Promise for Today - The True Pursuit of Happiness

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.

Psalm 1:1-2 NLT

How do you meditate? Well, if you know how to worry, then you already know how to meditate. Worry is when you take a negative thought and think on it over and over and over. On the other hand, when you take a passage of Scripture and think on it over and over and over, that’s also meditation. It just means to think about it, mull it over, talk about it with your family and or friends. 

If your only contact with the Bible is when you hear it at church, you’ll have a weak grip on God’s Word, and it can easily be pulled out of your mind. But if you hear God’s Word and you also read it every day, then you’ll start to get a better grip. Then, if you hear it and read it and study it, you’ll get an even better grip. And then, if you hear it and read it and study it and start memorizing and meditating on it, you’ll have a solid grip on the Word of God.

Psalm 119:16 says, “Your laws make me happy. I never forget your word” (GW). Do you want to be happy? Following God’s principles will produce happiness. You remember those principles by hearing them, reading them, studying them, memorizing them, meditating on them, and then applying them to your life.

The Bible says in Psalm 119:35 NLT, “Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found”.  If you’ve been looking for happiness in all the wrong places, then turn around. God says happiness is found in the path of his commands.

Talk It Over

What distractions keep you from meditating on God’s Word?

Who in your life can help you as you memorize Scripture? How can you help each other develop this healthy habit?

You find happiness when you obey God’s commands. What does that truth tell you about God?

- by Pastor Rick

********************************************

Prayer:

Father, 

           Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for its ready accessibility to us. We are so thankful that Your Word is a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path. We declare as David did, "Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight." Give us wisdom and Your strength to keep Your decrees to the very end. We want to keep Your Word hidden in our hearts so that we don't sin against You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - A Clear Conscience

...Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Philippians 2:15 (NLT).

Have you noticed that a jeweler will always put diamonds on black velvet when showing them to a customer? That’s because they shine brighter against a black backdrop. In the same way, as cultures crumble and the world becomes darker and darker, Christians can shine brighter and brighter. You’re made to live with such integrity and authenticity that when people look at you, they see a difference. They see a joy that comes from having a clear conscience.

You might say, “I’d like to be happy, but how do I keep my conscience clear when it’s not clear right now?” The Living Bible paraphrase gives the answer: “What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record” (Psalm 32:1-2).

Happiness, joy, and relief are three things everybody’s looking for in life. We all want to be happy. We all want to enjoy life. We all want relief from our pain. The Bible says we get those things through purity, and purity comes from forgiveness through God’s grace.

So how do we keep a pure, clear conscience?

At the beginning and the end of every day, do a spiritual inventory. Talk to God about anything that is standing between you and him—and then deal with the junk from your day. Ask forgiveness. The Bible tells us when 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 NIV).

Feeling guilty or ashamed can cause you to lose your happiness. So if you want to be happy, you’ve got to get rid of guilt and maintain a clear conscience—because you can’t feel guilty and be happy at the same time.

Talk It Over

What do you need to talk to God about today so that you can clear your conscience?

How can you restructure your life to make time each day for a spiritual inventory?

How are you living as a “bright light” in the world for Jesus Christ? What does your happiness in Christ say to the rest of the world?

- by Pastor Rick

******************************

Prayer:

Father, 

         Create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Cleanse our hearts from all impurity, selfishness, deceit, and pride that may have taken root. Help us to delight in truth and to love others with a pure heart. Transform our minds to focus on what is good, and let our lives reflect Your love and grace. Let Your light so shine through us to those around us that they may see the good works and glorify You, according to Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Promise for Today - A Shift in Focus

[Paul speaking] If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Philippians 2:1-4 (MSG)

If you truly want to be happy in life, you’ve got to care about the needs of those around you and move the focus away from yourself. Why? Because life is not all about you! When you understand this, it’s the starting point for all happiness.

Paul looked to Timothy as an example of someone who genuinely cares about others. Philippians 2:20-21 says, “There is no one like Timothy for having a real interest in you; everyone else seems to be worrying about his own plans and not those of Jesus Christ” (TLB).

Most people don’t get up in the morning and give their first thought to how someone else is doing. They’re often only concerned about their own problems. And that’s why so many people are unhappy with their lives. Thinking only about yourself eventually leads to misery.

Do you want to be one of those rare, unselfish, happy people? Then you need to change your focus.

Putting your focus on others doesn’t come naturally. Most people don’t walk into a room and think, “Who in here needs my help today?” Instead, you think, “How do I look? Am I put together just right? What are people going to think of me?” So you have to intentionally train yourself to do the opposite of what you normally do—to shift the focus away from yourself.

I have to admit that it saddens me how many times I’ve missed the needs of people around me—even the needs of people I love—because I wasn’t paying attention. I wasn’t taking an interest in them. I hadn’t shifted my focus off myself. And because I wasn’t looking out for their needs, I missed the chance to help.

Philippians 2:4 says in The Message paraphrase, “Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”

Instead of dwelling on yourself or grieving missed opportunities, spend your energy thinking about how others are doing. That’s where you’ll find happiness - serving God through serving others.

Talk It Over

What distractions keep you from focusing on the needs of others?

What does it mean to “forget yourself”?

What needs have you missed in someone’s life because you were too busy or focused on your own problems? What can you do today to shift your focus toward helping that person?

- by Pastor Rick

***************************************

Prayer:

Father, 

          Forgive us for the times we were naval-gazing and missed the clues and cues around us. Cause us to be way more attentive to the nudging of the Holy Spirit. Give us Your eyes to see and Your provision to meet the needs of those You have placed within our sphere of influence. Give us clean hands and pure hearts in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - We Live to Serve

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being... He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT)

Happiness comes from harmony, and harmony comes from humility. And if you want to be humble, you have to learn to ask yourself this question: “What would Jesus do?”

What would Jesus do in this problem? What would Jesus do for that person who’s hurting? What would Jesus do at the office? On the golf course? In your marriage? Ask this question, and you’ll always come up with a humble answer that builds harmony and happiness rather than difficulty, defeat, bitterness, and resentment.

So what does it look like to act like Jesus? Philippians 2 gives three examples:

First:

Don’t demand what you think you deserve. “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to” (Philippians 2:6 NLT).

Do you realize how countercultural it is to give up your right to something? Yes, you have rights, but there’s a better way to have your needs met than by demanding your rights. You can be tender without surrender, and you can be understanding without demanding.

Second:

Look for ways that you can serve. “Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (Philippians 2:7 NLT).

If you want to be like Jesus, you’re going to have to learn to serve. Serving is a habit you can develop. And it starts not in the big things in life, but in the little things. God tests your humility every day in the little things, and then it’s shown in the big things. Character is revealed in the great crises of life, but it’s built in the little day-to-day things, like returning the grocery cart to the cart corral.

Third:

Do what’s right, even when it’s painful. “He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8 NLT).

This is what it means to act like Jesus. What did Jesus do, even when he was in pain? He was understanding, not demanding of what he deserved. He looked for ways to serve. And he was a servant in every situation.

Jesus is the ultimate model of humility, and God gave him the greatest honor in the universe. God honors your humility, too, when you follow Jesus’ example.

Talk It Over

What are some ways you can be “tender without surrender” or “understanding without demanding” in a relationship?

How have you seen God honor humility in your life or in someone else’s?

How can you serve someone today without being asked?

- by Pastor Rick

***************************************

Prayer: (excerpts from Crosscards)

Father,

          Soften our hearts to be tender toward You and toward those around us. Prepare our hearts and minds to be willing to serve, ready and available to help others even when it is inconvenient, uncomfortable, or costly to ourselves.
         Open our eyes to see the needs of those around us —family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and strangers. Help us not to get so wrapped up in our own lives that we miss opportunities to serve. Teach us to be Your hands and feet, bringing hope and healing to those who need it most.
          Give us a generous heart, that we might share what we have, acting with compassion rather than seeking praise. When we serve, fill us with a joyful spirit and help us to put others before ourselves.
Father, we cannot do this in our own strength. Empower us with Your Spirit to love, to be gentle, and to be a servant to all. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen

Promise for Today - Controlled Response

If by continuing to live I can do more worthwhile work, then I am not sure which I should choose. I am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing; but for your sake it is much more important that I remain alive. I am sure of this, and so I know that I will stay. I will stay on with you all, to add to your progress and joy in the faith. 

Philippians 1:22-25 (GNT)

Paul was an old man when he was in prison in Rome. He was a long way from home. He was awaiting execution. Everything had been taken from him—his friends, his freedom, his ministry, and even his privacy, with a guard chained to him throughout the day. It wasn’t exactly a happy time for Paul.

But there was one thing they could not take away from Paul: his purpose. Paul made the choice to stay focused on his purpose, even when he had lost everything else. What was his purpose? Serving God by serving others.

I’ll never forget reading Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning. Frankl was a Jewish psychiatrist who was imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps in Germany. Most of his family and friends were gassed and murdered. He writes in his book about the day he stood in front of the Gestapo. Everything was taken from him—his home, his clothes, and even his wedding ring. As he stood there with nothing at all, he suddenly realized there was one thing the Nazis could not take away from him: his freedom to choose how he would respond.

You cannot totally control what other people do to you. You cannot control what other people do around you. But you can control how you respond. When you stay focused on your purpose instead of your problem, you can have joy, even when life seems to be falling apart.

Choose to serve others, even when you are hurting. Choose to forgive. Choose to focus on God’s promises and not your circumstances. Those are the kind of choices that lead to greater faith. And then your faith will produce greater joy.

Talk It Over

What do you believe is your purpose in life?

Why does God want you to think about others and serve them, even when you are going through difficult circumstances?

How does your choice to focus on your problem or your purpose reflect what you believe about God?

- by Pastor Rick

******************************

Prayer:

Father,

          We humbly ask that You shine Your light of Truth anew on Your plan and purpose for our lives. Help us to realize that the only thing we can control - and must control - is our response to You and to the world around us. Give us Your strength to choose to walk according to Your Word: with integrity and justice, with fairness and integrity, showing kindness and compassion, living in daily dependence on You, and walking in humility before You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Choice to Rejoice

I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. 

Philippians 1:18-19 (NLT)

When things are falling apart, don’t try to work it out yourself. Let God put the pieces back together. In this one Scripture passage, Paul reveals several sources of strength for staying positive and happy in tough times. If you’re facing a problem, you’ve got two options: You can worship, or you can worry. That’s it! This is what I call the faith factor.

First, you have to keep God’s perspective about your problems. Paul says, “For I know . . .” It’s what you know that keeps you going. Paul knows God is working in the midst of his struggle, and he keeps God’s bigger perspective, which helps him see past his problems.

Second, Paul has people praying for him, and that keeps him going. Knowing you have the support of other believers is like having wind filling your sails. It keeps you from giving up.

Then he says, “The Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me.” The Holy Spirit also keeps Paul going. And the same Spirit that keeps Paul going is the Spirit that is working in you and helping you persevere as a follower of Jesus.

Finally, he says, “This will lead to my deliverance.” Paul has faith that God will work his problems for good. God will do his good work, no matter what you decide. But he also wants to see you growing in faith and showing him that you believe he can do it.

Because Paul has God’s perspective, the prayer of friends, the Holy Spirit, and faith, he chooses to “continue to rejoice.”

Make the choice to rejoice.

Talk It Over

What does it look like to worship God in the midst of a struggle?

Who do you rely on for prayer support? Who can you count on to faithfully pray for your spiritual growth?

Think of a problem you’re experiencing right now. How have you seen God work in the midst of your pain? What do you expect God to do in and through you because of this experience?

 - by Pastor Rick

****************************

Prayer:

Father,

          It is written in the book of James that "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change..." It is also written, "So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." Come what may, we choose to make the choice to rejoice for You are the source of all good things, remaining consistent, loving, and unchanging. You are our Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides; our Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord our Healer. You are Immanuel - God with us! The everlasting God! We give You all praise with grateful hearts, In Jesus' Name. Amen

Promise for Today - Bring On the Joy

It does not matter! I am happy about it—just so Christ is preached in every way possible, whether from wrong or right motives. And I will continue to be happy.

 Philippians 1:18 (GNT)

In Philippians 1:15-17, Paul talks about different kinds of people who are affecting his ministry while he’s a prisoner in Rome. There are some he considers comrades who encourage him in his ministry. Others are criticizing, competing with, or conspiring against his ministry.

“Some of them preach Christ because they are jealous and quarrelsome, but others from genuine goodwill. These do so from love, because they know that God has given me the work of defending the gospel. The others do not proclaim Christ sincerely, but from a spirit of selfish ambition; they think that they will make more trouble for me while I am in prison” (Philippians 1:15-17 GNT).

Few things steal your happiness faster than being criticized or feeling like others are working against you. It’s easy to let other people control your attitude. Why? Because we all want to be loved. We all want approval. We all want people to like us.

You don’t need other people’s approval to be happy. You’re as happy as you choose to be! If others are unhappy with you, that’s their choice. If you haven’t earned someone’s approval by now, you’re probably not going to get it—and you’re going to be miserable if you try to live for the approval of everybody else. Your joy comes from God! But if you want to be truly happy, you need to remember that Jesus is the source of your joy.

Paul explains later in the same chapter why you can be happy no matter what: “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it” (Philippians 1:29-30 NLT).

Paul says it’s a privilege to suffer when you’re doing the right thing, because that’s when you’re most like Jesus. Don’t let what other people say or do control your happiness. Your joy comes from the Lord!

Talk It Over

Whose approval have you been working to obtain? Why do you think you need that person’s approval?

Why is there more freedom in God’s approval than in another person’s approval?

When you feel attacked or criticized, how might God be working in you and through you?

- by Pastor Rick

********************************

Prayer:

Father,

           We pray, above all, according to Your Word, that we continue to live as citizens of heaven, conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. That we will continue to stand together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. We choose to keep our eyes, hearts, and minds focused on You. We lift Habakkuk's "Hymn of Faith" in praise to You. "Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls - Yet [we] will rejoice in the Lord, [we] will joy in the God of our salvation. Bring on Your Joy, Father, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - It's All In How You Look at It

I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 

Philippians 1:12 (NLT)

No matter what’s going on in your life—the good, the bad, and the ugly—God is working out a plan. Paul knew this. When you don’t see things from God’s point of view, you get discouraged, frustrated, and unhappy. If you want to be happy, you need to look at every problem from God’s perspective. Happy people have a larger perspective. They see the big picture, like God does. 

After Paul became a Christian on the road to Damascus, he had one great dream: He wanted to preach in Rome, the center of power in the known world at the time. His dream was to preach the gospel in the most important city in the world. But God had a different plan. Instead of sending Paul to Rome to preach crusades, God allowed him to become a royal prisoner of Nero. Nero was Caesar at that time—and a wicked and corrupt leader.

As a prisoner, Paul was chained to a rotation of royal guards every day for two years. That means Paul had the opportunity to witness to thousands of guards. Who was the real prisoner here? Who had the captive audience?  This wasn’t Paul’s plan, but it was God’s plan all along, and it produced amazing effects. There were two results that we know for sure.

First, Philippians tells us that the gospel became known throughout the whole palace guard, and that even some of Caesar’s own household had become believers because of Paul’s witness in Rome.

Second, it was kind of hard to get a guy like Paul to stop moving. In prison, he was forced to be still, and, as a result, he wrote much of the New Testament, including Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. These books have revealed Jesus to countless people over the years.

Paul realized that God had a bigger plan. Because he trusted what God was doing through his problems, Paul could be happy.

Any time you have a problem that’s starting to get you down, you need to do what Paul did: Learn to see it from God’s point of view. Ask, “What is God doing here? What’s the bigger picture? What’s the bigger perspective?” Then you’ll be able to face the problem in faith.

Talk It Over

Think of a problem that is discouraging you. How does your discouragement change when you look at the problem with God’s bigger perspective?

Why do you think God is allowing you to struggle through a hard time?

How have you seen God work in the midst of a difficult situation in your past?

- by Pastor Rick

***********************************

Prayer:

Father,
            We pray according to Your Word. You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. When we feel overwhelmed, we will take heart, knowing that You have overcome the world. Help us to stand firm and move forward, believing that we are more than conquerors - we are overcomers through You. We believe and proclaim Your Truth that whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. In Jesus'Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Looking for Progress

“I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” 

Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

When my kids were little, they would bring pictures to me that they had drawn and say, “What do you think of this, Daddy?” I would tell them, “That’s perfect! It looks great.” When I told them it was perfect, I didn’t mean that it was a Picasso. I loved what they had created because it was perfect for that stage in their lives.

In the same way, God doesn’t wait until you’re mature to start loving you. He loved you before you were born. He doesn’t wait for you to clean up or straighten up before he thinks you’re good enough for his love. You shouldn’t do that with others, either. You’ve got to love them, warts and all. You’ve got to be patient with their progress.

The apostle Paul is a great example of this with the church in Philippi. Paul knew God was doing a good, long work in the lives of the people in the Philippian church, and Paul was patient with their progress. Being patient with other people’s progress is an essential part of happiness. Why? If you’re always expecting perfection in people before you can enjoy a relationship with them, then you’re never going to be happy. That’s because nobody’s perfect—especially you.

Here’s a little happiness hint: If you want to have happier and healthier relationships, then celebrate how far people have come rather than judging them for how far they still have to go. You’ve got to be patient with people’s progress.

To be able to celebrate people instead of judging them for their imperfections, you need patience. And the key to patience is love. Paul says in the next verse, “It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart” (Philippians 1:7 NLT).

“In my heart”: Allowing other people to have a special place in your heart is a key to happiness. When you love and celebrate people and focus on their steps forward, then you’re going to build healthy, happy relationships.

Talk It Over

What effect does it have on you when your friends celebrate your success?

How does remembering God’s love for you help you love others well?

If you don’t consider yourself a patient person, what are some ways you can cultivate this fruit of the Spirit in your life?
- by Pastor Rick

********************************

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for loving us before the foundation of the earth. Give us eyes of love to see the steps forward that our family and friends - and even we - are making. Help us to show our joy in their successes and loads of mercy when needed. Remove judgment and a critical spirit from our hearts so we have more room to give our people a special place instead. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Power of Prayer

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)

Paul didn’t just pray for the people in his life. He prayed for them with joy!

There are probably things in other people’s lives you’d like to change. You don’t want to change yourself; you want them to change. You can’t make them change—but you can, however, pray and let God do his work in other people.

Positive praying is more effective than positive thinking. All the positive thinking in the world isn’t going to change your spouse, child, friend, or situation. Positive thinking might change you, but it won’t change somebody else. But positive prayer can make a difference in both you and others.

What’s the quickest way to change a bad relationship into a good one? Start praying! It will change you, and it may change them, too.

From our text for today, we can learn to pray for the people in our lives in four ways:

Pray that they will grow in love: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight ...”

Pray that they will make wise choices: “...so that you may be able to discern what is best ...”

Pray that they will live with integrity: “...and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ ...”

Pray that they will become like Jesus: “...filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

Pray this for yourself and for other people in your life. Then watch how God turns around even those relationships that have seemed hopeless.

Talk It Over

Think of a strained relationship in your life. Take time now to pray that the other person will grow in love, make wise choices, live with integrity, and become like Jesus.

How does positive prayer change you, and not just the person you are praying for?

Take a moment and read Galatians 5:22-23. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

How are you seeing more of this “fruit” in your life as you follow Jesus?

 - by Pastor Rick

**************************

Prayer:

Father,

           We pray as Paul prayed, that our love will abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that we will be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of You, O God! Give us clean hands and pure hearts, we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen

Promise for Today - Selective Memory

I thank God for the help you gave me. 

Philippians 1:5 New Century Version

Paul wrote the book of Philippians to the church he planted in Philippi. There, a woman named Lydia opened up her home and, along with others, welcomed Paul to the city. The Philippian church even helped fund Paul’s missionary journeys. The thing is, Paul didn’t have a good time in Philippi. In fact, it was one of his toughest churches to get started. When Paul went to this city to start a church, he was beaten, whipped, humiliated, falsely arrested, and thrown into prison. He even survived a major earthquake! Then he was asked by the city leaders to leave town.

Yet Paul told the believers, “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God” Philippians 1:3 NLT.

What is Paul doing here? He is choosing selective memory. Philippi was not a happy place for Paul. He endured a lot of persecution and suffering during his time there. But he chose not to dwell on painful memories. Instead, he expressed his gratitude for the good things done for him and through him.

The longer you know someone, the more likely you are to take that person for granted, to look for faults, and to remember the bad things instead of the good things. Are you still clinging to painful memories of people who are still in your life? Maybe you’ve never let them off the hook for mistakes they made years ago. You can’t enjoy those relationships today because you’re still holding on to the past.

You need to understand that memories are a choice. I’ve mentioned a story before about Clara Barton, who founded the American Red Cross. A friend reminded her of a particularly cruel thing somebody had done to her years before. The friend asked, “Don’t you remember?” Her famous reply was, “No, I distinctly remember forgetting it.”

Your memories are a choice. If you want to hold on to your painful memories, go right ahead. But you’re not going to be happy. Paul had a lot of reasons to focus on painful memories of Philippi. But he chose instead to be grateful for the people in his life and God’s work in and through them.

When you do the same, God will bless your relationships far beyond your expectations.

Talk It Over

Why is it sometimes easier to hold on to painful memories than to replace them with good ones?

How does focusing on good memories change your expectations for the future?

How will you express gratitude today for the people God has placed in your life?

- Pastor Rick

***********************************

Prayer:

Father,

          Open our eyes to see Your side of our life with Your Light that overcomes the darkness. Help us to hold onto the peace that is ours when our mind is fixed on Christ our Lord. Give us Your strength and wisdom to choose to think only on those things Paul pointed out to the church in Philippi; that which is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. We choose to make these our selective memories by Your mercy and by Your Grace. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Held Hostage

Love is . . . never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 TLB

One of the best things you can do for your family and friends is to show them mercy. Mercy is love in action. So when you overlook irritations and choose to be kind to those closest to you—even when they don’t deserve it—you’re being merciful. 

Another important way you can show mercy is to let go of past hurts. Do you keep a mental record every time someone in your family does something wrong? Are you quick to remind a friend of how they’ve hurt you? The Bible says that real love doesn’t store up hurts and offenses to be used later for revenge. When you hold on to a hurt like that, you are not being loving.

In today's text, notice how “rude” and “does not hold grudges” appear in the same passage. That’s why people are rude: they’re reacting to an old hurt and taking it out on others. And when they react to a past hurt, they can’t relate to the present.

Leviticus 19:18 says, “Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them, but love your neighbors as you love yourself” (GNT).

Are past grudges holding you hostage today? Don’t hold grudges over your loved ones' heads. And don’t tell other people about your grudges, either. That’s gossip! Instead, just let them go. Sometimes it’s hardest to show mercy to the people who are closest to you. But when you can let it go and be merciful, you become more like Jesus.

Talk It Over

What grudge have you been nursing? Why? How can you be intentional about letting it go?

There are many steps you can take to find healing from past pain—including seeking biblical counseling and mentoring, praying through Scripture, and obeying the Holy Spirit. What is one step you can take today, however big or small, toward healing?

Why do you think it’s sometimes more difficult to show mercy to your family than to anyone else?
 - written by Pastor Rick

**********************

Prayer:

Father,

          You sent Your Son to pay for our sins so that we could live in freedom - freedom from the darkness and pain of sin. Freedom from holding onto past hurts and grudges. Your Word tells us that Your mercies are new every morning. Teach us to love and to be merciful like You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The AAA Walk

Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. 

Genesis 6:9 (NLT)

There’s only one way to get the kind of courage it took for Noah to keep going after receiving such a big dream from God: He had to stay close to God. Hebrews 11:7 says, “Faith led Noah to listen when God warned him about the things that he could not see.”  Noah heard God speak. 

Walking with God is affiliation, agreement, and alignment with His Word and his will. Noah walked with God, and he wasn't afraid of disapproval or rejection or criticism or even a worldwide flood. 

Do you ever wonder why you don’t hear God speak? You hear God by getting near to God. You can't hear God when you're far away. You’ve got to get near to God. That means you spend time with God every day—reading and studying the Bible, talking to him in prayer, being quiet, and just listening to God.

The Bible says that Noah “walked faithfully with God” (Genesis 6:9 NIV). Another translation of this verse says that Noah “walked in close fellowship with God” (NLT). When you walk with someone, that means you are near to them. Walking with someone implies several other things. 

First, it implies AFFILIATION. In other words, you're not ashamed to be with them. You're not worried about telling people you follow Jesus.

Second, the Bible tells us in Amos 3:3 that two people cannot walk together unless they AGREE. When you walk with God, you agree to go where he wants to go and do what he wants you to do. You are obedient to his will.

Third, walking with God means you are in ALIGNMENT. If you're walking with God, you'll be out of step with the world. You’ll do things differently than other people because God’s way is countercultural.

Noah knew that when you’re walking with God, you're near to God, and there is nothing to fear.

Talk It Over

What will you have to give up or take out of your schedule to have more time to get to know God?

In what ways is it obvious to others that you are out of step with the world because you follow Jesus?

What should you do when you start to feel fear creep into your mind?

 - written by Pastor Rick

***************************************************

Prayer:

Father,

          I'm reminded of the old hymn, "Just a Closer Walk with Thee." However, in deeper understanding of Your Word, we realize that the closer walk depends on our footsteps, not Yours; our choice to follow IN Your footsteps and walk with You. Not ask You to walk with us. Only You can lead us where we need to be. It's Your plan for our lives that we are to fulfill and You are the WayMaker. Help us to keep our eyes on You at all times. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - To be Different

This is the account of Noah and his descendants. Noah had God's approval and was a man of integrity among the people of his time. He walked with God. 

Genesis 6:9 (GW)

You can't fit in with culture and fit in with God's plan for your life.

Noah did something significant with his life despite his culture, not because of it. He knew the culture’s temptation to distract him from God's purpose for his life. Our world is living for fun, comfort, and entertainment. You can't live for those things and live for God. You can’t judge your success by your possessions, pleasures, or profits. You can't focus on pleasing people and doing what God has called you to do with your life.

In Noah's day, humans had hit bottom morally. Genesis 6:11-12 says, “The world was corrupt in God's sight and full of violence . . . all people on earth lived evil lives” (GW). God saw how broken the world had become, with people turning more and more toward evil. It broke God’s heart. But even then, Noah stood out. When God made the earth, he said it was good, but it didn’t stay that way. Sound familiar? Our culture today is moving toward incivility, much like it did in Noah’s day.

The one bright spot in Genesis 6 was Noah. Verse 8 says God was pleased with Noah, which means Noah was different. All of culture was headed in the wrong direction, but Noah was moving toward righteousness as he followed God. He was living counterculturally.

It's not important to be on the right side of a trend. What’s important is doing what is right. If you're going to be all that God created you to be and fulfill the purpose he created you for, then you must be willing to be different.

Do you want to make a difference in this world? Do you want to make a difference in your family, in your community, in your school, or in your business? Noah fulfilled his destiny by ignoring cultural distractions and refusing to follow the crowd.

You can only make a difference by being different.
- written by Pastor Rick

Talk It Over

What are some specific ways you will go against culture if you follow God in your work or school or family?

How can you know if something pleases God or just goes along with culture?

Who can encourage you to reject the waves of culture when they go against God’s Word? Who can you encourage in this way? Why do we need each other to follow Jesus faithfully?
**********************************  

Prayer

Father, 

          Give us Your wisdom and strength to live counterculturally. Help us to stay focused and keep our eyes, hearts, and thoughts on what we can do to live pleasing to You. Continue to cross our life paths with those who encourage us to reject the unrighteous ways, and give us divine appointments so we may encourage others to follow You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Most Powerful Witness Pt 2 of 2

When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should. 

Colossians 4:6 (NCV)

One of the best ways to be a witness for Jesus in a world that’s becoming more judgmental, selfish, and unforgiving is to show mercy to others.

Yesterday we looked at two things you can do to build a lifestyle of mercy: Watch and listen for the needs of others, and don’t be offended by the sins of others.

Here are two more ways to show mercy:

Choose your words carefully. If you’re going to show mercy, there are some things you just can’t say. You can’t be rude or sarcastic. Mercy puts a filter on your mouth and helps you choose words that build people up instead of tearing them down.

Maybe you grew up in a family where it was common to put each other down, and now you’ve developed the same pattern in your own life. How do you break that habit? Ask God for wisdom because “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy” (James 3:17 ESV).

The wiser you become, the more merciful you’ll be to the people around you—no matter how much they disagree with you or dislike you. That’s because the more you understand the hurts of other people, the more likely you are to cut them slack and show them mercy.

Value people’s salvation over keeping rules. Jesus modeled this over and over. A good example is found in the book of Matthew. Jesus says this to the legalistic Pharisees: “You are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things” (Matthew 23:23 NLT).

Jesus didn’t like how the Pharisees prioritized tithing over more important things, such as treating people fairly, showing mercy, and having faith. He wants us to “not neglect the more important things” too. He would rather see our kindness break through to others so that, one day, they will give their lives to him. Jesus is more interested in kingdom building than in rule following.

Every time you show mercy, it’s your greatest Christian witness to the world.
Written by Pastor Rick.

Talk It Over

When you were a child, how did your family model mercy with their words? How did they not model mercy with their words?

What situation do you anticipate being in this week that will require you to extend mercy?

Have you ever struggled to show mercy to someone, but when you learned about their past, showing mercy became easier? Why do you think that was? 

****************************************************

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for the unlimited mercy that You bestow on us. Open our eyes to see as You see, and please open our hearts to love as You love. Help us to never miss the opportunity to show mercy to those in need. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Most Powerful Witness-part 1of 2

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:36 (NIV)

Have you noticed how unmerciful and unforgiving our world is? It seems the highest form of humor is the put-down. Even comedians get paid for their sarcastic and cynical jabs at others. In an increasingly unkind world, your greatest Christian witness can be showing people mercy. For when people see you showing mercy, especially considering how rude and mean society has become, they’ll say, “That’s what I expect a Christian to be like—like Jesus.”

Jesus said it, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (NIV).

There are four things you can do to build a lifestyle of mercy. We’ll look at two today and two tomorrow.

Watch and listen for the needs of others. Whose needs? The needs of people in your neighborhood, at your work, and in your family. Mercy always begins with awareness. If you’re not aware, then you don’t care. 

The Bible says, “Look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own” (Philippians 2:4 GNT).

You don’t struggle to be merciful because you’re a bad person. It’s because you’re too busy. Busyness is the number one destroyer of mercy in your life. When you’re moving from event to event and task to task, it’s hard to pay attention to the people around you. And when you’re not looking and listening for people’s needs, it’s nearly impossible to be merciful.

Don’t be offended by the sins of others. You can’t say, “Go clean up your life, and then I will accept you.” No - mercy is unconditional! If you’re going to show mercy to people, you can’t be offended by them. You can’t minister to people if you’re looking down on them.

Jesus wasn’t offended by people’s sins. In fact, he hung out with the worst kinds of sinners. He was even accused of “guilt by association” because he spent time with people who were corrupt, unloving, and manipulative.

This doesn’t mean Jesus approved of everything they did. God doesn’t approve of everything you do, but he accepts you completely. Showing mercy doesn’t mean you say everything someone does is okay. Drug addiction and adultery, for example, are not okay.

But you can still show mercy. You can do for others what Christ has done for you.

1 Peter 4:8 ICB reads, “Most importantly, love each other deeply. Love has a way of not looking at others’ sins.”  - written by Pastor Rick

Talk It Over

Why is mercy so hard to find in the world today?

Who has shown you mercy, even when you didn’t deserve it? What were the circumstances?

Have you ever withheld mercy from someone because you didn’t agree with their lifestyle? If so, how might you react to them differently today?

*****************************

Prayer:

Father, 

          Thank You for Your Grace - it truly is amazing! Please help us to fully grasp the miracle of Your mercy and grace toward us. And teach us how to be merciful and full of grace toward others. Forgive us for all the times we missed it. Let us see with Your eyes of love - to recognize needs in our families, in our neighborhoods, in our jobs, and for those in our church. Provide us the wherewithal to be Your hands and feet to those You have placed within our sphere of influence. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - What Exactly is Salvation?

Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 CEV

Because of God’s great mercy, Jesus came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10 NIV). He showed you how much you matter to him by sending his Son to die on the cross for your sins. That’s the kind of love God has for you.

You may have heard people say, “I’m saved.” You may even say that yourself when you talk about your relationship with Jesus. But what does it mean to be saved? What happens when you accept God’s gift of salvation? Salvation rescues you from your sinful self. Many people don’t think they need to be saved or “rescued” from anything. And I ask them, “Really? You have no pain in your life? You have no resentment, pressures, guilt, or anxiety?” Everyone has problems they can’t solve on their own. Everyone needs to be rescued. Everyone needs Jesus.

In Psalm 50:15 (GW), The Bible says, “Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me”.

Salvation reconnects you to God. When you surrender your life to God, Jesus makes peace between you and him. He tears down all the barriers that once separated you from your Creator. There’s a word for that: reconciliation.

Salvation recovers what you lost. What would you like to get back? Maybe you’ve lost your confidence, your joy, your reputation, your dream, or your innocence. Jesus came to recover what you’ve lost.

If you’re familiar with farming, you probably know how damaging a swarm of locusts can be. They can destroy a field of corn in about two hours. What has eaten away at your life? What has destroyed your plans or relationships? Only God can restore it all. Joel 2:25 says, “I will give you back what you lost in the years when swarms of locusts ate your crops” (GNT).

Being reconciled to God also means you will live with him forever. You won’t spend eternity in hell, separated from God; instead, you will have a secure home in heaven! That’s why preparing for the next life is the most important thing you can do in this life. - written by Pastor Rick

Talk It Over
Do you struggle to admit you need God to rescue you? In what ways do you sometimes try to rescue yourself?

What have you lost in life? Take time to thank God for being a God of restoration and ask him to restore “what you lost in the years when swarms of locusts ate your crops.”

If you are already a Christian, in what ways did your salvation reconnect you to God? 

If you haven’t decided to follow Jesus yet, in what areas of your life do you see a need for connection to God? It’s never too late to seek God’s rescue. If you haven’t yet accepted God’s gift of salvation through Jesus, you can do that today. Are you ready to commit your life to Jesus? If so, then pray this prayer:

Father,

           Your Word declares in Romans 10:9-10 ( ESV) that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that You raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. You have promised that if I believe and make You Lord of my life, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and You will accept me into Your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin, and I believe that You are God, my Savior. Today I’m turning every part of my life over to You. I want to follow You and do what You tell me to do.

“Jesus, I am grateful for your love, for your sacrifice on the cross, and for your resurrection that makes it possible for me to join you in heaven. I know I don’t deserve it. And I thank you that it is a gift of grace. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you, and I ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

Promise for Today - You're Not Alone

Jacob’s sons became jealous of their brother Joseph and sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him and brought him safely through all his troubles.

 Acts 7:9-10 (GNT)

When faced with great adversity and hardship, Joseph remained resilient because he depended on God’s presence, no matter where he was. There’s a phrase that’s used five times in Joseph’s story—and anytime something is said five times in Scripture, God wants you to pay close attention. This phrase is essentially, “The Lord was with Joseph.”

Joseph knew that no matter what the setback was, God was with him. God was with Joseph when his brothers threw him in the pit and when they sold him to the traders. God brought him safely through all his troubles. 

Notice that it doesn’t say God spared Joseph from his troubles. It says God brought him safely through.

When you have God’s presence, it doesn’t mean he’s going to keep bad or hard things from happening to you. It means he’s going to bring you through it. If God had spared Joseph from all the terrible things that happened to him, then Joseph would not have made it to Egypt, where he became a powerful leader who saved his people from famine. He would have never had his comeback.

God doesn’t cause your problems, but he can use them for his purposes.

Whatever you’re facing today, God could have taken you around it or kept you out of it altogether. But he’s taking you through it for your good and for his glory. Even when you don’t feel it, God’s presence has never left you. He was with Joseph in the pit, on the path to Egypt, in Potiphar’s palazzo, in prison, and in Pharaoh’s palace. There is no place you can go that he will not be with you too.

There is always something to learn in the setbacks of life. Maybe the only thing you learn in your troubles is how to depend on God’s presence and power—but that means a deeper, stronger faith will be one of your greatest comebacks. - written by Pastor Rick

Talk It Over

Who or what can help remind you of God’s presence when you are going through a setback?

What do you think God wants you to do when you don’t feel his presence?

Think of some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned through the setbacks in your life. How does remembering God’s faithfulness through them help you trust in his presence now?

****************************

Prayer:

Father, 

          I'm reminded of the old gospel song "He'll Do It Again" - we KNOW You can, and You will do it again. You will bring us through all of life's issues when we place our faith and trust in You. It's Your Plan. Your Purpose. And all for Your glory. Because of Your faithfulness - knowing we are never alone - we freely offer You our praise and thanksgiving in the midst of it all. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - A Better Approach

Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do.
Ephesians 6:7-8 NLT

(Devotional by Pastor Rick) Have you ever been forced to take a job you didn’t really want? Maybe you couldn’t find your dream job or financial needs made you take the job that was available but not the one you wanted. You had to settle for what you thought was best.

This was one of the many setbacks Joseph in the Bible faced—to a much greater degree than we will ever experience. Genesis 37:36 says, “Meanwhile, in Egypt, the traders sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of the Pharaoh—the king of Egypt” (TLB). In a matter of days, Joseph went from being a pampered son in his father's home to being a slave in someone else's home in a foreign country. He was doing work he never expected to do, without having any say in the matter.

You may be in a job right now that you really don't like or don’t want to do, that you wish you didn't have to do. You wish you were doing something else somewhere else. Maybe on your worst days, it even feels like forced labor. It seems like a setback, and you don’t see an end in sight.

If that’s you, then you probably can identify with Joseph and how he felt.

But Joseph made a pretty remarkable decision: Wherever Joseph went and whatever he did, he chose to do the best he could with what he had for God. Even as a slave, away from his home, he served with his whole heart and tried to honor God with good work and good character. Joseph took the work of a slave and gave it meaning. He did this by working for God and not for his human master. He saw God as his boss, and so he gave God his best in his work. And it didn’t go unnoticed: Joseph’s excellent work stood out and led to promotions by his master that eventually landed him in the service of the king [even though he had trials along the way].

Ephesians 6:7-8 says, “Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do” (NLT).

No one else may notice your efforts, and you may not see your reward until you get to heaven. But your diligent, faithful work in your job will never go unnoticed by the One whose opinion matters most.

Talk It Over

Do you need someone to notice your hard work for it to be worth it to you? Why or why not?

How often do you have to make the decision to work diligently?

In what ways does staying connected to God through Bible study and prayer help you stay focused and diligent at work?

**************************

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for Your provision in our lives. For those of us who work outside our homes, according to Your Word, let us do all things without grumbling or disputing, that we may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom we will shine as lights in the world, holding fast to Your Word of life.  And let Your favor be upon us, and establish the work of our hands. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Disconnected Value

Part 3 - Pastor Rick

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.

1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT

God has amazing plans for you! But if you’re not connected to him, you lose out on everything he wants to do in your life.

Yesterday, we looked at two things people lose when they’re spiritually lost: their direction and protection. Today, we’ll be looking at another thing they lose: their potential. Your potential to do good things in the world is dramatically limited when you’re disconnected from God.

It’s a lot like coins. Put enough of them together, and they have great potential for good. You could feed a family, start a business, or even save a life. But you can’t do any of those good things if the coins are lost.

The story of the lost coin in Luke 15:8-10 is a good example of this. It’s about a woman who has 10 valuable coins. But, somehow, one of them gets lost. She doesn’t say, “I’ve got nine coins, so I’m not going to worry about the lost one.” Instead, she turns her house upside down to look for it and celebrates when it’s finally found. Just because her coin was lost didn’t mean it had lost its value. It still had great value! But what it lost was its potential to do any good.

God made you to do great things, far greater than you could possibly imagine. In fact, if God showed you what he wants to do with your life when you completely place it in his hands, it would astound you! The Bible says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 

Maybe you’ve been disconnected from God for many years, and you think it’s too late for him to use you. It’s not too late! He’s your Creator. He sees you as highly valuable, and he knows your potential. 
If you’ll surrender every part of your life to him today, you’ll start to see all the things he has prepared for you come to life.

Talk It Over

When have you lost something of great value to you? What lengths did you go to in order to find it?

How are people affected when someone wastes their potential?

God has amazing things “prepared for those who love him.” How does that knowledge affect your desire to live completely for him?
***********

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for Jesus and His willing sacrifice so that we could be restored to a right relationship with You. The scariest scenario is to be disconnected from You. We want to fulfill the purpose and plan You ordained for our lives. Help us to walk ever closer so that we see Your light on the path You have planned for us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Value - Part 2 (Pastor Rick)

“All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.” 

Isaiah 53:6 (NLT)

God sees everyone as valuable and worth seeking, finding, and saving. The Bible says, “[God] desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4 ESV).

But many people are spiritually lost. This means they’re following their own plan for their lives rather than God’s plan. But what do spiritually lost people actually lose? 

They lose several things, but today we’ll look at just two: their direction and their protection.

You can see this in the story of the lost sheep in Luke 15:3-6. It’s about a shepherd who leaves 99 saved sheep to go and search for his one lost sheep. He doesn’t say, “I’ve got 99 saved sheep, so forget the lost one!” No, they all matter to him. And when he finds the lost sheep, “he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home” (Luke 15:5 NIV) to celebrate.

Like sheep, people who are spiritually lost lose their direction. In fact, all humans are this way. You don’t intend to get lost. You just think, “That grass over there looks greener.” And soon you follow your own way and lose your direction.

The Bible says, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own” (Isaiah 53:6 NLT).

Another thing spiritually lost people lose is God’s protection. Like sheep who wander away from their shepherd, you too are vulnerable when you don’t have a shepherd to protect you from the wolves of life. That’s why you need to follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Otherwise, you are alone and defenseless—and you lose God’s protection.

The Bible also says, “My people are wandering like lost sheep; they are attacked because they have no shepherd” (Zechariah 10:2 NLT).

But when you place yourself under the Good Shepherd’s care, you get direction and protection. This doesn’t mean you will be free from trouble. But it does mean that God will work “all things together for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28 BSB).

Maybe you or someone you know is lacking God’s direction and protection today. Remember: Jesus is the Good Shepherd who sees everyone as extremely valuable and “desires all people to be saved.”

Talk It Over

When did you first realize you mattered to God? What circumstance or person helped you realize this?

What daily habits keep you close to Jesus, the Good Shepherd? What habits make you more likely to wander from him?

Who in your life doesn’t appear to have God’s direction and protection? Make plans to tell them how valuable they are to him.

Have you opened your life to Jesus Christ? You don't need to know what's going to happen tomorrow. You don't need to know what the future holds; you just need to know who holds the future! When you have a relationship with your Creator, you'll have the security of his unwavering love and unbreakable promises.

Prayer:

Dear God, 

               I want my security to be in something that cannot be taken from me. I want my security to be in my relationship with you, as I trust in your promise to never leave me. I want to claim that promise today. As much as I know how, I open my life to you, Jesus Christ. I confess that I have lived life my own way and sinned against you. Please forgive me. Come into my life and change my priorities, my values, my purpose, and my direction. Transform me into the person you want me to be. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Promise for Today - Value (Pastor Rick)

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” 

Luke 19:10 (NLT)

In God’s eyes, there are only two kinds of people—saved people and lost people. Every one of us falls into one of these two categories. And, ultimately, no other human distinction matters.

God loves all people, regardless of gender, race, or culture. In fact, He created them with those characteristics. And He doesn’t distinguish people by their education, looks, wealth, or talent. What matters most to Him is whether people are spiritually saved or lost, whether they’re in His family or not.

The words “saved” and “lost” imply value—they mean that God sees you as being worthy of seeking, saving, and finding. “Saved” and “lost” are expressions of His love.

The Bible says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10 NLT. That’s how valuable you are. Jesus Christ came to earth to seek you and to save you.

Only valuable things get lost; invaluable things just get misplaced. In other words, nobody loses a toothpick. You may misplace a toothpick, but you don’t lose it, because it’s not that valuable.

However, if I lost my wedding ring, it would be a real loss because it represents decades of commitment to my wife. Not only that, but Kay gave it to me, and I love her. I could never misplace my wedding ring; I could, however, lose it.

So, when we talk about whether a person is spiritually saved or lost, we’re not talking about their value. Every person—saved or not—is incredibly valuable to God.

But God doesn’t want anyone to be spiritually lost. Why? Because it means they are disconnected from Him and don’t have a relationship with Him.

Over the next couple days, we’re going to look at the question, “What do you actually lose when you’re spiritually lost?” The answers to this question will help you understand how much you matter to God and help you share this encouraging news with others.

Talk It Over

Have you—perhaps unconsciously—thought of people who are lost as having different value from those who are saved? How does it feel to know all people are of equal value to God?

What’s an example of something you have lost? What’s something you have misplaced? What was the value of each of those things to you?

Who in your life needs to hear how valuable they are to God? How can you take time to encourage them by telling them that today?

There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. The Bible says in John 3:18, “Those who believe in the Son are not judged” (GNT).

If you’re ready to accept that promise, stop fearing God’s judgment, and commit your life to Jesus, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus,

You have promised that if I believe in You, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, and I will learn the purpose of my life. Instead of judging me, You will accept me into Your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sins, and I believe that You are the Son of God - my Savior. I believe You died on the Cross as the perfect sacrifice so I could be forgiven. I believe You rose again on the third day, victorious over death, hell, and the grave. I receive You into my life as my Lord. Thank You that I don’t have to earn salvation, deserve it, or work for it. It is Your gift of grace.

“Today I’m turning over every part of my life to You. I want to use the rest of my life to serve You instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to You, and I ask You to save me and accept me into Your family. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

Promise for Today - Do I?

As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table. His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom. Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.
Luke 11:37-41 NLT

I have to admit, I am one of those people who has a "thing" about clean hands. I cringe when someone wants to shake my hand, using the same hand I just watched them sneeze or cough into. I don't refuse to shake their hand - after all, Jesus touched and healed lepers, and He said we could do the things He did and greater works shall we do (John 14) - but when the greeting is over, I do reach for the hand sanitizer in my purse. (Y'all pray for me...)

Am I as careful with what goes inside of me? Do I guard my heart with due diligence, knowing that out of it spring the issues of life? Do I practice and implement forgiveness when offended or hurt? Do I bless and release those who have trespassed against me? Do I protect my thoughts, thinking only on "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise," do I think on these things?

If not, why not?

In our Promise for Today, Jesus asked, "Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside?" I'd say He nailed that in more ways than one.

Prayer:

Father,
          Keep us ever mindful of Your Truth. We pray according to Your Word in Psalm 24. We want to be able to climb the mountain of the Lord and to stand in Your holy place. We want to receive Your blessing and have a right relationship with You. Give us clean hands and a pure heart, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Enemies' End

They were destroyed at Endor, and their decaying corpses fertilized the soil.

Psalm 83:10 NLT

If you've known me very long, you know that I refer to the enemy's attacks on our lives as fertilizer. I was delighted to read the confirmation in this Psalm! The English Standard Version states they became "dung for the ground." 

Whatever the word, every attack by the enemy STINKS, to say the least! And only our Almighty God can take what the enemy meant for bad and turn it into good for our lives (Genesis 50:20). Just like roses need manure to bloom, we, too, shall bloom and grow as God intends, despite anything and everything the enemy tries to do to stop you or me. They were defeated at Calvary's hill, and the decaying corpses of the enemy shall fertilize our soil! 

Can you see it? Do you believe it? Can you give God praise? Can we give God thanks IN all these circumstances?

Prayer:

Father, 

          Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for the unending provision You bring to our lives - first and foremost, salvation through Jesus, Your Son. Give us eyes to see Your Glory in even the fertilizing events of our lives, and may we always look to You, the Author and Finisher of our faith, and give You praise. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today Favorite - Like a Trail Horse

And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezekiel 11:19-20 NLT

Long-distance trail horses do much better on a trail that is termed a "single track with garbage" than they do on an established wide trail or open field. (Obviously, single track is one horse passes at a time; garbage means lots of brush, rock, etc.) I thought that sounded illogical until it was explained that an established wide trail or open field can be a total distraction for the horse. Lots of things to look at and the horse gets competitive with the other animals. In addition, there is very little concern on the horse's part for how he steps because there doesn't appear to be any danger.

On a single track with garbage, the horse is very focused and carefully picks its steps. There are usually no distractions - or at least, very few. The horse is highly unlikely to break and run and is extremely responsive to the rider's slightest touch of instruction... and it was right there that God tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention.

Now, I don't know about you, but there are times (even though I know I'm NOT) it feels as though I'm walking alone. I reiterate - I know I'm not alone, but sometimes, I can't see a clear path in front of me. I don't see the water source ahead. At times, the way is so close that it's hard to see at all. And I have to watch every step I take. There's the underbrush of life's debris and distractions to stub my toes or twist my ankle or cause me to fall and come up lame.

However, I know it is in the tough spots that I am most focused on following His lead and the most responsive to His slightest instruction. God hasn't taken me on this single track with garbage so that I will be confined and alone. No, I may not be able to look around to see where I am or where I am going, but I am not lost. I am found. The Great I AM, the Omnipotent Way Maker has chosen this single track with garbage. He's brought me this way so I can know Him better and trust Him more.

Prayer:

Father,
             Thank You for Your Word! It is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path and by Your grace, I will follow only You. Completely close my eyes, my ears and my spirit to anything that is not of You. Guide my every step, O God. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Listen and Learn

A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.
Proverbs 13:1 NLT

In both the physical and spiritual realms, there is a process. A baby learns to crawl before he walks or talks. In the spiritual realm, a new convert should listen and learn before he begins service. 

A wise son submits to the discipline of instruction. The scoffer won’t have it; he thinks he has all the answers and refuses to be corrected. Proverbs 16:18 warns us that "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 21:24 NKJV defines it, "A proud and haughty man—'Scoffer' is his name; He acts with arrogant pride." The mocker or arrogant person who refuses instruction is blatantly heading toward poverty and death. Psalm 1:6 declares that the way of the wicked will perish (referring to those who are prideful, arrogant, scoffers, mockers of God's way).

Psalm 1:1 ESV tells us, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;..." Learning wisdom brings its own rewards, including honor and life itself. God is watching, listening, and we should learn His Word in Isaiah 66:2b “But I will look to this one, At one who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who [reverently] trembles at My word."

Prayer:

Father, 

           Shine Your light of Truth on us if and when we find ourselves judging others. Forgive us, O God, and change our hearts to be kind and loving and compassionate. Help us to see the good in people. Help us to see YOU in mankind - those You created in Your image. We want to walk in a true posture of humility before You and our fellow man. Give us clean hands and pure hearts, Father, we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen

Promise for Today - God Won't Waste Your Hurt

Devotional by Pastor Rick

“These sufferings of ours are for your benefit. And the more of you who are won to Christ, the more there are to thank him for his great kindness, and the more the Lord is glorified.” 

2 Corinthians 4:15 (TLB)

When you use your pain to help others, God will bless you in ways you can’t possibly imagine.

The apostle Paul went through enormous pain in his life, which is why God was able to use him in enormous ways. He was shipwrecked, beaten, and robbed. He went without food, water, and sleep. Yet God used him to spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire. In fact, if you were to ask Paul, “How’d you put up with so much pain?” He’d tell you it was because he wanted to bring people to Jesus Christ. He wanted to help others.

Paul said in the Living Bible paraphrase, “These sufferings of ours are for your benefit. And the more of you who are won to Christ, the more there are to thank him for his great kindness, and the more the Lord is glorified” (2 Corinthians 4:15).

You may never suffer the same ways Paul did, but you will go through pain in life. So you might as well use your pain for good and not waste it.

There are actually three kinds of suffering God uses to help others: self-imposed suffering, innocent suffering, and redemptive suffering.

Some suffering is the kind you bring upon yourself. You cause some of your own problems by making poor judgements. You don’t always make the right decisions, eat the right foods, or respond the right way to others.

Innocent suffering is when, through no fault of your own, you get hurt by someone else. Whether you were abandoned, rejected, or scammed, everyone has been hurt by the sins of other people.

But the highest form of suffering is redemptive suffering. This is when you go through pain or problems for the benefit of others.

This is what Jesus did. When Jesus died on the cross, he didn’t deserve to die. He went through that pain for your benefit so that you could be saved and go to heaven. In the same way, God will use your pain to bring hope and healing to others.

Who can better help somebody going through bankruptcy than somebody who has gone through bankruptcy? Who can better help somebody struggling with an addiction than somebody who’s struggled with an addiction? Who can better help parents of a special needs child than parents who raised a special needs child? Who can better help somebody who’s lost a child than somebody who has lost a child?

God will never waste a hurt. God will work in your life so that He can work through you to encourage others.

Praise God and rejoice during trials, because suffering will build your endurance and help others in their pain. God can use all three kinds of suffering for good. Start by giving each of your hurts to Him and say, “God, I want you to use my pain to benefit others.”

**************************

Prayer:

Father, 

          We want to remain teachable, and we know You don't waste anything. Whatever You have allowed us to learn in our sufferings and pain, we want to use also for those who are in pain around us. We want to love and serve like Jesus. And it's in His Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - It's a Big Deal

6 “The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live! 7 The Lord your God will inflict all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate and persecute you. 8 Then you will again obey the Lord and keep all his commands that I am giving you today.

9 “The Lord your God will then make you successful in everything you do. He will give you many children and numerous livestock, and he will cause your fields to produce abundant harvests, for the Lord will again delight in being good to you as he was to your ancestors. 10 The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.

11 “This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you, and it is not beyond your reach. 12 It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’ 13 It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?’ 14 No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.

15 “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. 16 For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.

Deuteronomy 30:6-16 NLT

These are great promises; however, reading through the Old Testament can be very difficult for many reasons. BUT, at the same time, it makes me SO grateful for the new covenant through Christ our Lord. He took upon Himself ALL the sin of mankind and nailed it to the Cross at Calvary, becoming the sacrifice for us. Why? To REDEEM us from the CURSE of the Law!

Christ's death and resurrection ushered in the Age of Grace - you may have heard it called "The Dispensation of Grace". From its beginning at Pentecost and continuing through the Rapture of the Church, THIS is why we should be overwhelmingly grateful! God freely offers salvation to 'whosoever will' by grace through faith in Christ's sacrifice in place of keeping the Law. If you've ever read even just Leviticus and Deuteronomy, you would know it's a big deal. HUGE...

Prayer:

Father,

           I have a new understanding and appreciation of Charles Wesley's hymn, ♪♫ O for a thousand tongues to sing praises to our King...♪♫.  It would not be enough to properly express our gratitude! You, O God, King of the universe, knew we could never live up to Your perfection, and in Your great love created Your perfect plan of salvation through Your Christ before the foundation of Earth. It's almost too much for our hearts and minds to grasp. We give You all glory and honor and praise, in Jesus' Name. Amen

Promise for Today - Wholehearted Obedience

Today the Lord your God has commanded you to obey all these decrees and regulations. So be careful to obey them wholeheartedly. You have declared today that the Lord is your God.
Deuteronomy 26:16-17a NLT

I tend to multitask, and I used to think that was a good thing, especially in my line of work. However, lately I have come to realize that it is now a habit - a way of life that bleeds over into my time with family or friends, and worse! My time with the Lord. I am easily distracted, and I hate it. Jesus tells us in Mark 12:30, "And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength." What if Jesus only half-heartedly listened to me?

There is no half in Christ. He didn't come halfway here and then change His mind and go back. He didn't half-heal people. He did not go halfway to Golgotha. He wasn't half-dead on the Cross. When Scripture tells us He gave His life for ours, there is not ONE mention of Him doing it halfway. No place does it indicate that He gave half His life for ours. No buy-one-get-one-half-off. He was completely committed. He gave it all. Should He expect less from us?

Jesus Christ gave His all - sacrificed His whole life - so that we could be cleansed from ALL our sin (1st John 1). Not for all the ones except those things we might really like to do, or the ones we think aren't "that bad"...

What will we do with the life He's purchased and paid full price for? Will we hold out? Or will we wholeheartedly embrace the life He has bought for us and give Him our all?

Prayer:

Father,
          Give us Your strength to walk in wholehearted obedience to love You with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind, and all of our strength. We can only do this by Your grace. We want - we choose - to bring everything into obedience to Your Word. Forgive us, Father, for dragging our feet and getting distracted with the things of this world. Help us, O Lord, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Reaching Back for Salvation

18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— 20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 3:18-21 NLT

6 That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead[a]—so although they were destined to die like all people,[b] they now live forever with God in the Spirit. 

1 Peter 4:6 NLT

I wanted to share some thoughts and Scriptures and dig a little deeper regarding Christ’s time on Holy Saturday. My personal belief is that Jesus descended into Hades to take back the keys to death and the grave, freeing those held in "Abraham’s Bosom" (or Paradise) until salvation was made possible through Christ's perfect sacrifice.

Scriptural Context:
Our Promises for Today - 1 Peter 3:18-21 & 4:6: These passages suggest Christ preached to the spirits in Hades—specifically those who rejected God during the time of Noah. This was an announcement of His triumph on the Cross, sealing the fate of the lost while bringing the Good News to the dead.

And Revelation 1:18: "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."

Understanding Abraham’s Bosom:
According to resources like Christianity.com, Abraham’s Bosom is viewed as a temporary holding place for the righteous dead prior to the Resurrection. Because the way to the direct presence of God was not yet opened (Hebrews 9:8), even the righteous remained there until the sin debt was paid. Ephesians 4:8–10 suggests that after His death, Christ "led captivity captive," emptying this compartment and bringing the faithful into heaven. Today, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, according to 2 Corinthians 5:8.

Another Point to Ponder
The High Priesthood and Mary Magdalene:
I also found an interesting perspective from the Israel Bible Center regarding why Jesus told Mary not to touch Him in the garden, yet later invited Thomas to do so. It relates to the purity requirements of the High Priest. As our ultimate High Priest, Jesus was preparing to minister in the heavenly tabernacle (Hebrews 9:11). Just as a priest required seven days of ordination, Jesus needed to remain in a consecrated state to complete His mission in the presence of God without delay or defilement. By the time He saw Thomas eight days later, His priestly work was complete.

While Abraham’s Bosom may no longer function as it once did, understanding it highlights the completeness of Christ’s work. He didn't just save us moving forward; He reached back through time to bring the faithful dead into the fulfilled promise of salvation.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for revealing Your Word to us. Thank You for every minute detail of the plan You implemented for salvation - Reveal them all to us, O God, King of the Universe. Holy Spirit, lead us into all Truth according to the Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Assignment Should You Choose to Accept It

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ”
Matthew 3:1-3 NKJV

How do we prepare the way for something or someone? We can clear obstacles or defeat them. We could provide an introduction to either the person or the subject, thus making the way easier. That is what John did.

How could people be prepared to receive Christ if they didn't recognize their need for Him? How would they know they needed Him unless they first acknowledged their sin? One text writes, "John prepared the way for Jesus by preparing others to welcome Him."1

Do we prepare others to welcome Him? Are we preparing the way of the Lord? He's coming soon...

Prayer:

Father,
We pray as Reverend Charles Halle prayed, O Lord God, at the first coming of your Son Jesus Christ, you sent John the Baptist in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way before Him.
Grant to the ministers of your Word and sacraments the same burning zeal to prepare the way for His coming again; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

1 Tyndale Life Application Bible p 1996

 

Promise for Today - There is Hope

He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus ...
2 Corinthians 4:14

The resurrection of Christ brings hope. The late Emil Brunner once said, “What oxygen is for the lungs, such is hope for the meaning of human life.” As the human organism is dependent on a supply of oxygen, so humanity is dependent on its supply of hope. Yet today, hopelessness and despair are everywhere. Peter, who himself was given to despair during the episode of Calvary, writes in a triumphant note, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again into a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

There is hope that mistakes and sins can be forgiven. There is hope that we can have joy, peace, assurance, and security in the midst of the despair of this age. There is hope that Christ is coming soon—this is what is called in Scripture “the blessed hope.” There is hope that there will come some day a new heaven and a new earth, and that the Kingdom of God will reign and triumph. Our hope is not in our own ability, or in our goodness, or in our physical strength. Our hope is instilled in us by the resurrection of Christ.

(Rev. Billy Graham devotional)

Prayer:

Father,
           Our hope is in You, our resurrected Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! May we never despair, as we remember Your triumph and love. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - What to Do On a Saturday

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

Revelation 1:17-18 NLT

He was dead. They all saw it - watched in horror as it happened. Beaten beyond recognition, whipped within an inch of his life, bloodied and stripped. Then nailed to a cross and crucified... where His life's blood and water flowed out from His pierced side. He said Himself, "It is finished..."

When we say, "It is finished." We mean it's done. It's over. There's nothing else to do with it or for it. It's ended. There's nothing left. The good news is His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. When Jesus said, "It is finished." It meant only that the Master Plan for His time on Earth that time was completed. It wasn't over. It was just the beginning.

He descended into hell and fought the enemy and He won. Jesus now holds the keys to death and the grave. That's what He was doing the Saturday of what we call Holy Week.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for sending Your Son as the propitiation for our sins. Thank You that we have been redeemed and set free by His Blood shed at Calvary. Thank You that we are overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and the word of our testimony! Give us courage and opportunity to testify! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen