Trust God In The Darkness

TODAY’S VERSE
I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.
Psalms 139:7-12

TODAY’S THOUGHT
There is a difference between trusting God when things are going well and when everything seems wrong. It can get so difficult. Sometimes we just end up in the dark. However, we are reminded by Isaiah that we can trust God in the darkness. Isaiah says, “Without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God.” David shares that we can never be anywhere that God is not present. He says that the night shines as bright as day to God and that darkness and light are the same to him. Robert M. Cheyne wrote, “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies! Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for you.” Neil Anderson has written many books on our spiritual battle, and in his book Praying By the Power of the Spirit writes about his own time in darkness. He had to lean on his faith. He had to choose to “never doubt in darkness what God has shown me in the light.” Where are you today? Are you in the light? Praise God, soak it in. Be thankful; learn at the feet of Christ, so you will have plenty to guide you in the dark. Are you in the dark today? Stop for a moment. Quiet yourself. Listen for His voice. He is there with you. You are not alone in the darkness. Wait on Him. Light will come in the morning!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, it is so hard in the darkness. Thank You that nothing can separate me from Your love. Even here in the dark You are with me. Help me to trust You. Help me not to doubt in the dark what you have shown me to be true in the light. Thank You, Lord, that even this will pass; light will come in the morning.
In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Search My Heart

TODAY’S VERSE
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalms 139:23-24 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
The Bible says David “was a man after God’s heart.” What a tribute. Contrary to what we might think, this was not because David was perfect. He knew how easily he could fall into sin. He remembered how God had to wake him up from an immoral stupor through the rebuke of Nathan, the Prophet. If anyone could have created the slogan “No perfect people allowed,” it was David. David had to give up the “perception of perfection” in order to renew a close relationship with God. When God convicted David of wrongdoing, David repented, asking God to be merciful. To stay in a close relationship with God, David decided to allow God to speak to him about his behavior. He prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” How about you? Do you feel far from God? Who moved? What is stopping you from coming back? Is it pride? Is it anger? Is it the false notion that you don’t need to? Let us join David in becoming a person after God’s heart, not through the mistaken ambition of perfection, but through the daily, honest, and open relationship with God that allows Him to search us, point out what we are doing wrong, and then lead us along the path of following Him.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I come to you today and pray what David prayed so long ago, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
AMEN

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Inner Strength

TODAY’S VERSE
I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
Ephesians 3:14-16 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
I love the prayers that Paul prayed. His prayers give great insight into the will of God for His children. I believe that Paul models what we can pray for ourselves in his prayers. So, what is Paul saying we can ask God for in this prayer? According to Paul, we can ask God to empower us with inner strength from His unlimited resources! Inner strength. What would it feel like to be empowered with inner strength? How would that change your day today? If you had inner strength, what would you do differently? I believe God wants to give you strength, and He certainly has the resources to do it. Do you have the faith to ask? Why not join Paul and ask God to use His glorious, unlimited resources to empower you with inner strength today.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, Creator of everything in heaven and on earth, I pray today that from your glorious, unlimited resources, You would empower me with inner strength through Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Let’s Make A Deal

TODAY’S VERSE
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6

TODAY’S THOUGHT
When it comes to seeking God’s will, we often fall into the role of Monty Hall on the old TV game show, “Let’s Make a Deal.” In his book, The Pressures Off, Larry Crabb shares how we try to negotiate the Lord’s will. He writes, “You negotiate; you do not worship. You analyze and interpret to gain control over what happens; you do not depend. You seek the “better life” of God’s blessing over the “better hope” of God’s presence.” His advice was, “Seek only the blessing of His presence, and you’ll know what to do.” David says that the secret to God’s will is to trust Him with all our heart and seek His will in all we do. When we do, David says God will show us what to do. Larry Crabb in his book The PAPA Prayer writes, “Know God so well that the deepest desire of His heart actually becomes the deepest desire of ours. That frees us to ask God for what we really want with the confidence that He’ll move heaven and earth to grant our requests, because what we want now matches what He wants.” We don’t need to make a deal with God. We don’t need to try to balance a scale to get our way. We need to know Him. We need to spend time in His presence. As we do, He will direct us; He will guide our path.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I confess I have sought Your blessings more than I have sought You. I have spent time seeking Your favor more than Your presence. Lord, I want to know You. I want to seek You with all my heart. Please show me how. Please draw me to Yourself through the power and love of Your Holy Spirit. Dear God, be the Lord of my life, mind, and will. I want only You. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Does It Get Any Better Than This?

TODAY’S VERSE

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.
Psalms 143:8,10

TODAY’S THOUGHT
There is something about an isolated sandy beach along the ocean. Sitting on the sand, listening to the ocean waves hit the shore. Sun is caressing your face. A gentle breeze is awakening your skin. Birds chirping in the background. Does it get any better than this? Well, yes! David talks about a place that is much more satisfying. A place where the warmth of the sun pales in comparison. It is where the sound of the ocean is replaced with the whisper of God. Where the mighty wind of the Holy Spirit overshadows the gentle breeze. This place David is talking about is the very presence of God. He is sharing about his time with God in the morning. “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning” he writes. He shares about hearing God’s voice, sensing His love, learning His will, trusting His word, and being led in which way to go. It doesn’t get any better than this! This can be your experience today. You don’t need to drive anywhere, apply sunscreen, or walk barefoot on a hot sandy beach. You just need to be available. Call on God even now. Pray David’s prayer, and might you return to this peaceful place again and again.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I trust you. Please show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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God Is My Friend

TODAY’S VERSE
Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
John 15:13-15

TODAY’S THOUGHT
It is an incredible concept that a God who created all the expanse of space; designed the most complicated systems; is beyond time and space; would create us, not as some impersonal piece of matter, but as a friend. A friend! We are fortunate if we go through life with four or five good friends. Jesus called His disciples friends. Why? Because He spent time with them. He knew them. He wants to do the same with us. If we are going to be a friend of God, then we must build a relationship. That doesn’t happen by just going to church. It doesn’t come by reciting creeds, as good as they are. It doesn’t come from reading about God, although this certainly gives us context. It doesn’t come by only reading the Bible, although this is an indispensable part of relating to God. Friendship with God comes from spending time with Him. It comes through conversation with Him. It comes through an exchange of feelings, thoughts, concerns, and aspirations. Try today to carve out some time to be alone with God. Share with Him; tell Him you want His friendship. Listen to Him, wait for Him, and enjoy His presence.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I know about You. I pray to you, but I must admit, I don’t know You well. I know in my head that You love me, but I haven’t sensed a friendship with You in my heart. I want to be Your friend. I want to know You in a much deeper and more personal way. Guide me into a friendship with You, I pray. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Be Strong In The Lord

TODAY’S VERSE
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10

TODAY’S THOUGHT
We need strength. So many circumstances in life bring us to our knees – suffering with chronic pain, struggling to pay the bills, arguing with teenage children, feeling discouraged about our job, or rocking from a ruined relationship. All of us have a story. None of us goes unscathed. But we do not have to bear our sorrows all alone and afraid. We don’t have to be helpless victims. Instead, Paul ends Ephesians with this word, “Finally, be strong.” Being strong is having a resilient attitude, a hopeful spirit, and a resolve never to give up, to fight and to hang on. But how do we do this? How can we get the strength we need? Listen to how Paul finishes his verse. “Be strong in the LORD and in His mighty strength.” What a difference a few words can make. We can be strong in His strength. His strength is mighty. And today, His strength is your strength. God will carry you Like a child in the strength of his father’s arms. Today, be strong, but not in yourself. Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, You told me to be strong, however, I have tried to be strong in my power, not Yours. I confess that I need Your power. I cannot live the life You want me to by myself. Please forgive me and help me be strong in You. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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The Greatest Commandment

TODAY’S VERSE
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Matthew 22:36-38

TODAY’S THOUGHT
It is so easy to stay busy. With all there is to do with family, work, and church, we are loaded with responsibilities, duties, and ministry. Everyday, pressures mount, and we find ourselves running from one activity to another. Like a giant hamster wheel, we go and go, yet we don’t get anywhere. Jesus knew this but not the Pharisees. All they knew was the law and all the activity it required. So they asked Jesus which commandment He thought was the greatest. They weren’t ready for how profound His answer would be. Jesus didn’t say that the greatest commandment involved ministry, family, or career. He didn’t suggest tremendous feats or a myriad of activities. Instead, Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” In her book Listening Prayer, Leanne Payne writes, “Centering on the work of the Lord and the helping of others, can cloud our first duty of loving, glorifying and enjoying God always. As Oswald Chambers says, ‘The greatest competitor of devotion to Jesus is service for Him.’ It is never ‘Do, do’ with the Lord, but ‘Be,be” and He will ‘do’ through you.” So today, let us be conscious of Him. Let us worship Him, love Him and spend time with Him. If we do, we will find that everything else will fall into place.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Lord, help me love You today with my whole heart, soul, and mind. Take my life; I give You complete control. I want to spend time with You, share my thoughts, and hear from You today. Help me take charge of my schedule and busyness to carve out the time I need to worship You better. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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No Perfect People Allowed

TODAY’S VERSE
I have not achieved it (perfection), but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:13-14

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Paul started the whole “No perfect people allowed” movement! He knew the pressure that Christians were getting from the religious people. Get circumcised, follow the commandments, and obey the law. Paul knew that this was a trap. He knew that two kinds of people miss God’s standard of perfection. Those that say they do and those that pretend they don’t. Paul did not have to pretend to be perfect; he had a better way! He tried being the ideal Jew, following the law, and being a zealot. But Paul put that all behind him. He stopped trying to earn God’s love and feeling guilty over his sin. Instead, he wrote, “I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.” How about you? There comes a time when you have to make a choice. Will you live by the law, beat yourself up over your sin, and try to earn God’s love? Or will you live by God’s grace and accept His unconditional love for you? Follow Paul’s example, “I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, you know my past. You know I cannot earn my way into your graces. Please help me to know that too. Help me accept your grace and unconditional love, forget the past, and move into your glorious future for me.
AMEN

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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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