"And ye have forgotten the exhortation which
speaketh unto you as unto children, My son,
despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor
faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom
the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth
every son whom he receiveth." (KJV)


     

©2010

CHOOSING GOD'S WILL

We hear much talk about suffering for the Lord, and as
Christians, we will suffer at one time or another. The
thing is, we do not choose the suffering. We choose
God's will. And then we go wherever His will takes us.
If that be through suffering, we know that He will be
faithful to walk with us and we can continue to walk in
His will.


Heavenly Father, we ask for Your grace and strength
to do your will no matter where that takes us. If it
should be byway of suffering, we ask that you help us
to stay focused on your will and to continue walking in
it. In Jesus' name.


Read 1 Peter 4:19


"So then, those who suffer according to God's will
should commit themselves to their faithful Creator
and continue to do good." (NIV)


"Wherefore let them that suffer according to the
will of God commit the keeping of their souls to
him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."
(KJV)


     

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PERSEVERENCE

Our Lord has a way of teaching us the important things
in our walk with Him. Sometimes the Lord has to take
us back to the same lesson again and again before we
are able to get it right. When we are able to learn the
lessons He has for us, it is then we begin to realize that
we have grown in maturity and spiritual completeness.
If we remember that it is to our harm to buck against
the lessons He is teaching us, we will do our best to
stay the course in perseverance.


Heavenly Father, often times we are not aware that
You are teaching us a lesson we have put off learning.
Help us, Lord, to understand that it is your patience
with us and it is for our good, so that we will grow in
maturity and completeness in you.


Read James 1:4


"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may
be mature and complete, not lacking in anything."
(NIV)


"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye
may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (KJV)


     

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GET RID OF TEMPTATION

It is our eyes that see the forbidden fruit. It is our hands that reach up and pluck it from the tree. Jesus teaches us to get rid of anything that causes us to be unfaithful to Him, no matter how precious it is to us. It is our own senses that seek pleasure and the desire becomes so great that we forget about God. The Lord may not require us to actually get rid of our eyes, ears, hands, etc., but He does expect us to turn our backs to those things we know are a temptation to us.


Heavenly Father, so often we allow our senses to lead us to those places that cause us to act in ways that are unpleasing to you. Forgive us, Lord, and give us discerning and prepared minds to stay away from those things that tempt us to sin. In Jesus' name.


Read Matthew 5:29,30


"If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." (NIV)


"And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." (KJV)


     

©2010