Today's Verse

VERSE:
  For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful
ones. They will be protected forever ...
   -- Psalm 37:28


THOUGHT:
  God is committed to his people. He loves justice, and those who
pursue it. He will not forget his people, those who seek to honor
him by displaying his character in their lives. God has promised
that he will honor his promises to his people and preserve them
with his protecting power, forever. As God has said elsewhere,
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you!" (Heb. 13:5-6)

PRAYER:
  Eternal and Faithful Father, thank you for your great promises.
I am thrilled at the reminder of your faithful presence in my life.
I fully believe that I can entrust my future to you and that you
will bring me into your presence with victory and great joy. Thank
you for being my sure and steadfast hope. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.

The art of Obeying

He who obeys God, trusts God;     and he who trusts God, obeys God!                               (C.H.Spurgeon, 1834-1892)

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence
overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
   -- Proverbs 10:6
      

THOUGHT:
  Righteousness brings us great blessings. Violence becomes its
own vile reward, bringing to those who use it what they have done
to others. So what's our choice? Blessing or violence?
Encouragement or a foul mouth? So what's the real choice? Letting
God define character and not someone else.

PRAYER:
  Father, I want to live my life to please you, to bring your
Kingdom a blessing, and to help others see that violence is
destructive to themselves and to others. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you
hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing
clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and
go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth,
whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine,
you did for me.'"
   -- Matthew 25:37-40
      

THOUGHT:
  When we help those who can't help themselves -- those who have
gotten themselves in trouble, those who have been falsely accused,
those who are facing death -- we are helping Jesus himself. What
would Jesus do? He would be helping someone find God out of their
hopelessness and despair.

PRAYER:
  Father, please give me wisdom to see my opportunities to serve
your people as I try to help them understand your incredible grace.
In the name of my Redeemer, Savior, and Friend, Jesus. Amen.

Today'sVerse

VERSE:
  Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes
the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your
foot from being snared.
   -- Proverbs 3:25-26
     

THOUGHT:
  What guards your heart from fear? Only one protector is sure and
faithful; his name is the Yahweh -- he alone is the LORD. He is our
confidence and protector. As Paul said so powerfully long ago,
prayer and the Holy Spirit are our assurance of God's deliverance.
Either we will be delivered from death to serve God powerfully or
we will be delivered through death to share with him in eternity.
We will not be snared when our fate and future remain in God's
hands!

PRAYER:
  Almighty Deliverer, please give me courage to live for you with
passion, no matter the cost. I trust in you to deliver me. In
Jesus' name I confidently pray. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:

  Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You

guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into

glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I

desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the

strength of my heart and my portion forever.

   -- Psalm 73:23-26

      

THOUGHT:

  In times of confusion, we can take comfort that while we may not

understand everything while here on earth (read Psalm 73:1-22), God

will be faithful. Everything we have and know here on earth is

subject to decay, but our relationship with the LORD is our

strength forever. He will not abandon, fail, or forget us.

PRAYER:

  Almighty God, thank you for being with me always, especially in

those moments when life is most confusing and my fears most

troubling. Please give me faith to not only ask you honest

questions, but to also trust you even when things don't look like

they are all that good for those who believe in you. Please help my

faith hold firm as I wait for your mighty vindication of your

people. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
   -- Romans 6:23
      

THOUGHT:
  Our sin earns us death. God's grace gives us life. The
difference between these two extremes? The Cross of Christ which
spans the chasm of our sin and brings us to the mercy, forgiveness,
and redemption of God!

PRAYER:
  Holy Father, thank you for saving me through Jesus. Lord Jesus,
thank you for paying the price for my sins. Blessed Holy Spirit,
thank you for cleansing me and making me God's holy dwelling place.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Living simple life

"I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things" (Phil 3:8) Self-denial is not cheap. Jesus challenged His followers to count the cost. What Jesus actually wanted was to deepen the commitment of His followers (Lk 14:27-33). Those who kept going after Him just for blessings and miracles would be terribly disappointed. As disciples of Christ we are called to deny ourselves of even certain legitimate rights and enjoyments of life (1 Cor 7:29-31). While listing out the signs of the endtimes, Paul says, "Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money." (2 Tim 3:1,2). It's foolish to wait for a calamity to strike us and force us to loosen our grip on riches. Jesus became poor voluntarily. Self-denial is the supreme spiritual exercise. Self-denial was reflected in everything Jesus chose to do- Jesus denied Himself of the perfect beauty and splendor of His deity and became "sin" for us (2 Cor 5:21). He refused to yield to the pressure of temptations to show off His power (Mt 4:3-11). He forewent the basic comforts in life and went forth without a place to lay His head (Mt 8:20). Unmindful of His time to sleep or sup, He ministered to ignorant teachers and ignominious thirsters (Jn 3&4). He refused to be influenced by the filial love of His own family members in the matters of the Kingdom of God (Mt 12:46-50). He laid aside the prestige of His lordship in order to wash the feet of His disciples (Jn 13:3-5). He refused to pray to the Father for the release of battalions of angels to fight for Him (Mt 26:53,54). He directed sympathizers to weep for themselves and their children (Lk 23:27,28). He refused a pain-killer drink while agonizing on the Cross (Mt 27:34). He denied Himself of the Throne and became a "sacrifice" on the Altar (Eph 5:2). This is self-denial.Shall we follow Him? All that we have is not for us to enjoy. All that we earn is not for us to expend. "Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple," said Jesus (Lk 14:33). Here lies our problem. We attempt what Jesus pointed out as impossible. Mother Teresa's belongings were a Bible, a rosary, two sarees and a suitcase - that's all!     In full and glad surrender I give myself to Thee,     Thine utterly and only and evermore to be.     Reign over me, Lord Jesus; oh, make my heart Thy throne;     It shall be Thine, dear Saviour, it shall be Thine alone! From www.Stanleyonbible.com

Unbelief

"Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb 11:6a) The Garden of Eden was a place of hills, plains, and lovely lakes. The blue heavens and the green earth were in perfect harmony. On the graceful shrubs stood colourful flowers, dressed in purple and pink, to greet the first man and woman at every turn of their eye. The lion and the lamb played peacefully around them. The two full-grown babies enjoyed the company of the angelic beings who were their frequent visitors. Above all, they welcomed the coming of their Creator who walked in the garden, in the cool of the day. They lived in perpetual dependence on God and enjoyed perfect bliss. But they could continue in that happy estate only on a condition. The condition that their Creator laid down was this: "Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat" (Gen 2:18). The tree of knowledge had been made a test of their faith and obedience. It was then that the unwanted intruder came on the scene and asked Eve, "Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Gen 3:1). He questioned the very Word of God. Alas! Eve began to distrust God's love and doubt His wisdom. She disbelieved the words of God for whom it was impossible to lie (Heb 6:8) and believed the lie of the liar (Jn 8:44). And the outcome? They became outcasts from the garden of Eden. The first sin of our first parents is failure to believe God's Word. Yes, unbelief is the sin of sins. Unbelief is the only sin that leads to death (1 Jn 5:16). For any other sin committed by any of us, we can pray for that person, and God will forgive him. But if he keeps refusing to believe on Christ Jesus as his Saviour, however much we may pray for him, he will not be forgiven. "There is no judgment awaiting those who trust Him. But those who do not trust Him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God" (Jn 3:18). This truth must be shouted in the ears of those who say there is no God, and all religions are the same, and membership in the Church is good enough for salvation! The only condition God lays for us to be forgiven and accepted into His family is that we must believe on His Son. Anything else is secondary. Without faith, it is impossible to please God! "Dear God, in these days when thousands go astray from faith, help me not to believe the lies of the devil but trust in the finished work of Christ only, and walk in faith obeying the simple truths of Your holy Word!" Unbelief shuts the door of Heaven and opens the gates of hell! -Dr. Billy Graham (1918- )

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from
the LORD.
   -- Proverbs 18:22
      

THOUGHT:
  Several great truths are taught us in the opening chapters of
the Bible. First, we are made in God's image, both male and female.
Second, we are made to be different (male and female). Third, we
are made to bless each other and be complements of one another.
Fourth, we are made to leave our families of origin and build our
lives together (Gen. 1:26-2:25). To find a partner for life, one
created by God in his image, is to find what is truly good!

PRAYER:
  Father, I thank you for your plan for my life. (For the
married:) I thank you for my partner in marriage and ask for your
help in blessing and fulfilling that person in every way. (For the
widowed:) I ask, dear Father, that you comfort my feelings of loss
and grief, and that you know my thanks for this special person
through whom you blessed my life. (For the single:) I ask that you
help me know the path for my life and use me to bless others in the
way that I live with integrity and faithfulness. In addition, dear
Father, please bless me with close Christian friends with whom I
can find emotional fulfillment and spiritual strength. (For the
divorced) I ask, dear Father, that you minister to my sense of loss
and that you use me to serve you and bring you glory. However, dear
God, I need your nearness to sustain me and comfort me as I deal
with my emotional struggles and unfulfilled hopes. In Jesus' name I
pray. Amen.

Brother Jesus

"Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says I will declare Your name to My brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing Your praises" (Heb 2:11,12) What a position we have in the family of God because we are saved! We are the brothers of Jesus Christ! We are the children of God! We are the true seed of Abraham! We remember here the words of the resurrected Saviour to Mary: "Go to My brothers and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God" (Jn 20:17). Salvation brings us into a state of perfect identification with Jesus Christ in the family of God. Whatever Jesus is to the Father and with the Father, we are because of Salvation. My sins crucified the Lord Jesus, but the gift of Salvation has made me His own brother. I went astray in my own way, without God and without hope, but the gift of Salvation planted me as a member in God's holy congregation. When I by faith received the gift of Salvation I became the true seed of Abraham, even the Seed of Promise. Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul! What a sacrifice for the sinless, spotless and blameless Son of God to call us His brothers! What a love of the holy and lofty God the Father to call us His children! Oh, what Salvation! Jesus says, "I will declare!" - His pride. And, "I will sing!" _ His pleasure. Then, "I will put My trust!" - His protection (Heb 2:11-13). Blessed privilege! We can truly confess and rejoice saying, "God is my Father. Jesus is my Brother. The Holy Spirit is my Guide. And so I will not fear!" Not only that, Christ has freed those who were held in slavery all their lifetime by the fear of death (v15). Fear kills joy, but release from fear makes us rejoice. We don't have the fear of death or of the future. David explains the joy-life in the House of God in Psalm 23:4-6. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me...You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever." Life here on earth for God's people is a foretaste of life there in Eternity. Because of Jesus and in Jesus we have everything and more than what we need.         Christ Jesus is my All in All, my comfort, and my love;         My life below; and He shall be my joy and crown above!                                                                         (J. Mason)

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your
mother's teaching.

   -- Proverbs 6:20
    

THOUGHT:
  So often today, we discount the wisdom of those who have come
before us and who want to share with us the collective wisdom that
was handed down to them by their predecessors. Let's be especially
attentive over the next few weeks to those who are older and have
proven themselves faithful. At the same time, let's remind our
children and our grandchildren how important obedience is to God,
including the obedience of children to their parents.

PRAYER:
  Dear heavenly Father, I ask your forgiveness for the times that
I have not properly respected the word and wisdom of my parents and
other older Christians. I thank you for their love for me and their
desire to guide me in your path. Please bless them with your grace
and bless me as I seek to be more obedient to your will. In Jesus'
name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed
down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your
lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

   -- Luke 6:38
      

THOUGHT:
  God is the God of all grace! (1 Pet. 5:10). He loves to give,
bless, and empower. One of God's chosen ways to do these three
things is through us; he wants us to be conduits of his blessing.
Like the faithful stewards in the parable of the talents (Matt.
25), when we are faithful in generously and willingly using what he
has given us to administer, he blesses us with more to use to help
others and bring him glory. As we give, share, and bless, God
continues to supply us with more than we can imagine! (See 2 Cor.
9:6-11 & Eph. 3:20-21.)

PRAYER:
  Father, open my heart and help me be a more generous person. I
want to use the many blessings and resources, which you have
entrusted to me, to bless others and bring you glory. Please give
me courage to not be afraid to use what you have given me in ways
that are bold and extravagant in your service. I know that when my
heart is pure and I share your grace, I will never be able to out
give you! In Jesus' name I thank you. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those
who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who
take refuge in you.

   -- Psalm 31:19
      

THOUGHT:
  Out of this psalm which begins in desperation, we find a
crescendo of faith. While things may seem bleak, God will not
abandon his children. Those who reverence God will not be
forgotten. Far from ignoring his children, God has stored up his
goodness which he will generously pour out on them to show that
they are his. Those who take refuge in him will be protected and
blessed. For those on this side of Jesus' resurrection, this
promise of blessing and vindication takes on added depth and
meaning as well as deeper assurance!

PRAYER:
  O LORD, God of Abraham, Moses, Ruth, David, and Esther, I praise
you for your proven faithfulness through the centuries. I thank you
for the great heritage of faith that shows me that I can trust you
to remember me with your grace, protect me by your power, and bless
me with your goodness. Please give me courage to hang on to my
faith no matter the trials and temptations I face. In Jesus' name I
pray and place my trust in you. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with
actions and in truth.

   -- 1 John 3:18

THOUGHT:
  "Talk is cheap." "Actions speak louder than words." Let's show
our love for our family, our friends, and brothers and sisters in
Christ by the way we live and what we do for each other.

PRAYER:
  Loving and generous God, my Abba Father, please forgive me for
letting my love for your children remain just a matter of words.
Please give me the opportunity today to bless one of these brothers
or sisters in Christ with a kind deed, a gentle action, or any kind
of service he or she needs. I want to demonstrate my love just as
my Savior did. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation,
so that you may know him better.

   -- Ephesians 1:17
       

THOUGHT:
  One of the best things we can pray for each other, and for
ourselves, is that we might better know God. The Holy Spirit helps
us better know God (1 Cor. 2), worship God (John 4), and speak to
God (Rom. 8). Let's ask God to use his Spirit to help us know him,
not just know about him. God is not only the Almighty Creator of
all things; he is also our Father who cares about us deeply.

PRAYER:
  Holy Father, God of all mystery and glory, please open my mind
and heart to know you better through the presence of your Holy
Spirit within me. Please bless my physical and spiritual family
with insight and illumination about you, your love, and your glory.
We want to know you more fully and reflect your character and grace
more completely. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in
it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will
not walk in it.'"

   -- Jeremiah 6:16
      
THOUGHT:
  Temptation is a choice between God's will for us -- the old path
-- and a shortcut provided by Satan -- the new path. So often,
Satan's path is presented to us as a shortcut to happiness,
prosperity, and accomplishment. However, this path leads us away
from God and the blessings he longs to give us. Let's not be like
the people of God in Jeremiah's day who refused God's way and said,
"We will not walk in it." The outcome of their choice was their own
destruction.

PRAYER:
  O dear Father, Almighty God, forgive me for turning from your
path and seeking a way that seems easier and a path that appears to
lead to happiness more quickly. Through your Holy Spirit, help me
look through the facades of Satan's temptations and see their
bitter end. I know your way is the way of joy, peace, and rest.
Please give me courage to walk it confidently. In Jesus' name I
pray. Amen.

Thy will be done!

"Show me Your ways, O Lord.My hope is in You all day long" (Psa 25:4,5) Under the New Covenant, God through His Spirit puts His laws in our mind and writes them on our hearts (Heb 8:10). In other words, at new birth He gives us the potential ability to understand His mind. But the truth always remains that God's thoughts are higher than ours as the heavens are higher than the earth (Isa 55:8,9). Waiting on God to know His mind is comparable to a servant looking to his master for orders and instructions. This is pictorially illustrated in Psalm 123:2, "As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God." Nothing else should interest us if our attention before God is to be undivided. To hear from Above, it is necessary we stop our ears to the voices from around. Directions for the first missionary movement were received while a team of five prophets-cum-teachers was waiting on God with fasting and prayer (Acts 13:1-4). We miss God's will at critical situations just because we don't withdraw ourselves for a while to wait on Him. The beheading of John the Baptist was not an ordinary news to Jesus. John was both a family member and a fellow worker to Jesus. "As soon as Jesus heard the news, He went off by Himself in a boat to remote area to be alone" (Mt 14:13). When He heard that His friend Lazarus was sick, He waited a while to know His Father's mind in the matter. The four days of delay paved way not only to perform a resurrection miracle but also prepared a pulpit for Jesus to teach precious truths on resurrection (Jn 11). When we are at crossroads, and there are more than one option, waiting on God is indispensable. Deciding between good and bad is easier than choosing between good and better. Only God knows which is best for us. He alone knows the end from the beginning (Isa 46:10). Eliezer made a trip to Mesopotamia to hunt for a bride for Isaac. When he saw Rebekah who was exquisitely beautiful and exceptionally helpful, he was quite excited. However he "remained silent so as to know whether the Lord had prospered his trip or not" (Gen 24:21). Interestingly, during that time, the groom was also waiting on God by spending time in meditation out in the fields (v 63). What a lesson for parents and youngsters!     Hold Thou my hand! so weak I am, and helpless,     I dare not take one step without Thy aid;     Hold Thou my hand! for then, O loving Saviour,     No dread of ill shall make my soul afraid!            ---    (Grace J. Frances)

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will
live and do this or that."
  -- James 4:15
 

THOUGHT:
  While I like to have choices and I like to be responsible for my
own decisions, I am truly thankful that God allows me to submit my
life to his will and place my trust in him. The Father is at work
in me to do his will (Phil. 2:13) and to work for my best good
(Rom. 8:28). I gladly acknowledge that my plans are subject to his
will. I am appreciative that my goals and successes are in his
hands. I gladly proclaim that what lies ahead for me can be
summarized by one phrase: "If the Lord wills!"

PRAYER:
  Thank you, Abba Father, that my life and my future are in your
hands. Forgive me for the times that my plans are too full of
myself and not consciously dependent upon you. Thank you for
rescuing me from the messes I have made because of my failed plans
built around my own foolish arrogance. Dear Father, help me to
always gladly place my plans, my life, and my future in submission
to your will. In Jesus' holy name, and by his power, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or
hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
.. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him
who loved us.

  -- Romans 8:35-37
 

THOUGHT:
  "More than conquerors." What a great phrase. In Christ, this is
who we are: "more than conquerors." No hardship, enemy, physical
disaster, not even death, can separate us from Jesus. Once our
lives are joined to Jesus, our future is tied to him (Col. 3:1-4).

PRAYER:
  Almighty God, I do not know how to thank you enough. Thank you
for the confidence I have in Jesus. Thank you for your gift of
grace. Thank you for your indwelling Spirit. Thank you for your
promise of heaven. Thank you for your love that has saved and
remade me. Thank you for assuring me that I will never be alone no
matter what I have to face. Most of all, dear LORD, thank you for
helping me understand that nothing that can happen in this world
has the power to strip me from Jesus' love. I look forward to
forever with you. Thank you in Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of
wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have
been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body
to him as instruments of righteousness.

   -- Romans 6:13
     

THOUGHT:
  This long verse boils down to a very simple message: We are to
glorify God by what we do with our bodies. We were dead in our sin,
but God has made us alive through our participation with Jesus in
his saving death, burial, and resurrection. How can we go back to
the hideous sins that master us and lead us to death? We shouldn't!
We mustn't! And with God's gracious help, we won't. Our commitment
to live for his glory and with the power of the Holy Spirit will
help us live for him!

PRAYER:
  Father, God of grace, please forgive me for the times in my past
when I flirted with sin. I know how much you paid to redeem me from
my sin. I know the power of Satan to use sin to entrap and enslave
me. Bless me as I commit to live for you, with Jesus as my Lord and
the Spirit's empowering me to honor you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our
transgressions from us.

   -- Psalm 103:12
THOUGHT:
  Praise and thank God our Father. He doesn't just forgive our
sins; he removes them from us completely!

PRAYER:
  Loving and merciful Father and holy God, thank you for giving me
the great gift of forgiveness. Now, dear Lord, please help me to
pass it along to others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future."
   -- Jeremiah 29:11
    

THOUGHT:
  Jeremiah was telling God's people that 70 years after the
devastation, God would deliver and restore them. Despite the fact
that they had repeatedly abandoned God, he would not abandon them
or his promises to them. He would be faithful. In fact, God was
planning and preparing a bright future for them. This promise also
reminds us that no matter how deep our own personal gloom may seem,
God does have plans for us. He will keep his promises to us. He
will deliver and bless us. We can have a vibrant hope and a bright
future because of his faithfulness and our trust in his Son, Jesus,
who delivers us from every foe.

PRAYER:
  Give me faith, O Lord, during the times I'm weary, discouraged,
and beaten down. Inspire me to trust in your great promises. Please
give me courage, O Lord, when my faith wavers. Help me obey your
word no matter how challenging it may seem or how discouraged I
feel. Thank you for giving me a bright future in Jesus. Please help
me live more consciously aware of this great gift. In Jesus' name I
pray. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For
he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a
robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a
priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

   -- Isaiah 61:10
 

THOUGHT:
  This is God's promise to his people after their Messiah comes
with healing and power to bless them with the Lord's favor. In many
ways, this is our promise as Christians. We do rejoice greatly
because God has delivered us from law, sin, and death through the
coming of our Savior and Lord. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, as
God's children we are clothed with Christ (Gal. 3:26-27) and given
garments of salvation and robes of his righteousness.

PRAYER:
  Thank you, dear Father, for making me righteous by Jesus'
sacrifice. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for paying the price for my sins
to give me life. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for cleansing me from my
sin and empowering me to live for God. May I, dear God, live in
such a way that those around me know that you have made me whole
and holy. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive
us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

   -- 1 John 1:9
   

THOUGHT:
  Confessing our sins means that we view our sin the same way that
God does -- the same revulsion and disdain for them. This kind of
confession opens our hearts to the flood of heaven's grace (see
Psalm 51). God shares with us the sweet liberation from sin that
Jesus purchased at Calvary; and our sins are not only forgiven, but
we are purified. We are no longer sinners and the stain of that sin
is removed as well. We are clean, perfect, and without spot because
of God's purifying grace (Col. 1:21-22). Now let's live in a way
that is reflective of this incredible gift!

PRAYER:
  Father, I do confess to you my sins! Please forgive me for ....
(Please verbalize to God your own sins specifically in your
prayer.) Thank you for letting me be honest with you and share with
you my frustration and my sorrow for them. Please liberate me from
their power in my life and give me the confidence that you have not
only forgiven them, but that you have made me pure and holy. In
Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Jesus, my pilot

On a particularly long flight it turned out to be turbulent.  The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: "Fasten your seat belts."Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened." As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said,  "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us." And then the storm broke.  The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines.  Lightening lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean.  One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash. The man confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him.  He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying.   The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm. And then, I suddenly saw a girl to whom the storm meant nothing. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat and was reading a book.  Everything within her small world was calm and orderly.  Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world.  When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid." The man could hardly believe his eyes. It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, he lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time. Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.   The sweet child replied, "Sir, my Dad is the pilot, and he is taking me home." Make Jesus your pilot today and you can be happy and free too. He is MY PILOT. Is he yours?

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD
require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly
with your God.

   -- Micah 6:8
     

THOUGHT:
  Sometimes what we need to do is very simple and plain, isn't it?
I need to handle those around me justly -- practicing patience and
dealing with others in fairness, without partiality. I need to
practice mercy -- blessing others in need with what they don't
deserve but so greatly need. I need to walk humbly with my Abba
Father -- knowing that without his grace and help I will fail.

PRAYER:
  Father, please make of me what you will. As you fashion me,
please bless me as I seek to be a person of justice, mercy, and
humility. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock
and the door will be opened to you."
   -- Matthew 7:7
    

THOUGHT:
  God wants us to seek his blessings. This is not because he wants
to manipulate our lives, but because he longs to bless us and have
us know the gifts in our lives come from him. So let's seek his
presence, his grace, and his blessing.

PRAYER:
  Dear Father, I do need your blessing and guidance. Please bless
me in several areas that weigh heavily on my heart .... (Share with
God some things that are on your heart.) In addition, dear Father,
I need your wisdom in the following matters .... Finally, dear God,
please make your presence in my life very clear to me this week. I
don't doubt your love for me, but I really do need to be reassured
of your nearness as I face the challenges that lie before me at
this time. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's verse

VERSE:
  [Bless the LORD] who satisfies your desires with good things so
that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

   -- Psalm 103:5


THOUGHT:
  God is a God of renewal and blessing. His desire to renew and
bless us is not just a desire to bless us just once with our
salvation. God desires to bless us daily. His steadfast love is new
every morning as he faithfully pours out his blessings (cf. Lam.
3:23). But more than just giving us what we want, he satisfies us
with good things. He brings us what we need and what truly fills
our emptiness.

PRAYER:
  Abba Father, Almighty God, I praise you for your power, majesty,
glory, faithfulness, mercy, wisdom, and grace. Thank you for
blessing me with your salvation, the gift of your Holy Spirit, the
blessings of your church family, the promise of a home with you,
and for the daily assurance of your renewing presence. In Jesus'
name. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with
him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was
raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may
live a new life.

   -- Romans 6:3-4
      

THOUGHT:
  Baptism is far more than getting wet or checking off another
thing on our obedience to do list. You see, what saves is Jesus'
death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-5). God has given us
the incredible grace (Rom. 6:1,14,15) of being able to share in
Jesus' saving work through faith and experience it in baptism (Gal.
3:26-27). We die to the old way of life and bury it in the past. It
no longer holds us. This death is the death that matters most.
Raised to a new life, our life is now joined to Christ and his
future becomes our own (cf. Col. 3:1-4). The life we now live is to
glorify God and to live with him forever. That means the Gospel is
not just something preached; it is something we experience by
grace.

PRAYER:
  Thank you Father, for raising me from death to your new life for
me in Jesus. Thank you for your grace in sending Jesus. Thank you
for your grace in making Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection
something I have experienced. May my life reflect your powerful
grace given to me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Beauty Parlour

Beauty Parlour "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches" (Rev 3:22)   Dear Child, As much as I anoint your words I will also adorn your life with My fruit. I will radically change your temperament if you let Me work deeply in you. I will make you a loving Christian, joyful friend, peaceful citizen, patient sufferer, kind boss, good neighbour, faithful husband, meek wife and self-controlled minister (Gal 5:22,23). There will be no argument against a life well lived. My child, I want to help you in your earthly job also. It is My desire to make you efficient and effective in your career. When you depend on My power and seek My wisdom, you will shine in whichever field I place you. If you are a doctor, with My help you can treat better; if an engineer, build better; if a professor, teach better; if an artist, paint better; if a farmer, cultivate better; if a housewife, love better; and if a student, learn better! I am the Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Might and Knowledge (Isa 11:2). There is no work or profession where I cannot help you. But what I told you I am telling you again: You must ask for My help, accept it and acknowledge it. I will fill you afresh each morning when you wait before Me before starting off to work. My presence will be with you in the workspot. Offices, workshops and business centres all over the world are plagued with corruption. Say no to malpractices. Dare to be different. I will strengthen you. Through you I will burn the chaff. Your superiors and colleagues will come to you for counsel because I have filled you with My wisdom (Gen 41:37-40). If you are treated unjustly, turn to Me. I will fill you with the fruit of patience. Promotion comes from Me. I want you to enjoy good health. Your body is mortal but I am there to quicken it (Rom 8:11). Your body is My temple. I desire to see it in good shape. I will cause My healing virtue flow into it. Appropriate the blessings of the Cross. I will apply them on you. I have endowed the Church with the gifts of healing. Pray for one another in faith. You will see the gifts operating. I also want you to enjoy soundness of mind. My dear child, you are engaged to be married to Jesus. I will be with you until I reach you Home safe into His loving arms. Together as the Spirit and the Bride, let's say, Amen! --- Stanley on Bible

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

   -- Proverbs 16:3
      

THOUGHT:
  The real question behind this promise is very simple: How do I
define success for my plans? The answer is very simple as well:
bringing glory to God for his grace (see Eph. 1:6, 12, 14).
Committing our works and plans to God means surrendering them to
God's will (James 4:13-15), trusting that God will be glorified in
them (Col. 3:17), and recognizing that it is not in our power to
properly guide our own steps (Prov. 16:9). God longs to bless us
and empower us -- not for our own selfish ambition (James 3:16),
but for our eternal good (Rom. 8:28) and God's glory. Like Jesus,
when we commit our plans and works to the Lord, we are saying, "Not
my will, Father, but yours be done!"

PRAYER:
  Father, I want your will to be my plans. I want your glory to be
my goal. I have things that I want to do. However, if these plans
are not for your glory, if these plans are not a blessing to my
family or those over whom I have influence, then please defeat me
in those plans and please guide me into other areas of blessing. I
want you to be glorified in what I do. I want to go where your
grace leads. I commit my ways, my plans, and my works to you and to
your glory. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Hear HIS bold voice

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches"   (Rev 3:13) Precious Child, I want to bring you out of your apprehensions to witness for Christ. You are afraid that people might mock at you. Your throat chokes every time you want to open your mouth to share the Gospel. The fear of ridicule silences you. Don't feel bad about it, My child. This was the problem of the disciples of Jesus also even though they had walked with Him for over three years. Can you imagine how a key figure like Peter could ever deny and disown Christ? Their weakness overpowered their willingness. The problem was solved by My coming. That's why Jesus wouldn't let them go out until they got filled with My power (Acts 1:4). When I came upon them, the cowards became challengers! Be filled with Me. Don't consider your timidity or boast of your oratory skill. Depend on Me. I will grant you boldness in all situations to speak forth the message of the Cross (Acts 4:31). Your educational qualification is not the criterion. You will see souls saved when you witness to them for Christ in My power (Acts 1:8). I will equip you with My gifts (1 Cor 12:7-10). You can discern spirits. You can drive out demons. You can deliver people from sin and sickness. You can demonstrate My power through signs and wonders. You can denounce evil through prophetic words. You can declare words of faith into hopeless situations. You can demoralize the enemy's agents. You can dethrone wicked powers from governmental seats. You can declutch youth from drugs and deception. Satan will fight against you tooth and nail when you go proclaiming the Gospel. He will not easily loosen his grip on souls. Just because you go in My power, don't think he will stay silent. He will instigate people to work against you. He will incite them to beat or burn you. I won't promise that no stone pelted at you will hit you, but I will make your face angelic even if you will have to bleed to death. I will keep your spirit sweet and not turn bitter against the persecutors (Acts 6:15; 7:60). You will overflow with My joy (Acts 13:50-52). I will rest on you as the Spirit of Glory (1 Pet 4:14). Take heart! Gracious Spirit, dwell with me! I myself would gracious be, And with words that help and heal would Thy life in mine reveal; And with actions bold and meek would for Christ, my Saviour, speak!                 --- (Thomas T. Lynch, 1818-1871)

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the
law of Christ.

   -- Galatians 6:2
     

THOUGHT:
  This is just another way of saying, "Love your neighbor as
yourself!" Jesus came to bear our burdens and carry away the stain
and pain of our sin. (Read Isaiah 53 for a powerful description of
God's Suffering Servant, a passage quoted in the New Testament in
reference to Jesus.) He now asks us to live redemptively, in
practical ways, toward those around us. More than just praying, or
asking what we can do to help, we are called to serve, minister,
and assist others who are burdened.

PRAYER:
  Holy and merciful God, please give me eyes to see, a heart
willing to serve, and hands ready to help the people in my path who
need a burden lifted. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace
may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it
any longer?
   -- Romans 6:1
      

THOUGHT:
  Grace doesn't mean that we are sloppy with sin. We have died to
sin when we surrendered our lives to the Lordship of Christ. We
don't want sin, or its power, to have control over us. We don't
want to take lightly the awful cost Jesus paid to cover our sin.
The apostle Paul uses the strongest language possible ("By no
means!" is way too tame a translation: "God forbid!" "Unthinkable!"
"Abomination!" would all be much more accurate.) As those saved by
grace, we realize that sin is more than spurning the will of God or
breaking a divine command; sin is making light of Jesus' sacrifice
for us, sin is rebelling against the Father who paid such a high
price to adopt us into his family, and sin is breaking our Father's
heart to choose our own self-destructive path.

PRAYER:
  Father, thank you for your incomparable and generous grace. You
lavished this grace upon me through Jesus' death on the Cross. I
thank you for the salvation that I have received through his
sacrifice. Please make my own sin abhorrent to me. Give me a
passion for holiness and a deeper appreciation of what it cost you
to make me holy. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and
fall; 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.

   -- Isaiah 40:30-31
     

THOUGHT:
  What is your strength? Is it your youth? ... your conditioning?
.. your wisdom? ... your friends? ... your experience? None of us
can depend upon our human ability. Health, wisdom, and wealth are
all vulnerable to the fragility of life and circumstance. Only the
LORD can ensure that we can survive the unthinkable, thrive in the
mundane, and soar in good times. Let's call upon, let's wait upon,
let's depend upon the LORD!

PRAYER:
  O LORD, thank you for sustaining me through the hard times in my
life. Thank you for helping me soar, doing things for you that I
never dreamed I could accomplish. Father, thank you for blessing me
during the everyday comings and goings of life. I depend upon you
for help and strength. For every good thing in my life I praise you
and thank you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.