Hang On

TODAY’S VERSE
The testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:3-4 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
When we can’t, God can. This is the mystery. There is something about God’s timing. Just when you think you can’t make it one more step, He gives you the strength. Just when you can’t understand, He gives wisdom. How? James tells us how. He finishes today’s verse by writing, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” God gives the wisdom we need. He provides the strength. He gives the ability to hang on. And as a result, our perseverance finishes its work, helping us mature in Christ. That is why Paul could share his testimony, writing, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” Today, might the same be true for you.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, help me today to persevere. Help me hang on. Give me the wisdom I need so even in my weakness; I can be strong in You. Thank You, Father.
AMEN

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A Renewed Life

TODAY’S VERSE
Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Romans 6:4 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
A new life. What would that be like? A do-over. A get out of jail free card. What if you really could begin again? What would change? What would you do differently? It seems so impossible, but Christ came to give us a new life. Jesus Himself used the word “born again” when describing those who decide to follow Him. Paul talks about how he could make it through all his struggles because his inner self was renewed day by day. God knew us from the beginning of time and created us for His purposes, and though our life may seem like one mistake after another, one wrong turn followed by another, God can change everything. This same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead is the power He wants to use in helping you begin to live a renewed life. Today, come to Him. Surrender and ask Him to help you start afresh. He will. He will hear your prayer and give you a new chance you have been looking for. His love for you is boundless. His promise is sure. He promises that He will not reject your plea if you come to Him with a broken and repentant heart.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I need a new start. I ask, dear Lord, that You use that same power that You used to raise Jesus from the dead to help me give a renewed life. I surrender to You and ask for Your help today. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Remain In Him

TODAY’S VERSE
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Christianity is a way of life. It is so much more than church on Sunday and a few “quiet times.” God cares about our every moment. Our emotions, our thoughts, our actions. In his book, “Walking With God,” John Eldredge writes that our heart is central to the Christian life and that we are invited into a conversational intimacy with God. This is what Jesus was talking about. We remain in Him with our heart, not just our head. He remains in us as we are involved with Him in intimate conversation. It is a deep relationship, one that demands that we focus on Him. He is there. And as we remain in Him and He remains in us, we will produce the spiritual fruit we were born to produce. Today remember what Jesus said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Jesus, I realize that apart from You, I can do nothing. Forgive me for cutting myself off from the deep intimacy that You desire. Revive my heart, I pray. Bring life back to my soul and help me remain in You. In Your matchless name, I pray.
AMEN

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Amazing Grace

TODAY’S VERSE
I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
Psalms 73:22-24 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
How true is the first part of this passage? And yet, as true as the fact that we behave foolishly and ignorant before God, like senseless animals, so is the fact that nothing can separate us from His love. We are still His. Even in our vilest condition we belong to Him and He extends His hand toward us. This is love. This is God’s love. It is so vast, so great that we could never fully comprehend it. It would be easier to explain when the end of eternity is, than to fully understand the love God has for us. Yet Paul asks God to, “give us the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.” So, even though we are reminded over and over again how foolish we have been, don’t stop there. Also remember that you will always belong to Him and nothing can separate you from His love! He will continue to love you and guide you with His counsel. Praise be to God for His marvelous grace!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, how foolish and ignorant I have been before You. I have sinned over and over again. And yet, Your love for me, your matchless grace, and utter forgiveness has been unbelievable. I thank You for accepting me and continuing to guide and direct my paths.
AMEN

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A Hard Heart

TODAY’S VERSE
He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts.
Mark 3:5 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
The Pharisees, who thought they were so close to God because of their ability to follow the letter of the law, failed to acknowledge and teach about God’s grace, and it angered Jesus. It angered Him that the Pharisees thought God cared more about the law than love, mercy, and grace. But what grieves me is that we see that Christ’s anger soon turns to sadness. Sadness over how far we can stray from His love. Sadness that we can become blinded to the truth of His grace and allow our hearts to become hardened by traditions and religion. How hard is your heart? Do you know that God loves you, deeply cares for you? Are you rejoicing in the grace He has for you? Do you enjoy a deep fellowship with Him? Or has your heart been hardened? Today, come to God and let His love and grace soften your heart.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I have let so many things come between You and me. I have allowed my heart to harden toward You. Forgive me. I come now and ask You to soften my heart again. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Unbelief

TODAY’S VERSE
Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.
Mark 6:51-52 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Why is it so hard to believe? What is it about the supernatural that makes us so skeptical? Why is it we can experience a miracle one minute and doubt if God will help us in the next? The disciples had seen Jesus heal countless numbers of people. He just finished feeding thousands of people from a few loafs of bread and fish. And yet, when they were in a battle for their life on the sea, they are shocked that Jesus could (or perhaps would) stop the raging sea. When explaining this mystery Mark simply says that “Their hearts were too hard to take it in.” And therein lays the problem – their hearts, their felt beliefs, their deep-down gut-level feeling that things will be okay were not softened by a relational belief system. Their hearts didn’t know Jesus. They may have seen His power, but they did not see His heart! They weren’t convinced of His love for them. And neither are we. If we were, we would react differently to the storms we encounter. Instead, we too doubt, cower in fear or lash out in anger, all reactions to our confusion over who He is and what He wants to do. The good news is that today we can change that. We can begin to know Jesus better by spending time with Him. As we get to know His heart better, we will find ours start to soften.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help me to know You better. I want to know Your heart, motives, and wisdom. Help me trust You in everything that comes my way.
AMEN

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Don’t Miss The Party

TODAY’S VERSE
“His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.”
Luke 15:21-24 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Shame can keep us from the party. Jesus told a story about a young man who leaves home, disgracing his family and squandering all his inheritance. The young man ended up with no friends, no family, and no future. He is feeding pigs for a farmer and is tempted to eat the pig’s food. Full of shame, he decides to go home. In his shame, he rehearses his remorse to give to his father in the form of a speech. He heads home, but when his dad sees him way off in the distance, the father runs toward him. Now shame kept the son from running toward the father. Shame kept him from embracing him. Shame gave a speech of defeat and disownment. Had shame had its way, the son would have become a servant. But the grace of the Father gave the son a robe. Grace put a ring on his finger. Grace put sandals on his feet. Grace gave him back his honor again. Grace threw a party. The son could not refuse his father’s grace. Don’t let shame rob you of your Father’s grace. Every day God has a party just for you. Isn’t it time you went?

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your grace. Thank You for rejoicing over me. Forgive me for not celebrating. Forgive me for being so wrapped up in myself. Today, I accept Your loving grace and forgiveness. Today, I come to the party You are having for me.
AMEN

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More Than Coping

TODAY’S VERSE
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
II Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
So many times, I feel a deep need in my heart. It’s like a tugging or anxiousness. Sometimes it is like a tightness in my neck or shallow breathing. Other times, I give out a deep sigh. If I stop to reflect, I may be able to get in touch with the thoughts and feelings going through my mind. Then, I could apply today’s verse to my situation. But instead of seeking comfort from God, I choose to cope or escape into other things. Isn’t this at the root of lust, cravings, or our drive for success? Isn’t this why we tend to procrastinate, over compensate, or just vegetate? We want comfort. We want to know that we are okay, loved, and will never be abandoned. We want that feeling that all is well and people are happy to be with me. And so we search, seek, and try to find comfort in all the wrong places. But Praise God, Paul gives us hope. He asks God to provide us with what we so desperately need. Receive Paul’s answer for anxiety today. “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.” Today receive His incredible comfort and strength deep into your inner being.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I cannot find real comfort on my own. I cannot find the strength I need in myself or the other substitutes I use. I need You. I need Your comfort and strength. Come, oh Lord, and comfort my soul. In Jesus’ name I pray.
AMEN

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Revive Me

TODAY’S VERSE
The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living.
Psalms 19:7-8 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
What if I told you there was a way to revive your soul, to make you wise, to bring joy to your heart, and to give you insight for living your life? Would you be interested? David tells us that there is a way to receive all the above and even more. How? By reading and living according to God’s word. His word is wise, trustworthy, true, and speaks to us in profound and meaningful ways. Today, spend time in the scriptures. Come to God and listen to what He has to say. It will revive your soul.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, revive my soul. Feed me through Your word. Give me deep joy and clear guidance. I come, dear Lord, so speak to my heart. I want to hear You.
AMEN

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Forgiveness

Forgiveness

TODAY’S VERSE
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
I John 1:8-9 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Sometimes it is so hard to deal with our inconsistencies. You know those times we stumble, do the things we shouldn’t, and then kick ourselves. Thank God there is a better way to handle our “wrongdoing.” The secret is to stop when we have a moment of sanity. When the Holy Spirit convicts us, we need to confess to God and acknowledge our wrongdoing. “Father, I was wrong, forgive me!” Next, we need to repent, that is, to make up our mind that with God’s grace we will stop. Finally, we need to renew our commitment and make steps toward correcting our behavior. Jude says that we can put our confidence in God’s help. He writes, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” Yes, we have sinned, but God has forgiven and cleansed us from all wrongdoing. Today, accept God’s grace and forgiveness and live in victory and freedom.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, forgive me for those sins that so easily trip me up. I confess my wrongdoing. Help me, Lord. Keep me from falling. Cleanse my heart as I renew my commitment to You.
AMEN

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