31
Aug '21
Radical Generosity
31
Aug '21
Your prayer today, “Jesus, help me be more generous.” Sell that ye have, and give alms . . . (Luke 12:33)
Kingdom people are radically generous people.
In Luke CH. 12, Jesus gives us a picture of what Kingdom people look like, and Jesus is clear—
Kingdom people are radically generous.
When Jesus tells us to “sell our possessions, and give to the needy,” He is trampling on the Old Testament standard of the tithe.
The tithe is simple; things come in, and you give 10%.
As your income comes in, give 10%. When the crop comes in, give 10%. You receive 20 coins, give 2 away. Not radical, simple.
In Luke 12:33, Jesus commands something more, something radical.
Jesus isn’t talking about income; He is talking about assets; He is talking about your life!
Jesus tells us to take the things we own, the things we enjoy, the things we value, and be radically generous.
With one phrase, Jesus blows past the simple practice of the tithe, and He commands radical generosity.
So why aren’t more of us radically generous?
Jesus tells us, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (vs. 32).
Jesus introduces radical generosity by telling us to “not be afraid.”
The opposite of generosity is not greed—the opposite is fear.
People do not practice radical generosity because they are afraid. Afraid of not having enough. Fearful of having less than my neighbor.
Fear, not greed, is what keeps us from being generous.
Yet Jesus is telling us, “drop your small ambitions and trust me.” “Fear not,” He says, “you are Kingdom people with a King’s inheritance.”
Your prayer today, “Jesus, help me be more generous.”
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
26
Aug '21
My Source of Strength
26
Aug '21
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:24)
God, You are my source of strength and peace, and I’m so grateful I can turn to You for help when I need it. Right now, You know what I need. You know where I’m struggling and where I’m thriving. Please help me. Meet my needs today and give me the wisdom, peace and discernment I need to make wise choices that honor You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
24
Aug '21
Make Me Aware
24
Aug '21
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)
God, please continue to shape me into someone who encourages other people. Show me what it means to do good to all people, and then help me to live this out. Make me aware of the opportunities to serve others that You place around me, and help me to act on them. I want every area of my life to reflect Your kindness and compassion. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
19
Aug '21
My Rock
19
Aug '21
He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. (Psalm 62:6)
If safety and peace are something you long for, then making your home in the Lord is your answer.
People who don’t know God often turn towards success, fame, self-exaltation and self-sufficiency for fulfillment. Sooner or later, they find their pseudo foundation of self-found stability crumbling apart like sand.
While the world says to follow your heart and your own desires in order to find happiness, security and peace, scripture tells us that God alone is our rock and salvation.
He is the only one who can save us from ourselves and offer true stability and security in life.
Every day we must be diligent in choosing the Lord as our foundation and nothing else.
When we do this consistently, our lives will be secure in His leading and protection.
His wrap around presence will permeate your being and life, further opening your heart to receive His peace, joy and strength.
Know today that the Lord is your rock and champion defender.
Even when troubles multiply around you, you don’t have to allow the enemy to paralyze you with fear because there is never any risk of failure in God!
When you stand firm in the Lord, He will defend you and you shall not be moved by anything life or the devil throws at you!
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you are my rock and my salvation. I choose to make you the foundation of my life. Thank you for always being my champion defender and wrapping your presence around me. In you, I know I am safe and secure. Amen.”
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
17
Aug '21
The Lord is Nigh
17
Aug '21
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
If you’ve ever experienced heartbreak in the past or are currently going through it, then you are far from alone.
Jesus Himself is very familiar with heartbreak.
He had to bear the weight of sin itself on His shoulders and watch as the ones who pledged their allegiance and love to Him turned their back on Him.
Jesus experienced the ultimate betrayal and the complete depth of what it means to be heartbroken.
Jesus experienced anguish so deep that scripture tells us that He “sweat drops of blood” in the garden of Gethsemane.
If you’re experiencing heartbreak, make an intentional decision to enter into the Lord’s presence. There, you can take the broken pieces of your heart and lay them down at his feet.
Even in the pain of heartbreak, you can find Him there.
Let Him be the focal point in the midst of struggle.
Out of all the people you will meet in this life, Jesus is the only one who understands you perfectly and what you’re going through.
Remember, God loves you beyond your comprehension. He has seen all you’ve gone through, not even the smallest detail has escaped His notice!
You are cherished, desired, seen, heard, and loved by the Father!
“Heavenly Father, thank you for healing my broken heart and piecing me back together again for your glory. Thank you that you understand me perfectly and know how to heal me. I love you and choose to take refuge in you! Amen.”
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
12
Aug '21
God of Patience
12
Aug '21
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus. (Romans 15:5)
Jesus, You did not consider Your equality with God as a way to gain special favors. Instead, You humbly served a hurting world. Thank You for modeling what true humility and love look like. Today, please allow me to follow Your example. Show we what it means to consider others as better than myself, and teach me how to love others with genuine affection, humility and grace. Amen.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
10
Aug '21
My Strength and Shield
10
Aug '21
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. (Psalm 28:7)
God, nothing compares to how great You are! The heavens declare Your glory and the earth points to Your power. You are holy and set apart! You are above every area of my life, and it is by Your hand that my world is held together. All glory and honor belong to You alone! Hallelujah and Amen.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
05
Aug '21
Hide God’s Word in Your Heart
05
Aug '21
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11)
God, in Your presence I find peace and rest. Today, I want to intentionally draw near to You. Help me to hide Your words in my heart. Remind me of Your commands and show me what pleases You. I want to make my life a living prayer to You, so today I choose to contemplate Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
03
Aug '21
Reflecting on God’s Power
03
Aug '21
The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. (Psalm 103:19)
God, as I reflect on Your power, I am overwhelmed by how great and kind You are. You created all things, Your understanding is unsearchable – and yet You also care about the little details in my life. Thank You. Today, I want to remind myself that You are near, and You love me. Nothing is impossible for You! Hallelujah and Amen!
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
29
Jul '21
He Delights in You
29
Jul '21
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)
Have you ever felt prompted by the Lord to pray, but didn’t know what to pray?
Or have you ever known you needed to pray, but were unable to?
Thankfully, the word of God says that the Holy Spirit is able to rise up within us and intercede for us on our behalf.
You don’t have to worry whether your payers “sound good enough” or if they meet a minimum word requirement.
There is no fancy formula of religiosity that is needed.
What matters is that we make sure our attention and affections are completely turned to Him with the concerns, petitions and praises of our hearts.
Even the most frantic, inaudible, clumsy and intelligible prayers can be profound and deep when they are birthed from the depths of your heart. Rest assured that God still hears those prayers all the way to Heaven!
Whenever you feel weak and frail in prayer, lean on the Holy Spirit and ask Him to fill your mouth.
He always knows what you need to pray for and is waiting for you to call upon Him!
Many times while you are praying, the Holy Spirit may tell you what to pray or ask for by reminding you of a certain person, thing, situation, or give you a mental image. Never underestimate His ways to communicate with you.
As you go through today, be reminded of what a privilege and wonder it is to be able to commune with the Creator of the universe at any time.
He delights in you more than you realize, and loves when your attention and affection turn to Him!
Even the simplest of prayers like, “Jesus, I love you” are adored by Him.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!