As Far As the East Is From The West

TODAY’S VERSE
“I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within.”
Psalms 31:10

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.”
Psalms 103:11-13

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Guilt is an insidious emotion. The Psalmist knew this first hand. His sin had caused him much grief. It affected him emotionally and physically. Our misbehavior, our rebellion toward God, does the same to us today. Hundreds of studies have linked toxic emotions to physical disease. But it doesn’t have to be that way. God has provided a way for us to have freedom from guilt. It is through the forgiveness offered by the death of His son our Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle John wrote, “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” Do you know this same Jesus as your personal Savior? Have you accepted His death on the cross as the penalty for your misdeeds? If so, you can say with the Psalmist that as high as the heavens are above the earth so your personal history, with all it’s pain and regret, is removed from God’s sight. They are as far as the east is from the west.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for my sins. Thank You that when I confess and renounce any wrong doing, that You are swift to forgive and cleanse me. I thank You for your unconditional love that takes all my guilt and casts it into the deep sea. I praise You for Your unbelievable grace You give to me. In Jesus name.
AMEN

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I Will Be With You

TODAY’S VERSE
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Isaiah 43:2

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20

TODAY’S THOUGHT
The difference between Christianity the religion and Christianity the lifestyle is the personal application of Biblical truth. We take His word personally. When God says, “I will be with you,” it is not a religious phrase, it is a reality that brings us comfort, strength and hope. When there was a famine in the land, God told Isaac to stay in the land for “I will be with you”. When Jacob was in danger, God told him to return to his home land and said, “I will be with you”. When God commissioned Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, Moses shared how he felt that he was incompetent. God said to do it anyway because, “I will be with you”. When God asked Joshua to take over for Moses and lead the people into the Promised Land, He told Joshua, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” God asked Gideon to lead His people into battle and Gideon was afraid and asked God, “How can I rescue Israel?” God said, “I will be with you” When Jesus was leaving earth to return to God’s right hand and commissioned the Church to make disciples, He promised, “I will be with you always.”
Life has its trials. God has commissioned you and I to serve Him. The tasks may be difficult. We may face trials, temptations and struggles but take comfort in this, even today, God is with you. He will never, never, never leave you or forsake you.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank you for your ever abiding presence. Thank you for the comfort I find in the fact that You are with me. Today, make me keenly aware that nothing can separate me from You. Help my heart be filled with faith in the reality that You will never leave me or forsake me. In Jesus Name.
AMEN

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Walk The Talk

TODAY’S VERSE
“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”
I John 3:17-18

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
John 13:34

TODAY’S THOUGHT
It is harder to “walk our talk” than to “talk our walk.” We can say all we want about how loving we are, but the real proof is in our actions. If God’s love is a motivating force in our life, then helping others is going to be a natural by-product. Christians have lost much of their witness because we have not helped the poor and needy to the best of our ability. Sure our budgets are tight, but then look at what we spend our money on. Expensive cars, homes, furnishings, hobbies, entertainment and food all take their toll on our annual budget. Downsizing will allow us to have discretionary income that we can help others with. We are God’s ambassadors. If we are going to represent Him in this world, then we need to be able to be compassionate toward those that He brings across our path. John says it best, “let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” Ask God to bring someone across your path today that you can help.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, you have blessed me with so much. Help me to be wise with the resources you have given me so I can be compassionate to those that you bring across my path. Even today Lord, show me someone that I can be compassionate toward. Might there be no doubt that your love dwells in me.
AMEN

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The Father Loves Me

TODAY’S VERSE
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!
I john 3:1

TODAY’S THOUGHT
I don’t know how John could have contained himself when he wrote this verse. It has to be one of the most celebratory verses in the entire Bible. John understood the significance of being a child of God and implores us to understand it too. With the excitement of a child on Christmas morning John exclaims, “See how very much our father loves us!” Can you see it? There are four points to notice, First, “How very much”. God’s love for us is unfathomable. John wants us to see and examine the concept that God loves us very much, and to really believe it. Second, is the phrase, “Our”. John is getting personal. He isn’t talking about a God beyond our grasp, an impersonal Deity. Rather John is saying that this is our Father, which leads to the third point. God is our “Father”. Not a dysfunctional or absentee parent. He is our loving, faithful and trustworthy Father. Finally, John shares with us that this Father, who calls us His children, also “loves” us very much. Knowing this should change everything. When you love someone and know that they love you, you trust them. You want to be with them. You want to share in their life. I pray that we will grasp with the Apostle John, how wonderful it is to know that the Father loves us. Rest assured, we have been called, “Children of God,” and this is what we are!  

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for loving us and making us your children. What a privilege to know you. What a joy to be your child. My your love fill my heart and guide my thoughts today. In Jesus name.
AMEN

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Bless Me Lord

TODAY’S VERSE
“Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: ‘May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’ Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.”
Numbers 6:22-27

TODAY’S THOUGHT
You probably recognize these verses as a Doxology that is given at the end of a worship service. It was really given to Moses from God Himself so he could bless the children of Israel. I pray the same for you today:
May you have the assurance that God will bless you and protect you. May you sense the smile of God deep in your heart, and experience His graciousness to you. May the very favor of God Almighty fill you with strength. May knowing how He loves you and wants to bless you give you all the peace you will need to get you through this day. Know this, God Himself loves you so much and is the one who will bless you this day!
AMEN

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, who am I that You would bless me? And yet, You have said that it is Your desire to do so. So, Lord bless me today. Bless me till my heart overflows with the realization that I am Yours and You are mine! Thank you, dear Father.
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.  And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.
I Thessalonians 1:2-3, 7-8

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Christianity is more than a belief system; it is a way of life. It is more than a way of life; it is a tour of duty. When we became a 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 going on around us. Depression, divorce, drug abuse, psychosomatic disease is all part of the world we live in and God has created us to be His ambassadors of love. You and I have a purpose beyond mere existence. We are disciples of Jesus Christ. No one knew this better than the church in Thessalonica. Paul was blown away by their seriousness and dedication. He thanked God for their faith, love and hope and committed himself to pray 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 is the last time we did something because 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 the 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. There is 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 come in contact with. Lead me on, dear Jesus.
AMEN

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Lay Your Burden Down

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, difficult relationships, financial difficulties, medical conditions, emotional stress and family responsibilities are just a few of the pressures that can weigh us down.
Jesus knew the human condition. All around Him He witnessed 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 Church, sent the Holy Spirit and took His rightful place at the right hand of the Father. The church works on His behalf to help us, the Holy Spirit indwells us in order to guide and comfort us and 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, He will guide you, He will give you rest. 

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, I bring to you my burdens. You know my situation. I cannot make it without you. Comfort my heart today. Guide me. Give me strength. Help me carry on. I give you my burdens; please give me Your rest.
AMEN

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Loved By God

TODAY’S VERSE
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for your alienation from God. When you came to God and repented of your rebellion to Him and accepted His gift of eternal life, you became His child. You were what Jesus called, “born-again!” This started you on a brand new life as a Christian, with a fresh relationship with God Almighty. As God’s child, the Bible is clear on the fact that you are loved by Him. This is the cornerstone of our Christian experience. Paul states it very clearly. He was emphatic that nothing can ever separate you from God’s love. In his book, “Abba’s Child”, Brennan Manning writes, “God created us for union with Himself: This is the original purpose of our lives. And God is defined as love (I John 4:16). Living in the awareness of our belovedness is the axis around which the Christian life revolves. Being the beloved is our identity, the core of our existence. It is not merely a lofty thought, an inspiring idea, or one name among many. It is the name by which God knows us and the way He relates to us.” If you believe nothing else today, believe this: God loves you! If you experience nothing else today, experience this: God loves you! If you let nothing else today bring you joy deep into your soul, get joy from this: God loves you! Nothing, nothing, nothing will ever be able to separate you from the love that God has for you!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I thank You for Your love. And I thank You that You promised that nothing will ever separate me from Your love. I accept Your love today and pray that I would live from a heart of gratitude and joy that I am Your beloved.
AMEN

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Delight and Desire

TODAY’S VERSE
“May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.”
Psalms 20:4

“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 that we are fickle, immature and many times unspiritual. Can you imagine God granting every selfish and immature desire we have had? Can you imagine if God allowed our envy, jealous and lustful desires to come true? What about vengeance, isn’t that a desire of the heart? That is why in Psalms 37:4 we read the “rest of the story.” David says that our first goal should be to delight ourself in the Lord, then we will get the desire of our heart. I heard one preacher say it this way. “Love God and do as you please.” What he was saying was, if we truly love God, then 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. When this happens, you can pray with David, “May He grant my heart’s desires and make all my plans succeed.”

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 day by day. In Jesus Name.
AMEN

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More Than Prayer

TODAY’S VERSE
“Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and prayed, ‘Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?’”
I Chronicles 17:16

TODAY’S THOUGHT
There is more to prayer than simply asking God for something. Think about it. In the last few times that you prayed have you asked God for something? It is not wrong to ask, but there is more to prayer than making requests. God desires a relationship with us. It is said of David that he was a man “after God’s own heart.” He had a relationship with God unlike any other. Today’s verse is proof. Notice what it says, “Then King David went in and sat before the Lord.” Think about it. This was almighty Jehovah. Only the Priests were allowed into the Holy Place before the Lord. They were to purify themselves, make a sacrifice, and go in and stand in reverence before the Lord of Hosts. Here is David. Does he purify himself? No, he had pure motives. Did he bring a sacrifice? No, he had a humble and contrite heart. Did he stand before the Lord? No, notice he, “went in and sat before the Lord!” How great is that? This is what Christ came for. His death was the payment for our sins so we could come before God and pray. But notice how David prayed. Did he ask for something? No, he started to relate to God. He shared his heart. He asked God a question. What a model for us to follow. You can come to God today and sit before Him. You can simply tell Him what is on your heart. Tell Him how you feel. Ask Him questions. Praise Him for His goodness in your life. Picture Him there with you and let Him penetrate your heart with His love. Then love Him back. Stop praying and start a relationship with God. When you do, praying will take on a whole new meaning.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I don’t want to simply pray. I confess most of the time I just ask for things. I’m not sure how to relate to You. Please Father, today have Your Holy Spirit lead me in a conversation with You. Help me be honest with You and share how I am feeling. Then Father, help me to sense Your presence. Help me see You, hear you, feel You. More than anything else in the world, I want a relationship with You that is real and vibrant. Lord, let it start right now. I pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ.
AMEN

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