I Am To Blame

TODAY’S VERSE
Who is to blame for Israel’s rebellion? Samaria, its capital city! Where is the center of idolatry in Judah? In Jerusalem, its capital!
Micah 1:5

TODAY’S THOUGHT
God’s chosen people, the Jews, had divided into two nations. Most of the twelve tribes went North and called themselves Israel. Their capital was the city of Samaria. Those left were in the South and called themselves Judah. Their capital was Jerusalem. God was trying to call the people back to Himself through His prophets. Micah comes and says, “The Sovereign LORD is making accusations against you.” Next, he explains all the bad things God will do to them. He then asks, “Who is to blame for the rebellion that Israel is doing?” and “Where is the center of idolatry?” What makes this passage so significant is not the questions but the answer. The people living in the capital cities were responsible for the spiritual bankruptcy of the nation. Those who should be the closest to the Lord were rebelling against the Lord and practicing idolatry. This should serve us notice lest we think we are any better. Only through reading God’s word, keeping close to Him in prayer, and surrendering to the guidance of the Holy Spirit can we have any chance of living the life that He wants us to. Today commit yourself to God. Repent of any rebellion toward Him. Put away your “idols,” anything in your life that you put above your allegiance to God.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I confess that I have been the one that has stumbled. I am to blame for rebelling against You. I have ignored my relationship with You. I have made other things in my life more of a God to me than You. Forgive me. Today, I choose to follow You. Today I put away those things that cause me to stray and commit myself to following You. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Choose Joy

TODAY’S VERSE
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
I remember years ago reading a book that deeply touched me. It was called Happiness is a Choice! We are often tempted to think that joy results from our circumstances. However, the premise of Happiness Is A Choice is that we don’t have to be subject to all the variables around us. We can choose to be happy. We can choose joy. Webster defines joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.” As Christians, we can agree with the first part. Our joy does come from a deep sense of well-being. However, unlike the rest of the definition, our joy is not dependent on success, good fortune, or prospect of possessions. Instead, our joy is an emotion that is evoked by faith in a God that loves us—a God who is there and knows our circumstances. Nehemiah tells us that the joy that comes from God is an excellent source of strength. Paul takes our joy to a new level and says, “No matter what happens, we should be joyful.” He says we should “Always be full of joy in the Lord.” He meant it so much that he repeated it for emphasis when he wrote, “I say it again – rejoice.” I mean no disrespect for those in the midst of grief. I understand that joy might be the farthest thing from your mind. However, Paul wrote this letter from prison while no doubt remembering when he was chained in dungeon in Philippi. While singing and praising God in their cell, their chains fell off, and the jailer and family became Christians. He no doubt counted on what he wrote in Romans, “Nothing can separate us from the love of God!” What are you facing today? What circumstances do you find yourself in? It doesn’t matter; you can choose joy! If you are struggling and unsure how to be joyful, ask God to supernaturally open your eyes to who He is and give you a joyful heart. He will.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, fill me with joy from the top of my head to the depth of my soul. Help me rejoice today, dear God, in who You are and that I am Your child. Help me rejoice that all my sins are forgiven, that You know me personally and love me unconditionally. I can have hope in you. Today, Lord, I choose joy! In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Strength In Our Inner Being

TODAY’S VERSE
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
Ephesians 3:16

TODAY’S THOUGHT
We are complicated creatures. We think and communicate on many different levels. Our thinking combines many drives, emotions, assumptions, beliefs, instincts, and memories, creating a labyrinth of inner voices. We can be talking to someone and simultaneously have an internal dialog going on. We are so much more than what comes out of our mouths. This is our inner being. Paul knew about this. He was a man who experienced the battles that war on the inside. That is why he prayed that God would strengthen us. Paul knew if you and I were to have any real spiritual life with God, we would need God’s strength in the person of the Spirit to reside in us and to help us. Paul prayed that God would strengthen us with power through His Spirit. Imagine the God who created the universe’s divine order wants to do the same in our inner being. He wants to produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control so that what goes on inside our minds is congruent with what goes on in our life. Today, make God the Lord of your inner being. Give Him all the inner turmoil, confusion, struggles, strife, fears, and pain, and ask Him to take control and strengthen you with His power through His Holy Spirit.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, You know my inner being. You understand me better than I do. I need Your strength to help me live how You want me to. I pray that today, through Your power, You would produce Your spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in my inner being. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Rejoice

TODAY’S VERSE
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

TODAY’S THOUGHT
“Happiness is a choice.” This was a title of a book that helped change my life. The “aha” came when I realized my worry, fear, and sadness were a habit. I knew that a habit could be broken, and a new practice could take its place. So, it was very exciting to consider that the happiness habit could replace all the other negative thinking habits I had been practicing. To help me start the day with the tradition of “happiness,” I would get up and quote today’s verse out loud: “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” That simple habit allowed me to focus and begin a string of thoughts leading to a more joyful outlook on life. It helped me energize faith before pessimistic thinking could take root in my morning. How about you? Is happiness the choice that you have made today? If not, it is not too late. Happiness, joy, peace, and faith can be yours today. God has provided it; you need to choose it. This is the day the LORD has made; go ahead, rejoice, and be glad in it.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, today I choose happiness, joy, peace, and faith. Thank You that this is a day that You have made; please help me to rejoice today and be glad in it. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Never Forsaken

TODAY’S VERSE
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

TODAY’S THOUGHT
One of the first things they teach you in marriage communications is to stay away from using emotionally fatalistic words like “never” or “always,” as in, “You never help around here!” or “You always waste money.” It is scarce that human behavior is “always” or “never.” But what about God? The Bible makes it clear that His ways are not our ways. Romans 3:4 says, “Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true!” Now consider today’s verse in light of the fact that God does not lie. Moses tells us to be strong and courageous and not afraid. Why all the optimism? Why the courage? Because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” God Himself has said to you and me, “Never.” Never. NEVER! Let it sink in – He will never leave you or forsake you! Today, right now, let this fact change your day. Let it reshape your emotions. Let it precede all your decisions. He will never leave you or forsake you.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I wander through most days with so much apathy and doubt. I live as if You half exist. Forgive me. Please help me be strong and courageous. Help me grasp what it means: You will never leave or forsake me. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Amazing Grace

TODAY’S VERSE
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
II Corinthians 12:9

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Troubles happen. There are so many variables in life. It is good to have dreams, make plans and choose paths; however, you and I know that things don’t always go the way we plan. What do we do when things seem to get all messed up? We’ve asked for wisdom, for guidance, but now it calls for something more. Something extraordinary. It calls for grace. Grace is that unmerited divine favor from God. This love and blessing from God is not based on our merit but because of what Christ has done for us. Grace is given to us out of the kindness and love of God. In today’s verse, this grace is available for our daily living. Paul kept asking God to move in specific directions; however, nothing was going right. God had to say, “No!” It was not the direction He had for Paul. Instead, God was saying, “Paul, you are going to have to trust me; but don’t worry, my grace, my intervention in your life is going to get you through.” This is what hope is about. This is what faith is based on. This is the reality of our walk with Christ. No matter what we go through, God promises His grace is all we need!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for lavishly pouring Your grace into my life. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient for all my needs. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Living On Purpose

TODAY’S VERSE
I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.
Genesis 45:4-8

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Joseph had a dream that God had a purpose for him to fulfill. In it, his family was bowing down to him. It was a purpose apparently with significance. His brothers were jealous of Joseph and, in a rage, sold him into slavery. He worked as an enslaved person, and later, when falsely accused of a crime, he went to prison, but everywhere he went, God favored him. He believed that God had a purpose for him, and this deep belief carried him through each day. Finally, at the story’s end, God restored Joseph to power under Pharoah and led him to store grain for an upcoming famine. As a result, when the famine came, Egypt was able to survive. Hearing that there was grain in Egypt, his brothers went to buy some. It was here that they were reunited with Joseph. When Joseph revealed himself, they were horrified. Joseph shared with them the key to his success, survival, and extraordinary life. He believed that God was in charge and had a purpose for him. He said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” What about you? God has a purpose for you. Will you live on purpose for Him?

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I thank You that You have a divine purpose for my life. I ask You to guide me in the direction of that purpose. Please help me have the faith that Joseph did in trusting that you had a purpose for him when the times were good and bad. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Delight and Desires

TODAY’S VERSE
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 37:4

TODAY’S THOUGHT
God cares about our plans and desires. He cares about our dreams and aspirations. David knew this and prayed that God would grant our heart’s desires and make all our plans succeed. But he also knew we are fickle, immature, and often unspiritual. Can you imagine God granting every selfish and immature desire we have had? What would happen if God allowed our envious, jealous, and lustful desires to come true? What about vengeance, isn’t that a desire of the heart? That is why in today’s verse, we read the “rest of the story.” David says that our first goal should be to delight ourselves in the Lord, then we will get the desire of our heart. What he was implying was, if we truly love God our desires will line up with His. So today, start to delight in God. Really delight in Him. Love Him, get to know Him, worship Him. Start to delight in what He thinks and desires for your life. If you do, you will align your desires with His, and He will give them to you.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, help me delight in You today. Might You be my source of joy, passion, and purpose. Help my plans and desires line up with Your goals for my life. I commit my life to You and trust You to guide me daily. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Bring Your Burdens

TODAY’S VERSE
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Some days are harder than others. There are so many things that can get us down. Long hours at work, strained relationships, financial difficulties, medical conditions, emotional stress, and family responsibilities are just a few of the pressures that can overburden us. Jesus knew the human condition. All around Him was human suffering. He worked tirelessly to help those that were sick and oppressed. More importantly, He left behind a system to replace His efforts and to expand His influence. He gave us the Holy Spirit to indwell, guide, and comfort us. He gave us the church for fellowship, teaching, and helping us. Plus, Jesus, Himself, intercedes for us with the Father. So when Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest,” He meant it. What burden do you have? What is weighing you down? Bring it to Jesus. He will comfort you, guide you; He will give you rest.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, I bring You my burdens. You know my situation. I cannot make it without You. Comfort my heart today. Please guide me. Please give me strength. Help me carry on. I give You my burdens; please give me Your rest. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Faith, Love, and Hope

TODAY’S VERSE
We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
I Thessalonians 1:2-3

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Christianity is more than a belief system; it is a way of life, a tour of duty. When we became Christian, we enlisted in the service of Jesus Christ. There is a spiritual battle in the world. Poverty, injustice, abuse, and hatred are all part of the human suffering around us. Depression, divorce, drug abuse, and psychosomatic disease are epidemics. In this world, God has created us to be His ambassadors of love, like the church in Thessalonica. Their seriousness and dedication blew Paul away. He thanked God for their faith, love, and hope and prayed for them. But it wasn’t what we would consider “faith, love, and hope.” Listen to what Paul wrote. He said, “your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope.” When was the last time we did something worthy of faith in a mighty working God? When did we labor in love? When have we had to endure hanging on to nothing else but hope? That is what it is to serve Jesus. You take responsibility seriously. You involve yourself in the life of others. You step out, way over your head, and know that only faith in God can get results. You take on situations that try your love beyond reason. It is hard, hard work. And when nothing else seems to be working, God comes through, and you are inspired to get up and do it all again because there is hope. We live in a hurting world. We have the answer. May we follow the example of the Thessalonians.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, give me faith to live for You today. Help me love today the way You want me to. Fill my heart with hope so it spills over onto everyone I encounter. Lead me on, dear Jesus.
AMEN

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