Promise for Today - It's a Gift

Each one, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God.

1 Peter 4:10 (GNT)

Do you know what purpose God created you for? Do you know what your destiny is? Part of understanding your purpose is recognizing the gifts God has given you to use.

These gifts are part of the cards you’re dealt in life. They include the things you can’t control, like who your parents are, where you were born, and your background. They also include your SHAPE - Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences. These are the things that make you uniquely you.

You’re responsible for making the most of these God-given gifts. But you’re not responsible for the gifts God didn’t give you. In other words, if you are not artistically gifted, you are not expected to paint pictures like Rembrandt. If you’re not mechanically-minded, God likely won’t call you to bless your elderly neighbor with oil changes.

But God does expect you to use your own gifts for the good of others: “Each one, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God” (1 Peter 4:10 GNT).

When you get to heaven, God isn’t going to compare you with anyone else, but he will compare you with yourself. What did you do with what you were given? What could you have done if you had trusted God a little bit more? Romans 14:12 says, “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God” (NIV).

The Old Testament tells the story of Esther, a Hebrew woman who became queen and rescued her people. She had three assets that God gave her to fulfill her destiny. She was intelligent, was physically beautiful, and had an engaging personality. Because of these qualities, “Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her... She won [the king’s] favor and approval ... So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen” (Esther 2:15, 17 NIV).

God gave Esther specific gifts for a purpose. In the same way, God has given you gifts for a purpose. And just like Esther, you have a responsibility to be a good steward of those gifts - not for selfish uses but for the good of others.

God used Esther’s gifts to save the Hebrew people from a potentially murderous king. How might God use your gifts to benefit other people?

Talk It Over

To know your destiny, you need to know your God-given gifts. Make a list of those gifts, including things like your family, your culture, and your SHAPE (spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences).

Look at the list you just made. Ask yourself: “What things on this list does God want me to start using for the good of other people?”

Remember, you’re responsible for your own gifts, not the gifts of other people. What are some practical ways to stop comparing yourself to others?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

           You are the source of every gift and talent within us. Open our hearts to see how we can use these gifts to serve others, glorify You, and bring comfort, hope, and healing to those in need.
         Lord Jesus, You multiplied the loaves and fishes so that others might be fed — multiply the impact of the gifts You've given us so they may be instruments of Your love and grace. Help us to recognize the unique abilities You have entrusted to us, and to use them not for our own glory, but to uplift others and to honor Your Name.  
     Grant us wisdom, discernment, and courage to act in ways that align with Your will. Let the talents be a living testimony of Your work in our lives, inspiring others to discover and use their own gifts for service. Teach us to serve with humility, love, and faithfulness, as faithful stewards of God’s grace. We want the gifts to be channels of Your peace, Your healing, and Your encouragement. May we always choose to use the abilities You've given us to build up others, to meet their needs, and to reflect Your light in the world. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - You Look Just Like...

God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. 

 Romans 8:29 (MSG)

From the very beginning, God’s plan has been to make you like his Son, Jesus. God announced this intention at creation: “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image and likeness’” (Genesis 1:26 NCV). In all of creation, only human beings are made in God’s image. It’s a great privilege—and it gives you dignity.

What does it mean to be made in God’s image? It’s one of those concepts that’s too big to fully understand, but here’s some of what it means:

• Like God, you are a spiritual being. Your spirit is immortal and will outlast your earthly body.
• You are intellectual. You can think, reason, and solve problems.
• You are relational. You can give and receive real love.
• You have a moral consciousness. You can discern right from wrong, which makes you accountable to God.

But there’s a problem: The image of God in you is incomplete and has been damaged and distorted by sin. So God sent Jesus on a mission to restore the full image that you - and everyone else ever born - have lost. What does the full “image and likeness” of God look like? It looks like Jesus Christ!

The Message paraphrase says: “God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. ...We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him” (Romans 8:29).

The Bible says Jesus is “the exact likeness of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT), “the visible image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15 NLT), and “the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3 NIV). Jesus is God!

People often use the phrase “like father, like son” to refer to family resemblance. When people see my likeness in my kids, it pleases me. In the same way, God wants his children to bear his image and likeness. The Bible says you were “created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” 

(Ephesians 4:24 NLT).

Live like an image bearer today so that when people look at you, they’ll think of how much you’re like your heavenly Father!

Talk It Over

In what ways are you striving to become more like Christ?

What are some ways people would say you already resemble Christ?

What Christ-like characteristics do you want to start developing in your life?
- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           Shape our thoughts to be pure, our words to be gentle, and our actions to be filled with love. Let Your compassion flow through us, Your truth guide us, and Your peace rest upon us. May our lives reflect Your light so others see You in all we do. Teach us patience, kindness, and forgiveness, even when it’s hard. Help us to serve without seeking recognition, and to love without limits. Today and every day, make us more like You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - As Unto the Lord

Guest author: Christopher Glotzbach

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“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

Colossians 3:23

We put an offer on a house, had it accepted, listed our current home, and then had to renegotiate our accepted offer. Needless to say, there’s a lot up in the air right now! But in the middle of all the uncertainty, we’ve continued working on our house and trusting the Lord with the outcome.

When we first bought our home, we had a pretty serious hard water problem. Everything was turning yellow! We eventually installed a whole-house water filtration system, but even that couldn’t undo some of the stains left behind in our sinks.

One thing our realtor recommended was trying to get those rust stains out before selling. The funny thing is, we had just gotten used to how everything looked. But over the last week, I’ve spent COUNTLESS hours scrubbing showers, bathtubs, toilets, and sinks, trying to get rid of those stains.
And if I’m honest, my flesh started asking, “Why am I working this hard to make this house look so nice when I might not even be here much longer?”

And then came the check in my spirit.

 
What would it look like to finish extremely well? To sprint through the finish line. Instead of throwing in the towel (literally), what if I prayed a blessing over the person or family who will eventually move into our home? What if I worked hard to prepare a place for them, even if they never knew the hours I spent or the prayers I prayed?

I think we’re all tempted to check out when things get hard, when we’re tired, or when we start believing our decisions won’t really matter in the long run. But life is so much bigger than ourselves.  Sometimes, faithfulness looks like doing the little things well, even when no one is watching.  Sometimes, serving God means serving people we may never meet. Praying over situations for which we never know the outcomes. 

And sometimes, the Lord uses something as ordinary as scrubbing a bathtub to expose something in our hearts that needs to change.

So here’s my challenge for you today:
Where are you tempted to believe the lie that it doesn’t matter what you do?
Maybe it’s at work.
Maybe it’s in a relationship.
Maybe it’s in a season of life you’re ready to leave behind.

Don’t check out. Don’t throw in the towel. FINISH STRONG!

Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:23:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
That verse hit a little differently this week. Maybe the next owners of our home will never know the work we put in or the prayers we prayed over them. They may never know how much we cared about preparing this place for their next chapter. But God sees it. And that’s enough.

I want to live in such a way that everything I do is done unto Him.
Not for recognition.
Not because I’ll get something out of it.
Not because it’s convenient.
But because I love Him, and I want my life to reflect that love in the way I serve others.

My prayer today:

Lord, thank You for the gift of serving You by serving others.
Forgive me when I’m tempted to make everything about me.
Help me walk in humility, valuing the needs of others and looking for opportunities to bless people, even when I may never see the fruit of my efforts.
Remind me that You see everything and that when I work as unto You, it is never in vain.
Help me finish well in every season, trusting You with what comes next. In Jesus' Name

And, Lord, if You wouldn’t mind helping us sell our house quickly, that would be great too. 
We love You! 

Promise for Today = Gifts of Purpose

There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (GW)

If you’re like most people, you struggle to know the unique calling God has for your life. But once you understand the gifts he gives you - and the abilities he’s given specifically to you - you can begin pursuing the plans he’s called you to.

The moment you step across the line and put your faith in Christ, God gives you four major gifts:

Forgiveness. 

Romans 5:15 says, “For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ” (NLT). When you put your faith in Jesus, the first thing he does is wipe out everything you’ve ever done wrong. You are forgiven! There is no condemnation.

Eternal life. 

God has long-range plans for you. The Bible says in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NIV). You’re never going to work your way or earn your way into heaven. The only way you’ll ever get into heaven is by God’s free gift that you accept by faith.

The Holy Spirit. 

Romans 5:5 says, “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (NIV). How do you know when you’re letting God live through your life? When you embody the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Special abilities. 

In the Bible, these special abilities are called spiritual gifts. They are different from material or physical gifts. They’re the abilities you need to do the job that God wants you to do. Most people who are believers don’t even know they have spiritual gifts, much less what those gifts are. But if you’re a follower of Jesus, you do have them!

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, “There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person” (GW).

God has a purpose for your life, and your spiritual gifts are the tools he gives you to do what he asks. Remember: God will never ask you to do something he doesn’t give you the ability to do!

Talk It Over

When you become a Christian, God gives you forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, eternal life, and special abilities. Which of those gifts do you think about most often? Which do you tend to forget? Why?

What special gifts has God given you? How have you seen him use those gifts in the body of Christ?

When have you benefited from other Christians using their spiritual gifts?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

         You are the giver of every good and perfect gift. You formed us with intention, weaving purpose into every part of our being. We come before You with an open heart, asking for Your light to shine on the gifts You have placed within us. Reveal to us the talents, passions, and spiritual gifts that You have entrusted to us. Remove any doubt or fear that clouds our understanding, and replace it with wisdom, courage, and discernment. Guide our steps so that we may use these gifts to serve others, bring hope, and glorify Your name. Align our hearts with Your will, so that our purpose is not just known, but lived out daily in love, humility, and faith.  
      Thank You for creating us with intention and for calling us into a life that matters. Lead us to use these gifts to serve others and glorify You. We trust that as we seek You, You will make our path clear. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Bring Out the Best

The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others - ignoring God! - harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. 

Galatians 6:7-8 (MSG)

Selfishness destroys relationships. It is the number one cause of conflict, arguments, divorce, and even war. James 4:1 says, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (NIV). Every trouble starts because of self-centeredness.

It’s very easy for selfishness to enter relationships. When you first start a relationship, you work hard at being unselfish. But as time goes on, selfishness begins to creep in. People often put more energy into starting and building relationships than they do in maintaining them.

If selfishness destroys relationships, then selflessness is what makes them grow. What does selflessness mean? It means less of “me” and more of “you.” It means thinking of others more than you think of yourself and putting other people’s needs before your own. As Philippians 2:4 says, “Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others” (CSB).

Selflessness brings out the best in people. It builds trust in relationships. In fact, if you start acting selflessly in a relationship, the other person changes too; when you’re selfless, you’re not the same person anymore, so they have to relate to you in a different way.

I’ve seen it many times. Some of the most unlovable people, those who no one wants to be around, are often transformed when someone is kind and selfless toward them. When someone is given what they need - not what they deserve - they change in beautiful ways.

This is the biblical principle of sowing and reaping. What you sow, you’re going to reap. When you sow selflessness, you reap God’s blessing. This is how he’s wired the universe: The more unselfish you are, the more he blesses you. He wants you to become like him, and he is unselfish. Everything you have is a gift from God, a result of his unselfishness toward you.

So while you’re here on this earth, you’ll be most fulfilled when you give yourself away. Jesus said, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it” (Mark 8:35 NLT).

Talk It Over

What is one of the hardest things for you to give to someone else? (Maybe it’s your time, your money, or your emotional resources.)

How can you practice giving that thing away this week?

In what ways have you seen God bless you when you are unselfish?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          In moments when we are tempted to seek only our own desires, grant us the wisdom to remember the needs of others and the eyesight to see them. Help us to embrace selflessness and to serve with a generous heart. May our prayers align with Your will, bringing forth love and compassion for all Your children. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Promise for Today - Growing

Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

John 12:26 (NLT)

Jesus talked a lot about being a “disciple.” If you’re a believer, that’s probably a word you hear a lot too.

But what did Jesus mean when he used the word disciple? To be a disciple, you must spend time with Jesus. In any relationship, the more time you invest, the more you’re going to get out of it. It’s true in your relationship with Jesus too. You can’t be a part-time disciple; it’s a full-time responsibility.

Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me” (John 12:26 NLT).

This verse teaches three things about spiritual growth.

First, spiritual growth is a choice. 

The verse starts off, “Anyone who wants to serve me. . .” God won’t force growth on you, and it won’t come automatically. You have to want and choose to serve him—to be his disciple.

If you feel distant from God, it’s not because he’s moved away. He’s always right there, inviting you to draw near to him. You have the choice to draw closer to him or to move away.

Second, spiritual growth is a commitment. 

Jesus said that his disciples “must follow” him. After you’ve made the choice to grow, you “must” follow through with commitment! You grow by making commitments. Getting married is a commitment that makes you grow up. So is having kids, or taking on a new job, or pursuing an education. Anytime you make a commitment, you grow. That includes when you commit to being Jesus’ disciple.

Third, spiritual growth is a relationship. 

Jesus said, “My servants must be where I am.” It’s not about rules. It’s not about rituals. It’s not about a formula. It’s not about a bunch of expectations. It’s about being with Jesus.

Obviously, Jesus isn’t here physically today. So how can you be with him? A great way is by having an ongoing conversation with him. Those can be quick prayers as you’re talking to someone at work, cleaning your house, or driving a car. As you do this over time, you will hear God speaking back to you, by filling your mind with truth and putting impressions in your heart.

Are you ready to start growing as a disciple of Jesus? It’s simple to get started: Just spend time with him.

Talk It Over

What usually comes to mind when you hear the word disciple? How has today’s devotional changed that?

When have you grown by making a new commitment?

What one change can you make to start spending more time with Jesus this week?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          Help us to be wholly and steadfastly committed to You, so that our hearts, minds, and actions are always aligned with Your will and love. Help us to grow in the awareness that You are our sustenance and our only true source of strength. Give us the grace to rest in Your strength, to rely on Your wisdom, and to yield to Your instructions at all times. Remove anything that keeps us from You, and strengthen our resolve to stay faithful, even when life is hard or distractions arise. Let our commitment to You be unwavering, our trust in You deeper, and our love for You greater each day. We will not turn back from the path of righteousness. Help us to press on in obedience and devotion until the end. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Skilled Empathy

We must bear the ‘burden’ of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others.

Romans 15:2 (TLB)

Listening is probably the most important skill in building friendships and relationships. You can’t love people without listening to them.

But sometimes people run into trouble in their relationships when they think hearing and listening are the same thing. The truth is that there’s a big difference between hearing someone and listening to them.

You can hear something and not really be listening. I can’t tell you how many arguments I’ve had with my kids or my wife because I was hearing the words but not really listening to the emotions. Sometimes the words don’t even matter. Someone can say to you, “I’m fine,” but the way they say it tells you that they’re not fine. Listening means you also hear what the person isn’t saying.

When you listen that way, you’re showing empathy. Empathy means to put yourself in the other person’s shoes and learn their point of view. You ask yourself, “How would I feel if I were in that situation?”

Listening with empathy means you listen without interruption and you listen for what’s not being said—the feelings and fears behind the words. And you don’t need to try to fix the situation. In fact, sometimes healing comes just from someone listening!

Romans 15:2 says, “We must bear the ‘burden’ of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others” (TLB).

What does it mean to be considerate or to bear the burden of someone else’s doubts? It means that, when people are in so much pain that they don’t even know what they believe, they need the devotion of a loyal friend. They need someone who will be present and listen with empathy.

Will you be that friend today?

Talk It Over

How can you show someone through your body language that you are really listening?

What is the benefit of asking, “How would I feel if I were in that situation?”

What are some ways you can limit interruptions and distractions when you are trying to listen to someone?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          In the noise of daily life, we come before You seeking the gift of an open heart. Quiet the chatter within us, and open the gates of our soul to truly listen to those who cross our path.  Grant us the serenity to set aside judgment and preconceptions, so we may be fully present. Help us to hear the words, the emotions, and the unspoken needs of others, and to respond with compassion and empathy.
Let our friendship be a sanctuary where people feel safe to share their stories. Thank You for the opportunity to connect deeply through listening. Help us to be better at it. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Pride Kills Relationships

Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.

Philippians 2:3 (NCV)

Pride destroys relationships. It shows up in a lot of different forms, like criticism, competition, stubbornness, and superficiality.

The problem with pride is that it’s self-deceiving. When you have too much pride, you don’t see it in your life—but everyone else does!  Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin” (NCV). I love that same verse in The Message paraphrase: “First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.”

While pride destroys relationships, humility serves as its antidote, and relationships are built instead. Our verse for today, Philippians 2:3 tells you how to combat pride by choosing humility: “Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves” (NCV). 1 Peter 3:8 gives more details: “Everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble” (GW).

How do you grow in humility? You let Jesus Christ begin to control your thoughts, heart, attitude, and reactions. Ephesians 4:23-24 says, “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person” (CEV).

The basic law of relationships is this: You tend to become like the people you spend time with. If you spend time with grumpy people, you get grumpier. If you spend time with happy people, you get happier. If you want to become a new, humbler person, you need to spend time with Jesus Christ, because he is humble. By building a relationship with him through prayer and reading his Word, you’ll get to know him and become more like him.

Philippians 2:5-6 says it like this: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to” (NLT).

Jesus is the ultimate example of humility. He came from heaven to earth to become a man, live for you, give his life for you, and be resurrected for you. When you spend time with him, it makes you humble. That humility, in turn, builds your relationships.

Talk It Over

What characteristics and habits do the humble people in your life display?

What does it look like to give more honor to others than to yourself (as Philippians 2:3 teaches)?

In what ways do you think God’s Spirit needs to change the way you think to make you more like Jesus?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer by Faith&Forward

Introduction: Prayers to Overcome Pride and Walk in Humility is a powerful collection of targeted prayers designed to help you approach God's throne with confidence and faith. These prayer points are rooted in Scripture and crafted to address specific areas of need in your spiritual journey.

Prayer is our direct line of communication with the Father, and when we pray according to His will, we can be confident that He hears us. Use these prayer points as a guide, but also allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into deeper intercession as you pray.

Prayer Points:

Father, I thank You for Your faithfulness and loving-kindness.

Lord, let Your will be done in this situation as it is in heaven.

I surrender every concern to You and trust in Your perfect plan.

Father, give me the grace to walk in obedience to Your word.

Lord, let Your favor go before me and make my path straight.

I receive Your peace that surpasses all understanding.

Lord, let Your glory be revealed through this situation.

Father, I give You all the praise and honor for what You are doing.

I stand on Your word and believe for complete victory.

Lord, help me to be a blessing to others through this testimony.

Father, let Your kingdom come and Your will be done.

I reject every lie of the enemy and embrace Your truth.

Lord, fill me fresh with Your Holy Spirit today.

Father, order my steps and lead me in Your righteousness.

I claim every promise You have spoken over my life.

Lord, let my life bring glory to Your name.

Father, give me a heart of gratitude in every circumstance.

I decree that goodness and mercy shall follow me.

Lord, connect me with the right people at the right time.

Lord, I ask for Your divine wisdom and guidance in every decision.

Father, strengthen my faith and help me trust You completely.

Father, let this prayer produce lasting fruit in my life.

I declare that Your promises over my life shall come to pass.

Lord, remove every hindrance in me and let Your purpose be fulfilled.

Father, thank You for hearing and answering my prayers.

Closing Declaration: Father, I thank You for hearing my prayers today. I believe that even as I have prayed, You are already at work on my behalf. I receive Your answers by faith and declare that nothing is impossible for You. Let Your Name be glorified in my life as these prayers come to pass. In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen.

Promise for Today - Five Minutes

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

When you’re going through a season of great change and stress, how do you maintain joy? You do it by developing the habit of thanking God for all that’s good, despite all that’s bad.

This principle is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Be thankful IN all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (NLT). This means that we should develop an attitude of gratitude in every situation. It doesn't mean that we have to be thankful for everything that happens to us, especially the bad things like cancer or car accidents. We don’t have to be thankful for all the evil in the world.

But every time you take a minute to express gratitude to God about anything—it could be your favorite music, a spot in nature, or Scripture—it helps refill your empty emotional tank so you can move forward in life. Choosing to be thankful is for your own good; it keeps you from becoming bitter and helps you to finish strong.

Being grateful is easy when your emotional tank is full and things are going great. It’s much harder to find something to be thankful for when you're facing a crisis or prolonged chronic stress. But that’s when you need to express gratitude the most.

The story of Job is a great example of gratitude during hard times. He was a wealthy and successful man, but he lost everything in a single day. He didn't know why it all happened to him, and he had every reason to be angry and bitter. Despite this, he continued to trust God. Even in his darkest moment, he fell to the ground and worshiped God, saying, “May the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:21 NIV).

One of the most practical yet powerful habits you can develop is to make a daily gratitude list. Just sit down for five minutes each day and ask yourself, "What am I grateful for?” It’s a habit that will strengthen your soul and keep you going when you feel like giving up.

Even in our darkest moments, we can follow Job's example and gratefully worship God, knowing that his will for us is to give thanks in all circumstances.

Talk It Over

What does having a grateful attitude reveal about your belief in a good God?

What are some things you have taken for granted that you can start thanking God for today?

When has an attitude of gratitude given you the strength to get through a hard time?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           We come before You with hearts full of gratitude for Your unending goodness and mercy. Thank You for the gift of life, for the breath in our lungs, the strength in our body, and the clarity in our minds.  Thank You for the light of day, the shelter of home, the love of family, and the countless small and great blessings that surround us.
       Even in moments of challenge, we choose to see Your hand at work, trusting that You are good, faithful, and present. Thank You for Your patience, Your compassion, and Your constant presence. Forgive us for times when we have been slow to thank You, and renew our hearts to focus on You alone. Lord, help us to live each moment with a thankful spirit, to reflect Your love in our words and actions, and to find joy in Your presence. May our gratitude be a constant prayer, not just on special days, but in all circumstances. We give You praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen

Promise for Today - Changing My Want To...

Note: Sorry for missing 2 days - lawn guy cut the Internet connection. :(

You are my friends if you do what I command.

John 15:14 (NLT)

You can’t say you love Jesus and then go live like the devil. You can’t say you’re a Christian and then keep living a self-centered life. You can’t say you’re a follower of Jesus and then pick and choose the verses that you want to listen to and ignore the ones you don’t. Jesus says you’re his friend if you obey him and his commandments.

Why do Christians obey God? Nonbelievers get this wrong all the time. They say, “I don’t want to be a Christian, because I don’t want to obey God. You believers obey him out of guilt or fear or obligation, and I don’t want that for my life.”

But why do we really obey God? The Truth is because he loves us! He wants the best for us. He loves you like nobody else will ever love you.

The Bible says the only reason there’s love in the world is because God is love. We don’t obey God out of fear or guilt or obligation. We obey God out of love—because he loved us and saved us.

When I was a kid in high school, a guy came up to me and said, “You’re restricted.” I said, “What do you mean?” He said, “Because you’re a Christian. You can’t do any of the fun stuff the rest of us do.”

I looked him in the eye and said, “I could take all the drugs I want to take. I could get stoned all I want to get stoned. I could drink all I want to drink. I could go to all the parties I want to go to. I could be in as many relationships as I want. But here’s the difference: Jesus changed my want to.”

I didn’t want to do those things then. I don’t want to do those things now. They are cheap, phony thrills that give a temporary kick to life, but then they kick back. They may look like freedom, but they don’t last. They lead to despair, not dignity; they end in depression, not delight.

Jesus said, “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. . . . When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:9-11 NLT).

God doesn’t want you to obey him because you’re afraid of him. He doesn’t want you to obey him because you’re scared of punishment. God wants you to obey him because of love. It’s his love that leads to true joy.

Talk It Over

When have you obeyed someone (perhaps a parent, teacher, or boss) out of fear? When have you obeyed out of love? What were the differences in those relationships?

As you’ve grown in your love for God, how has he changed your desires?

How have you experienced joy through loving obedience to God?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

         We humbly ask for hearts that are willing to follow Your will. Remove every trace of stubbornness and resistance within us. Soften our spirit to embrace Your Word, even when it’s difficult. Help us to surrender fully, that our desires may align with Yours. Change our hearts, Lord, and make us open to Your instructions. Let obedience become our joy and not a burden. Mold us into the person You desire us to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Promise for Today - He Will Tell You

The Holy Spirit, God's gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them. If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid to tell others about our Lord.

2 Timothy 1:7-8 (TLB)

You can be confident in sharing your faith when you remember you don’t have to know all the answers. Why? Because Jesus does!

Here’s something else you need to remember: When you share the hope you have in Christ with others, you’re not doing it alone. God is with you! And his Spirit is working in the other person's heart as you're sharing with them.

The Bible says, “The Holy Spirit, God's gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them. If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid to tell others about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:7-8 TLB).

When you realize the Holy Spirit's power and God's truth are in you, you never have to be afraid to tell others about Jesus. That should give you a lot of confidence!

Luke 21:13-15 also gives encouragement for sharing your faith: “This will be your chance to tell about your faith. Don’t worry about what you will say to defend yourselves. I will give you the wisdom to know what to say” (CEV).

It’s common to be fearful about sharing your faith with someone. You might think, “I don't know what to say to that person at the office, on the soccer field, or in my neighborhood.” But God essentially says to you, “I will tell you what to say when you need it.”

What an amazing promise! You may not feel ready or equipped to share the gospel, but the truth is, you have everything you need because of God’s presence and power in you.

Talk It Over

Describe a time when you felt God’s power at work within you while sharing God’s love with someone.

Who in your life do you look up to as someone who isn’t afraid to share their faith?

How would this next week look different if you were constantly aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

       We want to honor You and fulfill the calling to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Lord, fill us with courage to proclaim Your gospel boldly, without fear or hesitation, and let our love for You and for others be greater than our fear of rejection. Empower us by Your Spirit to be faithful witnesses, trusting that You will work through us for Your glory. Father, forgive us for the times we were silent when we should have spoken, allowing fear, doubt, or hesitation to hold us back. Forgive us for relying on our own strength instead of trusting in Your Spirit. Remove any timidness from our hearts and give us the boldness to open our mouths, speaking words that bring hope and salvation to those who need You.
Lord, guide us to the people You want us to reach. Soften their hearts and help us to share Your truth with compassion and clarity. Give us wisdom to know when to speak and when to listen, and let our actions reflect Your love and grace. 

      Father, we rely on Your Spirit to empower us, not our own abilities. Strengthen us to persevere in sharing Your Word, even if the harvest is slow, and remind us that we are Your co-workers in spreading Your message. May the boldness You give us lead others to repentance and salvation, and may You be glorified in all we do. Tell us, Father, so that we are able to tell others. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen

Promise for Today - In Your Spare Time

Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.

Philippians 3:8 (NLT)

You’re never going to become a friend of God in your spare time. To become his friend, you have to make knowing him your number one priority. So let me ask you: Are you doing that? Are you seeking God with all your heart each day?

Remember: You are as close to God as you choose to be. Becoming a friend of God starts when you decide that’s what you want.

If you feel far from God, think about who moved. It wasn’t God. And you can’t blame anyone else, not your spouse, your parents, or your kids. It’s simply that you didn’t make him your number one priority.

Knowing and loving God is humanity’s greatest privilege. And being known and being loved by God is our greatest pleasure.

I’ve noticed that you can tell what’s important to people by what they brag about. If their kids are most important, they brag about their kids. If their job is the most important thing in their life, they brag about their job. If travel and having experiences are most important, that’s what they talk about. If partying or buying new clothes is what you talk about most, guess what you value most? You brag about what you value most.

God says in Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT, “Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness,  judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.” 

Knowing God is what matters most—it’s what life is all about. The God of the universe loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. And getting close to him will give you peace and perspective. That’s good news!

Talk It Over

How do you need to re-prioritize your life so that getting to know God better is your number one priority?

Based on what you talk about most, what would people say is most important to you?

What you brag about is what’s most important to you. How can you boast about your relationship with God in your everyday conversations?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          We seek to place You at the forefront of our lives. Align our hearts with Your will, and guide our decisions so that every action reflects Your love and grace. Strengthen our faith, that we may honor You in all we do.
     In every choice we face, guide our thoughts and actions to seek Your wisdom. Help us begin each day with prayer and reflection, inviting Your presence into every challenge. Teach us to prioritize Your kingdom and righteousness above all else, trusting that all other needs will be provided according to Your plan. May our lives be a testament to Your love and purpose. 
     We ask for Your help to organize our priorities and focus on what truly matters. Remove distractions, strengthen our self-discipline, and help us dedicate our time and energy to serving You first. Let our work, relationships, and daily tasks reflect Your glory, and guide us to make choices that honor Your will. In Jesus' Name we pray,  Amen

Promise for Today - Intentionally Available

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)

Most people get to watch history; very few choose to make it. But I believe you can be a history-maker.

You’re not sitting where you’re sitting by accident. You haven’t had the experiences in your life by chance. God designed your life to make a difference in the world. A thousand years before you were born, God knew you’d be right where you are today. He knew you’d be reading this devotional. I believe it’s because God has something special, something unique in store for you.

No matter where you’ve been, what you’re afraid of, or what sin is in your rearview mirror, God can still use you to make a difference in this world. What he needs from you is a total commitment to him. God wants you to be all in on his plan for you.

God is less interested in your ability; he cares about your availability.

At an early age I told God, “I’m all in! I don’t care what you ask me to do or how tough it is, I’ll say yes—anytime, anywhere, anyplace.” Since then, it has been a wild and amazing adventure doing what God has asked me to do.

You can make that same decision, too. God is looking for people to use to change the world.

The Bible says, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV). God is looking for you—yes, you—so he can strengthen you and use you to make an impact.

And it all starts with a committed and available heart. You can start today. Let God know that you’re committed to doing whatever he wants with your life. Tell him you’re available for him to use you, and then watch how he answers your prayer.

 
Talk It Over

Why is availability so important to God when he looks for people he can use? Have your opinions about your own abilities ever kept you from saying yes to him?

What do you think holds people back from telling God they are all in?

What’s the hardest thing for you to give up when considering whether to give God everything?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           We want to be fully present for Your will. Remove the distractions that pull us away from Your voice, and quiet the noise that clouds our spirit. Teach us to pause, to listen, and to respond without hesitation when You call. Fill us with courage to step into the unknown, and with humility to serve wherever You place us. Let our time, talents, and thoughts be aligned with Your purposes.
     We want our lives to be vessels—ready, willing, and yielded—so that Your love flows through us to others. Father, give us Your wisdom so that we are available not just in moments of convenience, but in every season, every circumstance, and every opportunity You provide.
     We are here —send us, use us, and shape us for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

Promise for Today - To Love You More

Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life—they don’t know God.

1 Timothy 6:21 (TLB)

The key to a friendship with God is deciding whose friendship you want most.

You don’t have time to be everyone's best friend. You have to decide who you want as your closest friend. 

The Living Bible paraphrase says, “Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life—they don’t know God” (1 Timothy 6:21). They know all the baseball scores. They know the stock market quotes. They know the top 10 songs. They know who’s in and who’s out in every TV Show. But they don’t know God. They’ve missed the most important thing in life!

If you’re not a friend of God, it means you care about something else more. James 4:4 says, “You should know that loving the world is the same as hating God. Anyone who wants to be a friend of the world becomes God’s enemy” (NCV). When James writes “loving the world,” he means loving the value system of the world. God wants you to love people, but that doesn’t mean you have to love the world’s value system.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the distractions of life. And when you’re distracted by loving the world’s value system, there’s not much room to love people. Instead, you love materialism. You love pleasure. You love popularity. You love prestige. You love passion, possessions, and position.

But God loves people. And he wants you to love them too. One way to show your love of others is by taking an interest in their interests. In other words, what is important to you becomes important to me (always within the context of biblical truth).

That’s how you show your love of God too. If you’re going to be a friend of God, then you’ve got to care about what he cares about and stop caring about the things he doesn’t care about. God doesn’t care about your image. He’s not interested in your status. He’s interested in your character—not how you LOOK but who you ARE.

Are you ready to take a practical step toward friendship with God? Choose to value what he values.

Talk It Over

Describe the relationship you have with your best friend. How does it compare to the relationship you have with God?

What’s more important to you than knowing God? Why do you value it more?

What are some things that you know God values? How important are those things to you?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           We long to know You more deeply. Draw us closer to Your presence, Lord, and remove anything—sin, distraction, fear, or doubt—that creates distance between us. Awaken in us a hunger and thirst for You, like the deer that pants for water in Psalm 42:1. Teach us to hear Your voice clearly and to recognize Your leading. Give us hearts that seek You above all else, minds that delight in Your Word, and a spirit that responds quickly in obedience.
       Reveal more of who You are—Your love, Your holiness, Your mercy, and Your power. Help us to abide in You daily, to slow down enough to listen, and to walk in step with Your Spirit. We want to make our relationship with You to be real, to be intimate, and life-changing. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

Promise for Today - As Long As It Takes

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Forgiveness is not a term you can casually throw around, making everyone instantly feel better. That’s not real forgiveness. 

The Bible says there are four characteristics of real forgiveness:
1. Forgiveness is remembering how much you’ve been forgiven. 

This is the starting point for genuine forgiveness. If you don’t feel forgiven, you probably won’t want to forgive anyone else. If you’re hard on yourself, you’re going to be hard on others. But the more grace you receive from God, the more gracious you’re going to be with others. The more you receive God’s forgiveness, the more forgiving you’ll be toward others.

2. Forgiveness is relinquishing your right to get even. 

The Bible says in the Living Bible paraphrase, “Never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it” (Romans 12:19). Life is not fair, but one day God’s going to settle the score. He’s going to right the wrongs. So who’s better at getting justice—you or God?

3. Forgiveness is responding to evil with good.

The Bible says in Luke 6:27-28, “Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (NIV). How can you tell when you’ve really forgiven someone? When you can look at that person’s hurt, not just your own, and pray for God to bless them. You ask, “How could I possibly forgive them? They really hurt me.” Only the love of God can help you do something like that. It’s why you must fill your life with God’s love.

4. Forgiveness is repeating the process as long as necessary. 

“Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’” (Matthew 18:21-22 NLT). Jewish law said you had to forgive a person three times, so Peter doubled it and threw one in for good measure. But Jesus said to go even further with your forgiveness!

How long do you have to keep forgiving someone? Until the pain stops and the desire to get revenge goes away. In other words, as long as it takes.

Talk It Over

What difference has God’s grace made in your life? How can you extend that grace to others?

Who can you ask God to bless today? How can that prayer be part of the process of letting go of your hurt?

What good can you do for someone in your life who dislikes you or who has wronged you?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

         We recognize that holding onto anger only harms our own souls. We know that we need Your strength to forgive what seems unforgivable. We ask for Your help to release the anger, bitterness, and resentment that weigh us down. Help us to let go of the pain, to release the burden of grudges, and to see others through Your eyes of grace. Grant us the grace to forgive those who have wronged us, just as You have forgiven us. Teach us to forgive repeatedly, even when memories resurface, and to trust in Your healing power. Please give us the strength to extend mercy freely. May Your peace fill our hearts as we choose forgiveness, and may we experience healing and freedom through Your love. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen

Promise for Today - Give Up or Look Up

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ 

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (NIV)

What do you do when you can’t fix an unfixable problem or change an unchangeable circumstance? What do you do when you can’t control something that hurts deeply in your life? [What can you do?] You throw yourself on the sustaining grace of God.

To get the kind of grace you need to keep going in spite of temptations, trials, tension, tiredness, and troubles, you need to do four things:

1. Cry out for God’s help. 

When you pretend to be self-sufficient, you short-circuit God’s power in your life. You need to admit your inadequacy and say, “God, I can’t handle this!” The Bible says, “‘God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.’ So give yourselves completely to God ... Come near to God, and God will come near to you” (James 4:6-8 NCV).

2. Fill your mind with God’s Word. 

Study the Bible every day of your life, and let it comfort you, strengthen you, and energize you to keep going. The psalmist prayed, “I lie in the dust; revive me by your word” (Psalm 119:25 NLT). If the solution were to look within yourself, you’d already be changed. You need to look to God! He’s the only one with sustaining grace.

3. Accept support from God’s people. 

The Bible says that by helping each other with our troubles, we obey the law of Christ, which is, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” God never meant for you to go through life on your own. He says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NIV). Our weaknesses help us realize how much we need God’s grace and each other.

4. Hold on to God’s promises. 

There are more than 5,000 promises for you in the Bible. Here’s one of them: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired . . . but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV). Keep your eyes focused on the hope of heaven, not just on the here and now.

God’s sustaining grace is always available to you. When you’re going through a problem you can’t fix, don’t give up. Just look up!

Talk It Over

In what situation do you need God’s sustaining grace right now?

Which of God’s promises do you need to claim for that situation?

What godly people in your life can provide the support you need to keep going?

-by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          When our circumstances feel hopeless, please renew our hope. Help us see beyond present difficulty and trust Your presence and promises for our future. Thank You for holding plans filled with purpose and peace. Strengthen our faith when discouragement rises and remind us that You work all things for our good. We place our hope in You, believing that this season will not define our story and that thanks to Your sustaining grace, better days are ahead. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Spurred On

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…
Hebrews 10:24 NIV

Patience was not my strong suit this week. I immediately got a mental picture of a big stick with a spur affixed to the end of it. I was thinking a different way of spurring some people on…

Then I read vvs. 25-27 NIV

" 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Attitude adjustment coming – NO walking away from anyone. NO ignoring texts. YES, answering phone calls. YES, making time.

" 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God."

Do I want fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God?

NO, I do not.

Prayer:

Father,
       I come before You today with a humble and open heart. Thank You for the endless mercy and unfathomable love You have so generously poured out on me. Forgive me for the times I have been indifferent, quick to judge, or blind to the struggles of the people around me.
      Lord, please transform my heart. Give me eyes to see the hurt and brokenness in the world through Your eyes. Give me ears that listen to the cries of the needy, a tongue that speaks comfort instead of criticism, hands that are ready to serve, and feet that hurry to assist my neighbor in trouble. Break my heart for what breaks Yours. Remove pride, bias, and impatience, and fill me instead with Your deep empathy, kindness, and grace. Make me a true vessel of Your love, bringing healing, hope, and peace to everyone I encounter. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen

Promise for Today - God's 5G Plan - Grace, Giving, Generosity, Gratitude, Greater

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (NIV)

One way to measure how much you understand grace and how much you’re living by grace, look at your giving.

The Bible says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NIV).

Notice the “alls” in that Scripture: “all things,” “at all times,” “having all that you need.” Those are the promises related to the person who’s becoming like Christ. What is Christ like? He is a giver. God loved the world so much that he gave. And as you learn to be generous—with your time, hospitality, money, resources, and opportunities—you start to look like Jesus. Nothing is greater proof that you understand grace than being lovingly gracious and generous to other people and to God.

If you feel tense or defensive when your pastor starts talking about giving, it may mean you don’t fully understand grace. Look at the Scripture again. It says that God loves a cheerful giver and is able to take care of all your needs—all the time, in every way, however you need them.

Here’s the question: Are you going to trust the God who gave his life for you? If you can trust him enough for salvation, can’t you trust him with everything he’s given to you, including your finances?

The truth is, you really don’t own anything. God just loans it to you for 70 or 80 years. It’s all his in the first place!

God gives to us generously. Then he says, “Lead a life of gratitude. Be generous in giving.” Does God need your gifts? No. He wants you to become like him. He wants you to have a heart that says, “I can’t wait to give in every area.”

Romans 8:32 says, “Since [God] did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (NLT).

You can say you love God and sing that you trust God and put him first, but how generous you are with everything he’s given you is where you can show just how much his grace means to you.

Talk It Over

Would you call yourself a cheerful giver? Why or why not?

How have you seen God bless your finances or provide for you as you have been faithful to tithe?

In what ways does your life reflect gratitude for God’s grace?

-by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for the gift of grace that meets us where we are, even when we fall short. Open our hearts and minds to understand the depth of Your love and the beauty of Your mercy. Teach us to see every blessing, both big and small, as a reminder of Your goodness.
      When we face confusion, grant us wisdom to see with clarity. When we are impatient, remind us of the patience You have shown us. Let our gratitude grow deeper each day, so that our lives reflect the kindness and compassion You have poured into us.
      May we never take Your grace for granted, but instead live in a way that honors the gift You so freely give. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Overestimating Strength

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 

1 Corinthians 10:12 (NLT)

Failure is part of life. No matter who you are or what your story is, you’re going to experience failure at some point. It’s part of living as an imperfect person in an imperfect world.

Before Jesus went to the cross, on the night that he was arrested, his friend Peter failed him in a significant way. Peter denied Jesus—not just once but three times.

During the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples he was going to be arrested, die, and three days later come back to life. He said to the disciples, “Tonight all of you will desert me” (Matthew 26:31 NLT). Yet Peter kept insisting he would never deny Jesus. In fact, Peter said three times, “I will never”!

Peter overestimated his strength—and it eventually led to his failure.

Overestimating your strength is still a common cause of failure today when you think you’re stronger than you really are—when you believe you can handle temptation.

When people overestimate their strengths, there are dire consequences: Businesses fail, battles are lost, and spouses are tempted into affairs.

You might think, “That could never happen to me.” But 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall” (NLT).

No one is exempt. Given the right situation, you are capable of any sin, and so am I.

When you don’t pay attention to your strengths, they become weaknesses. In other words, an unguarded strength becomes a double weakness because you have a sense of pride about it.

Peter’s biggest failure, denying Christ, happened right after the Last Supper, a very intimate and powerful experience. The very area where you’ve had a major victory may be exactly where you stumble next.

Resist the temptation to overestimate your strengths. Instead, remember you are a sinful human who needs God’s grace and mercy. Keep your strengths in perspective so they don’t become your point of failure.

Talk It Over

When has overestimating one of your strengths led to failure?

What is a strength you know you need to pay more attention to so it doesn’t become a weakness?

How does God’s Word help you keep your strengths in perspective?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

            Help us to remember and trust that our strength comes from You, not from our own abilities, and that we are to walk humbly before You. We come before You today with a heart that longs for confidence - not the kind that boasts in our own strength, but the kind that is rooted in the truth of who You created us to be. You are our Maker, our Shepherd, and our Guide. Yet, Lord, there are moments when we doubt ourselves, when fear and insecurity creep in, and when we feel unworthy or incapable. 

       We confess that we often rely on our own power, forgetting that Your grace is sufficient for us, and Your power is made perfect in our weakness. We ask that You fill us with a holy confidence - not arrogance, not pride, but a deep, unshakable assurance that You have given us everything we need to fulfill Your Plan for our lives and for Your kingdom. Help us to see ourselves through Your eyes, not through the lens of our past failures, our weaknesses, or the opinions of others. 

     When we feel afraid, remind us that You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. When we feel inadequate, remind us that Your grace is sufficient and in You, we lack nothing. Lord, silence the lies that tell us we must be strong on our own. Replace them with Your Truth - that our strength is not found in ourselves, but only in You. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen

Promise for Today - Sustaining Grace

My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

1 Peter 5:12 (NLT)

There are three things that can cause you to stumble in your race and not finish well in life. But in each of these situations, God’s sustaining grace will get you through.

1. God’s sustaining grace helps you avoid sinning when you’re tempted.

Temptation is the first thing that can cause you to stumble. The Bible says, “God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). God will provide the sustaining grace you need to escape. It may mean turning the channel, running out the door, or changing the way you’re thinking. But God will provide a way to escape temptation.

2. God’s sustaining grace helps you keep standing when you’re tired.

Sometimes you’re not tempted. Sometimes you’re just tired! Life requires a lot of energy, especially when you’re trying to do the right thing rather than the easy thing. But where do you get the power to do the right thing when you’re tired? “It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has . . . identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NLT). The key is the Holy Spirit in you, who gives you the energy to do the things you can’t do in your own power.

3. God’s sustaining grace helps you keep going when you’re troubled.

There are some hurts in life that are unrelenting and undeserved—and they hurt the most. What do you do in those situations? You first stop playing the “if only” game and instead focus on Christ and his sustaining power. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (NLT).

Talk It Over

How has God’s sustaining grace carried you through difficult times?

What do you think it means to play the “if only” game? When have you used this excuse?

How can you extend God’s sustaining grace to others?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

            We come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging that we cannot save ourselves or sustain ourselves through our own strength. We declare that it is by grace we have been saved through faith, and this is not from ourselves; it is Your gift to us according to Your Word. (Ephesians 2:8). We thank You for the salvation, strength, and hope You freely give, and we commit our lives to daily walk in the path You have laid before us. When we feel weak, remind us that Your power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Help us to lean on You, to trust that Your mercy is always available, and that we may approach Your throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).
       Father, teach us to be humble, for You give grace to the humble (James 4:6). When trials, temptations, or burdens come, cover us with Your grace, strengthen us to stand firm, and guide our steps in wisdom and kindness. We pray that our lives will reflect the love of Jesus Christ, that we will forgive as we have been forgiven, and that we will extend to others the mercy You have shown us.
       Lord, let our daily walk be marked by our dependence on You, not on our own strength. Keep our hearts humble, our spirits renewed, and our lives anchored in Your unending grace. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.