Encouragement

TODAY’S VERSE
So encourage each other and build each other up.
I Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
It is so easy to get up and begin our day all self-indulgent. After all, we have responsibilities, deadlines, and pressures. Not to mention the difficulties, struggles, and concerns we have. Life is hard, so it is every person for themselves. But that is not the way of Christ. Paul wrote, “Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” Christ thought of others. Even on the Cross, He encouraged the man on the cross next to Him. Likewise, we have a calling. A calling to encourage others. To get out of our self and think of the needs of those around us. People need hope. Who will you encourage today?

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, help me think of others more than I do myself. Help me love. Help me be an encourager. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Your source of joy

TODAY’S VERSE
There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy.
Psalms 43:4 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Joy is the great equalizer. It is what our soul strives for, that spiritual homeostasis that keeps life in balance. But joy isn’t something we can conjure up by ourselves. Deep, rich joy comes from a loving relationship with God. When we find ourselves out of sorts, when our emotions seem to be at the edge, it is our relationship with God that bring us back to joy. The Psalmist knew where his joy came from. That is why he wrote that he went to the altar of God, and through praise, worship, and prayers, he found the source of all his joy. Jesus knew this too. When people came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” He replied, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” Jesus said that because it was the right moral choice, but I believe He also knew that it was the best solution to all that bothers us as human beings. He knew that our heart, mind, and soul is the true altar of God. Knowing God with our heart, mind, and soul is our true source of joy.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, how I long to know You in deep and personal ways. Help me worship You at the altar of my heart, mind, and soul, for You are the source of all my joy.
AMEN

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God loves you

TODAY’S VERSE
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
It is one thing to think of how we should devote our lives to God. It is another to think of how God devotes His life to us! Zephaniah was telling a broken and disheartened people not to despair, not to worry, for God cares for them. He told them that God was in their midst and that He was mighty to save them. Then Zephaniah painted a word picture that would fill them with joy. He told them that God Himself rejoiced over each and every one of them. That God personally would quiet their hearts with His love and that when it is all said and done, if they would listen, that they could hear Almighty God praising each of them with singing. What a picture. What a reality. Today, know that God loves you, He rejoices over you with gladness and He is singing praises all about the love He has for you.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, how my heart rejoices in knowing that You care so much for me. How can I even begin to fathom it? Today, dear Lord, open my eyes that I can truly see the love You have for me.
AMEN

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Do Good To Others

TODAY’S VERSE
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
Proverbs 3:27 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
How serious God takes our benevolence. We are His chosen representatives. We act in this world on His behalf. How then can we take the principles of the God who is love and not obey them? How can we withhold good from those in need if it is in our power to help them? In Jewish law, the Israelites were told not to be tightfisted. In the book of James, the author tells Christians that if someone comes to us naked and hungry and we say to them, “God bless you, be fed be clothed” and do nothing to help them, how can the love of God be in us? There are all kinds of hurts and needs, and so many people all around us suffer from one kind or another. All it takes is a little time and some empathy, and we will find more people to help than we ever imagined. Today, let the Spirit of God lead you to someone in need. When He does, do whatever is in your power to help them.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, I thank You that You have called me to be like You, a lover of people. Help me see others through Your eyes, and then give me the strength and grace to do all I can to help them.
AMEN

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Press on

TODAY’S VERSE
I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.
Philippians 3:13

TODAY’S THOUGHT
It is easy to get stuck in the past. We waste so much energy thinking about the good old days and wishing it was here again. In some cases, we lament what has happened in the past and color our view of the future. This past year has been one of the most challenging years many of us have had. We look forward to midnight tonight and say good riddance. Paul says that we need to forget the past, let it go. Sure we can learn from it, but we don’t have to relive it. The past doesn’t have to define us. Paul next says that we are to look forward to what lies ahead. The word look forward means to reach for, to grasp, to press on. I like the concept of pressing on. So many times, we daydream of the future, we wish for a better tomorrow, but tomorrow never comes. The idea of pressing on means we live our future one day at a time. We get through this day and then on to the next. The cumulation of the days is our future. God is the God of new beginnings. He is the God of hope. As we end 2020, we can look forward to 2021 with God’s promise that He is with us; He will never leave us or forsake us. Today, we don’t have to get stuck in the past. Instead, by faith and with joyful anticipation, we can look forward to what is ahead.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, as I sit here on the brink of a new year, I commit myself to You. I look forward to what lies ahead with joyful anticipation and entrust myself to You. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

HAPPY NEW YEAR
Thank you for your participation with Moment In The Word this year. I trust that the daily devotion was of some comfort and encouragement during these uncertain times.
May God bless each of us as we approach this new year with faith, hope and trust in God and His love for us.

Ron Ovitt
Moment In The Word

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Unfailing Love

TODAY’S VERSE
Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD. The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
Psalms 25:7-8 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
How merciful God is. He could look at our behavior and condemn us. He could read our minds and reject us. He could exact a thousand different punishments for all that we have done. Instead, He has chosen to see us through the eyes of His unfailing love. It is so hard to imagine what that means. It is so foreign to the way we operate. We hold grudges, seek revenge, or at least try to get even. But not God. He does not give up on us. He sees us desperately in need of His grace. And even when we are unlovely, thoroughly lost because of our willful disobedience, He shows us the way back. What makes this so tragic is that we don’t believe it. We still think we need to wear the mask of our false self. You know, the self that thinks it earns God’s approval. The self that tries to please God through vain attempts at righteousness. Today throw the mask away. You don’t need it. God sees you through His unfailing love, and He loves what He sees. Today accept His love and let Him direct your path.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your unfailing love. Thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for showing me the proper path to go on when I go astray. Guide me and direct me today. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Living love

TODAY’S VERSE
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:10 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Paul starts Romans 12 by telling us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. Then he shares how we can do it. We serve God sacrificially by loving one another. It is the Christian trademark. It is the distinguishing call of Jesus to all His disciples. If we follow Jesus, then we must be devoted to one another in brotherly love. This is a love that puts others above ourselves. It is this form of community that the world is looking for. It is this kind of love that completes us as human beings. This unconditional love that we offer each other allows us to mature into the type of people God has called us to be. Praise God that you have been called into this wonderful fraternity called His church. Bless God that you can be part of a fellowship where you love each other dearly, putting the needs of each other above your own. Today follow Jesus, devoting yourself to loving others.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I thank You for Your love for me. Thank You that You have called me to the same kind of love. Help me devote myself to others around me. Help me honor others above myself. Help me love like You do.
AMEN

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In His Love

TODAY’S VERSE
I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my 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)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
This is one of the most passionate speeches Jesus Christ ever made. He is before His disciples and encourages them to “abide” in Him. He uses the illustration of a vine and a branch. The branch is alive because it is connected to the vine. The vine is the source of life, and as long as the branch “abides” or “remains” connected to the vine, it will thrive. Jesus wanted the same for us. He comes and assures us, “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.” How wonderful is this? Jesus loves us in the same way that God, the Father, loved Him. What a supernatural love, and it is ours. And what does Jesus ask of us? He asks that we remain in His love. Jesus is saying, “I love you just like God the Father loves me, and I want you to enjoy, bask in and take advantage of all the love I have for you!” No wonder He said that our joy would overflow. Today, remain in the awareness of His love.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Jesus, thank You for Your love. I realize that You are the vine, and I am a branch. Today, help me remain in You. Help me recognize all the love I have from my connection with You. Fill me with Your joy.
AMEN

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Joy

TODAY’S VERSE
I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. – I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”
John 15:9-12 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
We were born for joy! So often we think joy is the result of our circumstances. If we behave, if we are lucky, if everything works out right, there will be joy. But joy goes much deeper than that. Events and circumstances can make us happy or sad, but can they give us true long-lasting joy? The kind of joy that isn’t dependent on what we do? No. But Jesus can. Listen to the words that He says to you, “I have loved you like my Father loves me.” And that love was from the time He chose to create you—unconditional, irrevocable, love from God Himself. Today, let the thought of God’s love poured out for you on the cross of Calvary bring wonder. Let the image of almighty God looking at you with pleasure, love, and acceptance warm your heart. Hear the words of Jesus, “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy!” Today, let His joy overflow in your heart.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, overflow my heart with Your joy. The joy that comes from knowing that You love me. From believing that there is nothing, I could ever do to earn or lose your love. You love me because You choose to. It is finished, and I am left with deep, deep joy.
AMEN

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Chosen By God

TODAY’S VERSE
And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:6 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
I never tire of hearing the word “called.” There are many things that I would choose in life. But how many choose me? What about you? How many times have you waited to see if your name was on a list? Have you ever had to wait to see if you would be picked to play a game in gym class? There are many things you and I think we need to do in order to please God, but instead, God beats us to it and accepts us first. God has called us to belong to Him. This is it. The big “it” that all of mankind is starving for. Our calling to follow Him is the essence of our purpose and being in this world. Make no mistake; God has called your name. Today, follow Him.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for giving me life. Thank You for calling me to yourself. Thank You for giving me purpose and meaning. Help me live each day for You.
AMEN

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