The Father Loves You

TODAY’S VERSE
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!
I John 3:1

TODAY’S THOUGHT
I don’t know how John could have contained himself when he wrote this verse. It has to be one of the most celebratory verses in the entire Bible. John understood the significance of being a child of God and implored us to understand it, too. With the excitement of a child on Christmas morning, John exclaims, “See how very much our father loves us!” Can you see it? There are four points to notice. First, “how very much.” God’s love for us is unfathomable. John wants us to see and examine the concept that God loves us very much and to believe it. Second is the phrase “our.” John is getting personal. He isn’t talking about a God beyond our grasp, an impersonal Deity. Instead, John says this is “our” Father, leading to the third point. God is our “Father.” Not a dysfunctional or absentee parent. He is our loving, faithful, and trustworthy Father. Finally, John shares that this Father, who calls us His children, also “loves us” very much. Knowing this should change everything. When you know someone loves you, you trust them. You want to be with them. You want to share in their life. Today, I pray that you will grasp with the Apostle John how wonderful it is to know that the Father loves you. Rest assured, you have been called “Child of God,” and this is what you are!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, thank You for loving me and making me Your child. What a privilege to know You! What a joy to be Yours! May Your love fill my heart and guide my thoughts today. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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I Will Be With You

TODAY’S VERSE
And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:20

TODAY’S THOUGHT
When God says, “I will be with you,” it is not a religious phrase; it is a reality that brings us comfort, strength, and hope. When there was a famine in the land, God told Isaac to stay in the land for “I will be with you.” When Jacob was in danger, God told him to return to his homeland and said, “I will be with you.” When God commissioned Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, Moses shared how he felt incompetent. God said to do it anyway because “I will be with you.” When God asked Joshua to take over for Moses and lead the people into the Promised Land, He told Joshua, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” God asked Gideon to lead His people into battle, and Gideon was afraid and asked God, “How can I rescue Israel?” God said, “I will be with you.” When Jesus left earth to return to God’s right hand and commissioned the church to make disciples, He promised, “I will be with you always.” Life has its trials. God has commissioned you and me to serve Him. The tasks may be difficult. We may face trials, temptations, and struggles but take comfort in this; even today, God is with you. He will never, never, never leave you or forsake you.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your ever-abiding presence. Thank You for the comfort I find in the fact that You are with me. Today, make me keenly aware that nothing can separate me from You. Help my heart be filled with faith that You will never leave or forsake me. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Ultimate Forgiveness

TODAY’S VERSE
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
Psalms 103:11-13

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Guilt is an insidious emotion. The Psalmist knew this firsthand. He wrote, “I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within.” His sin had caused him much grief. It affected him emotionally and physically. Our misbehavior, our rebellion toward God, does the same to us today. Hundreds of studies have linked toxic emotions to physical disease. But it doesn’t have to be that way. God has provided a way for us to have freedom from guilt. It is through the forgiveness offered by the death of His son, our Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle John wrote, “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” Do you know this same Jesus as your personal Savior? Have you accepted His death on the cross as the penalty for your misdeeds? If so, you can say with the Psalmist that as high as the heavens are above the earth, your personal history, with all its pain and regret, is removed from God’s sight. They are as far as the east is from the west.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for my sins. Thank You that when I confess and renounce any wrongdoing, You are swift to forgive and cleanse me. I thank You for Your unconditional love that takes all my guilt and casts it into the deep sea. I praise You for the unbelievable grace You give to me. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Follow God’s Path

TODAY’S VERSE
Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love.
Psalms 25:4-6

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Life is a journey. We are not settlers in this world. We are called to go through life as an ambassador of heaven, a sojourner commanded to give away God’s peace and love. And the journey can get messy. That is why learning to navigate, solve problems, and discern what to do next is so important. David is crying out that God would direct his path. He said, “Lead me by your truth and teach me.” This is important. So many of our hardships, misdirection, and hurts are due to deception and misinformation. We need to pray that God would show us the truth and teach us through each experience. This is how we derive our faith and hope in Him. We succeed and make progress through experiential learning. David learned to put his hope in God and trusted that God’s compassion and love would not fail. God wants the same for you. Today, may God lead you and point out the road for you to follow. May you learn all about His compassion and unfailing love.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I need Your guidance today. Please show me what road to follow. Guide me by Your truth and teach me to trust You. I put my hope in You and Your compassionate, unfailing love. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Wait

TODAY’S VERSE
Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.
Psalms 27:14

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Is it no surprise that “wait” is only four letters. Doesn’t it often seem like a curse word? We would rather hear God say, “Yes, that is a great idea!” or “Certainly, anything else I can get you?” We want instant gratification. We want what we often wish with little consideration for other variables and become impatient if we don’t get it. Or what about the times when we have waited and waited? We pray, and seek God’s face, and still, there is no answer. The last thing we want to be told at that time is to “wait.” Yet, David insisted that part of our spiritual journey is learning to wait. David knew firsthand how hard it was to wait on God. He was named King by God but had to run and sleep in caves, running from the armies of Saul. David was brave and courageous repeatedly and waited on God to work things out. He encourages us to do the same. Life is often challenging; we have struggles on all sides. It may seem like God doesn’t care, perhaps like He is not even there, but be encouraged today. You are not alone. God knows your situation. Pray, trust, hope, and wait. Wait patiently for the Lord.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, waiting is so hard sometimes. I confess I get so impatient. Forgive me and help me to focus on Your love and to put my trust in You. Please help me to wait patiently and not to worry. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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You Are A Masterpiece

TODAY’S VERSE
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10

TODAY’S THOUGHT
For every truth, there is a lie waiting to deceive us. Why is it so much easier to believe a lie? Why can doubt have so much impact on belief? A million people can believe the truth, and yet one dissenter will get the nation’s attention. It is that way in the spiritual realm. Paul writes that we are significant. Specifically, “we are God’s masterpiece created to do the good things he planned for us to do” and yet, what do we believe? Don’t we often think we are no good, inferior, damaged goods, and even hopeless? Where did that come from? It didn’t come from God! If we want to change our beliefs, we must renounce the lies. Do it today. Lift up your heart and say it aloud, “I renounce the lie that I am no good, inferior, damaged goods, or hopeless.” My friend, it is time to believe the truth about yourself. You are significant. You are a masterpiece made by God Himself. He absolutely loves you and desires you to accept the love He has for you. Today renounce the lies about yourself and pronounce the truth that “I am God’s masterpiece!”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, my Father. I confess I have believed lies about myself. I renounce these negative thoughts and feelings and command their power over me to be broken in the precious name of Jesus Christ! I choose to accept the truth that You personally created me as a masterpiece to do the good things You have sent me here for. Thank you, dear Father, for giving me significance. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Cry Out To God

TODAY’S VERSE
Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary. – Praise the LORD! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
Psalms 28:2, 7-8

TODAY’S THOUGHT
David knew what it was like to be tormented. He knew the pain that comes with great need. He experienced difficulties that had no escape except by the mercy of an Almighty God. So David cried out to God for help. As David cried out to God, the Lord strengthened and protected him. David trusted God with all his heart, resulting in deep spiritual joy. You see, God did not take David out of his situation. David still faced his problems, but instead of facing his situation alone, he turned to God for strength. God protected David like a shield. Do you have a story similar to David’s? Are there times you need to cry out to God for His mercy? Rest assured, He hears you. You, too, can end up praising God, for He promises He will be your strength. He will be your shield. You can trust Him with your situation. When you do, you will experience the profound joy that can only come from God.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I come to You today asking for Your mercy in my life. Thank You for hearing my cry and offering to be my strength and shield. I accept this promise and put all my trust in You. Thank You that I will not be disappointed. Fill my heart with a deep joy today so I, too will burst out with thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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The Gifts

TODAY’S VERSE
I will ask the Father, and he will give you another counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.
John 14:16

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Can you imagine someone knocking on your door and giving you a hundred-million-dollar check? Think of all you could do with that. How tragic would it be if you thanked the person, closed the door, put the check on your dresser top, and never used it? Never helped anyone, never bettered your situation. Instead, you live a meager existence, paycheck to paycheck, and die a pauper. We would shake our heads and mutter, “What a shame to waste such a resource.” And yet, what must God the Father think of what we have done with the precious gift of His Holy Spirit? Jesus asked the Father to give us a counselor who will never leave us and lead us into all truth, and He has. When we became a child of God, you and I received His Holy Spirit into our lives, and yet we barely know this third part of the Trinity. When have we ever asked the Holy Spirit to fill, guide, or lead us into truth? We have been given spiritual gifts, but do we know what they are or how they work? How much time have we spent contemplating how to cultivate the “fruit of the Spirit” in our life? God has indwelled us with the person of the Holy Spirit. Might we seek to understand more about this treasure that God has given us.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Forgive me for not knowing more about Him. Forgive me for not living in His power. Oh, Holy Spirit, I ask that you would make me conscious of your presence in my life. Teach, guide, fill, and lead me into all truth. I give You control of my life and pray that You would produce Your fruit in my life and activate the spiritual gifts that You have given me. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Joy Will Come

TODAY’S VERSE
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!
Psalms 30:11-12

TODAY’S THOUGHT
We go through seasons. Good times, bad times, times of sorrow, and times of joy. I went through a season of depression, and this passage from Psalms brought me comfort many times. I identified with David when he wrote, “I cried out to you, O Lord. I begged the Lord for mercy.” I knew that God knew what I was going through, so I claimed that He would turn my mourning into joyful dancing. I took solace when David wrote, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” I am thankful that the Lord brought me to the other side through time, prayer, and counseling. What are you mourning? What has broken your heart? What have you depressed or distraught? Bring it to Him today. I would not trifle with your sorrow. I would not minimize your pain. I only come today to offer you hope. Only God can turn your mourning into dancing. That may seem so far from where you are, but it is not too far for God. The light slowly penetrates the back of a dark cave. The sound of laughter at camp seems so faint when you are in the back side of the forest. But press forward. Move toward joy. Know this; there is light for you. There will be a joy for you in the morning. I pray that God’s grace will fill you with this truth and complete your healing process.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, I don’t even know how to pray for my sorrow. I don’t know how to release the deep pain I feel. I come today crying out for Your mercy. I thank You that weeping may last into the night, but joy will come in the morning. Holy Spirit, I give You my heart; mend it, bring it back to life with Your breath of love. Please begin a process in me to turn my mourning into dancing. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Fulfill Your Purpose

TODAY’S VERSE
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
II Thessalonians 1:11-12

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Did anyone ever ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Or have you ever taken a test to help you determine your passions and purpose in life? You could spend your whole life trying to find your purpose, that perfect job, or the fulfillment of your childhood dream and never come close to what Paul was praying for the Christians in Thessalonica. What a magnificent prayer. The good news is that you can pray the same thing for yourself. God has called you to serve Him, and you can pray with Paul “that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.” Can you imagine that? You see, this is God’s genuine desire for you to use His power to help you fulfill every good purpose of yours. The result is that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in your life! So, what good purpose do you have today? What act prompted by your faith will you engage in today? Might God empower you by His grace to do all He has called you to this day so that He will be glorified.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I thank You that You can fulfill every good purpose of mine and every act prompted by my faith! What an exciting thought. Please help me understand what this really means in my life. Help me not to waste this precious life You have given me. Might I live it today for Your glory. In Jesus’name.
AMEN

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