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)


     

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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)



     

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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)


     

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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)


     

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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)


     

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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)


     

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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