Forgive Yourself

TODAY’S VERSE
“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” — “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,”
Romans 7:24-25, 8:1

TODAY’S THOUGHT
No condemnation. That was something hard for me to understand. For whatever reason, I wrestled with God’s love and acceptance. It was easier to condemn myself then to feel forgiven. Just recently I was leading a group in a “forgiveness” exercise. As we were making a list of those who have offended us, I mentioned that one person we may need to forgive is ourself. During the meditation time I reflected on things that I had regretted. Things I had done or not done. Things I had sought forgiveness for from those I offended. There I sat, still feeling a sense of guilt and shame. But in that moment, the Holy Spirit prompted me to “forgive myself”. With deep conviction I told God how sorry I was for each offense and then began the process of “forgiving myself”. One by one, I decided to take myself off the hook, to let go of the guilt and shame and accept the forgiveness, not that I deserved, but that is offered freely to those in Christ Jesus. How about you? Are there things that you need to forgive yourself for? Things that you have long since asked forgiveness for, but still plague you? Today let yourself off the hook. Forgive yourself the way Christ does. “There is now no condemnation”. Christ believes that about you. Will you?

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I thank You for Your amazing love, mercy and grace. I thank You that there is no condemnation to those that know You as Savior. 
I thank You for the forgiveness that You have extended to me. Help me to extend the same forgiveness to myself. In Jesus Name’.
AMEN

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Give Away Your Hope

TODAY’S VERSE
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
I Peter 3:15

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Hope is a precious commodity. You can live without a lot of things but it is hard to live this life without hope. Solomon wrote, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick!” How true that is. The opposite is true too. Hope makes the heart peaceful. Hope, in the resurrection power of Christ, enables us to overcome obstacles that hinder us. With hope in God’s love and faithfulness we can look beyond adversity. But with hope, comes responsibility. It would be wrong to have a warehouse full of food and not let those that are starving have some. Likewise to have hope and not show others how to have the same hope, would be unconscionable. For that reason Peter tells us to, “be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” So where is your hope today? Is it in the living God? Are you feeling secure even when the pressure is on? If so, ask God to bring people to you that will ask about your hope. And when He does, ask God to help you present to them the message of hope that is found in Christ.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for the hope that I find in You. You are my hope and I want to tell others about You. Give me the courage and strength to give an answer to every person that asks me where my hope comes from.
AMEN

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Hold On

TODAY’S VERSE
“Since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:14-16

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Holding on. Have you ever felt like that’s all you can do? Things are out of control. You are not sure what to do? The question is, “What do you hang on to?” The author of Hebrews says that we should “hold firmly to the faith we profess.” But this is not some “blind” faith. Rather we hold on to a faith that is in a God who cares and empathizes with our situation. Jesus knows what it is to be human, to suffer, to be tempted, to be abandoned, beaten and killed. He also knows how to love unconditionally, to forgive every imaginable sin, to be tempted and not give in and to rise from the dead. Is it no wonder that the author gives one of the most incredible pieces of advice ever given? He writes, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence.” He is suggesting that you can come boldly right into the presence of God without worry of repercussion. And what will you get when you come right into the very presence of God? He promises that you will receive mercy and find grace to help you in your time of need. So today, when you feel anxious or worried, hold on! If you find yourself alone and depressed, hold on! If everything you hear is negative and panic sets in, hold on! If you become angry and bitterness starts to fester, hold on! Hold on to His mercy and grace; they will never fail.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I come to You and hold on today. I thank You that You are the great High Priest that never sinned but became the perfect sacrifice for my sin. I place my faith in You, dear Father, and come to Your throne of grace with confidence. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that is always there in my time of need.
AMEN

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Living Water

Living Water

TODAY’S VERSE
“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”
Jeremiah 2:13

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Separation from God usually comes in two phases. First we start to stray. Little by little we start to forsake fellowship, fail to meditate in His word and spend less and less time in prayer. Good things take us from the more important. Urgent begins to replace the best. How subtle the path takes us. We end up farther and farther from home, away from the spiritual milieu that once fed our soul. Second we not only stray we actually find a new home. Jeremiah says not only do we forsake the spring of living water; we actually go out and dig our own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold any water. They look great on the outside but are empty on the inside. Where are you today? Are you straying farther and farther from God? Have you actually moved away and found other interests that take top priority in your life? Stop! Go no farther. Turn back. Come to your Heavenly Father today and ask Him to cleanse your heart, put a new thirst in your soul and lead you back to the spring of living water.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, forgive me for straying from You. I have forsaken Your living waters and have attempted to quench my own thirst. I admit that I am still thirsty. I know that only You can satisfy and I ask Lord that You would fill my cup today with Your life giving presence.
AMEN

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Sufficient Grace

Sufficient Grace

TODAY’S VERSE
“But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. – Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.”
Psalms 69:13,16

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
II Corinthians 12:9

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Sometimes it is hard to hang on. Tragic news, delayed answers, unfulfilled dreams, disappointing outcomes; it is easy to get discouraged. But God knows what we are going through. He invites us to share our cares with Him. We can call upon God’s great love, goodness and mercy to sustain us. Even Jesus knew what it was to throw Himself at the mercy of God. When facing Him eminent torturous death, He cried out to His father, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” And though He died, God’s grace never left Him. The Father took the cup of death from Him when He rose from the dead. What is it you need relief from? What has you down and discouraged? What is it that seems so overwhelming? Bring it to Jesus. Lay your burden at the foot of the cross and hear Jesus say to you, what He said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Might you find His grace sufficient for you today.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You that no matter what my circumstances, You promise that Your grace will be sufficient for me. Your wisdom will guide me. Your love will embrace me and draw me to Your side. I choose to live my life today in that reality. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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More Than Conquerors

TODAY’S VERSE
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Romans 8:37

TODAY’S THOUGHT
For most of us working day by day it is hard to get our hand around the meaning of conqueror. Perhaps for an athlete, a person in sales or merger and acquisitions or someone in the military, the word has more meaning. Most of us know little about the word. Sure we win the occasional argument, get our proposal passed, even get our children to listen to what we say, but that is far from being a vanquisher of all that comes against us. Paul knew that we would be in Spiritual battle. He knew that we would face life’s issues point blank and our flesh, the world and the Devil would do everything they could to discourage and defeat us. That is why the Spirit of God had him write that even in “trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger or sword” we are more than conquerors. Not just conquerors, more than conquerors. The best way I have heard it described was by Rick Renner in his book, “365 Days of Power”. He writes, “I boldly declare that in Jesus Christ, I am a conqueror who is utmost, paramount, foremost, first-rate, first-class and top-notch; greater, higher, and better than; superior to; preeminent, dominant, incomparable; more than a match for; unsurpassed, unequaled, and unrivaled by any challenge that would ever try to come against me! I declare this in Jesus’ name!” Today, let us believe the same about ourself.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Thank you Lord that You have given me power, in the Holy Spirit, to overcome adversity, discouragement, and every Spiritual attack that besets me. Help me take my eyes off my past defeats and look to Your love and the power of Your resurrection available to me today. Thank You Lord that today I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus my Lord.
AMEN

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His Word

TODAY’S VERSE
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12

TODAY’S THOUGHT
How important is it for you and I to spend time with God in His word? It is imperative! It is a must. If we are going to live the kind of life God wants us to, then we must spend time listening to what God has to say about it. Everything we do is based on the various beliefs, perceptions, and assumptions we have. Many of these were shaped in childhood. Others are the result of the knowledge and experience we pick up as adults. If we are going shape our thinking and behavior so that it aligns with His will for us, we must let His word penetrate deep into our heart and make all the necessary changes it needs to. The author of Hebrews compares the word of God to a sharp, double edged sword. Just like a sword can cut deep into our flesh and bone, so God’s word cuts to the thoughts and attitudes that we hide deep in our heart. God then can use His word to judge and correct those core beliefs that guide the way we live. Habits, addictions, compulsive behavior, negative emotions can all change, if we let His living and active word work in our heart. 

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, please use Your word to mold me, change me and make me more like You. Cut to my inner thoughts and beliefs. Judge them, correct them and align them with Yours. In Jesus Name.
AMEN

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Your Life’s Recipe

TODAY’S VERSE
“Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”
II Peter 1:5-7

TODAY’S THOUGHT
A salsa is only as good as it’s ingredients. Avocado, diced tomatoes, onion, the list of ingredients went on. Mixing everything together, gathering chips, it was time to taste this masterpiece. As I took my first bite, I was dumbfounded as to how bland the taste was. Knowing the person who prepared the dish, I knew it had to be an error. Sure enough, upon reviewing the recipe, salt and lime juice were missing from the experience. What a difference two ingredients can make. By adding the two missing elements the taste, that the chef had originally intended was brought forth. Likewise God has given us a recipe for life and Peter encourages us to make every effort to include all the ingredients needed. We are to start with faith and add goodness. Next is knowledge, self-control and perseverance. Finally we add the zest; Godliness, brotherly kindness and love. These eight ingredients combine to give us the kind of life God desires for us. Peter ends his thoughts this way. ”For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Today ask God to take these ingredients and help you add them, little by little, to your own life’s recipe.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, help me have the faith I need to live for You. With this faith in place, help me add, day by day; goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, Godliness, brotherly kindness and love. I pray this in Jesus Name.
AMEN

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Jesus Prays For You

TODAY’S VERSE
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:31-32

“But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
I John 2:1-2

TODAY’S THOUGHT
It is true. We do have a spiritual enemy. He does desire to destroy us. And yes we do sin. We do fall short of how God desires us to behave. But praise God that is not where today’s passage ends. In one of the most sincere verses in the Bible, Jesus turns to Simon Peter and says, “but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.” What an epic moment. God, in the very flesh of Jesus, calls Simon by name, looks him in the eye and tells him that he is praying for him so that his faith may not fail. And the great truth is that He does the same for us! John elaborates on this by saying that when we sin, when we are under spiritual attack, Jesus speaks to the father in our defense. Now we have a choice to make. We can be like Peter and ignore what Jesus said, or we can believe Him. Think about it. If we really believe that Jesus is praying for us, that He is interceding for us, it would change the way we life. Ours would be a life full of gratitude for what God has done. Peace, because of His presence. Courage because of our confidence we have in Him. And what does He ask for in return? Listen to what He said to Peter. “Strengthen your brothers.” Today, live conscious of God’s love and protection. Hear Jesus praying for you by name, and don’t let your faith fail. Instead, walk in victory! And with renewed strength and faith, go strengthen others.    

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Jesus, I am so glad that You are greater than the enemy of my soul. You are all powerful, all loving and all wise. Thank You for interceding for me with Your prayers of grace, mercy and forgiveness. Help me today, go strengthen others, with the same love You have for me.
AMEN

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Protect My Heart

TODAY’S VERSE
“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily.”
Hebrews 3:12-13

TODAY’S THOUGHT
It is so easy for our heart to wander. Temptation, disappointment, deferred hope, loss, heartache, lust, greed, anger, jealousy, Spiritual apathy and isolation are just some of the ways that our hearts can become sinful and unbelieving. We must do all we can in order not to be deceived and lose heart. Paul shares one way to stay close to God in verse one of this same passage. He writes, “Fix your thoughts on Jesus”. He says this in another way in his letter to the Philippians. He writes, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” The protection of our heart starts in our head. We need to fix our thoughts on Jesus and those things that build us up. Paul gives another way to protect our heart. He writes, “encourage one another daily.” Isolation can be a “kiss of death” to our heart. We get alone in our pity party and soon we find our self feeling hopeless, alone and unbelieving. Instead, we need to fellowship with others. Find a friend and share your thoughts. Let them encourage you, pray for you and help you with your burden. You can then do the same for someone else. Whatever else you do today, protect your heart!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, forgive me for the times I allow my heart to become sinful and unbelieving. Help me to fix my thoughts on Jesus and those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Help me to seek the fellowship of others that can in turn help me and encourage me. Lord, restore my heart to You, I pray. In Jesus Name.
AMEN

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