Promise for Today - The State of "Lagom"

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Dena Dyer
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You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
Matthew 5:5, The Message

Have you heard the word ‘lagom’? It’s a Swedish term (pronounced “law-gum”) that describes the concept of having just the right amount of something: not too little, not too much. Embedded in the word (and the Swedish lifestyle) is the idea of finding contentment with what we already have—in our career, [our] relationships, and with our material goods.

For Americans, lagom is a counter-cultural concept, but as believers, it’s one we should pray to develop. As Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:6, “godliness with contentment is great gain.”

How do we achieve contentment? Even in the wording of that question, we find a problem. Contentment, much like faith, hope, or love, is a spiritual by-product of our relationship to God. It’s not something we can achieve without supernatural intervention.

In our humanness, we pile ambition on top of greed, create busyness where there is peace, and sacrifice family for fame. With our Creator’s help, though, we can resist the frantic search for approval and achievement, [and be] content to rest because we’re assured of our beloved-by-God state.

Prayer:

Lord,
        Give us peace about where we are and what we have. We are so thankful for all the gifts You’ve graciously given, and we trust You to meet our needs. In You alone we can rest content. In Jesus’ Name

Promise for Today - Hearts of Gratitude

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.

Today's devotional was written by Jordyn Juarez.
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Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Gratitude is a powerful thing. It changes the way we see our circumstances. Paul’s words to the Thessalonians remind us that joy, prayer, and thankfulness are not occasional acts; they are ways of life for those who belong to Jesus. Notice he does not say be thankful for all circumstances, but IN all circumstances. That is a big difference.

We may face loss, disappointment, or uncertainty, yet even then, we can find reasons to give thanks – because God is still good, still present with us, and still working for our good. When we choose gratitude, our hearts shift from focusing on what is missing to recognizing what has been given to us. Every breath, every answered prayer, every bit of grace is a reminder of God’s faithfulness.

Gratitude anchors us when life feels shaky, helping us remember that joy is not found in perfect conditions — it is found in a perfect Savior.

R E F L E C T I O N

What are three things you can thank God for today, even if it is hard? How might daily gratitude reshape your attitude and deepen your faith?

Prayer:

Lord,
         Thank You for Your constant goodness. Help us to rejoice even when life feels heavy, to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in every season. Teach us to see Your hand at work in all things and to live each day with a grateful heart. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

The Practice of His Presence

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Morgan Farris.
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Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name
Psalm. 100:1-4

...Growing up in the Church, sitting in the pews was an expectation of my parents. If you grew up like I did, you probably have a few funny memories of your mother giving you the “look” when you were misbehaving. Or perhaps you remember the old hymns and the smell of the narthex. I could never have guessed as a nine-year-old sitting in that old sanctuary that the habits my parents instilled in me would become a cherished part of my adulthood.

As a teenager and young adult, church was something I did because I feared not to. Those habits my parents instilled felt like an obligation for the good part of my young adulthood, and fear was a huge motivation to show up. But I kept showing up, and by God’s grace, somewhere in my adulthood, entering His gates, coming into His presence, became the thing I looked forward to most each week.

Singing the hymns stopped feeling like a chore and started feeling like a gift. Listening to a message stopped feeling like a begrudging obligation and became a lifeline for my feeble, weary soul. I am reminded of the lyrics of one of my favorite hymns, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”:

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love

Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it; Seal it for Thy courts above

My prayer with every song, in every moment, is that we would be a people who foster His presence,  cherish His Word, and rejoice in His goodness. That takes practice. It takes dedication. It takes putting Him first above all else. Somewhere along the way, that discipline breeds praise and thanksgiving. It breeds a joy rooted in Him. It breeds a heart sealed in the courts above. Indeed, it is so very good to be in the House of the Lord.

Prayer:

Lord,
         May we be a people who cherish Your House, who practice the discipline of worship, and find ourselves overcome with gratitude for Your patience with us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Peace that Passes Understanding

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Susan Merritt.
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Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

This passage is one of hope, reminding us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. However, that peace is contingent upon our obedience to a couple of commands.

The first is to rejoice. We know this is important because it’s mentioned twice. God often repeats Himself in Scripture to emphasize a point. We can also know that God enables us to rejoice since He commands us to do so.

Second, we are to be anxious for nothing. This seems difficult in and of itself, but God graciously explains how we can be anxious for nothing. So how can we be anxious for nothing? By praying with thanksgiving while rejoicing, we let our requests be known to God. Rejoicing and thanksgiving go hand in hand and precede the peace of God that guards our hearts and minds.

This Scripture reminds me of my granddaughter, who struggled greatly with extreme anxiety. My daughter created for her what she called a “Brave Book” to take with her when needed. In this book were pages of photos of her friends and family, along with written prayers that she could pray over others. She included several Scriptures, and one was this Scripture quoted above in Philippians 4. When my granddaughter felt anxious, she would read this book from cover to cover. Her mom’s rule was that she could pray for anyone or anything, but not for herself during the anxiety attack. She also had to include praise and thanksgiving when she prayed. This helped her to focus on the Lord, and every time, God’s peace would flood her heart. She brought that book to my house, and I witnessed this little miracle for myself.

So, let’s rejoice in the Lord with thanksgiving this season, focusing on the goodness of God and experiencing the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Prayer:

Father,
          We rejoice in You! Thank You for all You have done for us. Thank You that You are always present to bring us comfort and peace in times of trial as we turn our hearts in thanksgiving to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Promise for Today - More Than Conquerors

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by.Paul Rummage
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While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:26-28

Can you imagine eating a meal with your friends, knowing that just a few hours later you would face incredibly gruesome pain? That’s what Jesus did in today’s focus verses. We’re talking about indescribable emotional, spiritual, and physical pain. Yet Jesus expressed thanks to the Father for the bread and cup which symbolize His sacrificial death. The bread symbolizes His body, sacrificed for you and me. The cup symbolizes His blood, shed for the forgiveness of our sin.

Surely Jesus’ thanksgiving was not just for the food but for what would be accomplished through the cross. He knew the impending cruelty of crucifixion, yet He also knew that our salvation would be achieved by His undeserved death and victorious resurrection.

When I’m facing a difficult project, I try not to focus on the difficulty but rather the end goal. In other words, if I focus on the joy and satisfaction of completion, I can better tackle the task. We find this kind of perspective modeled by Jesus, as described in Hebrews 12:2… “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” He was able to endure the horrific cross because He knew the end result would bring great joy!

In the face of challenges and difficulties, believers have a great advantage. Our perspective is beyond the temporal pain and trial. Instead, we endure with the assurance of eternal victory and joy as promised by our Heavenly Father through the Son, Jesus Christ. We are more than conquerors through Him!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

                         I can’t fathom the pain of Christ’s sacrifice, but I am so deeply thankful. Help me to thankfully endure the storms and challenges of my life with abiding assurance of joy and victory because of what Jesus accomplished by His death and resurrection. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Our Father's Good Gifts

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.

Today's devotional was written by.Dena Dyer *********************************************************************

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
James 1:17  NKJV

With our busy lives, it’s easy to get distracted. We run from sports practice to meetings to grocery pick-up - and we try to find time for church, friends, and extended family. No wonder we often keep our focus on “to-do’s.”

What if, for just this week, we instead focused on “ta-da’s”? Think about those moments God powerfully showed off: with a long-awaited answer to prayer, a sweet moment with a child or spouse, or a gorgeous sunrise on your commute. By bringing our thoughts around to the goodness of God and His perfect, timely gifts, we reset our minds. Eventually, gratitude for our generous, faithful Father and His good gifts will become the habit of our hearts. And that habit will reap rewards—not only spiritually but also physically. Studies have shown that regularly practicing gratitude (by writing down a few things we’re thankful for each day) even helps with chronic pain and other maladies.

Gratitude is also “catching.” When we create an atmosphere of thankfulness, our friends and family will pick up on it, and we’ll find our homes and relationships more joyful and peaceful. 

Prayer:

Father, 

          We get so mired in our list of things to do that we forget to notice the small and large blessings all around us. Thank You for the perfect gifts You give. Change our perspective so we can behold Your light, love, and creativity.  In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Credibility of a Pure Heart

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Keri Eichberger.
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By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:35

Have you ever felt like someone was questioning your intentions? In the midst of a moment or situation where you were sure your heart was pure. When your soul wanted nothing more than to serve for the good of another or others. And to bless others for the glory of God. Yet, somewhere on the other end, for some reason, that wasn’t what seemed to be perceived. It felt like someone even thought you were doing wrong, something self-focused, or something that certainly wasn’t based on a heart yielded to God’s holy will and way.

I was consumed with this same sense last week. God had placed a special someone firmly on my heart a few months back. Someone who needed His blessing in a rich way, in a trying season of her life. And as my plans to help and serve became known, it suddenly seemed there were some skeptical eyes on the sidelines. And if I’m being brutally honest, it pained me deeply. I knew my heart was pure. I knew God had called me to help in this specific way. I had prayed and prayed for His discernment and guidance. For humility, and for the love of Christ to be shown and known. But nonetheless, because of the rocky response, I found myself questioning the call. Questioning my conviction and intention. And so I did all that I knew how to do. Pray, listen, follow the Lord's lead. And to love.

John 13:35 says, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." This reminds me that everyone will know we are truly followers of Christ, that we are filled with Christ, by the love that they see in us. And by the love that flows from us. When people see our love, they will see Him. And I don’t know about you, but I want people to see Him. So I will continue to love out loud. That is what we all should continue to do. And we should not question our love, or the intention to love, for others.

If you are truly seeking the Lord. If you genuinely desire to love the way Jesus would love, and if He is laying specific calls and directions on your heart, trust Him. We need not listen to what others say, or what others might think. The enemy will certainly try to confuse and derail our good intentions. The enemy will try to make you cower to bold love. Or any bold action on behalf of Jesus.

While I was being bombarded by the enemy’s misleading manipulations, I took some time to reflect, to pray, and to ask God to impress the truth upon my heart. I asked Him to remove any thoughts or ideas that were not of Him. I asked Him to help me love the people in my path. How to best give Him all the credit for every act of love and blessing. How to be confident in the particular instructions of love He had just for me. And then for peace that He would work out the details and heal the fractured pieces of every heart involved.

And that’s just what He did. He gave me clarity. He gave me peace. He increased my humility to even better reflect His heart. He allowed me to be a beacon of His love light. And above all, He allowed others to see Him. Not me, but Jesus. It wasn’t, and isn’t, about me or any of us. It’s never about our glory. It’s always about Jesus and His glory. And so it doesn’t even matter what some may think or say. God will use your pure heart to show His to the exact people who need it. You will gain credibility and be seen rightly, with and by the right people, when you have the right heart. A pure heart that sincerely, vulnerably, and genuinely longs to point others to Him, and only to Him.

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us to keep loving boldly and serving big in the ways You lead us. With a pure heart. Surrendered and yielded to You. Humbled and bowed down before You... And those people—Your people—will know the truth, will know Your love, and will come to know You… Reveal clean hands and pure hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Thankful, Prayerful, Joyful

NOTE: For the rest of the month, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.

Today's devotional was written by Alistair Begg
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I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:3–6

Our prayers tell us a great deal about ourselves and about our view of those around us.

Paul and the Philippian believers enjoyed a partnership grounded in the gospel. Theirs wasn’t a static fellowship based on a little bit of common belief. Rather, it was a deepening friendship that blossomed as they continued “striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” and to “work out” their salvation “with fear and trembling” (Philippians 1:27; 2:12). The Philippians’ lives were marked by progression both in their relationship with Paul as their servant and their relationship with Christ as their Savior. Because of this partnership, Paul could be thankful, prayerful, and joyful.

If a church is to grow spiritually, the relationships among its people must be those of genuine thankfulness. Such gratefulness shouldn’t depend upon the perfection of others; we are all far from perfect. Indeed, our imperfections should fuel our prayers for each other! Even so, true, heartfelt thankfulness allows fruitful ministry to continue.

Paul’s partnership was reflected in Paul’s prayers. As he prayed for the Philippian believers, his prayers were comprehensive: “… in every prayer of mine for you all.” He didn’t just pray for those who were doing well or those who were in his inner circle; he prayed for everyone. We need to do the same! Indeed, if we pray for those who are often hardest to pray for, we will discover that they can actually become some of our best companions. We may even think they have changed, only to discover that we have changed, simply because we added prayerfulness to thankfulness.

Joyfulness comes as we partner in prayer with each other. Inevitably, some prayers involve pain. Our hearts ache as we get under the burden of our brothers and sisters who may be agonizing over their kids, their marriages, the loss of their jobs, their illnesses, or their bereavements. But at other times, instead of feeling like swimming against the tide, prayer can be like going with the waterfall as we rejoice together. When together we bring our situations, needs, and triumphs before the throne of grace, that fellowship brings joy. That’s how Paul felt about the Philippian believers. He prayed sorrowful and hopeful prayers alike with joy because of their shared partnership.

We can learn from Paul. He knew that fellowship with other believers could create thankful, prayerful, and joyful people. How are your prayers for those with whom God has brought you into gospel partnership going to reflect Paul’s prayers for the gospel partners in his life?

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Prayer:

Father,

          Align our hearts and minds with Yours. Change our hearts' affection through Your Holy Word. Teach us to love like You love. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - What Thanksgiving Reveals about You

NOTE: For the rest of the month, I will share Thanksgiving moments from Crosswalk/Home Word.
Today's devotional was written by Adrian Rogers

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What Thanksgiving Reveals about You

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
Psalm 100:4 NKJV

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Colossians 3:15 KJV

If worry is the opposite of faith, then thanksgiving is the expression of faith—in fact, the highest expression. God has blessed you, but you may not think so if you’re measuring blessings by the barometer of health, wealth, and happiness.

You say, “I don’t think I have as much to thank God for as some other people.” Well, the apostle Paul was in a filthy Philippian jail, awaiting a possible death sentence, when he wrote, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."

Unthankful people are never happy people. They’re filled with bitterness, fear, negativism, selfishness, and self-pity.

My friend, let me tell you what blessings we have. “Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits…” (Psalm 68:19 KJV). God has loaded your wagon. How often? Every day! “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT). Every day you wake up to blessings.

Thank Him for spiritual blessings. Thank Him for the simple blessings of good, clean water, enough food, shelter, and the simple things. We are so blessed. Refuse to worry. Instead, carry everything to God in prayer. Rejoice in the presence of the Lord. Rely upon the power of the Lord. Reflect on the provision of the Lord. Rest in the peace of the Lord. Do everything with thanksgiving.
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Prayer:

Father,
           Help us always to see and acknowledge Your goodness to us. Holy Spirit, lead us into all Truth and never let us forget the benefits of serving and living for Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Thanksgiving Devotional - A Season of Thanks

For the rest of the month, I will share Thanksgiving moments by Crosswalk/Home Word.
Today's devotional was written by Kelly McFadden
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All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal. —Psalms 119:160

This holiday season, you will most likely hear the song “My Favorite Things” from the Broadway musical The Sound of Music. To me this song has always felt out of place during the holidays, until recently. I have begun to hear it in a new light, recognizing the famous list of “favorite things” as a list of reasons to be thankful. The character Maria, who sings this song, thinks about her list of favorite things when she seeks comfort.

Christians have a list as well. Found in the Bible are promises from our Lord – keepsakes we can cling to at all times, including periods of worry, trouble, or despair. These promises urge Christ-followers not to be troubled or to feel alone. They are words offering great hope because they are not the words of mere men. They are inspired, never-changing words given to us from our Savior and Lord. Read through a few of these promises below:

The Lord will give His people strength. Psalm 29:11
The Lord hears our cries. Psalm 34:17
The Lord will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4-5
The Lord will answer when you call to Him. Jeremiah 33:3
You need not be afraid. God is with you. Isaiah 41:13
The Lord will give rest to your burdened soul. Matthew 11:28-29
The Lord will comfort you. John 14:27
The Lord has given us His Spirit to guide us. Acts 1:8
You will have everlasting life when you believe. John 3:16

The list can go on and on. The Lord promises us mercy, protection, strength, eternity, love, and forgiveness. As it says in the Bible, God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18) and His word is truth (John 17:1). We cannot look at God’s promises like we do those of our friends and family. As people, we often promise, but don’t follow through, even when we have the best of intentions. God’s Word is binding and true. These promises hold fast. We do not have to wonder if they will happen. Rather, we ought to wait in expectation. So “when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when you’re feeling sad,” I encourage you to remember all God has promised you. It is in these promises that you will find great strength.

As you celebrate the season of Thanksgiving, in addition to thinking through all you are thankful for, take time to thank God for His many promises.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 40:31; John 16:15; Mark 11:23-26
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Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for all You have done for us, the provision for salvation, redemption, and also the promise of Heaven. We are so grateful! Help us to be ever mindful of Your goodness, Your faithfulness, and Your mercies that are new every morning. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - To Get Closer to God

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7b NLT

Christians everywhere love this portion of Scripture. In the middle of every battle we face, we encourage ourselves and each other with this passage. We whisper it, shout it, pray it, repeat it like a battle cry... and wonder why the devil won't flee. And then whine to God, "Why isn't it working?"

In this age of bottom-liner business, summarized suppositions, Readers Digest condensed versions of life, we're-so-busy-we-don't-have-time-for... we tend to only skim through and pick those portions that we think apply directly to us or the circumstance that we're in. The Truth is - it ALL applies directly to us. It's either something we should do or examples of what we should not do.

In context, this passage (vvs 7-10) in James reads, "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor."

All Christians want to be closer to God. But wanting something is much different than actually doing what it takes to get it. James tells us exactly how to get close to God. First, we must humble ourselves. Other versions read "submit yourselves". That involves voluntarily and purposefully, intentionally giving ourselves to God, our WHOLE life - desires, dreams, plans - to HIS choices for our lives - even when it's not what we WANT.

If we are not feeling close to God, it's not because HE has moved away from us.

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for leaving You in the dust of our lives as we run off to do whatever we think is more important. The Truth is that NOTHING is more important than You. Father, we humble ourselves before You, submitting our life - all of it - to Your will. We cast off the temporary pleasures of life that lead us away from spending eternal time with You. Forgive us, Father, and help us to walk toward You. We want to be close to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Finding God in the Hard Times - Joyce Meyer Ministries

 Finding God in the Hard Times - Joyce Meyer Ministries

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.

 1 Peter 5:10 (AMPC)

“Why do we have to suffer?” “If God truly loves us, why do all the bad things happen to us?” I hear such questions often. For thousands of years, people smarter than I am have wrestled with those questions, and they still haven’t discovered the answers. I don’t even try to answer the questions. I do make one comment, however: “If God only blessed us after we became believers—if He took away all suffering, hardship, and turmoil for Christians—wouldn’t it be a way to bribe people into the faith?”

That’s not the way God works. The Lord wants us to come to Him out of love and because we know we’re needy—so needy that only He can fill those needs for us.

The reality is that from the time of birth until we go home to be with Jesus, we will suffer at times. Some have harder tasks than others, but suffering is still suffering.

I also think that when people watch us as we turn to God for help in our hardships and they see our victories, it provides a witness to them. That witness may not always make them turn to Christ, but it does show God’s presence in our lives and makes them aware of what they’re missing.

Yes, we will suffer. The other day I had a new thought: Suffering results in thanksgiving. When our lives turn chaotic and we don’t know what to do, we turn to the Lord for help, and He answers our prayers and sets us free. God speaks to us and comforts us. And the result is that we’re thankful.

The time between suffering and thanksgiving is when the devil truly attacks our thoughts. He may begin by saying, “If God really loved you, you would not have to go through this.” It’s a subtle way of saying to us that serving God is useless. The truth is, we’ll have problems if we’re believers; we’ll have problems if we’re nonbelievers. But as believers, we’ll also have victories. As believers in Jesus Christ, we can have peace in the midst of the storm. We can enjoy our lives during the hardships because we truly believe that God is working on our behalf to bring deliverance.

The next attack of Satan is to whisper, “It’s not going to get better. You have served God for nothing. See, this is what happens when you really need help and trust God. He doesn’t care about you. If He truly cared, why would He allow you to suffer?”

This is where we have to stand firm. We can take courage from the story of Job. Few of us have suffered as he did—he lost his children, his possessions, and his health. His critics accused him of hypocrisy and deception. Because we know how Satan works, we realize that his so-called friends were tools of Satan. I’m sure they didn’t realize they were being used by the devil to discourage Job. But just because they weren’t aware, doesn’t mean Satan didn’t use them.

However, Job, a godly man, refused to listen. He said, […though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him…] (Job 13:15 AMPC). He refused to allow Satan to attack his mind and make him question God. He didn’t understand what God had done. There’s no indication that Job ever understood. But one thing he knew, God was with him, and he never doubted the love and presence of God.

That’s the attitude we want—that calm assurance of God’s love that says, “Though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him.” We don’t have to understand or explain. In fact, I’ve heard it said this way, “Obedience is required; understanding is optional.”

Finally, if we suffer, it just may be a powerful reminder that we are walking the same paths as some of God’s greatest saints. Even in Peter’s time, they suffered. In their case, it was Roman persecution; in our case, it may be people who don’t understand us, or family members who turn against us. Regardless, suffering can and should end in thanksgiving.

Prayer of the Day: 
Father God, forgive me for always wanting the easy life. I admit that I don’t want to suffer, and I don’t like it when things go wrong. But I ask You to help me have a good attitude and to trust You to bring good out of it. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Promise for Today - Keep On Hoping

But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more.
Psalm 71:14 NLT

What do you believe about the Lord? Do you believe He is Jehovah Rapha, our Healer? His Word says He is. Do you believe it no matter what? What about if you pray for someone and they don't recover? What if they die? Is He still God? Is He still Jehovah Rapha?

In case you're wondering, the answer is "Yes, He IS still Jehovah Rapha, our Healer!" I've said it before and I'll say it again - our circumstances don't change who God is. When we're facing trials and tribulations, it is the TRUTH of His Word that rules over the facts of those battles. Hide His Word in your heart. Let it become the Truth for your life. Let it overcome doubt and fear. Line upon line. Precept upon precept. Let it build on the measure of faith that God Himself gave us.

Start it out with words of praise...

"I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together." Psalm 34:1-3 NLT

"O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you! My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection." Psalm 71:5-7 NLT

"For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." 
Hebrews 13:14-16 NLT

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray as it is written, "I will keep on hoping for Your help; I will praise You more and more." You are worthy of all praise and glory and honor. Help us to be focused on Your Truth rather than the circumstances that surround us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Our Own Lives

1. I love you, O Lord, my strength. 

2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
Psalm 18:1-3 ESV

Three verses. Three powerful, defining verses of who David believed God to be.

1. Lord
2. Strength
3. Rock
4. Fortress
5. Deliverer
6. God
7. Refuge
8. Shield
9. Horn of my salvation
10. Stronghold

11. Worthy to be praised

Do we believe God is all these things? Yeah, but do we believe God is all these things in OUR own lives?

Prayer:

Father,
            Help us to see past and get past the hurts and history of our lives to rejoice in the redemption of our lives which You have provided. Let our lives be living testimonies of You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Choose to Acknowledge

John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.”
John 3:27 NLT

It’s time for a refresher course in an Attitude of Gratitude. In our flesh, it’s too easy to see the downside of life. A friend of mine sent a message a while back that clearly showed her CHOICE to look for something for which to give thanks.

She had been working mandatory overtime for several weeks. She was tired and wanted to whine about it, but that day she came home, her A/C had gone out… on one of the hottest days of the year. She CHOSE to thank God that she had the extra money on hand to pay for the repair. She had to put her uniforms in the dryer for work the next day (while the A/C was down); she CHOSE to thank God that she had a dryer AND that it worked! She also CHOSE to thank God that she was perspiring enough to cleanse her body from toxins (also God’s design).

How many times do we miss the opportunity to acknowledge God in ALL our ways? The old car/van/truck (with no car payment) that still runs faithfully. The flat tire that happened in the parking lot at work could just as easily have happened on the freeway while traveling at 70mph. You might say that NO flat tire would have been better. Let’s see, "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven." Perhaps we needed an opportunity to practice an Attitude of Gratitude or to find a reason to choose to acknowledge God…

Prayer:

Father,
         We haven’t the words to properly praise You for all the ways You provide for us – spiritually and physically. Forgive us for the times we don’t acknowledge You. We love You, Lord. Help us to be more aware. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - From Our Hearts

Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.

From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.

I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah

For You, O God, have heard my vows;
You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.

Psalm 61:1-5 NKJV

Prayer:

Father,
           Hear our heart's cry for all that can seem overwhelming. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today Reminder - Strength to Fight

Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

1st Timothy 6:12-14 NLT

The following lines are excerpts from Pastor Alan Neel's sermon...

• There will always be a fight. We are not fighting flesh and blood; we are contending for our faith.
• There is no "Golden Acres Retirement Center" here on Earth.
• THERE IS NO CONVENIENT CHRISTIANITY.
• We better learn how to fight.Discernment
• Discipline
• 1st Timothy 4:7 "Train yourself..."
• If you don't establish the right habits, by default you'll continually reinforce the bad habits.
• Quote by Dr. Gary Brothers, "Don't cause yourself more trouble than the trouble causes you."
• Determination
• We'd better learn how to win.We are not moving to a place of rest here on Earth. That doesn't happen here. Here - we need to fight!

Fight for our faith!
Fight for our children's faith!
Fight for our grandchildren's faith!

Like the Apostle Paul commanded, "Fight the good fight for the true faith."

The Finish Line is in sight! We can't slack off - we must win!

Prayer:

Father,
          Today I pray as Scotty Smith prayed - for "strength to do the next right thing", according to Your Word in Philippians 4:13. "I can do all things through him who strengthens me...this verse has been underlined in my Bible, pasted on my refrigerator...But today I need it to be an active force in my life. Free me from the temptations of an “approval suck”. I don’t want to become aloof and callous, but neither do I want to be oversensitive to what people think...

"I need strength to deal with destructive choices of friends. Marriages, health, the hearts of children, and Your glory are on the line. I need strength, Jesus, to get involved where frankly, I’d rather not. It would be much easier just to “pray from afar” than to run after prodigals, confront foolishness, and face anger. Strengthen me so that I will not wimp out. You pursued me, and You pursue me still. Likewise, be a persistent Lover through me in these messy situations.

I need strength to seek You with fresh passion and delight, earnestness and anticipation. I never like it when I find it easier to watch TV than to meditate on the Scriptures. It’s not a good sign when exercising my body for vanity comes easier than exercising my heart for godliness. Renew my heart’s affection, adoration, and allegiance to You; for You alone are worthy of everything I am and have."

In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Through It All

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Job 13:15a NKJV

Sometimes, I don't have the words. Sometimes, all I have is a song. Bob Benson once said, "There has to be a song— There are too many dark nights, Too many troublesome days, Too many wearisome miles, There has to be a song— To make our burdens bearable, To transform our successes into praise, To release the chains of past defeats, Somewhere—down deep in a forgotten corner of each man's heart— There has to be a song—"  This is one that's in mine...

https://www.facebook.com/reel/815158614221153

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for all of it. Thank You for everything that has caused me to chase after and cling to You. Thank You that You have promised to never leave us. Amen

Promise for Today - Reminder: That Warm Feeling

 John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.

Luke 3:18 NLT

You and I have talked about Truth so many times. What it is and what it is not. We have talked about having Truth as our standard - that the Word of God is Truth that will stand and be the measure by which we live. It's not a maybe. It's not a perhaps. It's not conjecture - pure or otherwise. It's Truth... absolute Truth.

John the Baptist spoke Truth...not a real popular guy. But in the telling of it, I made a connection that I'd never seen before in the Word and I'd like to share it with you. First, let me back up a little and give you the general gist of the chapter. John is in the wilderness. He's preaching true repentance. Repentance is NOT about asking for forgiveness. Repentance IS us choosing to do a 180-degree turn - away from those things that are sin and not aligned with the covenant God set before us - and then NEVER going back.

In chapter 3 of Luke, those who are in sin ask John, "What should we do?" and John tells them like it is. He does not mince words. He does not say, "Oh, poor baby, I know you're trying." He tells them flat out - Stop! Stop doing this! Start doing that! He speaks absolute Truth.

Just as the Word of God instructs, it is Truth that sets us free (from sin and its wages). Luke said of John in verses 4-6, Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him! The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth. And then all people will see the salvation sent from God." (That's from Isaiah, chapter 40).

It is Truth that digs out the lies underneath the anger. It's Truth that hacks away at the walls we build around us. It's Truth that fills the empty places and potholes in our lives. And I believe it's Truth that makes the road clear - that prepares the way of the Lord and that enables us to see salvation.

If I remove the dunghill between me and thee, I can see you. I can see much farther on a straight road than I can on a crooked one. When we get all the junk (sin) out of the way, we are enabled to see much clearer, much further. In Isaiah 45:2, God said to Cyrus, "I will go before you and make the crooked places straight..." Psalm 25:10a tells us, "All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth," but it doesn't end with that. There's a condition to it - part B - "To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies." Did you get that? Were you paying attention? All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth to THOSE WHO keep His covenant and His testimonies.

John spoke Truth and did not worry about giving people warm fuzzies. The Word tells us there is an eternal lake of fire for those who don't embrace His Truth and salvation. If you're more interested in feeling than Truth, you would do well to check to see where the heat is coming from that supplies the warmth for those fuzzies.

Prayer:

Father,
           Psalm 25:11, For Your name’s sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Apply Your absolute Truth to our lives. Speak Your Truth in love so that we might see You and embrace the salvation offered. Reveal Yourself and Your absolute Truth to us, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Rehearsing

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!

Psalm 42:11

Listening to the news, reading social media, perusing the headlines - literally everywhere you look, the news is discouraging. We live in a hurting world and their needs can sometimes feel overwhelming! And when we talk about it repeatedly with others, nursing and rehearsing all the bad, it just drives it deeper into our spirit.

I believe I've mentioned a quote I heard decades ago on a Marilyn Hickey broadcast. She was talking about sharing God with a lost and dying world and said, "If your outgo exceeds your income, your general upkeep will be your downfall." Do we fail to realize that if we continue to pour Christ into others without replenishing ourselves daily, we will become worn down? It's why we get discouraged; it's why we are so sad. We are empty.

It's too easy to get caught up in all that! We must put our hope in God! We must choose to praise Him again! If you want to nurse and rehearse things - make it the things of the Lord!

Prayer:

Father,
          We are forever grateful for the hope of our salvation in Christ; for the hope of Heaven; for the hope of eternity with You. Thank You for providing all of these things and so much more. Help us to keep our hearts and minds focused on that which is good - that comes from only You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Promise for Today - Take Him at His Word

If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn't take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn't come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I’m saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word. I’m not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That’s all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you.

John 12:47-50 The Message

I thank God for those people in our lives who speak truth to us, no matter what. We know that we can believe whatever comes out of their mouth. In today's vernacular, we can 'take it to the bank.' Their words are gold.

Isn't it great to have friends like that? Even if sometimes they say things we don't like, we still know that what they're saying is true. We believe them, and we can take action based on their word. Regular folks with skin on. Good as gold - we take them at their word.

So then that begs the question, if the Creator of Heaven and Earth, Almighty God, King of kings, and Lord of lords, tells us something - even goes so far as to write it down - how is it that we have a hard time believing what HE says?!? Jesus tells us that He only speaks what the Father tells Him to speak. That would be the Father - God - the same God who CANNOT lie... and yet, oftentimes we respond to His Word and His promises as though they were counterfeit or not true for us. Why don't we believe His promises made to us?

We must take Him at His Word. 

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for willfully choosing rejection. This day, we repent and turn our hearts and minds toward You only and what You have to say to us. We want to take You at Your Word for everything. Let all other words fall on deaf ears. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Guest Author: Emily Rose Massey - A Heavenly Perspective

A Prayer for a Heavenly Perspective by: Emily Rose Massey

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:1-2 NKJV).

It doesn’t take long to realize that Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Twitter, and pretty much any other social media platform are a massive door to comparison. Your eyes begin to get fixated on earthly things instead of things of the Kingdom and God's plan for your life. This often negatively impacts your decision-making. Regarding material things, you are now spending money you don't have and are not just trying to "keep up with the Jones'" but everyone else in the entire world! People's lives are constantly on display, and it is a great temptation for us to become dissatisfied and unthankful for what God has given us. We become unhappy. Not only that, but we also aren’t happy for one another. "Everyone is getting married, having babies, getting an education, buying a house, getting a raise, a new job, a new car, pursuing their dreams, making connections to further their job/ministry, traveling, wearing the latest fashions, making more money, going on vacation, losing weight, AND WHY NOT ME?!” we think to ourselves. This type of mentality makes us question God’s goodness as we start to wonder if He is withholding things from us.

You may know in your mind that God is good, but is it truly rooted in your heart and applied to your life? The struggle occurs when we fix our eyes on ourselves, and it becomes worse when we turn our attention to others and begin to compare or judge unrighteously. We begin to believe lies and draw conclusions about others, consumed by jealousy. James calls this type of thinking worldly and even demonic (James 3:15).

When our fixation is on the temporal, as believers, Paul tells us in Colossians that we need to look up:

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:1-2 NKJV).

Paul urges us to "put to death [our] members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walk when you lived in them" (Colossians 3:5-7 NKJV).

Did you catch that in verse 5? Covetousness is idolatry. When you covet, compare, and live in jealousy and envy over something that someone else is experiencing, you are worshiping what you don't have. Whether that is material things, a person, or a situation, that thing is now placed above God and God's plan for your life. You have made that thing, situation, person, or position an idol in your life. You become self-centered and too concerned about your life; You have put on “self glasses.”

“Self glasses” distort your vision and heart posture towards God and others. Practically, this means that God isn’t enough for you. These glasses also foster a victim mentality, where you compare and complain, leading to discontent. Before long, you will doubt God and begin to take control of your own life. Lifting our gaze upwards, as Colossians 3 tells us, shifts our perspective, and we begin to see how God is fully enough. This perspective shift helps us believe the truth about God’s sovereignty, about others, and about ourselves.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Help me keep my eyes on Jesus and Your word. Remind my heart to cling to You, abide in You so that I will remain full of Your love and nothing else can satisfy. I truly only want what You have for me because I trust that Your promises are more than enough. I know that eternal things are far greater than anything this world can offer. Please help me to trust You with all my heart and lean on Your understanding, not my own. I believe You will direct my path and will never lead us astray.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Promise for Today - Gaining Access

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
Matthew 3:13-17 NLT

One of the tasks at my day job is to make sure my people know about and meet a contract’s required certifications to do the work for a client. There are safety trainings and certifications, as well as various mandatory drug and alcohol tests, and each has to be renewed annually. Once approved, they are also subject to random drug tests to prove that they are still in compliance with the requirements for entry to the facility.

There is usually a grace period, but once that's over, there are no excuses, no exceptions. The contract is there - it's specific about the requirements. It doesn't matter how much you think you know about it - or what you learned years ago. Have you done what is asked of you? If you want in, do what's required of you. When you do, then you get the stamp of approval that allows you into the facility. They'll wave you through the gate because your name is on the list.

It reminds me a little of the requirements to gain access to heaven. It doesn't matter if you're a "good guy." It's not about what you know or how long you've known it. The only way to gain entry is through the Blood of Jesus Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus tells us that no one gets to the Father, except through Him [Jesus]. It's about training - aligning ourselves with the Word. It's about keeping the training current.

Luke 9:23 NKJV tells us, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."

1st John 2:23b-25, "...But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us."

In other words, when you do, you get the Father's approval. Is your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life?

Prayer:

Father,
          Please notify us of the changes to be made in our lives, so that we fully comply with Your requirements of us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Patient Endurance

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
James 1:2-3 NLT

If you have known me for very long, you have heard me say, What doesn't kill us only makes us stronger. I believe that. There have been times in my life when it seemed like it would be a whole lot easier to die than to endure. But God would get me through, and because of the endurance training I received during that trial, I would be able to be victorious over the next, bigger, tougher situation.

However, I can't say that I've ever been ecstatic or enthusiastic about trials and tribulations. I wasn't looking ahead - I wasn't looking "to the hills where my help comes from" (Psalm 121). I wasn't looking "to the Author and Finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." (Hebrews 12) Endured. Christ looked PAST the Cross to the joy that was set before Him.

The writer of Hebrews encourages us in 10:35-36, "So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will."

Just as God, for the sake of the Cross, looks beyond our frail, human nature so that Jesus can receive us unto Himself, so must we look beyond the trials and tribulations and patiently endure them so that we can continue to do the Father's will no matter what comes our way. It is in the patient endurance that we receive the Promise. (vs 36b) - "THEN you will receive all that he has promised."

Prayer:

Father,
           Your Word promises that You are the Lifter of our heads. Hold us up so we can see over this to the promise of eternity with You where there are no more tears. No more pain. No more separation. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Keep It Moving

Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

Philippians 3:13-14 The Message

Where are you going? I'm not asking about vacations or work trips. I want to know your destination in LIFE. Where are you headed? What's your goal? Are you in charge of your destiny? Think about it! Check your life.

Are we aiming for Heaven? Is that our goal? Are we actively taking steps and measures to get there? Is there activity that shows forward motion with Heaven as your destination? We can't move forward just for the sake of moving. Or are we just marking time - going to work, paying bills, mowing the lawn, trying to save for retirement? Are you working as diligently to get to Heaven as you are to succeed at work? Are we seeking God's "well done, good and faithful servant" above getting a raise at our job? 

The Truth is, if we have our eye on the goal, and keep pressing forward where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus - all the rest of that stuff will be taken care of. Matthew 6:33 in the New Living reads, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."

I heard these pearls of wisdom from Alan Neel, 'When we live without direction, we're living without a destiny.' If we're not moving forward - toward Christ - seeking Him, serving Him, then we're living aimlessly, seeking our own satisfaction. That won't get us to Heaven. We gotta keep it moving... "onward to Jesus."

Prayer:

Father,
          Forgive us for mindless living. Clear our vision to see our way to You. Renew the passion within us to keep moving toward You and to make intentional choices to keep us on our course. We want to finish well and hear You say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Not-So-Simply Love

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear expects punishment. The person who is afraid has not been made perfect in love. We love because God first loved us.
1 John 4:18-19 CEB

Do you remember your first love? Do you remember how that felt? You could talk for hours. You were content just to sit and bask in the presence of your beloved. Just to be near was enough. You wanted to be better - to be more - to be everything that person "deserved" so you would be loved in return. Ahhhhh...first love... Oh, you just knew that person was perfect... or at least, perfect for you.

What if there really was such a thing as a perfect love? A perfect mate? A perfect relationship? Someone who was perfect for real, but at the same time would overlook your imperfections? Someone who could see past any physical flaws or your neediness or your inabilities. Someone who would love you no matter what you did, no matter what you said, no matter what you looked like. Someone who spoke the love language of your heart. Someone who knew exactly what it would take to love you and make you feel that love all the way inside. Someone who never leaves, is always there. Someone whose whole goal is a relationship with you. Someone who wants what is best for your life - to promote you and the abilities you have, and who will do and has done everything necessary to make that happen. Someone who has proven to be steadfast and true through the test of time and for all eternity.

Let me arrange the introduction. His Name is Adonai. God the Lord. God doesn't just love. He IS love and He commands us to love. Your ultimate perfection is guaranteed through His perfect love gift - His Son, Jesus Christ.

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray the words of the old hymn by Thomas Chisholm and William Kirkpatrick. ♪♫ O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer, this is my constant longing and prayer. Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear. O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art. Come in Thy sweetness. Come in Thy fullness. Plant Thine own image deep on my heart. ♪♫ In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Yeah, but God...

Into the land they went, and it became theirs. For our forefathers, You made sure even the Canaanites there were powerless. You subdued everything and everyone to their power— land, kings, and people—to do with as they pleased. They overwhelmed strong and secure cities. They overtook fertile, productive land. They claimed well-furnished houses, wells that were already dug, vineyards, olive groves and orchards filled with fruit. They ate their fill. They grew fat. They basked in Your generosity and goodness. Even so, again they chose to defy You.
Nehemiah 9:24-26a The Voice

One would think that a pattern of behavior repeated over and over would become obvious - even to the perpetrator. I know I would sit in disbelief as I read the number of miracles God performed for the people of Israel and how quickly they would forget and turn from following His ways. Unbelievable...

That is, until I saw the same thing in myself. There's something about the Truth that will strike you no matter what language it's spoken in. "They basked in Your generosity and goodness. Even so, again they chose to defy You." Like a video replay, I realized I have OFTEN basked in God's generosity and goodness, and at times, still chose to go my own way when an offense or perceived onslaught kept me from what I wanted to do. 'Yeah, but God - he did this...' 'Yeah, but God, she said...' 'Yeah, but God, I couldn't just let them get away with...' 'Yeah, but God...'

Today I realized the number of times that I did this or I've said that, and yet God has shown me unfathomable mercy on innumerable occasions... "basking in His generosity and goodness." Have you ever done that? 

The truth is that doing it our own way instead of walking in God's way is to defy God. No 'yeah, buts' about it. Forgive us, O God!

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray Your Word - "It was because of Your great mercy that we were not completely annihilated or forsaken. You are a grace-filled and mercy-laden God; Our True God—You who are great, majestic, and awesome, You who always keep Your covenant of loyal love— do not overlook the trouble we are facing here today. This trouble confronts us all: our kings and our princes, our priests and our prophets, our ancestors and all of Your people— From the time of the Assyrian kings until today. You are righteous in all that You have done to us. You have faithfully upheld Your part of the covenant, but we have acted with evil."  Forgive us, O God! Change our hearts. Make them ever thirst only for You. To walk in Your will and way and not our own. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Coming to a Complete Stop

I come to your altar, O Lord, singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells.

Psalm 26:6b-8 NLT

The first traffic ticket I ever got was for not coming to a complete stop at a posted stop sign. On the daily route, there were 4 stop signs to get to the main road. At the last stop sign that morning, I slowed way down but did the infamous California roll instead of stopping completely...and I had to pay the price for it. Oh, I thought I was justified - even tried to talk my way out of it (I wasn't saved then). The officer patiently explained to me that the book did not read three out of four stops are okay, nor did it say I got to choose which laws I would obey, or that I could stop only when I felt like it and had the time.

There are days when life threatens to overwhelm us with all that we have to do and all the things and people who need a piece of us, and there just isn't enough time. Combine that with the time of year and making plans for the upcoming holiday season, all the extras we want to do as part of that (and more than likely won't get done), and it becomes our focus, creating a sure-fire recipe for potential disaster. It's the fourth stop sign all over again. Except this time, we're not stopping to acknowledge and praise God in all things. 

Are we stopping to give Him thanks in all things - everything - as Scripture instructs? Interesting that His Book doesn't read that three out of four times are okay, nor does it say we get to choose which laws we will obey, or that we could stop only when we felt like it and had the time. Oh, we may throw a few thanks heavenward - they may even be heartfelt - but are we taking the time to come to a complete stop and give Him our full attention to praise Him and thank Him?

If not, take 5 minutes right now and stop. Seriously. Stop. List 5 things you are thankful for. Something you know that you have only by the grace and goodness of God.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Now praise Him for who He is. Acknowledge His greatness. 

Sing with awe and wonder...How Great Thou Art!  
(This rendition is by the group Selah - the middle verse is sung in their native tongue -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6ZbcCjoj70)

Prayer:

Father,
          It is only by Your mercy and grace that we even breathe. We acknowledge and give great thanks that it is only in You that we can even live and move and have our being. We know that every good and perfect thing comes from You and we give You praise. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Promise for Today - By His Grace

So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
Ephesians 2:7-8 NLT

Do you ever find yourself reading about different ones in the Bible and wondering, 'Why? Why did you do that? How COULD you do that after all God had done? What were you thinking?' Only to read on a little further and recognize yourself in their actions? 'O Father, forgive me. Who am I to judge? Except for Your grace, I would be so much worse than what I am.'

Paul was well aware of God's grace in his own life and the lives of those around him, and for all future generations. Did you catch that part of the verse? 'So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace...'

A little further down in this chapter, verse 10 reads, 'For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.' There are many things God has laid on our hearts that we think, 'I can't do that. Un-unh...no way. I've done this or I've done that, who's gonna listen to someone who has done that? Nobody's going to listen to what I have to say. I'm not a speaker.' Except for His grace... Neither was Moses. Neither was Peter. Neither was Paul.

And the litany in your head continues, 'I can't...I can't... I can't...' And you're right, you can't. Except for His grace...

By grace, Paul - former Christian killer - became an apostle.

By grace, Rahab - a harlot - became part of the lineage of Christ.

By grace, David - a shepherd boy who was so NOT impressive that his father didn't even call him to the house when the prophet came - he became king.

By grace - Jacob - a liar and a cheat from a long line of liars and manipulators - inherited God's blessing and God changed his name to Israel.

Don't tell me what you can't do. Tell me what you will allow God to do through you...by His grace.

Scripture is quite clear..."For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we CAN do..."

Prayer:

Father,
          I pray as Paul prayed, When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to You, Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from Your glorious, unlimited resources You will empower us with inner strength through Your Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in our hearts as we trust in Him. Our roots will grow down into Your love and keep us strong. And may we have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Your love is. May we experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then we will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from You. Now all glory to You, God, who is able, through Your mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to You in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Reminder to Be Dramatically Different

Some skeptic is sure to ask, “Show me how resurrection works. Give me a diagram; draw me a picture. What does this ‘resurrection body’ look like?” If you look at this question closely, you realize how absurd it is. There are no diagrams for this kind of thing. We do have a parallel experience in gardening. You plant a “dead” seed; soon there is a flourishing plant. There is no visual likeness between seed and plant. You could never guess what a tomato would look like by looking at a tomato seed. What we plant in the soil and what grows out of it don’t look anything alike. The dead body that we bury in the ground and the resurrection body that comes from it will be dramatically different.

1st Corinthians 15:35-42 The Message

Has life ever made you feel like you'd been knocked down and buried in fertilizer... that keeps getting piled on?!? That's how I was feeling when God reminded me of this Scripture.

What is planted - buried beneath mounds and pounds of fertilizer - and what grows out of it don't look anything alike! Just like you can't tell what a tomato will look like from the seed you plant, there's no telling what we'll look like, either - but the Bible says we shall be like Him!!

Can we give God praise for that and thank Him - even in the fertilizer?!?

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for loving us more than enough to give us what we need rather than what we want. Help us to understand and continue to grow in the process. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen