Do-Over

TODAY’S VERSE
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. – Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalms 51: 1-2, 10 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
How many times have you wanted to do something over? “If I could just take back what I said.” “If I could retake the test.” “If I had one more chance!” In Golf, it is the “mulligan.” In Monopoly, it is the “Get out of jail” card. On Wheel of Fortune, it is the “free spin.” How many times do we need a do-over? King David needed one. He had committed adultery, resulting in the woman becoming pregnant. To make it worse, he had her husband killed! God sent Nathan, the Prophet, to David to rebuke him. David came under severe guilt and repented. Instead of running from God, he ran toward God. He openly admitted his sins and asked God for forgiveness. What happened next was truly amazing. David experienced the love of God and the complete forgiveness of his sins. David depended on God’s unfailing love and asked for the seemingly impossible. He asked for mercy, the blotting out of his sins, and the cleansing of his heart. David agreed with God that he was guilty. But he also agreed with God that God’s love is unfailing. So David could ask for a “do-over.” He prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me!” And God did. Why not start over like David today? Make David’s prayer for mercy and cleansing your own.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Righteous Father, I know that You know all about me. You know my wrongdoing. I agree with You that I am guilty of so many things. I confess that I need Your total forgiveness for all that I have done. I ask for a “do-over.” Please, Lord, create in me a pure heart. Renew a right spirit in me. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get this Daily Devotional sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey

For more information, go to http://www.ronovitt.com

Re-correct Your Course

TODAY’S VERSE
That is why the LORD says, ‘Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.’ Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
Joel 2:12-13

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Attitudes and behavior. How easily they can get us off course. Left unchecked, we can find ourselves far from where we want to be. It is like that in sail boating. You don’t get to the other side of the lake in a straight line. Storms, waves, and the wind all send you off course. Instead, you must constantly readjust your sails and re-correct your course to reach your destination. In life, it is our sinful behavior and attitudes that separate us from God. It was this way in the parable of the Prodigal Son. The son decided to leave home and rebel against the father. But there is hope. Jesus said the son was at a low point, feeding the pigs, and “then he came to his senses.” He thought of his father’s love and mercy and decided to go back home. Through the prophet Joel, God says we can do the same thing. “Turn to me now,” God says, “while there is time.” Do you feel far from God today? Do you feel off course? Who moved? Come to Him, come in repentance, come in genuine sorrow, ask for His forgiveness, and ask Him to help you re-correct your course. When you do, listen to Joel’s promise: “He is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, You know my attitudes and behavior. You know how I have wandered off, far from You. But today, I have come to my senses. I want back. Thank You for Your forgiveness and unfailing love toward me. Holy Spirit, help me to re-correct my course. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get this Daily Devotional sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey

For more information, go to http://www.ronovitt.com

Rejected Wisdom

TODAY’S VERSE
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
James 1:5-8

TODAY’S THOUGHT
There is a bitter truth in today’s verse. The truth is, often, we are just playing spiritual games with God. We come to a crossroads in life where we need to ask for wisdom. We go through the spiritual motion of wanting His wisdom, but as soon as the pressure is off and we think we are in the clear, we choose to go our own way again. Jeremiah puts it this way, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.’ But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’” Or, as James suggests, we ask for wisdom, but all the while, we are still hanging on to what we want. We are torn between God and the world. We waver, and our worldly desire usually wins. How can we break this cycle? How can we understand God’s wisdom for our life and then follow it? I believe it happens when we fall down at His feet, tell Him the truth, ask for forgiveness, and then ask Him to direct, guide, and empower us to follow Him. It is by spending time with God, listening to Him, and accepting the guidance of His Holy Spirit. We follow Him one crossroad at a time. We live for Him, one request for wisdom at a time. We start to say “Yes” to Jesus one day at a time. Why not start today?

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, so often, I have good intentions. I want to follow you. I ask for wisdom. I come to the crossroad sincerely to go down the right road, and something happens. I get torn inside and start to doubt. I begin to waver, to be tempted to go another way, and pretty soon, I am far from the wisdom I so desperately sought. Help me, Lord, not to waver but to follow the wisdom you give me. Today, Lord, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get this Daily Devotional sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey

For more information, go to http://www.ronovitt.com

What Promises?

TODAY’S VERSE
Because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
II Peter 1:4

TODAY’S THOUGHT
If I were to create a secular society, one of my top rules would be “Keep your promises.” It is a building block of civil society. Is there anything more reassuring than a promise? Is there anything more demoralizing than a promise that is broken? In the spiritual realm, God is the promise keeper. Peter tells us that God has given us great and precious promises designed to help us be like Him. The Psalmist tells us that God’s promises are backed by all the honor of His name. The question is, do you know what God has promised you? As you read the Scriptures, you realize His word is full of promises. He has promised that He would never leave you or forsake you. He has promised that He went to Heaven to prepare a place for you. He has promised that nobody can take you from Him. I asked earlier if there is anything more demoralizing than a broken promise. The only thing I can think of is the sorrow that we must bring God when we live, as if He never promised us anything. Is that how you live? You can change that. Start today and begin to read His word. As you do, journal all the promises you find that apply to yourself. You will be amazed. Then start to live as if they are true. You will be blessed!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, thank You for giving me many great and precious promises. Please help me to believe them and live my life accordingly. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get this Daily Devotional sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey

For more information, go to http://www.ronovitt.com

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

________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get this Daily Devotional sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey

For more information, go to http://www.ronovitt.com

Read The Word

TODAY’S VERSE
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
II Timothy 3:16-17

TODAY’S THOUGHT
How often do we pray for direction? How many times do we just long to hear God’s voice? How many times a week do we cry out for wisdom? The good news is that God has created a way to speak to us, give us wisdom, and guide us. It is through His written word, the Bible. Paul was telling Timothy how important the Bible was. He shared that God inspired the Bible to teach, convict, correct, and equip us for His service. Through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, God can speak to us personally and intimately. It is easy to get busy, and a day goes by, then two, pretty soon a week, then a month. Before you know it, you are not spending time getting to know God or His word. We were not meant to live life without His inspired word. It is like going through life with a hole in your heart. Instead, let God fill the emptiness. Get a Bible, and spend a few minutes each day letting God teach you. He will. He longs to fellowship with you and guide you. Why not start today?

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for the Bible. I know that it was written to give me wisdom and guidance. Help me to read it, learn it and use it every day. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get this Daily Devotional sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey

For more information, go to http://www.ronovitt.com

The Pits

TODAY’S VERSE
I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.
Psalms 40:1-3 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Have you found yourself in the pit? Does it seem like there is no way out? The walls are high and slippery, and every time you try to escape, you slip back down. David knew exactly how you feel. There are many pits in life we can fall into. Emotional pits of bitterness, depression, and fear. Financial pits of debt or inadequate income. Relational pits of alienation, fighting, or loneliness. Career pits of unemployment or underemployment. The good news is that God knows about our situation. He can help us. As David waited patiently for God, God heard his cry. God lifted him from the pit of despair and put him on solid ground. He can do the same for you. Cry out to God today. Tell Him about your situation. Share with Him how you feel. As you do, you will find God lifting you out of your pit. He will put you on solid ground. He will give you a new song to sing. Best of all, as God works in your life, many will see what is happening and trust God the same way you do. Give God your situation, and begin to trust Him for deliverance today.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, You know the pit I am in. Please show me any participation I may have in this so I can repent of my doing that has kept me here. I ask You, Father, to please lift me out of this. I will wait patiently for You, dear God, and trust in You. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get this Daily Devotional sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey

For more information, go to http://www.ronovitt.com

Why Do We Fear?

Why Do We Fear?

TODAY’S VERSE
The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
Psalm 27:1-2

TODAY’S THOUGHT
The Psalmist asks a legitimate question. Why should we fear? Why should we fear if God is our light and salvation, our fortress and protector? Perhaps it is a rhetorical question pointing to an Almighty God who loves us and holds our soul in His hand. He intimates that with God in control, we shouldn’t fear. This understanding results in him writing, “I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.” It is a matter of faith and trust in the realization that God is the ruler of both worlds, and we can have peace in this world knowing that His love will carry us to the next. Perhaps a better question might be, why do we fear? We fear because our finiteness can only understand so much. Situations become overbearing, and we cry out to God and don’t seem to get an answer. Our faith wavers, and we give up all hope. Like Peter on the water, we take our eyes off Jesus. Perhaps that is why the Psalm ends with, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Faith takes courage. It sometimes takes waiting. Most of all, it takes trusting in His love. We may not always see His power in the way we think we should, but we can count on His love. His love will prevail.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, You know my situation. You know that I cry out to You. Give me a strong sense of Your love for me so I can have courage and wait patiently on You.
AMEN

________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get this Daily Devotional sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey

For more information, go to http://www.ronovitt.com

God Is With Me

TODAY’S VERSE
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
II Corinthians 13:14 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Paul beautifully closes his letter to the church in Corinth with a wonderful blessing for the people. It incorporates the whole Godhead. He begins by blessing them with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace in the form of unmerited mercy and forgiveness of all we have done. With this grace, we begin to comprehend the love of God. We let our roots grow down into God’s love and receive the power to understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. If this isn’t enough, Paul invites us to fellowship with God through His Holy Spirit. This communion is life-changing and possible because God puts His spirit in us. What a marvelous plan, an extraordinary reality, God in all His fullness fellowships with us. So today, let this blessing sink deep into your heart, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you!”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord help me be conscious today that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is with me. I pray in Jesus’ name.
AMEN

_________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get this Daily Devotional sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey

For more information go to http://www.ronovitt.com

Renew Me

TODAY’S VERSE
The people kept sinning. Despite his wonders, they refused to trust him.
Psalms 78:32

TODAY’S THOUGHT
What sad words. How many times have we ignored the Lord? How many times have we experienced His wonders, and when the next trial comes, we refuse to trust Him. Yet, as we go further into the Psalm, we read, “He was merciful and forgave their sins.” What great news! God is full of grace and mercy. The Apostle John promised, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” So today, let’s marvel at the wonder of the Lord and quit sinning. However, if we do, let’s confess it, repent and receive His mercy and grace.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, I am so sorry for ignoring your wonders. I know I have sinned, and I ask for your grace and mercy to renew me. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

_________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get this Daily Devotional sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey

For more information go to http://www.ronovitt.com