Don’t Give Up

TODAY’S VERSE
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.
Luke 18:1 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Jesus had many spiritual lessons He wanted to impart to His disciples. Love was a major tenet of His teaching. Faith was another. We see that Jesus had yet another important lesson for the disciples to cling to in this verse. He told them to pray and never give up. It is a great combination. Some have prayed but after a while, give up. Others have persevered but never took their issue to the Lord. Here Jesus is teaching us that there will be many times when we will get tested and tried. There will be times when we need to persevere. But He reminds us that we don’t have to strive alone. He said that we are to “always pray and never give up.” Paul writes it this way, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Today, what have you been persevering about? What is heavy on your heart? Bring it to the Lord, for He said to pray and never give up!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I have hung in there so long. I have waited and am so close to giving up. But You tell me not to. Instead, I am to pray. So I come to You today. Hear me, Lord. Give me strength. I give my burdens to You. Help me, I pray. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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More Faith

TODAY’S VERSE
The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.”
Luke 17:5 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
There are so many gadgets. So many software programs, and if that isn’t enough, there are apps for about everything. It seems that I have all I can handle to learn the basics. I learn just enough to do what I have to do. So a when a complex problem comes along, I do not know what to do. What an embarrassment when I find out that the software or app could have solved my problem. It was there all the time, inherent in the tool, but I did not take the time to learn about it. It is that way with our faith. When some scripture or sermon challenges us to increase our faith, we think naturally focus on our faith. As if we could whip up faith through some mental state. A certain tone of voice, body posture, heightened emotion, and voila, a deeper faith. But the secret is not in the faith; it is in the object of our faith. Our faith increases as we know and experience God. As we hear the testimonies of others, as we read about the lives of faith others have lived. As we join others and begin to ask God for great and mighty things, our faith grows. It’s already there. Everything we need is in Him. Today, know Him, experience Him, believe Him. Your faith awaits.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, show me more of Yourself. I want a deeper knowledge and experience of You. Through this, I pray, increase my faith.
AMEN

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Ponder

TODAY’S VERSE
How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in him should ponder them.
Psalms 111:2 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
What do you spend time pondering about? It is easy to see the glass half empty. We have a negative bias. We can be on vacation in a beautiful paradise and still be full of misery. The accommodations are lacking; the food is subpar, the beach is too crowded! How we need to refocus ourselves. As children of God, we should be pondering all He is and has done. His love, His grace, His majesty are enough to fill our lifetime with wonderful mystery. So today, refocus. The glass is half full. God is still on His throne. You are deeply loved and favored by God. Look for the goodness of God throughout this day. It is there.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father. Help me see Your amazing deeds today. Help me ponder all that is around me that is good and Holy. Help me be expectant and full of wonder at Your grace. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Feed Yourself Spiritually

TODAY’S VERSE
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalms 119:11 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
When I was an intern, I had to help a child learn to eat. They could not do it themself so over and over, I would try to help them with the simplest of movements. Now that person couldn’t help themself but how sad is it when a person who can eat chooses, for complex reasons, not to do it. Paul was just as concerned with the Christians in Corinth. He wrote, “I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready.” The Psalmist says that we need to digest the word of God, hide it in our hearts if we are going to be healthy spiritually and not sin against Him. We need to feed ourselves spiritually to live the life Christ has called us to. Today, spend time with God. Feed yourself on His word. Let the Holy Spirit nourish you and give you spiritual strength.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, help me to feed on Your word. Nourish my soul through the power of the Holy Spirit. Help me grow into spiritual maturity.
In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Live For Christ

TODAY’S VERSE
Let me live so I can praise you.
Psalms 119:175 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
What are you living for? If someone asked you that question, what would you say? There are multiple answers, some better than others. Many people are driven to success and materialism. Others are looking for more simplicity. Some look for spirituality, while others live for various causes. Paul wrote that for him to live was all about Christ. Christ was everything to him. The Psalmist wrote that he wanted to live so he could praise God. There are many things that we can live for. Many of them are good, but Paul said that there is one that is best. He wrote, “In everything might He be preeminent.” Today, consider why you are living and decide to praise God and have Him first in your life a priority.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, let me live so I can praise You. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Born Again

Born Again

TODAY’S VERSE
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
John 1:12-13 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
I love the term “born-again.” It makes so much sense to me. Our parents procreate us but way before that; our real Heavenly Father created us. He brings us into this world in human form, but we can decide for ourselves when we come of age. Will we claim our real parentage? Will we say “yes” to God by accepting and believing the truth about Jesus Christ? Will we submit ourselves to His Fatherhood and become His children. Will we allow Him to reparent us? God gives us that right. He offers us the privilege to be His children, to be born again into His family. If you haven’t done this, accept His offer today.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, I desire to be Your child. I believe that Christ died for me and rose again so all my wrongdoing can be forgiven. I accept Christ as my Lord and Savior and desire to be Your child. In Jesus Name.
AMEN

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Shame Bearer

TODAY’S VERSE
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.’
Luke 15:22-24 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
It is my favorite parable. I never tire of the son returning home to be taken back by his father. It is a gospel favorite illustrating the love of God and His grace, mercy, and forgiveness toward us. We often interpret it from the perspective of guilt and innocence. However, there is another perspective that is just as important. For many people in the world, this story is about honor and shame. The son demanded his share of the inheritance and brought shame to both himself and his father. However, when the son comes back, the father does not just embrace him. According to today’s verse, he restored his son’s honor. The robe, ring, and sandals all signified his restoration. Today, rejoice, for God doesn’t just forgive you; he is the shame bearer. He has taken all your shame and has given you a place of honor as His child.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, thank You for bearing all my shame. Thank You for giving me a place of honor at Your table. I am Your child and am forever grateful.
AMEN

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Mind Control

TODAY’S VERSE
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.
Romans 8:12 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
How often we feel trapped. We try and try and still give in to sinful desires. Cravings, habits, negative behavior, painful emotions have us running in circles. And then Paul comes and says we don’t have any obligation to do what our sinful nature urges us to do. What a prospect, but how? He gives the secret when he writes, “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” If you know Christ, you have the Spirit of God in you. Today, make it your obligation to follow God and ask the Holy Spirit to control your mind.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Holy Spirit, control my mind today and help me think and do those things that please You.
AMEN

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Know Him

TODAY’S VERSE
I know the greatness of the LORD
Psalms 135:5 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Psalms 135 is full of praise for our Lord. The Psalmist lists many attributes of God that are praise-worthy and speaks of His mighty acts. He has taken time to notice, appreciate, and remember the good things that he knows about God. And that made the difference. He knew. He knew the greatness of the Lord. The word “know” is more than intellectual knowledge; it is experiential. The Psalmist witnessed God in action. He became acquainted with His ways, spent time in His presence, and had personal knowledge of God. So much so he could write with confidence that he knew the greatness of the Lord. Today decide to change your focus. Change from knowing about the greatness of the Lord to experiencing it. Then you, too, will be praising Him.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank You for all that I know about You. But today, I want more. I want to know Your greatness. I want to know You. Help me, I pray. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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The Holy Spirit

TODAY’S VERSE
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
Romans 8:26 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
How often we would take our children’s place if we could. We would face their humiliation, fight their battles, take their sickness, anything to spare them pain and suffering. Then why is it a surprise that God Himself wants to intercede for you in the person of the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit knows your weaknesses and wants to help you. When you are beside yourself and don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit is on the other side, groaning out to God on your behalf. Today, know that God is for you. He loves you. He knows everything about you. And you can stop worrying; the Holy Spirit is feverishly praying for you.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Holy Spirit, thank You for praying on my behalf. Help me today. Guide me, fill me, lead me, direct me. I need You and humbly summit myself to You.
AMEN

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