Do you know why you should make today count? Do you realize there are many reasons? First of all, this is the day that the Lord has made, so let us rejoice and be glad in it! This is reason enough to make every today count! I have an extra special reason to make today count as 25 years ago I married the love of my life and she has made me the happiest man, husband, and father I could have imagined! 25 years ago God put into motion a relationship that would draw us closer to Him and strengthen our faith and our love for Him and for one another! For me, every day is Happy Today but today is extra special, and am so glad to get to share this with you and to spend forever with my wife. As I was getting ready this morning I noticed a shirt I hadn’t put out to wear today but it says “Married 25 years and looking forward to forever”. So I put it on and adjusted my planned wardrobe. With guests being here I have to pick my clothes the night before instead of in the morning in the dark and so I know what I was going to wear but an adjustment was needed in order to make today count! Fill it with hope! Fill it with joy! Fill it with faith! Most of all, fill it with love!
Let’s be positive role models today! Let’s make today count in the words we use, the actions we take, and the thoughts we allow to take hold. Let’s consider and choose to consider it pure joy even when we face trials of many kinds! Let’s choose to make today count! Invite Jesus into your heart! Invite Jesus into your life! Allow Him to lead and guide you!
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email.
Another great week is coming to a close and that doesn’t mean we coast across the finish line but rather that we finish strong and use up that last bit of energy in the tank to ensure we finish strong for the glory of God! Today let’s spend time considering the road ahead and lean in on God to understand His plans so that we can map out the road ahead His way for His purpose and His glory!
Remember how to be able to see the road even if or when it gets dark?
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
So let’s not try to go it alone or in our own strength for we know:
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
So to close out this week, let’s finish strong, being led by the Spirit, and putting our hope and trust in God who will renew our strength so that we can thrive for the glory of God!
Today’s Verse of the day:
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,
Do you have more in the tank to help you gear down and speed across the finish line? Do you have the Holy Spirit in your heart to be your source to give you the energy and wisdom you need to get across the finish line? Are you putting your hope in God so that in your weakness His strength will be revealed? Is today the day you need to invite Jesus into your heart and be transformed? Is today the day you need to receive the grace God has for you? Is today not just the end and crossing the finish line but the beginning of something new?
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email.
Some call today the bump in the week or humpday but whatever you call it, we are halfway through the week and so let’s choose to use this bump as a launch ramp for the various things on our plate so that we can thrive!
Let’s take the good works God has prepared in advance for us to accomplish and launch them into action! Let’s take the projects we have at hand and launch them into action! Let’s take the service and leadership roles we have and launch them into action! Let’s put our faith into action in order that we can thrive for the glory of God!
‘but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’
‘“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? ‘
How are you today? Where are you at? What are you pursuing? Are you ready to trust? Are you ready to go? Are you ready to accept? Are you ready to receive it? Will you choose to invite Jesus into your situation today? Will you choose to invite Jesus into your life today? Could today be the turning point? Could today be the launch point?
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email.
What do you see when you look in front of you? Do you see visions and dreams? Do you see plans and purposes? Do you see hope and a future? How does it look when you see what is before you? How does it make you feel? How do you explain it to others? How do you express it to others? Are you able to grasp the way it will help you to thrive for the glory of God?
THRIVE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!
Verse of the Day:
‘This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ‘
Are you facing any concerns or worries that you need to cast on or give to God? Are you facing any fears or anxious thoughts that you need to cast on or give to God? Let’s grab a hold of God’s Word and God’s promises! Let’s allow God to pour His love into our hearts and our lives to the point of overwhelming fear and overflowing into the way we live our lives! Let’s invite Jesus into every situation and choose to walk out our today with Him!
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email or text.
What an incredible week with some incredible successes and incredible moves of God. What an incredible week of getting to dig deeper and understand more. What an incredible week of getting to meet more people and hear what not only takes place internally but how our customers engage too. What an incredible week of gathering details and setting up templates and processes. What an incredible week of news and announcements. What an incredible week when the Holy Spirit not only led a player to reach out to a coach but a coach and team were reciprocating and receiving a player. What an incredible week to see a prophecy about a school and a team come true as God’s hand was moving in both the heart of the school (academically and athletically) as well as the student-athlete. God is good! God is on the move! God’s faithful! God’s trustworthy! God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine!
Ever been prompted by the Holy Spirit to do something? Do miss the opportunity! It could change your life! It could change the life of someone else! It could be the step of faith needed for transformation and open the door to being able to thrive!
Let’s choose to make it about God rather than being pumped up and making it about ourselves because we know that pride comes before the fall! So let’s find ways to praise God through it all! Let’s thrive for the glory of God!
Verse of the Day:
‘The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ‘
Where are you today? Are you searching? Are you seeking? Are you asking? Are you knocking? Are you wondering what is next for you? Are you wondering what is going on right now? Are you wandering? Are you going? Why not invite Jesus into your situation? Why not allow the Holy Spirit to enter in and be your comforter and your guide? Why not start a journey with God so that you won’t have to go through this life alone?
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email or text.
What a week. What a week as a dad. What a week as a husband. What a a week as an employee. What a week as a manager. What a week to have behind me.
It makes me think of the quote I have used many times over the years “mom said there would be days like, she didn’t say how many though”.
What a week. To have your oldest daughter pass her final test and get a title change – such a proud moment. To have your younger daughter come home sad, disappointed, and in tears from a trip that should have been over the moon in preparations for many years ahead – sad, mad, and disappointed that the people who we had trusted would make sure she had a great time failed us. To have a son have his first driving class and to hear how well he is doing as his journey to drive has begun – such a proud moment. To learn that things weren’t as they were portrayed and facts were omitted or hidden from me created a night earlier when sleep was a challenge while trying to deal with all the data points and that my thoughts on how to deal with it weren’t being considered to taken seriously. To be told not to help, not to go outside of my lane, when most of my career and life I have been a connector, a helper, when seeing a problem and understanding who can help being able to say something and being told now that I shouldn’t. To hear how I am one of but a few managers who gets what servant leadership is and looks like was a word of encouragement and wind in my sail as the week was coming to an end.
So I choose to trust God! I trust that God knows what is going on and has a plan. I trust that God is good even when my circumstances are not. I trust that God can take what was meant for evil and turn it around and use it for evil. I trust that God uses all things for our good and His glory. I choose to press in and press on, to persevere in the midst of the struggles. I choose to consider it pure joy because it is building my faith and knowing that when perseverance has finished it’s work that I will be complete and lacking nothing. I choose unity in health. I choose to work with my wife and kids to ensure unity in our household and dealing with the consequences of decisions that had been made. I choose to work with my management and team to ensure unity in our workplace and dealing with the changes and disruptions that have come our way. My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus’s blood and righteous! Jesus is the foundation and the power source for my hope! I turn to God for wisdom and discernment to help me make the right decisions and choices as I move forward in faith trusting in His perfect timing and believing that He is working all of this for my good and His glory, in Jesus’s name.
So where are you at today? Are you needing to be purposeful and wondering where to start? Are you needing to be intentional and looking for ideas or direction? Are you needing wisdom and discernment about how to respond? Are you needing wisdom and direction in order to know which way to go? Are you ready to be bold and courageous when God says go?
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email or text.
As I kick off this workweek I realize that THRIVE isn’t just for me but it is also for my family. As I consider what it takes to THRIVE I realize the environment is a key element to being able to grow vigorously, to flourish, and to take new ground regardless of the circumstances. If we think about our lives like we would take care of plants we realize that we need to ensure there is adequate light, let the light of God shine on us, lead us and guide us, purify and strengthen us. If we want to thrive we need adequate water, we need to be so connected to Jesus who gives us the right quality and type of water so that we won’t thirst anymore. If we want to thrive we need to ensure we don’t leak too much or too quickly and as such that we are replenishing things as we know that faith leaks. We need to ensure like the disciples did that we stay filled with the Holy Spirit. Let’s not get drunk on wine but instead, be filled with the Spirit. If we want to thrive we need to ensure we are getting the right quality of food for our mind, body, and spirit. God’s Word is the bread of life and so we need to ensure that we can consume it in order to thrive.
Let’s be looking beyond our circumstances in order that we can see God at work and lean on Him for wisdom and guidance for our steps forward. Let’s choose that we will thrive in 2022 and that we will make sure to bring our families and friends along with us by speaking love, faith, and hope into their lives! Let’s choose to be people who build up rather than tear down. Let’s choose to be people who pour love and life into the world God puts around us so that He can receive the praise, the honor, and the glory. Let’s decide that we want to THRIVE for the glory of God! Let’s grab hold of all God’s Word is teaching us through Exodus so that we won’t and don’t lose hope but instead are able to take what we are given and decide and determine what we need to do for God’s purpose and plan to play out in our lives and allow us to THRIVE!
Today’s Verse of the Day:
‘Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord , and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. ‘
So where are you at today? What are you facing in your life? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you wondering what to do? Are you ready to turn to God? Are you ready to thrive for the glory of God? Let’s invite Jesus into our situation and allow Him to lead and guide us! Let’s turn to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to fill us to overflowing so that we can live life to the full.
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email or text.
As I get to the midpoint of the workweek and consider what is on my plate, getting to share the good news with people is part of my schedule today. To share the good news with love to let them know how important and valuable they are. To share the good news to provide them with hope for the future. To share the good news believing in faith that God’s plan for us is for good and not for evil, to give us hope and a future. When we consider the fruits of the spirit and getting to produce faith, hope, and love, which are the three fruits that will last forever, getting to pass them along to our spouses, our kids, and our world is so important. The greatest one to make sure we share and give is love! So today, let’s choose to thrive by sharing love with the people God brings across our path. Today, let’s choose to thrive by sharing hope with the people God brings across our path. Today, let’s choose to thrive because of our faith and persevering for we know that no matter how good or bad things get, in the midst of it all when we let perseverance finish its work we can be complete and lacking nothing. So today, let’s consider it pure joy, no matter what comes our way. Let’s have a Happy Today because this is the day that the Lord has made!
Today’s Verse of the Day:
‘Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ‘
So have you turned back to God? Are you being challenged? Are you struggling and wondering how to struggle well? Are you facing trials and wondering how to consider them pure joy? Are you facing troubles and wondering how to take heart? Then today, invite Jesus into your situation and allow Him to work in and through you.
Where does your power come from? Where does your hope come from? What allows you to keep going? What is the foundation that helps you stand firm? What is the ground you are allowing your roots to grow into? What is feeding you? What is filling you? What is it helping you to become?
Have you invited Jesus into your heart to help clean house? Have you invited Jesus into your heart to help you uproot things that shouldn’t be there? Have you invited Jesus into your heart to help create a new heart, a new perspective, and a new life for you? When you allow God to be your source and fill you to overflowing then you are able to pour life and love and hope into the people God brings your way. When you allow Jesus to be your foundation and cornerstone then you are able to stand firm and be prepared by putting on the full armor of God! When we allow Jesus to be in charge then we are able to live out our lives in pursuit of His plans and purposes for our lives and be His hands and arms extended to reach a lost world and point them to an eternity with God instead of one where they will continue to suffer apart from God. What’s it cost? Your decision! It’s too expensive for us to be able to pay for it or even afford it and so God is giving it away to those who will accept and receive it! It’s not something we can borrow from others but rather something we have to decide and receive for ourselves. Unlike material things which can be borrowed for a season, faith in Jesus requires us to accept and receive it for ourselves. The decision is ours and ours alone to make. It’s personal! It’s intimate! It’s real! So we need to make the decision on our own and for ourselves!
Let’s get more context for this statement by expanding the verses around it and getting more details by using the Amplified version.
‘Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power, allowing it to control me]. Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will do away with both of them. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body [to save, sanctify, and raise it again because of the sacrifice of the cross]. And God has not only raised the Lord [to life], but will also raise us up by His power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Am I therefore to take the members of Christ and make them part of a prostitute? Certainly not! Do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “The two shall be one flesh .” But the one who is united and joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Run away from sexual immorality [in any form, whether thought or behavior, whether visual or written]. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the one who is sexually immoral sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]? You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.’
If you consider your eyes as the sight then what is your aim in life?
If you consider your eyes as the sight then what are you pointing at or towards?
Are you pointing upwards and towards God and His purpose and plans?
Are you pointing to earthly things and away from God?
Are you earthly like the young in their faith Corinthians that Paul is speaking to?
Are you ready to level up your life in response to Paul’s writing?
We see how Paul is speaking to them in today’s verses about food and sex.
‘Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power, allowing it to control me]. Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will do away with both of them. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body [to save, sanctify, and raise it again because of the sacrifice of the cross]. ‘ 1 Corinthians 6:12-13
Are you ready to receive the truth that our body and our urges have come from God?
Are you ready to receive the truth that everything we are and have is to glorify God?
Are you ready to live free rather than being restricted or imprisoned within our bodies by food and sex?
Are you ready to live free by dedicating your body to God?
Are you ready to live free by dedicating your body to honoring God?
So where are you at today? Are you ready to decide to live a life to the full? Are you ready to decide to live a life that has been redeemed? Are you ready to decide to live a life that has been forgiven and can forgive others? Are you ready to receive hope? Are you ready to receive joy? Are you ready to receive love? Are you ready to overflow in all of these into the lives of the world around you? Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Do you go back and do it? Do you carry it along and then do it last? Do you see how you can integrate it? Do you try to fix it? You might wonder how this came to mind. I realized not checking the dates as I have been blogging of late and have discovered I am off in terms of actual dates versus the dates in the devotional. I know God’s plan is perfect as they still spoke right into those days and have the feeling today I need to go back and play catch up before I move forward again. Earlier I figured I would do it later as the first instance was back in August where 2 days were missed and then I determined to just get back on track to the real days and then I discovered as I finished yesterday I missed 2 days in November. So today is the beginning of catch up. I will date them as the calendar dates instead of the book dates since this is when I am going through them though which won’t align for those who go looking in the actual devotional book. God is good. God’s timing is perfect! So I give this day into His hands trusting Him for the wisdom and discernment to be able to accomplish His will with boldness and courage for His glory.
Let’s dig a bit deeper into today’s verse to get context with some extra verses and more details using the Amplified version.
‘Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane (olive-press), and He told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [James and John], He began to be grieved and greatly distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and stay awake and keep watch with Me.” And after going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible [that is, consistent with Your will], let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour? Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, He went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words once more. Then He returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Listen, the hour [of My sacrifice] is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners [whose way and nature is to oppose God]. Get up, let us go. Look, My betrayer is near!” ‘
Ever looked for a good example of what to do or how to respond in weakness?
Ever taken hold of God’s Word that in our weakness His strength is revealed?
Ever taken hold of what groups like Alcoholics Anonymous do?
Side note: It was an awkward feeling and yet very powerful one I had many years back when I was at a mens’ retreat and one of the men who came had to attend an AA meeting and so a group of us to encourage him said we would go too. I didn’t know what that would mean as I don’t drink. But it was a very powerful moment in two ways. First the support and encouragement to our brother by us going with him and using our free time to be with him there. Second to get to see the power of God working to free men from alcoholism through such an incredible group and 12 step program.
It requires honesty to admit you are feeling weak.
Admiting that the weakness caused you to fall into temptation is the first step in addressing the temptation and the problem.
Denial that you have a problem or a weakness doesn’t help you get stronger or break the tempations power over you.
Shrugging it off like it isn’t a big deal doesn’t help you get to the root of the problem or get stronger in dealing with the temptations.
So let’s be honest about our weakness in order that we, like those who go to AA, can stand on the foundation for recovery, growth, and strength.
So are you someone who won’t be honest and admit weaknesses?
Are you someone who likes to portray that you have everything together?
Are you someone who because of this brovado find yourself falling into temptation?
Do you have temptations that relate to sex, to ethics, to material things, to neglecting God, or any other from a long list of areas of your life?
Jesus tells us to avoid temptation when we are weak!
Watch for trouble. By doing this we are on the lookout for it and can act before it springs its trap to catch us.
Conect with God. When we are feeling weak we need to pray!
Let’s consider what God’s Word speaks to us about tempation:
‘No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy]. ‘ 1 Corinthians 10:13
‘For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. ‘ Hebrews 4:15
‘Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death. ‘ James 1:13-15
So when you feel weak that is the time to watch out and pray.
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
When you’re weak, what temptations do you need to watch for?
When you’re weak, do you want to connect with God? Why or why not?
As we move into December we have finished the readings of the Tanakh and I thank Sefaria for their resources in helping me to see the Old Testament in a new way and my friend Lionel for having shared this tool with me. As we kick off December the idea my wife brought up came to mind about going through the book of Luke (who was a doctor) which happens to have 24 chapters which mean we can read one a day and complete it in time for Christmas. To get as many details from this I am going to use the Amplified version to try and grasp all the details Luke gives us to consider and learn.
So today we will read Luke 2:
‘Now in those days a decree went out from [the emperor] Caesar Augustus, that all the inhabited world (the Roman Empire) should be registered [in a census]. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to register for the census, each to his own city. So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was with child. While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth, and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [ swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no [private] room for them in the inn. In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (the Messiah). And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.” Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest [heaven], And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known what had been told them about this Child, and all who heard it were astounded and wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
At the end of eight days, when He was to be circumcised, He was named Jesus, the name given [to Him] by the angel [Gabriel] before He was conceived in the womb. And when the time for their purification came [that is, the mother’s purification and the baby’s dedication] according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord [set apart as the Firstborn] (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy [set apart and dedicated] to the Lord )” and [they came also] to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord [to be appropriate for a family of modest means], “ a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons .” Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout [carefully observing the divine Law], and looking for the Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). Prompted by the Spirit, he came into the temple [enclosure]; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him the custom required by the Law, Simeon took Him into his arms, and blessed and praised and thanked God, and said, “Now, Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to leave [this world] in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your Salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A Light for revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was previously unknown], And [to bring] the praise and honor and glory of Your people Israel.” And His [legal] father and His mother were amazed at what was said about Him. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is to be opposed— and a sword [of deep sorrow] will pierce through your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, and had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the [area of the] temple, but was serving and worshiping night and day with fastings and prayers. She, too, came up at that very moment and began praising and giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all who were looking for the redemption and deliverance of Jerusalem.
And when they had done everything [in connection with Jesus’ birth] according to the Law of the Lord, they went back to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child continued to grow and become strong [in spirit], filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor, spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him.
Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover Feast. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the Feast; and as they were returning [to Nazareth], after spending the required number of days [at the Feast], the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this, but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and traveled a day’s journey; and [then] they began searching [anxiously] for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they did not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for Him [everywhere]. Three days later they found Him in the [court of the] temple, sitting among the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. All who heard Him were amazed by His intelligence and His understanding and His answers. When they saw Him, they were overwhelmed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us like this? Listen, Your father and I have been [greatly distressed and] anxiously looking for You.” And He answered, “Why did you have to look for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand what He had said to them. He went down to Nazareth with them, and was continually submissive and obedient to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and men.’
So where are you at today? Are you feeling weak and needing God’s strength to make it through? Are you feeling weak and finding that the enemy is trying to tempt you into doing things you shouldn’t be doing? Are you feeling weak and wondering what to do about it? Are you feeling weak and turning to God for wisdom and discernment into how to navigate this time in your life? Let’s get started by connecting with God! Let’s get started with doing things that will energize us, body, soul, and mind. Let’s walk out our today in relationship with Jesus! Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
If you knew there were three keys would you want them? If you knew there were three keys would you get them? If you knew there were three keys would you use them? Do you have them? Are you using them? Do you know how to use them? Do you know how they work? Do you realize the benefits?
Do you realize what love in action looks like? Will you receive it and live it?
Let’s expand on this to ensure we get the full context of this message and let’s use the Amplified version to get more details:
‘Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good. Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor; never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord; constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength], contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality. Bless those who persecute you [who cause you harm or hardship]; bless and do not curse [them]. Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief]. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself. Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on his head .” Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.’
Today’s Word speaks to love in action! Today’s Word comes from Paul trying to give us some key principles to this walk of faith! Today’s Word gives us 3 keys to going far in our relationship with God!
POINTS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL:
Ready to take grasp of the principles to a walk of faith?
Paul boils it down to 3 keys
Key #1: “be joyful in hope”
hoping isn’t wishing
hoping is a strong expectation of God’s deliberate action
hoping is confident believing
So hope to the point your confidence makes you sing with anticipation of God’s divine work to be accomplished in and through your life.
God desires for us to produce much spiritual fruit and just like other fruit producing trees, they require pruning to become more fruitful and as such God also will need to prune us to enable us to be fruitful
pruning hurts
let’s be patient and resist our natural tendency when we face troubles of trying to get out of them or escape them
let’s be patient in the midst of the afflictions and look to grasp wisdom and strength through the experience through God’s leading and guiding
let’s be patient in the midst of the afflictions and look to grasp wisdom and strength through the experience by looking to God for wisdom and discernment so that we come out the other side with faith that is stronger than when we went in.
Key #3: “keep praying”
the troubles can be hard and try to break us and cause us to give up but don’t give up, instead pray to God
don’t give up because of how long you have to wait on God’s answers
continue praying with resolve
let’s allow our prayers to deepen in the times of difficulty
let’s allow our prayers to take on new urgency in times of difficulty
let’s be ready to stop talking and start listening if the delays continue
let’s be ready to stop, listen, and obey God’s direction through His Spirit
let’s be ready to be sensitive to the prompting of God’s Spirit rather than trying to make prayer about ordering and answer or outcome but rather to hear from God and learn a lesson or gain wisdom and discernment.
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Which of these keys is a strength in your walk right now?
Which needs some attention? What are you going to do about it?
“Be strong and of good courage and do it; do not be afraid or dismayed, for the LORD God my God is with you; He will not fail you or forsake you till all the work on the House of the LORD is done.
So where are you at? Have you started a relationship with God? Are you wanting a deeper relationship with God? Are you looking for God? Are you needing God? Could today be the day your journey begins? Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
‘If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing. If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all. Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part [for our knowledge is fragmentary and incomplete]. But when that which is complete and perfect comes, that which is incomplete and partial will pass away. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God]. And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.’
So today, let us choose to focus on making an impact on and in the world we live in by focusing on what is going to last forever. Let’s get and be filled up with faith, hope and love to the point of overflowing! Let’s then overflow into the people God brings to mind, across our paths, and into our lives today so that we can point them to an eternity where they will get to live with God in Heaven and not in the abyss of hell apart from God.
‘Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.’
Let’s dig a bit more into this with the surrounding context and using the Amplified version.
‘Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. At the same time pray for us, too, that God will open a door [of opportunity] to us for the word, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned; that I may make it clear [and speak boldly and unfold the mystery] in the way I should. Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you]. As to all my affairs, Tychicus, who is a much-loved brother and faithful assistant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will give you all the information. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him is Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will let you know everything about the situation here [in Rome]. Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, wishes to be remembered to you; as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); and from Jesus, who is called Justus. These are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision (Jewish Christians), and they have proved to be an encouragement and a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you in his prayers, praying with genuine concern, [pleading] that you may [as people of character and courage] stand firm, [spiritually mature] and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has worked strenuously for you and for the believers in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. When this letter has been read among you, see that it is read in the church of the Laodiceans; and also that you in turn read my letter [that is coming to you] from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See to it that you fulfill [carefully the duties of] the ministry which you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. May grace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you.’
Do you realize your environment is an opportunity to shine for God?
Do you realize your environment is an opportunity to be salty for God?
Do you realize the unbelievers around you and how they need the salt and light of Jesus in their lives too?
Do you realize or look for opportunity to be salt and light into their lives?
Don’t be too busy doing your own thing to miss out on being able to do God’s things in the lives of the people God brings across your path.
Don’t be too self absorbed in your own stresses that you miss the open door opportunities to speak hope and love in faith to the world around you.
Don’t consider it a bother when they come your way, consider it an opportunity to be salt and light in their lives.
Keep your eyes open for when they come by so that you can make an effort to be salt and light into their lives.
Someone come to mind in this life where so much is being done virtually? Why not reach out and let them know and check in to make sure they are doing ok and if there is anything you can do to help them.
Do you realize your mission to reach as many people as possible like Paul did?
Do you realize how many people in your mist are lost and need someone to shine the light and hope of Jesus into their situations?
Do you realize how many people in your mist are lost and need you to spice things up for them with salt of Jesus into their lives?
Will you speak to people others are ignoring?
Will you go to places others won’t go?
Consider every interaction an opportunity!
Consider every interaction as an open door to represent Jesus to them!
Lead with God’s grace, giving it to them freely.
Let God’s love overflow out of your heart and be how your words speak to them.
We need to be both reaching out in love as well as seasoning our words with the His salt.
Salt that goes bad has no purpose and gets thrown out on the roads.
So let’s instead use salt with the purposes it has in life!
salt adds taste
salt preserves
So let’s be salty so as to add flavor to people’s lives!
So let’s be salty so that we are the most creative, optimistic, compassionate, sensitive, and alive people to the world around us!
Let’s be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us too!
There will come a time when someone will ask you to explain yourself, why are you like that? what is allowing you to be that way? So be ready to give people the reason for that spunk in your step and share the truth, the love, the hope of Jesus in your life!
Let’s be the people God created us to be in the place God has positioned us to be.
Let’s reach out to those God has allowed us to have relationship with so that they can encounter Jesus like we did.
Let’s help them realize it isn’t about rituals and routines but about an intimate relationship with Jesus.
Let’s be salty in this world we live!
Let’s be salty so that we can touch the life of the one(s) that need it.
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
At this point in your life, how salty are you? Explain your answer.
Who are some unbelievers God has put in your life? How can you be salty with them?
So where are you today? Are you one who knows Jesus and is living for Him and will pick up the call to be salty and make a difference in the world around you? Are you one who knows Jesus and is living in a relationship with Him to fill you to overflowing with faith, hope, and love in order to be able to pour it out over all those God brings into your life? Are you someone looking for answers, seeking hope, or looking for love? Are you someone whose final destination is unknown to you? Are you ready to decide and choose to spend eternity with God in Heaven? Will today be your day? Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Yesterday set me in a position where I need God’s favor, God’s help, and most of all God’s comfort in the midst of it all. Be it a miscommunication associated with my daughter’s home coming transportation and so now trying to see if we can still get a bus for the right day. Be it getting what the team needs from a different team to be able to get things done for that other team. Be it working out dates for a camp (which looks to be coming together, thanks be to God!). I am starting this day both with needs of divine intervention as well as God’s comfort to support and encourage me through it all.
So I invite the Holy Spirit into each situation for He is my comforter and my guide. So I lift each of these needs up and cast them on God because He cares for me. My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus’ blood and righteousness! And so I ask for God’s peace that surpasses all understanding to guard my heart and my mind in order to get through this day with hope and peace by the grace and comfort of God!
How about you? Do you have something weighing on you? Do you have something that needs prayer? If you would like someone to join with you in prayer, please feel free to email prayerrequest@from2005toeternity.com so I can pray with you. God knows what we have need of before we ask. Are you willing to humble yourself enough to ask? Are you ready for God’s peace that surpasses all understanding to enter into your situation? Are you ready to be comforted by the comforter who is the Holy Spirit? Are you ready to receive comforting? Are you ready to give comfort? What is it that today will be for each of us?
‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ‘
Today’s verse is an interesting one where we learn how God is comforting us so that we are able to comfort others in the midst of the troubles that are taking place. Let’s learn from how God comforts us in order to be able to comfort others. Let’s grab hold of the full context of this as verses 3-7 speak to Comfort in Suffering and verses 8-11 speak to Delivered from Suffering. Let’s grab hold of God’s truth and God’s promises. Remember the promise that He will not leave us and will not forsake and will not abandon us! Let’s check out the greater context using the Amplified version:
‘Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as Christ’s sufferings are ours in abundance [as they overflow to His followers], so also our comfort [our reassurance, our encouragement, our consolation] is abundant through Christ [it is truly more than enough to endure what we must]. But if we are troubled and distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted and encouraged, it is for your comfort, which works [in you] when you patiently endure the same sufferings which we experience. And our hope for you [our confident expectation of good for you] is firmly grounded [assured and unshaken], since we know that just as you share as partners in our sufferings, so also you share as partners in our comfort. ‘
‘For we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about our trouble in [the west coast province of] Asia [Minor], how we were utterly weighed down, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life [itself]. Indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the sentence of death [and were convinced that we would die, but this happened] so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead. He rescued us from so great a threat of death, and will continue to rescue us. On Him we have set our hope. And He will again rescue us [from danger and draw us near], while you join in helping us by your prayers. Then thanks will be given by many persons on our behalf for the gracious gift [of deliverance] granted to us through the prayers of many [believers]. ‘
Are you one of those people who say “no pain, no gain”?
Are you someone who makes a funny face when someone says “no pain, no gain”?
Do you ever wonder where God is in the midst of the pain or suffering?
Do you ever wonder why this is happening?
Ever reflected on the various reasons for suffering that are called out in the Bible?
natural disasters
consequences of our own sins
effects of other people’s sins on us
We may or may not ever figure out the cause or the reason.
We can’t control what happens to us but we can control our response.
So when it happens (and if it hasn’t yet, it will as we read in John 16:33) we can take hold of Jesus’s additional statement to take heart because He has overcome the world and as such we have 2 things we can include in our response:
turn to God for comfort
comfort others who are in pain too
God never promised that life would be pain-free.
Beware of preachers who try and tell you or even promise you unlimited prosperity and wealth for they are hoaxes and not biblical.
God does promise to be with us in and through the pain and suffering though. He promises that we won’t have to go through it alone!
He promises to step into the very situation in order to give us comfort in and through the experience.
Remember that what the devil planned for evil God is able to turn around and use for good!
So invite God in so that you can feel His presence in the midst of the pain and suffering!
So invite God in so that He can provide you with comfort in the midst of your pain and suffering!
So invite God in so that He can provide enough comfort that you will be able to comfort others even in the midst of your own pain and suffering!
So let’s cling to God through this time! No matter how long or short it may be, let’s not let go but instead let God in and cling to Him through it all!
Let’s cling to God and allow His mercy and His comfort to help us!
We need Him to be comforting us to be in any shape or form to be able to comfort others!
With God’s comforting we are then able to comfort those who are in despair, feeling emptiness and heartache.
Let’s not try to coverup or camouflage the situations but be real in and through them.
Let’s not try to use canned phrases or methods to try and comfort others but instead allow the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and discernment for the very situation!
Let’s be present! The ministry of presence can be sufficient to help us in the midst of our troubles and pain and suffering.
Let’s be present! Let’s allow God’s wisdom to help us to keep quiet or to speak as He leads! We don’t want to say something that will make it worse!
We need to grab hold of God’s mercy and grace and how it comforted us. We need to remember and experience God’s kindness, tenderness, patience, and love in the dark times in order to be able to support others when they are in their dark times!
Let’s not forget what God has done and let’s use it to help others!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Describe a time when you were hurting. What questions did you ask? What brought real comfort?
Who are some people around you today who need to be comforted? What will you do?
So where are you at today? Are you in need of comforting? Are you supposed to come alongside someone to help comfort them as God has comforted you? Are you in the midst of being comforted and still need to be able to comfort others? Are you in need of help to be filled up in order to share? Let’s turn to God and turn to prayer for help in navigating where we are at:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Ever been through a lot of time or a long time where hope was fleeting? Ever been through a hard time or discouraging time where hope was lacking? Ever been through a challenging and uncertain time where hope was fading?
How did you go through it? Did it bring unhappiness? Did it bring depression? Did it bring physical illness? Did it bring sadness? Did it bring sorrow? Did it come with a feeling or sense of disappointment? Did it comes with a sense of rejection? Did it feel like it was zapping your spirit and your joy?
How did you respond? Where did you turn? How did it impact you physically, emotionally, and spiritually?
Did you turn to God? Did you turn to God’s Word?
Let’s consider what we can find in the Word of God…
‘Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my [sad] countenance and my God.’
So are you ready to do it? What do you care about? What is making you worried? What is causing you to be anxious? Speak them and give them to God! Let’s exchange our cares and anxiety for God’s care for us! Let’s exchange our cares and anxiety for God’s love for us! Let’s exchange our cares and anxiety for God’s mercy on us!
We need to get rid of and replace these thoughts that are triggering or causing fear, worry, doubt, and anxiety with God’s Word, God’s love, and God’s presence with us. We need to pick up the antidote for fear which is our faith in God!
Remember how in the Bible it tells us to fear not? Remember how there are enough that we can read one or take hold of one per day? He provides us with a way to go from fearful to fearless! There are references that speak to there not being 365 fear nots, there are many references that give you enough Bible verses to make it through the year.
Check out these reference sites that point to God’s Word to help you find the fear not for today:
So the key to facing the disappointments and the challenges, the trials and the troubles, the anxiety and the fear is hope. Without hope everything else can makes its way in and try to shake up our lives. So we need to turn to God! We need to cry out and call on God! We need to lean on God harder! And in so doing we will be able to use our faith as the antidote to fear. We will be able to consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds. We will be able to take heart when we face troubles. We will be able to lean not on our own understanding but trust God rather than being anxious.
So where are you at today? Is all the crazy going on in this world getting to you? Is all the crazy going on in this world shaking you? Step on and stand on the rock of our salvation which is unshakable. Let’s build our lives on Jesus! It doesn’t mean we won’t face problems but it does mean we won’t have to face them alone.
Don’t let your heart be troubled! Let’s take hold of the words of Jesus!
‘ “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” ‘
So where are you at today? What are you going through? What are you in need of? Do you know where to go? Do you know where to turn? Where does your help come from? Where does your hope come from? Are you ready to turn to God? Are you ready to invite Jesus into your heart today? Could today be your new beginning?
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Even as I saw that another verse that came to mind in needing to get it done and being setup for success was:
‘But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. ‘
So when we are facing a challenge we need to make sure our focus isn’t on how big the challenge or problem or obstacle is but rather to focus on God and how much bigger and greater He is and what He desires and how He would want us to proceed. When we trust Him and pursue His purpose and believe in Him and put all our trust in Him rather than our own understanding, all things are possible. We may be new or our faith may be small but God’s Word tells us that even with a small amount of faith amazing things can happen:
‘And the Lord said, “If you have [confident, abiding] faith in God [even as small] as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree [which has very strong roots], ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea’; and [if the request was in agreement with the will of God] it would have obeyed you. ‘
So whatever it is that you are facing, whatever is needed to succeed, turn to God to get the instructions, guidance, and direction that will enable you to get it done!
Do you think it requires rocket science to find success?
Do you think it requires being a brain surgeon to find success?
Do you think it requires quantum physics to be able to get it done?
Do you realize that what is required for success and to get it done is to follow Jesus’ directions?
Do you realize that we can find riches through Jesus’ promises?
Do you realize that we can find rewards through Jesus’ promises?
Are you ready to align your heart with God’s will? Are you ready to be obedient to God’s commands? Will you receive and accept Jesus’ instructions and direction in pursuit of His promises?
Will you choose to live in the world but not of the world by pursuing and living out what you hear and find in God’s Word, the Bible?
Ever considered what the Bible says? Ever considered what God is asking and demanding of us?
Do you remember the 10 commandments from the Old Testament?
Do you remember how Jesus said all the commandments could be summarized in the New Testament?
Do you live out your life grabbing hold of the commands that we need to love? Love God and Love people? All the time?
Do you live out your life grabbing hold of the commands to forgive and be forgiven?
What about at home? What about at work? What about everywhere in between? Are you living a life of love? Are you living a life of forgiveness?
God isn’t someone who only lives at church.
God is omnipresent and so our relationship with Him should go everywhere we go and so our lives should reflect His love and forgiveness everywhere we go and into every life we come in contact with.
So we shouldn’t be living out our today with resentments! Let’s choose to love and forgive!
We shouldn’t be living out our today withholding affection! Let’s choose to love and forgive!
We shouldn’t be living out our today blaming people! Let’s choose to love and forgive!
Let’s not only receive and be filled with God’s love and forgiveness but also be vessels of love and forgiveness to the world around us! As we forgive others, God will forgive us!
Let’s grab hold of God’s commands so that we know how to be and what to do in every relationship and situation!
Let’s choose to live out our today in alignment and in accordance to His commands so that we can make choices and decisions that will touch God’s heart!
Let’s choose to live out our today in ways that will put a smile on His face!
Let’s remember God’s commands aren’t to hinder or harm us but they are to help us and are for our own good!
Let’s remember God’s commands are to help expand His kingdom!
So let’s choose to let His love flow through us into all those He send across our paths!
Do you realize how much other people’s lives depend on our obedience?
Our obedience to God’s commands both put a smile on God’s face and on the face of others!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
What are some commands God has for you today?
Does making God smile motivate you to obey Him? Why or why not?
So where are you at today? What is it that you are facing? Do you know where to turn? Do you know what to do? Are you trying to lean on your own understanding too much? Why not trust in God instead? Why not pursue the answer His way? Why not be like David who even though the situation was similar went to God for wisdom and direction into how to address what He was facing? Will you turn to God rather than your own understanding? Will you seek His will through this situation? Will you not give up because you know that all things are possible with God? Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Are you like me and want stories to have a happy ending? Are you like me and can get upset if you spend a bunch of time watching a show and then it has a sad ending? I still remember watching Pocahontas and saying that I can’t believe Disney would allow something like that. As I thought about it and the tears I cried as a kids watching “The Wonderful World of Disney” and seeing movies like Old Yeller which was another one with a sad ending. And looking back there were a bunch of Disney movies where there were sad endings. They weren’t all Happily Ever After type of stories. But I remember back to when I began to write this blog and it started with the end. The End Times that is. I started my blog in the book of Revelation which is where the Eternity in the blog name from 2005 to eternity comes from. When you realize that Jesus has already won the victory, it allows you to be able to rejoice in the Lord always. When you realize that Jesus has already won the victory, when tough times come your way you are able to take heart. When you realize that Jesus has already won the victory, when you face trials of many kinds you are able to consider it pure joy because you know that when perseverance finishes its work that you will be complete and lacking nothing. When you have started a relationship with Jesus and you know the rest of the story (as Paul Harvey used to tell about), even when things get hard, you can lean in on God rather than your own understanding and put your trust in Him. We can grab hold of the reality that He works all things for good for those who love God and called according to His purposes. So even when there is pain and suffering, troubles and tribulation, trials and challenges, we can take heart and not give up! I know in 2020 I leaned on God a lot. He helped me through 2020 to build a stronger relationship with my wife. He helped me through 2020 to spend more time with my family. He helped me through 2020 to grow my faith by leaning on Him rather than my own understanding of the craziness. He helped me through 2020 to grow my faith by trusting in Him no matter what craziness happened. He helped me through 2020 to grow my faith by continuously forgiving. And 2020 had a happy ending when I got a new role and a new boss and a great team just before Christmas and in time to start off 2021 on a new note. It was God’s Christmas present to me. I kept having the theme that Hindsight is 2020 for the entire year, even before the crazy began but it was right as the year ended and I was able to see clearly what was going on from painful changes, leadership favor and support, and yet being able to keep the relationships even though I lost the teams. God used it and turned it for good. And as such I can say that we can, should, and will rejoice in the Lord always!
Do you rejoice in the goodness and greatness of God?
Do you rejoice for what God has given you whether you feel like it or not?
Do you rejoice for what God has given you whether you see it or not?
Paul tells us in today’s verse that we are to always rejoice in the Lord!
So we are to rejoice in the Lord at the highest of highs and the lowest of lows!
We are to rejoice in the Lord in the good times and the bad times!
We are to rejoice in the Lord when things are going easy or smoothly as well as when things get tough or difficult.
We rejoice in the Lord because we trust in Him!
We rejoice in the Lord even when we don’t know what He is doing, so we trust Him and that He is working all things for good because we love Him and are called according to His purposes!
Paul who went through great highs in his missionary journeys has incredible reasons and occasions to rejoice in the Lord!
Paul who went through incredible trials and persecution (even being stoned to what the people though killed him and dragged him out of town) and he is the guy who continued to rejoice that he was getting persecuted for the cause.
To hear from someone who went through so much tell us to always rejoice, we can see in and through his life how during the highest of highs where people were being saved to the lowest of lows when he was beaten, imprisoned, and more that He worshipped God and rejoiced and praised God even in the cells and ministered to the world wherever he was.
So can you rejoice like Paul when you are experiences incredible blessings and miracles?
Can you rejoice like Paul when you are experiences trials and persecution?
Let’s take hold of what Paul is telling us and rejoice in the Lord always!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
How would it help you to make the choice to rejoice even when you don’t feel like it?
What are some situations right now that require that choice?
So where are you at today? Do you have hope for the future so that you can rejoice in the present? Do you have hope for the future so that you can take heart in the present? Do you have hope for the future so that you can consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds? Do you have hope for the future so that you can rejoice in the Lord today? If not, would you consider inviting Jesus into your heart and your life? Would you be willing to receive the gift of grace that provides a hope for the future? Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Are you facing hard times? Are you facing challenging times? Are you facing a physical situation? Are you facing an emotional situation? Are you facing a spiritual situation? Are you facing a relational or relationship situation? Are you facing distress? Are you facing tribulation? Are you facing suffering? How are you doing with it?
Are you facing troubles? Have you just finished dealing with troubles? Are you aware that you don’t have to lose hope because you are facing troubles? Do you realize that you don’t need to allow fear to take a grip because you are facing troubles? Do you realize that you can be courageous? Do you realize that you can be confident? Do you realize that you can be undaunted? Do you realize that you can be filled with joy? Do you know why?
Let’s take a moment to reflect on what Jesus tells us about troubles in his message from John 16:33:
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory”
The key is that we need Jesus! The key is we need to be walking in relationship with Him. The key is that He overcame the power of sin and death and won the victory so that we don’t need to lose hope, lose heart, or fear the situation(s) that come our way. With Jesus in our lives, we can take heart because Jesus has overcome the world! With Jesus in our lives, when we face trials of any kind, we can consider it pure joy and through perseverance we can press in and press on so that in the end we will be complete and lacking nothing!
“Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”
So where are you at? Have you invited Jesus into your heart and your life? Are you ready to get to live a transformed life that goes against what society would try to get you to believe? Are you ready to get to live a transformed life that goes against all the lies and deception of the devil? Are you ready to become a new creation and join the family of God? Could today be your day?
If you want to get started now, every before we start today’s devotional, jump down to the prayer section at the end of the post and join me in the prayer. I will wait here for you to return.
Are you able to hold onto God’s Word in the midst of trials and troubles and “Fear Not”?
Are you able to hold onto God’s Word in the midst of the challenges and hard times and “Wait on the Lord”?
Are you able to hold onto God’s Word in the midst of your life situations and “Don’t lose heart”?
God knows how hard it is to start to fear and so that is why He so frequently tells us to “Fear Not”!
God knows how hard trying and troubling life is going to be and so He reminds us to “Wait upon the Lord”!
God knows how hard things can get and trying it can be on us and so He reminds us to “Don’t lose heart”!
He reminds us and tells us these things because it is so easy to give into fear.
He reminds us and tells us these things because it is so easy to become impatient with God’s timing.
He reminds us so often because it is so easy to give up!
He reminds us so often because He doesn’t want us to quit because following Him is too hard.
Jesus shares a story to try and help encourage us when He tells us:
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”” — Luke 18:1-8 NIV
This story helps address the problem of unanswered prayers
This story helps address the problem of delayed answers
We see how Jesus compares God to the judge in verse 7 when He says:
“And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?”— Luke 18:7 NIV
How long will you pray or have you prayed for a particular person?
How one will you pray or have you prayed for a specific situation?
I know for me it took most of 2020 before I got an answer. I had to lean in on God rather than my own understanding to get through it. It wasn’t till the end of 2020 (with hindsight being 2020) for me to understand and hear from God the why and how to move forward.
Ever considered that there are reasons for the delays? Remember the story of the archangel saying he started to go and answer the prayer at the moment Daniel prayed?
Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.” — Daniel 10:12-14
God might be preparing the other person and so has to wait.
God might be preparing you and so has to wait.
God might be working in our hearts to be able to trust Him.
So no matter what, don’t give up, don’t lose heart, God will answer!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
In the past, when have you been tempted to lose heart because God’s answer was delayed?
What is a situation right now in which you are waiting for God’s answer?
QUOTE(S) FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
“Life is a grindstone. But whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on us.”
So where are you at today? What are you facing today? What is grinding up down? What is polishing you up? Have you invited Jesus into your heart so that you have His wisdom and discernment to get you through it? Have you started a relationship with Jesus so that you can lean on Him when things get tough and trust in Him? Could today be your day? Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Considering the times we are in, would you accept and invitation to an event? Would it matter if it was inside or outside? Would it matter who it was for? Would it matter how many people would be attending? Would it matter what the weather will be like? Would it matter if it was personally delivered? Would it matter if it was handwritten rather than printed out?
Considering the times would be you open to make an invitation to others? An invitation to celebrate? An invitation to serve? An invitation to search your background? An invitation to search your heart? An invitation to search your mind? An invitation to search your worries and fears? An invitation to your home? An invitation to lead or direct you? Would it matter how well you know the person? Would it matter if you knew their intentions were good?
Would you accept or give an invitation at this time?
Will you invite Jesus in and discover that God is for you and not against you? that God loves you and wants the best for you? that God is calling you to partner with Him for a greater reason and purpose of sharing His Word and the Good News with the world?
So will you allow love to overcome fear? Will you pray instead of worrying? Will you cast your cares upon God because He cares for you? Will you invite Jesus into your heart so that He can make your path straight? Will you choose to go beyond routines and rituals and step into a living relationship with God?
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
On a clear night with a full moon there are times when you wouldn’t know night time, you may even see a shadow. On a cloudy night there are times where it is so dark you can barely see anything, but our eyes find any light they can grab a hold of. But what happens when you close your eyes in those times? What happens when you don’t know what you are walking out into? Can you see the light through the darkness?
Do you realize there are times in life where it can feel that way too? When someone speaks going through some dark times it usually means it was a time of despair, sadness, and without hope. When you can’t see the light in those dark times, it makes it really hard to move forward. Without the hope you might even give up trying or moving forward. Times when you just don’t think you can go on. Times when you don’t think the hurt will go away. Times when we couldn’t find any rhyme or reason to what was going on. So what do you do? Will you be willing to turn to someone in order for the light to get turned back on in this darkness?
Will you turn to someone you know? Will you turn to God and put your trust in Him that in the right time He will make a way even when we don’t see it and can’t find it? Will you invite God into the situation to be your light and your hope? Will you allow fellow believers into your situation in order for them to speak love and life and hope? Will you trust God for the answers?
Don’t put all your trust in money instead of God! God is love and there is no darkness in Him! The love of money is the root of all evil! Money can’t buy you love! God is offering it to you for free! Do you realize how much God loves you? God loves you so much that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. God didn’t send Jesus to the world to cause more doom and gloom not even to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. The thing is will we trust Him and invite Him into the situation. I know that 2020 was a dark time for me and many others. In my case it required leaning in on God a lot and trusting Him for wisdom and direction and that in the right time He would make a way. I didn’t make sense. It wasn’t easy. I depended on Him through His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Instead of falling into despair or depression, I fell into God’s hands and trust Him to get me through it. I would ask if it was time for a change or to move on but He never said yes. I would ask Him what should I do or what could I do and He kept saying to love and to forgive. In the midst of the darkness He wanted me to be light. In the midst of so many lives being impacted He wanted me to be salt in order to season people’s lives for His glory. So I had to press in and I had to press on through the troubles because I could take heart because Jesus has overcome the world! (See John 16:33 and 1 John 5:4) I had to press in and press on, considering it pure joy when I face trials of many kinds. James 1 continued to remind me:
‘ Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.’
So I made it and so can you. Let’s build up our endurance in faith. Let’s build up our steadfastness and patience in faith. Let’s allow them to be strengthened and fully developed so that we can become such faith filled people and receive all that God has prepared and planned for us so that we can join Him being complete and lacking nothing!
If it feels like it is going from dark to darker to darkest, remember that it is always darkest before the dawn!
Let’s be willing to turn to God and hear from God and then do what He says. Imagine being the widow that Elisha told to go and get vessels to pour her jug of oil into. How many vessels would you get? How much would you trust God and as such how many vessels would you go and get to be filled? Would you get your family involved to be a part of the miracle? Imagine how the darkness of that day brightened up. Imagine how that experience changed the perspective and faith of her kids. Let’s help them to see God’s hand at work in and through us!
‘If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.’
Consider the times when it looked like the light of hope wouldn’t shine again
Consider the attacks
Consider the betrayals
Consider the threats
Consider when he betrayed by having an affair with Bathsheba
Consider when he betrayed by trying to cover up the affair
Consider when he betrayed by having her husband, one of his soldiers killed
Do you remember a time when you had to deal with pitch darkness in your spiritual life?
Do you remember having no visibility and thinking that nobody else would be able to see too?
Do you remember the hopelessness?
Do you remember the fear, worry, and doubts?
Be willing to hear and listen to what God is telling you!
Be willing to invite God into the situation!
I remember the downward spiral of not being willing to forgive
I remember the darkness and loneliness in those times
Remember that in our darkest moments God can still see clearly!
Take hold of that in order to allow that hope to help you keep going!
Just because we can’t see light, we can have hope like David did because we know that God can see through it all!
God sees us! He sees us when we are in the pit! He sees us when it is pitch dark! He sees all things clearly!
So no matter what it is or what we are going through, let’s hold onto the confidence that comes from our God!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Describe a time when you felt in the dark spiritually and emotionally.
Check out the video description on YouTube by searching godaddy story slam forgiveness – you will find a video titled GoDaddy Story Slam Phil Davidson. Feel free to pause here and watch and hear my story. It is a story I have been able to share and seen many other people’s lives touched because they decided to forgive. I have been approached to talk with people by divine appointment so that I could share this story to help them in their dark time. (wanted to make sure to provide this information for those listening to a podcast as I am embedding the video below)
How does it affect you to realize God see clearly even when you can’t see at all?
It helped me get through 2020, never giving up, always getting back up, and thanking God through it all
It helped me connect more with my wife and allowed us more time to share and to pray together
It helped me get more time with my kids and allowed us more time to share over meals.
It kept me going and provided me with a revelation towards the end of 2020 as the new door opened filled with God’s incredible blessings – on top of the ones He gave me through 2020 at home.
Will you let a little light into the darkness? Will you be the light in the darkness? Will you invite God into the darkness? How will you handle those dark days? How will you transform them with the light and hope of God? How will you allow Jesus to transform your life and the life of those He has put around you?
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
God's story through my life from 2005 to eternity... 
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