24
Dec '20
Prayer and Supplication
24
Dec '20
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6)
Anxiety, stress, and uncertainty are three of the most common struggles plaguing people right now. Loss, fear, and worry surface in uncertain times. As believers, God tells us that we do not have to fear or be anxious about anything. Instead, God wants you to come to Him and tell Him your deepest concerns.
He wants you to trust Him – like a small child who climbs into their father’s lap, curls up and rests. You can give your anxieties and requests to God, knowing that He is working on your behalf. He has your best interest in mind. He is always good, always just, and ever present.
Jesus, I come to you with my burdens. I ask you to remove any heaviness in my heart. Please give me your peace as I trust you to provide for my needs. Thank you for your grace and love. Amen.
When I read this devotion I felt it was fitting for Christmas Eve, 2020 hasn’t been so kind and for some it has come with loss, fear and worry, just as this devotion says but I am reminded of Galatians 6:9, Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. My prayer for you this day is that in those moments of fear and anxiousness you are reminded of this one thing, if you remember nothing else from this devotion, I pray you remember this, He is always good, always just, and ever present.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
22
Dec '20
Hold Your Peace
22
Dec '20
The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. (Exodus 14:14)
What are the things that are competing for your attention today? What is weighing heavily on your heart? Is it a person? Or maybe, it’s your job or lack thereof. Perhaps you have a child who isn’t following the Lord. Each day has struggles of its own. Trials and difficulties vie for our time. But the Lord wants us to trust Him and give Him our cares and concerns. He desires that we come to Him, trusting Him to work on our behalf.
Exodus tells us to be silent and trust the Lord to fight for us. Isn’t that difficult, though? It is not natural to be quiet and trust God. Our flesh wants to complain or fret about our struggles. But, God wants us to rest in Him. He can make a way when we see no way out of our situation. Just think about how many times God has rescued His people from trouble. He parted the Red Sea when there was no escape for the Israelites. He delivered Daniel out of the lion’s den. Over and over again, we see Him work miracles on behalf of those who love Him.
Help me to focus on your incredible faithfulness Jesus. Give me the peace I need to wait on you in quietness and trust. Amen.
When I read this devotion it blessed me. The Lord will fight for you, you just need to hold your peace. That’s not an easy ask but I assure you, you will find rest in God’s goodness and presence. He neither slumbers nor sleeps. Leave whatever “it” is to God. Do your best and God will do the rest.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
17
Dec '20
Being a “good” Person
17
Dec '20
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? (James 2:14)
Trying to “make” yourself do the right thing or be a good person is a strength in society, but in God’s economy it’s foolishness. The good works spoken of in James refers to the presence of God and the “fruit” of God in a life as evidence of a prior salvation. Being a “good” person or living peaceably does not cause salvation…salvation causes those things.
May the good and right things that flow from me be the overflow of your Holy Spirit and never the “work” of earning your name.
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work. (Titus 3:1)
When I read this devotion I was reminded of James 1:22, But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Help us God to put what we learn from your word into daily practice. Just being a “good” person doesn’t guarantee eternal life. Remember this, salvation is a true relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship doesn’t begin when you get to heaven: it begins here on earth.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
15
Dec '20
Doer of The Word
15
Dec '20
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22)
So what exactly is a doer of the word? What is a listener of the word? The listener hears the word, but fails to live it out or internalize it. Hearing scripture is good, but without revelation it’s like the house built on sand (Matthew 7).
Only someone who is intimate with the Holy Spirit experiences the living word. Jesus was referred to as “the word” (John 1) and will reveal himself in you and to you as you pursue and study Him.
Let me demonstrate your presence because revelation of your word is filling my heart and soul. Amen
With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. (Psalm 119:13)
This devotion blessed me. I pray it encourages you to evaluate your true relationship with the Holy Spirit. Is your house built on sand?
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
10
Dec '20
His Power and Omniscience
10
Dec '20
Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail. (Job 38:22)
Have you ever questioned God as to why something is happening in your life? Do you wonder why specific prayers go unanswered? Have you ever felt frustration or even anger with Him for life not turning out the way you hoped or wanted?
At one time or another, we each go through periods of doubt where we question God and wonder what He is up to. In those times, have you ever heard Him speak to you, quietly reminding you of His power and omniscience? Have you heard Him ask you where you were when he formed the earth? Have you heard Him say to you that He controls the stars and dark of night, the world, and the light?
In this passage, God reminds us of His incredible power. He alone is responsible for keeping the world spinning. His magnificence is manifested from the largest to the smallest of things. When He asks Job in this passage if he has considered the storehouses of snow, it might seem like an odd question, until you discover that no two snowflakes are ever the same. Only a spectacular, powerful, creative God could do that!
God, thank you for your creativity. I give you honor and praise for all of your creation. Amen
When I read this devotion it spoke to my heart and I wanted to share it with you today. In those moments of doubt remember this devotion, when you see a snowflake, again, remember this devotion. If you listen carefully, even the silence is beautiful.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
08
Dec '20
Joy
08
Dec '20
Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials. (James 1:2)
Joy doesn’t seem possible during trials and hardship, but the outcome of this James verse shifts our understanding. God does not cause hardship but will certainly use our suffering to create the greater prize of depth. Maturity has nothing to do with age in the kingdom of God. Jesus and the disciples all experienced hardship, it was their faith that kept them stable, not the world around them.
Spiritual maturity alone allows us to remain stable and tackle each day… sometimes each moment. Amen.
This devotion blessed me. I felt it was an incredible reminder for each and every one of us. Choose to find the beauty and joy in each day and pray for better days to come.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
03
Dec '20
Know Jesus
03
Dec '20
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
The Bible tells us that our enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, seeking those he can devour. He is subtle and cunning. More than anything, he wants to destroy our faith and weaken our trust in the Lord.
However, God’s Word also tells us that Jesus is more powerful than the devil. He is a shield and a source of strength. Nothing is too complicated for Him. He is able to do more than we could ask, hope, or even imagine. He is faithful, guarding us against the schemes of the enemy. The biggest defense we have against him is to know Jesus. When we equip ourselves with the truth, we can recognize Satan’s lies.
Dear Jesus, you know the schemes of the enemy. I ask you to protect me from him today and keep me focused on you. Amen
Powerful devotion! The greatest defense we have against the enemy is to know Jesus! I love this, I pray you are encouraged to equip yourself with the truth and stop believing the lies. God’s truth uncovers satan’s lies.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
01
Dec '20
He Wants To Be Your Strength
01
Dec '20
Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
Throughout Israel’s history, we see the Israelites turn away from the Lord again and again. It is easy to judge their choices, and think that we would never behave that way. And then something doesn’t go how we expect or believe it should, and we can find ourselves acting in much the same way as the Israelites. We groan, complain, and turn our backs on the Lord.
Despite repeated provision and even deliverance, the Israelites rebelled against the Lord. But isn’t that human nature? When things are going good, we love God. But when things fall apart, we blame and complain.
In those moments, when you question and wonder why things are so hard, God wants you to trust Him. He holds the universe in His hands. He controls the light of day and the dark of night. He is always at work. So, whatever you are facing today, you can rely on Him. He wants to be your strength.
When I read this devotion it blessed me. I want to leave you with this thought. Don’t ask God why He’s allowing something to happen. Ask Him what He wants you to learn and do in the midst of it. God will renew your strength.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
26
Nov '20
His Boundless Love
26
Nov '20
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)
Do you ever feel like you don’t know what to pray? Do the problems in your life seem so overwhelming that you can’t even form the words to tell God about it?
As a believer, you are not alone in handling your problems. God hears and knows your heart. He has sent His Holy Spirit to intercede for you. So even when you don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit is mediating for you. That is how much God loves you! Nothing in all creation can separate you from His boundless love!
As you bring your requests to Him today, can you trust Him to do what is best for you? He wants your whole heart. He wants to grow your faith in Him. As believers, we each face difficulties, trials, and situations that are painful. But God understands and wants to give you abundant life in Him.
Nothing can separate you from His constant love and companionship. You can trust Him with your burdens.
This devotion blessed me. I pray you are encouraged today to trust that God can turn your burdens into blessings. Trust Him. Take a deep breath today and talk to Jesus, He’s waiting to intercede for you. Go to Him in prayer.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord and Happy Thanksgiving!
24
Nov '20
Heart of Jesus
24
Nov '20
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. (1 Peter 3:10-11)
Isn’t it incredible when we are given promises in Scripture? Peter was passionate and quick to act. He was impulsive and strong-willed.
While those characteristics aren’t bad, they can get you into trouble if not correctly managed and handled with compassion and humility.
When we react or speak without thinking, we can cause others damage. But Peter tells us that if we keep our tongues from deceitful speech and turn from evil and do good. When we do so, the Lord will be attentive to our prayers. His eyes will be on us.
So, when that urge hits you to pass along a bit of gossip or say something unkind, hold those thoughts and instead offer up a word of prayer for the person.
We don’t always know what is happening in someone else’s life. And when we pray for them, it removes those barriers we feel. It changes our perspective and gives us the eyes and heart of Jesus to love them as He would.
And in return, we are given the incredible promise that God Himself will be attentive to us.
When I read this devotion it blessed me. I pray you are encouraged to think before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Proverbs 25:11, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!