Hope for the Promises
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. (Jeremiah 33:14)
There are times when I wonder if God will ever answer certain prayers of mine. There are prayers that I pray knowing that the Lord has put them in my heart. I have verses of Scripture and biblical illustrations to support these same prayers. I keep journals that detail the dates and descriptions of the promises the Lord has given me. But still I wait and wonder, not about the what but about the when and the how. Where is my faith?
These are the times when I stop and reflect more closely at what I know about my God. I must remind myself of His character traits. Unlike me, He is perfect in every way–so perfect that He is not capable of doing anything out of His character. For example, one of God’s character traits is love. 1 John 4:7-8 says that “love is of God” and that “God is love.” Therefore, everything God does is motivated by love. If the Lord has me waiting and has not answered certain prayers, then His reasons for waiting are based upon His love for me. Another example of God’s character traits is that He is truth, perfect truth. Titus 1:2 says God cannot lie. He is incapable of lying; therefore, everything He has promised me will come to pass. God keeps His promises. But I must remember that He controls the timing, the process and the outcomes, for He is God.
When I step back, I can understand more clearly than when I am in the midst of being anxious over things. We all have seasons in life where we wonder if, and when, God will answer certain prayers. It is in these times that I find myself being tested most in my relationship with the Lord. Do I really know Him and believe Him and trust Him? I go to His Word and start asking for help and comfort. I confess my lack of faith. I am honest about my anxieties and worries. Then, I know I just need to be still and know that He is God. Before long, I am praising Him and my hope has returned. Don’t give up and don’t give in to the temptation to be discouraged and dismayed. Remind yourself of just who God is, what His true character is, and let His Word fill you with hope and joy for the promises that He has given you.
Be still and know that He is God! What truth! I needed to be reminded of this today. My faith has been tested and anxiety has tried to creep in but I know in whom I have believed. I would encourage you to remind yourself, not matter the outcome, no matter the delay, He’s still God and He controls the timing, the process and the outcomes, for He is God. Trust His timing!
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 John 4:7-8
Get God’s Attention
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive. (Jeremiah 29:11-14)
When I read this setting of scripture my first thought was, what more needs to be said. But, I want to share something I read. I felt it was filled with such truth and in a way many can relate to.
The verse above from Jeremiah 29 may be one of the most popular sections of Scripture within the whole Bible. For me personally, it was one of the first that I ever committed to memory. So often, there are times in my life when I just need to hear that the Lord is thinking about me and that He wants to give me “a future and a hope.” Many times, I have difficulty grasping the truth of that statement. The God of the universe, the Lord of heaven and earth, actually has time to think about me? Is that really possible? Not only is it possible but also there is so much more: He wants us to call upon Him, pray to Him, seek Him, find Him, search for Him. God Himself wants us to want Him.
One morning I got up early to pray and knew I needed to spend some time on my knees, literally. As I positioned myself on the floor, my dog soon discovered where I was and proceeded to demand my attention. He began nudging me, licking my face and pressing his body into a position where I could no longer deny his presence. He was insistent to the point that I continued in prayer while petting my dog. I must admit he is irresistible in his persistence and extremely affectionate. In those moments, I sensed the Lord impress upon my heart that He was doing the same thing to me. I knew in that moment that the Lord wanted me to give Him the same kind of attention. He wanted me to know that His love is unconditional, irresistible and affectionate. And He just wants to be loved back. He wants my prayers, but He also wants my never-ending desire to seek and search for Him, to never settle when I may not sense His presence. He is always with me, but sometimes I need to press into Him and not give up until I get His attention.
Just like my dog knew how to get my attention, knowing that I would respond with love and affection, the Lord knows how to get our attention and our response should be the same. But we need to learn how to respond to Him. We need to call upon Him, seek Him and press into Him. We need to give Him our love and affection. He just wants our hearts but He also wants us to sense His nudging. The next time your child or your pet demands your attention, especially in the areas of love and affection, just remember that the Lord is seeking the same kind of attention from you. And no one gives it back better than He does.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Jeremiah 29:11-14
An Alternative to Anger
The book of Proverbs teaches, “It is an honour for a man to cease from strife” (20:3). Strife is that friction that either simmers under the surface or explodes in the open between people who disagree about something.
God has given us the resources to live peacefully with other people. His Word assures us that it’s possible to feel anger without letting it boil over into rage (Eph. 4:26). His Spirit enables us to override the sparks of fury that prompt us to do and say things to strike out at people who upset us. And God has given us His example to follow when we feel provoked (1 Peter 2:23). He is compassionate, gracious, and slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Ps. 86:15).
Dear God, Please help me to manage my anger in a way that does not lead me into sin. Give me self-control through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
When I read this it challenged me to be aware of how easily frustrated or angry I get and in those moments I pray, God help me to be compassionate, gracious and slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Just as He does. What an example we have to follow after. Allow the Holy Spirit to flow through you. Be the change you want to see in the world, and even in those moments when you have every right to be angry or upset, stope and think, how would Christ handle this situation and show love. Don’t blow out someone else’s candle, even if you feel you have the right to do so, you don’t. Allow God to deal with that person or situation and go to Him in prayer. He always has the answer.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 20:1-15
He is Faithful
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised). (Hebrews 10:23)
At times it is so easy to quote this scripture with faith until your faith is put to the test but it’s in those moments of testing when you realize how faithful He truly is. We can’t have a testimony without first being tested. It is important that in those times of testing that we declare our faith, steadfast without wavering.
I don’t know what your going through but He does. He sees all things great and small. If I can leave you with this one simple, yet powerful truth, it is, He is indeed faithful that promised and it doesn’t matter what the enemy tries throwing at me or in my path, I will raise my hands, I will raise my voice, I will sing a new song and I will trust Him. I encourage you to do the same. Stop looking at what’s going on around you and look up, don’t look down and around but up. He’s still God!!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 146
Because You Prayed
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)
What do you do with your worries? Do you turn them inward, or turn them upward?
When the brutal Assyrian King Sennacherib was preparing to destroy Jerusalem, he sent a message to King Hezekiah saying that Judah would be no different from all the other nations he had conquered. Hezekiah took this message to the temple in Jerusalem, and “spread it out before the Lord” (Isa. 37:14). He then prayed and asked for help from Almighty God.
Soon afterward Isaiah the prophet delivered this message to Hezekiah from the Lord: “Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria, this is the word the Lord has spoken against him” (Isa. 37:21–22). Scripture tells us that Hezekiah’s prayer was answered that very night. God intervened miraculously, conquering the enemy forces outside the city gates. The Assyrian army didn’t even “shoot an arrow” (v. 33). Sennacherib would leave Jerusalem, never to return.
Three words in God’s message to Hezekiah—“Because you prayed”—show us the best place to go with our worries. Because Hezekiah turned to God, He rescued him and his people. When we turn our worries into prayer, we discover that God is faithful in unexpected ways!
Father, please help me to turn my worries into prayer. My problems are better in Your hands than in my own. Amen.
I don’t know who this is for today but when I read it, I felt a nudge in my spirit telling me, this is it. I felt someone needed to be reminded of this today. No matter what you face, no matter what your up against, always pray and remember, He is faithful. I loved what it said, don’t turn your worries inward but upward. When we try and internalize our worries and fears we do nothing to benefit our spirit in any way but when we pray and release our fears and worries upward, He is faithful to deliver us out of all our troubles. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles (Psalm 34:17). Remember, Prayer moves the hand that moves the world
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!!
Today’s Reading is Philippians 4:6
The Perfect Prayer Partner
How good it is to know that because of God’s kindness to us our prayers can also touch heaven. Sometimes when we pray we may struggle with words and feelings of inadequacy, but Jesus taught His followers that we “ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). God’s Word shows us that one of the reasons we can do this is that Jesus Himself “is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Rom. 8:34).
We never pray alone, because Jesus is praying for us. He hears us as we pray, and speaks to the Father on our behalf. We don’t have to worry about the eloquence of our words, because no one understands us like Jesus. He helps us in every way, presenting our needs before God. He also knows when the answers we ask for would not be good for us, handling every request or concern with perfect wisdom and love.
Jesus is the perfect prayer partner—the friend who intercedes for us with immeasurable kindness. His prayers for us are beautiful beyond words, and should encourage us to always pray with thankfulness.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for interceding for me with love. Help me to love and serve You with my prayers today. Amen.
As I read this I tried imagining in my mind, Jesus sitting at the right hand of God, making intercession for me as I pray. I think if we would keep that at the forefront of our minds as we go to God in prayer it would change how we see prayer. Prayer is so so important in our daily lives, and to know Jesus is intently listening to us when we take time to go to Him in prayer and then making intercession for us, is incredible to me. What love! I am loved, you are loved, you are cherished by the most genuine friend you could ever have, He truly is the best prayer partner. Go to Him today, He’s waiting to hear from you, to intercede on your behalf. He is immeasurable!
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 8:31-34
Trust Tally
Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee . . . fear not, neither be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 1:21)
Sometimes, I struggle with a deep-seated fear of the unknown—experiencing unnecessary anxiety instead of relying on God’s track record.
In Deuteronomy 1, Moses affirmed the Lord’s reliability. He encouraged the Israelites to move forward in faith so they could enjoy their inheritance (v. 21). But God’s people demanded details about what they’d be up against and what they’d receive before committing to trust Him with their future (vv. 22–33).
Followers of Christ are not immune to succumbing to fear or anxiety. Worrying about what difficulties we may or may not encounter can keep us from depending on faith, and may even damage our relationships with God and others. But the Holy Spirit can help us create a trust tally of the Lord’s past faithfulness. He can empower us with courageous confidence in God’s trustworthiness yesterday, today, and forever.
Lord, thank You for affirming that we don’t need to know everything that lies ahead when we know You. We know You never change. Amen!
I can’t even begin to articulate how blessed I was by this devotion today. To those today who have allowed the enemy to cripple you with fear and anxiety over the unknown, rise up and encourage yourself with this word today. Remind yourself, God’s past faithfulness proves His everlasting dependability. 2 Corinthians 4:18, While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 5:7, For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Timothy 1:7, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. When the enemy tries to overtake you with fear and anxiety, remind him of what The Word of God says and he will flee from you. James 4:7, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Deuteronomy 1:21-33
Fight the Good Fight
Fight the good fight of faith . . .(1 Timothy 6:12)
Timothy was a young preacher, mentored by Paul and used in a mighty way to spread the Gospel of Christ. Paul knew how much Timothy’s faith would be, and was being, tested. He would have to “fight” to keep going or his faith would be shaken. In our world, the word “fight” is heard so often. We hear of fighting actual wars in numerous areas of the world and we fight battles in our own lives every day. As Christians, we may not always be aware of the battles that we are fighting. Sometimes they are manifested in arguments, disputes and areas of stress in our homes. Sometimes they are internalized battles that rage in our minds, frustrating our thoughts and emotions. Ephesians 6 speaks of the battle as a spiritual war, one that tries and tests our faith to the limit, and to the end of our lives. We must learn how to fight to stay in the faith or we will find ourselves desperately weak and shaken.
So, how do we “fight” this “good fight of the faith?” Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). If we are not in the Word on a daily basis, then deceiving thoughts and feelings have more opportunity to take root within us. The enemy roams about seeking whom he may devour and we are more easily devoured when we are not standing on the promises of God. But not only do we need to read God’s word everyday; but also we need to learn how to use it. We must learn how to fight with it.
I challenge you today to read the Bible with a different perspective. Take certain verses and keep them in your thoughts. Speak them against the enemy forces that may attack you. For example, if a thought comes to you like, “God really doesn’t care about what I am going through–where is He?” Read Psalm 139 and speak out the verses. Verses 7 & 8 speak about how God never leaves us; no matter where we go, He is there. Verse 17 tells us how much God thinks about us everyday. Take these verses and fight back. Let the Lord strengthen your faith through His word. You will gain strength spiritually, even when the battles rage. Ultimately you will win in the end. Our Lord and Savior Jesus has already won the war for us and He will be with us in every battle we fight. Just remember to take Him with you.
When I read this I couldn’t help but think of these two scriptures. Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 2 Timothy 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. We must never fail to equip our mind, heart and soul with The Word of God. As you consistently read the Bible and feed your spirit man, you are equipping yourself to allow God to use you to poor out of you into others lives and into your own life, and in those moments when you don’t know what to say, He will give you what you ought to say and what you have read in The Word will come resounding back to you. You are not alone in any battle you face, He is with you. Fight the Good Fight.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Jeremiah 29:11-13
Hovering Over Us
He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings. (Deuteronomy 32:10-11)
In the book of Deuteronomy, the Lord reminded His people how, when they were wandering in the desert, He cared for them as a loving parent who hovers over its young. He never left them, but was like an eagle “that spreadeth abroad her wings” to catch its children and “beareth them on her wings” (32:11). He wanted them to remember that although they experienced hardship and strife in the desert, He didn’t abandon them.
We too may face challenges of many kinds, but we can take comfort and courage in this reminder that our God will never leave us. When we feel that we are falling, the Lord like an eagle will spread His wings to catch us (v. 11) as He brings us peace.
Father God, Your love as a parent is greater than anything I can imagine. May my confidence rest in You, and may I share Your love with others. Amen.
When I read this it reminded me of a saying I have mentioned before and for some reason I feel it bears repeating and I pray it encourages and uplifts someone right where they are today. When God leads you to the edge of difficulty, Trust Him fully, because only two things will happen. Either He will catch you when you fall or He will teach you how to fly. He will never abandon you. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105) Remember, no matter what you face, He’s still God!!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Deuteronomy 32:7-12
New every Morning
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
When we wake up in the morning, what are our first thoughts? Are they ‘Here’s a new measure of God’s compassion, mercy and love. I wonder if there’s something special about this day. It’s the first day of the rest of my life. It’s new – and I’m alive. I can breathe the air and feel the wind on my face. Today’s a gift from the Lord’?
We could see it as another ordinary day, or one of those grey days, with the same jobs to do, and the same journeys to make. But what if the Queen was coming to tea at our house today? We would have been making preparations for a long time. And what if the King of kings was to call on us and perform a miracle (which He does from time to time when we belong to Him).
A new day can hold many surprises and could even be the best day of our lives. When we’re living for Jesus we know that His mercies are new every morning and we can expect great things of this day. The people we meet, the news we hear and everything that happens to us is significant. “The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works” (Psalm 145:8-9).
As we are believers, this day has been recorded in His Book. Who knows? Perhaps God has a specific purpose for us today, ‘for such a time as this’, as He did in the story of Esther.
May our first thought be of praise! Yesterday may have held some downfall or failure, but, like a spiritual bath or shower of His mercy and forgiveness, we’re able to start anew with a clean heart, for yesterday has gone. “But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble” (Psalm 59:16).
Thank You, Lord, for this new morning. I place it in Your hands and praise You for the new mercies that You will shower down on me today, in Jesus’ name. Amen
When I read this it challenged me to stop and reflect on what my first thoughts were when I woke up. At times we tend to start our days focusing on the things that truly don’t matter. Even if you have to write it on a sticky note and place it on your phone or your bathroom mirror, I challenge each and every one of us to wake each morning with this on our mind, Today is a gift from the Lord!! Watch and see how that one simple thought will change your day. I also challenge you to then fall on your knees before Him, read your word and pray. When we make time for Him, He will open doors no man can shut. Revelation 3:8 says, I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. He is faithful.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Lamentations 3:22-23